KHRYSOPELEIA

KHRYSOPELEIA (Chrysopeleia) was the Hamadryad-nymph wife of Arkas (Arcas), eponymous king of Arkadia.

Her name means "Golden Dove" from the Greek words khrysos "gold" and peleia "dove." Peleia was also a title for female seers--such as the Peleiades of Dodona--, so Khrysopeleia was probably a prophetess.

She was probably identical Erato--the Dryad wife of Arkas mentioned by Pausanias.

PARENTS

Nowhere stated

OFFSPRING

ELATOS, APHEIDAS (by Arkas) (Apollodorus 3.102)

ENCYCLOPEDIA

CHRYSOPELEIA (Chrusopeleia), a hamadryad who was one day in great danger, as the oak-tree which she inhabited was undermined by a mountain torrent. Arcas, who was hunting in the neighbourhood, discovered her situation, led the torrent in another direction, and secured the tree by a dam. Chrysopeleia became by Arcas the mother of Elatus and Apheidas. (Apollod. iii. 9. § 1; Tzetz. ad Lycoph. 480.)

Source: Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology.

CLASSICAL LITERATURE QUOTES

Pseudo-Apollodorus, Bibliotheca 3. 102 (trans. Aldrich) (Greek mythographer C2nd A.D.) :
"Arkas (Arcas) and Leaneira, the daughter of Amyklas (Amyclas), or Meganeira, daughter of Krokon (Crocon), or, according to Eumelos [poet C8th B.C.], a Nymphe named Khrysopeleia (Chrysopeleiia), had two sons Elatos (Elatus) and Apheidas."

SOURCES

GREEK

• Apollodorus, The Library - Greek Mythography C2nd A.D.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

A complete bibliography of the translations quoted on this page.