Nymphs – Mythopedia The nymphs were minor divinities who took the form of beautiful young women They represented diverse aspects of nature, including water, mountains, trees, and even specific locales They were also frequently divided into subgroups (such as Dryads, Naiads, and Nereids) according to the type of environment they inhabited
Oreads - Mythopedia The Oreads sometimes even overlapped with the spring or water nymphs, who usually comprised a separate category For example, a nymph who lived in the mountains could be called an Oread, but she could also be a Naiad if she spent her days in a mountain spring, or a Hamadryad if her life was linked to a specific tree on the mountain
Echo - Mythopedia Echo was a Boeotian nymph who used her endless chatter to hide Zeus’ affairs from his jealous wife Hera As punishment, she was cursed to only repeat the last words spoken to her Because of this, the vain Narcissus spurned her love, and she faded into a disembodied voice—an “echo ”
Dryads and Hamadryads – Mythopedia The nymph of the oak tree was grateful to Rheocus for saving her life and asked him what he desired as a reward Rhoecus replied that he wanted to sleep with the nymph She consented, but only on the condition that Rheocus forgo all other women
Calypso - Mythopedia Calypso, daughter of the Titan Atlas, was a Greek nymph and goddess She lived on the island of Ogygia, where the hero Odysseus was shipwrecked on his way back from the Trojan War Calypso rescued Odysseus and kept him on the island as her lover until finally commanded to let him go
Naiads - Mythopedia However, any nymph associated with water could be called a “Naiad,” including sea nymphs like the Oceanids and Nereids Like other nymphs, the Naiads were represented as beautiful young women Most of them were the daughters of gods—especially sea or river gods—and many were also the lovers or mothers of important gods and heroes
Callisto - Mythopedia Callisto was either a nymph or a princess from Arcadia, the daughter of the impious king Lycaon She was a huntress and one of the chaste companions of Artemis, the goddess of the wild Callisto was seduced (or raped) by Zeus, who first approached her disguised as Artemis (or Apollo) When Callisto’s pregnancy was discovered, she was
Amalthea – Mythopedia Amalthea’s attributes as a nymph are distinct from her attributes as a goat There is no clear consensus on which of these forms was the “true” Amalthea As a Nymph Some sources made Amalthea a nymph, perhaps a Naiad or water nymph Her homeland, it was usually said, was on the island of Crete, where Zeus was hidden and raised as a baby
Circe – Mythopedia Circe, daughter of the sun god Helios, was a Greek goddess or nymph known for her ability as a sorceress She lived on the remote island of Aeaea and played a part in the adventures of several Greek heroes, including the Argonauts and later Odysseus
Nereids - Mythopedia The Nereids were the fifty daughters of the sea gods Nereus and Doris Numbered among the nymphs—female divinities who took the form of beautiful young women—the Nereids were widely regarded as kind and helpful sea deities The most famous among them were Amphitrite, Galatea, and Thetis