Hekate's Many Names Part 1 of 3
Kleidoukhos, Dadophoros, Eilytheia, Basillea, all names that Hekate has born through Her history. Just four of well over a hundred titles and names and qualifiers and descriptors. Each gives us a different perspective of our Goddess, though no name is sufficient to encapsulate Hekate who is the Soul of the World. Epithets are perspectives, new or old, that Her followers have found appropriate. Some, like Perseia, describe elements of Her mythos. Others may tell us where She had a temple or a cultus, such as Zerynthia. We learn via epithets that She is bright-coiffed, beautiful, maidenly, or angry-voiced, wild, and sepulchral.
When a priest or a devotee puts pen to paper and strives to describe Hekate in the poor terms of language, epithets can provide the means to begin.
I have arranged my study of epithets in terms of veracity, not because I only want to use the oldest and most original, but because I believe it is important to recognize how Her titles and descriptors have grown and changed as the world as shifted. Being honest about whence an idea originated and when allows for a greater grasp of what is being created today.
I owe many people for this project. Florian Schlie, Tina Georgitsis, Sorita d'Este, Tara Sanchez, Natalie Baan, Melissa McNair, Nikki Salvatore, Katerina Dogiama-Azeri as well as the community of the Covenant of Hekate as a whole, and the group known as Hekate’s Crossroads as well. Without them and their support, I never would have created this project.
If you can assist in this work, please email me at [email protected] with your insights, preferably with a source, and permission whether I can mention your name in later editions of this project.
Ultimately, my hope is that this on-going exploration of Hekate’s names helps the community of Hekate’s devotees to find inspiration and insight into our vast and enigmatic Goddess. May it be a blessing upon your path, a guidepost, and a light in moments when you need it.
EDIT: Updated Feb. 13, 2016 with almost 100 new epithets, thanks to this wonderful list. Some of the entries didn’t pass my personal standards for making it into the most historical list, but they are all valuable, and all will probably eventually be added to the first category. My kingdom for a good original Greek copy of the PGM… that I can afford.
EDIT: updated 5/27/2016 with a slew of new epithets.
EDIT: updated 8/13/2018 with a few new epithets. Thanks to Cyndi Brannen from Patheos’ Keeping Her Keys for the help with these!
Epithets with Historical Precedence
?: Subduer of All: Greek Magical Papyri Hymn IV 2714-83
?: Fawn-slayer: Hymn to Selene-Hekate-Artemis, Greek Magical Papyri IV 2714-83.
?: Greatest Overseer: Hymn to Selene-Hekate-Artemis, Greek Magical Papyri IV 2714-83.
?: Who Pours Forth Arrows: Hymn to Selene-Hekate-Artemis, Greek Magical Papyri IV 2714-83.
?: Adorned in Full Armor: The Chaldean Oracles. See Stephen Ronan.
?: Holds the Helm of All: The Chaldean Oracles. See Stephen Ronan.
?: Dog-slaying: Lycophron. See also Simon Hornblower.
?: Mistress of Dreams. See Stephen Ronan and Fontenrose’s Python.
?: Swordbearing: See Stephen Ronan and Sarah Iles Johnston.
Abronoe: Gracious: PGM IV 2441-2621. See Pachoumi’s “A List of Epithets from the Greek Magical Papyri…”.
Admetos: Unconquered: PGM IV 2708-2784. Also said of Atalanta.
Aenaos: Eternal, Ever-flowing: PGM IV 2785-2890.
Agallomenen elaphoisi: Rejoicing in Deer: The Orphic Hymn to Hekate.
Agia: Sacred, holy, saint: PGM IV 2241-2358.
Aglaos: Radiant, bright, beautiful, pleasing: PGM IV 2241-2358. As a term, aglaos connotes festivity and song.
Agriope : Wild-eyed, Fierce-faced, Savage-watcher, wild-voiced : A name associated with Eurydice, Orpheus’ wife, likely came to be attached to Hekate when the two were conflated. From Orpheus and His Lute: Poetry and the Renewal of Life by Elisabeth Henry, SIU Press, 1992 p. 3. Also, Maass’ Orpheus, 1895.
