HAMADRYAD (mythical tree nymph)
Divine power · mythical tree nymphs
These spirits inhabited diverse regions, including the cold mountains of Arcadia where the Hamadryads of Nonacris dwelt and the lands of Latium.4,5 Syrinx, a Naiad, lived among the Arcadian group, while Pomona of Latium was more skilled than any other Hamadryad in tending gardens and attending to tree produce.4,5 The Satyrs pursued the Nonacrian nymphs, and the daughters of Oxylus and Hamadryas, including Suke, Carya, and Balanus, were collectively known as the Hamadryad Nymphs, with many trees named after them.4,3
When a man cut down her tree, the nymph wept and pleaded with him not to do so.1 After he cut down the tree, the nymph cursed the man and his descendants, and an altar was built to the Thynian nymph for an atoning sacrifice.1 Hamadryad nymphs were also the mothers of ten daughters of Danaus.2
The codex facts behind this entry
Some of these daughters were specifically daughters of Atlantia. Apollodorus 2.1.5 Other daughters were specifically daughters of Phoebe. Apollodorus 2.1.5 The daughters of Oxylus and Hamadryas, including Suke, Carya, and Balanus, were collectively known as the Hamadryad Nymphs. Athenaeus 3.14
Powers
Pomona is more skilled than any other Hamadryad in tending gardens and is more attentive to tree produce. Ovid Met. 14.609-697 (2)
In the myths
The nymph wept and pleaded with a man not to cut down her tree. Argonautica 2 ¶34 The nymph cursed the man and his descendants after he cut down her tree. Argonautica 2 ¶34 Oxylus and his sister Hamadryas had several children together. Athenaeus 3.14
Worship
An altar was built to the Thynian nymph for an atoning sacrifice. Argonautica 2 ¶34
