LIRIOPE

LIRIOPE was a Naiad-nymph of Phokis (in central Greece). She bore the river-god Kephisos (Cephisus) a beautiful son named Narkissos (Narcissus) who was transformed into his namesake flower.

Liriope's name means "Face of the Narcissus" from the Greek words leirion "narcissus" and ops "face." Her son was also named for the flower--narkissos in Greek. Leiron and narkissos might be the same plant or could represent two different species of daffodil.

Liriope was probably identified with Lilaia, the Naiad-nymph of the springs of the river Kephisos.

PARENTS

Perhaps a daughter of OKEANOS & TETHYS

OFFSPRING

NARKISSOS (by Kephisos) (Ovid Metamorphoses 3.342)

CLASSICAL LITERATURE QUOTES

Ovid, Metamorphoses 3. 342 ff (trans. Melville) (Roman epic C1st B.C. to C1st A.D.) :
"Wave-blue water-nymph Liriope, whom once Cephisos in his sinuous flow embracing held and ravished. In due time the lovely Nymphe bore a fine infant boy, from birth adorable, and named her son Narcissus; and of him she asked the seer [Teiresias of Thebes], would he long years and ripe old age enjoy, who answered ‘If he shall himself not know.’ For long his words seemed vain; what they concealed the lad's strange death and stranger love revealed. [Narcissus fell in love with his own reflection and wasted away.]"

SOURCES

ROMAN

• Ovid, Metamorphoses - Latin Epic C1st B.C. - C1st A.D.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

A complete bibliography of the translations quoted on this page.