DERKETIS
Greek Name
Δερκετις
Transliteration
Derketis
Latin Spelling
Dercetis
Translation
Look Upon, Shine (derkô)
DERKETIS (Dercetis) was a Naiad-nymph of Boiotia (in central Greece) who ravished the handsome youth 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 (Cithaeron) near Thebes.
PARENTS
Perhaps a daughter of the River ISMENOS
OFFSPRING
ALATREUS (by Lapithaon) (Statius Thebaid 7.296)
CLASSICAL LITERATURE QUOTES
Statius, Thebaid 7. 296 ff (trans. Mozley) (Roman epic C1st A.D.) :
"The [Boeotian] 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."
SOURCES
ROMAN
- Statius, Thebaid - Latin Epic C1st A.D.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
A complete bibliography of the translations quoted on this page.