Greek Mythology >> Nymphs >> Naiads >> Nymphs of Cyrenaica (Nymphai Kyrenaikai)

NYMPHAI KYRENAIKAI

Greek Name

Νυμφαι Κυρηναικαι

Transliteration

Nymphai Kyrênaikai

Latin Spelling

Nymphae Cyrenaicae

Translation

Nymphs of Cyrenaica

THE NYMPHAI KYRENAIKAI were the Naiad-nymphs of the Greek colony of Kyrene (Cyrene) and the region of Kyrenaika (Cyrenaica) in eastern Libya (north Africa).

PARENTS

Presumably daughters of a local RIVER-GOD

CLASSICAL LITERATURE QUOTES

Suidas s.v. Astydromia (trans. Suda On Line) (Byzantine Greek lexicon C10th A.D.) :
"Astydromia (Town-running) : Among the Libyans [of the Greek colony of Kyrene (Cyrene)] [it is] like the birthday celebration of the city, and a Theodaisia festival, in which they honored Dionysos and the Nymphai (Nymphs) [i.e. Naiades]; it seems to me they are hinting at both unmixed [wine] and the good mixture."