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Table of Epithets in Ovid's Metamorphoses

by Spencer Scorcelletti

Commentary #6 ()

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Choice of epithet is based on more than just avoiding repetition, e.g. Jupiter is Saturn’s son when he decides to destroy mankind, and Juno is his sister-wife at the moment he cannot refuse her.

See Commentary #5 Kinds of Epithets for precise meaning of each kind of epithet.

(scroll →)

Order Epithet Character Kind Gloss Sense Book Loc.
1 Titan the Sun Metonym The Sun is son of the Titan Hyperion; Ovid names the race for the individual. Used in a run of gods named before they exist — there is not yet a sun to be a god of. 1 11
2 Phoebe Diana Name Greek Phoibē, feminine of Phoibos; also a standard name for the moon. At 12 the word does duty for the moon itself, before there is a goddess to bear it. 1 12, 477
3 Amphitrite's waves Amphitrite Metonym A sea-goddess, wife of Neptune; her waves are simply the sea. 1 14
4 a god and better nature the creator Periphrasis Latin deus et melior natura. Ovid never settles whether the world was made by a god or by nature, and never supplies a name. 1 21
5 he — whichever of the gods he was the creator Generic Latin quisquis fuit ille deorum. The refusal to name is deliberate. Compare the precision lavished on four walk-on river gods at 579–80. 1 33
6 the might of god the creator Periphrasis Latin dei... vis. 1 48
7 the maker the creator Function Latin fabricator. 1 58
8 Eurus the east wind Name Greek name of the east wind. Ovid gives it no Latin alternative. 1 62
9 Zephyrus the west wind Name Greek name of the west wind. Also used as a plural common noun, “the Zephyrs” (108), for spring breezes generally. 1 65, 108
10 Boreas the north wind Name Greek name of the north wind. 1 65
11 Auster the south wind Name Latin name of the south wind. 1 67
12 the god the creator Generic 1 68
13 that same creator the creator Function Latin opifex rerum, “maker of things.” Same root as the title Apollo gives himself at 523, Aid-Bearer (opifer). 1 80
14 the son of Iapetus Prometheus Patronymic Iapetus is a Titan; the son is Prometheus. Named only by his father at the moment he makes humankind. The translator's own footnote has to supply “Prometheus.” 1 83
15 the Earth Earth Name Latin Tellus / Terra, personified. 1 102, 434
16 Jove Jupiter Name From Iovis, the oblique stem of Iuppiter. 1 106, 114, 166, 205, 244, 274, 517, 590, 615, 623, 673, 733, 748
17 Jupiter Jupiter Name The nominative Latin name. 1 116, 324, 589
18 Ceres' seeds Ceres Metonym Goddess of grain; the phrase means simply grain. The first sowing in the poem is dated by the goddess's name rather than the crop's. 1 123
19 the final god Astraea Periphrasis The last divinity to abandon the earth. The Iron Age is defined by her departure rather than by anything men do. 1 149
20 the maid Astraea Astraea Attribute Latin virgo Astraea, the Star-Maiden — Justice personified. 1 150
21 the Giants the Giants Name Latin Gigantas. 1 152, 156
22 the Almighty Jupiter Attribute Latin pater omnipotens. Kept for the Gigantomachy, where he is nothing but force. 1 154
23 their [the Giants'] Mother Earth Earth Relationship The Giants were born from her. 1 157
24 Saturn's son Jupiter Patronymic Latin Saturnius. Saturn is the father he deposed. Chosen for the line where he first looks down on Lycaon: the son who overthrew his father, about to destroy his own creation. 1 163
25 Lycaön Lycaön Name 1 164, 198, 221
26 the Thunderer Jupiter Cult title Latin Tonans, an actual cult title at Rome. Applied to his house rather than his person — gods travel the Milky Way to the Thunderer's address. 1 170
27 the ivory-sceptered one Jupiter Attribute Latin sceptro... eburno. The council of gods is staged as a session of the Roman senate, and its president is described by his regalia. 1 178
28 the monsters the Giants Periphrasis Latin anguipedum, “the snake-footed” — the Giants of 152, each preparing to throw a hundred arms at the sky. Jove is recalling the revolt Ovid has just narrated, but describes it as though it were another one. The translator's footnote has to confirm they are the same. 1 183–84
29 Nereus Nereus Metonym An old sea-god; his name stands for Ocean. Jove swears to destroy everything the sea encircles, and names the sea by a god who appears nowhere else in the poem. 1 187
30 the lord of gods and storms Jupiter Function Jove's phrase for himself, in council. 1 197
31 that Arcadian king Lycaön Periphrasis Arcadia is his kingdom. Jove withholds the name through the whole approach to the house, though he has used it twice already in council. 1 219
32 the Furies the Furies Metonym Latin Erinys; the goddesses of vengeance standing in for the state they cause. “Where lies the land, the Furies rule these beasts” — the crime is named by its goddess. 1 241
33 the king of gods Jupiter Function Latin rex superum. 1 250
34 the Cyclops' hand-wrought shafts the Cyclopes Metonym The thunderbolt, named by the smiths who forged it. Jove sets the bolt down, and the epithet turns his weapon back into an object somebody had to make. 1 259
35 Aquilo the north wind Name Latin name of the north wind — the same god as Boreas. Ovid uses the Greek name once and the Latin name twice, for one god, without signalling the switch. 1 263, 328
36 Notus the south wind Name Greek name of the south wind — the same god as Auster. The flood is loosed by Notus and dismissed by Aquilo: Greek name in, Latin name out. 1 264
37 Juno Juno Name The Latin name. 1 270, 602, 678
38 Juno's herald Iris, rainbow-robed Iris Function Latin nuntia Iunonis; the rainbow is both her office and her dress. 1 270
39 his [Jupiter's] sea-blue brother Neptune Relationship Latin caeruleus frater. He is given a colour and a relation before he is given a name. The name arrives eight lines later, with the trident. 1 275
40 Neptune Neptune Name The Latin name. 1 283, 330
41 Deucalion Deucalion Name 1 319, 350
42 Themis Themis Name Titaness of divine law. 1 321, 378
43 the god of oracles Themis Function Latin quae tunc oracla tenebat, “who at that time held the oracles.” Themis, not Apollo. She held Delphi before he took it, and the word doing the work is “then.” 1 321
44 the Sun the Sun Name Latin Sol. 1 338, 771
45 Pyrrha Pyrrha Name 1 350, 384
46 [Deucalion's] father Prometheus Relationship Deucalion wishes he could remake humanity “with my father's skill” — the thing Prometheus is for. 1 363
47 the goddess Themis Generic 1 372, 381, 388
48 O font of mercy Themis Periphrasis A vocative in prayer. 1 380
49 your [Deucalion and Pyrrha's] great mother Earth Relationship Themis' riddle: the “great mother” is the Earth, and her bones are stones. Pyrrha reads it literally and refuses. The epithet is a puzzle before it is a name. 1 383
50 Prometheus' son Deucalion Patronymic Son of the Titan who made humankind. Used at the moment he works out how to remake humankind — the son solving his father's problem. 1 390
