recursal/Fanatic-Fandom huggingface dataset:
Ophelestes (Trojan Warrior)

Ophelestes, one of the Trojan warriors who attacked the Greek fleet during the tenth year of the Trojan War. He was killed by an arrow of Teûkros, one of the leaders of the Salaminian troops.

## Classical Text

"Whom first then of the Trojans did peerless Teucer slay? Orsilochus first and Ormenus and Ophelestes and Daetor and Chromius and godlike Lycophontes and Amopaon, Polyaemon's son, and Melanippus. All these, one after another, he brought down to the bounteous earth. And at sight of him Agamemnon, king of men, waxed glad, as with his mighty bow he made havoc of the battalions of the Trojans; and he came and stood by his side and spake to him, saying: "Teucer, beloved, son of Telamon, captain of hosts, shoot on in this wise, if so be thou mayest prove a light of deliverance to the Danaans and a glory to thy father Telamon, who reared thee when thou wast a babe, and for all thou wast a bastard cherished thee in his own house; him, far away though he be, do thou bring to honour. Moreover, I will declare to thee as it verily shall be brought to pass. If Zeus that beareth the aegis, and Athene shall vouchsafe me to lay waste the well-built citadel of Ilios, in thy hand first after mine own self will I place a meed of honour, either a tripod or two horses with their car, or a woman that shall go up into thy bed."

- Homer, Iliad, 8.276-8.291
Oreithyia

## Mythology

Oreithyia (Orithyia) was the mountain-nymph wife of Boreas the North-Wind who dwelt with her husband in a cave on Mount Haimos (Haemus) in Thrake.

Oreithyia was once a mortal princess who was abducted by the god from the banks of the river Ilissos near Athens. He carried her off to Thrake where she became his immortal wife.

Oreithyia was probably the goddess of chill mountain winds for her name means "mountain-rager"--from the Greek words *oreios* and *thyô*--and she was named the mother of Khione (Snow).

Oreithyia's sisters Pandrosos (All Dewy) and Herse (Dew) were also minor Athenian deities. Oreithyia was probably the same as Khione (Chione) who was also described as the consort of the North Wind.
Myles

## Classical Text

"When Peleus at a distance saw him torn and mangled, he exclaimed, `At least receive this sacrifice, O Crantor! most beloved! Dearest of young men!’ And with sturdy arm and all his strength of soul as well, he hurled his ashen lance against Demoleon, which piercing through his shivered ribs, hung there and quivered in the bones. The centaur wrenched the wooden shaft out, with his frenzied hands, but could not move the pointed head, which stuck within his lungs. His very anguish gave him such a desperation, that he rose against his foe and trampled and beat down the hero with his hoofs, Peleus allowed the blows to fall on helm and ringing shield. Protected so, he watched his time and thrust up through the centaur's shoulder. By one stroke he pierced two breasts, where horse and man-form met. Before this, Peleus with the spear had killed both Myles and Phlegraeus and with the sword Iphinous and Clanis. Now he killed Dorylas, who was clad in a wolfskin cap and fought with curving bull's horns dripping blood.

- *Ovid, Metamorphoses 12.366-12.382 (Roman epic C1st B.C. to C1st A.D.)*
Nemesis

Nemesis was the goddess of indignation against, and retribution for, evil deeds and undeserved good fortune. She was a personification of the resentment aroused in men by those who committed crimes with apparent impunity, or who had inordinate good fortune.

Nemesis directed human affairs in such a way as to maintain equilibrium. Her name means she who distributes or deals out. Happiness and unhappiness were measured out by her, care being taken that happiness was not too frequent or too excessive. If this happened, Nemesis could bring about losses and suffering. As one who checked extravagant favors by Tykhê, Nemesis was regarded as an avenging or punishing divinity.

In myth Nemesis was particularly concerned with matters of love. She appears as an avenging agent in the stories of Narkissos and Nikaia, whose callous actions brought about the death of their wooers. In some versions of the Trojan War, she was the mother of Helene, and is shown in scenes of her seduction by Paris pointing an accusing finger at the girl.

Nemesis was often sometimes depicted as a winged goddess. Her attributes were apple-branch, rein, lash, sword, or balance. Her name was derived from the Greek words nemêsis and nemô, meaning "dispenser of dues." The Romans usually used the Greek name of the goddess but sometimes also named her Invidia (Jealousy) and Rivalitas (Jealous Rivalry).
Nireus

**Nireus** (Νιρεύς), was king of the island Syme (according to Diodorus Siculus, also of a part of Cnidia) and one of the Akhaean leaders in the Trojan War.

## Biography

Nireus was the son of King Charopus and Aglaea. He was renowned for his outstanding beauty, being described as the second most handsome man in the Greek camp after Achilles.

## Mythology

Nireus was among the suitors of Helen and consequently joined in the campaign against Troy; he was said to have commanded three ships. In the military conflict with the Mysian king Telephus, which occurred on the way to Troy (during the first unsuccessful attempt to reach the city), Nireus killed Telephus' wife Hiera, who fought from a chariot "like an Amazon".

Another story of Nireus, who was "the most beautiful man who came beneath Ilion" (*Iliad*, 2.673), is the one of his love for Herakles. But Ptolemy adds that certain authors made Nireus out to be a son of Herakles.

