Larissa (daughter of Piasus)

In Greek mythology, Larissa or Larisa (Ancient Greek: Λάρισα, romanizedLárisa) is the daughter of Piasus, a Thessalian or Anatolian king who was desired by her father and eventually was raped by him while still a maiden. Later in her life, Larissa became the wife of Cyzicus, a different Anatolian king.

Etymology

The noun Λάρισα in ancient Greek meant a citadel or a fortress, and was derived from a pre-Greek substrate.[1]

Family

Larissa was the daughter of Piasus, king of the Pelasgians,[2] though also called Piasus the Thessalian,[3] by an unnamed mother. Her father was also said to have been honoured in Larissa Phrikonis, a Pelasgian settlement in Aeolis, an ancient region on the western coast of Asia Minor.[4][5]

Mythology

The young Larissa is said to have caught the eye of her father Piasus who developed a passion for her, and in his ‘unfortunate’ desire he proceeded to rape the unwilling Larissa.[6][3] According to Strabo, Larissa would have her revenge when one day she observed her father leaning over a cask of wine, drinking. She quickly seized him by the legs and plunged him into the cask, causing his death by drowning.[4][7]

Some unspecified time after her violation by her father, Larissa became the wife of Cyzicus, the ruler of the Dolonians (a tribe dwelling on the southern shore of the Propontis sea).[8]

See also

Other Greek mythological women desired or raped by their fathers include:

References

  1. ^ Liddell & Scott 1940, s.v. Λάρισα.
  2. ^ Smith 1854, s.v. Larissa.
  3. ^ a b "Piasos". Suda on Line. Translated by David Whitehead. July 8, 2004. Retrieved October 23, 2024.
  4. ^ a b Strabo 13.3.4
  5. ^ Kaletsch, Hans (October 1, 2006). "Larisa". In Cancik, Hubert; Schneider, Helmuth (eds.). Brill's New Pauly. Regensburg: Brill Reference Online. doi:10.1163/1574-9347_bnp_e631680. ISSN 1574-9347. Retrieved October 23, 2024.
  6. ^ Bell 1991, s.v. Larissa (2).
  7. ^ Grimal 1987, p. 373.
  8. ^ Parthenius of Nicaea 28

Bibliography