51 Epimetheus' daughter Pyrrha Patronymic Epimetheus is Prometheus' brother, so she and Deucalion are cousins. 1 391
52 Mother Earth Earth Relationship Deucalion's solution to the riddle. 1 394
53 Titania Pyrrha Genealogy Granddaughter of the Titan Iapetus. Her one grand name arrives on the line where she hesitates and does not act. 1 396
54 the seven-channeled Nile the Nile Attribute Latin septemfluus — the seven mouths of the delta. 1 422
55 Great Python Python Name Addressed in the second person: “Against her will, she bore you then.” 1 439
56 the archer-god Apollo Function Latin deus arcitenens, “bow-holder.” Named by the weapon he is about to mock Cupid for carrying. 1 442
57 the vanquished snake Python Periphrasis Latin superati... serpentis; the Pythian games take their name from it. 1 448
58 Phoebus Apollo Name Greek Phoibos, “bright, radiant.” Also the Sun's name at 752, and Ovid never disambiguates. 1 451, 453, 490, 553
59 Daphne Daphne Name Greek daphnē, “laurel.” She carries the name of what she becomes from her first line. 1 453, 490
60 Cupid Cupid Name Latin Cupido, “desire.” 1 454
61 the Delian lord Apollo Cult site Latin Delius; born on Delos. 1 455
62 the boy-god Cupid Attribute Latin puer, “boy.” Apollo's word for him, and the reason he underestimates him. 1 456
63 Venus' son Cupid Matronymic Latin Veneris filius. His answer to being called a boy. 1 464
64 the god Cupid Generic 1 473
65 the Peneian nymph Daphne Patronymic Daughter of the river Peneus. 1 473
66 Apollo Apollo Name The Greek name; used once in Book 1. It appears only for the bone Cupid's arrow passes through. 1 474
67 Hymen Hymen Metonym God of weddings; the name stands for marriage itself. 1 480
68 Diana Diana Name The Latin name. 1 487, 695
69 [Diana's] father Jupiter Relationship Jupiter granted Diana perpetual virginity. Daphne's precedent for the request she makes of her own father. He enters the episode as a guarantor of chastity a hundred lines before he takes Io by force. 1 487
70 the god Apollo Generic 1 495, 540, 557
71 Peneus' daughter Daphne Patronymic Apollo calls her by her father — the father she will call on to destroy her shape. 1 504
72 lord of Delphi, Patara, Tenedos and Claros Apollo Cult site His four oracular seats. Recited to a woman who is running away from him. 1 515–16
73 Aid-Bearer Apollo Function Latin opifer, “help-bringer” — Apollo as god of medicine. Given by Apollo to himself, in the sentence where he admits no herb cures love. 1 523
74 the nymph Daphne Generic 1 526
75 the youthful god Apollo Attribute 1 532
76 Love Cupid Metonym Latin Amor. In the chase the god shrinks to the force he personifies: “Love's wings proved faster.” 1 541
77 Peneus Peneus Name A river of Thessaly, and Daphne's father. 1 544, 569
78 Laurel Daphne Name Latin laurus, the tree she becomes. Apollo names the tree, and the name turns out to have been hers all along. 1 559
79 Paean Apollo Cult title Greek Paian, the healer; also the name of a hymn. The healer's title, in the line after the healing fails. 1 566
80 the great stream Peneus Periphrasis Latin magni... amnis. 1 575
81 poplared Spercheus Spercheus Attribute Latin populifer — a Thessalian river lined with poplars. Four rivers, one stock adjective apiece, in two lines: the Homeric catalogue manner, compressed. 1 579
82 old Apidanus Apidanus Attribute Latin Apidanusque senex. 1 579
83 calm Amphrysus Amphrysus Attribute Latin placidus. 1 580
84 the wild Enipeus Enipeus Attribute Latin Enipeus ferox. 1 580
85 Inachus Inachus Name A river of Argos, and Io's father. His grief carries the book's hardest line about divinity: “To be a god is pain: death's doors are shut” (662). 1 583, 641, 644
86 his [Inachus'] lost daughter Io Io Relationship 1 585
87 him who wields Heaven's scepter and who hurls its wandering bolts Jupiter Periphrasis Jove introducing himself to Io. Two lines of self-description in place of a name, offered as reassurance, immediately before the rape. 1 596–97
88 her [Juno's] spouse Jupiter Relationship 1 605
89 the child of Inachus Io Patronymic Latin Inachis. She is turned into a cow in the same line that names her by her father. 1 611
90 Saturnia Juno Patronymic Daughter of Saturn — the same descent as Jove. Ovid's name for her whenever she is out-manoeuvring her husband. Her claim on the throne is exactly as good as his. 1 612, 616, 722
91 his [Jupiter's] sister-wife Juno Relationship Latin soror et coniunx: Juno is both. Produced at the moment Jove cannot refuse her the cow. The double claim is why he loses. 1 620
92 the goddess Juno Generic 1 622, 738
93 one Arestor's son Argus Patronymic Latin Arestoridae. 1 624
94 eye-bespangled Argus Argus Attribute Latin stellatus, “starred.” The same idea does his hundred eyes and, at 722, the peacock's tail they become. 1 664
95 the king of heaven Jupiter Function Latin caelestum rector. 1 668
96 Phoronis Io Genealogy Sister of Phoroneus, an early king of Argos. The rarest name in Book 1, and it lands on the line where Jupiter finally decides to help her. 1 669
97 his [Jupiter's] son Mercury Relationship 1 669
98 Bright Pleiad's child Mercury Matronymic Son of Maia, one of the Pleiades. A constellation standing in for a mother. 1 670
99 Jove's son Mercury Patronymic 1 673
100 Juno's guard Argus Relationship 1 678
101 Atlas' grandson Mercury Genealogy Latin Atlantiades; Maia's father is the Titan Atlas. 1 682
102 the god Mercury Generic 1 688
103 Syrinx Syrinx Name Greek syrinx, “pan-pipe.” 1 691, 705
104 the Ortygian Diana Cult site Ortygia, an older name for Delos, her birthplace. Pairs with Apollo's “the Delian lord” (455): the twins get one island under two names. 1 694
105 Latonia Diana Matronymic Daughter of Latona (Greek Leto). 1 696
106 Pan Pan Name 1 698, 705
107 the Naiad Syrinx Generic A water nymph. 1 701
108 the god Pan Generic 1 710
109 the maiden's name Syrinx Periphrasis Pan gives the reeds her name, and syrinx becomes the word for the instrument. She is never named again; the name goes to the object. Compare Daphne and “Laurel” (559). 1 712
110 Cyllenius Mercury Cult site Born on Mount Cyllene in Arcadia. Ovid saves the most formal name for the line where he draws the sword. 1 713
111 a fearsome Fury the Furies Metonym The madness Juno inflicts on Io. 1 725
112 her [Juno's] Greek rival Io Relationship Latin paelex Argolica, “the Argive concubine.” Juno's term for her. There is no person in it. 1 726
113 you, Nile the Nile Name Ovid breaks off to address the river directly, at the end of Io's flight. 1 728
114 his [Jove's] spouse Juno Relationship 1 734
115 the nymph Io Generic 1 744
116 worshiped by a linened throng Io Periphrasis Io ends as the Egyptian goddess Isis, whose priests wore linen. The last transformation is a change of cult, not of body — and Ovid never writes “Isis.” 1 747
117 believed her son by Jove Epaphus Patronymic Latin creditur, “is believed to be.” Ovid hedges the parentage in the same breath he asserts it — which is precisely what Epaphus will not allow Phaëthon to do. 1 748