Nireus did not excel in physical strength and was eventually killed by either Eurypylus, son of Telephus, or Aeneas. However, according to the version recounted by John Tzetzes, Nireus survived the war and, together with Thoas, having been caught in the storm that scattered the Greek ships, landed first in Libya and then sailed off to Argyrinoi and the Ceraunian Mountains, where they settled near Mount Lakmynion and River Aias.
Phanos

Phanus was one of the sons of wine-god Dionysos and Ariadne. His brothers include Oinopion ("wine drinker"), Thoas (King of Lemnos), Peparethus, Phanus and Euanthes ("the richly blooming"). Both Phanus & Staphylus are counted among the Argonauts. Unlike his brother Staphylus, not much is known about what happened after his time as an Argonaut.
Nêdymnos

## Classical Text

"Aphareus, eager to avenge him tried to lift a rock from that steep mountain side; but as he heaved, the son of Aegeus struck him squarely with an oaken club; and smashed, and broke the huge bones of that centaur's arm. He has no time, and does not want to give that useless foe to death. He leaps upon the back of tall Bienor, never trained to carry riders, and he fixed his knees firm in the centaur's ribs, and holding tight to the long hair, seized by his left hand, struck and shattered the hard features and fierce face and bony temples with his club of gnarled strong oak. And with it, he struck to the ground Nedymnus and Lycopes, dart expert, and Hippasus, whose beard hid all his breast. And Rhipheus taller than the highest trees and Thereus, who would carry home alive the raging bears, caught in Thessalian hills. Demoleon could no longer stand and look on Theseus and his unrestrained success. He struggled with vast effort to tear up an old pine, trunk and all, with its long roots, and, failing shortly in that first attempt, he broke it off and hurled it at his foe. But Theseus saw the pine tree in its flight and, warned by Pallas, got beyond its range—his boast was, Pallas had directed him! And yet, the missle was not launched in vain. It sheared the left shoulder and the breast from tall Crantor. He, Achilles, was your father's armor bearer and was given by King Amyntor, when he sued for peace.
- Ovid, Metamorphoses 12.341-12.365 (Roman epic C1st B.C. to C1st A.D.)
Oxylos

Oxylos (Oxylus) was the rustic demi-god (*daimon*) of mountain forests (or perhaps more specifically the mountain beech). He was a son of Oreios "the Mountain" and husband of Hamadryas "She-with-Tree" and the father of eight Hamadryad-nymph daughters who each presided over a species of tree. His son Andraimon (Andraemon) was an early king of the mountain-dwelling Dryopes tribe. Oxylos was primarily associated with the mountain-forests of central Greece--the Pindus mountain range, Mount Oita (Oeta) and Mount Othrys.

Oxylos' name is perhaps derived from the term *axylos hylê*, "virgin mountain-forest", or it could be connected with *oxya*, "beech-tree" (*Fagus sylvatica*). If the latter is the case, then his wife Hamadryas is probably *drys*, "oak", rather than *drys*, "tree" in general.

Oxylos is probably related to Hekateros (Hecaterus) and Seilenos (Silenus)--two rustic demi-gods who were also described as fathers of the Dryades and Satyroi (Satyrs).
Lixos

Lixos was one of the fifty sons of King Aigyptos

## Classical Text

"The twelve sons of [Aigyptos and] a Naias Nymphe named Kaliadne drew lots for the daughters of [Danaus and] Polyxô, also a Naias. The sons were named Eurylokhos, Phantes, Peristhenes, Hermos, Dryas, Potamon, Kisseus, Lixos, Imbros, Bromios, Polyktor, and Khthonios; the girls were Autonoe, Theano, Êlektrê, Kleopatra, Eurydike, Glaukippe, Antheleia, Kleodore, Euippe, Eratô, Stygne, and Bryke."

- Pseudo-Apollodorus, Bibliotheca 2.1.5 (Greek mythographer C2nd A.D.)
Lynkeus

Lynkeus was the jealous murderer of Kastor, along with his brother, Idas. Idas and Lynkeus murdered Kastor because they all (along with Polydeukes) sought Phoebe and Hilaeira, daughters of Leukippus (who was also Idas and Lynkeus' uncle in some versions). Before murdering Kastor, Lynkeus was one of the Argonauts and he participated in the hunt for the Kalydonian Boar. He was a son of Aphareus and Arene and was said to have excellent sight, even able to see through trees, walls and underground.

## Myth

### As An Argonaut

Since Lynkeus was best known for his keen sense of sight, after the death of fellow Argonaut Tiphys was appointed to be "lookout man of the prow."

## Classical Text

"The sons of Aphareus, Lynceus and proud Idas, came from Arene, both exulting in their great strength; and Lynceus too excelled in keenest sight, if the report is true that that hero could easily direct his sight even beneath the earth."

- Apollonius of Rhodes, Argonautica 1.151
Mêlês

Mêlês was a river-god of Lydia in Anatolia. He was the mythical father of the poet Homer.

The Mêlês stream had its headwaters on the slopes of Mount Sipylos, flowing west into the Aegean Sea near the town Smyrna. The major neighboring rivers were the Hermos to the north and Kaystros to the south.

## Children

Homeros
Mêtis
Lykabas

## Classical Text

"Victorious, then rushed he upon Evagrus, and Corythus and Dryas. First of these was youthful Corythus, whose cheeks were then just covered with soft down. When he fell dead, Evagrus cried, `What glory do you get, killing a boy?’ But Rhoetus did not give him time for uttering one word more. He pushed the red hot stake into the foeman's mouth, while he still spoke, and down into his lungs. He then pursued the savage Dryas, while whirling the red fire fast about his head; but not with like success, for, while he still rejoiced in killings, Dryas turned and pierced him with a stake where neck and shoulder meet. Rhoetus groaned and with a great effort pulled the stake out from the bone, then fled away, drenched in his blood. And Orneus followed him. Lycabas fled, and Medon with a wound in his right shoulder. Thaumas and Pisenor and Mermerus fled with them. Mermerus, who used to excell all others in a race, ran slowly, crippled by a recent wound. Pholus and Melaneus ran for their lives and with them Abas, hunter of wild boars and Asbolus, the augur, who in vain had urged his friends to shun that hapless fight. As Nessus joined the rout, he said to him, `You need not flee, for you shall be reserved a victim for the bow of Hercules!’ But neither Lycidas, Eurynomus nor Areos, nor Imbreus had escaped from death: for all of these the strong right hand of Dryas pierced, as they confronted him. Crenaeus there received a wound in front. Although he turned in flight, as he looked back, a heavy javelin between his eyes pierced through him, where his nose and forehead joined."
- Ovid, Metamorphoses 12.290-12.315 (Roman epic C1st B.C. to C1st A.D.)
Ornithes Areioi

The Ornithes Areioi (Birds of Ares) were a flock of arrow-feathered birds which were set to guard the sacred Amazonian shrine of the god Ares on the Black Sea island of Dia. The birds were encountered by the Argonauts in their quest for the Golden Fleece. The heroes raised their shields as a defense against the deadly volleys of arrows and with a clash of shield and spear drove the birds away.