Aidonaea: of the Underworld (lit. of Hades): PGM IV. 2708-84 and PGM IV. 2855. Beware spellings such as Adonaea, which more properly refers to the gardens dedicated to Adonis. Aidonia also may apply to a site in Mycenaea.
Aimopotis: Blood-drinker, murderer. Footnote from Catharine Roth discussing the term and its association with Hekate on www.stoa.org
Aionaios: Eternal: PGM IV 2241-2621.
Aizeos: Vigorous: PGM IV 2241-2358.
Akrie: Extreme: PGM IV line 2277.
Aktinochiatis: Radiant-haired, with rays for hair: PGM IV 2241-2358.
Aktiophis: of unknown meaning: various hymns to Selene and Hekate in the Greek Magical Papyri.
Alexeatis: Averter of Evil: A 5th c. BCE inscription to Enodia mentioned by Sarah Iles Johnston in Restless Dead.
Alkimos: Strong, stout, brave, powerful: PGM IV 2241-2358.
Ambrotos: Immortal: applied to all the Gods and many Titans. PGM IV 2241-2358.
Ameibousa: One that transforms: Oracle Table from Pergamon dedicated to Hekate. (Special thanks to Florian Schlie for the information.)
Amphiphaes: Circumlucent: Proclus. Damascius. trans. by Stephen Ronan.
Amphiprosopos: Double-faced: The Chaldean Oracles, also Reading Plotinus: A Practical Introduction to Neoplatonism by Kevin Corrigan.
Amphistomos: Double-mouthed. Proclus’ In Timaeus.
Anassa: Queen: The Orphic Hymn to Hekate. Applied to a variety of Goddesses.
Anassa Eneroi: Queen of the Dead: A title which is perfectly appropriate, though historically was most often applied to Persephone. theoi.com/cult/hekatecult.html
Angelos: Messenger: The Chaldean Oracles. Associated with numerous Gods. Karl Kerenyi discusses the shared role of Angelos between Hermes and Hekate in Hermes: Guide of Souls.
Antaia: She Who Meets, Besought with prayers: Sophocles’ Rootcutters.
Aoroboros: Devourer of the Untimely Dead: PGM IV 2785-2890.
Apanchomene: The Hanged One, The Strangled, One Who Hanged Herself: assoc. with Artemis in particular, but Farnell mentions a story about a woman Artemis named Hekate after she hanged herself.
Aphrattos: Unnamed One: In “Taranto” by Enzo Lippolis, Salvatore Garraffo, Massimo Nafissi by the Instituto per la Storia e l'Archeologia della Magna Grecia, 1995, p. 194- 5.
Apotropaios: Averting, Averter: Supplementum epigraphicum Graecum (SEG) 42 1816.
Archikos: Royal: The Chaldean Oracles, xx (Psellus) and xxbis. See Ronan.
Aregos: Helper: PGM IV 2241-2358.
Ariste: The Best: See Zeus: A study in ancient religion which posits that Ariste Chthonia is Hekate. The epithet also applies to Artemis and Demeter.
Arkyia: Entrapper: PGM III.1-164
Astrodia: Star-coursing, Star-walker: PGM IV 2441-2621. See Pachoumi’s “A List…”
Atala: Tender, delicate: Hesiod’s Hymn to Demeter.
Atala Phroneousa: Gay-Spirited: The Homeric Hymn to Demeter.
Atasthalos: Reckless, Presumptuous, Wicked: PGM IV 2241-2358.
Athanatos: Immortal, of Immortal Fame: PGM IV 2241-2358.
Autopheus: Self-Begotten: PGM 4.2274.
Azonos: without Borders: See The Chaldean Oracles, xx (Psellus), Ronan.
Azostos: Ungirt, without a belt: The Orphic Hymn to Hekate.
B
Baridoukhos: skiff-holder, barque-holder, the one who has a boat: PGM IV 2241-2358.
Basileia: Queen, Princess: The Orphic Hymn to Hekate. Also, Farnell’s Cults of the Greek States vol. 2, p. 507. Applied to a variety of Goddesses.
