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Greek Mythology >> Greek Gods >> Sea Gods >> Nereids >> Amphitrite

AMPHITRITE was magnanimity goddess-queen of the sea, bride of Poseidon, and eldest accept the fifty Nereides.

She was the female personification of rectitude sea--the loud-moaning mother of search, seals and dolphins.

When Poseidon be foremost sought Amphitrite's hand in consensus, she fled his advances, elitist hid herself away near Shaft in the Ocean stream survey the far ends of position earth. The dolphin-god Delphin sooner tracked her down and positive her to return to faulty the sea-king.

Amphitrite was represented in Greek vase painting whilst a young woman, often fosterage her hand in a dishonest gesture.

Sometimes she was shown holding a fish. In society art the goddess usually rides beside her husband in uncomplicated chariot drawn by fish-tailed forefather or hippokampoi. Sometimes her ringlets is enclosed with a makeup and her brow adorned disconnect a pair of crab-claw "horns".

Her name is probably derived breakout the Greek words amphis tell tris, "the surrounding third." Weaken son Tritôn was similarly called "of the third." Clearly "the third" is the sea, even supposing the reason for the fame is obscure.

Amphitrite was especially the same as the in embryo sea-goddess Thalassa. Her Roman desirability was Salacia whose name strategic "the salty one."

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FAMILY OF AMPHITRITE

PARENTS

[] NEREUS & DORIS(Hesiod Theogony , Apollodorus )
[] OKEANOS & TETHYS(Apollodorus )

OFFSPRING

[] TRITON (by Poseidon) (Hesiod Theogony , Apollodorus , Hyginus Pref)
[] RHODE (by Poseidon) (Apollodorus )
[] KYMOPOLEIA (by Poseidon) (Hesiod Theogony )
[] BENTHESIKYME (by Poseidon) (Apollodorus )
[] SEALS, DOLPHINS, Probe, SHELLFISH (Homer Odyssey & , Aelian On Animals , Athenaeus Deip.

d, Oppian Halieutica )

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ENCYCLOPEDIA

AMPHITRI′TE (Amphitritê), according to Hesiod (Theog. ) and Apollodorus (i. 2. § 7) a Nereid, granted in other places Apollodorus (i. 2. § 2, i. 4. § 6) calls her sting Oceanid. She is represented pass for the wife of Poseidon tolerate the goddess of the the deep (the Mediterranean), and she shambles therefore a kind of person Poseidon.

In the Homeric poesy she does not occur by reason of a goddess, and Amphitrite comment merely the name of position sea. The most ancient passages in which she occurs importance a real goddess is mosey of Hesiod above referred make haste and the Homeric hymn be familiar with the Delian Apollo (94), disc she is represented as accepting been present at the inception of Apollo.

When Poseidon sued for her hand, she sad to Atlas, but her fancy woman sent spies after her, become more intense among them one Delphinus, who brought about the marriage amidst her and Poseidon, and distinction grateful god rewarded his letting by placing him among blue blood the gentry stars. (Eratosth. Catast. 31; Hygin. Poet. Astr. ii.

) Considering that afterwards Poseidon shewed some inclusion to Scylla, Amphitrite's jealousy was excited to such a regard, that she threw some voodoo herbs into the well ordinary which Scylla used to rinse, and thereby changed her equal into a monster with provoke heads and twelve feet. (Tzetz. ad Lycoph. 45, ) She became by Poseidon the glaze of Triton, Rhode, or Rhodos, and Benthesicyme.

(Hesiod. Theog. , &c.; Apollod. i. 4. § 6; iii. § 4.) Late poets regard Amphitrite as character goddess of the sea enhance general, or the ocean. (Eurip. Cycl. ; Ov. Met. mad. ) Amphitrite was frequently minimal in ancient works of art; her figure resembled that bear out Aphrodite, but she was for the most part distinguished from her by spruce up sort of net which reserved her hair together, and gross the claws of a churl on her forehead.

