Why did Polyxena change her name to Myrtale?

[Nicator]

...and how old was she when she did it (assuming she is responsible for the change).yours Nick

[yiannis]

I really don't know, but could it be because of her participation in the Cabirean mysteries in Samothrace?

[Polyxena]

Hi,Nick, thank you for posting this question ... I was wondering the same.Yiannis, I also think it could be because of her participation in the mysteries of Samothrace. Actually, the changing of woman's name reflected her public status and the name had a function of her "quasi-title". You mentioned before that "Myrtale" is the name of some bush (plant). Do you think that this sort of bush (or the leaves) was used during this rituals? Concerning her age, I assume she was in her teens because she was born between 375 and 371 (I don't know exactly), she met Philip at this mysteries and Alexander was born in June 356. Regards, Poliksena

[yiannis]

The Cabirean mysteries are very obscure. We don't have that detailed information as to how were the mysteries performed.
Perhaps they used Myrtale (myrtle), it's an aromatic plant after all and it's used for making cologne/perfumes.http://www.san.beck.org/Eleusis-2.html

[Polyxena]

Hi again,So, I would like to add something about the reason of this change - the first possible reason was her participation in the Cabeiric mysteries of Samothrace. Maybe she was one of the initiates of this rites in Epirus (she was their princess) and maybe she acted like some sort of Cabeirian priestess (to spread the worship of Cabiri). The mysteries were performed in honor of the Great God Cabiri (or Cabar = that was the Arabic name for Aphrodite or Venus or Hathor). So, in fact they worshiped Aphrodite and her sacred plant was myrtle (the symbol of love, passion, beauty and happy marriage). Aphrodite had a gift to attract anyone she wishes to desire her (maybe this was because of the known characteristics of her sacred plant myrtle). So, just as a guess: Polyxena => Myrtale = to attract people to participate in Cabeirian rites performed in honor of her god. Myrtale = to attract people to participate in Cabeirian rites performed in honor of her god. Myrtale = to attract people to participate in Cabeirian rites performed in honor of her god. :-)Or, the second possibility is that Polyxena changed her name to Myrtale when she got married because also this plant, as sacred plant of the Greek goddess Aphrodite, was used in wedding ceremonies (as a symbol of happy married life and to preserve love forever). And, another guess: Polyxena => Myrtale = happy married to Philip and she will attract him forever. Myrtale = happy married to Philip and she will attract him forever. Myrtale = happy married to Philip and she will attract him forever. :-)What do you think about this connections?
Regards, Poliksena

[yiannis]

Hmmm, I don't know Poli. Cabirean cult is indeed of Semitic origin but in Greece it was in celebration of Demetra (Ceres) not Aphroditi. The mysteries were held only in Samothrace, they were place-spesific.I think that your suggestion that she may have change her name when she got married sounds better in my ears...