Columbia Encyclopedia

Search results

500 results found

Iris, in Greek mythology

(Encyclopedia)Iris īˈrĭs [key], in Greek mythology, goddess of the rainbow; daughter of Electra and Thaumas. She was often represented as a messenger of Zeus and Hera. ...

(Encyclopedia)Jason, in Greek mythology, son of Aeson. When Pelias usurped the throne of Iolcus and killed (or imprisoned) Aeson and most of his descendants, Jason was smuggled off to the centaur Chiron, who reared...

Alpheus, in Greek mythology

(Encyclopedia)Alpheus ălfēˈəs [key], river god: see Arethusa. ...

Echidna, in Greek mythology

(Encyclopedia)Echidna: see Typhon.

Echo, in Greek mythology

(Encyclopedia)Echo, in Greek mythology, mountain nymph. She assisted Zeus in one of his amorous adventures by distracting Hera with her chatter. For this Hera made her unable to speak except to repeat another's las...

Daphne, in Greek mythology

(Encyclopedia)Daphne dăfˈnē [key], in Greek mythology, a nymph. She was loved by Apollo and by Leucippus, a mortal who disguised himself as a nymph to be near her. When Leucippus betrayed his sex while bathing, ...

Alexander, in Greek mythology

(Encyclopedia)Alexander, in Greek mythology: see Paris. ...

chorus, in Greek drama

(Encyclopedia)chorus, in the drama of ancient Greece. Originally the chorus seems to have arisen from the singing of the dithyramb, and the dithyrambic chorus allegedly became a true dramatic chorus when Thespis in...

Europa, in Greek mythology

(Encyclopedia)Europa yo͝orōˈpə [key], in Greek mythology, daughter of Agenor and Telephassa. Zeus, enamored of her, appeared as a white bull, enticed her to climb on his back, and swam off with her to Crete. Th...