THE NAIAD MINTHE IN GREEK MYTHOLOGY

Greek mythology contains many stories of the transformation of individuals into plants and trees, including the likes of Narcissus, Daphne (Laurel) and Syrinx (Water Reeds). In Greek mythology there is also a story about the creation of the mint plant. 

The Naiad Minthe

In Greek mythology there was a Naiad nymph called Minthe, who was said to be the daughter of the Potamoi (river god) Cocytus. Cocytus was of course the god of the river that flowed through the Underworld, the realm of Hades, and it was also said that Minthe lived in the domain of Hades.
 
As with all Naiads, Minthe was considered to be very beautiful in appearance. 

Minthe lover of Hades

There are differing versions of the relationship between Minthe and Hades.
 
One version tells of Minthe being a lover of Hades, before the god of the Underworld decided to make Persephone his wife. When Persephone was abducted, Minthe was cast aside by Hades. The rejected Minthe would proclaim that she, the Naiad, was superior in terms of beauty to the daughter of Zeus; and that Hades would soon grow tired of Persephone and would return once again to his former lover. 

It was a rash thing to say, and when the words were heard by Demeter, Persephone’s mother, transformed Minthe into garden mint. Some tell of Persephone herself transforming the impudent Minthe. 

Minthe Transformed

An alternative version of the Minthe story in Greek mythology tells of Persephone catching Minthe trying to seduce her husband; and so Minthe was turned into the garden mint before she could lead Hades astray.
 
The mint plant was subsequently said to be a sacred plant of Hades, and indeed was often used in funeral rites, as the fragrancy of the mint hid other less pleasant smells.
 
It is that Mount Minthi, a mountain in southern Elis is named for the metamorphosed Naiad nymph. 

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