Kybele, the mother of the gods, only occurs in one or two doubtful instances, with the lion which is usually associated with her.[[897]]
Among the primitive and recondite Greek cults which go back to a remote origin, that of the Kabeiri may perhaps be mentioned here. Previous to the discovery, in 1887–88, of their sanctuary near Thebes, little was known, either from literary or monumental sources, of these mysterious deities; but the excavations on this site yielded large quantities of pottery with scenes relating to their cult, mostly of a burlesque character.[[898]] Among these was one very interesting fragment representing (with names inscribed) the Kabeiros and his son (Pais) banqueting, and attended by two deities known as Mitos and Pratoleia.[[899]] Lenormant noticed that the spectator-deities on an under-world vase in the British Museum correspond exactly to the four Cabeiric deities as described by certain ancient authorities.[[900]]
Turning next to myths which treat of the semi-divine personages of the earliest cosmogony, we have the legends given by Hesiod of Prometheus and the creation of Pandora; and we may include with them the Titan Atlas. Pandora, it has been already noted, is only a variation of Gaia,[[901]] and this is borne out by the name given to her on a beautiful polychrome cup in the British Museum representing her creation, completed by Hephaistos and Athena.[[902]] She is there named Ἀνεσιδώρα, “She who sends up gifts,” E.g. from the earth. The subject is not so popular as might have been expected, but appears on two other vases in the Museum, in each case with Olympian deities as spectators of the event, and on a beautiful vase now at Oxford.[[903]] The story of the opening of the πίθος has not found its way into art, but its connection with the Athenian feast of the πιθοίγια is curiously illustrated in one instance.[[904]]
Prometheus too is seldom seen, and chiefly on B.F. vases. In one case he receives a libation from Hera,[[905]] and there are two or three representations of his liberation by Herakles.[[906]] On a Cyrenaic cup he is grouped with Atlas, the vulture pecking at his breast, while the other groans under the burthen of the heavens.[[907]] Atlas is found almost exclusively with Herakles in connection with his visit to the Garden of the Hesperides. Either he is actually present in the Garden[[908]] or is confronted with the hero, who in some cases bears his burden for him while he obtains the apples.[[909]] He is also seen in company with a Sphinx.[[910]]
We now come to discuss a few subordinate deities or semi-divine personages who do not fall into any of the preceding categories.
Asklepios, chiefly a figure of later art, is exceedingly rare on vases. There is, in fact, only one on which he can certainly be identified. This is a late R.F. vase at Athens, on which he is seen reclining on a couch feeding a serpent and accompanied by Hygieia.[[911]] Nor does the latter occur elsewhere, though her name, as already noted (p. [43]), is sometimes given to one of the personified figures attending on Aphrodite.[[912]] Eileithyia, the goddess of childbirth, generally appears, in duplicated form, assisting Zeus at the birth of Athena,[[913]] or Leto at that of Apollo and Artemis.[[914]] She is closely related to Artemis, and a representation of a goddess who has been identified as Artemis-Eileithyia may be seen on an early Boeotian vase with reliefs at Athens.[[915]]
Iris, the messenger of the gods, is usually distinguished from Nike by her caduceus or herald’s staff, and from Hebe by her wings. She is often depicted as a single figure,[[916]] or pouring a libation to Hera, Athena, or other deities.[[917]] She is associated more especially with Hera, as Hermes is with Zeus, and attends on the former in several scenes of assemblages of the gods.[[918]] In company with Hera she is attacked by a troop of Seileni and defended by Herakles,[[919]] and on another vase she is similarly surprised by a troop of Centaurs.[[920]] She assists at the creation of Pandora,[[921]] at the Judgment of Paris,[[922]] and at the wedding of Peleus and Thetis,[[923]] and also appears in the Garden of the Hesperides.[[924]] She is also seen with Paris carrying off Helen[[925]]; and with Menelaos fetching her back[[926]]; and in another scene, apparently drawn from a Homeric source (Il. viii. 397 ff.), where she dissuades Athena and Hera from taking sides in the war, at the behest of Zeus.[[927]] She conveys the infant Herakles to the Centaur Cheiron,[[928]] and is also seen in company with a warrior.[[929]]
Hebe in Olympos performs somewhat similar functions to Iris, more particularly that of pouring out wine for the gods.[[930]] She is also specially associated with Herakles at and after his apotheosis,[[931]] appearing as his bride in several instances.[[932]] Besides these, she frequently appears in assemblies of the gods,[[933]] or at the punishment of Marsyas,[[934]] or the Judgment of Paris.[[935]]