Greek Mythology >> Nymphs >> Naiads >> Naiads of Caria (Naiades Kariai)

NAIADES KARIAI

Greek Name

Ναιαδες Καριαι
Νυμφαι Καριαι

Transliteration

Naiades Kariai
Nymphai Kariai

Latin Spelling

Naiades Cariae
Nymphae Cariae

Translation

Naiads of Caria
Nymphs of Caria

THE NAIADES KARIAI were the nymphs of the springs and rivers of Karia (Caria) in western Anatolia. They were sisters of the nymph Salmakis (Salmacis).

PARENTS

Presumably daughters of the River MAIANDROS

CLASSICAL LITERATURE QUOTES

Ovid, Metamorphoses 4. 302 ff (trans. Melville) (Roman epic C1st B.C. to C1st A.D.) :
"[Near] the towns of Lycia . . . and Carae (Caria) . . . there is a pool, a limpid shining pool, clear to its very bottom . . . A Nympha [Salmacis] dwelt there, not one to bend the bow or join the hunt or run to win the race; she was the only of the Naides (Naiads) unknown to swift Diana [Artemis]. Many a time her sisters [the Naiadsi] chide her : ‘Come, Salmacis, get out your spear or painted quiver; vary your hours of ease with hardships of the chase.’ Yet never spear she took nor painted quiver, nor would vary her hours of ease with hardships of the chase."