KYDNIDES
Greek Name
Νυμφαι Κυδνιδες
Ναιαδες Κυδνιδες
Transliteration
Nymphai Kydnides
Naiades Kydnides
Latin Spelling
Nymphae Cydnides
Naiades Cydnides
Translation
Nymphs of Cydnus
Naiads of Cydnus
THE KYDNIDES (Cydnides) were Naiad-nymphs of the river Kydnos (Cydnus) in Kilikia (Cilicia) (south-eastern Anatolia). They were warrior Mainades (Maenads) who joined the army of Dionysos in his campaign against the Indians.
PARENTS
KYDNOS (Nonnus Dionysiaca 24.102)
CLASSICAL LITERATURE QUOTES
Nonnus, Dionysiaca 24. 102 ff (trans. Rouse) (Greek epic C5th A.D.) :
"[The Indian river-god Hydaspes tries to drown the army of the god Dionysos :] The company of Bassarides [the god's female devotees] and the ivycrowned women were saved from the roaring turmoil of the deeps, by the daughters of Kydnos (Cydnus), the River that loved Zephryos (the West-Wind), since they knew the ways of the floating waters; these his father had given to Bakkhos )Bacchus) for victory in the Indian War, Naiades well skilled in warfare, whom Kilikian (Cilician) Typhoeus had taught battle while he was fighting against Kronion (Cronion) [Zeus]."
Nonnus, Dionysiaca 24. 123 ff :
"The Hydriades (Water-Nymphs) of plantloving Dionysos [i.e. the Naiad daughters of the rivers Kydnos and Lamos] mingled with the Hamadryades of the trees."
SOURCES
GREEK
- Nonnus, Dionysiaca - Greek Epic C5th A.D.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
A complete bibliography of the translations quoted on this page.