In ancient literature, the sacred attribute of Abaris is consistently described as a golden arrow (and not a silver one), bestowed directly by the god Apollo as a symbol of his priestly authority and miraculous powers.
Herodotus (Histories, Book IV, 36): '[...] I say no more of the story of the arrow which Abaris carried with him all over the world, without ever eating anything.'
Iamblichus (On the Pythagorean Life, XIX, 91 & XXVIII, 136-141): 'He [Abaris] received from Apollo a golden arrow, without which it was impossible for him to find his way. Traveling upon it, he crossed rivers, seas, and trackless places, flying through the air in an incredible manner.' 'Abaris gave Pythagoras the golden arrow as a token of the god Apollo, which he always carried with him and which served him as a guide and an instrument for purifications and driving away plagues.'
Porphyry (Life of Pythagoras, 29): 'Coming from the land of the Hyperboreans, Abaris gave Pythagoras the golden arrow, the symbol of the god. It was said that, leaning upon this arrow, Abaris could cross rivers, seas, and chasms as if carried through the air.'
Appearance and Uses of the Arrow
- Visual Appearance: Greco-Roman sources designate it as a golden arrow (chrysois oistos), a large, radiant ritual object gifted by Hyperborean Apollo.
- Means of Flight and Mystical Transport: The arrow functioned as a spiritual vehicle allowing Abaris to levitate and travel immense distances over waters and seas without consuming food.
- Instrument of Divination and Guidance: It was used as a divine compass indicating the direction he had to follow in his mystical missions.
- Dispelling Epidemics and Purification: Abaris used the arrow in theurgic rituals to exorcise evil spirits, halt plagues, and purify suffering Greek cities.
Abaris the Hyperborean was distinguished by Scythian attire that differed from Greek clothing and by deeply spiritual beliefs surrounding the god Apollo and the immortality of the soul. His simple way of life and mystical convictions profoundly impressed Ancient Greek society.
How Abaris Was Dressed According to ancient authors, Abaris's appearance caused a real sensation in major Greek cities:
- Scythian Attire: He wore traditional garments from the north of the Euxine Pontus (Black Sea area), entirely different from the light tunics of the Greeks.
- Long Trousers: Unlike the Hellenes, he wore tight trousers (anaxyrides), often decorated and tailored from thick wool or leather to withstand northern cold.
- Tunic and Cloak: His body was covered by a long, sleeved tunic and an asymmetrical cloak, often trimmed with fur.
- Pointed Cap: On his head, he wore a Scythian felt or fur cap, the same type worn by Phrygians.
- Flexible Footwear: He had soft leather boots tied around the ankles, suitable for riding and long journeys.
- Symbolic Arrow: The most important visual element was not clothing, but the golden arrow given by the god, which he always carried with him as a badge of sacred authority.
Abaris's Beliefs His beliefes is Getae people beliefes:
- Solar Monotheism (Cult of Apollo): He was a devoted priest of Hyperborean Apollo, god of light, purification, and the arts. He believed divine light could dispel disease and plague from communities.
- Immortality and Transmigration of the Soul: Along with Zamolxis, another legendary northern figure, Abaris maintained that the human soul is immortal. This vision brought him close to Pythagoras, both sharing a belief in reincarnation and spiritual purification through asceticism.
- Extreme Asceticism: He firmly believed the body should not be overfed so that the spirit remains free. Myths state he never ate earthly food, living exclusively on spiritual energy.
- Holistic Healing: He argued that the body cannot be healed apart from the soul. He used spells, sacred incantations, and purifying prayers to ward off epidemics.
- Prophecy: He believed gods communicate directly with humans through signs and states of mystical ecstasy. He used the gift of prophecy received from Apollo to warn Greek cities of impending disasters.
Ancient authors directly associated the land of Hyperborea with the Getea (Dacian) territory, and garment descriptions match strikingly. From the perspective of classical Greco-Roman texts and mythical geography, the space north of the Danube and the Carpathian Mountains was considered 'home' for Hyperboreans, while Getae and Scythians were viewed as part of the same civilization.
Looking directly at ancient writings, these connections become evident:
- Hyperborea is Getae (Dacia) Land of the Getae
- Geographic Location: The Greeks placed Boreas (North Wind) in the Haemus Mountains (Balkan Mountains). Therefore, everything 'beyond Boreas' (Hyper-Borea) began immediately north of the Danube—the exact territory of the Getae.
- Clement of Alexandria's Testimony: He directly states in his writings that 'Abaris was of Getic lineage.'
- Pindar and Apollonius of Rhodes: In their writings, journeys to the Hyperboreans or to 'Apollo's arrow' point to the Lower Danube (Ister) and the Carpathian curve.
- Zamolxis and Immortality: Both Getae and Hyperboreans shared a common belief in soul immortality and solar worship, leading Herodotus to compare Getic practices with Hellenic mystical societies.
- Identical Attire: Getic Garments Reflected in Abaris's Description Analyzing descriptions of Abaris and Hyperboreans in ancient texts reveals exact matches with Getic clothing (later depicted on Trajan's Column):
- Getic Cap (pilleus): The pointed, slightly forward-tilted felt cap worn by Geto-Dacian aristocracy (tarabostes) is the exact 'cap' described by Greeks on northern figures.
- Anaxyrides (Long Trousers): Greeks did not wear trousers and considered them a defining garment of peoples north of the Ister (Getae, Scythians etc).
- Side-Slit Shirt and Tasseled Cloak: Correspond to traditional attire from the Carpatho-Danubian region.