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NYMPHS
Νύμφαι

0622: Bathing Nymphs. Painting by Palma Vecchio 1480-1528. Künsthistorische Museum, Wien.

"A chattering crow lives out nine generations of aged men, but a stag's life is four times a crow's, and a raven's life makes three stags old, while the phoenix outlives nine ravens, but we, the rich-haired Nymphs, daughters of Zeus the aegis-holder, outlive ten phoenixes." (Hesiod, quoted by Plutarch, Obsolescence of Oracles 415c).


The NYMPHS are female spirits of nature, who though living many years are nevertheless bound to die; some talk however as if they were immortal. Different kinds can be distinguished: OREADS (Mountain Nymphs), DRYADS (Nymphs of the Oak), HAMADRYADS (Tree-Nymphs), NAIADS (Water Nymphs), HYDRIADS (Water Nymphs), MELIADS (Nymphs of the Ash-trees), HELEADS (Nymphs of the Fen), EPIMELIADS (Nymphs protectors of sheep).

The NYMPHS could be aggresive in their love as it is proved by the abduction of Hylas, or by the killing of Hymnus (see below). They had the divine power of changing the shape of things: this same Hylas was turned into an echo, and some women were transformed into nymphs by the NYMPHS themselves.

The NYMPHS were often the nurses of the gods. Such are the cases of Zeus and Dionysus 2 among others. The NEREIDS and the OCEANIDS are called sea-nymphs.


Family 

Parentage (three versions)

Zeus & Dino

 
 

Achelous & unknown

 
 

Sperchius & Dino

 


These are the parentages of the NYMPHS. Achelous and Sperchius are RIVER GODS. Dino is one of the GRAEAE, a daughter of Phorcus and Ceto 1, divinities of the sea.
This is how the MELIADS (nymphs of the Ash-trees) came to be: Cronos the Titan revolted against the first ruler of the universe, his father Uranus, and waiting for him in an ambush took a long sickle with jagged teeth, cut off Uranus' genitals and cast them away to fall behind him (see Castration of Uranus). The bloody drops that gushed forth were received by the Earth (Gaia), and in time she bore the ERINYES, the GIANTS, and the MELIAD NYMPHS.
Other parentages are also given for individual NYMPHS (see list below).


List of NYMPHS

Zephyrus 1 and Flora. 7118: Fourth style wall with Zephyrus and Cloris. Pompei, Casa del Naviglio (VI 10, 11), ambiente (24). National Archaeological Museum, Naples.

Abarbarea 1. A naiad. She often reproached Nicaea (see below) for having killed Hymnus. She consorted with Bucolion 2, son of King Laomedon 1 of Troy, and had sons by him, Aesepus 2 and Pedasus 1, who were killed by Euryalus 1 during the Trojan War. Hom.Il.6.21ff.; Nonn.15.378.

Abarbarea 2. One of the three Naiads who are at the origin of the Tyrian race. They were joined to sons of the soil (see AUTOCHTHONOUS). Nonn.40.535ff.

Adrastia 1. One of the ZEUS' NURSES. She was the daughter of Melisseus 1, King of Helicon in western Boeotia. Her sister Ide 3 also nursed Zeus. Apd.1.1.6; Cal.Ze.46.

Aglaia 4. Mother, by Charopus, of Nireus 2, who is counted among the SUITORS OF HELEN and the ACHAEAN LEADERS. Hyg.Fab.97.

Alcinoe 1. Nurse of Zeus. Pau.8.47.3.

Amalthea. A naiad, nurse of Zeus, who owned a horn which could supply food in abundance. She is also said to have been a goat or to have owned a she-goat who suckled Zeus. Apd.2.7.5; Ara.Phae.162; Cal.Ze.48; Dio.5.70.3; Hyg.Ast.2.13; Hyg.Fab.139; Nonn.27.298; Ov.Fast.5.115.

Anchiale. Cretan nymph, mother of the DACTYLS. Arg.1.1127.

Anchiroe 1. Arcadian nymph. Pau.8.31.4.

Anna Perenna. Nymph of the river Numicius. Sometimes identified with the moon, sometimes with Themis or Io. Ov.Fast.3.653ff.

Anthedon. Boeotian nymph, from whom the Boeotian city received its name. Pau.9.22.5.

Anthracia. Arcadian nymph. Pau.8.31.4.

Arethusa 3. Nymph of a spring. She was a huntress with whom the river god Alpheus fell in love. Arethusa 3, unwilling to marry, crossed to the island Ortygia, and there turned from a woman to a spring. But when she changed into a spring the river Alpheus mingled with it its own waters. Ov.Met.5.573ff.; Pau.5.7.2; Vir.Aen.3.694.

Argiope 1. Mother of Cercyon 1 by Branchus, according to some. Cercyon 1 was an Arcadian, who compelled passers-by to wrestle, and in wrestling killed them. Theseus, who started his career by killing evil-dooers, lifted him up and dashed him to the ground, and thereafter he ravished his daughter. Apd.Ep.1.3.