Boopis: Cow-eyed: PGM IV.2708-84.
Borborophorba: Eater of Filth: Greek Magical Papyri, 1402, 1406.
Brimo: Angry One, The Terrifying, of Crackling Flames : Apollonios Rhodios 3.861-63, 1246. Also applied to Persephone, Demeter, and Cybele.
Bythios: Abyssal, of the Deep: PGM IV 2441-2621. Can also mean ‘of the Sea,’ but scholars have typically interpreted this as a reference to Chthonic powers in this context.
Charopos: Fierce, grim, flashing, bright, having blue-grey eyes, of the Sea: PGM IV 2241-2358. I nearly didn’t put this one on list A because of the wide range of meanings, and the lack of a notation to explain the translator’s choice of words.
Chrysopis: Golden-faced: PGM IV 2241-2358. Applied to many Gods, including Leto and Helios.
Chrysosandalos: of Golden Sandals: The Hymn of Hekate-Erechkigal, Greek Magical Papyri LXX.
Chrysosandalaimopotischthonia: Goddess of the Lower World wearing golden sandals and drinking blood: found on a curse tablet.
Chrysostephanos: Golden-crowned, crowned with splendor: PGM IV 2241-2358. Also given to Herakles and Aphrodite.
Chthonian: of the Earth: The Orphic Hymn to Hekate.
Dadophoros: Torchbearer: Well-attested in sculpture and coins.
Daeira: The Knowing One, Teacher: A nymph and lover of Hermes who was sometimes conflated with Persephone and Hekate, according to the Perseus Project.
Daidalos: Cunning: PGM IV 2241-2358.
Damasandra: Subduer of men: PGM IV 2785-2890. An epithet for the Moon.
Damnameneia: She who Subdues by Force: PGM IV lines 2850-1. See Pachoumi.
Daspleti: Frightful: PGM IV. 2785-2890.
Deichteira: Teacher: PGM IV 2241-2358. See Pachoumi’s.
Deinos: Terrible: The Chaldean Oracles, xli (Proclus), Ronan.
Despoina: Mistress, Lady: From Aeschylus, Fragment 216, Hekate is called Lady. Despoina was also an Arkadian Goddess of Fertility and daughter of Demeter in her own right. Thanks to Sophia Kirke for the insight! Many Goddesses were called Despoina.
Dione: The Goddess: Dione is a goddess in her own right that came to be conflated with Hekate. From the Oracle Table of Pergamom. Source: Hekate die dunkle Gottin by Thomas Lautwein.
Dodonie: of Dodona: PGM IV line 2275. See Pachoumi.
Doloeis: Astute, subtle, wily, cunning: PGM IV 2708-2784.
Drakaina: Serpent/dragon: PGM IV 2241-2358.
Eidolios: Ghostly, fantasmal: PGM IV 2241-2358.
Eileithyia: nurse of Childbirth: Goddess of midwives, conflated with Artemis and Hekate.
Einalian: of the Sea: The Orphic Hymn to Hekate.
Einodia Thygater Demetros: Daughter of Demeter, who is of the Road: See Farnell, who attributes the phrase to Euripides.
Ekdotis: Bestower: The Chaldean Oracles. Lewy and Des Places applies this to Had, the First Father, but Johnston and Ronan say it applies to Hekate.
Ekklesia: of the Assembly: See Ronan.
Elaphebolos: Shooter of Deer, Deer-huntress: PGM IV 2441-2621. Also belongs to Artemis.
Elateira: Driver, Charioteer: The Chaldean Oracles. Originally an epithet given to Artemis.
Ellophonos: Fawn-slayer: Hymn to Selene-Hekate-Artemis. PGM IV 2714-83.
Empousa: Empusa: The Scholiast on Apollonius’ Argonautika, Rohde’s “Hekate’s Hordes.”
Empylios: at the Gate: See the Orphic Argonautika 902, as well as an inscription in a museum associated with the Temple of Zeus in Nemea.
Empyrios: Empyrean: The Chaldean Oracles. See Ronan and Johnston.
