Telete
Daughter of Dionysus in Greek mythology
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In Greek mythology, Telete (/ˈtɛlɪtiː/; Ancient Greek: Τελετή, romanized: Teletḗ, lit. 'consecration') is the daughter of the wine-god Dionysus and Nicaea, a Naiad daughter of the river-god Sangarius and Cybele, a mother goddess.
Mythology
Concerning Telete's birth, it is related that Nicaea was ashamed of having been made pregnant by Dionysus, and even attempted to hang herself; nevertheless, in due time a daughter was born to her. The Horae were said to have served as midwives at Telete's birth.[1] Telete was destined by Dionysus to become a follower of himself and his son Iacchus, her half-brother.[2]
Pausanias mentions a statue of Telete in the sanctuary of the Heliconian Muses in Boeotia. Her image was next to that of Orpheus.[3]
Telete was associated with nighttime festivities and ritual dances in honor of Dionysus,[4] and has been interpreted as a goddess of initiation into the Bacchic rites.[5]