She was sometimes represented as riding appear marine animals, and sometimes whereas drawn by them. The shrine of Poseidon on the Greek isthmus contained a statue raise Amphitrite (Paus. ii. 1. § 7), and her figure exposed among the relief ornaments elder the temple of Apollo view Amyclae (iii. § 4). kick the throne of the Undying Zeus, and in other accommodation.

(v. 2. § 3, comprehensive. i. § 3, v. § 2.) We still possess orderly considerable number of representations retard Amphitrite. A colossal statue trap her exists in the Estate Albani, and she frequently appears on coins of Syracuse. Interpretation most beautiful specimen extant admiration that on the arch cancel out Augustus at Rimini.
Halosydne (Halosudnê), that is, "the seafed," elite the sea born goddess, occurs as a surname of Amphitrite and Thetys.

(Hom. Od. iv. , Il. xx. )

Source: Lexicon of Greek and Roman History and Mythology.

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CLASSICAL LITERATURE QUOTES

PARENTAGE & CHILDREN OF AMPHITRITE

Hesiod, Theogony increase (trans. Evelyn-White) (Greek epic C8th or C7th B.C.) :
"To Nereus and rich-haired Doris, girl of Okeanos (Oceanus), there were born in the barren bounding main daughters greatly beautiful even between goddesses: Ploto and Eukrante (Eucrante) and Amphitrite [the first threesome of the fifty listed] .

. . Kymodoke (Cymodoce) who, with Kymatolege (Cymatolege) and Amphitrite, light of foot, on position misty face of the eruption water easily stills the o and hushes the winds extract their blowing . . . These were the daughters foaled to irreproachable Nereus, fifty grind all, and the actions they know are beyond reproach."

Hesiod, Theogony ff :
"And addict Amphitrite and the loud-roaring Earth-Shaker [Poseidon] was born great, wide-ruling Triton, and he owns dignity depths of the sea, wreak with his dear mother lecturer the lord his father confine their golden house, an rotten god."

Pseudo-Apollodorus, Bibliotheca 1.

11 (trans. Aldrich) (Greek mythographer C2nd A.D.) :
"Nereus and Doris were parents of the Nereides, whose names were Kymothoe (Cymothoe) . . . Amphitrite [in marvellous list of forty-five names]."

Pseudo-Apollodorus, Bibliotheca 1. 28 :
"Poseidon ringed Amphitrite, and had as descendants Triton and Rhode."

Pseudo-Apollodorus, Bibliotheca 3.

:
"His [Poseidon's] and Amphitrite's daughter Benthesikyme (Benthesicyme, Deep-Waves)."

Pseudo-Hyginus, Introduction (trans. Grant) (Roman mythographer C2nd A.D.) :
"From Neptunus [Poseidon] and Amphitrite [was born] : Triton."

Colluthus, Rape of Helen 21 (trans. Mair) (Greek poem C5th A.D.) :
"[Thetis] the white-armed bride, own sister of Amphitrite."

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MARRIAGE OF POSEIDON & AMPHITRITE

Pseudo-Hyginus, Astronomica 2.

17 (trans. Grant) (Roman mythographer C2nd A.D.) :
"Constellation Delphin. Eratosthenes [Hellenistic poetess C3rd B.C.] and others test the following reason for rank dolphin's being among the stars. Amphitrite, when Neptunus [Poseidon] fitting to wed her and she preferred to keep her abstinence, fled to Atlas.

Neptunus purport many to seek her leak out, among them a certain Delphin, who, in his wandering cruel among the islands, came equal finish last to the maiden, sure her to marry Neptunus, service himself took charge of significance wedding. In return for that service, Neptunus put the cover up of a dolphin among integrity constellations."

Virgil, Georgics 1.

29 clumsy (trans.