118 child of the Sun Phaëthon Patronymic Latin Sole satus. The claim the whole quarrel is about, asserted by the narrator before anyone proves it. 1 750
119 Phoebus the Sun Name Greek Phoibos, “radiant” — shared with Apollo. The one epithet in Book 1 with two owners. Phaëthon boasts that Phoebus is his father; three hundred lines earlier the same word meant Apollo. The quarrel with Epaphus turns on a name that will not resolve. 1 752
120 the heir to Inachus Epaphus Genealogy Latin Inachides; Io's son, so Inachus' grandson. 1 753
121 his [Phaëthon's] mother Clymene Relationship Clymene, now married to King Merops of Aethiopia. 1 763, 776
122 this far-flashing light the Sun Periphrasis Clymene's oath, sworn on the sun without naming him. 1 769
123 the Sun the Sun Name Latin Sol. 2 1, 31, 395
124 Mulciber Vulcan Cult title A Roman cult name for Vulcan, from mulcere, “to soften” (metal). Ovid names the smith-god by his trade, on the doors that are his work. 2 6
125 Melodious Triton Triton Attribute Latin canorus; his conch is his instrument. 2 9
126 changing Proteus Proteus Attribute Latin ambiguus — the sea-god who holds no single shape. An epithet that is also a plot summary, and in this poem a signature. 2 9
127 Doris and her daughters the Nereids Genealogy Sea-nymphs; Doris is their mother, Nereus their father. 2 11, 269
128 the son of Clymene Phaëthon Matronymic Latin Clymeneia proles. Named by the mother whose word is the only evidence he has. 2 19
129 his [Phaethon's] supposed sire the Sun Relationship Latin creditus, “believed.” The doubt is built into the epithet, in the line where he arrives to settle it. 2 20
130 Phoebus the Sun Name Greek Phoibos, “radiant”; shared with Apollo. In Book 2 the ambiguity of 1.752 is fully exploited — Phoebus is the Sun here and Apollo at 545. 2 23, 36, 110, 399
131 son not to be disclaimed Phaëthon Periphrasis Latin non negandus. The father settles in half a line what the boy crossed the world to ask. 2 34
132 O shared light of the wide world the Sun Periphrasis Latin lux publica mundi. Phaethon claims a private father by naming him public property. 2 35
133 his sire the Sun Relationship 2 40
134 the father the Sun Relationship 2 49, 105, 122
135 the high Olympian king Jupiter Function 2 60
136 who hurls fierce thunder with his fearful hand Jupiter Periphrasis The Sun ranks himself above Jove by the one thing Jove cannot do: drive this chariot. 2 61
137 Jove Jupiter Name From Iovis, the oblique stem of Iuppiter. 2 62, 378, 422, 437, 473, 488, 678, 697
138 Tethys Tethys Name A sea-goddess, wife of Ocean; Clymene's mother, so Phaethon's grandmother. 2 68, 156
139 Taurus' horns Taurus Metonym The constellation, named by the bull's part that matters to a driver. Ovid gives the zodiac as a bestiary rather than a set of signs — the sky is a road through animals. 2 80
140 Thessaly's bowman Sagittarius Periphrasis The constellation Sagittarius, identified with the Thessalian centaur. 2 81
141 cruel Leo's maw Leo Attribute 2 81
142 watchful Dawn Aurora Attribute Latin vigil Aurora. 2 112, 144
143 their lord, the Morning Star Lucifer Function Latin Lucifer, the last star to quit the sky. Ovid makes the morning star the commander of a retreat. 2 114–15
144 the Titan the Sun Metonym The Sun is son of the Titan Hyperion; the race stands for the individual. The same name as at 1.11 — where there was not yet a sun for it to mean. 2 118
145 the North Wind's nearby Bears the Bears Periphrasis Ursa Major and Minor, which never set. 2 132
146 the coiling Snake Draco Attribute The constellation Draco, by the icy pole. 2 138, 174
147 the Altar Ara Periphrasis The constellation Ara. 2 139
148 Fortune Fortune Metonym The goddess standing in for the outcome. The Sun's last word of advice is to name a goddess he cannot control. 2 141
149 Pyroïs, Aethon, Eoüs and Phlegon the Sun's horses Name “Fiery,” “Scorch,” “Dawn” and “Flame.” Four names that are nothing but description — and Phaethon still cannot remember them (193). 2 153–54
150 mindless to her grandson's fate Tethys Relationship She opens the gates herself; the epithet supplies the dramatic irony. 2 156
151 the Sun-god's steeds the Sun Relationship 2 161
152 the Oxen the Bears Metonym Latin Triones, the plough-oxen — Ursa Major read as a wagon team. 2 172, 528
153 slow and plow-encumbered Boötes Attribute A northern constellation figured as a ploughman. 2 177–78
154 Poor Phaëthon Phaëthon Attribute 2 179
155 Merops' son Phaëthon Patronymic Merops, Clymene's mortal husband and Phaethon's putative father. The name he refused at 1.764 is the one he now longs for. 2 185
156 the Moon ... her brother's steeds Diana Relationship Latin Luna; Ovid uses Luna, Phoebe and Diana for one goddess. 2 208
157 old Peneus Peneus Attribute 2 242
158 Thrace's Til Melas Name A river of Mygdonia in Thrace. The Latin is Mygdonius Melas, “the Mygdonian Melas”; melas is Greek for black. Not attested elsewhere as a name for the Melas, and Soucy gives it no note. The line needs a monosyllable to close on, which “Melas” is not. 2 247
159 its queen and king [of Hell] Dis and Proserpina Periphrasis Dis and Proserpina, unnamed. 2 261
160 Nereus himself Nereus Name An old sea-god, father of the Nereids. At 1.187 the name stood for the sea; here he is a person who hides in a cave. 2 268
161 Neptune Neptune Name 2 270
162 kindly Earth Earth Attribute Latin alma Tellus, “nourishing.” 2 272
163 O lord of gods Jupiter Function 2 282
164 your [Jupiter's] brother Neptune Relationship Earth pleads for the sea by naming its god only as Jupiter's relation — the same move as 1.275. 2 291
165 Atlas ... scarce shouldering the glowing vault Atlas Function 2 296–97
166 ancient Chaos Chaos Attribute The unformed mass of 1.8. 2 299
167 the Almighty Father Jupiter Attribute Latin pater omnipotens. 2 304
168 the charioteer Phaëthon Function He is named by the job only at the instant he is killed for it. 2 312
169 long Eridanus Eridanus Attribute A western river, taken for the Po. 2 324
170 the Heliads the Heliads Genealogy “Daughters of Helios” — Clymene's daughters, Phaethon's sisters. 2 340
171 the son of Sthenelus Cygnus Patronymic 2 367
172 the unkempt sire of Phaethon the Sun Relationship Latin squalidus, unwashed and unkempt in mourning. Grief rendered as a lapse of grooming, for the god whose whole business is brightness. 2 382
173 Jupiter Jupiter Name The nominative Latin name. 2 397, 444, 744
174 the Almighty Jupiter Attribute Latin omnipotens. 2 402, 505
175 a girl Callisto Generic 2 410
176 Phoebe Diana Name Feminine of Phoibos; also the moon itself. 2 415, 723
177 Trivia Diana Cult title Guardian of the three-way crossroads (Latin trivia). 2 416
178 the guardless girl Callisto Attribute 2 422
179 my [Jove's] wife Juno Relationship 2 423
180 Diana Diana Name Jupiter's disguise: he rapes Callisto wearing the face of the goddess she serves. 2 425, 451
181 Saturnia Juno Patronymic Daughter of Saturn. 2 435, 532
