PYRRHA (mortal woman of myth)
Figure of myth · daughter of Epimetheus and Pandora in Greek mythology
- Parents
- Epimetheus, Pandora
- Consorts
- Zeus, Deucalion
- Children
- Hellen, Thyia, Pandora, Protogeneia, Orestheus, Haemone, Amphictyon, Melantho daughter of Deucalion, Candybus
- In the sources
- 31 ancient passages
Pyrrha, daughter of Epimetheus and Pandora, was the wife of Deucalion, the son of Prometheus who ruled in the regions around Phthia.1,2,3 She is identified as the first woman created by the gods and is described as being descended from a Titan.1,3 Some accounts name her as the sister of Deucalion, while others identify her as the sister of Alcmene and the wife of Iphicles.4,2
When a great flood destroyed the rest of humanity, Pyrrha and Deucalion were the only remaining people on Earth.2,5 She embarked in a chest with Deucalion to survive the flood and was rescued from destruction by the sea.1,2 After the waters receded, they stood in the boundless sea, sharing their sorrow and making their fate a common one.5 Pyrrha was the only woman to survive the destruction of the world.2
Zeus decreed that Pyrrha and Deucalion should leave Parnassos.6 She initially refused to obey the goddess's commands and remained in doubt about the advice of heaven.3 Pyrrha was the first to speak after the command was given, begging for pardon with trembling lips.3 She was soothed by her husband's interpretation of the oracle.3
Deucalion's act of jumping into the sea caused Pyrrha to fall in love with him.7 Her stubborn heart was seized by love for Deucalion after he jumped from a rock.7 Pyrrha and Deucalion created a new human race using stones.6 She threw stones over her head, which turned into women.1 Pyrrha is identified as the source of the stones that form the handiwork of Prometheus.8
She bore a son named Hellen and a daughter named Protogenia to Deucalion.1 Pyrrha settled in the city of Protogeneia after descending from Parnassos.6 The region of Thessaly was formerly named Pyrrhaea after Pyrrha, though the sea carried away the place known as Pyrrha and traces remain visible in the ocean.9,10 The tomb of Pyrrha is located at Cynus.11
The codex facts behind this entry
Pyrrha was the daughter of Epimetheus and Pandora. Apollodorus 1.7.2 +1
