Papyrus plants growing in the stream basin of the nymph Arethusa in Syracuse Sicily Italy
Arethusa means "the waterer". She was a nymph and daughter of Nereus (making her a Nereid), [1] and later became a fountain on the island of Ortygia in Syracuse, myth of her transformation begins when she came across a clear stream and began bathing, not knowing it was the river god Alpheus. He fell in love during their encounter, but she fled after discovering his presence and intentions, as she wished to remain a chaste attendant of Artemis. After a long chase, she prayed to her goddess to ask for protection. Artemis hid her in a cloud, but Alpheus was persistent. She began to perspire profusely from fear, and soon transformed into a stream. Artemis then broke the ground allowing Arethusa another attempt to flee. Her stream travelled under the earth to the island of Ortygia, but Alpheus flowed through the sea to reach her and mingle with her waters. During Demeter's search for her daughter Persephone, Arethusa entreated Demeter to discontinue her punishment of Sicily over her daughter's disappearance. She told the goddess that while traveling in her stream below the earth, she saw her daughter looking sad as the queen of Hades.
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Location: Papyrus plants growing in the stream basin of the nymph Arethusa in Syracuse Sicily Italy
Photo credit: © Brenda Kean / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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