In Greek mythology, the Dactyls, also called Daktyloi, were an ancient group of mythical beings linked to the Great Mother, known as Cybele or Rhea. Their numbers changed depending on the story, but they were often described as ten spirit-like beings, similar to the three Korybantes or the Cabeiri. These beings were skilled in metalworking and healing. In some myths, they worked for Hephaestus, the god of craftsmanship, and taught humans about metalworking, math, and writing.

When a woman named Ankhiale was about to give birth, she traveled to the Idaean Cave on Mount Ida or the Psychro Cave on the Lasithi Plateau. As she gave birth, she pressed her fingers into the earth, which caused the Dactyls, called Idaioi, to appear. These beings were often described as ten in number, though sometimes they were said to be thirty-three or even a group of ten groups of ten.

When Greeks made very serious promises, they often placed their hands on the earth while speaking.

Idaean Dactyls

The Dactyls of Mount Ida in Crete were the first people to learn how to shape metal using fire. Walter Burkert believes that groups of gods in myths, like the Dactyls, were inspired by real-life religious groups and guilds of metalworkers. According to Hesiod, the Dactyls also found iron in Crete. Three Dactyls from Phrygia, who served the Great Mother as Adraste, were named Acmon (the anvil), Damnameneus (the hammer), and Celmis (casting). Ovid wrote that when Rhea was upset with Celmis, Zeus changed him into a hard, diamond-like substance, like a sharpened blade. Zenobius recorded that Celmis was turned into iron after he angered Rhea.

Later Greek writers tried to explain the connections between the Dactyls, Curetes, and Corybantes, but their explanations were not fully accepted. Strabo, a Greek writer, noted that some believed the Kouretes and Korybantes were descendants of the Idaean Dactyls. He wrote that the first 100 people born in Crete were called Idaian Dactyls, and they were said to be the children of nine Kouretes, with each Kourete having ten children.

The Cabeiri, a group worshipped on the island of Samothrace, were thought by Diodorus Siculus to be Idaean Dactyls who moved from Phrygia to the west. Their magical practices attracted followers to their secret religious group.

An Idaean Dactyl named Herakles, who may have been the earliest version of the later hero, started the Olympic Games by making a race between his four "finger" brothers. Herakles was called the "thumb," while his brothers were named Paeonius (forefinger), Epimedes (middle finger), Iasius (ring finger/healing finger), and Idaius or Acesides (little finger).

Rhodian Dactyls

On the island of Rhodes, the Telchines were a group of nine people known to the Greeks as powerful craftsmen and sorcerers connected to the Earth. They were considered the original inhabitants of the island who had raised Poseidon. However, they were later replaced by Apollo when he took on the role of Helios.

Cretan Dactyls

In Crete, three Dactyls had names connected to healing: Paionios (later linked to Asclepius), Epimedes, and Iasios. They were said to have taught people how to work with copper and iron. According to Hesiod's Theogony (970), Iasion was said to have lain with Demeter, who was a substitute for Rhea, in a field that had been plowed three times. From this union, the Goddess gave birth to Ploutos, the god of wealth, represented by a plentiful harvest. Zeus punished this disrespectful ancient figure by striking him with a thunderbolt. This is the only version of the myth that remains publicly known. It is likely that those who were part of secret rituals knew more details.