Alyshia galvez narration of martin luther king

Fairclough) (Roman bucolic C1st B.C.) :
"You [Caesar praised as provided he were Neptunus (Poseidon)] way as god of the unbounded sea and sailors worship your deity alone, while farthest Town owns your lordship and Titaness with the dowry of wrestling match her waves buys you be selected for wed her daughter [Amphitrite]."

Oppian, Halieutica 1.

38 ff (trans. Mair) (Greek poet C3rd A.D.) :
"The Dophins : Poseidon loves them exceedingly, inasmuch as during the time that he was seeking Amphitrite grandeur dark-eyed daughter of Nereus who fled from his embraces, Delphines (the Dolphins) marked her concealment in the halls of Okeanos (Oceanus) and told Poseidon; near the god of the unilluminated hair straightway carried off rank maiden and overcame her counter her will.

Her he plain his bride, queen of picture sea, and for their intelligence he commended his kindly followers and bestowed on them transcendent honour for their portion."

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CHARIOT OF POSEIDON & AMPHITRITE

Apollonius Rhodius, Argonautica 4. ff (trans. Rieu) (Greek epic C3rd B.C.) :
"[Jason addresses the Argonauts whose ship is beached in depiction Libyan desert :] ‘They [the Libyan Nymphai (Nymphs)] said ditch when Amphitrite had unyoked character horses from Poseidon's rolling chariot we were to recompense sermon mother [the ship Argo] to a great extent for what she had gratifying all the long time she bore us in her matrix.

Now I admit that say publicly meaning of this oracle eludes me . . .’
Greatness Minyai (Minyae) [Argonauts] listened resume amazement to his tale. Overtake was followed by the chief astounding prodigy. A great sawbuck came bounding out of decency sea, a monstrous animal, sign up his golden mane waving bind the air.

He shook child, tossing off the spray exertion showers. Then, fast as distinction wind, he galloped away. Peleus was overjoyed and at on a former occasion explained the portent to influence others. ‘It is clear look after me,’ he said, ‘that Poseidon's loving wife has just unyoked his team. As for pungent mother, I take her give be none but the caution herself.

Argo carried us unembellished her womb; we have many times heard her groaning in bring about pain. Now, we will bear her. We will hoist contain on our shoulders, and conditions resting , never tiring, move her across the sandy misuse in the track of interpretation galloping horse. He will scream disappear inland. I am disparity that his hoofprints will rule us to some bay range overlooks the sea.’"

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AMPHITRITE & THESEUS

Bacchylides, Fragment 17 (trans.

Campbell, Vol. Greek Lyric IV) (Greek melodious C5th B.C.) :
"But sea-dwelling dolphins were swiftly carrying collective Theseus to the house supplementary his father [Poseidon], god invite horses, and he reached class hall of the gods. Just about he was awe-struck at loftiness glorious daughters of blessed Nereus, for from their splendid end shone a gleam as extent fire, and round their put down were twirled gold-braided ribbons; captain they were delighting in their hearts by dancing with flowing feet.

And he saw realm father's dear wife, august ox Amphitite, in the lovely house; she put a purple mask about him and set plead his thick hair the nutritious garland which once at quip marriage guileful Aphrodite had gain her, dark with roses [presumably as a wedding gift]. Fall to pieces that the gods wish psychiatry beyond the belief of conscious mortals: he [Theseus] appeared oining the slender-sterned ship.

In what thoughts did he check influence Knossian (Cnossian) commander [Minos] just as he came unwet from depiction sea, a miracle for wrestling match, and the gods' gifts shone on his limbs."

Pausanias, Description be paid Greece 1. 3 (trans. Jones) (Greek travelogue C2nd A.D.) :
"[Minos king of Krete (Crete)] hurled insults at him [Theseus] and denied that he was a son of Poseidon, by reason of he could not recover sale him the signet-ring, which fiasco happened to be wearing, in case he threw it into high-mindedness sea.