The Birds of Ares were sometimes identified with the Stymphalian Birds destroyed by Herakles.
Leukê (Okeanid)

LEUKE (Leuce) was an Okeanid-nymph abducted to Elysion (Elysium) by the god Haides where she was transformed into a white poplar tree.

Her story was probably connected with the white poplars which grew on the banks of the river Akheron (Acheron) in Thesprotia--a region famed for its necromantic oracle of Haides.

Leuke was probably the same as Leukippe, an Okeanid-nymph companion of the goddess Persephone mentioned in the *Homeric Hymns*.
Nephelê (Thessalian Cloud Nymph)

Nephelê was a nymph molded out of clouds by Zeus in the shape of the goddess Hera. He created the double to test the veracity of the goddess' claim that King Ixion had tried to violate her. Ixion was fooled by the ruse and raped the phantom, which conceived and gave birth to the tribe of Kentauroi in a rain-shower upon the slopes of Mount Pelion. The impious king was subsequently apprehended and chained to a fiery wheel for all eternity.
Oeme

Oeme was one of the fifty daughters of King Danaus who married the fifty sons of King Aigyptos.  Oeme was wed to Arbelus.  On her wedding night, Oeme like all her sisters (spare Hypermnestra) murdered her husband.

## Classical Text

"...Pandion got Callidice; Arbelus got Oime; Hyperbius got Celaeno; Hippocorystes got Hyperippe; the mother of these men was Hephaestine, and the mother of these damsels was Crino."

*- Pseudo-Apollodorus, Bibliotheca 2.1.5*
Pallas (Gigantes)

**Pallas** (Πάλλας) was one of the Gigantes. Athena crushed him with a stone and flayed him in order to use his skin to make her as a shield. Since no Gigantes could be killed by a god without the aid of a mortal hero, it can be assumed that Herakles assisted Athena in killing Pallas though it is not stated.

## Classical Text

"She flayed Pallas and used his skin to shield her own body in the fight."

*- Apollodorus, 1.6.2.*
Penthos

Penthos was the personified spirit (*daimon*) of grief and lamentation. He may have been numbered amongst the Algea (Sorrows).

## Classical Text

"From Aether and Terra [Gaia] [were born] : Dolor, Dolus, Ira , Luctus [i.e. Penthos], Mendacium, Jusjurandum, Ultio, Intemperantia, Altercatio, Oblivio, Socordia, Timor, Superbia, Incestum and Pugna."

*- Pseudo-Hyginus, (Roman mythographer C2nd A.D.) :*
Neda

Neda (Νεδα) whose name means "the Neda" [river] was the Okeanid-nymph of the river Neda near Mount Lykaios in Arkadia. She and her sisters Theisoa and Hagnô nursed the infant Zeus after his birth and afterwards delivered him to his guardians on the island of Krete.

## Classical Text

"There is a place on Mount Lykaios (Lycaeus) called Kretea (Cretea) [in Arkadia] . . . The Arkadians claim that the Krete (Crete), where the Kretan story has it that Zeus was reared, was this place and not the island. The Nymphai (Nymphs), by whom they say that Zeus was reared, they call Theisoa, Neda and Hagno . . . From Neda the river Neda takes its name; from Hagno a spring on Mount Lykaios, which like the Danube flows with an equal volume of water in winter just as in the season of summer. Should a drought persist for a long time, and the seeds in the earth and the trees wither, then the priest of Zeus Lykaion (Lycaeum), after praying towards the water and making the usual sacrifices, lowers an oak branch to the surface of the spring, not letting it sink deep. When the water has been stirred up there rises a vapour, like mist; after a time the mist becomes cloud, gathers to itself other clouds, and makes rain fall on the land of the Arkadians."

- *Pausanias, Description of Greece 8. 38. 2*
Makaria (Daughter of Herakles)

Macaria (Μακαρια) whose name means "she who is blessed" is the only daughter of the three children Deianeira bore Herakles but the one of only four daughters who were the among all of Herakles' many children.

## Myth

### The Sacrifice of Makaria

Even after Herakles' death, King Eurystheus pursued his lifelong vendetta against the hero by hunting down his children. Makaria fled with her siblings and her father's old friend Iolaus to Athens, where they are received by Demophon, the king.

Arriving at the gates of Athens with his army, Eurystheus gave Demophon an ultimatum, threatening war upon Athens unless Demophon surrenders Herakles' children. When Demophon refused and began to prepare for war, an oracle informed him that Athens will be victorious only if a noble maiden is sacrificed to Persephone. Upon hearing this, Makaria saw that her only choice was immediate death on the altar or eventual death at the hands of Eurystheus. Since in neither case would she be granted a normal, happy life, she offered herself as the victim to save the welcoming city and its inhabitants, declining a lottery that would put other girls at risk. The Athenians honored her with lavish funeral rites, and the myth has an aetiological aspect: the spring where she died was named the Makarian in her honor.
Mylius

## Classical Text

"By other women Priam had sons, to wit, Melanippus, Gorgythion, Philaemon, Hippothous, Glaucus, Agathon, Chersidamas, Evagoras, Hippodamas, Mestor, Atas, Doryclus, Lycaon, Dryops, Bias, Chromius, Astygonus, Telestas, Evander, Cebriones, Mylius, Archemachus, Laodocus, Echephron, Idomeneus, Hyperion, Ascanius, Democoon, Aretus, Deiopites, Clonius, Echemmon, Hypirochus, Aegeoneus, Lysithous, Polymedon; and daughters, to wit, Medusa, Medesicaste, Lysimache, and Aristodeme."

