Web Theoi
DERKETIS
 

Greek Name:
Transliteration:
Latin Spelling:
Translation:

DerketiV
Derketis
Dercetis
Look upon, See, Shine (derkô)

DERKETIS (or Dercetis) was a Naiad Nymph of Boiotia (central Greece). She ravished a handsome youth named Lapithaon. Their son Alatreus was a warrior in the war of the Seven Against Thebes.

Derketis was probably the Naiad of the famous spring of Dirke on Mount Kithairon near Thebes.

PARENTS
Perhaps a daughter of the River ISMENOS
OFFSPRING
ALATREUS (by Lapithaon) (Statius Thebaid 7.296)

"The [Boiotian] Nymphe Dercetis in burning passion and shameless lust of wedlock corrupted ere his time the boy Lapithaon, still innocent of the marriage bed and unripe for a lover’s flames; and soon was born the fair Alatreus." - Statius, Thebaid 7.296


Sources:

  • Statius, Thebaid - Latin Epic C1st AD