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Glite Dictionary
Magna Mater

Magna Mater

9.9
A mother goddess from ancient Phrygia later linked to the Greek Rhea and Roman Ops
  • proper noun
  • Literature
translation icon : Magna Mater
  • The cult of Magna Mater was introduced to Rome in the third century BCE.

Examples

  • In ancient art, Magna Mater is often depicted enthroned and surrounded by lions.

  • Priests of the Magna Mater played a key role in Phrygian religious festivals.

  • The worship of Magna Mater was prominent in Phrygia.

  • Did you know that Magna Mater was associated with fertility?

  • In ancient art, Magna Mater is often depicted enthroned and surrounded by lions.

  • Priests of the Magna Mater played a key role in Phrygian religious festivals.

  • The cult of Magna Mater was introduced to Rome in the third century BCE.

Synonyms

Ops
vsMagna Mater
  • Literature
41 9.9

Roman goddess of fertility and good harvests

is the original Phrygian mother figure rather than the Roman fertility goddess
Great Mother
vsMagna Mater
  • Literature
2 9.9

An ancient Phrygian goddess worshipped for nature and fertility, often shown with lions

is the later, formal cult identity linked to those Greek and Roman deities
Cybele
vsMagna Mater
  • Literature
2 9.9

An ancient mother goddess from what is now Turkey linked to nature, fertility, and mountains

is the main Phrygian mother deity later linked to Greek and Roman counterparts
Dindymene
vsMagna Mater
  • Archaic
9.9

A mother goddess from ancient Phrygia who people worship for life and fertility

is a later identified title used across cultures rather than a local name
Mater Turrita
vsMagna Mater
  • Literature
9.9

An ancient mother goddess from Phrygia who often wears a crown of towers

is the general mother goddess identity, not defined by that distinctive crown

Surface Forms

Magna Mater main

Morphology

Magna + mater

The phrase is a direct Latin compound of magna (great) + mater (mother), so its meaning 'Great Mother' (a mother goddess) is compositionally derivable from the parts; even though it is a proper name, the adjective+noun logic is transparent. Therefore a learner who knows the constituent meanings can readily infer the MWE's sense, and the construction parallels similar 'great mother' labels in other languages.

Etymology

Magna Mater comes from Latin words Magna 'great' and Mater 'mother'. It was the name of an ancient mother goddess from Phrygia who later became linked to the Greek Rhea and the Roman Ops, so the name captures the idea of a powerful, protective 'great mother' goddess.