Hecataean

Hecataean refers to something or someone associated with Hecate, a goddess in ancient Greek religion and mythology. Hecate is often depicted as a triple goddess, representing youth, maturity, and old age, or as a goddess of crossroads, magic, witchcraft, necromancy, and the night. Her worship was particularly prominent in the regions of Thessaly and Attica, and later spread throughout the Greek world and beyond.

Objects, practices, or beliefs described as Hecataean would typically relate to these aspects of Hecate's domain. For instance, Hecataean rituals might involve offerings made at crossroads, often during the dark of the moon. The practice of Hecataean magic could refer to sorcery, incantations, or the use of herbs and other substances associated with her powers. The term can also describe literature or art that focuses on Hecate, her myths, or her iconography.

In ancient times, those who practiced Hecatean rites were sometimes viewed with a mixture of awe and fear due to her association with the mysterious and the chthonic. Her imagery often includes torches, keys, serpents, and dogs. The adjective "Hecataean" thus serves to connect a subject directly to this powerful and enigmatic deity.