Dec 12, 2017
Melinoe is a chthonic nymph or goddess propitiated as a bringer of nightmares and madness. The terms in which she is described are typical of moon goddesses in Greek poetry. Melinoë is the daughter of Persephone, who was visited by Zeus disguised as her husband Hades. Although the wording of the hymn is unclear at this point, Hades becomes angry upon learning of the pregnancy and rends her flesh.
She brings night terrors to mortals by manifesting in strange forms, and can drive mortals insane. She is often depicted as half-black, half-white, representing the duality of the heavenly Zeus and the infernal Hades.