Argiope 3. Mother by Philammon, who was famous for his song and zither, of Thamyris 1. This Thamyris 1 was a Thracian who loved Hyacinthus 1. He was the first man to become enamoured of males. He excelled in minstrelsy and engaged in a musical contest with the MUSES. Having lost, they took his eyes and minstrelsy. He is still being punished in Hades for his boast against the MUSES. Apd.1.3.3; Con.7.

Argyra. A naiad who loved Selemnus while he was still young and handsome; but later in time she would not visit him. Selemnus died of love and was turned into the river Selemnus by Aphrodite, who also made him forget Argyra. Pau.7.23.1-2.

Arne (Melanippe 4). According to some mother of Boeotus, after whom the Boeotians are called, either by Itonus 1 or by Poseidon; Aeolus 3 is said to be her son by this god. Arne was daughter either of Aeolus 1, or of Aeolus 2 and Cyane 2, or of Desmontes. She was blamed by her father for being pregnant and handed over to Metapontus, whom she married without having issue by him. Dio.4.67.3-4; Hyg.Fab.186; Pau.9.1.1, 9.40.5.

Astacia. After her Dionysus 2 named a city. Nonn.16.405.

Asterodia 3. Caucasian nymph. According to some, mother, by King Aeetes, of Apsyrtus, Medea's brother. Arg.3.240.

Asterope 1 (Hesperia 2). Daughter of the River God Cebren and lover of Aesacus 1, son of King Priam 1 of Troy. She was killed by the bite of a serpent. Some say that when Asterope 1 died he mourned for her and was turned into a bird, but others say that he hurled himself down into the sea and Tethys transformed him into a diving bird. Apd.3.12.5; Ov.Met.11.771.

Atlantia. Hamadryad. One of the wives of Danaus 1. Apd.2.1.5.

Batia 2. A naiad, wife of the Laconian King Oebalus 1. Apd.3.10.5; Pau.2.2.3.

Byblis (Biblis). Byblis fell in love with her brother and was refused by him, or else it was her brother who conceived a passion for her. In any case and on account of this situation with her brother, she was consumed by her own tears and transformed into a fountain, or else she was turned into an Hamadryad nymph by the NYMPHS, or else she killed herself. Byblis was daughter either of Miletus (son of Apollo or of Asterius 5), or of Asterius 5, son of Minos 2. Her mother was either Cyanee, daughter of the river god Meander, or Eidothea 3, daughter of King Eurytus 10 of Caria, or Tragasia. Hyg.Fab.243; Lib.Met.30; Nonn.13.546ff.; Ov.Met.9.452ff.; Parth.11.2-4.

Caliadne. A naiad, one of the many wives of Aegyptus 1. Her sons by him were Eurylochus 1, Phantes, Peristhenes, Hermus 1, Dryas 1, Potamon, Cisseus 1, Lixus, Imbrus, Bromius, Polyctor 1, and Chthonius 1. Apd.2.1.5.

Calliphaeia. One of the Ionides Nymphs in Elis. They were believed to cure diseases. (These were: Calliphaeia, Synallasis, Pegaea and Iasis.) Pau.6.22.7; Strab.8.3.32.

Callirrhoe 6. One of the three Naiads who are at the origin of the Tyrian race. They were joined to sons of the soil (see AUTOCHTHONOUS). Nonn.40.535ff.

Calybe 1. Mother of Bucolion 2, the first son of King Laomedon 1 of Troy, offspring of a secret love. Apd.3.12.3.

Calypso 3. Nymph and goddess.

Carmentis. Daughter of the River God Ladon 1. Carmentis was skilled in the art of divination. She was the first to foretell how great Aeneas' line would become. She was mother by Hermes of Evander 2, the wisest man among the Arcadians. Evander 2 emigrated to Italy and founded a city, Pallantium, on the banks of the river Tiber. Pau.8.43.2; Strab.5.3.3; Vir.Aen.8.336ff.

Carthago. A Tyrian nymph, daughter of Heracles 6, son of Zeus and Asteria 1. Cic.ND.3.42.

Cassotis. A nymph of Parnassus from whom a spring at Delphi received its name. Pau.10.24.7.

Ceto 3. Ceto 3 is identified as a naiad, and as her parents are Oceanus & Tethys she is counted as one of the OCEANIDS. Astris, one of the HELIADES 1, is said to be her daughter by Helius. Nonn.26.355.

Chariclo 1. Mother of the famous seer Tiresias. Apd.3.6.7.

Chloris 3. Chloris 3 is Flora, the mother of the flowers. She consorted with Zephyrus 1, the West Wind (see WINDS). Ov.Fast.5.195ff.

Chryse 2. A nymph whose tutelary snake punished Philoctetes for having profaned the soil of her shrine. Soph.Phi.1326.

Chrysopelia. According to some wife of Arcas 1. Arcas 1 named the land Arcadia instead of Pelasgia and succeeded Nyctimus on the throne. Apd.3.9.1.

Cleocharia. A naiad, wife of Lelex 2, first king in Laconia who arrived from Egypt. Apd.3.10.3, 3.15.5; Pau.1.39.6, 3.1.1.

