GALLI, in antiquity, a name given to the priests of Cybele, from the river Gallus in Phrygia; but of the etymology of the name we have no certain account. All that we learn with certainty about them is, that they were eunuchs and Phrygians, and that in their solemn processions they danced, bawled, drummed, cut and slashed themselves, played upon timbrels, pipes, cymbals, &c. and driving about an ass loaded with the sacred rites and trumpery of their goddess. When a young man was to be initiated, he was to throw off his clothes, run crying aloud into the midst of their troop, and there draw a sword and castrate himself; after this he was to run into the street with the parts cut off, in his hand, throw them into some house, and in the same house put on a woman's dress.
These priests had the names also of Curetes, Corybantes, and Dactyli. The chief priest was called Archigallus. This order of priesthood is found both amongst the Greeks and Romans. See an account of them in Lucret. lib. ii. and Juv. Sat. vi.