Earth
Family: Greek mythology · Role: mythic mother of Triptolemus · First appears: Book 1 · Chapter 14
In Book 1, Chapter 14, Earth is named as Triptolemus’s parent, alongside Ocean. In Chapter 24, a statue shows her supplicating to Zeus for rain, either for the Athenians or because drought threatens all Greece. In Chapter 35, she is named as the mother of Anax and of Hyllus.
At Delphi, in the most ancient times, Earth appointed Daphnis, one of the Mountain Nymphs, as priestess of her oracle. The oracle is also described as shared with Poseidon, who used Pyrcon as interpreter; afterwards, Earth gave her share to Themis, from whom Apollo received it. A poem also says Earth posted the dragon there to guard her oracle, before Apollo slew it.
Relationship record
Life events
- Earth appointed Daphnis as priestess of her oracle.(Book 10 · Chapter 5 · 📍 Delphi)
- With: Daphnis
- “For they say that in the most ancient times it was the oracle of Earth, and that Earth appointed as priestess of her oracle Daphnis”
- Earth gave her oracle’s share to Themis, and Apollo received it from Themis.(Book 10 · Chapter 5 · 📍 Delphi)
Book 1 · Chapter 14
- child: Triptolemus (Genealogy attributed to Musæus.) “that Triptolemus was the son of Ocean and Earth”
Book 1 · Chapter 24
- with Zeus (Earth supplicates Zeus for rain.) “Here is also a statue of Earth supplicating to Zeus for rain, either wanting showers for the Athenians, or a drought impending on all Greece.”
Book 1 · Chapter 35
- child: Anax “And they say that Asterius was buried here, and that he was the son of Anax, and Anax was the son of Earth”
- child: Hyllus “that it was the dead body of Hyllus, and that Hyllus was the son of Earth”
Book 10 · Chapter 5
- with Daphnis (Earth appointed Daphnis priestess of her oracle.) “For they say that in the most ancient times it was the oracle of Earth, and that Earth appointed as priestess of her oracle Daphnis, who was one of the Mountain Nymphs.”
- with Poseidon (Poseidon and Earth jointly possessed the oracle.) “In this poem Delphi is represented as a joint oracle of Poseidon and Earth, and we read that Earth delivered her own oracles, but Poseidon employed Pyrcon as his interpreter.”
- with Themis (Earth transferred her share in the oracle to Themis.) “But afterwards they say Earth gave her share to Themis, and Apollo received it from Themis: and he they say gave Poseidon for his share in the oracle Calauria near Trœzen.”
- with Poseidon (Poseidon and Earth jointly held the oracle at Delphi.) “In this poem Delphi is represented as a joint oracle of Poseidon and Earth”
Book 10 · Chapter 6
- with Apollo (Earth posted the dragon at the oracle Apollo later attacked.) “The dragon that was slain by Apollo was the poets say posted there by Earth to guard her oracle”
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Extracted from the original text of Pausanias' Description of Greece. Made with Rho MD.