Despoina

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In Greek mythology, Despoina or Despoena, (Gk. Δέσποινα, "mistress" or "queen") was the daughter of Demeter and Poseidon.[1]

In the myth, Demeter was searching for her lost daughter Persephone when Poseidon saw and desired her. To avoid him, she took the form of a mare, but he took the form of a stallion and forced his attentions on her. From this union Despina was born, as was the fabulous horse Arion.

Due to her anger at this turn of events, Demeter took on the epithet Erinys, or raging.

In other forms of the myth the daughter's name was not mentioned, and was only to be revealed to initiates.

Despoina was also used as an epithet for several goddesses, especially Aphrodite, Persephone, Demeter and Hecate.[2]


[edit] Notes

  1. ^ Pausanias, 8.42.1.
  2. ^ Hathorn, p.113.

[edit] Refererences

  • Hathorn, Richmond Yancey, Crowell's handbook of classical drama, Thomas Y. Crowell Company (1967).
  • H.R. Rose (1985) A Handbook of Greek Mythology, University Paperback, 1964.
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