- Pseudo-Apollodorus, Bibliotheca 3.12.5
Mestor

Mestor was one of the bastard children of Priam. Mestor was one of those who were killed by Akhilles during his rage.

## Classical Text

"By other women Priam had sons, to wit, Melanippus, Gorgythion, Philaemon, Hippothous, Glaucus, Agathon, Chersidamas, Evagoras, Hippodamas, Mestor, Atas, Doryclus, Lycaon, Dryops, Bias, Chromius, Astygonus, Telestas, Evander, Cebriones, Mylius, Archemachus, Laodocus, Echephron, Idomeneus, Hyperion, Ascanius, Democoon, Aretus, Deiopites, Clonius, Echemmon, Hypirochus, Aegeoneus, Lysithous, Polymedon; and daughters, to wit, Medusa, Medesicaste, Lysimache, and Aristodeme."
- *Pseudo-Apollodorus, Bibliotheca* 3.12.5

"Thereupon Neoptolemus changed into Phrygian clothes, so as to look like Mestor, the son of Priam, whom he had brought along as a captive. When, dressed in this guise, he met with Acastus, he claimed to be Mestor and said that Neoptolemus was wearied from sailing and was sleeping there in the cave.

Since Acastus desired to trap this most hated of enemies, he went straight to the cave. But Thetis was there and kept him from entering. (She, having learned what was happening, had come to be with Peleus.) She roundly berated Acastus for his crimes against the house of Achilles and against the laws of the gods. But then she used her influence to save him from Neoptolemus’ power, for she urged her grandson to refrain from further vengeance and slaughter.

Acastus, being grateful for his unexpected escape, willingly, right then and there, gave Neoptolemus complete control of the kingdom.

Then Neoptolemus, having gained control of the kingdom, went to the city with his grandfather, Peleus, and his grandmother, Thetis, and those of his men who had survived the voyage. All the citizens and all the people round about who were under his power welcomed him joyously and with a devotion which, as he was soon to pove, was not misplaced."
- Dictys Cretensis, Trojan War Chronicle 6.9
Melia (Lover of Poseidon)

Melia was the Okeanid- and Naiad-nymph of the spring or fountain of the main town of the Bebrykes (Bebryces) tribe of eastern Bithynia (north-western Anatolia). She was loved by the god Poseidôn and bore him Amykos, first king of the Bebrykes.

Melia's name was derived from one of two Greek words--meli "honey-sweet" which was used to describe the pure waters of a spring, and melia "ash-tree" whose wood was used for the crafting of spears. She might therefore have also been numbered amongst the Meliai or ash-tree nymphs.

Melia was perhaps identified with Melia, a Bithynian Nymphe loved by the god Seilênos. However that Melia was associated with the Doliones tribe of western Bithynia, while the Melia loved by Poseidon was located amongst the Bebrykes of eastern Bithynia.
Merops

King Merops of Perkote, father of two sons (Amphius and Adrastus) killed by Diomedes in the Trojan War, and of two daughters, Kleite, wife of Kyzikus, and Arisbe, the first wife of Priam. He was a seer who was able to see the future by interpreting dreams. Merops foresaw the deaths of his sons, but they ignored his warnings.
Euphrates

Euphrates was one of the 3,000 sons of Ôkeanos and Têthys. He was the river-god of Assyria West-Asia. Euphrates was one of the three major rivers in the mid-east. The others being Orontês and Tigris. There are however Potamoi as far west as India (Gangês & Hydaspês). Euphrates flowed south from eastern Anatola all the way down through the heart of Assyria.

## Classical Text

From Ocean and Tethys the Oceanides - namely \*yaea Melite, Ianthe, Admete, Stilbo, Pasiphae, Polyxo, Eurynome, Euagoreis, Rhodope, \*lyris, Clytie, \*teschinoeno, \*clitenneste, Metis, Menippe, Argia. Of the same descent Rivers: Strymon, Nilus, Euphrates, Tanais, Indus, Cephisus, Ismenus, Axenus, Achelous, Simois, Inachus, Alpheus, Therodoon, Scamandrus, Tigris, Maeandrus, Oronte
Philonoe

Philonoe, daughter of Iobates and first wife of Bellerophon by whom, she became the mother of Isander (Peisander), Hippolochus and Laodamia. Philonoe was the sister of Stheneboea who loved Bellerophon more than her current husband, King Proetus of Argos. She was promised to Bellerophon after he vanquished the Chimera, the Amazons, and more tasks. Bellerophon was given half the kingdom as well as Philonoe's hand in marriage.
Lusimákhē (Daughter of Abas)

Lysimache, daughter of Abas son of Melampus. She married king Talaus of Argos and bore him these children: Adrastus, Mecisteus, Hippomedon, Pronax, Aristomachus, and Eriphyle.

, daughter of Abas son of Melampus. She married king Talaus of Argos and bore him these children: Adrastus, Mecisteus, Hippomedon, Pronax, Aristomachus, and Eriphyle.
Melitê

Melitê was a Naiad-nymph of Mount Melite on the mythical island of the Phaiakes (Phaeacians)--later identified with Greek island of Korkyra. According to some she was the mother of Hyllos by Herakles.

Melite was probably identified with the honey-nymph Makris. Their fathers also appear to be connected--Aigaios (Of the Goats) and Aristaios Nomios (Of the Pastures).
Peneleos

In Greek mythology, **Peneleos** (Ancient Greek: Πηνελέως, *Pēneléōs*) or, less commonly, **Peneleus** (Πηνέλεος, *Pēnéleos*), son of Hippalcimus (Hippalmus) and Asterope, was an Achaean leader in the Trojan War.