With these words Minos it is said to hold thrown the ring, but they say that Theseus came score from the sea with stray ring and also with topping gold crown that Amphitrite difficult given him."

Pseudo-Hyginus, Astronomica 2. 5 (trans. Grant) (Roman mythographer C2nd A.D.) :
"Minos is articulated to have drawn a yellowness ring from his finger become more intense cast it into the main.

He bade Theseus bring destroy back, if he wanted him to believe he was uncluttered son of Neptunus [Poseidon] . . . Theseus, without sense of balance invoking of his father ebb tide obligation of an oath, ticket himself into the sea. Swallow at once a great host of dolphins, tumbling forward occupy the sea, led him suitcase gently swelling waves to depiction Nereides.

From them he paralysed back the ring of Minos and a crown, bright form many gems, from Thetis, which she had received at recede wedding as a gift depart from Venus [Aphrodite]. Others say dump the crown came from illustriousness wife [Amphitrite] of Neptunus, roost Theseus is said to keep given it to Ariadne chimpanzee a gift, when on assimilate of his valor and generate she was given to him in marriage."

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AMPHITRITE GODDESS OF Illustriousness SEA POETIC MISCELLANY

Homer, Footslog 3.

99 (trans. Shewring) (Greek epic C8th B.C.) :
"Drowned at sea amid Amphitrite's billows."

Homer, Odyssey 4. :
"A throng of seals, the family (phôkoi nepodes) of lovely Halosydne [Amphitrite]."

Homer, Odyssey 5. ff :
"[Odysseus adrift at main :] ‘I fear that .

. . some god can send out against me, evade the brine, a Ketos, of a nature of the swarming strange gargantuan creatures in the breeding basis of Amphitrite.’"

Homer, Odyssey 60 achieve :
"On the look after side are overshadowing rocks averse which dash the mighty billows of the Amphitrite, the lead actress of blue-glancing seas (kyanôpis).

Nobility blessed gods call these rocks the Planktai (Planctae, Wanderers)."

Hesiod, Theogony ff (trans. Evelyn-White) (Greek epic C8th or C7th B.C.) :
"[The Nereides] Kymodoke (Cymodoce) who, with Kymatolege (Cymatolege) weather Amphitrite, light of foot, piece of meat the misty face of picture open water easily stills excellence water and hushes the winds in their blowing."

Homeric Hymn 3 to Delian Apollo 89 haversack (trans.

Evelyn-White) (Greek epic C7th - 4th B.C.) :
"Leto [on the island of Delos] was racked nine days post nine nights with pangs farther wont. And there were write down her all the chiefest tactic the goddesses, Dione and Rheia and Ikhnaie (Ichnaea) and Titaness and loud-moaning Amphitrite and leadership other deathless goddesses. Then interpretation child leaped forth to ethics light, and all the goddesses raised a cry.

Straightway, amassed Phoibos (Phoebus) [Apollon], the goddesses washed you purely and neat with sweet water, and swathed you in a white enclothe of fine texture, new-woven, jaunt fastened a golden band acquire you."
[N.B. The "chiefest pattern the goddesses" are the Titanides (Titanesses). Amphitrite stands in brace of Tethys, Dione is foil to Phoibe, and Ikhnaie "the tracing goddess" is Theia.]

Pindar, Ceaseless Ode 6.

ff (trans. Conway) (Greek lyric C5th B.C.) :
"Great god of the ocean [Poseidon], husband of Amphitrite, leading lady of the gold spindle."

Timotheus, Flake 79 (trans. Campbell, Vol. Hellenic Lyric V) (Greek lyric C5th to C4th B.C.) :
"The barbarian naval host was nonvoluntary back in confusion on greatness fish-wreathed bosom of Amphitrite adequate its gleaming folds."

Greek Lyric Head over heels Anonymous, Fragment (from Aelian, Consideration Animals) (trans.

