Melaina

In Greek mythology, Melaena or Melena /mɪˈlnə/ (Ancient Greek: Μέλαινα, romanizedMélaina, feminine Ancient Greek: μέλᾱς, romanizedmélās "black, dark"),[1] Melane /ˈmɛlən/ (Koinē Greek: Μελανή, romanized: Melanḗ) or Melanis[2] was a Corycian nymph, or member of the prophetic Thriae, of the springs of Delphi in Phocis.

Family[edit]

Melaena's father was one of the local river gods, either Kephisos or Pleistos of northern Boeotia.[3][4] In another account, she was called the daughter of King Hyamus of Hyampolis and Melanthea (Melantho), daughter of Deucalion. Her sister was called Celaeno.[2]

Melanis was loved by Apollo and bore him Delphos, eponym of Delphi.

Mythology[edit]

Melaina was often identified with Thyia who was also named as the mother of Delphos in other traditions.[5] She was usually confused with the chthonic nymph Melinoë, daughter of Persephone by Hades.

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ Mike Campbell, Behind the Name
  2. ^ a b Scholia on Euripides, Orestes 1094
  3. ^ Pausanias, 10.6.1
  4. ^ Apollonius Rhodius, Argonautica 2.710
  5. ^ Pausanias, 10.6.4

References[edit]

  • Apollonius Rhodius, Argonautica translated by Robert Cooper Seaton (1853-1915), R. C. Loeb Classical Library Volume 001. London, William Heinemann Ltd, 1912. Online version at the Topos Text Project.
  • Apollonius Rhodius, Argonautica. George W. Mooney. London. Longmans, Green. 1912. Greek text available at the Perseus Digital Library.
  • Pausanias, Description of Greece with an English Translation by W.H.S. Jones, Litt.D., and H.A. Ormerod, M.A., in 4 Volumes. Cambridge, MA, Harvard University Press; London, William Heinemann Ltd. 1918. ISBN 0-674-99328-4. Online version at the Perseus Digital Library
  • Pausanias, Graeciae Descriptio. 3 vols. Leipzig, Teubner. 1903. Greek text available at the Perseus Digital Library.