Napaeae
Encyclopedia
In Greek mythology
, the Napaeae (Ancient Greek: ναπαῖαι, from νάπη; English translation
: "a wooded dell") were a type of nymph
that lived in wooded valleys, glens or grottoes
. Statius
invoked them in his Thebaid
, when the naiad
Ismenis addresses her mortal son Krenaios:
Greek mythology
Greek mythology is the body of myths and legends belonging to the ancient Greeks, concerning their gods and heroes, the nature of the world, and the origins and significance of their own cult and ritual practices. They were a part of religion in ancient Greece...
, the Napaeae (Ancient Greek: ναπαῖαι, from νάπη; English translation
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
: "a wooded dell") were a type of nymph
Nymph
A nymph in Greek mythology is a female minor nature deity typically associated with a particular location or landform. Different from gods, nymphs are generally regarded as divine spirits who animate nature, and are usually depicted as beautiful, young nubile maidens who love to dance and sing;...
that lived in wooded valleys, glens or grottoes
Grottoes
Grottoes may mean:*The plural form of Grotto .or*Grottoes, Virginia - The town named for Grand Caverns....
. Statius
Statius
Publius Papinius Statius was a Roman poet of the 1st century CE . Besides his poetry in Latin, which include an epic poem, the Thebaid, a collection of occasional poetry, the Silvae, and the unfinished epic, the Achilleid, he is best known for his appearance as a major character in the Purgatory...
invoked them in his Thebaid
Thebaid
The Thebaid or Thebais is the region of ancient Egypt containing the thirteen southernmost nomes of Upper Egypt, from Abydos to Aswan. It acquired its name from its proximity to the ancient Egyptian capital of Thebes....
, when the naiad
Naiad
In Greek mythology, the Naiads or Naiades were a type of nymph who presided over fountains, wells, springs, streams, and brooks....
Ismenis addresses her mortal son Krenaios:
"I was held a greater goddess and the queen of Nymphae. Where alas! is that late crowd of courtiers round thy mother’s halls, where are the Napaeae that prayed to serve thee?"