Lesson plan
Adranus
Adranus or Adranos ( ) was a fire god worshipped by the Sicels, an ancient population of the island of Sicily. His worship occurred all over the island, but particularly in the town of Adranus (modern Adrano) near Mount Etna. According to Aelian, about a thousand sacred dogs were kept near his temple in this town. Adranus was said to have lived under Mount Etna before being driven out by the Greek god Hephaestus, or Vulcan. According to Hesychius, Adranus was the father of the Palici, born to Adranus's lover, the nymph Thalia. Some modern commentators have suggested that Adranus may have been related to the similarly named gods Adar and Adrammelech, from Persia and Phoenicia respectively, who were also personifications of the sun or of fire in general.
Article summary
Adranus or Adranos ( ) was a fire god worshipped by the Sicels, an ancient population of the island of Sicily. His worship occurred all over the island, but particularly in the town of Adranus (modern Adrano) near Mount Etna. According to Aelian, about a thousand sacred dogs were kept near his temple in this town. Adranus was said to have lived under Mount Etna before being driven out by the Greek god Hephaestus, or Vulcan. According to Hesychius, Adranus was the father of the Palici, born to Adranus's lover, the nymph Thalia. Some modern commentators have suggested that Adranus may have been related to the similarly named gods Adar and Adrammelech, from Persia and Phoenicia respectively, who were also personifications of the sun or of fire in general.
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Discussion questions
- Summarise the article in your own words. Which single claim would you verify first, and why?
- Which claim in this article is most likely to be revised as the sources update? How would you check its current status?
- If two sources disagreed about one of these facts, what would you need in order to trust one over the other?
Bibliography
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Key claims and bibliography are generated from the same tracked claims and sources as the article page.