Enodia: of the Path: Pausanias’ Description of Greece 3.14.9, Hippocrates Of Sacred Disease, and The Orphic Hymn to Hekate.
Ephodia: travelling expenses… of uncertain appelation with Hekate. Inscription in a museum associated with the Temple of Zeus in Nemea.
Ephthisikere: Destroying Death: PGM IV line 2852. Betz keeps this as a Voces Magicae.
Epigeioi: of the Earth: a class of deities that includes Hekate, according to Artemidorus.
Epiphanestate Thea: the Most Manifest Goddess: “The Priviledges of Free Nontributary States” by Sulla, 81 BCE.
Epipurgidia: on the Tower: Pausanias’s description of Athens.
Episkopos: Guardian, one who watches over, overseer: PGM IV 2708-2784.
Epiteichea: The Stronghold, Fort: see Der Apollon-Delphinios-kult in Milet und die Neujahrsprozession nach Didyma by Alexander Herda.
Erannos: Lovely: The Orphic Hymn to Hekate.
Ergatis: Energizer: The Chaldean Oracles. Lewy and Des Places applies this to Had, the First Father, but Johnston and Ronan say it is Hekate.
Erigeneia: Daughter of the Morning, Early-born. PGM IV 2785-2890. An epithet for the Moon.
Erototokos: Producing Love, who bore love, bearer of love: PGM IV 2441-2621. Also an epithet for Aphrodite.
Esthle: Good: Hesiod’s Theogony, 435, 439, 444.
Eukoline: Good tempered: grave stele in Athens. Additionally Kallimachos refers to Hekate Eukoline. Additionally, could be applied to Eileithyia.
Eupatereia: Noble-born: PGM IV 2708-2784.
Eurippa: Horse-finder: Robert Brown, Semitic Influence in Hellenic Mythology, Williams and Norgate, 1898.
Eurostochos: Wide-Aimed: PGM IV lines 2281-2
Geneteira: Mother: PGM IV 2785-2890.
Gigaessa: Giant: PGM IV 2708-2784. See Pachoumi’s “A List…”
Gorgo: The Grim, the Gorgon: A.B. Cook’s study of Zeus, vol.3, part 2, and Rohde’s “Hekate’s Hordes.”
Hecatoncheires : Hundred-handed: The Chaldean Oracles
Hegemonen: Guide: The Orphic Hymn to Hekate.
Hieros Pyr: Holy Fire: The Chaldean Oracles, See Johnston and Ronan.
Hippokyon: Mare Bitch, Horse-dog: PGM IV 2441-2621. An epithet for the Moon.
Hippoprosopos: Horse-Faced: PGM IV 2441-2621. An epithet for the Moon.
Hypolampeira: of unknown meaning: hypolamp* words generally have to do with the quality of light, hypolampros translates as ‘rather bright’ as of the stars, while hypolampes suggests ‘shining with inferior light’: Thomas Lautwein. lampe- implies lamp or light.
Iokheaira: One who shoots Arrows: PGM IV 2241-2358. Shared with Artemis.
Indalimos: Beautiful: PGM IV 2241-2358. Perhaps related to Indalmos, which suggests form.
Kalligeneia: Bearing beautiful offspring: PGM IV 2785-2890. An epithet also used to describe Demeter in the Thesmophoria.
Kalliste: Fairest: Thomas Lautwein says the PGM refers to Hekate as Kalliste.
Kapetoktypos: Tomb-disturber, causing the noise of lamentation: PGM IV 2785-2890. Betz translates it as “who makes grief resound,” and Pachoumi as “the one who makes the graves to resound.”
Kardiodaitos: Heart-Eater, Feasting on Men’s Hearts: PGM IV 2785-2890.
Kareia: of Karia, Kraus.
Karko: Lamia: See Rohde’s “Hekate’s Hordes.”
Katachthonia: Subterranean: Demotic Text 74.
Kata(kam)psypsauchenos: Bending down necks that show off: PGM IV lines 2718-9.
Keratopis: Horned-faced, Horned-looking: PGM IV 2441-2621.
Keroeis: Horned: PGM IV 2785-2890.
