---
title: Nymph
author: Gabriel Despres Jones
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/nymph/
format: machine-readable-alternate
license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/)
updated: 1970-01-01
---
# Nymph
_Authored by [Gabriel Despres Jones](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/GHJones/)_
A nymph ([Greek](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/greek/): νύμφη, *nymphē*) in Greek and in [Roman mythology](https://www.worldhistory.org/Roman_Mythology/) is a young female deity typically identified with natural features such as mountains (*oreads*), trees and flowers (*dryads* and *meliae*), springs, rivers, and lakes (*naiads*) or the sea (*nereids*), or as part of the divine retinue of a comparable [god](https://www.worldhistory.org/God/) such as [Apollo](https://www.worldhistory.org/apollo/), [Dionysos](https://www.worldhistory.org/Dionysos/) or [Pan](https://www.worldhistory.org/Pan/), or goddesses, such as [Artemis](https://www.worldhistory.org/artemis/), who was known as the tutelary deity of all nymphs. Such is the importance of nymphs to the sacred landscape of the Greeks that when in the *[Iliad](https://www.worldhistory.org/iliad/)* [Zeus](https://www.worldhistory.org/zeus/) summons the gods into assembly on Mount Olympus, it is not only the well-known Olympians in attendance but also all the nymphs and river gods.
Nymphs are often the mothers of heroes, as was the case for [Achilles](https://www.worldhistory.org/achilles/) and Thamyris, on account of the tendency for Greek males to become enamored with their preternatural beauty and seductive charm, so different from the reserved and chaste wives and daughters of the *[polis](https://www.worldhistory.org/Polis/)* or [city-state](https://www.worldhistory.org/Polis/). There are many prominent legends of their affairs with mortal men and gods, as with the tale of Echo and [Narcissus](https://www.worldhistory.org/Narcissus/), the Abduction of Hylas, Salmacis and Hermaphroditus, and the legend of the shepherd-poet Daphnis. Like Pan, nymphs within their natural habitat may drive mortals insane or insensate (known as nympholepsy), particularly at midday.
Nymphs are also prominently described as daughters of Zeus, of Ge, or of regionally specific river gods such as Acheloös and Cebren. Across the Mediterranean, images of nymphs are found adorning freshwater sources, and shrines dedicated to nymphs have been found in caves across the Greek world, such as at Vari on Mount Hymettus, at Pitsa in [Corinth](https://www.worldhistory.org/corinth/), and at Pharae in Achaea, attesting to their widespread popularity.
Archaeological evidence suggests that the cult of the nymphs in the [archaic period](https://www.worldhistory.org/Archaic_Period/) was a primary concern of the rural poor, and focused on water sources, which only later became generalized and conflated with other fertility deities and their rites. In this earliest rural form, it was customary for anyone passing a fountain-shrine to leave an offering, typically in the form of an animal sacrifice, such as a portion of a boar, goat, or sheep, which preceded a meal. In time these offerings became increasingly bloodless, culminating with the now-familiar tradition of leaving coins in the fountain-shrine for the resident nymph.
[  Thessalonian Silver Didrachm Mark Cartwright (CC BY-NC-SA) ](https://www.worldhistory.org/image/823/thessalonian-silver-didrachm/ "Thessalonian Silver Didrachm")Interest in nymphs amongst the social elite rose in the classical period and reached new heights in the [Hellenic](https://www.worldhistory.org/greece/) Kingdoms, who established *nymphaia,* highly ornamented public waterworks, which were an important part of urban nuptial rites in which nymphs continued to play an important role. One such *nymphaia* is the Nymphe of [Athens](https://www.worldhistory.org/Athens/) (literally “The Bride”) built on the southern slopes of the [Acropolis](https://www.worldhistory.org/Acropolis/) in Athens, where marriages were held, and prospective suitors could be introduced to marriageable girls. Following the wedding, brides would offer *loustrophorai* and other vases decorated with wedding scenes, possibly the wedding [pottery](https://www.worldhistory.org/pottery/) itself, to the spirit of the sanctuary.
#### Editorial Review
This human-authored definition has been reviewed by our editorial team before publication to ensure accuracy, reliability and adherence to academic standards in accordance with our [editorial policy](https://www.worldhistory.org/static/editorial-policy/).
## Bibliography
- [Burkert, W. *Greek Religion.* Wiley-Blackwell, 1991, pp. 150-151.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0631156240/)
- [Dietrich, B.C. *Origins Of Greek Religion.* Liverpool University Press, 2004, p. 93.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/190467531X/)
- [Larson, J. *Greek Nymphs.* Oxford University Press, USA, 2001.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0195144651/)
## About the Author
Gabriel Despres Jones is a curator, archaeologist and scholar of religion with a field focus on religious migration and material culture. He divides his time between writing and working as a museum professional.
- [Linkedin Profile](https://www.linkedin.com/gabrieldespresjones/)
## Timeline
- **c. 700 BCE**: [Greek](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/greek/) poet [Hesiod](https://www.worldhistory.org/hesiod/) writes his *[Theogony](https://www.worldhistory.org/Theogony/)* and *[Works and Days](https://www.worldhistory.org/Works_and_Days/)*.
## Cite This Work
### APA
Jones, G. D. (2013, August 29). Nymph. *World History Encyclopedia*.
### Chicago
Jones, Gabriel Despres. "Nymph." *World History Encyclopedia*, August 29, 2013. .
### MLA
Jones, Gabriel Despres. "Nymph." *World History Encyclopedia*, 29 Aug 2013, .
## License & Copyright
Submitted by [Gabriel Despres Jones](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/GHJones/ "User Page: Gabriel Despres Jones"), published on 29 August 2013. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/deed.en). This license lets others remix, tweak, and build upon this content non-commercially, as long as they credit the author and license their new creations under the identical terms. When republishing on the web a hyperlink back to the original content source URL must be included. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.