Erigone (daughter of Icarius)

In Greek mythology, Erigone (Ancient Greek: Ἠριγόνη) was the daughter of Icarius of Athens.[1]

Not to be confused with Erigone (daughter of Aegisthus).
Erigone by Charles André van Loo (1747).

Mythology

Icarius was cordial towards Dionysus, who gave his shepherds wine. They became intoxicated and killed Icarius, thinking he had poisoned them. His daughter, Erigone, and her dog, Maera, found his body. Erigone hanged herself over her father's grave. Dionysus was angry and punished Athens by making all of the city's maidens commit suicide in the same way. Unfortunately, it was the instability of Dionysus who gave all the maidens alcohol as part of his cult. Erigone was placed in the stars as the constellation Virgo.[2]

According to Ovid, Dionysus "deceived Erigone with false grapes",[3] that is, assumed the shape of a grape cluster to approach and seduce her.

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References
  1. Pseudo-Apollodorus, Bibliotheca 3. 14. 7
  2. Hyginus, Fabulae, 130
  3. Ovid, Metamorphoses, 6. 125: Erigonen falsa decepit uva

Further reading
  • Rosokoki, A. (1995), Die Erigone des Eratosthenes. Eine kommentierte Ausgabe der Fragmente, Heidelberg: C. Winter-Verlag
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