ZEUS LOVES 2
Greek Name
Ζευς
Transliteration
Zeus
Latin Spelling
Zeus
Translation
Jupiter
ZEUS was the king of the gods, and god of the sky, weather, fate and law.
This page provides an overview of the nymphs loved by Zeus. The most famous of these were Aigina, who he abducted to the island of the same name, and Io, who he transformed into a heifer to hide her from his jealous wife Hera.
(2) SEMI-DIVINE LOVES (NYMPHS)
AIGINA (Aegina) A Naiad-nymph of the Argolis (southern Greece) who was abducted by Zeus in the shape of a eagle to the island of Aigina where she bore him a son named Aiakos.
AIX (Aex) or BOETIS The Epimelid-nymph wife of the god Pan who assumed the form of a she-goat to escape the attentions of Zeus. The god seduced her in this form and she bore him the godling Aegipan (Goat-Pan).
BORYSTHENES' DAUGHTER A Naiad-nymph of the River Borysthenes in Skythia (North-Eastern Europe) who was loved by Zeus and bore him a son Targitaus. [see Family]
DEINO The nymph mother by Zeus of certain Nymphs.
ELEKTRA (Electra) A Pleiad-nymph of the island of Samothrake (Greek Aegean), who was loved by Zeus and bore him several sons--Dardanos, Emathion, Iasion.
HIMALIA A nymph of the Island of Rhodes (Greek Aegean) who bore Zeus three sons named Spartaios, Kytos and Kronios. [see Family]
HORA A nymph of the Tauric Khersonese (north-eastern Europe) who was loved by Zeus and bore him a son Kolaxes.
IO A Naiad-nymph of the Argolis (southern Greece) who was loved by Zeus. She was transformed into a heifer by Zeus and driven under torment by Hera all the way to Egypt (North Africa). There she bore Zeus a son, Epaphos. Some say that she also gave birth to a daughter on the Straits of Bosporos (Asia Minor) named Keroessa.
KALLIRHOE (Callirhoe) A Naiad-nymph of Akarnania (in Central Greece) who was loved by Zeus. No offspring are mentioned of their union, although she did obtain favours from the god for her mortal fathered sons.
KARME (Carme) An agricultural nymph and lady of Krete (Greek Aegean) or princess of Phoinikia (West Asia) who was loved by Zeus and bore him a daughter named Britomartis. [see Family]
MAIA A Pleiad-nymph of Arkadia's Mount Kyllene (southern Greece). She was loved by Zeus and bore him the god Hermes.
NYMPHE AFRICAN A nymph of the land of the Moors (North Africa) who was the mother of Iarbos by Zeus. [see Family]
NYMPHE SITHNIS A Naiad-nymph of Megaros (southern Greece), one of the Sithnides. She was the mother by Zeus of Megaros. [see Family]
NYMPHE SAMOTHRAKIAN A nymph of the island of Samothrake (Greek Aegean) who, according to some was the mother of Saon by Zeus. [see Family]
OTHREIS A Nymphe of Malis (northern Greece) who was loved by Zeus and bore him a son named Meliteus.
PLOUTO (Pluto) An Okeanid-nymph, and minor goddess of wealth, who bore Zeus a son named Tantalos. [see Family]
SINOPE A Naiad-nymph of the Argolis (southern Greece) who was abducted to Assyria (in Asia Minor) by Zeus. He promised her the fulfillment of a wish, and she declared "I wish to remain a virgin".
TAYGETE A Pleiad-nymph of Lakedaimonia's Taygetos Mountain range (southern Greece). She was loved by Zeus and bore him a son named Lakedaimon. [see Family]
THALEIA (Thalia) A nymph of Sicily (southern Italy) who was loved by Zeus and prayed the god hide her beneath the earth to avoid the jealous wrath of Hera. Their sons were the twin Palikoi gods. (According to others, the Palikoi were sons of Hephaistos).
CLASSICAL LITERATURE QUOTES
Not yet compiled. See the individual NYMPH ENTRIES for more information.
For the MYTHS of Zeus and the nymphs Aigina and Io see AIGINA and IO
SOURCES
OTHER SOURCES
Quotes to be compiled.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
A complete bibliography of the translations quoted on this page.