Cybele

By far one of the most interesting aspects of the cult of Cybele is the way in which she was worshipped.  Certainly it was this that both fascinated and alienated the Romans more than any other aspect of the goddess.

Ludi Megalenses
The Ludi Megalenses were the religious games played every year from April 4th to April 10th in honor of the birthday of Cybele.  The sanctuary of Cybele on the Palatine Hill was opened to the public and the galli, or eunuch priests of Cybele, danced through the streets of Rome to the beat of drums and tambourines.  During this procession, the galli took up collections so that they could maintain the sanctuary and themselves.  The people of Rome took dishes of mixed cheese and herbs, called moretum, up to the sanctuary during this time as well.  Public officials sponsored feasts the people of the city.  Comedies and chariot races were put on, and the idol of Cybele was carried down to the playing fields on a sort of stretcher carried on the necks of the galli.  In another procession, called the Lavatio, the goddess was carried in a chariot pulled by heifers, while a cascade of flower petals rained down on her and her entourage.  (Turcan 37-39)

The Galli
One of the most distinguishing features of the cult of Cybele was the self-castration of her priests.  This ritual relates back to the myth concerning Cybele and Attis.  No man could enter the priesthood of Cybele before castrating himself.  Also, while in a religious frenzy that was caused by dancing to the processional drums of Cybele, these priests would cut their own arms and whirl around so that the blood spattered the statue of the goddess.  On top of this all, the priests were very foreign looking, with long hair and very, very elaborate dress.  For these reasons, the native Roman citizens were not allowed to become members of Cybele's priesthood, nor were they even allowed into her sanctuary, on the Ludi Megalenses.  Nor were the the eunchuchs allowed out of the sactuary except on the sacred days (Juliamater).

The Archigallus
The archigallus was a title established by the Roman emperor Claudius, who also fully integrated the cult of Cybele into Roman society.  The archigallus had to be a Roman citizen, but Roman citizens were still forbidden to castrate themselves.  Therefore, in order for a Roman citizen to legally become a member of the Cybele priesthood, the taurobolium was performed.  The archigallus-to-be was placed in a pit that was then covered with criss-crossed wooden planks.  A large bull was sacrificed on the planks, and the bull's blood gushed into the pit.  The priest then completely covered himself in the blood, saying that it was not the bull's blood but his own that was being spilled (Turcan 49-51).