Nysiads
Nymphs in Greek mythology
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In Greek mythology, the Nysiads or Nysiades (Ancient Greek: Νυσιάδες, lit. 'of Mount Nysa' or 'Nymphs of Mount Nysa') were Oceanid nymphs of mythical Mount Nysa.[citation needed] Zeus entrusted the infant god Dionysus[1] to their care, and the Nysiads raised him with the assistance of the old satyr-god Silenus. When Dionysus was grown, the Nysiads joined his company as the first of the Maenads.
Names
The names of the nymphs include:[2]
- Ambrosia
- Arsinoe
- Bromia or Bromis
- Cisseis
- Coronis
- Erato
- Eriphia
- Nysa[3][4]
- Pedile
- Polymno or Polyhymno
Also mentioned are Callichore and Calyce[5] (after whom two moons of Jupiter, Kallichore and Kalyke, are named).
In later tellings of Dionysus's infancy, the Nysiades appear to be identified with the Hyades.[6] The term might have been used for the Pleiades and the Hyades as Dionysus's tutors altogether.
