NONAKRIS

NONAKRIS (Nonacris) was the Naiad-nymph of the springs of the town of Nonakris in Arkadia, southern Greece. She was the wife of the impious Arkadian King Lykaon (Lycaon) and the mother of the bear-maiden Kallisto (Callisto).

Nonakris is connected with the Arkadian nymphs Kyllene (Cyllene) and Nomia both of which are named as the wife of Lykaon in alternate accounts.

PARENTS

Perhaps a daughter of a local RIVER-GOD, though nowhere stated

OFFSPRING

[1.1] KALLISTO (by Lykaon) (Pausanias 8.3.6 & 8.17.6, Ovid Metamorphoses 2.409)

ENCYCLOPEDIA

NONACRIS (Nônakris), the wife of Lycaon, from whom the town of Nonacris in Arcadia was believed to have derived its name. (Paus. viii. 17. § 5.) From this town Hermes and Evander are called Nonacriates and Nonacrius, in the general sense of Arcadian. (Steph. Byz. s. v. Nônakris; Ov. Fast. v. 97.)

Source: Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology.

CLASSICAL LITERATURE QUOTES

Pausanias, Description of Greece 8. 17. 6 (trans. Jones) (Greek travelogue C2nd A.D.) :
"As you go from Pheneus [near Mount Kyllene (Cyllene) in Arkadia] to the west, the left road leads to the city Kleitor (Cleitor), while on the right is the road to Nonakris (Nonacris) and the water of the Styx. Of old Nonakris was a town of the Arkadians that was named after the wife of Lykaon (Lyaon)."

Ovid, Metamorphoses 2. 409 (trans. Brookes More) (Roman epic C1st B.C. to C1st A.D.) :
"While [Jupiter-Zeus was] wandering in the world, he stopped amazed, when he beheld the lovely Nonacrina [i.e. Callisto daughter of Nonacris. Ovid later mentions that Lycaon was her father.]."

SOURCES

GREEK

• Pausanias, Description of Greece - Greek Travelogue C2nd A.D.

ROMAN

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

BIBLIOGRAPHY

A complete bibliography of the translations quoted on this page.