(Encyclopedia) AnchisesAnchisesănkīˈsēz [key], in Greek mythology, member of the ruling family of Troy; father of Aeneas by Aphrodite. When Anchises boasted of the goddess's love, Zeus crippled or,…
(Encyclopedia) AvalonAvalonăvˈəlŏn [key], in Celtic mythology, the blissful otherworld of the dead. In medieval romance it was the island to which the mortally wounded King Arthur was taken, and from…
(Encyclopedia) NereusNereusnērˈ&oomacr;s, –ēəs [key], in Greek mythology, seagod. He was the son of Pontus and Gaea and the father of the nereids (see nymph). A kindly, wise old man of the sea,…
(Encyclopedia) NiobeNiobenīˈōbē [key], in Greek mythology, queen of Thebes, wife of Amphion and daughter of Tantalus. The mother of six sons and six daughters, she boasted of her fruitfulness, saying…
(Encyclopedia) PalamedesPalamedespăləmēˈdēz [key], in Greek mythology, crafty Greek hero of the Trojan War. Because he had exposed Odysseus when he tried to evade going to war, Odysseus falsely…
(Encyclopedia) LeucotheaLeucotheal&oomacr;kŏthˈēə [key], in Greek mythology, sea deity. In some legends she was the deification of Ino, the wife of Athamas; in others she was the deification of…
(Encyclopedia) LamiaLamialāˈmēə [key], in Greek mythology, grief-crazed woman whose name was used to frighten children. Her own children were killed by Hera, who was jealous of Zeus' love for her;…
(Encyclopedia) CastaliaCastaliakăstāˈlyə [key], in Greek mythology, spring on Mt. Parnassós. Named for a nymph, it was sacred to the Muses and was said to give poetic inspiration to those who bathed…
(Encyclopedia) StyxStyxstĭks [key], in Greek mythology, river of Hades that the souls of the dead had to cross on their journey from the realm of the living. It was a sacred river, and by its name…
(Encyclopedia) Tartarus, in Greek mythology, lowest region of the underworld. The wicked (e.g., Sisyphus, Tantalus, and Ixion) were sent to Tartarus as punishment for their sins.