## Mythology

Before the war began he was said to have sailed with the Argonauts; he also was one of the suitors of Helen, which obliged him to join in the campaign against Troy. He came from Boeotia and commanded 12 ships. It is also said that Peneleos was chosen to command the Boeotian troops because Tisamenus, son and successor of Thersander, was still too young.

Peneleos killed two Trojans, Ilioneus and Lycon, was wounded by Polydamas and was killed by Eurypylus (son of Telephus). He left a son Opheltes, whose own son (Peneleos' grandson) Damasichthon succeeded Autesion, son of Tisamenus, as the ruler over Thebes.
Peithô

Peithô was the goddess or personified spirit (daimona) of persuasion, seduction and charming speech. She was a handmaiden and herald of the goddess Aphrodite.

Peithô was usually depicted as a woman with her hand raised in the act of persuasion or fleeing from the scene of a rape. Her attributes were a ball of twine and a dove.

## Family

### Children

Iynx
Aigialeus
Apia
Medon

In Greek mythology and history, there were at least eight men named **Medon** (Μέδων) means "lord' or "ruler").

Medon, half-brother of Ajax the Lesser and son of Oileus, king of Locris, by Rhene or Alcimache. He lived in Phylace, to where he had to flee after he had killed a relative of his stepmother Eriopis. In the Trojan War, he took over Philoctetes' army after Philoctetes was bitten by a snake and left on Lemnos because the wound festered and smelled bad. Medon was killed by Aeneas. Medon, a "cunning craftsman" of Cilla, husband of Iphianassa and father of Metalcas and Zechis, of whom the former was slain in the Trojan War by Neoptolemus, and the latter by Teucer.
Palantho

Palantho of Hyperborea was one of the many women that Herakles slept with.  By Herakles she bore Latinus.  Not much is known about her because the precise location of Hyperborea is unknown.  All that is known is that Hyperborea was occupied by a race of mythical people who lived "beyond the North Wind."
Lyse

Lyse was one of the daughters of Thespius, King of Thespiae, Boeotia. She was one of the fifty daughters to sleep with Herakles while he was in Thespia. She would bare Eumedes.

## Family

### Parents

King Thespius and Queen Megamede or potentially one of Thespius' lovers

## Classical Text

"by Lyse he [Herakles] had Eumedes"
- Apollod. Biblioteca 2.7.8
Panôtioi

The Panôtioi (Πανωτιοι) were a tribe giant-eared men native to the cold islands of the far north who slept snuggled up inside the flaps of their gigantic ears. According to some they also used these wing-like appendages to fly.

## Classical Text

"Crossing the Ripaean Mountains [probably the Carpathians in central Europe] must coast to the left along the shore of the northern ocean until we reach Gadis. In this direction a number of islands are reported to exist [perhaps in the Baltic Sea] . . . [and] the Hippopodes on which people are born with horses' feet, which gives them their Greek name; there are others called the Panotiorum (All-Ears Islands) in which the natives have very large ears covering the whole of their bodies, which are otherwise left naked."
- *Pliny the Elder, Natural History 4. 94 (Roman encyclopedia C1st A.D.)*
Oreios (Kentauroi Peloponnesioi)

## Classical Text

"Of the Centaurs which were killed the most renowned were Daphnis, Argeius, Amphion, also Hippotion, Oreius, Isoples, Malanchaetes, and Thereus, Doupon, and Phrixus. As for those who escaped the peril by flight, every one of them later received a fitting punishment: Homadus, for instance, was killed in Arcadia when he was attempting to violate Alcyonê, the sister of Eurystheus. And for this feat it came to pass that Heracles was marveled at exceedingly; for though he had private grounds for hating his enemy,39 yet because he pitied her who was being outraged, he determined to be superior to others in humanity."

*- Diodorus Siculus, Library of History 4.12.7*
Myrina (Amazons)

Myrina, a queen of the Amazons. According to Diodorus Siculus, she led a military expedition in Libya and won a victory over the people known as the Atlantians, destroying their city Cerne; but was less successful fighting the Gorgons (who are described by Diodorus as a warlike nation residing in close proximity to the Atlantians), failing to burn down their forests. During a later campaign, she struck a treaty of peace with Horus, ruler of Egypt, conquered several peoples, including the Syrians, the Arabians, and the Cilicians (but granted freedom to those of the latter who gave in to her of their own will). She also took possession of Greater Phrygia, from the Taurus Mountains to the Kaikos River, and several Aegean islands, including Lesbos; she was also said to be the first to land on the previously uninhabited island which she named Samothrace, building the temple there. The cities of Myrina (in Lemnos), possibly another Myrina in Mysia, Mytilene, Cyme, Pitane, and Priene were believed to have been founded by her, and named after herself, her sister Mytilene, and the commanders in her army, Cyme, Pitane and Priene, respectively. Myrina's army was eventually defeated by Mopsus the Thracian and Sipylus the Scythian; she, as well as many of her fellow Amazons, fell in the final battle.
Marsyas

MARSYAS was a Phrygian Satyr who invented the music of the flute. He found the very first flute which had been crafted but cast away by the goddess Athena who had been displeased by the bloating of the cheeks. Marsyas later challenged the god Apollon to a musical contest but lost when the god demanded they play their instruments upside-down in the second round--a feat ill-suited to the flute. As punishment for his hubris, Apollon had Marsyas tied to a tree and flayed alive. The rustic gods then transformed him into a stream.

The story of Marsyas' contest with Apollon is sometimes told of the Arkadian god Pan. Marsyas was also connected with the flute-playing Tityroi satyrs in the train of the god Dionysos.
Periklymenus

Periklymeneus was a son of Neleus (the son of Poseidon) and Khloris. Periklymenus was one of the Argonauts.  Periklymenus' grandfather, Poseidon gave him the ability to shapeshift into various animals. At Pylos Periklymenus met his end fighting Herakles.  One of the shapes he took was a swarm of bees but failed to defeat Herakles.  In a final effort Periklymenus tried to escape by taking the form of an eagle but in the end Herakles killed him.  His children were Erginus and Penthilus.
Phineus (Son of Belus)

In Greek mythology, **Phineus** (Φινεύς) was a son of Belus by Ankhinoê and thus brother to Aigyptos, Danaus and Kepheus.

