Lampades: Torch-bearing Nymphs of the Unseen World
Lampades in Greek mythology are torch-bearing nymphs who accompany a goddess on her night wanderings. They are trained followers of Hecate residing in the underworld. Let us read through below to learn more information about who the Lampades are and what is their contribution to ancient Greek mythology and classical literature.
What Are the Lampades?
The Lampad or Lampades refers to one of the kinds of handmaidens who are essential beings to the lives of gods and goddesses. What makes them essential is that they are needed to serve and assist the gods and goddesses.
Origins of Lampades
The origin of Lampades is unknown as it is not stated in the surviving literature. However, some accounts state that they may be the offspring of the gods, including Zeus, the king of gods; Nyx, the goddess of night; and Oceanus, the father of ocean nymphs, the river gods, or Daimones.
They reside in the underworld where they serve as handmaidens to the goddess of magic, witchcraft, moon, light, night, ghosts, and necromancy, Hecate. On some accounts, it is said that they were a gift of Zeus to the latter for her loyalty in the Titanomachy.
Features
Lampades meaning “candles” or “lamp bearers” are one of the types of nymphs living among the others in the Underworld. These creatures are mythological chthonic spirits, although they were not immortal but were extremely long-lived, and they appeared as beautiful young women with black hair and holding a night lamp.
However, more modern interpretations of Lampades reflect a darker appearance, wherein fear of them arises because of their role during the celebration of Eleusinian mysteries. In this celebration, they are depicted as carrying torches during the nocturnal processions. This is also because of their role and aspect of the goddess they serve, Hecate, who is a goddess of madness, darkness, and witchcraft.
Like any other nymphs, these light barers were associated with nature as well, especially the waters that can be found in the Underworld. These waters are often mentioned in conjunction with them in classical literature. They are often compared to oceanic nymphs, which is a strong indication of their association with water.
They are often seen holding torches and accompanying Hecate during the nighttime when the goddess of the moon does her hauntings and night travels. Lampad definition in Roman mythology is Nymphaea Avernales, which means “infernal nymphs.”
Their Powers
Lampades powers were described as the light of their torches that can drive one into madness. As they are chthonic nymphs, they are comfortable in total darkness. On the other hand, others say that they love to play tricks on people and lead travelers to their death, similar to mischievous spirits from famous European folklore that take delight in leading travelers astray.
Even though some say they help people and lend their illumination to those who politely ask. However, there is no evidence in surviving Roman and Greek literature that they lead unwilling humans to their death.
These maidens are sometimes associated with the divine figures in the Eleusinian mysteries and attended the goddesses Persephone and Demeter. They are responsible for guiding the spirits of the initiates of the Mystery Tradition to their place in the Underworld.
Being Written in Literature
They were mentioned in some classical works of literature, including Metamorphoses by Ovid, where Orphne, also known as Gorgyra, was mentioned as carrying a son by Acheron; Silvae by Statius, where it was mentioned that they accompanied the goddess Persephone, mingling and sporting around a handsome boy who died young; and Alcman’s Fragment, where they were mentioned as one of the many kinds of nymphs who carry torches and lights with Hecate.
Other Nymphs of the Underworld
What we will discuss below are the other types of nymphs who lived in the underworld, the chthonic dimension in which the light barers is one of them. Identify famous nymph names residing in the unseen realm of the underworld as you continue to read and learn from the list below.
Gorgyra
There is only one name with regards to Lampades nymphs name in Greek mythology, and that is Gorgyra. She lived in Hades and mothered Ascalaphus together with Acheron, the god of the Underworld River and lake of pain. The name Gorgyra means ‘underground drain’, she was identified with Styx the underworld river-goddess, and with the goddess of the night, Orphne with Nyx. Whereas, Orphne’s Roman equivalent is Caligo, the goddess of Darkness.
Melinoe
She was known as the bringer of nightmares and madness, Melinoe is a chthonic nymph who was invoked in one of the Orphic hymns. She was the daughter of Persephone and was fathered by either Zeus or Hades. The name Melinoe means ‘Dark minded’ or ‘Propitation minded’ and was derived from the Greek word ‘melas’ means black, ‘meilia’ means propitiation, and ‘noos’ means mind.
Minthe
Minthe also called Menthe, Mintha, or Mentha is a naiad nymph in the underworld river called Cocytus. She was the beloved and mistress of Hades, the god of the dead and king of the underworld. According to a scholar, Minthe was torn into pieces by the king’s jealous wife, Persephone but Hades transformed her into a sweet-smelling herb that bore her name.
Conclusion
Lampades are handmaidens and trained followers of the goddess Hecate who accompanied her in her night hauntings in the unseen realm of the underworld. Here’s what we got so far:
- Lampades are among the different types of nymphs in Greek mythology.
- They are often depicted as torch-bearing maidens.
- Lampades definitely rendered an excellent service to their gods as well as to mortals who asked for their illumination, and they surely added some sprinkle of curiosity to those who encounter Greek mythology.
- Aside from Lampades, there are other kinds of nymphs who lived in the Underworld and on Earth. These nymphs are often associated with plants or animals. They are often lovers or mothers of gods and heroes.
Now, you know all about the nymphs of the underworld, who were the sons or daughters of other gods. Overall, they were associated with nature and taking the traveling dead to the underworld.
