---
title: Cybele with Patera, Lion & Tympanon
author: Nathalie Choubineh
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/13515/cybele-with-patera-lion--tympanon/
format: machine-readable-alternate
license: Creative Commons Attribution (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0)
updated: 1970-01-01
---

# Cybele with Patera, Lion & Tympanon

_Authored by [Nathalie Choubineh](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/nathalie.choubineh/)_

## Image File

[![Cybele with Patera, Lion & Tympanon](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/13515.jpg)](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/13515.jpg)

## Image Caption

This terracotta figurine of [Cybele](https://www.worldhistory.org/Cybele/) depicts her seated on a throne with a lion on her lap. She wears a mural crown which symbolises her patronage over the [city](https://www.worldhistory.org/city/) and its defensive walls. A patera (libation-bowl) and [tympanon](https://www.worldhistory.org/Tympanon/) (hand-drum) are also depicted. As a queen goddess, Cybele was associated with lions who represent her reigning power and majesty. Lions can be seen in many extant seated figurines of this goddess, sometimes at her sides or feet, or drawing her [chariot](https://www.worldhistory.org/chariot/). The patera is another staple attribute in the iconography of Cybele statues, although the carving of the surface of this vessel here in the shape of an oxeye daisy is uncommon. The pronounced central button in this vessel overlaps with the terracotta paterai found in [Crete](https://www.worldhistory.org/crete/) and is a [Minoan](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Minoan/) influence. The tympanon is held by the goddess as the essential creator of the ecstatic soundscape in her mysteries and their consisting cultic rites.

Attica, c. 350 BCE, Louvre Museum. Accession number: CA 1797.

## About the Author

Nathalie is a translator and independent researcher of dance in the ancient world with a focus on Ancient Greece and the Near East. She has published works in ancient dance, ethnomusicology, and literature. She loves learning and sharing knowledge.
- [Facebook Profile](https://www.facebook.com/nathalie.choubineh/)
- [Linkedin Profile](https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathalie-choubineh-035a8451/)

## Cite This Work

### APA
Choubineh, N. (2021, March 04). Cybele with Patera, Lion & Tympanon. *World History Encyclopedia*. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/13515/cybele-with-patera-lion--tympanon/>
### Chicago
Choubineh, Nathalie. "Cybele with Patera, Lion & Tympanon." *World History Encyclopedia*, March 04, 2021. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/13515/cybele-with-patera-lion--tympanon/>.
### MLA
Choubineh, Nathalie. "Cybele with Patera, Lion & Tympanon." *World History Encyclopedia*, 04 Mar 2021, <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/13515/cybele-with-patera-lion--tympanon/>.

## License & Copyright

[Original image](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Kybele_tympanon_Louvre_CA1797.jpg) by **[Nathalie Choubineh](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/nathalie.choubineh/ "User Page: Nathalie Choubineh")**. Submitted by [Nathalie Choubineh](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/nathalie.choubineh/ "User Page: Nathalie Choubineh"), published on 04 March 2021. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Creative Commons Attribution](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0deed.en). This license lets others distribute, remix, tweak, and build upon your work, even commercially, as long as they credit you for the original creation. When republishing on the web a hyperlink back to the original content source URL must be included. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.