Cleodora 1. Mother by Poseidon or Cleopompus of Parnassus after whom Mount Parnassus was named. Pau.10.6.1.

Clonia. Wife of the very rich man Hyrieus. Apd.3.10.1; Lib.Met.25.

Clymene 2. Wife of Parthenopaeus, one of the SEVEN AGAINST THEBES. Hyg.Fab.71.

Cnossia. Mistress of Menelaus and mother by him of Xenodamus. Apd.3.11.1.

Coronis 2. Daughter of Phlegyas 1 (King of the Phlegyans in Boeotia) or of Azan (after whom the district of Azania was called). Mother by Apollo of Asclepius. She had intercourse with Ischys, whom she preferred before Apollo, and for this the god killed her while still pregnant and snatched the babe from the pyre. Others say that Artemis punish her for insulting her brother, it being Hermes who snatched the child from the pyre. Apd.3.10.3; Hes.CWE.89; Hom.Apo.3.209; Hyg.Fab.14; Ov.Fast.1.291; Pau.2.26.6; Pin.Pyth.3.8ff.

Corycia. After her the Corycian cave was called. Mother of Lycorus (after whom the city Lycoreia was named) by Apollo. Pau.10.6.3.

Cranae 2. A nymph from near an ancient grove of Alernus near the Tiber. She had many suitors and when requested pretended to follow them but always deserted them. Was given by Janus the control of hinges for the maidenhood he took. Ov.Fast.6.107ff.

Creusa 3. A naiad, daughter of Gaia. Mother by the River God Peneus of Hypseus 1, King of the LAPITHS and of Stilbe. Dio.4.69.1; Pin.Pyth.9.16.

Crocale. A nymph in the train of Artemis. Ov.Met.3.171.

Cyane 1. A naiad who opposed Hades when he ravished Persephone. She dissolved away in tears. Ov.Met.5.409ff.

Cyllene 1. A naiad, after whom Mount Cyllene is named. According to some mother of the impious Lycaon 2, but according to others his wife. Apd.3.8.1; DH.1.13.1.

Cymodoce 2. Cymodoce 2 was once a ship and was transformed into a sea-nymph (so incredible as it sounds). Vir.Aen.10.220ff.

Cynosura. Cynosura , one of ZEUS' NURSES, was made immortal and put among the CONSTELLATIONS. Hyg.Ast.2.2; Hyg.Fab.224.

Cyrene. Daughter of Hypseus 1 (son of Peneus, one of the RIVER GODS) and Nymph 7. She was reared near Mount Pelion in Thessaly and was extraordinarily beautiful. Apollo found her without spears wrestling alone with a lion and carried her off to that part of Libya where in later times he founded a city and named it, after her, Cyrene. By Apollo or by Abas 3 (son of Melampus 1, son of Amythaon 1, son of Cretheus 1, son of Aeolus 1) she became mother of Idmon 2, Coeranus 1, and Lysimache 1. Aristaeus is called son of Apollo and Cyrene. By Ares she had Diomedes 1, the King of the Bistonians in Thrace, owner of man-eating mares (for these see Heracles 1). Apd.1.9.13, 2.5.8; Arg.2.500ff.; Cal.Ap.92; Cal.Ar.208; Dio.4.81.1-2; Hyg.Fab.14; Nonn.29.185; Pau.1.43.5; Pin.Pyth.9.25.

Danais. Mother by Pelops 1 of Chrysippus 2. Laius 1 (Oedipus' father) fell in love with this illegitimate son of Pelops 1 and carried him off. However, Pelops 1 recovered him through war. Plu.PS.33.

Daphnis 2. In the earliest times, the prophetess of Gaia in Delphi. Pau.10.5.5.

Daulis. Daughter of the River God Cephisus. After her the city Daulis in Phocis was named. Pau.10.4.7.

Deiopea 2. A fair nymph that Hera promised in marriage to Aeolus 2 if he would lash fury into the winds against the ships of Aeneas. She is found in the train of Cyrene. Vir.Aen.1.70; Vir.Geo.4.343.

Dercetis 2. Dercetis 2 seduced the boy Lapithaon, still unripe for a lover's flames. Their son Alatreus was a defender of Thebes against the SEVEN. Stat.Theb.7.298.

DIONYSUS 2'S NURSES. The names of these are: Acrete, Aegle 3, Ambrosia, Bryusa, Callichore, Calyce 3, Ereutho, Eupetale, Harpe 2, HYADES 1, Ione 2, Lycaste 1, Macris, Methe 1, NYMPHS DODONIDES, NYMPHS LAMUSIDES, Ocynoe, Oinanthe, Prothoe 2, Rhode 3, Silene, Stesichore, Trygie.

Diopatra. A naiad. With her Poseidon was in love, said Cerambus, who also said that Poseidon transformed Diopatra's sisters into poplars. Lib.Met.22.

Drosera. One of the three Naiads who are at the origin of the Tyrian race. They were joined to sons of the soil (see AUTOCHTHONOUS). Nonn.40.535ff.

DRYADS. Nymphs of the Oak. Long.3.23; Nonn.3.70; Ov.Fast.4.761; Pau.8.4.2.

