Achiroë (/əˈkɪri/; Ancient Greek: Ἀχιρόη [akʰiróɛː]), Anchirrhoë (Ἀγχιρρόη), or Anchinoë (Ἀγχινόη),[1] which is perhaps a mistake for Anchiroë, was in Greek mythology an Egyptian naiad, as daughter of the river-god Nilus. She was the wife of King Belus of Egypt, by whom she became the mother of Aegyptus and Danaus, and, according to some accounts, Cepheus, and Phineus.[1][2]

Achiroe
Naiad Queen of Egypt
Member of the Argive family
AbodeRiver Nile in Egypt
Genealogy
ParentsNilus
SiblingsMemphis, Telephassa, Chione, Caliadne (possibly), Polyxo (possibly)
ConsortBelus
OffspringDanaus, Aegyptus, Cepheus, Phineus

Otherwise, the possible mother of these children and spouse of Belus was called Side, eponym of Sidon in Phoenicia.[3]

Mythology

edit

Anchinoe was a minor figure in Greek accounts and only mentioned by Apollodorus in his Bibliotheca:

“But Belus remained in Egypt, reigned over the country, and married Anchinoe, daughter of Nile, by whom he had twin sons, Egyptus and Danaus, but according to Euripides, he had also Cepheus and Phineus.”[4]

Argive genealogy

edit
Argive genealogy in Greek mythology
InachusMelia
ZeusIoPhoroneus
EpaphusMemphis
LibyaPoseidon
BelusAchiroëAgenorTelephassa
DanausElephantisAegyptusCadmusCilixEuropaPhoenix
MantineusHypermnestraLynceusHarmoniaZeus
Polydorus
SpartaLacedaemonOcaleaAbasAgaveSarpedonRhadamanthus
Autonoë
EurydiceAcrisiusInoMinos
ZeusDanaëSemeleZeus
PerseusDionysus
Colour key:

  Male
  Female
  Deity

Notes

edit
  1. ^ a b Apollodorus, 2.1.4
  2. ^ Bell, Robert E. (1991). Women of Classical Mythology: A Biographical Dictionary. ABC-CLIO. p. 3. ISBN 9780874365818.
  3. ^ Malalas, 2.30
  4. ^ Apollodorus, 2.1.4

References

edit

  This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domainSmith, William, ed. (1870). "Achiroe". Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology.