Adrasteia
nymphNymph who nursed the infant Zeus on Crete, later identified with divine retribution.
The Myth
When Rhea hid the infant Zeus on Crete to save him from Cronus, Adrasteia was one of the nymphs who nursed and protected him. She gave the baby a beautiful ball made of golden hoops to play with. In later tradition, her name — meaning "the inescapable" — led to her identification with cosmic justice and divine retribution, becoming almost interchangeable with Nemesis. She embodied the idea that certain consequences cannot be avoided no matter how powerful the transgressor.
Symbols
Fun Fact
The philosophical concept of "inescapable consequences" in Greek thought traces directly to Adrasteia — her name literally means "she from whom there is no escape."
Explore Further
Crete
placeCrete was the largest Greek island and the seat of the Minoan civilisation, home to King Minos, the...
Cronus
titanKronos (Cronus) overthrew his father Uranus and ruled the Golden Age, but devoured his own children...
Nemesis
conceptThe goddess who ensured that excessive good fortune, pride, or arrogance was balanced by...
Nemesis (Concept)
conceptNemesis as a concept was the inevitable divine retribution that followed hubris — the balancing...
Rhea
titanMother of the Olympian gods and wife of Kronos. Rhea saved the infant Zeus from being devoured by...
Zeus
godSupreme ruler of the Olympian gods and lord of the sky. Zeus overthrew his father Kronos and...
Zeus (King)
godZeus was the king of the Olympian gods, ruler of the sky, wielder of the thunderbolt — the supreme...
Alcyone
nymphAlcyone and her husband Ceyx called themselves Zeus and Hera; as punishment, both were transformed...
Amphitrite
nymphAmphitrite was the Nereid who became queen of the sea as Poseidon's wife.
Arethusa
nymphArethusa was a nymph of Artemis who was pursued by the river god Alpheus and transformed into a...
Britomartis
nymphCretan goddess of hunting and fishing nets who leapt from a cliff to escape King Minos.
Callidice
nymphOne of the nymphs of Eleusis who welcomed Demeter during her search for Persephone.