Aegina

Aegina, presiding spirit of the island in the Saronic Gulf bearing her name, is the daughter of river spirit Asopus and Metope, a Nymph. In the guise of an eagle, Zeus abducted Aegina, carrying her to an island, which he then named in her honor. Although stories sometimes describe Zeus having a “romantic interlude” with Aegina, it was clearly a resisted abduction. She had to be brought far away and to what may have been a deserted island for the relationship to be consummated. Her father attempted to rescue her, but he was driven back by Zeus’ thunderbolts. Aegina has at least two children: a mortal son, Menoetius, and Zeus’ son, Aeacus. She is Achilles’ great-grandmother via Aeacus and the grandmother of Patroclus, whose father was Menoetius. Aegina is extremely well-connected with close relatives among sea and river spirits, as well as in the afterlife. If what you need or desire involves deities of many realms, Aegina may be requested to serve as your mediator or broker. Her image was very popular in fifth-century BCE vase paintings. She is a protective spirit who bestows prosperity and may be appealed to help end family feuds.

ALSO KNOWN AS:

Aigina

ORIGIN:

Greek

CLASSIFICATION:

Nymph or Naiad

ANIMAL:

Goat

SEE ALSO:

• Achilles
• Aeacus
• Apollo
• Ariadne
• Naiad
• Nymph
• Zeus

AEGINA An island in the Saronic Gulf, south of ATHENS; in Greek legend, named after Aegina, a lover of the god ZEUS. When plague struck the island, Zeus repeopled it by turning the ants of the island into humans, who were known as MYRMIDONS. The ancient Cretan deity BRITOMARTIS took refuge here from the attentions of King MINOS. The Aegeans called her DICTYNNA. Aegina was the birthplace of PELEUS, son of King Aecus.

Taken from : Greek and Roman Mythology A to Z, Revised Edition – Written by Kathleen N. Daly and Revised by Marian Rengel – Copyright © 2004, 1992 by Kathleen N. Daly