Greek Mythology >> Nymphs >> Naiads >> Memphis

MEMPHIS

Greek Name

Μεμφις

Transliteration

Memphis

Latin Spelling

Memphis

Translation

Of Memphis (town)

MEMPHIS was the Naiad-nymph of the main well or fountain of the Egyptian city of Memphis. She was a daughter of the river Nile and the wife of King Epaphos of Egypt, the founder of her namesake city.

PARENTS

NEILOS (Apollodorus 2.10)

OFFSPRING

LIBYA (by Epaphos) (Apollodorus 2.10)

ENCYCLOPEDIA

MEMPHIS (Memphis). A daughter of Neilus and wife of Epaphus, by whom she became the mother of Libya. The town of Memphis in Egypt was said to have derived its name from her. (Apollod. ii. 1. § 4.) Others call her a daughter of the river-god Uchoreus, and add that by Neilus she became the mother of Aegyptus. (Diod. i. 51.)

Source: Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology.

CLASSICAL LITERATURE QUOTES

Pseudo-Apollodorus, Bibliotheca 2. 10 (trans. Aldrich) (Greek mythographer C2nd A.D.) :
"When Epaphos (Epaphus) was ruler of the Aigyptians (Egyptians), he married Neilos' (the River Nile's) daughter Memphis, and in her honour founded the polis of Memphis, and fathered a daughter Libya."