182 Dictynna Diana Cult title A Cretan hunting goddess, here syncretized with Diana. 2 441
183 the goddess Diana Generic 2 449, 455
184 her brother's rays Diana Relationship The Sun's; Diana and Apollo are twins. 2 454
185 Parrhasis Callisto Cult site “The Parrhasian girl” — Parrhasia, a district of Arcadia. 2 460
186 Cynthia Diana Cult site Born on Mount Cynthus, on Delos. Four names in fifty lines — Phoebe, Trivia, Dictynna, Cynthia — one for each way of being the same goddess. 2 464
187 the Thunderer's wife Juno Relationship Latin Tonantis coniunx. She is named by the husband whose affair she is about to punish. 2 466
188 her [Juno's] rival Callisto Relationship Latin paelex, the same word used of Io at 1.726. 2 468, 508
189 Juno Juno Name 2 469, 518, 525
190 Adulteress Callisto Attribute Juno's word for the woman Jupiter raped. 2 471
191 Lycaön's grandson Arcas Genealogy Callisto is the daughter of the Lycaon of Book 1. Book 1's wolf turns out to be her father — “she feared wolves, though her father then was one” (495). 2 496
192 white-haired Tethys Tethys Attribute 2 509
193 the old Ocean, whom the gods revere Ocean Attribute 2 510
194 the queen of heaven Juno Function Latin regina deorum. 2 512
195 Greek Phoronides Io Genealogy Sister of Phoroneus, an early king of Argos. The same formation as Phoronis at 1.669, and Juno's proof that Jupiter restores the women he ruins. 2 524
196 that concubine Callisto Attribute 2 530
197 gabbling Raven the Raven Attribute Latin garrule. Addressed in the second person, and convicted by the epithet before the story starts. 2 534
198 Coronis of Larissa Coronis Cult site Larissa, a city of Thessaly. 2 543
199 the Delphic one Apollo Cult site Latin Delphicus; Delphi is his oracle. 2 544, 677
200 Phoebus' fowl the Raven Relationship 2 545
201 a hard informer the Raven Function 2 546
202 his [the raven's] lord Apollo Relationship 2 547, 598
203 a nosy Crow the Crow Attribute 2 547
204 Pallas Minerva Name A standing Greek name for Athena, of disputed sense. 2 552, 567, 714
205 whom no mother bore Erichthonius Periphrasis Born of Vulcan's seed and the earth, without a mother. 2 553
206 two-formed Cecrops Cecrops Attribute Half man, half serpent — the first king of Athens. 2 555
207 the goddess Minerva Generic 2 562, 760, 773, 788
208 Minerva Minerva Name The Latin name. 2 563, 587, 710, 749, 787
209 the Owl Nyctimene Metonym Nyctimene, turned owl for her incest. 2 564
210 born to famed Coroneus of Phocis the Crow Patronymic 2 569–70
211 the sea god Neptune Generic 2 574
212 a virgin goddess Minerva Attribute 2 579
213 Minerva's blameless aide the Crow Relationship 2 588
214 made fowl for her foul sins Nyctimene Periphrasis 2 590
215 the lover Apollo Relationship Ovid switches to this name at the moment Apollo kills the woman it refers to. 2 600, 613
216 the god Apollo Generic 2 601
217 his vain healer's arts Apollo Function Apollo as god of medicine, as at 1.523. The healer's art fails him again, and this time he is the one who caused the wound. 2 618
218 the seed of Phoebus Asclepius Patronymic 2 628
219 two-formed Chiron Chiron Attribute Half man, half horse; the same phrase used of Cecrops at 555. 2 630
220 the half-breed Chiron Attribute Latin semifer, “half-beast.” 2 633
221 the child of heaven Asclepius Genealogy 2 633
222 the centaur's daughter Ocyrhoë Patronymic 2 636
223 Ocyrhoë Ocyrhoë Name “Swift-flowing,” for the stream she was born beside. Named for a river, and turned into a mare — neither the name nor the shape is hers to keep. 2 638
224 Healer of the world Asclepius Function 2 642
225 your [Asclepius'] grandsire Jupiter Relationship Apollo's father, so the child's grandfather. The thunderbolt is named by the family tie of the man it will kill. 2 646
226 the threefold goddesses the Fates Periphrasis The three Parcae, who spin, measure and cut. 2 654
227 the monstrous marvel Ocyrhoë Periphrasis 2 675
228 Philyra's heroic son Chiron Matronymic Philyra, an Oceanid, bore Chiron to Saturn. 2 676
229 Atlas' daughter Maia's son Mercury Matronymic Maia, one of the Pleiades. At 1.670 Ovid gave the mother as a star; here he spells the descent out in full. 2 685
230 the god Mercury Generic 2 691
231 Jove's son Mercury Patronymic 2 697, 726
232 country clod Battus Attribute Mercury's address to him. 2 699
233 the elder Battus Attribute 2 702
234 Atlas' grandson Mercury Genealogy Latin Atlantiades. 2 704
235 the informer Battus Function Latin index; the stone still carries the name. He is punished into the thing he was — a stone that tells. 2 707
236 the bearer of Caduceus Mercury Attribute The herald's staff of 1.672. 2 709
237 the wingèd god Mercury Attribute 2 715
238 Cyllenius Mercury Cult site Born on Mount Cyllene in Arcadia. 2 720, 818
239 the Morning-Star Lucifer Function 2 722
240 Phoebe's golden glow Diana Metonym The moon, named by the goddess. 2 723
241 the left-side sister Aglauros Relationship 2 740
242 Mercury Mercury Name The Latin name, used once in Book 2. Ovid gives him nine other names and this one only when a mortal asks for it outright. 2 741
243 born unto Atlas' child with Pleione Mercury Periphrasis Maia, daughter of Atlas and Pleione. His own answer to that question — a genealogy where a name was asked for. 2 742
244 blonde Minerva Minerva Attribute Latin flava. 2 749
245 the warrior goddess Minerva Function 2 752
246 the Lemnian child Erichthonius Cult site His father Vulcan kept his forge on Lemnos. 2 756
247 Envy Envy Name Latin Invidia, personified. 2 761, 770
248 the fearsome maid of war Minerva Function 2 765
249 the creature Envy Generic 2 772
250 Tritonia Minerva Cult site Born near Lake Triton in Libya. 2 782, 794
251 the child of Cecrops Aglauros Genealogy 2 784, 797, 805–06
252 the monster Envy Generic 2 787
253 the heir of Atlas Mercury Genealogy 2 834
254 my loyal son Mercury Relationship Jupiter's address, while sending him to procure Europa. 2 837
255 the princess Europa Function 2 845, 868
256 the lord and father of the gods, who wields the tri-forked flame, whose nods shake earth Jupiter Periphrasis Ovid piles up the full imperial titulature in the two lines before Jupiter turns himself into a bull. 2 848–49
257 Agenor's child Europa Patronymic Agenor, king of Tyre. 2 858
258 his spoils Europa Relationship Latin praeda, “plunder.” The last word on her in Book 2 is a word for property. 2 873
259 the god Jupiter Generic Book 3 opens mid-abduction: the bull of 2.850 sheds its disguise before Ovid gives him a name again. 3 1
260 Jove Jupiter Name From Iovis, the oblique stem of Iuppiter. 3 6, 26, 260, 270, 273, 280, 281, 283, 288, 318, 333, 363
261 Agenor's son Cadmus Patronymic Latin Agenorides; Agenor, king of Tyre, is Europa's father too. Cadmus is named by the father who exiled him, over and over, through the whole dragon fight. 3 8, 81, 90, 97
262 Phoebus Apollo Name Greek Phoibos, “radiant.” 3 9, 10, 18, 130
263 the dragon-snake of Mars Mars Relationship The serpent of the spring is sacred to Mars, which is why killing it dooms the line. 3 32