Dryope 1. Daughter of Eurytus 4, prince of Oechalia, or of Dryops 1, son of Sperchius (one of the RIVER GODS). Originally the most beautiful of the Oechalian girls, but later turned into a nymph by the NYMPHS, though some say she was turned into a Lotus tree. She had a son Amphissus by Apollo, and she also consorted with Andraemon 4, son of Oxylus 2, the man who helped the HERACLIDES. Lib.Met.32; Ov.Met.9.329ff., 9.350ff.

Dryope 2. Mother by Faunus 1, King of Latium, of Tarquitus. Faunus 1 is a half-goat god, sometimes identified with Pan or with a Satyr. Tarquitus was an ally of Turnus in the war against Aeneas in Italy. Both Tarquitus and Turnus were killed by Aeneas. Vir.Aen.10.550ff.

Dryope 4. This nymph is the snatcher of Hylas. Hylas, a minion of Heracles 1, was ravished away by Nymphs in Mysia on account of his beauty. Val.3.545ff.

Echenais. Echenais bade her lover Daphnis 4 never have to do with mortal women; if he disobeyed, his fate would be to lose his eyes, which in time came to pass. Parth.29.1-2.

Echo.

Egeria. Nymph and goddess. She took care of Hippolytus 4, son of Theseus, after he was raised from the dead, until he changed his name and became Virbius. She used to visit Numa 3 (the second king of Rome who is said to have visited Pythagoras) and instruct him in the art of reigning. DH.2.60.5; Ov.Fast.3.275; Plu.Num.4.2; Vir.Aen.7.775.

Eidothea 2. Mother by Eusiros of Cerambus, who was borne up into the air on wings by the NYMPHS. Cerambus escaped The Flood of Deucalion 1 undrowned. Or perhaps he insulted the NYMPHS and was changed by them into a beetle. Lib.Met.22.

EPIMELIADS. Protectors of sheep. Lib.Met.31; Pau.8.4.2.

Erato 1. A Dryad, wife of Arcas 1, according to some. Pau.8.4.1.

Ethemea. Ethemea was struck with the arrows of Artemis for having ceased worshipping her and taken alive by Persephone to the Land of the Dead. Ethemea consorted with the ruler of Cos Meropes 3, who was turned into an eagle by Hera, and they had a child Eumelus 5 who was turned into a raven by Hermes. Hyg.Ast.2.16; Lib.Met.15.

Euryte 1. Euryte 1 is mother (by Poseidon) of Halirrhothius, who was killed by Ares while attempting to violate Alcippe 1. Apd.3.14.2.

Glauce 5. Nurse of Zeus. Pau.8.47.3.

Hagno. Arcadian nymph, nurse of Zeus. Pau.8.31.4, 8.38.3.

HAMADRYADS. Tree Nymphs. Apd.2.1.5; Arg.2.477; Ov.Fast.2.155; Nonn.2.94, 12.231.

Harmonia 2. A nymph who was loved by Ares in the glens of the Acmonian wood. The AMAZONS are their offspring. Arg.2.990.

Hecaerge. Daughter of the North Wind Boreas (see WINDS), a naiad in the train of Artemis. Cal.Del.292; Nonn.5.491, 48.332.

Hegetoria. Mother by Ochimus of Cyrbia. After her, Cyrbe in Rhodes is called, which was destroyed by the Flood. Ochimus is the oldest of the HELIADES 2 and their king. Dio.5.57.7.

Helice 1. Nurse of Zeus. Daughter of Olenus 1 after whom the city Olenus in Aulis was named. Hyg.Ast.2.2, 2.13.

Helice 3. Mother by Oenopion 1, King of Chios, of Merope 3 who was outraged by Orion. Parth.20.

HESPERIDES. The HESPERIDES guarded the Golden Apples that Heracles 1 had to fetch. They are said to be the daughters of Nyx, or of Atlas & Hesperis, or of Erebus & Nyx.

Hieromneme. A naiad, daughter of the River God Simois. Some say she is the mother of Ganymedes. Apd.3.12.2; DH.1.62.2; Hyg.Fab.224.

Himalia. Mother by Zeus of Cronius 2, Spartaeus and Cytus. Dio.5.55.6.

Hora 2. Her body was half-human and half-snake. Mother by Zeus of Colaxes, a chieftain in the army of Perses 3 during the civil war in Colchis between Perses 3 and Aeetes. This Colaxes was killed by Jason, Captain of the ARGONAUTS. Val.6.48ff.

HYADES 1.

Hyale 1. Nymph in the train of Artemis. Ov.Met.3.171.

HYDRIADS. Water nymphs. Nonn.23.272.

Iaera 2. A Dryad nymph, mother by Alcanor 1 of Bitias 1 and Pandarus 2. Vir.Aen.9.672.

Iasis. One of the Ionides Nymphs in Elis. They were believed to cure diseases. (These were: Calliphaeia, Synallasis, Pegaea and Iasis.) Pau.6.22.7; Strab.8.3.32.

Idaea 1. Wife of the River God Scamander 1. Apd.3.12.1-3.

