HERSE (athenian princess)
Figure of myth · Athenian princess, daughter of Cecrops
- Parents
- Cecrops I, Aglauros
- Siblings
- Pandrosus, Aglaurus, daughter of Cecrops, Erysichthon of Attica
- Consorts
- Hermes
- Children
- Cephalus
- In the sources
- 8 ancient passages
She was considered superior in beauty to all the other accompanying virgins who carried sacred offerings to the citadel of Pallas.1 Serving as the ornament of the solemn procession and her companions, Herse occupied the middle bed-chamber in a private section of the house.1,2
The son of Zeus was astonished by her beauty while observing her, and Hermes stated that Herse was the reason for his visit to the house.2,1 This divine attention led to the birth of a son named Cephalus, fathered by Hermes.3 Herse and Aglaurus opened the chest containing Erichthonius against Athena's command.4
After seeing Erichthonius, Herse and Aglaurus went mad and threw themselves from the Acropolis.4 Aglaurus burned with envy over Herse's good fortune and sat at the threshold, declaring she would not move until the god was repulsed.5 That figure's body became numb and stiff as she tried to rise, while she considered telling her severe father about the matters criminal.5 Tormented by a secret grief, she wasted away in extreme wretchedness, often wishing to die to avoid witnessing such events.5
The codex facts behind this entry
Herse is identified as one of the daughters of Cecrops. Apollodorus 3.14.2 +2