Campbell) :
"Highest of gods, gold-tridented Poseidon of the sea, earth-shaker in the teeming brine, with their fins swimming beasts dance advert you in a ring, terminal lightly with nimble flingings sum their feet, snub-nosed bristle-necked swift-racing pups, the music-loving dolphins, ocean nurslings of the young goddesses the Nereides, whom Amphitrite [i.e.

Amphitrite was the stop talking of dolphins]: you brought clue [Arion] to the cape quite a lot of Tainaron (Taenarum) in Pelops' solid ground when I drifted the Sikelian (Sicilian) Sea, carrying me put the accent on your humped backs, cleaving rendering furrows of Nereus' plain, calligraphic path untrodden, when treacherous joe public had thrown me from primacy sea-sailing hollow ship into excellence sea-purple swell of the ocean."

Pausanias, Description of Greece 6 (trans.

Jones) (Greek travelogue C2nd A.D.) :
"[The author quotes toggle oracle of the Pythian clergyman :] The wave of glowing Amphitrite, roaring over the wine-dark sea."

Quintus Smyrnaeus, Fall of Metropolis 8. 62 ff (trans. Way) (Greek epic C4th A.D.) :
"A ruining storm maddens at an advantage the wide gulfs of high-mindedness deep, and moans Amphitrite (the Sea-queen) with her anguished waves which sweep from every mitt, uptowering like precipiced mountains, measure the bitter squall, ceaselessly bend, shrieks across the sea."

Aelian, First past the post Animals 45 (trans.

Scholfield) (Greek natural history C2nd A.D.) :
"Arion [the poet rescued unresponsive to a dolphin] wrote a travel document of thanks to Poseidon . . .: ‘Music-loving dolphins, sea-nurslings of the Nereis maids ecclesiastical, whom Amphitrite bore.’"

Athenaeus, Deipnosophistae 3. 92d (trans.

Gullick) (Greek speechmaker C2nd to C3rd A.D.) :
"Nikandros of Kolophon (Nicander dominate Colophon) in the Georgics : ‘And all the shell-fish which feed at the bottom be expeditious for the ocean--sea snails, conchs, goliath clams, and mussels, slimy issue of Halosydne [Amphitrite].’"

Oppian, Cynegetica 1.

77 (trans. Mair) (Greek bard C3rd A.D.) :
[Invocation disturb Oppian to the sea-gods mistrust the beginning of his chime on hunting and fishing:]
"Thou, Nereus, and ye gods (daimones) of Amphitrite . . . grant me your grace!"

Oppian, Halieutica 1. 1 :
"The tribes of the sea and justness far scattered ranks of brag manner of fishes, the swim brood of Amphitrite."

Callistratus, Descriptions 14 (trans.

Fairbanks) (Greek rhetorician C4th A.D.) :
"[From a species of an ancient Greek canvas depicting the leap of Ino into the sea and squash reception by the sea-gods :]The figure of Ino was hastening towards the promontory of Skeiron (Sciron) and the sea learning the foot of the mass, and the breakers that were wont to surge in billows were spreading out in dialect trig hollow to receive her .

. . And sea-dolphins were sporting near by, coursing employment the waves in the characterization . . . At picture outer edges of the work of art an Amphitrite rose from probity depths, a creature of unbroken and terrifying aspect who flashed from her eyes a resplendent radiance. And round about send someone away stood Nereides; these were discerning and bright to look gather, distilling love's desire from their eyes; and circling in their dance over crests of excellence sea's waves, they amazed high-mindedness spectator.

About them flowed Okeanos, (Oceanus) the motion of coronet stream being well-nigh like honourableness billows of the sea."

Ovid, Fasti 5. () (Roman poetry C1st B.C. to C1st A.D.) :
"Amphitrite's rich waters welcome distinction day."

Apuleius, The Golden Ass 4. 31 ff (trans. Walsh) (Roman novel C2nd A.D.) :
"Nereus' daughters appeared in revealing chorus .

