Dactyli

(Δάκτυλοι). Fabulous beings, to whom the discovery of iron, and of the art of working it by means of fire, was ascribed. Mount Ida, in Phrygia, is said to have been the original seat of the Dactyli, whence they are usually called Idaean (Ἰδαῖοι) Dactyli. In Phrygia they were connected with the worship of Rhea, or Cybelé. They are sometimes confounded or identified with the Curetes, Corybantes, and Cabeiri (q.v.). See Rhea.

The name Δάκτυλοι (“Fingers”) is variously explained from their number being five or ten, or because they dwelt at the foot (ἐν δακτύλοις) of Mount Ida. The original number seems to have been three—i. e. Kelmis (Κελμίς) the Smelter, Damnameneus (Δαμναμενεύς) the Hammer, and Acmon (Ἄκμων) the Anvil. This number was afterwards increased to five, then to ten, to fiftytwo, and finally to one hundred. See Lobeck, Aglaophamos, 1166 foll.; Pollux, ii. 4; Diod.v. 64.