Dryad

It driesFor Evelyn De Morgan.

In Greek mythology, the dryads (in ancient Greek Δρυάδες druádes, from δρῦς drũs, 'oak') are the nymphs of oaks in particular and trees in general.

They arose from a tree called the Tree of the Hesperides. Some of them went to the Garden of the Hesperides to protect the golden apples that were there. Dryads are not immortal, but they can live a long time. Among the best known are Eurydice, a Thracian nymph married to Orpheus, and Daphne, a nymph who was persecuted by Apollo and the gods turned her into a laurel tree.

Late tradition distinguishes between dryads and hamadryads, the latter being considered specifically associated with a tree, while the former roamed freely through the forests.

Dryads catalogue

• The Egeides Ninphas - some of them are driades, but all Circe attendants on the island of Eea.
• Eratus - a driad of Arcadia, prophesy of Pan and wife of the king Arcademy.
• Hamadrías or Hamadríade - mother of the hamothers by the demon rural Oxilo.
• The "Liceas" Nymphs - the Nymphs of Mount Lyceo of Arcadia, who helped Rea with the upbringing of the Zeus infant.
• Penelopea - a driad of Mount Cilene of Arcadia, mother of the Satiro Pan god, in her union with Hermes.
• Titorea - a ninfa of the Mote Parnaso, an eponymous village.
• The hamother's nymphs.
• Melias, brawns.

References and footnotes