CEROESSA IN GREEK MYTHOLOGY
Ceroessa was a minor female figure in Greek mythology, and now predominantly known for her role in the founding of one of antiquities great cities.
Ceroessa Daughter of Zeus
Ceroessa was the daughter of Zeus, conceived when Zeus has his way with the Naiad nymph, Io. Zeus transformed Io into a heifer in order to disguise her from his jealous wife, Hera; although, Hera was not fooled, and sent a gadfly to torment her husband’s lover.
Io would travel the world seeking a safe place to give birth. In her travels through Thrace, Io would give birth to a daughter, Ceroessa. Ceroessa was born at the spot known later as the Golden Horn, the major inlet into the Bosphorus. The place of Ceroessa’s birth was by the alter of Semystra, and Io was said to have left the newborn child with the nymph, in order to protect her from the wrath of Hera. |
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Io would continue her wanderings, and eventually in Egypt, Io gave birth to Ceroessa’s brother, Epaphus.
Byzas Son of Ceroessa
Ceroessa was nurtured and raised by Semystra, and she became known as the greatest beauty of the region. Such beauty would soon cause any to become known to the gods, and thus it was that Poseidon came to visit her. Poseidon would lie with Ceroessa, and subsequently, Ceroessa gave birth to a son named Byzas.
Byzas would become the eponymous founder of the city of Byzantium.
Byzas would become the eponymous founder of the city of Byzantium.
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Colin Quartermain - Ceroessa - 26th May 2022