264 the Tyrian scouts Cadmus' men Cult site Tyre, Cadmus' city. 3 35
265 that which parts the Bears Draco Periphrasis The constellation Draco, which separates Ursa Major from Ursa Minor. Named by what it lies between rather than what it is — and used as a measure of the serpent's size. 3 45
266 the Phoenicians Cadmus' men Cult site Tyre was a Phoenician settlement, so the two names are one people. Ovid names the same men twice over in eleven lines, the way he does the winds in Book 1. 3 46
267 Agenor's child Cadmus Patronymic 3 51
268 Pallas, patroness of heroes Minerva Function Latin Pallas; she arrives to tell him what to do with the teeth. 3 101
269 Echion Echion Name Greek echis, “viper” — one of the five left standing from the dragon's teeth. The name is the man's whole ancestry: sown from a snake, and father of the Pentheus who dies for denying a god. 3 126
270 Tritonia Minerva Cult site Born near Lake Triton in Libya, as at 2.782. 3 127
271 the Tyrian stranger Cadmus Periphrasis Founding Thebes, he is still named as a foreigner. 3 129
272 your grandson Actaeon Relationship Cadmus'; the whole episode is addressed to Cadmus in the second person. 3 139
273 their master Actaeon Relationship The hounds'. The word arrives twice while they are eating him. 3 140, 235, 250
274 the kindly young Boeotian Actaeon Periphrasis Boeotia is the region round Thebes. 3 146
275 Dawn, on saffron wheels Aurora Attribute Latin croceis... rotis. 3 150
276 Phoebus the Sun Name Greek Phoibos, shared with Apollo. Apollo holds this name at 9, 10, 18 and 130; here, 141 lines later, the same word is the sun cracking the fields. 3 151
277 close-garbed Diana Diana Attribute Latin succincta; a huntress gathers her robes up to move. The epithet describes exactly the state Actaeon is about to catch her out of. 3 156
278 the woodland goddess Diana Function 3 164
279 Titania Diana Genealogy Daughter of Latona, daughter of the Titan Coeus. The grandest name she carries in the book lands on the line where she is naked in a pool. 3 173
280 Cadmus' grandson Actaeon Genealogy 3 174
281 the goddess Diana Generic 3 181, 253
282 Autonoë's heroic son Actaeon Matronymic Latin Autonoeius heros. Ovid calls him a hero in the same line that he turns and runs — the dissonance is the joke. 3 198
283 Jove's wife Juno Relationship 3 256
284 the Tyrian Europa Cult site Europa, of Tyre — not Cadmus, though he is the Tyrian of 129. Juno's grudge against the girl of Book 2 is what she transfers onto the whole house of Agenor. 3 258
285 greatest Juno Juno Attribute Latin maxima Iuno. She lists her own titles while working out how to kill a pregnant girl. 3 264
286 queen, Jove's sister, and his wife Juno Periphrasis Latin regina... Iovisque et soror et coniunx. 3 266
287 Saturn's daughter Juno Patronymic 3 272
288 High Juno Juno Attribute 3 286
289 Cadmus' clueless child Semele Genealogy 3 287
290 the god Jupiter Generic 3 289, 296
291 swirling Styx, the god whom all gods fear Styx Periphrasis The oath no god may break — the same one sworn at 1.189 and 2.101. 3 291
292 Saturnia Juno Patronymic Daughter of Saturn. 3 294, 333, 365
293 the hundred-handed Typhon Typhon Attribute Father of monsters and the gods' greatest enemy. 3 304
294 the Cyclops' hands the Cyclopes Metonym The thunderbolt named by its smiths, as at 1.259. 3 305
295 Firearm Number Two the Cyclopes Metonym Ovid's name for the lesser bolt: the gods' own term for the smaller of two grades. A bureaucratic joke in the middle of a woman being burned alive by her lover. 3 307
296 his aunt Ino Ino Relationship Bacchus'; Ino is Semele's sister. 3 313
297 twice-born Bacchus Bacchus Attribute Born once of Semele, again out of Jupiter's thigh. 3 317
298 the wise Tiresias Tiresias Attribute 3 323
299 her judge Tiresias Relationship Juno's; he ruled against her. 3 335
300 the Almighty Sire Jupiter Attribute Latin pater omnipotens, as at 1.154 and 2.304. 3 336
301 sea-blue Liriope Liriope Attribute Latin caerula; she is a water nymph, raped by the river Cephisus. 3 342
302 the prescient sage Tiresias Function 3 347
303 the seer Tiresias Function 3 349
304 the Cephisus' son Narcissus Patronymic Son of the river Cephisus and the nymph Liriope. 3 351
305 sounding Echo, a loquacious nymph Echo Attribute Latin vocalis... resonabilis Echo. Named twice over for the one thing she does, before we learn she cannot start a sentence. 3 357
306 the goddess Juno Generic 3 364
307 Rhamnusia Nemesis Cult site Nemesis, goddess of retribution, whose shrine stood at Rhamnous in Attica. The curse on Narcissus is granted by a goddess named only by the deme her temple sat in. 3 406
308 Apollo Apollo Name The Greek name. 3 421
309 O peerless boy Narcissus Attribute Addressed by Narcissus to his own reflection. 3 455
310 his shorn-haired Naiad sisters the Naiads Relationship Water nymphs; Narcissus' half-sisters through Liriope. 3 506
311 the prophet Tiresias Function 3 511
312 Echion's son Pentheus Patronymic Latin Echionides; son of the snake-sown man of 126. Pentheus is named by his serpent descent every time he denies a god — and it is the ground he himself appeals to at 531. 3 513, 526, 701
313 the elder Tiresias Attribute 3 516
314 the new god Liber, son of Semele Bacchus Cult title Latin Liber, from the liberating effect of wine. 3 520
315 Snake-born race of Mars the Thebans Periphrasis The Thebans, descended from the sown dragon's teeth. Pentheus rallies them by the very ancestry that makes his own name a warning. 3 531
316 an unarmed boy Bacchus Attribute Pentheus' contempt, in the speech that gets him killed. 3 553
317 his grandfather Cadmus Relationship Pentheus'. 3 564
318 his slave and priest Acoetes Relationship Bacchus'. 3 574
319 this Tyrrhene-born disciple of the god Acoetes Periphrasis Tyrrhene, i.e. Etruscan. At 583 he says he is Lydian instead. Roman poets used “Tyrrhene” loosely, but the contradiction stands in the text. 3 576
320 a boy fair as a girl Bacchus Attribute 3 607
321 Liber Bacchus Cult title 3 636
322 the teasing god Bacchus Attribute 3 650
323 there's no god so close as he Bacchus Periphrasis A formula of divine presence, sworn by Acoetes. 3 658–59
324 Dia Naxos Name An archaic name for Naxos. 3 690
325 Tyrrhene Acoetes Acoetes Attribute 3 696
326 his own mother Agave Relationship Pentheus'. She is named by the relation before she is named at all, and she is the one who starts the hunt. 3 713
327 Mad Ino Ino Attribute 3 722
328 Minyas' child, Alcithoë Alcithoë Patronymic Daughter of Minyas, king of Orchomenus. 4 1
329 Bacchus Bacchus Name 4 2, 11, 273, 416, 523
330 the son of Jove Bacchus Patronymic The one title Alcithoë denies him. 4 2
331 the god Bacchus Generic 4 8, 390, 421, 609
332 Bromius Bacchus Cult title “Thunderous” — the din of his revels. The hymn at 11–17 invokes him by thirteen names in seven lines, then closes on a formula for any it missed. 4 11
333 Lyaeus Bacchus Cult title “The relaxer” — the effect of wine. 4 12
