Iphimedeia


In Greek mythology, Iphimedeia or Iphimede was a Thessalian princess. She was attested in Homer's Odyssey in the Catalogue of Women as being a mortal.

Family

Iphimedia was the daughter of Triopas of Thessaly and probably by Hiscilla, daughter of King Myrmidon of Phthia. Her possible brothers were Erysichthon and Phorbas.
Iphimedea had by Poseidon the twins Otus and Ephialtes who were called the Aloadae after their stepfather. One account called these men's natural father as Aloeus, husband and paternal uncle of Iphimede. The latter mothered as well Pancratis to Aloeus. She was probably also the mother of Elate and Platanus, the sisters of the Aloadae.

Mythology

Early years

Iphimedeia also fell in love with Poseidon, god of the sea, and would often come to the sea shore where she poured the sea water in her lap, until the god came and answered her feelings.

Thracian abduction

Iphimedia's daughter Pancratis was renowned for her beauty. When the two participated in the celebration of the orgies of Dionysus near Drius in Achaea Phthiotis, they were carried off by the companions of the Thracian king Butes and brought to the island of Strongyle where Pancratis was given in marriage to the new king Agassamenus and Iphimedia to a friend and lieutenant of his. Two other leaders, Sicelus and Hecetorus, had fought over Pancratis and killed each other. Soon after, Otus and Ephialtes, sent by Aloeus, defeated the Thracians and rescued their mother and sister but Pancratis died not much later.

Connection with Hekate

Iphimedeia was one of the heroines whose spirits Odysseus encountered at the entrance of the Underworld.
According to Pietro Scarpi, Iphimedeia should be placed in the chthonic realm as a double of Hekate.

Ancient cults

Her name seems to be attested in Mycenaean Greek in the Linear B syllabic script at Pylos in the form ?????, i-pe-me-de-ja.
Pausanias mentions a painting of Iphimedeia by Polygnotus, and remarks that she was honored by the Carians in Mylasa.
The tomb of Iphimedeia and her sons was shown at Anthedon in Boetia.