
The Galli Priests of Cybele
Ancient Sexuality and Identity through Global Cultures
Christopher Cavanagh(Author)
Bloomsbury Academic (Publisher)
Will be published approx. on 9. July 2026
Book
Hardback
288 pages
978-1-350-55103-9 (ISBN)
Description
Presenting a study of the Galli priests of the Roman cult of Cybele, the Great Mother goddess, this book examines the archaeological evidence to give a clearer picture of the priesthood. The Galli were priests renowned in Antiquity for their crossdressing, mendicant, ecstatic behaviour and their infamous act of self-castration. However, most of our understanding of the Galli comes from an incomplete, fragmentary and scathing literary record. This book aims to rectify this imbalance by re-assessing them in light of the material evidence, and by comparing them with subsequent cultural groups.
Through the use of three comparative case studies from Polynesia, India and North America, this book analyses the ancient social group with these three modern 'gender variant' counterparts to highlight the 'othered' identity and experience of the Galli. The study reveals shared similarities regarding gendered 'other' attire, religious associations and sexual relationships. This approach offers a remarkable insight into the Galli cult, and poses questions on how similar human social groups operate, irrespective of time and place.
Through the use of three comparative case studies from Polynesia, India and North America, this book analyses the ancient social group with these three modern 'gender variant' counterparts to highlight the 'othered' identity and experience of the Galli. The study reveals shared similarities regarding gendered 'other' attire, religious associations and sexual relationships. This approach offers a remarkable insight into the Galli cult, and poses questions on how similar human social groups operate, irrespective of time and place.
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Target group
College/higher education
Product notice
sewn/stitched
Cloth over boards
With dust jacket
Illustrations
38 bw illus
Dimensions
Height: 234 mm
Width: 156 mm
Thickness: 28 mm
Weight
454 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-350-55103-9 (9781350551039)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

Christopher Cavanagh
The Galli Priests of Cybele
Ancient Sexuality and Identity Through Global Cultures
E-Book
06/2026
Bloomsbury Academic
€94.49
Available for download

Christopher Cavanagh
The Galli Priests of Cybele
Ancient Sexuality and Identity Through Global Cultures
E-Book
06/2026
Bloomsbury Academic
€94.49
Available for download
Person
Christopher Cavanagh is a Lecturer in Archaeology at the University of Chester, UK.
Content
List of Illustrations
Acknowledgements
Introduction
Chapter 1: An Introduction to the Galli and Ancient Sexuality
Chapter 2: Comparing the Galli Archaeological Record - Latium/Anatolia
Chapter 3: The Hijra
Chapter 4: The Berdache/Two Spirit
Chapter 5: The Polynesian Mahu
Chapter 6: Comparing the Groups with the Galli Archaeological Data
Concluding Remarks
Bibliography
Appendices
Index
Acknowledgements
Introduction
Chapter 1: An Introduction to the Galli and Ancient Sexuality
Chapter 2: Comparing the Galli Archaeological Record - Latium/Anatolia
Chapter 3: The Hijra
Chapter 4: The Berdache/Two Spirit
Chapter 5: The Polynesian Mahu
Chapter 6: Comparing the Groups with the Galli Archaeological Data
Concluding Remarks
Bibliography
Appendices
Index