In Greek mythology, Macris ( a reference to the elongated shape of Euboea) also called Nysa (), is a daughter of Aristaeus who reared the goddess Hera in her youth, before incurring the wrath of the goddess and being banished by her.

Family

Macris was a daughter of Aristaeus, a rustic god and son of Apollo. She was also called Nysa.

Some time later, Hermes or Zeus himself took the infant Dionysus and brought him to Macris, who nursed him and fed him honey. As punishment, Hera exiled Macris who fled to the island of Corcyra, where Demeter taught the Titans the art of agriculture for Macris' sake. The island was called Macris ("long") after her, and the cave she chose to dwell in later beheld the wedding and consummation of Jason and Medea, so it was called Medea's Cave thereafter.

Symbolism

The island of Euboea was sacred to Hera, and thus one of the several—but far from only—places that claimed to be the site of Zeus and Hera's first prenuptial union.

See also

Other nurses in Greek mythology:

  • Melissa
  • Cyllene
  • Ino

References

Bibliography

  • Apollonius of Rhodes, Argonautica, edited and translated by William H. Race, Loeb Classical Library No. 1, Cambridge, Massachusetts, Harvard University Press, 2009. . Online version at Harvard University Press.
  • Diodorus Siculus, Library of History, Volume III: Books 4.59-8, translated by C. H. Oldfather, Loeb Classical Library No. 340. Cambridge, Massachusetts, Harvard University Press, 1939. . Online version at Harvard University Press. Online version by Bill Thayer.
  • Nonnus, Dionysiaca; translated by Rouse, W H D, II Books XVI-XXXV. Loeb Classical Library No. 345, Cambridge, Massachusetts, Harvard University Press; London, William Heinemann Ltd. 1940. Internet Archive.
  • Plutarch, Moralia, Volume XV: Fragments. Translated by F. H. Sandbach. Loeb Classical Library 429. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1969. Available at Loeb Digital Library.
  • MACRIS on the Theoi Project.