Aegina (mythology)
Encyclopedia : A : AE : AEG : Aegina (mythology)
In Greek mythology, Aegina was the nymph of the island that bears her name, lying in the Saronic Gulf between Attica and the Peloponnesos. Though her name betokens a goat-nymph such as was Cretan Amalthea, she was the daughter of the river-god Asopus and the nymph Metope; of their twelve or twenty daughters, many were ravished by Apollo or Zeus. Aegina bore at least two children: Menoetius by Actor, and Aeacus by Zeus, both of whom became kings.
The mortal son Menoetius was king of Opus, and was counted among the Argonauts. His son was Patroclus, Achilles' best friend or lover.
The son made immortal, Aeacus, was the king of Aegina, and was known to have contributed help to Poseidon and Apollo in building the walls of Troy. Through him Aegina was the great-grandmother of Achilles, who was son of Peleus, son of Aeacus.
The Abduction
It was often saidBibliotheke 3.x11.2; Pindar, Isthmian Odes viii and Nemean Odes viii; Ovid, Metamorphoes'' vi.``3. that Zeus took the form of an eagle and abducted Aegina, taking her to an island near AtticaA mythic inversion, as Aegina simply was the nymph of the island, whose culture, continuous from an early date, long preceded the introduction of the Olympian gods. Ceramic fragments attest to trade with Minoan Crete and with the Cyclades. then called Oenone; henceforth known by her name. Aegina's father Asopus chased after them; his search took him to Corinth; however, Zeus threw down his thunderbolts, sending Asopus back to his own waters. Aegina eventually gave birth to her son Aeacus, who became king of the island.
Notes
References
- Robert Graves, The Greek Myths (1955) 1960, 66.b.1; 67.f; 138.b.
From Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Original article here. Support Wikipedia by contributing or donating.
All text is available under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License See Wikipedia Copyrights for details.