Daduchos or Daduchus, or Dadouchos (;
grc, δᾳδοῦχος "torch-bearer", from δᾶις+ἔχω) is an epithet of
Artemis
In ancient Greek mythology and religion, Artemis (; grc-gre, Ἄρτεμις) is the goddess of the hunt, the wilderness, wild animals, nature, vegetation, childbirth, care of children, and chastity. She was heavily identified wit ...
, and notably of
Demeter seeking her lost daughter (
Persephone
In ancient Greek mythology and religion, Persephone ( ; gr, Περσεφόνη, Persephónē), also called Kore or Cora ( ; gr, Κόρη, Kórē, the maiden), is the daughter of Zeus and Demeter. She became the queen of the underworld after ...
) with a torch. It was also an epithet of
Hekate
Hecate or Hekate, , ; grc-dor, Ἑκάτᾱ, Hekátā, ; la, Hecatē or . is a goddess in ancient Greek religion and mythology, most often shown holding a pair of torches, a key, snakes, or accompanied by dogs, and in later periods depicte ...
,
a goddess frequently associated with torches. This title was given in the Rhodes Island in Greece.
It was also the title of the second priest (ranking after the
Hierophant
A hierophant ( grc, ἱεροφάντης) is a person who brings religious congregants into the presence of that which is deemed ''holy''. As such, a hierophant is an interpreter of sacred mysteries and arcane principles.
The word comes from a ...
) at the
Eleusinian Mysteries
The Eleusinian Mysteries ( el, Ἐλευσίνια Μυστήρια, Eleusínia Mystḗria) were initiations held every year for the cult of Demeter and Persephone based at the Panhellenic Sanctuary of Elefsina in ancient Greece. They are th ...
, an office inherited in several families of Athens.
References
Sources
*Eleusis By Karl Kerényi Archetypal Image of Mother and Daughter Page 78
Eleusinian Mysteries
Epithets of Artemis
Epithets of Demeter
Ancient Athenian religious titles
Ancient Greek priests
{{AncientGreek-reli-stub