Κέλμις ἐν σιδήρῳ

Abstract

The paper is dedicated to a reexamination of reconstructions proposed for the Greco-Roman myth about a misdeed committed by the Idaean Dactyl Celmis for which he was metamorphosed into iron. I show that the version that Celmis doubted the divinity of Jupiter is not based on ancient sources. I discuss the relative merits of versions that Celmis was inhospitable towards Rhea and that he attempted to rape the goddess.