Iphimedeia
In Greek mythology, Iphimedeia (/ˌɪfɪmɪˈdaɪə/; Ancient Greek: Ἰφιμέδεια) was a Thessalian princess. She was attested in Homer's Odyssey in the Catalogue of women as being a mortal.
Family[]
Iphimedia was the daughter of Triopas of Thessaly (a son of Poseidon and Canace) and probably by Hiscilla, daughter of King Myrmidon[1] of Phthia. Her possible brothers were Erysichthon[2] and Phorbas.[3] She became the wife of Aloeus, who was also her paternal uncle.
Mythology[]
Iphimedeia also fell in love with Poseidon and would often come to the sea shore and pour the sea water in her lap, until the god came and answered her feelings (cf. the story of Tyro).[4] With Poseidon she was the mother of Otus and Ephialtes (who were called the Aloadae after their stepfather),[5] as well as Cercyon[citation needed] and the bandit Sciron[citation needed]. One account calls Aloeus natural father of the Aloadae.[6]
With Aloeus, Iphimedeia had a daughter (or ), renowned for her beauty. When she and her daughter were participating in the celebration of the orgies of Dionysus, they were carried off by the companions of the Thracian Butes and brought to the island of Strongyle (later Naxos), where Pancratis was given in marriage to the new king and Iphimedia to a friend and lieutenant of his. Two other leaders, and , had fought over Pancratis and killed each other (or else they were and Agassamenus himself). Soon after, Otus and Ephialtes, sent by Aloeus, defeated the Thracians and rescued their mother and sister; but Pancratis died not much later.[7]
Connection with Hekate[]
According to Pietro Scarpi, Iphimedeia should be placed in the chthonic realm as a double of Hekate.[8]
Iphimedeia was one of the heroines whose spirits Odysseus encountered at the entrance of the Underworld.[9]
Ancient cults[]
Her name seems to be attested in Mycenaean Greek in the Linear B syllabic script at Pylos in the form