Mythography | Nymphs in Myth and Art

Nymphs in Greek Mythology

Nymphs were an important part of Greek mythology and religion. They were revered as the spirits of specific natural features - mountains, rivers, trees, and even groves were usually associated with a type of nymph. The name "nymph" comes from the Greek word that means "young woman", and so naturally these beings were considered to be female. Indeed, they were represented as lovely and eternally youthful creatures. And while there is some question about whether they were immortal or not - Hamadryads in particular were linked with the lives of their chosen trees - it is believed that they were extremely long lived. The following list, while not exhaustive, is an introduction to some categories of nymphs:

Dryads | wood-nymphs

Hamadryads | related to the Dryads, these nymphs were so closely part of the trees they inhabited that it was said that they died along with their trees

Leimoniads | nymphs of the meadow

Meliae | these were nymphs of a particular kind of tree - the ash tree

Naiads | nymphs associated with water

Nereids | sea-nymphs; they were the daughters of Nereus and Doris

Oceanids | the Titans Okeanos and Tethys were the parents of "three thousand slender-ankled daughters"

Oreads | nymphs of mountains

More about Nymphs - Famous Names

Search Mythography
For best results, use lower case queries in Altavista's syntax... search help!

Do you have a specific question about Greek mythology? Then try the Mythography forum!

Who's Who in Classical Mythology

This book is a great source for information about Greek and Roman mythology! Organized alphabetically, this who's who features information about over 1200 of the most intriguing characters from Classical myth and legend.

The Bibliography

If you want more recommended resources for information about Greek myths, visit the books section - it lists books about mythology, art, literature, and more.

Copyright © 1997-2008 Loggia.com. All rights reserved.
No part of this website, including text and images, may be reproduced or copied in any form
or by any means without the express prior written permission of Loggia.com.