Boundaries and crossroads Hecate

the coins of agathocles of bactria (ruled 190-180 bce), show zeus holding hecate in hand.

hecate associated borders, city walls, doorways, crossroads and, extension, realms outside or beyond world of living. appears have been particularly associated being between , hence characterized liminal goddess. hecate mediated between regimes—olympian , titan—but between mortal , divine spheres. liminal role reflected in number of cult titles: apotropaia (that turns away/protects); enodia (on way); propulaia/propylaia (before gate); triodia/trioditis (who frequents crossroads); klêidouchos (holding keys), etc.

as goddess expected avert harmful or destructive spirits house or city on stood guard , protect individual or passed through dangerous liminal places, hecate naturally become known goddess refuse avert demons, or drive them on against unfortunate individuals.

it role guardian of entrances led hecate s identification mid fifth century enodia, thessalian goddess. enodia s name ( in-the-road ) suggests watched on entrances, expresses both possibility stood on main road city, keeping eye on entered, , in road in front of private houses, protecting inhabitants.

this function appear have relationship iconographic association of hecate keys, , might relate appearance 2 torches, when positioned on either side of gate or door illuminated immediate area , allowed visitors identified. in byzantium small temples in honor placed close gates of city. hecate s importance byzantium above deity of protection. when philip of macedon attack city, according legend alerted townspeople ever present torches, , pack of dogs, served constant companions. suggests hecate s close association dogs derived in part use of watchdogs, who, particularly @ night, raised alarm when intruders approached. watchdogs used extensively greeks , romans.

cult images , altars of hecate in triplicate or trimorphic form placed @ three-way crossroads (though appeared before private homes , in front of city gates). in form came known goddess trivia ( 3 ways ) in roman mythology. in appears 7th-century indication of survival of cult practices of general sort, saint eligius, in sermo warns sick among converted flock in flanders against putting devilish charms @ springs or trees or crossroads , and, according saint ouen urge them no christian should make or render devotion deities of trivium, 3 roads meet... .

like hecate, [t]he dog creature of threshold, guardian of doors , portals, , appropriately associated frontier between life , death, , demons , ghosts move across frontier. yawning gates of hades guarded monstrous watchdog cerberus, function prevent living entering underworld, , dead leaving it.