See Also: Leucothea(encyclopedia)

Leucothea (sh)




In Greek mythology, a sea goddess.

She is first mentioned in the Odyssey, in which she rescued Odysseus from drowning. She was traditionally identified with Ino, daughter of Cadmus, who incurred the wrath of Hera by caring for the infant Dionysus, Zeus's son by Semele. Hera drove Ino and her son Melicertes mad, and they leaped into the sea, where they were changed into marine deities
Ino into Leucothea, Melicertes into Palaemon. A dolphin carried Melicertes' body to the Isthmus of Corinth, and the Isthmian Games were instituted in his honour.


Leucothea giving Dionysus a drink from the Horn of Plenty, antique bas-relief; in the Lateran ...

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