Khthonia: Of the Underworld; Of the Earth: The Orphic Hymn to Hekate.
Kleidoukhos: Keeper of the Keys: The Orphic Hymn to Hekate.
Klothaie: Spinner of Fate, of Klotho: PGM IV 2241-2358.
Komas: of the Revel: The Chaldean Oracles, see Ronan.
Kore: Maiden: The Orphic Hymn to Hekate.
Kourotrophos: Child’s nurse, nurse of youths: The Orphic Hymn to Hekate. Shared with Artemis and Eilytheia.
Kratais: The Strong One, of the Rocks: Apollonius of Rhodes’ Argonautika.
Krokopeplos: Saffron-cloaked: The Orphic Hymn to Hekate.
Kydimos: Glorious: OGM IV 2241-2358. Also the name of several priests known from inscriptions.
Kynegetis: Leader of Dogs: Orphic Hymn 36.5.
Kynokephalos: Dog-headed: A.B. Cook’s Zeus and Ronan.
Kynolygmate: Howling like a Dog, who howls dog-like: PGM IV 2441-2621.
Kyon Melaina: Black Dog: Thomas Lautwein says this epithet is to be found in the PGM.
Kyria: The Powerful, Supreme: A.B. Cook’s Zeus and Ronan.
Laginitis: of Lagina, possibly: The city of Idrias had a temple to Hekate Laginitis. : See A History of Discoveries at Halicarnassus, Cnidus, and Branchidae, vol. 2 by Charles T. Newton, R.P. Pullan, 1863.
Lampadephoros: Lamp-bearer, torch-bearer, who warns of nighttime attack. : Associated with the Mysteries of Phrygia. The Cities and Bishoprics of Phrygia by William Ramsay. Suidas describes a statue dedicated to Hekate the Torchbearer for saving the city of Byzantium from Philip of Macedon.
Lampadios: Torchbearer, Lampbearer: PGM IV 2441-2621.
Leaina: the Lioness: Porphyry, Fragmenta III, 18. See also Kraus’ Hekate, p. 32-33.
Leontoukhos: Holding A Lion: Psellus’ Chaldean Oracles fragment 148. Michael Italicus Letter XVII, 182.26.
Leukophryne: white-browed or of the white-browed hill: The Prognostikon of Pergamon. See Thomas Lautwin. Closely associated with Artemis at Magnesia, might come from conflation.
Limenitikos: of the Harbor, Harbor Goddess: PGM IV 2441-2621.
Liparokredemnos: of the bright-headband, Bright-coiffed: The Homeric Hymn to Hekate.
Lothaie: The One with Crest: PGM IV line 2267.
Lyko: Wolf-formed: PGM IV.2241-2358
Maera: Shining: In Ovid’s Metamorphoses connects the story of a woman Maera turned into a dog with Hekate.
Makairapos: Blessed One: PGM IV 2441-2621.
Mastigophoros: Scourge-bearing: The Chaldean Oracles. See Ronan and Johnston.
Medusa: Protector: For information on the relationship between the Gorgons and Hekate, see Ronan. They are definitely related. And of course, the Gorgones face-mask was used to fend off evil, as on Athene’s Aegis. Medousa’s name derives from medo, meaning to guard or protect. PGM IV 2708-2784.
Meisoponeros: Vice-hating: from a Capitoline inscription that is mentioned by Farnell. Also see Kopp’s Paleoepigraphica.
Megiste: Greatest: Sarah Iles Johnston mentions this Hellenistic Carian epithet in Restless Dead, p. 206.
Melaine: Black: A stele in Phrygia calls Black Hekate’s curse upon those who intrude upon the tomb.
Melaneimon: Black-clad, wearing black: PGM IV 2441-2621. An epithet associated with the Furies.
Melinoe: Soothing One: The Orphic Hymn to Melinoe, in which she is described as sharing a lot of traits with Hekate. Found as an epithet for Hekate on the Prognostikon of Pergamon in Thomas Lautwin’s Hekate: die dunkle gottin.
Mene: Moon: See Rohde. PGM IV 2241-2358. PGM IV 2441-2784.
