MELANIPPE IN GREEK MYTHOLOGY
Melanippe in Greek Mythology
Melanippe was the daughter of the centaur Chiron in Greek mythology, with Melanippe primarily famous for her metamorphosis into a mare.
Melanippe Daughter of Chiron
Melanippe was the daughter of the civilised centaur Chrion; where a mother of Melanippe is named, it is normally said to be Chariclo, the nymph of Mount Pelion, who was Chiron’s wife. Melanippe would be blessed with prophetic abilities.
Melanippe was also known by a number of different names, being also called Ocyrrhoe, Euippe, Hippe and Thetis.
Melanippe was also known by a number of different names, being also called Ocyrrhoe, Euippe, Hippe and Thetis.
Melanippe With Child
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Melanippe would be seduced by Aeolus, son of Hellen, but when Melanippe found herself with child, she would become worried about the reaction of her father Chiron, who still believed her a virgin. Thus, Melanippe fled into the forests of Mount Pelion, but Chiron would now start to search for his missing daughter.
Now, Melanippe prayed to the gods, wishing that her father would not see her in childbirth. |
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Artemis would answer the prayers of Melanippe, and after the daughter of Chiron had given birth to a daughter (named is Arne or Melanippe), she was transformed into a mare.
Some say that Artemis then placed Melanippe in the night sky as the constellation Pegasus.
Some say that Artemis then placed Melanippe in the night sky as the constellation Pegasus.
The Transformation of Melanippe
Some say that the metamorphoses of Melanippe was a punishment from the gods rather than a prayed for change; with the transformation being undertaken by either Artemis or Zeus.
It was occasionally said that Melanippe was transformed by Artemis as a punishment, for the daughter of Chiron had stopped hunting with the goddess, and had ceased to worship her.
More commonly, when the metamorphoses of Melanippe was considered a punishment, it was said to have been commanded by Zeus, for Melanippe had provided too much detail in her prophecies, especially when talking of the future to Chiron and Asclepius. Thus, Melanippe was transformed so she could not tell more of what the gods intended.
It was occasionally said that Melanippe was transformed by Artemis as a punishment, for the daughter of Chiron had stopped hunting with the goddess, and had ceased to worship her.
More commonly, when the metamorphoses of Melanippe was considered a punishment, it was said to have been commanded by Zeus, for Melanippe had provided too much detail in her prophecies, especially when talking of the future to Chiron and Asclepius. Thus, Melanippe was transformed so she could not tell more of what the gods intended.
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Colin Quartermain - Melanippe - 28th January 2020