Pirene (mythology)

In Greek mythology, Pirene or Peirene (Greek: Πειρήνη), a nymph, was either the daughter of the river god Asopus,[1][2] Laconian king Oebalus,[3] or the River god Achelous,[4] depending on different sources. By Poseidon she became the mother of Lecheas and Cenchrias. When Cenchrias was unintentionally killed by Artemis, Pirene's grief was so profound that she became nothing but tears and turned into the fountain outside the gates of Corinth.[5] The Corinthians had a small sanctuary dedicated to Pirene by the fountain where honey-cakes were offered to her to during the dry months of early summer.

The fountain was sacred to the Muses and it was there that Bellerophon found Pegasus (as Polyidus had claimed), drinking, and tamed him.[6]

References

  1. ↑ Diodorus Siculus, Library of History, 4.72.1-5
  2. ↑ Bacchylides, Fragment 9
  3. ↑ Megalai Ehoiai fr. 258, cited in Pausanias, Description of Greece, 2.2.2
  4. ↑ Pausanias, Description of Greece, 2.2.2
  5. ↑ Pausanias, Description of Greece, 2.3.3
  6. ↑ Pindar, Odes Olympian 13.3

Sources

  • various writers (2005) [1867]. Smith, William, ed. A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology. Making of America Books. 3. Boston: Little, Brown, and Co. p. 166. Illustrated by numerous engravings on wood
  • "PEIRENE, Greek Mythology Index". Retrieved 2009-08-03.
  • "PIRENE : Naiad nymph of Corinth ; Greek mythology : PEIRENE". Retrieved 2009-08-03.

See also


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