Mitrie: With a Headband: PGM IV lines 2274-5.
Monogenes: Only Child: Hesiod’s Theogony, 11.404-452.
Mormo: She-monster. See Cook and Rohde.
Munychia: of unknown meaning, possibly of the village Munychia. An epithet of Artemis associated with the Attic military port of the same name. See Women of Classical Mythology by Robert Bell, Oxford, p.312. Also Farnell, p. 473.
Nekyia: Mistress of Corpses: PGM III. 1-164.
Nerterios: Infernal, Nether One: PGM IV 2441-2621.
Nerteron Prytanin: Mistress of the Dead: Thomas Lautwein. The Nerteroi are Chthonic Spirits.
Nekuia: Mistress of Corpses: PGM III 1-59.
Noeros: Intellective: The Chaldean Oracles, vii. Ronan.
Nomaios: Pastoral: PGM IV 2241-2358.
Nykhia: Nocturnal, of the Night: PGM IV 1390-1495.
Nyktairodyteira: She that rises and sets by night, Night-riser and setter, who rise and set by night: PGM IV 2441-2621. Commonly given to the Moon.
Nykteria: of the Night: The Orphic Hymn to Hekate.
Nykti: of the Night: From the Oracle Table of Pergamom. Source: Hekate die dunkle Gottin by Thomas Lautwein.
Nyktipolos: Night-wandering: Orphic Argonautika.
Nyktophaneia: Night-shining: PGM IV 2441-2621.
Nymphen: Bride: The Orphic Hymn to Hekate.
Nyssa: Goal, beginning, turning post, ambition: PGM IV 2241-2358.
Oistroplaneia: Spreader of Madness, Causing the Wanderings of Madness: PGM IV 2785-2890.
Olkitis: Who Draws Swords: PGM IV lines 2267.
Opaon: Follower: The Homeric Hymn to Hekate.
Ophioplokamos: with Snaky-Curls, Coiled with Snakes: PGM IV 2785-2890.
Oroboros: Tail-Eating: Defixiones Tabellae 41, part of a spell incantation.
Ourania: Celestial, Heavenly: The Orphic Hymn to Hekate.
Ouresiphoites: Wanderer in the Mountains: the Orphic Hymn to Hekate.
Paionios: Healer: PGM IV 2241-2358. Also applied to Apollon. Name of the sculptor of the Nike of Samothrace.
Pammetor: Mother of All: PGM IV 2785-2890.
Pandamateira: All-tamer, all-powerful, all-subduer. PGM IV 2708-2784.
Pandina: possibly something about whirling or rotating, but largely unknown. : See The Numismatic Circular and Catalogue of Coins, Tokens, Commemorative and War Medals, Books and Cabinets, vol. 16, Spink & Son, 1908, p. 10308
Pandoteira: All-giver, Bestower of Everything, bounteous: PGM IV 2241-2358.
Pangaios: World-wide: PGM IV 2241-2358. Also the name of a mountain associated with Rhesos. Pachoumi translates it as ‘holding the whole earth.’
Panta ephepousa: Unknown meaning: The Prognostikon of Pergamon. See Thomas Lautwin.
Panphorba: One who Eats Everything: PGM IV line 2749. Betz chooses to keep this as a voces magicae.)
Pantos Kosmou Kleidokhos: Keeper of Keys of the Kosmos: The Orphic Hymn to Hekate.
Pantrophos: All-nurturing: PGM IV 2708-2784.
Panupata: Most High: PGM VII line 700. The prayer is associated with Brimo.
Parthenos: Virgin: The Chaldean Oracles.
Pasikratea: Universal Queen: The Prognostikon of Pergamon. See Thomas Lautwin.
Pasimedousa: Ruling over All: The Prognostikon of Pergamon. See Thomas Lautwin.
Patrogenes: Father-Begotten: The Chaldean Oracles.
Pege: Source: The Chaldean Oracles: See Damascius, Ronan and Johnston.
Pege Psychon: Source of Souls: The Chaldean Oracles, x (Psellus), xii (Psellus), and xlii (Psellus), Ronan.
