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Nymphs
The Nymphs of the water were ranged under several classes:
*** The Oceanides, or Nymphs of the ocean *** The Nereids,
daughters of Nereus and Doris *** The Naiads, Nymphs of the
fountains *** The Ephydriades, also Nymphs of the fountains *** The Limniades, Nymphs of the lakes
The Nymphs of the
earth were likewise divided into different classes:
*** The Oreades, or Nymphs of the mountains *** The Napaeae,
Nymphs of the meadows *** The Dryads and Hamadryads,
Nymphs of the woods and forests
Besides these, there were
Nymphs who took their names from particular countries,
rivers etc. as the Dardanides, Tiberides, Ismenides etc.
Pausanias reports it as the opinion of the ancient poets
that the Nymphs were not altogether free from death, or
immortal, but that their years wore in a manner innumerable;
that prophecies were inspired by the Nymphs, as well as the
other deities; and that they had foretold the destruction of
several cities: they were likewise esteemed as the authors
of divination.
Meursius is of opinion, that the Greeks borrowed their
notion of these divinities from the Phoenicians, for nympha,
in their language, signifying soul, the Greeks imagined that
the souls of the ancient inhabitants of Greece had become
Nymphs; particularly that the souls of those who had
inhabited the woods were called Dryads; those who inhabited
the mountains, Oreades; those who dwelt on the sea-coasts,
Nereids; and, lastly, those who had their place of abode
near rivers or fountains, Naiads. Though goats were
sometimes sacrificed to the Nymphs, yet their stated
offerings were milk, oil, honey and wine. They were
represented as young and beautiful virgins, and dressed in
conformity to the character ascribed to them.
The Nymphs
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