DAPHNE (mortal nymph transformed into a laurel tree)
Divine power · Greek mythological figure
- Parents
- Peneus, Ladon, Amyclas of Sparta, Gaia
- Allies
- Artemis
- Foes
- Leucippus
- Haunts and cult places
- Ladon
- In the sources
- 21 ancient passages
Daphne possessed hair that hung unadorned around her neck and eyes that sparkled with fire, resembling stars.1 Her fingers, hands, arms, and shoulders were praised for their beauty, with her lips deemed too beautiful to merely look upon, while the parts of her body hidden from view were imagined to be even more beautiful.1 Accounts of her lineage differ, as she is identified by some as the daughter of the river god Peneus, while other sources name the seer Teiresias as her father. f:2,3 The codex relations further list Ladon, Amyclas of Sparta, and Gaia among her parents.
She resided at Delphi, where her skill in prophecy increased significantly, and she wrote oracular responses of every sort using a marvellous natural gift. f:3 Possessing prophetic knowledge comparable to that of her father, she was called Sibylla because she was often inspired when delivering oracles. f:3 Daphne avoided all men, a habit that prevented Leucippus from winning her through open courtship.4
Leucippus devised a trick to obtain Daphne after failing in direct pursuit.4 Disguised as a woman, Leucippus became the object of Daphne's extreme fondness, and she refused to let him leave her side.5 She joined Leucippus in his hunt while he was disguised as a maiden, and she traveled through the region of Elis while hunting.5 Daphne and other maidens stripped Leucippus against his will.6 Daphne and the other maidens killed Leucippus with javelins and daggers.6 She also formed a deep friendship with a disguised male hunter, Oenomaus, whom she was deceived into believing was a noble maiden, and agreed to share hunting activities with him. f:7
Apollo, who was enamored of Daphne, found her romantic advances met with intense dislike, as she fled from him despite his handsome appearance. f:8,9,10 Eros’s vengeful anger, rather than chance, made Daphne the first love of Phoebus.2 When Apollo advanced toward her, she fled vigorously, flying away faster than a light wind and refusing to stop when he called her back. f:1,5 Prompted by Apollo’s influence, she had visited a stream with her maidens to bathe, but she fled when she saw him approaching. f:5 Detesting Apollo so intensely that being turned into a tree was more attractive to her than he was, she implored Zeus to remove her from mortal sight. f:8,5 To escape his grasp, Daphne was transformed into a bay-tree.11,8
The Epigoni captured Daphne during their sack of Thebes.3 The river Ladon is famous for the legend of Daphne told by poets.12 She detested Apollo’s romantic advances and fled from him, even when he desired an alliance with her. f:8,10,1 Daphne was transformed into a bay-tree to escape Apollo.11,8
The codex facts behind this entry
Daphne is identified as the daughter of the river god Peneus. Ovid Met. 1.452-567 Daphne is identified as the daughter of the seer Teiresias. Diodorus 4.66
Appearance
Daphne has hair that hangs unadorned around her neck. Ovid Met. 1.452-567 (4) Her eyes sparkle with fire, resembling stars. Ovid Met. 1.452-567 (4) Her fingers, hands, arms, and shoulders are praised for their beauty. Ovid Met. 1.452-567 (4) Her lips are considered too beautiful to merely see. Ovid Met. 1.452-567 (4)
Powers
She possessed prophetic knowledge comparable to that of her father. Diodorus 4.66 Her skill in prophecy increased significantly while she resided at Delphi. Diodorus 4.66 She wrote oracular responses of every sort using a marvellous natural gift. Diodorus 4.66 She possessed the gift of shooting straight, given to her by Artemis. Parthenius, Love Romances ¶11
In the myths
Apollo was enamored of Daphne, who was one of his great romantic passions. Lucian, Dialogues of the Gods 15 ¶1 +1 Daphne strongly disliked Apollo's romantic advances and fled from him despite his handsome appearance and beautiful hair. Lucian, Dialogues of the Gods 15 ¶1 +1 Daphne formed a deep friendship with a disguised male hunter, Oenomaus, whom she was deceived into believing was a noble maiden, and agreed to share hunting activities with him. Pausanias 8.20.3 Eros's vengeful anger, rather than chance, made Daphne the first love of Phoebus. Ovid Met. 1.452-567 Daphne flies away faster than a light wind. Ovid Met. 1.452-567 (4) She does not stop when Phœbus calls her back. Ovid Met. 1.452-567 (4) The Epigoni captured Daphne during their sack of Thebes. Diodorus 4.66 Leucippus devised a trick to obtain Daphne after failing in direct pursuit. Pausanias 8.20.2 Daphne and other maidens stripped Leucippus against his will. Pausanias 8.20.4 Daphne and the other maidens killed Leucippus with javelins and daggers. Pausanias 8.20.4
Fate
Daphne was transformed into a bay-tree to escape Apollo. Lucian, Dialogues of the Dead 28 ¶2 +2
