Greek Mythology >> Nymphs >> Naiads >> Naiads of Cyprus (Naiades Kypriai)

NAIADES KYPRIAI

Greek Name

Ναιαδες Κυπριαι

Transliteration

Naiades Kypriai

Latin Spelling

Naiades Cypriae

Translation

Naiads of Cyprus

THE NAIADES KYPRIAI were Naiad-nymphs of the Mediterranean island of Kypros (Cyprus). They nursed the infant Adonis after his birth from the tree of the metamorphosed princess Myrrha.

PARENTS

Presumably daughters of a local RIVER-GOD

CLASSICAL LITERATURE QUOTES

Ovid, Metamorphoses 10. 513 ff (trans. Melville) (Roman epic C1st B.C. to C1st A.D.) :
"[The pregnant Myrrha was transformed into a myrrh-tree :] The tree split open and the sundered bark yielded its living load; a baby boy [Adonis] squalled, and the Naides (Naiads) laid him on soft grass and bathed him in his mother's flowing tears [myrrh]."