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Greek Mythology >> Nymphs >> Naiads >> Nymphs of Melos (Nymphai Meliai)

MELIAI

Greek Name

Νυμφαι Μηλιαι

Transliteration

Nymphai Mêliai

Latin Spelling

Nymphae Meliae

Translation

Nymphs of Melos

THE NYMPHAI MELIAI were Naiad-nymphs of the Aegean island of Melos. They were transformed into frogs by Zeus as punishment for burying the body of Euphorion, a blasphemous youth who had tried to fly to heaven.


PARENTS

Presumably daughters of a mainland RIVER-GOD


CLASSICAL LITERATURE QUOTES

Ptolemy Hephaestion, New History Book 4 (summary from Photius, Myriobiblon 190) (trans. Pearse) (Greek mythographer C1st to C2nd A.D.) :
"There was born of Helene and Akhilleus (Achilles) in the Islands of the Blest a winged child named Euphorion after the fertility of this land; Zeus caught him and with a blow knocked him to earth in the isle of Melos, where he continued the pursuit and changed the Nymphai (Nymphs) there into frogs because they had given him burial."


SOURCES

GREEK

BYZANTINE

BIBLIOGRAPHY

A complete bibliography of the translations quoted on this page.