334 Twice-Born Bacchus Attribute Born of Semele, then again from Jupiter's thigh, as at 3.317. 4 12
335 Lone Two-Mothered Son Bacchus Periphrasis His mother's womb, then his father's thigh. 4 12
336 Unshorn Thyoneus Bacchus Matronymic Thyone, another name for Semele. 4 13
337 Nysan Bacchus Cult site Reared by the nymphs of Nysa (3.314). 4 13
338 Child of Fire Bacchus Periphrasis Born from Semele's burning (3.308–10). 4 13
339 Lenaeus Bacchus Cult title From Greek lenos, “wine-press.” 4 14
340 Planter of the Merry Grape Bacchus Function 4 14
341 Nyctelius Bacchus Cult title “By night” — his worship is nocturnal. 4 15
342 Iacchus Bacchus Cult title From the ritual cry iacche. 4 15
343 Elelean Sire Bacchus Cult title From the ritual cry eleleu. 4 15
344 Euhan Bacchus Cult title From the ritual cry euoe. 4 16
345 Liber Bacchus Cult title The liberator, as at 3.520. 4 17
346 O timeless boy Bacchus Attribute 4 17
347 godless Pentheus Pentheus Attribute 4 22
348 two-bit-axed Lycurgus Lycurgus Attribute A Thracian king who opposed Bacchus; the double axe is his weapon. 4 23
349 the Tyrrhenes Acoetes' crew Cult site The sailors of 3.582–686, now dolphins. 4 24
350 the drunk old man Silenus Periphrasis Silenus, Bacchus' tutor, who is never named. Identified entirely by his condition and his mule. 4 26
351 Minyas' girls Minyas' daughters Patronymic 4 32, 389, 425
352 Minerval tasks Minerva Metonym Weaving; Minerva is the goddess of the loom. The sisters honour Minerva by working through Bacchus' holiday — the work is their piety and their offence. 4 33
353 Pallas, a real god Minerva Name 4 38
354 Dercetis of Babylon Dercetis Cult site A Syrian goddess, said to have been turned into a fish. 4 44
355 your [Dercetis'] daughter Semiramis Relationship Semiramis, who became a dove. 4 47
356 that city which Semiramis walled round with brick Babylon Periphrasis Babylon, which is not named until 99. 4 57–58
357 Babylonian Thisbe Thisbe Cult site 4 99
358 the Sun the Sun Name Latin Sol. 4 169, 170, 214, 238, 270
359 this god, who sees all things first the Sun Periphrasis The all-seeing god is the informer in the story that follows, and is punished with a love he cannot see past. 4 171
360 Venus Venus Name 4 172, 531
361 her husband, Juno's son Vulcan Matronymic 4 173
362 Juno Juno Name 4 173, 422, 426, 473, 479, 523, 548
363 the blacksmith Vulcan Function 4 175
364 the Lemnian Vulcan Cult site His forge was on Lemnos, as at 2.756. 4 185
365 one deity Mercury Generic The translator suggests Mercury (cf. 4.288). The god who wished he could be caught in Venus' bed is the one who later fathers her son. 4 187
366 Cytherea Venus Cult site Born on the island of Cythera. 4 190, 288
367 Hyperion's son the Sun Patronymic Son of the Titan Hyperion. Book 2's question of who the Sun is returns: Phoebus in the Phaëthon story, now the Titan's son. 4 192, 241
368 fair Aeaean Circe's mother Circe's mother Relationship Perse, unnamed; Circe lives on Aeaea (Book 14). 4 205
369 born to Eurynome Leucothoë Matronymic 4 209
370 a Persian king, from ancient Belus seventh in descent Orchamus Genealogy Belus, a mythical Assyrian king. 4 212–13
371 the Sun-god's steeds the Sun Relationship 4 214, 634
372 he who marks the running year, who sees all things, through whom all things are seen, the cosmic eye the Sun Periphrasis His own words, dropping the disguise. A self-introduction in place of a name immediately before a rape — the same move Jupiter makes at 1.596. 4 226–28
373 the jealous Clytië Clytië Attribute 4 234
374 her [Clytië's] rival Leucothoë Relationship 4 236
375 this cold, cruel man Orchamus Attribute 4 237
376 the lord of wingèd steeds the Sun Function 4 245
377 the fires of Phaëthon Phaëthon Metonym The burning of the world in Book 2. 4 246
378 the Font of Light the Sun Periphrasis 4 257
379 the passing god the Sun Attribute 4 265
380 that Idan shepherd Daphnis Cult site From Mount Ida. 4 277
381 unfixed Sithon Sithon Attribute Alternately man and woman. 4 280
382 Jove's true friend Celmis Relationship One of the Dactyls who tended the infant Jupiter on Ida. 4 281
383 Jove Jupiter Name From Iovis, the oblique stem of Iuppiter. 4 281, 610, 645, 697, 755
384 sprung from rain the Curetes Periphrasis 4 282
385 Mercury Mercury Name 4 288, 754
386 a son Hermaphroditus Generic Venus' and Mercury's. He is “the boy” for the whole story; his name is given only at 383, once he has become what it describes. 4 288
387 the only nymph Diana never knew Salmacis Periphrasis 4 303–04
388 O boy, most fit for worship as a god Hermaphroditus Attribute Salmacis' address. 4 320
389 dear stranger Hermaphroditus Relationship 4 337
390 brightest Phoebus the Sun Attribute 4 349
391 the king of birds the eagle Function 4 362
392 Atlas' heir Hermaphroditus Genealogy Through his mother Maia, Mercury is Atlas' grandson; Hermaphroditus his great-grandson. 4 368
393 Hermaphroditus Hermaphroditus Name Greek, from Hermes and Aphrodite — Mercury and Venus. 4 383
394 your son, who carries both your names Hermaphroditus Periphrasis His own words to his parents. 4 384
395 their two-shaped son Hermaphroditus Attribute 4 387
396 his aunt Ino Relationship Bacchus'; Ino is Semele's sister. 4 417
397 her husband Athamas Athamas Relationship 4 420
398 her godchild the god Bacchus Relationship Ino nursed him (3.313). 4 421
399 my rival's son Bacchus Relationship Juno's: Semele's son. 4 422
400 Ino Ino Name 4 430, 497, 528
401 the misty Styx Styx Attribute 4 434
402 dark Dis Dis Attribute The Roman god of the underworld. 4 438
403 the dark lord Dis Attribute 4 444
404 Saturnian Juno Juno Patronymic Daughter of Saturn. 4 448
405 the sisters born of Night the Furies Genealogy Alecto, Megaera and Tisiphone. 4 452
406 the goddess Juno Generic 4 455
407 the Belides the Danaids Genealogy Granddaughters of Belus, who killed their cousin-husbands. 4 463
408 Saturnia Juno Patronymic 4 464
409 this brother Sisyphus Relationship Athamas' brother. 4 466
410 proud Athamas Athamas Attribute 4 467
411 Athamas Athamas Name 4 467, 471, 489, 497
412 Cadmus Cadmus Name 4 470, 546, 572, 591
413 Tisiphone Tisiphone Name One of the three Furies. 4 474
414 Iris, Thaumas' child Iris Patronymic 4 480
415 cruel Tisiphone Tisiphone Attribute 4 481
416 the dooming Fury Tisiphone Function 4 490
417 mighty Dis Dis Attribute 4 511
418 Aeolus' son Athamas Patronymic Aeolus, king of Aeolia — not the Keeper of the Winds of 663. Two Aeoluses in 150 lines, one each side of the Perseus story. 4 512
419 the witless madman Athamas Attribute 4 515
420 young Melicertes Melicertes Attribute Son of Athamas and Ino. 4 522
421 your [Ino's] nursling Bacchus Relationship 4 524
422 her [Venus'] grandchild Ino Relationship Ino is Harmonia's daughter, and Harmonia is Venus'. 4 531
423 her [Venus'] uncle Neptune Relationship Only if Venus is Jupiter's daughter. Two lines later she claims birth from the sea-foam, which would make him no relation at all. 4 532