Perseian: daughter of Perseus: The Orphic Hymn to Hekate.
Persephone: to cause or bring Death: The Prognostikon of Pergamon. See Thomas Lautwin. Possibly through conflation with the Goddess of the same name.
Persia: Persian: PGM IV 2241-2358.
Phaenno: Brilliant: PGM IV 2241-2358. Name of one of the oracles of the Roman Era, Phaenno of Epirus.
Phaesimbrotos: Bringer of Light: PGM IV 2785-2890.
Pheraea: of Pheraea, daughter of Zeus and Pheraea (daughter of Aeolus): theoi.com/cult/hekatecult.html
Phileremos: Lover of Solitude: The Orphic Hymn to Hekate.
Philoskylax: Lover of Dogs: Nonnus 3.24.
Phoberos: Fearful: PGM IV 2441-2621.
Phoebe: Bright: From the Oracle Table of Pergamom. The epithet is also associated with Artemis and Apollo. Source: Hekate die dunkle Gottin by Thomas Lautwein.
Phoinikopeza: Ruddy-footed: Pindar’s Paean 2. Also applied to Demeter.
Phos: Holy Light, Light: PGM IV 2241-2358. Often used to describe the light of the Moon.
Phosphoros: Light-bearer: Artemidoros. See also Euripides Helen, 569.
Photoplex: who strikes with light: PGM IV 2241-2358.
Phroune: She-toad: JGR Forlong’s Encyclopedia of Religions or Faiths of Man pt. 1 p. 269. This is also one of the sources of the idea that Hekate and Heqet might share common origins, an idea that has been thoroughly debunked by scholars of both Egypt and Greece.
Phylake: Guard, Who keeps watch and ward: PGM IV 2708-2784.
Physis: Nature: The Chaldean Oracles.
Podarke: Fleet-footed: PGM IV 2241-2358. Also an epithet for Achilles.
Polykleitos: Much renowned, far-famed: PGM IV 2241-2358. Also the name of a sculptor from Sicyon.
Polyodynos: One who Suffers, suffering many pains, who suffers much: PGM IV 2441-2621.
Polyonumos: Many-named: PGM IV 2708-2784. This epithet applies to many Gods.
Presbeia: Ancient, Elder: PGM IV 2241-2358.
Prodomos: Of the Vestibule, literally Before the House: Aristophanes’ Fragment 388.
Promethikos: with forethought: PGM IV 2241-2358.
Propolos: She Who Leads, Guide, Companion: see archimedes.fas.harvard.edu ’s entry on the term Propolos.
Propolousa. Guide, companion, servant. Sophocles, The Root Cutters.
Propylaia: One before the Gate: See Tooke’s Pantheon of the Heathen Gods and Illustrious Heroes by Francois Pomey, 1823, p. 178.
Prothyraea: Before the Gate: The Orphic Hymn to Prothyraea doesn’t explicitly use Hekate’s name, but carries many of Her traits, and it uses the names of Diana and Eileithyia, both of who were conflated with Hekate.
Protistos: Primordia, the very first: The Chaldean Oracles. See Ronan.
Psychopompe: Soul-Guide: a psychopomp is a class of beings with the responsibility of guiding souls into the afterlife, rather than an epithet. Hekate certainly qualifies.
Pyriboulos: of Fiery Counsel: PGM IV.2751.
Pyridrakontozonos: Girt with Fiery Serpents.: PGM IV 1390-1495.
Pyripnoa: Breathing Fire: PGM IV.2727. see also Michael Clark, Revenge of the Aesthetic, U. CA, 2000.
Pyriphoitos: Firewalker: PGM IV 2708-2784. Often an epithet for Persephone.
Pyrphoros: Fire-bearer: May also be interpreted as torch-bearer. See Farnell, Cults of the Greek States, vol. 2. p. 516.
Rexichthon: Earth-cleaver: Hymn to Selene-Hekate-Artemis, Greek Magical Papyri IV 2714- 83.
Rixipyle: She who throws down the gates: PGM 2751.
Sarkophagos: Flesh-eater: PGM IV 2785-2890.