Ide 3. Nurse of Zeus. Daughter of Melisseus 1, king of Helicon. Apd.1.1.6.

Ismenis. Consorted with Faunus 1 and their son Crenaeus 4 was a defender of Thebes against the SEVEN. Crenaeus 4 was killed by Hippomedon 1 at Thebes. (For Faunus 1 see Dryope 2 above.) Stat.Theb.9.319.

Ithome. Nurse of Zeus, according to the Messenian account.

Lara. A naiad daughter of the River God Almo 2. Lara could not hold her tongue and reported to Hera that Zeus loved Juturna. For this Zeus wrenched from her the indiscreet tongue, and told Hermes to take her to Hades as she was to become an infernal nymph. In this way she became Tacita, The Silent Goddess (Dea Muta). Lara consorted with Hermes and gave birth to the LARES, twin brothers, who guard the crossroads and ever keep watch in the city. Ov.Fast.2.599ff.

Limnaee. Nymph of the Ganges and mother of Athis, who was killed in Ethiopia by Perseus 1. Ov.Met.5.47.

Liriope. Mother, by the River God Cephisus, of Narcissus who fell in love with himself or with his sister and was transformed into a flower. But others say that Narcissus was son of Endymion & Selene. Ov.Met.3.342.

Lotis. This nymph transformed into a lotus while fleeing from the phallic deity Priapus. Ov.Met.9.347.

Loxo. Daughter of the North Wind Boreas. A naiad in the train of Artemis. Cal.Del.292; Nonn.5.489, 48.334.

Lygea. A nymph in the train of Cyrene. Vir.Geo.4.336.

MAENADS. Crazed women, attendants of Dionysus 2.

Marica. A Laurentian nymph. According to some she was mother (by Faunus 1) of King Latinus 1 of Latium, who was succeeded by Aeneas. Vir.Aen.7.48.

MELIADS. Nymphs of the ash-trees. Offspring of Uranus' Blood & Gaia. Cal.Ze.46; Hes.The.187; Long.3.23.

Melie. Bithynian nymph. Mother by Poseidon of Amycus 1, King of the Bebrycians, who compelled strangers to box as a way of killing them. He was himself killed by the Argonaut Polydeuces, who is one of the DIOSCURI. Melie was as well mother of Mygdon, who also was King of the Bebrycians and once fought with Priam 1 against the AMAZONS. Mygdon was killed by Heracles 1. Apd.1.9.20, 2.5.9; Arg.2.1; Val.4.119.

Melite 2. A naiad, daughter of the River God Aegaeus. Some say she was mother of Hyllus 1, son of Heracles 1. Hyllus 1 killed Eurystheus and later sought to effect the return of the HERACLIDES to the Peloponnesus. Arg.4.538.

Menodice. Daughter of Orion and mother of Hylas. (For more about Hylas see Dryope 4 above.) Hyg.Fab.14.

Mideia. Mother of Aspledon after whom the place Aspledon near Boeotian Orchomenus was named. Pau.9.38.9.

Moria. A nymph who having seen Tylos dead, asked Damasen for help in order to kill the serpent which had killed Tylos. She could restore Tylos to life using a lifegiving herb (the flower of Zeus) in the same manner as a second serpent had done to give life back to its male partner, the first serpent which had killed Tylos. Nonn.25.481ff.

Myrtoessa. Arcadian nymph. Pau.8.31.4.

Naiad 1. According to some mother (by Endymion) of Aetolus 2, who called Aetolia after himself and came to the throne after his brother Epeius 1 was made to flee. Apd.1.7.7.

Naiad 2. Wife of Magnes 1 after whom Magnesia was called. One of their sons, Polydectes 1, colonized Seriphus and there became King. Polydectes 1 fell in love with Danae and sent Perseus 1 to bring the head of Medusa 1. Her other son is Dictys 1. Apd.1.9.6.

Naiad 3. Mother of Aglaus, Callileon, and Orchomenus 4 by Thyestes 1, son of Atreus and King of Mycenae. Apd.Ep.2.13.

Naiad 4. Mother (by Otrynteus) of Iphition 1, leader of a large contingent of Trojans during the Trojan War. Iphition 1 was killed by Achilles. Hom.Il.20.381ff.

Naiad 5. This is the naiad who told Artemis that Actaeon had espied her when she was bathing. As a result Actaeon was changed into a stag and mangled by his own hounds. Nonn.5.309.

Naiad 6. A naiad who made a certain reflection about the love between Zeus and Semele. Nonn.7.225.

NAIADS. Water nymphs. Nonn.2.54, 5.440, 5.489, 11.323; Ov.Fast.1.405ff.; Pau.8.4.2.

Neda. Nurse of Zeus according to the Messenian account. From her the river takes his name. She is the eldest of the NYMPHS. Cal.Ze.33; Pau.4.33.1, 8.31.4, 8.38.3.

Nephele 3. A nymph in the train of Artemis. Ov.Met.3.171.

Nicaea. Huntress and nymph of Astacia with whom Hymnus fell in love. She grew angry and killed him as he was declaring his love for her. Later, having drunk wine, she fell asleep and Dionysus 2 took her maidenhood. She had a daughter Telete by him. Nonn.15.171ff., 16.265, 16.400, 48.811, 48.880.

