Alcyonides

The Alcyonides (/ælkiːˈɒnɪdiːz/; Ancient Greek: Ἀλκυονίδες Alkyonides) were, in Greek mythology, the seven daughters of the giant Alcyoneus.

Mythology

When their father was slain by Heracles, the Alcyonides threw themselves into the sea, and were transformed into halcyons (kingfishers) by Amphitrite. They were Alkippe, Anthe, Asteria, Chthonia, Drimo, Methone, Pallene and Phthonia or Phosthonia.[1][2] This Methone may be the one referred to as the nymph-consort of Pierus, king of Pieria, and became the mother of Oeagrus, father of Orpheus.[3]

Legacy

Islands

The Alkyonides are also small rocky islands in the Corinthian Gulf very close to the coast of Attica, Peloponnese and Central Greece, taking their name from the mythological figures. They reported a 2001 census population of nine inhabitants and are administratively part of the municipality of Loutraki-Perachora in Corinthia.

Climate

The term Alkyonides also refers to a meteorological phenomenon of the central Greek climate. Nearly every year in the period after Christmas until the middle of January there is a non-interrupted period of days with clear blue skies and warm temperatures, which at least in the Athens region can reach more than 20°C over the day.

Astronomy
Methone (Saturn XXXII)

The Saturnian moons Methone, Anthe and Pallene are named after three of the Alkyonides.[4]

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References
  1. Suda s. v. Alkyonides
  2. Eustathius on Homer, 776, 16
  3. Of the Origin of Homer and Hesiod and their Contest, Fragment 1, 314
  4. International Astronomical Union (IAU) Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature (WGPSN) - Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature
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