КУЛТОТ НА ВОДАТА ВО РЕЛИГИЈАТА НА АНТИЧКИТЕ МАКЕДОНЦИ

Abstract

Water was the subject of universal respect in the religion of the ancient Macedonians and the cult of water was founded in their oldest tradition. In their beliefs, the water deity Adonaios, the river personifications Axios, Baphiros, Erygonos, Olganos, Strymon etc., as well as the nymphs (Echiedorides), also known as Thourides, are especially characteristic. Although brief, incidental or fragmentary, numerous records of their beliefs and ritual practices related to water have been preserved. In one of the oldest records, a holy Macedonian river is mentioned – a savior who saved the life of the Macedonian king Perdiccas I. The example of the strategic passing Nine Roads at the mouth of the river Strymon, whose bridges were not demolished by any conqueror, is symbolic and when Xerxes’ army crossed here, the Persian priests sacrificed seven white horses according to Macedonian customs. There are records that Alexander III of Macedon offered sacrifices to the river Istros in order not to oppose its crossing and before returning from India he did the same to the river Hyphasis. Especially interesting is the story of his search for immortal (living) water and the desire to become immortal, taken from the Alexander Romance and preserved in several versions in the later Macedonian tradition. Through the analysis of these and other similar records, the paper addresses the specifics of the cult of water in the religion of the ancient Macedonians, but also the visible traces in the later Macedonian tradition and in constant continuity through the centuries.