View source for Echemeia

{{short description|Greek mythological nymph}}
In [[Greek mythology]], Echemeia{{efn|In the corrupted text, it is actually spelled ''Ethemeia'', which does not follow Greek grammatical rules.}} ({{langx|grc|Ἐχέμεια|Ekhemeia}}) is a minor character who angered the goddess [[Artemis]].
== Mythology ==
Her only tale survives in the works of a Roman mythographer named [[Hyginus]]. According to him, Echemeia was a [[Kos|Coan]] [[nymph]] who ceased to honour [[Artemis]], so the goddess shot her in punishment. The queen of the dead, [[Persephone]], who witnessed that, snatched Echemeia alive and brought her to the [[Greek Underworld|Underworld]]. Echemeia's husband [[Merops (mythology)|Merops]] mourned her loss so much [[Hera]] took pity in him and changed him into an eagle, and then transferred him to the stars as the constellation [[Aquila (constellation)|Aquila]].<ref>[[Hyginus]], ''[[De astronomia]]'' [https://topostext.org/work/207#2.16.2 2.16.2]</ref><ref>[[William Smith (lexicographer)|Smith]], s.v. [https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0104%3Aalphabetic+letter%3DM%3Aentry+group%3D22%3Aentry%3Dmerops-bio-1 Merops 1]</ref> There is no more to this story, but it is possible that Echemeia had originally been part of the retinue of Artemis and broke her vows when she married Merops, hence her punishment; her story bears resemblance to those of [[Taygete]] and [[Maera (mythology)|Maera]], wife of [[Tegeates]].{{sfn|Fontenrose|1981|page=[https://books.google.com/books?id=tD4lJxC95mEC&pg=PA133 133]}}
== See also ==
{{portal|ancient Greece|mythology}}
* [[Callisto (mythology)|Callisto]]
* [[Titanis (mythology)|Titanis]]
* [[Rhodopis and Euthynicus]]
== Notes ==
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== References ==
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== Bibliography ==
* {{cite book | first = Joseph Eddy | last = Fontenrose | author-link = Joseph Fontenrose | title = Orion: The Myth of the Hunter and the Huntress | publisher = [[University of California Press]] | date = 1981 | ISBN = 0-520-09632-0 | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=tD4lJxC95mEC}}
* [[Gaius Julius Hyginus|Hyginus, Gaius Julius]], ''Astronomica from The Myths of Hyginus'' translated and edited by Mary Grant. University of Kansas Publications in Humanistic Studies. [https://topostext.org/work/207 Online version at the Topos Text Project.]
* [[William Smith (lexicographer)|Smith, William]], ''A [[Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology]]'', London, John Murray: printed by Spottiswoode and Co., New-Street Square and Parliament Street, 1873.
== External links ==
* [https://www.theoi.com/Nymphe/NympheEuthemia.html ECHEMEIA on The Theoi Project]
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[[Category:Katabasis in classical mythology]]
[[Category:Nymphs]]
[[Category:Deeds of Artemis]]
[[Category:Persephone]]
[[Category:Aegean Sea in mythology]]