Myrice (mythology)

In Greek mythology, Myrice (/ˈmɪərɪsiː/ MEER-ee-see; Ancient Greek: Μυρίκη, romanized: Muríkē, lit. 'tamarix' pronounced [myríkɛː]) is a minor figure from the island of Cyprus. Like both of her siblings Myrrha and Amaracus, she was transformed into a plant bearing her name.

Family

She was the daughter of Cinyras, a king of Cyprus, and thus sister to Myrrha and Amaracus, thus aunt/half-sister to Adonis.

Mythology

The mournful^[a] Myrice was transformed into a tamarix tree (μυρίκη in ancient Greek),^[2][3][4] possibly by Aphrodite, as the tamarisk was her sacred tree.^[5] The implication seems to be that Myrice was grieving the death of her kinsman Adonis, who was gored by a boar during hunting.^[6] Additionally, a Hellenistic and Roman-era cult dedicated to Myricaean Apollo (Μυρικαίος Ἀπόλλων, "Apollo of the Tamarisk") is attested on the Northeastern Aegean island of Lesbos.^[7][8]

See also

• Mythology portal
• Ancient Greece portal

• Melos
• Heliades
• Pelia
• Clytie
• Cyparissus
• Alcyone and Ceyx

Notes

1. Hesychius tried to link her name with the verb μύρεσθαι, myresthai, "to mourn".^[1][2]