PANDEIA

PANDEIA (Pandia) was a daughter of the sky-god Zeus and the moon-goddess Selene. She was perhaps the goddess of the full moon (panselênê in Greek), the earth-nourishing dew (hersê) or youth.

Several other writers mention a daughters of Zeus and Selene named Ersa (Dew) and Nemeia. It is not clear if these were three distinct goddesses or just alternate names for one. She might also be connected with the Menai (Months), fifty daughters of Endymion and Selene.

FAMILY OF PANDIA

PARENTS

ZEUS & SELENE (Homeric Hymn 32 to Selene, Hyginus Preface, Scholiast on Pindar's Odes, Hyginus Preface)

CLASSICAL LITERATURE QUOTES

PARENTAGE OF PANDIA

Homeric Hymn 32 to Selene (trans. Evelyn-White) (Greek epic C7th - 4th B.C.) :
"Once Kronides (Cronides) [Zeus] was joined with her [Selene] in love; and she conceived an bare a daughter Pandeia, exceeding lovely amongst the deathless gods."

Pseudo-Hyginus, Preface (trans. Grant) (Roman mythographer C2nd A.D.) :
"From Jove [Zeus] and Luna [Selene] [was born] : Pandia."

Virgil, Georgics 3. 390 ff (trans. Fairclough) (Roman bucolic C1st B.C.) :
"[Virgil briefly describes how the god Pan seduced Selene by luring her down from the sky with a shining lamb's fleece. The story may be connected with the birth of goddess Pandeia, whose name-prefix naturally suggests the god.]
'Twas with gift of such snowy wool, if we may trust the tale, that Pan, Arcadia's god, charmed and beguiled you, O Luna (the Moon) [Selene], calling you to the depths of the woods; nor did you scorn his call."

CULT OF PANDIA

I. NEMEA Town in Argolis (Southern Greece)

According to the Scholiast on Pindar's Nemean Odes the eponymous goddess of the town of Nemea was a daughter of Zeus and Selene. She may be the goddess Pandeia described in the Homeric Hymns. Her mother Selene was associated with cult of Zeus Nemeios in the town and was said to have been the mother or nurse of the famous Nemean Lion.

II. PHLIUS (PHLIOS) Town in Sicyonia (Southern Greece)

The goddess Dia was worshipped in the town of Phlios in Sikyonia near Nemea (above). She might be the Pandeia mentioned in the Homeric Hymns. Although the locals identified Dia with the goddess Hebe this does not preclude her identification as Pandeia, for Hebe's mother Hera was sometimes identified with Pandeia's mother Selene.

Strabo, Geography 8. 6. 24 (trans. Jones) (Greek geographer C1st B.C. to C1st A.D.) :
"In Phlios (Phlius) and Sikyon (Sicyon) the temple of Dia is held in honor; and Dia is their name for Hebe."

Pausanias, Description of Greece 2. 13. 3 (trans. Jones) (Greek travelogue C2nd A.D.) :
"On the Phliasian citadel [at Phlios (Phlius), Argolis] is a grove of cypress trees and a sanctuary which from ancient times has been held to be peculiarly holy. The earliest Phliasians named the goddess to whom the sanctuary belongs Ganymeda; but later authorites call her Hebe, whom Homer mentions in the duel between Menelaos and Alexandros (Alexander), saying that she was the cup-bearer of the gods; and again he says, in the descent of Odysseus to Haides, that she was the wife of Herakles. Olen, in his Hymn to Hera, says that Hera was reared by the Horai (Horae, Seasons), and that her children were Ares and Hebe.
Of the honours that the Phliasians pay to this goddess the greatest is the pardoning of suppliants. All those who seek sanctuary here receive full forgiveness, and prisoners, when set free, dedicate their fetters on the trees in the grove. The Phliasians also celebrate a yearly festival which they call Kissotomoi (Ivy-cutters). There is no image, either kept in secret of openly displayed, and the reason for this is set forth in a sacred legend of theirs though on the left as you go out is a temple of Hera with an image of Parian marble."

SOURCES

GREEK

• The Homeric Hymns - Greek Epic C8th - 4th B.C.
• Strabo, Geography - Greek Geography C1st B.C. - C1st A.D.
• Pausanias, Description of Greece - Greek Travelogue C2nd A.D.

ROMAN

• Hyginus, Fabulae - Latin Mythography C2nd A.D.
• Virgil, Georgics - Latin Bucolic C1st B.C.

OTHER SOURCES

Other references not currently quoted here: Plutarch Symposium 3, Scholiast on Pindar Nemean Ode.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

A complete bibliography of the translations quoted on this page.