In Greek mythology, Amphissus () was the son of Apollo and Dryope. According to Ovid, he is the son of Andraemon and Dryope. Amphissus eventually built a temple to his father in the city he founded, Amphissa.
Mythology
Apollo found Dryope tending her sheep on a mountainside while she was being accompanied by other dryads. The god hid behind a tree and watched her, and later on, he disguised himself as a turtle in order for him to get closer to her. Dryope claimed the turtle as hers. Then, to scare away the other dryads, Apollo turned into a snake to chased them away and coupled with Dryope. This is how she came with child, Amphissus.
According to Ovid, his mother Dryope picked a lotus for him, which turned out to be a nymph. It caused Dryope to become a lotus tree.
Notes
References
- Antoninus Liberalis, The Metamorphoses of Antoninus Liberalis translated by Francis Celoria (Routledge 1992). Online version at the Topos Text Project.
- Realencyclopädie der classischen Altertumswissenschaft, Band I, Halbband 2, Stuttgart, J. B. Metzler, 1894. Wikisource.