AEX (Aix) - Arcadian Goat Nymph of Greek Mythology (original) (raw)

Greek Mythology >> Nymphs >> Epimelides >> Aex (Aix)

Pan and the nanny-goat | Greco-Roman marble statue | Naples National Archaeological Museum

Pan and the nanny-goat, Greco-Roman marble statue, Naples National Archaeological Museum

AIX (Aex) was the Epimelid-nymph of nanny-goat wife of the god Pan. She was seduced by Zeus and bore him a son named Aigipan (Aegipan).

Aix may be the same as Aix Amaltheia--the goatish nurse of Zeus in the cave of Dikte. She was perhaps also identified with the primordial Gorgon Aix whose skin Zeus crafted into his aigis arm-guard.

PARENTS

Nowhere stated

OFFSPRING

AIGIPAN (by Zeus) (Euhemerus Frag, Hyginus Astronomica 2.13)

CLASSICAL LITERATURE QUOTES

Pseudo-Hyginus, Astronomica 2. 13 (trans. Grant) (Roman mythographer C2nd A.D.) :
"[The constellation Capra.] Euhemerus [Greek writer C4th-3rd B.C.] says that a certain Aex was the wife of Pan. When she was embraced by Jove [Zeus] she bore a son whom she called son of Pan. So the child was called Aegipan, and Jove, Aegiochus [i.e. Holder of the Goat or Aegis]. Since he was very fond of him, he placed in memory the form of a goat among the stars." [N.B. Capra is a group of stars beside the shoulder of the constellation Auriga.]

SOURCES

ROMAN

BIBLIOGRAPHY

A complete bibliography of the translations quoted on this page.