MELAENA (Melaine) - Delphian Naiad Nymph of Greek Mythology (original) (raw)

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Translation

Black, Dark (melaina)

MELAINE (Melaena) was a Naiad-nymph of the springs of Delphoi in Phokis (central Greece). She was the daughter of the river-god Kephisos (Cephisus) and the mother by Apollon of Delphos (Delphus), the eponymous founder of the town.

Melaine was likely numbered amongst the Korykiai (Coryciae)--the nymphs of the sacred Korykian cave. Her name, meaning "the Black", would seem to suggest she presided over a subterranean spring.

She was probably identified with Thyia, the mother of Delphos in another account, Kleodora (Cleodora), the mother of Parnassos, and Korykia, the mother of Lykoras.

PARENTS

KEPHISOS (Pausanias 10.6.4)

OFFSPRING

DELPHOS (by Apollon) (Pausanias 10.6.4)

CLASSICAL LITERATURE QUOTES

Pausanias, Description of Greece 10. 6. 4 (trans. Jones) (Greek travelogue C2nd A.D.) :
"They hold that Delphos (Delphus) [eponymous founder of Delphoi (Delphi) in Phokis] was a son of Apollon and Thyia. Others say that his mother was Melaina (Melaena), daughter of Kephisos (Cephisus)."

SOURCES

GREEK

• Pausanias, Description of Greece - Greek Travelogue C2nd A.D.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

A complete bibliography of the translations quoted on this page.