Nomia. Nomia gave his name to the Nomian Mountains according to the Arcadians. Pau.8.38.9.

Nymph 1 Meliad. Mother by Silenus of the Centaur Pholus 1. Silenus, one of the SATYRS, was the adviser and instructor of Dionysus 2. (For Pholus 1 see CENTAURS.) Apd.2.5.4; Strab.12.4.8.

Nymph 2 Symaethian. Mother (by Faunus 1) of Acis, the young man loved by Galatea 1. Acis was buried by a rock hurled at him by Polyphemus 2, out of jealousy, and was turned into a river. (For Galatea 1 including a portrait of her see NEREIDS.) Ov.Met.13.750.

Nymphs 3 & 4 Hamadryads. Their names were Atlantia and Phoebe 3, Hamadryad Nymphs. They were wives of Danaus 1, father of the DANAIDS. Apd.2.1.5.

Nymph 5. A naiad, mother (by Enops 1) of the Trojans Satnius and Thestor 3. Satnius was killed by Ajax 2, and Thestor 3 by Patroclus 1 in the course of the Trojan War. Hom.Il.14.444.

Nymph 6 Tritonian. Mother (by Amphithemis 1) of Nasamon and Caphaurus. The latter is said to have killed the Argonaut Canthus 1. Canthus 1 died wandering in the furthest ends of Libya when he led off Caphaurus' sheep and the latter killed him with a stone. But some say that Canthus 1 was killed by Gesander during the war between Aeetes and Perses 3. Caphaurus was killed by the ARGONAUTS. Arg.4.1490ff.

Nymph 7. Wife of Hypseus 1, king of the LAPITHS, and mother by him of Themisto 2, Astyaguia, and Cyrene. Hyg.Fab.1, 4.

Nymph 8 Sithnid. Mother by Zeus of Megarus who escaped the Flood in the time of Deucalion 1. Pau.1.40.1.

Nymph 9 Chian. Mother of Chios by Poseidon. Pau.7.4.8.

Nymph 10. Mother by Poseidon of Melas 4 and Agelus. Pau.7.4.8.

Nymph 11. Mother of Herophile, the second Sibyl at Delphi, who said that Helen would be the ruin of Asia and Europe. Herophile's father was Theodorus, a shepherd. Pau.10.12.7.

Nymph 12 Tarentine. Mother by Poseidon of Taras, after whom the river and city in southern Italy are called. Pau.10.10.8.

Nymph 13 African. Mother of Iarbas, a Moor king, son of Zeus-Ammon, suitor of Dido but rejected by her. Vir.Aen.4.198.

Nymph 14 Sicilian. Mother of Daphnis 4, son of Hermes. Daphnis 4 was endowed with an unusual gift of song, and invented the bucolic or pastoral poem. His lover (Echenais, see above) bade him never have to do with mortal women; if he disobeyed, his fate would be to lose his eyes. This happened when a Sicilian princess made him drunk and consorted with him. Something similar happened to Daphnis 1, a shepherd-boy of Ida, who was turned into a stone by a nymph, out of jealousy. Dio.4.84.2.

Nymph 15 Gygaean. Mother by Talaemenes of Antiphus 4 and Mesthles, leaders of the Maeonians against the Achaean invaders during the Trojan War. Hom.Il.2.864.

Nymph 16. Mother by Satyr of the young man Ampelus, who grew up in the Phrygian hills and was loved by Dionysus 2. Ampelus was killed by a bull, and later turned into the vine. Ov.Fast.3.409.

Nymph 17 Indian. A Hamadryad nymph who warned Dionysus 2 of an ambush prepared by the Indian army. Nonn.22.85ff.

Nymph 18. Mother by Agamestor of Clitus 5, a Trojan who was killed by Podalirius during the Trojan War. QS.6.465.

Nymph 19 Heliconian. Mother of Aetion, a defender of Thebes against the SEVEN. He was killed by Amphiaraus and Apollo at Thebes. Stat.Theb.7.756.

Nymph 20. Mother (by a mortal father) of Echo. Long.3.23.

Nymph 21. Mother by Dionysus 2 of Priapus. Strab.13.1.12.

NYMPHS CABIROIDES. These Nymphs are the daughters of the CABIROI who in turn are the children of Hephaestus & Cabiro. Strab.10.3.21.

NYMPHS CORYCIAN. Parnassian nymphs. Daughters of Pleistus and attendants of Apollo or Dionysus 2 on Mount Parnassus. When the Flood was over and here Deucalion 1 came to land, he first worshipped these mountain deities. Arg.2.711; Nonn.9.287; Ov.Met.1.320.

NYMPHS DODONIDES. These nymphs were nurses of Dionysus 2. They are said to have been put to flight by Lycurgus 1 and all except Ambrosia took refuge with Thetis, one of the NEREIDS. It is also said that they brought Dionysus 2 to Thebes and delivered him to Athamas 1's wife Ino, and for this reason Zeus rewarded them by putting them among the CONSTELLATIONS. The NYMPHS DODONIDES were: Ambrosia, Arsinoe 6, Bromie, Cisseis, Coronis 1, Erato 6, Eriphe, Eudore 1, Nyse, Pedile, Phyto, Polyhymno, Polyxo 2, and Thyone 2. Hyg.Ast.2.21; Hyg.Fab.182.

