Anaītis

, a godde of Armenia. The virgins who were consecrated to her service, esteemed themselves more dignified by public prostitution. The festivals of the deity were called Sacarum Festa; and when they were celebrated both sexes a isted at the ceremony, and inebriated themselves to such a degree, that the whole was concluded by a scene of the greatest lasciviousne and intemperance. They were first instituted by Cyrus, when he marched against the Sacæ, and covered tables with the most exquisite dainties, that he might detain the enemy by the novelty and sweetne of food to which they were unaccustomed, and thus easily destroy them. Strabo. ――Diana is also worshipped under this name by the Lydians. Pliny , bk. 33 , ch. 4 .