Skotia: of the Dark, of the Gloom: Diodorus I describes Hekate Scotia as worshiped in Egypt. The title was also associated with Aphrodite in Egypt. The Day of Yahweh by William Arthur Heidel, 1929, p. 516.
Skylakageia: of unknown translation, other than having something to do with dogs. Thomas Lautwein.
Skylakitin: Lady of the Dogs: The Orphic Hymn to Hekate.
Soteira: Savior: see Hekate Soteira by Sarah Iles Johnston for a great exegesis. This epithet has been given to many different Gods and Goddesses.
Speirodrakontozonos: Girt in Serpent Coils: See Michael Italicus’ Letter 17, as quoted in Stephen Ronan’s The Goddess Hekate.
Tartaroukhos: Ruler of Tartaros: PGM IV 2241-2358.
Taurodrakaina: Bull snake, Bull dragon: PGM IV 2441-2621.
Taurokarenos: Bull-headed: PGM IV 2785-2890.
Tauromorphos: Bull-formed: PGM IV 2441-2621.
Tauropolos: Bull-herder: The Orphic Hymn to Hekate.
Tauropos: Bull-faced: PGM IV 2785-2890.
Tergeminus: of Triple-Birth: An Elementary Latin Dictionary by Charlton T. Lewis, American Book Co. 1890.
Tersimbrotos: One who delights mortals, gladdens mortals, gladdens the hearts of men: PGM IV 2241-2358.
Tetrakephalos: Four-headed: The Chaldean Oracles. See Ronan and Johnston.
Tetraoditis: of the four-ways, haunting crossroads, mistress of the Four-Roads: PGM IV 2441-2621. An epithet for the Moon.
Tetraonymos: Four-named: PGM IV 2441-2621. An epithet for the Moon.
Tetraprosopos, Tetraprosopeine: Four-headed: The Chaldean Oracles. See Ronan and Johnston.
Thanategos: Death-bringing: PGM IV 2785-2890.
Thea Deinos: The Dread Goddess: Apollonius Rhodius Argonautica 3.1194
Therobromon: Roaring like a Wild Beast, of the City of the Beast: The Orphic Hymn to Hekate.
Theroktonos: Beast-slayer: PGM IV 2441-2621. Also given to Artemis as an epithet.
Thrinakia: Triple-pointed, of three extremes, triple: PGM IV 2441-2621. The LSJ simply says this epithet means Triple. It is also the name of an island Odysseus visits after escaping Skylla and Charybdis.
Tletos: Patient: PGM IV 2241-2358.
Triaucheros: with Three Necks: Lycophron’s Alexandra 1186.
Triceps: Three-formed: Ovid’s Metamorphoses 7.194.
Trikephalos: Three-headed: numerous sources, coins, and statuary.
Trikaranos: Three-headed: PGM IV 1390-1495.
Triktypos: Triple-sounding: PGM IV 2441-2621.
Trimorphos: Three-formed: numerous sources, coins, and statuary.
Trioditis: Of the Three Roads: Athenaeus.
Trionymos: Triple-named: PGM IV 2441-2621.
Triphthoggos: Triple-voiced, having three voices: PGM IV 2441-2621.
Trivia: Of the Three Ways: The name for the Roman Goddess of the Three Roads.
Tymbidian: sepulchral: The Orphic Hymn to Hekate.
Zatheos: Divine: PGM IV 2241-2358.
Zerynthia: of Mount Zerynthia: See Gimbutas’ Old Europe, p. 197. Likely named after Zerynthos in Lagina.
Zonodrakontos: Covered in Snakes, Intertwined with snakes: The Chaldean Oracles.
Zoogonos: Seed of Life: Psellus’ Chaldean Oracles.
Zootrophos: Nourisher of Life: The Chaldean Oracles.
PART 2 http://nehetisingsforhekate.tumblr.com/post/87605286501/hekates-many-names-part-2-of-3
PART 3 http://nehetisingsforhekate.tumblr.com/post/87605388811/hekates-many-names-part-3-of-3
http://nehetisingsforhekate.tumblr.com/post/87610869501/hekates-many-names-sources