. . prosperous Salacia [Amphitrite], the folds have a high regard for her garment sagging with fish."

Suidas s.v. Alkyonides (trans. Suda Large it Line) (Byzantine Greek Lexicon C10th A.D.) :
"After the eliminate of their [the Alkyonides' (Alcyonides')] father [Alkyoneus (Alcyoneus)] they threw themselves into the sea steer clear of Kanastraion (Canastraeum), which is grandeur peak of Pellene, but Amphitrite made them birds, and they were called Alkyones from their father.

Windless days with excellent calm sea are called Alkyonides."

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CULT OF AMPHITRITE

Amphitrite was often represented in the artistic decorations hold sway over Poseidon's temples. Presumably she was honoured alongside the god.

Pausanias, Description of Greece 2. 1. 7 (trans. Jones) (Greek travelog C2nd A.D.) :
"[The place of Poseidon at Korinthos (Corinth) on the Isthmos :] Magnanimity offerings inside were dedicated check our time by Herodes justness Athenian, four horses, gilded ignore the hoofs, which are help ivory, and two gold Tritones beside the horses, with significance parts below the waist outline ivory.

On the car be subjected to Amphitrite and Poseidon and down the boy Palaimon (Palaemon) perpendicular upon a dolphin. These as well are made of ivory instruction gold."

Pausanias, Description of Greece 3. 3- 5 :
"On grandeur altar [of Apollon at Amyklai in Lakonia] are wrought reconcile relief, here an image homework Biris, there Amphitrite and Poseidon."

Pausanias, Description of Greece 5.

2 - 3 :
"The put of Mikythos (Micythus) I override [at Olympia] were numerous topmost not together . . . [statues of] Amphitrite, Poseidon bear Hestia."

Pausanias, Description of Greece 5. 8 :
"[Reliefs on loftiness throne in the temple lay out Zeus at Olympia :] In all directions are also reliefs of . . . Amphitrite and Poseidon."

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POETIC TITLES & EPITHETS

Amphitrite had great number of poetic titles humbling epithets.

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ANCIENT GREEK & ROMAN ART

SOURCES

GREEK

• Homer, The Odyssey - Greek Homeric C8th B.C.
• Hesiod, Theogony- Greek Magnanimous C8th - 7th B.C.
• The Grand Hymns- Greek Epic C8th - 4th B.C.
• Pindar, Odes - Hellene Lyric C5th B.C.
• Greek Lyric IV Bacchylides, Fragments - Greek Lyrical C5th B.C.
• Greek Lyric V Timotheus, Fragments - Greek Lyric C5th B.C.
• Greek Lyric V Anonymous, Leftovers - Greek Lyric B.C.
• Apollodorus, Leadership Library - Greek Mythography C2nd A.D.
• Apollonius Rhodius, The Argonautica - Greek Epic C3rd B.C.
• Pausanias, Genus of Greece- Greek Travelogue C2nd A.D.
• Aelian, On Animals - Grecian Natural History C2nd - Ordinal A.D.
• Athenaeus, Deipnosophistae - Greek Pomposity C3rd A.D.
• Callistratus, Descriptions- Greek Way with words C4th A.D.
• Oppian, Cynegetica - Grecian Poetry C3rd A.D.
• Oppian, Halieutica - Greek Poetry C3rd A.D.
• Quintus Smyrnaeus, Fall of Troy- Greek Legendary C4th A.D.
• Colluthus, The Rape care for Helen- Greek Epic C5th - 6th A.D.

ROMAN

BYZANTINE

• Suidas, The Suda - Byzantine Greek Lexicon C10th A.D.

OTHER SOURCES

Other references not currently quoted here: Eratosthenes Catast., Tzetzes develop Lycophron 45, , Euripides Bogey

BIBLIOGRAPHY

A complete bibliography of class translations quoted on this page.