NYMPHS LAMUSIDES. Naiads, daughters of Lamus 3. They were in charge of taking care of the child Dionysus 2, but having been maddened by Hera would have chopped up the baby had not Hermes come and stolen Dionysus 2. NYMPHS LAMUSIDES are the mothers of the CENTAURS HORNED (see BESTIARY). The HYADES 1 were also said to have been the nurses of Dionysus 2. Hyg.Fab.192; Nonn.9.28ff., 14.143ff.

Ocynoe. One of the nurses of Dionysus 2 who followed him in his Indian campaign. Nonn.14.219ff.

Ocyrrhoe 3. Mother, by Hippasus 6, of Charops 1, Socus 1, Apisaon 2, Agelaus 10, Pammon 2, and Hippomedon 3. QS.11.36. (See also Hippasus 6.)

Oenoe 1. A naiad, one of the Nurses of Zeus. Mother (by Thoas 3) of Sicinus who renamed the island Oenoe (one of the Cyclades) and called it Sicinus after himself. Arg.1.623; Pau.8.47.3.

Oenone 1. Daughter of the River God Cebren. Oenone 1 had learned from Rhea 1 the art of prophecy, and warned Paris no to sail to fetch Helen; but failing to persuade him, she told him to come to her if he were wounded, for she alone could heal him. When he had carried off Helen from Sparta and Troy was besieged, he was shot by Philoctetes with the bow of Heracles 1, and went back to Oenone 1 on Mount Ida. But she, nursing her grievance, refused to heal him. Some say that afterwards she repented for not healing Paris and hanged herself when she found him dead, but others say that after having repented for not healing him she leapt onto his funeral pyre and burned to death. Paris & Oenone 1 had a child Corythus 4 who came to Troy to help the Trojans, and there fell in love with Helen. But Paris, having detected him and his aims concerning Helen, killed him. However others say that Corythus 4 was the son of Paris & Helen. Apd.3.12.6; Ov.Her.5.3; Parth.4.1-7, 34; QS.10.284, 10.308ff., 10.458ff.; Strab.13.1.33.

Oenone 3. Mother of Melantheus 2. Nonn.43.62.

Opis 3. Hyperborean nymph, daughter of the North Wind Boreas. Orion tried to rape her but she joined the train of Artemis. Apd.1.4.5; Cal.Del.292; Hdt.4.35; Nonn.48.331.

OREADS. Mountain nymphs. Nonn.6.259, 42.62; Soph.OT.1108; Vir.Aen.1.499.

Orithyia 3. According to some she was grandmother of Adonis. Lib.Met.34.

Orphne. Avernal nymph, mistress of the River God Acheron (a river in the Underworld). Ov.Met.5.539.

Orseis. Wife of Hellen 1, who named Hellenes those who are called Greeks. Apd.1.7.2-3.

Othris. Consorted with both Zeus and Apollo. By Zeus she gave birth to Meliteus, and by Apollo to Phagros. She had to expose Meliteus by fear of Hera but the child was fed by bees and he later founded the city Melite in Phthia. Phagros brought up Meliteus, as some say. Lib.Met.13.

Paria. Concubine of King Minos 2 of Crete. Apd.3.1.2.

Pegaea. One of the Ionides Nymphs in Elis. They were believed to cure diseases. (These were: Calliphaeia, Synallasis, Pegaea and Iasis.) Pau.6.22.7; Strab.8.3.32.

Pegasis. Mother (by Emathion 5) of Atymnius 3, who was killed by Odysseus in the course of the Trojan War. QS.3.300.

Penelope. Even Penelope, Odysseus' wife, has been called a nymph, but this should be another Penelope who consorted with Hermes.

Periboea 3. A naiad, wife of Icarius 1, father of Penelope, Odysseus' wife. Apd.3.10.6; Hom.Od.4.797; Strab.10.2.9.

Phiale. A nymph in the train of Artemis. Ov.Met.3.171.

Phigalia. A Dryad nymph, after whom the town of Phigalia was named. Pau.8.39.2.

Phoebe 3. Hamadryad. Apd.2.1.5.

Phrixa. Nurse of Zeus. Pau.8.47.3.

Pirene 2. Daughter of Oebalus 1, King of Laconia, or of the River God Achelous. A woman who became a spring because of her tears shed in lamentation for her son Cenchrias' death. Cenchrias was killed unintentionally by Artemis. Her other child, Leches, gave his name to the Corinthian harbor of Lechaeum. Apd.3.10.4; Pau.2.2.3, 2.3.2.

Pitys. A maiden who hated marriage and fled to escape Pan until she disappeared into the soil. Nonn.2.118, 42.259.

Polyxo 1. A naiad. One of the many wives of Danaus 1, father of the 50 DANAIDS. Apd.2.1.5.

