Daduchos or Daduchus, or Dadouchos (;
"torch-bearer", from δᾶις+ἔχω) is an epithet of
Artemis
In ancient Greek religion and Greek mythology, mythology, Artemis (; ) is the goddess of the hunting, hunt, the wilderness, wild animals, transitions, nature, vegetation, childbirth, Kourotrophos, care of children, and chastity. In later tim ...
, and notably of
Demeter
In ancient Greek religion and Greek mythology, mythology, Demeter (; Attic Greek, Attic: ''Dēmḗtēr'' ; Doric Greek, Doric: ''Dāmā́tēr'') is the Twelve Olympians, Olympian goddess of the harvest and agriculture, presiding over cro ...
seeking her lost daughter (
Persephone
In ancient Greek mythology and Ancient Greek religion, religion, Persephone ( ; , classical pronunciation: ), also called Kore ( ; ) or Cora, is the daughter of Zeus and Demeter. She became the queen of the Greek underworld, underworld afte ...
) with a torch. It was also an epithet of
Hekate
Hecate ( ; ) is a goddess in ancient Greek religion and mythology, most often shown holding a pair of torches, a key, or snakes, or accompanied by dogs, and in later periods depicted as three-formed or triple-bodied. She is variously associated ...
,
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 () 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 ancient Greece, where it was ...
) at the
Eleusinian Mysteries
The Eleusinian Mysteries () were initiations held every year for the Cult (religious practice), cult of Demeter and Persephone based at the Panhellenic Sanctuary of Eleusis in ancient Greece. They are considered the "most famous of the secret rel ...
, 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
Epithets of Hecate
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