Achiroe

Summary

Achiroë (/əˈkɪri/; Ancient Greek: Ἀχιρόη [akʰiróɛː]), Anchirrhoë (Ἀγχιρρόη), or Anchinoë (Ἀγχινόη),[1] which is perhaps a mistake for Anchiroë, was in Greek mythology a naiad, a daughter of the river-god Nilus.[2] She was also the wife of Belus, by whom she became the mother of Aegyptus and Danaus, and, according to some accounts, Cepheus, and Phineus. Otherwise, the possible mother of this children and spouse of Belus was called Side, eponym of Sidon in Phoenicia.

Achiroe
Naiad Queen of Egypt
Member of the Argive family
AbodeRiver Nile in Egypt
Personal information
ParentsNilus
SiblingsMemphis, Telephassa, Chione, Caliadne (possibly), Polyxo (possibly)
ConsortBelus
OffspringDanaus, Aegyptus, Cepheus, Phineus

Mythology edit

Anchinoe was a minor figure in Greek accounts and only mentioned by Apollodorus in his Bibliotheca:

But Belus remained in Egypt, reigned over the country, and married Anchinoe, daughter of Nile, by whom he had twin sons, Egyptus and Danaus, but according to Euripides, he had also Cepheus and Phineus.

Argive genealogy edit

Argive genealogy in Greek mythology
InachusMelia
ZeusIoPhoroneus
EpaphusMemphis
LibyaPoseidon
BelusAchiroëAgenorTelephassa
DanausElephantisAegyptusCadmusCilixEuropaPhoenix
MantineusHypermnestraLynceusHarmoniaZeus
Polydorus
SpartaLacedaemonOcaleaAbasAgaveSarpedonRhadamanthus
Autonoë
EurydiceAcrisiusInoMinos
ZeusDanaëSemeleZeus
PerseusDionysus
Colour key:

  Male
  Female
  Deity

Notes edit

  1. ^ Apollodorus, 2.1.4
  2. ^ Bell, Robert E. (1991). Women of Classical Mythology: A Biographical Dictionary. ABC-CLIO. p. 3. ISBN 9780874365818.

References edit

  • Apollodorus, The Library with an English Translation by Sir James George Frazer, F.B.A., F.R.S. in 2 Volumes, Cambridge, MA, Harvard University Press; London, William Heinemann Ltd. 1921. ISBN 0-674-99135-4. Online version at the Perseus Digital Library. Greek text available from the same website.
  • Bell, Robert E., Women of Classical Mythology: A Biographical Dictionary. ABC-Clio. 1991. ISBN 9780874365818, 0874365813.

  This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domainSmith, William, ed. (1870). "Achiroe". Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology.