NEDA (river in Elis)
River in Peloponnese, Greece
- Kind of place
- River
- Region
- Elis
- Where
- 37.38° N, 21.68° E
The river is identified as a nymph who served as a nurse to the god Zeus. Pausanias 4.33.1 The river nymph is said to have bathed the infant Zeus after he was stolen. Pausanias 4.33.1 The river's source is located on Mount Cerausius, a section of Mount Lycaeus in Arcadia. Pausanias 4.20.2
Described in the sources
The river serves as the boundary line separating Messenia and Elis. Pausanias 4.20.2 +2 The Neda is a river located in the region of Messenia, where it forms the border between Triphylia and Messenia. Pausanias 4.33.1 +2 The Lymax river flows into the Neda near the city of Phigalia and some hot baths. Pausanias 8.41.2 +1 The Neda was located near the sea. Pausanias 5.6.3 A wild fig-tree grew on the bank of the river. Pausanias 4.20.2 The river Neda derives its name from the nymph Neda. Pausanias 8.38.3 The river flows through the depression known as Aulon. Pausanias 4.36.7 The river flows through the territory of the Arcadians. Pausanias 4.20.2 The herdsman kept his cattle in the area near the river. Pausanias 4.20.6 The river is located on the coast of the Triphylian Sea. Strabo 8.3.22
Gods and worship
The river is navigable by small ships near the sea. Pausanias 8.41.3 Phigalian boys cut their hair near the river to honor it. Pausanias 8.41.3
Stories and history
People feared he-goats would drink from the river's waters. Pausanias 4.20.2 The river received its name from the nymph who nursed the god. Pausanias 4.33.1 It is considered the second most winding river after the Maeander. Pausanias 8.41.3 The boundary was established during the return of the Heracleidae. Pausanias 5.6.3 According to fable, its source burst forth to provide water for Rhea. Strabo 8.3.22 The fig-tree bent toward the stream, touching the water with its leaves. Pausanias 4.20.2
Myths set at Neda
- The Fate of Messene. The Pythia delivers a prophecy to Aristomenes and Theoclus that Messene is doomed to destruction, a fate that cannot be avoided. The destruction will be signaled when a he-goat drinks from the Neda stream, at which point the Pythia will cease protecting the city. Pausanias 4.20.1 +3 Pythia