GALLI

the priests of Cybelé, whose worship was introduced at Rome from Phrygia. The Galli were, according to an ancient custom, always castrated, and it would seem that, impelled by religious fanaticism, they performed this operation on themselves. In their wild, enthusiastic, and boisterous rites they resembled the Corybantes. They seem to have been always chosen from a poor and despised cla of people, for, while no other priests were allowed to beg, the Galli were permitted to do so on certain days. The chief priest among them was called arch i gallus .