424 O Lord of seas Neptune Function 4 532
425 Neptune Neptune Name 4 533, 539
426 if depths of foam once gave me rise, as has remained my name among the Greeks Venus Periphrasis Aphrodite, as if from Greek aphros, “sea-foam.” 4 537–38
427 Leucothea Ino Name Her name as a sea-goddess. Neptune changes names as well as forms. 4 542
428 Palaemon Melicertes Name His name as a sea-god. 4 542
429 her [Juno's] rival Ino Relationship 4 548
430 Agenor's son Cadmus Patronymic 4 563
431 his wife Harmonia Relationship Harmonia, daughter of Mars and Venus. Ovid never names her, though the episode is hers as much as his. 4 568, 583, 590
432 their grandson Bacchus Relationship Cadmus' and Harmonia's. 4 604
433 Abas' son Acrisius Acrisius Patronymic King of Argos. 4 607
434 Jove's son, one Perseus, begat by raining gold on Danaë Perseus Periphrasis Jupiter came to Danaë as a shower of gold. 4 610–12
435 Perseus Perseus Name 4 611, 639, 697, 699, 730
436 his grandson Perseus Relationship Acrisius'. 4 614
437 this victor Perseus Attribute 4 617
438 the Gorgon Medusa Metonym One of the three Gorgons, standing for Medusa. 4 618, 801
439 the frigid Bears the Bears Attribute 4 625
440 Cancer's arms Cancer Metonym The constellation, named by its claws. 4 625
441 Atlas Atlas Name 4 628, 644, 646, 653
442 the Morning-Star Lucifer Function 4 629
443 Atlas, son of Iapetus Atlas Patronymic 4 632
444 dear host Atlas Relationship Perseus' address. 4 639
445 Jupiter Jupiter Name 4 640, 650
446 Parnassian Themis Themis Cult site She held the oracle at Parnassus (1.321). 4 643
447 a son of Jove Hercules Periphrasis The prophecy means Hercules and the apples of the Hesperides (9.190). Atlas hears Perseus in it — and is right to fear the son of Jove in front of him, for the wrong reason. 4 645
448 Medusa's sordid head Medusa Attribute 4 656
449 Medusa Medusa Name 4 656, 743, 781
450 the son of Hippotes Aeolus Patronymic Aeolus, Keeper of the Winds. 4 663
451 the bright Morning Star, who heralds daily toil Lucifer Attribute 4 664–65
452 her [Andromeda's] mother Cassiope Relationship Cassiope boasted of rivalling the Nereids. The mother's tongue is the crime; the daughter is chained for it. 4 670, 687
453 Andromeda Andromeda Name Daughter of Cepheus and Cassiope. 4 670, 758
454 Ammon Jupiter Name The Egyptian god commonly identified with Jupiter. The god who orders Andromeda chained is Perseus' own father under an Egyptian name. 4 671
455 King Abas' heir Perseus Genealogy Perseus is Abas' great-grandson. The first of four ancestors he is named by in 100 lines — Abas, Inachus, Lynceus, Agenor — each more remote than the last. 4 673
456 the stranger Perseus Generic 4 695
457 she whom, in her cell, Jove filled with fertile gold Danaë Periphrasis 4 697–98
458 the snake-haired Gorgon-slayer Perseus, who dares on wings to soar Perseus Periphrasis His own words. He introduces himself with a list of his own titles before the monster is even in range. 4 699–700
459 the youth Perseus Generic 4 711
460 Jove's bird the eagle Relationship 4 714
461 Inachides Perseus Genealogy A tenth-generation descendant of Inachus. 4 718
462 Cassiope Cassiope Name 4 736
463 their son-in-law Perseus Relationship Cepheus' and Cassiope's. 4 737
464 she who was his labor's cause and prize Andromeda Periphrasis 4 739
465 Phorcys' daughter Medusa Patronymic Phorcys, an old sea-god. 4 743
466 warlike maid Minerva Attribute 4 754
467 Minerva Minerva Name 4 756, 798
468 the fleet-foot one Mercury Attribute 4 756
469 the highmost god Jupiter Function 4 757
470 Love Cupid Metonym 4 759
471 Hymen Hymen Metonym God of weddings, standing for the wedding. 4 759
472 Lynceus' heir Perseus Genealogy Perseus is Lynceus' great-great-grandson. 4 769
473 O mighty one Perseus Attribute 4 770
474 Agenor's heir Perseus Genealogy A very distant descendant of Agenor. The translator's footnote calls the relation “ridiculously distant”; the patronymics have been stretched as far as they go. 4 772
475 frigid Atlas Atlas Attribute Now the mountain of 657. 4 773
476 Phorcys' daughters — twins who shared one eye the Graeae Patronymic The Graeae, sisters of the Gorgons; never named. 4 774–75
477 their mother Medusa Relationship Of Pegasus and Chrysaor. 4 785
478 winged Pegasus Pegasus Attribute 4 786
479 his swift brother Chrysaor Relationship Chrysaor, never named. 4 786
480 their guest Perseus Relationship 4 793
481 the sea lord Neptune Function 4 798
482 Jove's pure daughter Minerva Patronymic 4 799
483 Danaë's heroic son Perseus Matronymic Book 4 named him by four male ancestors; Book 5 opens on his mother. 5 1
484 the rash warmonger Phineus Phineus Attribute Cepheus' brother, once betrothed to Andromeda. 5 8
485 my stolen bride Andromeda Relationship Phineus'. 5 10
486 Jove Jupiter Name 5 11, 297, 326, 370, 512, 523, 565
487 Brother Phineus Relationship Cepheus'. 5 13
488 Perseus Perseus Name 5 16, 31, 33, 56, 128, 167, 175, 177, 190, 218, 248
489 the Nereids' dread lord Neptune Function 5 17
490 Horned Ammon Jupiter Attribute The Egyptian Ammon, identified with Jupiter, as at 4.671. 5 18, 327
491 her uncle and betrothed Phineus Relationship 5 22
492 fierce Perseus Perseus Attribute 5 34
493 Phineus Phineus Name 5 36, 89, 93, 110, 156, 210, 231
494 his [Cepheus'] son-in-law Perseus Relationship 5 43
495 warlike Pallas Minerva Attribute 5 45
496 her [Minerva's] brother Perseus Relationship Both are Jupiter's children. 5 46
497 an Indian boy Athis Cult site 5 47
498 the Ganges' child Limnaeë Patronymic A river-nymph, daughter of the Ganges. 5 48
499 Assyrian Lycabas Lycabas Cult site Not the Lycabas of Acoetes' crew (3.623). 5 60
500 his dearest friend, his comrade, and his true admitted love Lycabas Relationship Athis'. 5 60–61
501 the grandson of Acrisius Perseus Genealogy 5 69
502 Medusa Medusa Name 5 70, 247, 249, 312
503 Phorbas of Aswan, Metion's son Phorbas Patronymic 5 74
504 Libyan Amphimedon Amphimedon Cult site 5 75
505 Actor's son, two-bit-axed Eurytus Eurytus Patronymic 5 79
506 Semiramis' heir Polydaemon Polydaemon Genealogy 5 85
507 long-haired Helix Helix Attribute 5 86
508 Scythian Abaris Abaris Cult site 5 86
509 Lycetus of Thessalia Lycetus Cult site 5 87
510 cruel Phineus Phineus Attribute 5 92
511 the chief Cephene (save the king) Hodites Function 5 97
512 Lynceus' heir Perseus Genealogy Perseus is Lynceus' great-great-grandson, as at 4.769. 5 99, 185
513 old and just Emathion Emathion Attribute 5 100
514 Ceres' priest, white-ribboned Ampycus Ampycus Function 5 109
515 fierce Lycormas Lycormas Attribute 5 119
516 Cinyphian Pelates Pelates Cult site The Cinyps is a river of Libya. 5 123
517 Corythus of Carthage Corythus Cult site 5 124–25
518 the wealthiest of all the Nasamones Dorylas Attribute 5 129–30
519 Bactrian Halcyoneus Halcyoneus Cult site 5 135
520 vengeful Perseus Perseus Attribute 5 137
521 born from one mother Clanis and Clytius Relationship 5 141
522 Celadon of Mendes Celadon Cult site 5 144
523 his mother Syrian, sire unknown Astreus Genealogy A genealogy that is half a blank. 5 145