Pomona. Pomona flourished under the reign of Proca and was a Latian wood-nymph who was skilled in garden-culture and the care of fruit-trees. She was seduced by Vertumnus, who had assumed the shape of an old woman. Ov.Met.14.623, 14.770.

Praxithea 2. A naiad, wife of Erichthonius 2. Erichthonius 2, whose body's lower part was snake-formed, became king of Athens after having expelled Amphictyon. Athena brought him up unknown to the other gods (see also Envy). Apd.3.14.6-8.

Pronoe 4. Mother of the Trojan Lassus, who was killed by Asclepius' son Podalirius during the Trojan War. QS.6.469.

Pronoe 5. Pronoe 5 (a naiad of a river in Lycia) told Caunus what had happened to his sister Byblis (that se had killed herself), and persuaded him to stay with her on condition that he receive the rulership of the country that appertained to her (Lycia or Caria). Caunus and Pronoe had a son Aegialus, who inherited the kingdom at his father's death. Con.2

Psecas. A nymph in the train of Artemis. Ov.Met.3.171.

Rhanis. A nymph in the train of Artemis. Ov.Met.3.171.

Rhene 1. Concubine of Oileus 1 and mother of Ajax 2. She was also mother of Medon 1, another bastard son of Oileus 1. Medon 1 replaced Philoctetes as chief against Troy and thus became commander of the Phthians. Hom.Il.2.726; Hyg.Fab.97.

Rhene 2. Nymph of Cyllene, mother of Saon 2, also called Samon. Saon 2 was a Samothracian, the first settler of the island, which was called after him and the name of Thrace. DH.1.61.4; Dio.5.48.1.

Sagaritis. This naiad nymph was loved by Attis although he had promised Cybele to remain chaste. Because of his broken promise the goddess, by wounding the naiad's tree, also destroyed her, since her fate was dependent on the tree's. Ov.Fast.4.229.

Salmacis. The naiad who fell in love with Hermaphroditus. Their bodies were united in one. Ov.Met.4.288ff.

Salmonis. A nymph ancestor of Jason, Captain of the ARGONAUTS. Val.5.478.

Sebethis. Mother of Oebalus 2, an ally of Turnus against Aeneas in Italy. Her husband was Telon, King of Teleboan Capreae (Isle of Capri). Vir.Aen.7.733.

Sinoe. Nurse of Pan. Pau.8.30.3.

Sose. Mother of Agreus 2, one of the PANS who came to join Dionysus 2 in his campaign against India. Nonn.14.91.

Syllis. Mother of Zeuxippus, who became king of Sicyon when Phaestus 2 migrated to Crete. Pau.2.6.7.

Synallasis. One of the Ionides Nymphs in Elis (these were: Calliphaeia, Synallasis, Pegaea and Iasis). They were believed to cure diseases. Pau.6.22.7; Strab.8.3.32.

Syrinx. Arcadian hamadryad (see Pan). Long.2.34; Nonn.16.332ff.; Ov.Met.1.689ff.

Teledice. Alleged wife of Phoroneus, king of what later was named the Peloponnesus and said to be the first man. Apd.2.1.1; Pau.1.39.5, 2.16.4, 2.35.4; Parth.1.1.

Telphusa. A naiad who told Apollo to build his temple elsewhere. For this, Apollo covered her stream with rocks. Hom.Apo.3.244ff., 3.377ff.

Theisoa. Nurse of Zeus. Pau.8.38.3.

Thelpusa. Arcadian nymph, daughter of the River God Ladon 1. After her the city in Arcadia was named. Pau.8.25.1.

Thisbe 2. Boeotian nymph. After her the city in Boeotia was named. Pau.9.32.3.

Thoosa. Mother of the Cyclops Polyphemus 2, a huge, wild cannibal with one eye on his forehead, whom Odysseus blinded. Polyphemus 2 was in love with Galatea 1 but was refused by her. (See above Nymph 2 Symaethian.) Apd.Ep.7.4; Hom.Od.1.71.

Tithorea. Phocian nymph. After her the city in Phocis was named. Pau.10.32.9.

Urea. Daughter of Poseidon. Consorted with Apollo and gave birth to Ileus 1. Hes.CWE.83; Hyg.Fab.161.

Venilia. Mother of Canens by Janus, and of Turnus and Juturna by Daunus. Janus is a two-headed god, sometimes called Chaos for being a deity of old. He sits with the HORAE at heaven's gate and regulates the comings and the goings. Janus is also the patron of civil and social order. Canens was a gifted singer who melted away and vanished. Daunus was King of Apulia (southern Italy), the same who gave his daughter and lands to Diomedes 2. Turnus was King of the Rutulians in Italy, who opposed Aeneas, wished to marry Lavinia 2 and was backed by her mother Amata of whom he was a nephew. Juturna became a goddess of lakes and rivers in return for the maidenhood Zeus had ravished. Ov.Met.14.320ff.; Vir.Aen.10.76, 10.616, 12.138.


Related sections

The NYMPHS in GROUPS: ZEUS' OFFSPRING

Sources
Abbreviations

See above.