#amymone

Greek terracotta lekythos (oil flask) depicting Poseidon and Amymone

Attributed to the Phiale Painter, ca. 440 BCE

Here we see what I might assume are the other Danaids being targeted by the satyrs

House of the Anchor VI 10,7 pre-1846 Amymone and Poseidon (Neptune) from south wall of room on south side of entrance

Instead of a love arrow, it looks like Eros is preparing to throw a love spear at the woman

Unfortunately she is only mentioned most of the time. Hyginus' Fabulae offers the most concrete description of her myth:

"When Amymone, daughter of Danaus, was eagerly hunting in the woods, she struck a satyr with her dart. He wanted to ravish her, but she begged the aid of Neptune. When Neptune came there, he drove away the satyr, and lay with her himself. From this embrace Nauplius was born. At the place where this occurred, Neptune is said to have struck the earth with his trident. Water flowed out, called the Fountain of Lerna and the Amymonian River."

The only source where I can recall an active appearence from her is in Lucian's Dialogues of the Sea Gods, where she has two lines:

"TRITON Posidon, there is such a pretty girl coming to Lerna for water every day; I don't know that I ever saw a prettier. POSEIDON What is she, a lady? or a mere water-carrier? TRITON Oh no; she is one of the fifty daughters of that Egyptian king. Her name is Amymone; I asked about that and her family. Danaus understands discipline; he is bringing them up to do everything for themselves; they have to fetch water, and make themselves generally useful. POSEIDON And does she come all that way by herself, from Argos to Lerna? TRITON Yes; and Argos, you know, is a thirsty place; she is always having to get water. POSEIDON Triton, this is most exciting. We must go and see her. TRITON Very well. It is just her time now; I reckon she will be about half-way to Lerna. POSEIDON Bring out the chariot, then. Or no; it takes such a time getting it ready, and putting the horses to. Just fetch me out a good fast dolphin; that will be quickest. TRITON Here is a racer for you. POSEIDON Good; now let us be off. You swim alongside.—Here we are at Lerna. I'll lie in ambush hereabouts; and you keep a look-out. When you see her coming— TRITON Here she comes. POSEIDON A charming child; the dawn of loveliness. We must carry her off. AMYMONE Villain! where are you taking me to? You are a kidnapper. I know who sent you—my uncle Aegyptus. I shall call my father. TRITON Hush, Amymone; it is Posidon. AMYMONE Posidon? What do you mean? Unhand me, villain! would you drag me into the sea? Help, help, I shall sink and be drowned. POSEIDON Don't be frightened; no harm shall be done to you. Come, you shall have a fountain called after you; it shall spring up in this very place, near the waves; I will strike the rock with my trident.—Think how nice it will be being dead, and not having to carry water any more, like all your sisters."

Alright, had to do a quick run to Theoi to check out what their story is. Sooo, she's the girl that Poseidon saved from a satyr that wanted to sleep with her. Only to then he himself sleep with her lol 🤣

Something to note is that the myth never explicitly says "rape" btw. She ran from the satyr but not from Poseidon and Poseidon gave her a water spring after the deed (Which was much appreciated because the region where Amymone lived was going through a rough drought). In fact it seems that they at least liked each other, i like this fragment:

Anyways, i think it's cute but it also feels like one of the many One Night Stands of Poseidon lol. I think they stayed friends after that.

Crete, Archaeological Museum of Chania:

Mosaic of Poseidon and Amymone.

The central part of the “triclinium” of a private house from greco-roman Kydonia. The depicted myth is developed in two scenes: On the left Amymone is attacked by a satyr at Lerni spring. On the right, Poseidon helps Amymone, after rescuing her. In a separate frame a cock fight is depicted as an allusion to the erotic quarrel.

Dated to the middle 3rd century A.D

Found at the town of Chania (1866 square) in 1937.

Detail from a decorative medallion depicting a Medusa head.

A full view of all the scenes depicted on the mosaic.

Zeus & Aegina; Zeus & Ganymedes

Poseidon & Asteria; Poseidon & Amymone

Poseidon and Amphitrite

Hermes & Tanagra, Poseidon & Salamis

Hermes & Apemosyne; Hermes & Herse

Eos & Cephalus; Eos & Tithonus

Apollo & Daphne

Pan & some random youth

Boreas & Oreithyia

Zephyrus & Hyacinthus