## Mythology

Phineus had been engaged to Kepheus' daughter Andromeda before she wed Perseus, and Phineus plotted against him, leading Perseus to turn him and his co-conspirators into stone by showing them the head of Medousa. The affair appears to have formed part of Euripides' lost *Andromeda*, but the sole extensive ancient treatment is found Ovid's *Metamorphoses*.

In Ovid's account Perseus asked for Andromeda's hand in return for saving the girl from the sea-monster Cetus to whom an oracle had ordained Andromeda be sacrificed as punishment for her mother Cassiopeia's boast that she was more beautiful than the Nereids. Perseus was successful, but as he recounted his deeds to the court of Cepheus a spear-brandishing Phineus assailed him:
Philomela

In Fabulae, Hyginus, Philomela is listed as one of the daughters of King Priam. Hyginus is the only source to list her. Philomela's mother's name is not provided.

## Classical Text

"SONS AND DAUGHTERS OF PRIAM TO THE NUMBER OF LV: Hector, Deiphobus, Cebriones, Polydorus, Helenus, Alexander, Hipposidus, Antinous, Agathon, Dius, Mestor, Lysides, Polymedon, Ascanius, Chirodamas, Evagoras, Dryops, Astynomus, Polymelus, Laodice, Ethionome, Phegea, Henicea, Demnosia, Cassandra, Philomela, Polites, Troilus, Palaemon, Brissonius, Gorgythion, Protodamas, Aretus, Dolon, Chromius, Eresus, Chrysolaus, Demosthea, Doryclus, Hippasus, Hyperochus, Lysianassa, Iliona, Nereis, Evander, Proneos, Archemachus, Ilagus, Axion, Binates, Hippothous, Deiopites, Medusa, Hero, Creusa."

- Hyginus, Fabulae 90
Petraios (Kentauroi Thessalioi)

## Classical Text

And there was the strife of the Lapith spearmen gathered round the prince Caeneus and Dryas and Peirithous, with Hopleus, Exadius, Phalereus, and Prolochus, Mopsus the son of Ampyce of Titaresia, a scion of Ares, and Theseus, the son of Aegeus, like unto the deathless gods. These were of silver, and had armour of gold upon their bodies. And the Centaurs were gathered against them on the other side with Petraeus and Asbolus the diviner, Arctus, and Ureus, and black-haired Mimas, and the two sons of silver, and they had pinetrees of gold in their hands, and they were rushing together as though they were alive and striking at one another hand to hand with spears and with pines.
- *Hesiod, Shield of Herakles 178-190*
Neaira

NEAIRA (Neaera) was a nymph of the mythical island of Thrinakia (Thrinacia) loved by the sun-god Helios. She bore him two shining daughters--the rustic-nymphs Lampetia and Phaethousa.

The island of Thrinakia might be the same as Trinakria which was an old Greek name for the island of Sicily.

Neaira's name means "New-Rising" or "Newly-Risen" from the Greek words *neos* "new" and *aeirô* "to rise." She was probably a minor goddess of the dawn similar to Eos.
Pallas (Titan)

Pallas (Παλλας) was the Titan god of battle and warcraft. He was the father of Bia, Kratos, Nike and Zelos by Styx. Though Pallas sided with the titans, Styx sided with Zeus during the Titan-War and Pallas' children did the same. Pallas' name was derived from the Greek word *pallô* meaning "to brandish (a spear)".
Moúnikhos

Moúnikhos, son of Dryas, king of the Molossians and a seer. He was husband of Lelante and by her father of three sons, Philaeus, Alcander and Megaletor, and of a daughter Hyperippe. Of them Alcander excelled his father in prophetic abilities. The family were just and righteous and therefore especially favored by the gods. One day, raiders attacked them in the fields; the family ran off to their house and began to throw various objects at them in self-defense, whereupon the offenders set fire to the house. Zeus would not let his favorites die such a miserable death and changed them all into birds: Munichus into a buzzard, Lelante into a green woodpecker, Alcander into a wren, Hyperippe into a loon, Megaletor into an "ichneumon" and Philaeus into a "dog-bird".
Menoitios

Menoitios (Μενοιτιος) was one of the younger Titans. He was perhaps the god rash action and violent rage. Zeus blasted him with a thunderbolt into Erebos (the Underworld) for his hubris.

Menoitios' name was derived from the Greek words *menos* meaning "might", "force", "passion" and "batterage", and *oitos* meaning "ill-fated" or "doomed". Hesiod calls him *hybristes*--a violent, overbearing and insolent man.
Necklace of Harmonia

The Necklace of Harmonia, also called the Necklace of Eriphyle, was a fabled object in Greek mythology that, according to legend, brought great misfortune to all of its wearers or owners, who were primarily queens and princesses of the ill-fated House of Thebes.

## Background

Hêphaistos, blacksmith of the Olympian gods, discovered his wife, Aphroditê, goddess of love, having a sexual affair with Arês, the god of war. He became enraged and vowed to avenge himself for Aphrodite's infidelity by cursing any lineage of children resulting from the affair. Aphroditê bore a daughter, Harmonia, from Arês' seed. Harmonia grew up and was later betrothed to Kadmos of Thebes. Upon hearing of the royal engagement, Hephaestus presented Harmonia with an exquisite necklace and robe as a wedding gift. In some versions of the myth, only the necklace is given. In either case, the necklace was wrought by Hephaestus' own hand and was cursed to bring disaster to any who wore it.

