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Hamadryas (mythology)

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In Greek mythology, Hamadryas (Ancient Greek: Ἁμάδρυας) was the nymph daughter of Orius (mountain-god of Othrys or the Pindus) and sister Oxylus (daimon of the mountain forest).[1]

Name

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Hamadryas' name means "Together-with-Tree" and "Together-with-Oak" from the Greek words hama and drys - the latter being both "holm oak" and generic "tree." She was probably the first oak-tree nymph.

Mythology

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By her own brother, Oxylus, Hamadryas bore eight daughters — Aegeirus, Ampelus, Balanus, Carya, Craneia, Morea, Ptelea, and Syke. These were called hamadryads, and many trees derive their names from them.[2]

Note

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  1. ^ Athenaeus, 3.78B (3.14)
  2. ^ Athenaeus, 3.78B (3.14)