Ambrosia

Ambrosia in pagan mythology, was

(1) the name of the food of the deities, which gave eternal youth and immortality. This was conceived of as something material; and ambrosia is not only the food of the gods, but also the drink of the gods, as later writers have it. Homer also represents the gods as giving it to some of their favorites, as to Achilles; animals were also refreshed by it. Ambrosia is also a salve of the deities, which possesses the power of cleansing in a high degree; likewise an ointment for the hair.

(2) One of the Pleiades, the daughter of Atlas and Pleione.

(3) Festivals held in honor of Bacchus in some cities of Greece, the same as the Brumalia of the Romans.