Cerdo (mythology) explained

In Greek mythology, Cerdo (Ancient Greek: Κερδοῦς means 'gain, profit' or 'the wily one' or 'weasel, vixen'^[1]) was the nymph-wife of King Phoroneus of Argos and mother of Apis and Niobe.^[2] Otherwise, the consort of Phoroneus was called either Cinna^[3] or Teledice^[4] (Laodice) also a nymph or Perimede^[5] or Peitho.^[6]

According to Graves, Cerdo (‘gain or ‘art’) is one of Demeter's titles; it was applied to her as weasel, or vixen, for both are considered prophetic animals.^[7]

References

• Apollodorus, The Library with an English Translation by Sir James George Frazer, F.B.A., F.R.S. in 2 Volumes, Cambridge, MA, Harvard University Press; London, William Heinemann Ltd. 1921. ISBN 0-674-99135-4. Online version at the Perseus Digital Library. Greek text available from the same website.
• Gaius Julius Hyginus, Fabulae from The Myths of Hyginus translated and edited by Mary Grant. University of Kansas Publications in Humanistic Studies. Online version at the Topos Text Project.
• Pausanias, Description of Greece with an English Translation by W.H.S. Jones, Litt.D., and H.A. Ormerod, M.A., in 4 Volumes. Cambridge, MA, Harvard University Press; London, William Heinemann Ltd. 1918. Online version at the Perseus Digital Library
• Pausanias, Graeciae Descriptio. 3 vols. Leipzig, Teubner. 1903. Greek text available at the Perseus Digital Library.

Notes and References

1. Book: Graves, Robert. The Greek Myths. registration. Penguin Books. 1960. 978-0143106715. Harmondsworth, London, England. s.v. The Birth of Heracles.
2. [Pausanias (geographer)|Pausanias]
3. [Hyginus]
4. [Bibliotheca (Pseudo-Apollodorus)|Apollodorus]
5. [Scholia]
6. Scholia ad Euripides, Orestes 932
7. Book: Graves, Robert. The Greek Myths. registration. Penguin Books. 1960. 978-0143106715. Harmondsworth, London, England. s.v. Phoroneus.