Cyamites

In Greek mythology, Cyamites or Kyamites (Greek Κυαμίτης from κύαμος "bean") was the hero or demigod of the Eleusinian mysteries who presided over the cultivation of Fava beans, and worshiped locally in Athens. During the ritual and after drinking the kykeon, initiates would visit his sanctuary on the sacred road to Eleusis.[1][2][3] It is said that Pythagoras, the famous Greek philosopher and mathematician who spoke of the transmigration of the soul forbade the eating of fava beans because they contained the souls of the dead.[4] This once forbidden bean is also related to Favism, a genetic deficiency affecting Jews and other descendant of the Mediterranean with an allergic like reaction causing hemolytic anemia and Acute kidney failure.

His name has been interpreted as "the god of the beans and patron of the bean market", given that a bean market (κυαμῖτις) was reported by Plutarch[5] to have been situated on the same road not far from the sanctuary.

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ Pausanias, Description of Greece, 1. 37. 4
  2. ↑ Photius, Lexicon, s. v. Kyamites
  3. ↑ Plutarch, Lives of Ten Orators, 4
  4. ↑ "Fava Bean" (PDF). ARC Centre of Excellence for Integrated Legume Research. Retrieved 8 January 2016.
  5. ↑ Moralia, 837c

References


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