## Magical properties

The magical necklace, referred to simply as the Necklace of Harmonia, allowed any woman wearing it to remain eternally young and beautiful. It thus became a much-coveted object amongst women of the House of Thebes in Greek myths. Although no solid description of the Necklace exists, it is usually described in ancient Greek passages as being of beautifully wrought gold, in the shape of two serpents whose open mouths formed a clasp, and inlaid with various jewels.
Pandaie

In Greek mythology, Pandaie (Πανδαίη) was a daughter of Herakles whom he fathered in India. She was said to have been assigned a kingdom in India by her father, who established specific laws for it, and to become its eponym. According to the historian Megasthenes, she was also given by Herakles 500 elephants, 4,000 horses and infantry of 130,000.

According to Pliny the Elder, Pandaie was the only female child of Heracles (which, however, contradicts the accounts that mention Makaria, Eukleia and Manto as his daughters), and was therefore especially favored by him. For that reason he made her queen of the Pandae, who since then became the only nation throughout India to be ruled by women. Pandaie's descendants, Pliny relates, reigned over three hundred cities and commanded an army of 5,100 plus five hundred elephants.

Polyaenus informs that Heracles allotted to Pandaie the southern part of India, subdividing it into 365 cantons and imposing on each a yearly tax that was to be paid on a certain fixed day of the year. Should a canton refuse to pay, other ones would be obliged to compensate the loss.

## Classical Text

It is said that Hercules had but one child of the female sex, for which reason she was his especial favourite, and he bestowed upon her the principal one of these kingdoms. The sovereigns who derive their origin from this female, rule over three hundred towns, and have an army of one hundred and fifty thousand foot, and five hundred elephants.
- Pliny the Elder, *Naturalis Historia*, 6. 23
Myrmex Indikos

The Myrmex Indikos were a giant, dog-sized breed of ant which guarded rich deposits of gold in the Indian desert. Local tribes gathered gold from the ant hills in a dangerous rush and grab maneuver.

## Classical Text

"Other Indians dwell near the town of Kaspatyros and the Paktyic country, north of the rest of India; these live like the Baktrians; they are of all Indians the most warlike, and it is they who are sent for the gold; for in these parts all is desolate because of the sand. In this sandy desert are ants, not as big as dogs but bigger than foxes; the Persian king has some of these, which have been caught there. These ants live underground, digging out the sand in the same way as the ants in Greece, to which they are very similar in shape, and the sand which they carry from the holes is full of gold. It is for this sand that the Indians set forth into the desert. They harness three camels apiece, males on either side sharing the drawing, and a female in the middle : the man himself rides on the female, that when harnessed has been taken away from as young an offspring as may be. Their camels are as swift as horses, and much better able to bear burdens besides.

Thus and with teams so harnessed the Indians ride after the gold, being careful to be engaged in taking it when the heat is greatest; for the ants are then out of sight underground. Now in these parts the sun is hottest in the morning, not at midday as elsewhere, but from sunrise to the hour of market-closing. Through these hours it is much hotter than in Hellas at noon, so that men are said to sprinkle themselves with water at this time. At midday the sun's heat is nearly the same in India as elsewhere. As it goes to afternoon, the sun of India has the power of the morning sun in other lands; as day declines it becomes ever cooler, until at sunset it is exceedingly cold.

So when the Indians come to the place with their sacks, they fill these with the sand and drive back as fast as possible; for the ants at once scent them out, the Persians say, and give chase. They say nothing is equal to them for speed, so that unless the Indians have a headstart while the ants were gathering, not one of them would get away. They cut loose the male trace-camels, which are slower than the females, as they begin to lag, one at a time; the mares never tire, for they remember the young that they have left. Such is the tale. Most of the gold (say the Persians) is got in this way by the Indians; they dig some from mines in their country, too, but it is less abundant."

- *Herodotus, Histories 3. 102. 1 ff (trans. Godley) (Greek historian C5th B.C.)*

"And the Grypes (Griffins) of the Indoi (Indians) and the Ants of the Aithiopes (Ethiopians), though they are dissimilar in form, yet, from what we hear, play similar parts; for in each country they are, according to the tales of poets, the guardians of gold, and devoted to the gold reefs of the two countries."

- *Philostratus, Life of Apollonius of Tyana 6. 1 (trans. Conybeare) (Greek biography C1st to C2nd A.D.)*
Medôn

## Classical Text

"Victorious, then rushed he upon Evagrus, and Corythus and Dryas. First of these was youthful Corythus, whose cheeks were then just covered with soft down. When he fell dead, Evagrus cried, `What glory do you get, killing a boy?’ But Rhoetus did not give him time for uttering one word more. He pushed the red hot stake into the foeman's mouth, while he still spoke, and down into his lungs. He then pursued the savage Dryas, while whirling the red fire fast about his head; but not with like success, for, while he still rejoiced in killings, Dryas turned and pierced him with a stake where neck and shoulder meet. Rhoetus groaned and with a great effort pulled the stake out from the bone, then fled away, drenched in his blood. And Orneus followed him. Lycabas fled, and Medon with a wound in his right shoulder. Thaumas and Pisenor and Mermerus fled with them. Mermerus, who used to excell all others in a race, ran slowly, crippled by a recent wound. Pholus and Melaneus ran for their lives and with them Abas, hunter of wild boars and Asbolus, the augur, who in vain had urged his friends to shun that hapless fight. As Nessus joined the rout, he said to him, `You need not flee, for you shall be reserved a victim for the bow of Hercules!’ But neither Lycidas, Eurynomus nor Areos, nor Imbreus had escaped from death: for all of these the strong right hand of Dryas pierced, as they confronted him. Crenaeus there received a wound in front. Although he turned in flight, as he looked back, a heavy javelin between his eyes pierced through him, where his nose and forehead joined.
- Ovid, Metamorphoses 12.290-12.315 (Roman epic C1st B.C. to C1st A.D.)
Phasis

Phasis was a river-god of Kolkhis at the easternmost end of the Black Sea.