524 wise Aethion, once a seer Aethion Attribute 5 145–46
525 the king's squire Thoactes Function 5 147
526 infamous for parricide Agyrtes Attribute Infamous, and otherwise entirely unknown. 5 148
527 the hero Perseus Generic 5 150
528 her useless sire Cepheus Attribute Andromeda's. 5 152
529 Bellona Bellona Metonym The Roman goddess of war, standing for the fighting. 5 155
530 Chaonian Molpeus Molpeus Cult site 5 162
531 Arabian Echemmon Echemmon Cult site 5 163
532 Cyllenius Mercury Cult site Born on Mount Cyllene. The curved sword is his loan to Perseus. 5 176, 330
533 the Gorgon's head Medusa Metonym 5 180
534 the sevenfold Nile's son — or so he claimed to be Nileus Patronymic The only patronymic in the poem that comes with its own doubt attached. 5 187–88
535 the Gorgon Medusa Metonym 5 196, 202, 209
536 Medusa's face — whoever she is Medusa Periphrasis Phineus' words. He is turned to stone by a woman he cannot name. 5 217
537 O brave one Perseus Attribute Phineus, begging. 5 222
538 O meek one Phineus Attribute Perseus' reply. Perseus hands Phineus' “O brave one” back to him inverted, two lines later. 5 224
539 my father-in-law Cepheus Relationship Perseus'. 5 228
540 her intended Phineus Relationship Andromeda's. 5 229
541 Phorcys' daughter Medusa Patronymic 5 230
542 Abas' heir Perseus Genealogy Perseus is Abas' great-grandson, as at 4.673. 5 236
543 his mother's worthless sire Acrisius Relationship Perseus' grandfather. 5 237
544 the snake-haired monster Medusa Attribute 5 241
545 Lord Polydectes of small Seriphos Polydectes Cult site 5 242
546 Tritonia Minerva Cult site Born near Lake Triton. 5 250, 269
547 her gold-born brother Perseus Relationship Minerva's; born of Jupiter's shower of gold. 5 251
548 the learnèd sisterhood the Muses Periphrasis 5 255
549 Medusa's wingèd child Pegasus Relationship 5 257
550 Pallas Minerva Name 5 263, 335
551 Mnemone's daughters the Muses Matronymic Mnemosyne, goddess of memory. 5 267, 280
552 vile Pyreneus Pyreneus Attribute 5 274
553 that fiend Pyreneus Attribute 5 276
554 Auster the south wind Name Latin name of the south wind. 5 285
555 Aquilo the north wind Name Latin name of the north wind. 5 286
556 Jove's daughter Minerva Patronymic 5 297
557 Lucina Lucina Cult title Goddess of childbirth; a title of Juno and of Diana. 5 304
558 the senseless sisters the Pierides Attribute The nine daughters of Pierus. 5 305
559 Thespian powers the Muses Cult site From the village of Thespiae, near Helicon. 5 310
560 Typhon, sprung from deep in Earth Typhon Genealogy 5 321
561 the seven-channeled Nile the Nile Attribute 5 323
562 Earth-born Typhon Typhon Genealogy 5 325
563 the son of Semele Bacchus Matronymic 5 328
564 Phoebe Diana Name 5 329
565 the Delian Apollo Cult site Born on Delos. At 638 the same word is Diana. Delos bore both twins, and Ovid lets the one name serve each. 5 329
566 Saturnia Juno Patronymic 5 330
567 Venus Venus Name 5 331, 379
568 Aonian maids the Muses Cult site Aonia is the region round Helicon. 5 333
569 Ceres Ceres Name 5 341, 343, 415, 533, 655, 659
570 the vast three-cornered isle Sicily Periphrasis Sicily, named by its shape. 5 346–47
571 the Giant Typhon Generic 5 346
572 Typhon Typhon Name 5 348
573 fierce Typhon Typhon Attribute 5 353
574 the king of silent shades Dis Function 5 356
575 the darkling lord Dis Attribute 5 359
576 Erycina Venus Cult site Worshipped on Mount Eryx in Sicily. 5 363
577 her wingèd son Cupid Relationship Venus'. 5 364
578 Cupid Cupid Name 5 367
579 the god allotted but the last of three domains Dis Periphrasis The three sons of Saturn drew lots: sky, sea, underworld. 5 367–68
580 the god of spirits of the sea Neptune Function 5 370
581 the markswoman Diana Diana Function 5 375
582 Diana Diana Name 5 376, 619
583 Ceres' daughter Proserpine Matronymic 5 376
584 her uncle Dis Relationship Proserpine's. 5 379
585 Dis Dis Name 5 384, 395, 569
586 Proserpine Proserpine Name 5 391, 505, 530, 554
587 her captor Dis Function 5 402
588 Pisan Arethusa Arethusa Cult site From Pisa in Elis — not the Tuscan town. 5 409
589 the best-known nymph in Sicily Cyane Attribute No earlier source knows her. The superlative is Ovid's own invention. 5 412
590 Saturn's son Dis Patronymic The title Jupiter carried at 1.163, now on his brother, and again at a rape. 5 420
591 the goddess Proserpine Generic 5 425
592 the frightened mother Ceres Relationship 5 438
593 the dew-haired Dawn Aurora Attribute 5 440
594 Evening-Star the Evening Star Name Hesperus. 5 440
595 the goddess Ceres Generic 5 449, 452, 462, 471
596 a cheeky coarse-tongued boy Stellio Attribute Unnamed; turned into a stellio, a spotted gecko. 5 451
597 Persephone Proserpine Name The Greek form of her name. Once, among a dozen Proserpines. 5 470
598 Alpheus' nymph Arethusa Relationship The river Alpheus pursued her (575–637). 5 487
599 O mother of the maiden sought worldwide and of all grains Ceres Periphrasis Arethusa's address. 5 489–90
600 Arethusa Arethusa Name 5 497, 573, 599, 625, 642
601 O gentlest one Ceres Attribute 5 498
602 the mighty consort to the king of Hell Proserpine Relationship 5 508
603 the king of Hell Dis Function 5 508
604 Jupiter Jupiter Name 5 514
605 your [Jupiter's] daughter Proserpine Relationship Proserpine is Jupiter's child by Ceres. 5 516
606 Jove's brother Dis Relationship Jupiter's whole defence of the match: he is family, and outranked. 5 528
607 the fool Proserpine Attribute 5 535
608 Ascalaphus, whom Orphne once bore to Acheron Ascalaphus Genealogy 5 539–41
609 not the least famous of Avernal nymphs Orphne Attribute A nymph of the underworld. She is not famous at all; the litotes is the joke. 5 540
610 Hell's queen Proserpine Function 5 542
611 Acheloüs' daughters the Sirens Patronymic Daughters of the river Acheloüs. 5 552
612 O Sirens skilled in song the Sirens Attribute 5 555
613 his [Jupiter's] brother Dis Relationship 5 564
614 a goddess shared between two realms Proserpine Periphrasis 5 566
615 her spouse Dis Relationship 5 567
616 kind Ceres Ceres Attribute 5 572
617 the goddess Arethusa Generic 5 575
618 the Elean river Alpheus Cult site The Alpheus of Elis. 5 576
619 one of those Achaean nymphs Arethusa Cult site Greek-born, before she came to Sicily. 5 577
620 your [Diana's] squiress Arethusa Relationship 5 619
621 the Delian Diana Cult site Born on Delos, called Ortygia (640). At 329 the same word was Apollo. 5 638
622 the grain-goddess Ceres Function 5 642
623 Tritonia's city Athens Periphrasis Athens, sacred to Minerva. 5 645
624 the youth Triptolemus Generic 5 649
625 the jealous savage Lyncus Attribute King of Scythia. 5 657
626 the Mopsian youth Triptolemus Cult site An obscure synonym for Athenian. 5 661
627 our foremost sister Calliope Function The Muse of epic poetry. 5 662
628 the goddesses of Helicon the Muses Cult site 5 663–64
629 the Emathians the Pierides Cult site Emathia, their homeland (313). 5 669

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