PHILYRA (oceanid nymph)
Divine power · Oceanid of Greek mythology
Philyra, daughter of Ocean and Tethys, was an Oceanid nymph who bore the centaur Chiron.1,2,3,4 She was born of Earth alongside the nymph Neda and stood as a sibling to the nymph Styx.5 Accounts vary on her dwelling, with some placing her in a cave while others describe a house where the young Achilles once lived.6,7
The Titan Cronus, having deceived his wife Rhea by assuming the form of a horse, lay with Philyra.3,1 This union produced offspring, most notably Chiron, who received a divine charge.1,8 When Rhea discovered the deception, Philyra fled in shame from the island.1 She subsequently moved to the long Pelasgian ridges, having been present near the bed of the goddess who birthed Zeus.1,5
The young Achilles brought slain wild boars to Chiron, the son of Cronus, during his stay there.7 Though some accounts list Poseidon as a consort and Dolops as a child, the primary tradition holds her as the mother of Chiron.3,4
The codex facts behind this entry
Philyra is identified as the daughter of Ocean. Argonautica 2 ¶87 +1
In the myths
The young Achilles brought slain wild boars to the Centaur son of Cronus. Pindar, Nemean 3 ¶9 Philyra left the island in shame after being discovered by Rhea. Argonautica 2 ¶87
