Greek Mythology >> Nymphs >> Naiads >> Nymphs of Himera (Nymphai Himeriai)

NYMPHAI HIMERIAI

Greek Name

Νυμφαι Ἱμηριαι

Transliteration

Nymphai Himêriai

Latin Spelling

Nymphae Himeriae

Translation

Nymphs of Himera

THE NYMPHAI HIMERIAI were the Naiad-nymphs of the hot-springs of the town of Himera in eastern Sicily.

PARENTS

Presumably daughters of the local River-God

CLASSICAL LITERATURE QUOTES

Pindar, Olympian Ode 12 ep 1 (trans. Conway) (Greek lyric C5th B.C.) :
"You [an athlete from Himera] have brought glory to the Nymphai's (Nymphs') warm springs here in this land which is your new-found home [Himera]."

Pindar, Nemean Ode 12 :
"At your new home, Himera [famed for its hot springs] . . . the Bathing Place of the Nymphai (Nymphs)."

Diodorus Siculus, Library of History 4. 23. 1 (trans. Oldfather) (Greek historian C1st B.C.) :
"While [Herakles] passing along the coast of the island [from Pelorias to Eryx on the island of Sicily], the Nymphai (Nymphs) caused warm baths to gush forth so that he might refresh himself after the toil sustained in his journeying. There are two of these, called respectively Himeraia (Himeraea) and Egestaiai (Egestaeae), each of them having its name from the place where the baths are."

Diodorus Siculus, Library of History 5. 5. 1 :
"Each one of them [the goddesses] received for her portion a territory, Athene receiving hers in the region of Himera, where the Nymphai (Nymphs), to please Athena, caused the springs of warm water to gush forth on the occasion of the visit of Herakles to the island, and the natives consecrated a city to her and a plot of ground which to this day is called Athene's."