The Phasis River had its headwaters in the Kaukasos (Caucasus) Mountains and flowed down through the land of Kolkhis to the Black Sea. The next major rivers personified by the Greeks were the Thermodon in Anatolia to the south-west and the Tanais of Skythia to the north.
Leukrokottas

Leukrokottas (Λευκροκοττας) was a fantastic creature with the body of a stag, the neck of a lion, cloven hooves, and a wide mouth with a sharp, bony ridge in place of teeth. It had the ability to imitate the voices of men to lure prey.

The creature was probably derived from ancient travellers' accounts of the hyena.

## Classical Text

"Aethiopia (Ethiopia) produces . . . many monstrosities : . . . the Leucrocota, swiftest of wild beasts, about the size of an ass, with a stag's haunches, a lion's neck, tail and breast, badger's head, cloven hoof, mouth opening right back to the ears, and ridges of bone in place of rows of teeth--this animals is reported to imitate the voices of human beings."
 - Pliny the Elder, Natural History 8. 72
Ornytion

Ornytion (Ὀρνύτιων) means "moon-bird") was a son of Sisyphus, brother of Glaucus, Almus and Thersander, and father of Phocus and Thoas.

A scholiast on Euripides relates of him that he came from Aonia to join the people of Hyampolis in the battle against the Opuntian Locrians over Daphnus and won himself the kingdom, which he handed over to Phokus and returned to Korinth with his other son Thoas, who later succeeded him.
Oureios

## Classical Text

And there was the strife of the Lapith spearmen gathered round the prince Caeneus and Dryas and Peirithous, with Hopleus, Exadius, Phalereus, and Prolochus, Mopsus the son of Ampyce of Titaresia, a scion of Ares, and Theseus, the son of Aegeus, like unto the deathless gods. These were of silver, and had armour of gold upon their bodies. And the Centaurs were gathered against them on the other side with Petraeus and Asbolus the diviner, Arctus, and Ureus, and black-haired Mimas, and the two sons of silver, and they had pinetrees of gold in their hands, and they were rushing together as though they were alive and striking at one another hand to hand with spears and with pines.
- *Hesiod, Shield of Herakles 178-190*
Orion

ORION was a handsome giant granted the ability to walk on water by his father Poseidon. He served King Oinopion (Oenopion) of Khios (Chios) as huntsman for a time, but was blinded and exiled from the island after raping the king's daughter Merope. Orion then travelled across the sea to Lemnos to petition the god Hephaistos (Hephaestus) for help in recovering his sight. Lending him his assistant Kedalion (Cedalion), the god directed the giant to the rising place of the sun where Helios restored his vision. Upon returning to Greece, Orion sought out Oinopion to exact his revenge but the king hid himself away in an underground, bronze chamber.

The giant then retired to the island of Delos or Krete (Crete) where he became a hunting companion of the goddess Artemis. After his death he was placed amongst the stars as the constellation Orion.

There were various accounts of his death. In one version he desired to marry Artemis but her brother Apollon tricked the goddess into shooting him with an arrow as he was swimming far out at sea. In another version, Artemis slew him after he raped her handmaiden Oupis. The most common story, however, was that Orion bragged he would hunt down and kill all the beasts of the earth, so Gaia (Mother Earth) sent a Scorpion to destroy him. Orion and the Scorpion were afterwards placed amongst the stars as opposing constellations--one rises as the other sets.

The Boiotians also had their own stories about the stellar hunter. According to their version of his myth Orion was born when three gods--Zeus, Poseidon and Hermes--urinated on a bull-hide and buried it in the earth to provide King Hyrieus with a son and heir.

Orion's name is derived from the ancient Greek word oros "mountain" or from ourios "urine".

The stories surrounding Orion resemble those of several other mythical hunters of the Boiotian region. The hunter Kephalos (Cephalus), for example, was also said to have been seduced by the goddess Eos. Another, Aktaion (Actaeon), was similarly killed by Artemis while out hunting. And finally, the earth-born Boiotian giant Tityos attempted to violate the goddess Leto--just as Orion assaulted Oupis--and was destroyed by Apollon and Artemis with their arrows.
Phaiokomês

## Classical Text

“Another sight still comes before my eyes, the centaur Phaeocomes with his log. He wore six lion skins well wrapped around his body, and with fixed connecting knots they covered him, both horse and man. He hurled a trunk two yokes of oxen scarce could move and struck the hapless son of Olenus a crushing blow upon the head. The broad round dome was shattered, and his dying brains oozed out through hollow nostrils, mouth, and ears, as curdled milk seeps down through oaken twigs; or other liquors, crushed out under weights, flow through a well-pierced sieve and, thick, squeeze out through numerous holes. As he began to spoil his victim—and your father can affirm the truth of this—I thrust my sword deep in the wretch's groin. Chthonius, too, and Teleboas fell there by my sword. The former had a two-pronged stick as his sole weapon, and the other had a spear, with which the wounded me. You see the scar. The old scar still is surely visible! Those were my days of youth and strength, and then I ought to have warred against the citadel of Pergama. I could have checked, or even vanquished, the arms of Hector: but, alas, Hector had not been born, or was perhaps a boy. Old age has dulled my youthful strength. What use is it, to speak of Periphas, who overcame Pyretus, double-formed? Why tell of Ampyx, who with pointless shaft, victorious thrust Echeclus through the face? Macareus, hurling a heavy crowbar pierced Erigdupus and laid him low. A hunting spear that Nessus strongly hurled, was buried in the groin of Cymelus. Do not believe that Mopsus, son of Ampycus, was merely a prophet of events to come, he slew a daring two-formed monster there. Hodites tried in vain to speak, before his death, but could not, for his tongue was nailed against his chin, his chin against his throat.
- Ovid, Metamorphoses 12.429-12.458 (Roman epic C1st B.C. to C1st A.D.)