Brizo

Template:Expert needed Template:Short description Brizo Template:IPAc-en (Greek: Βριζώ) is an ancient Greek goddess who was known as the protector of mariners, sailors, and fishermen.<ref name=dictclaan>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name=Harpers>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name=":0">Template:Cite book</ref> Brizo was also known as an oracular goddess specializing in oneiromancy.<ref name=grkdivi>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name=":0" />

One of the epithets that was used in ancient Greece for the seers who specialized at the interpretation of dreams was brizomantis (βριζόμαντις).<ref>Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon, enypniomantis</ref><ref name="A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology, Brizo">A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology, Brizo</ref>

Etymology

Brizo, in ancient greek Βριζώ / Brizṓ, derives from the verb βρίζω signifiant « to slumber ».<ref name=":0" />

Worship

According to the hellenistic author Semus of Delos, Brizo was worshipped by the women of Delos, who set out food offerings in small boats. Brizo would accept anything but fish. Prayers were addressed to her to grant everything that was good, but especially to safeguard ships.<ref name=":1">Semus of Delos, Fragmente der griechischen Historiker, 396 F 4 = Athenaeus of Naucratis, Deipnosophistae, 8.335 AB.</ref> Along with the offerings, Lillian Lawler has suggested that a dance done by sailors at Delos was in honour of Brizo.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> Brizo also granted oracular dreams.<ref name=":1" /> The people of Delos maybe slept in the oracular sanctuary (manteion) mentioned in a delian inscription<ref>IG XI, 2, 165, l. 44.</ref> to receive prophetic dreams from the goddess,<ref name=":0" /> or perhaps they had those dreams in their own homes.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref name=":2">Template:Cite book</ref> Given the maritime nature of Brizo's cult, it is highly likely that the Delians who experienced oracular dreams were people about to set sail and women whose husbands were lost at sea.<ref name=":2" />