Neda (mythology) explained

In Greek mythology, Neda (Ancient Greek: Νέδαν or Νέδα) was a Messenian^[1] or Arcadian nymph^[2] and one of the nurses of the child Zeus.

The river Neda and a town in Arcadia named after her.^[3]

Mythology

In the Messenian account, Neda, together with another nymph Ithome, brought up and bathed the infant Zeus after he was stolen by the Curetes owing to the danger that threatened from his father. These nymphs gave their name to the river Neda and mountain Ithome.

Meanwhile, the Arcadian version claimed that Neda, Anthracia, Hagno, Anchirhoe and Myrtoessa were the nurturers of the future king of the gods. Neda was depicted to carry the infant god.

She was represented at Athens in the temple of Athena.^[3]

References

• 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. [Pausanias (geographer)|Pausanias]
2. Pausanias, Graeciae Descriptio 8.31.4
3. https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0104%3Aalphabetic+letter%3DN%3Aentry+group%3D3%3Aentry%3Dneda-bio-1 A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology, Neda