Myrice (mythology)

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In Greek mythology, Myrice (/ˈmɪərɪs/ MEER-ee-see; Ancient Greek: Μυρίκη, romanizedMuríkē, lit.'tamarix' pronounced [myríkɛː]) is a minor figure from the island of Cyprus. Like both of her siblings Myrrha and Amaracus, she was transformed into a plant bearing her name.

Family

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She was the daughter of Cinyras, a king of Cyprus, and thus sister to Myrrha and Amaracus, thus aunt/half-sister to Adonis.

Mythology

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The mournful[a] Myrice was transformed into a tamarix tree (μυρίκη in ancient Greek),[2][3][4] possibly by Aphrodite, as the tamarisk was her sacred tree.[5] The implication seems to be that Myrice was grieving the death of her kinsman Adonis, who was gored by a boar during hunting.[6] Additionally, a Hellenistic and Roman-era cult dedicated to Myricaean Apollo (Μυρικαίος Ἀπόλλων, "Apollo of the Tamarisk") is attested on the Northeastern Aegean island of Lesbos.[7][8]

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ Hesychius tried to link her name with the verb μύρεσθαι, myresthai, "to mourn".[1][2]

References

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  1. ^ Murr 1890, p. 106.
  2. ^ a b Forbes Irving 1990, p. 276.
  3. ^ Hesychius of Alexandria s.v. μυρίκη
  4. ^ Tümpel 1894, s.v. Myrike.
  5. ^ Farrar 2016, p. 159.
  6. ^ Wright, M. Rosemary. "A Dictionary of Classical Mythology: Summary of Transformations". mythandreligion.upatras.gr. University of Patras. Retrieved January 3, 2023.
  7. ^ Kourtzellis 2019, pp. 162–181.
  8. ^ Folkard 1884, p. 560.

Bibliography

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