Herse
nymphAn Athenian princess (sometimes classed as a nymph of the dew) who was loved by Hermes and bore him Cephalus.
The Myth
Herse was a daughter of Cecrops, the legendary first king of Athens — the one who was half man, half serpent. She and her sisters Aglauros and Pandrosos were entrusted by Athena with a mysterious chest containing the infant Erichthonius, with strict orders not to open it. Herse obeyed. Her sister Aglauros did not, saw the snake-child inside, went mad, and leapt from the Acropolis.
Hermes spotted Herse during the Panathenaic festival and fell instantly in love. When he came to court her, Aglauros (in some versions still alive, driven by jealousy rather than madness) blocked his path and demanded gold. Hermes paid, but Athena, angry at Aglauros for opening the chest, filled the sister with envy. Aglauros tried to physically prevent Hermes from entering, and the god turned her to stone.
Hermes and Herse's union produced Cephalus, the great hunter later loved by the dawn goddess Eos. Herse's name means 'dew,' and the Athenians worshipped her as a spirit of the morning moisture that nourished their crops.
Symbols
Fun Fact
Herse's name literally means 'dew' — the Athenians had a festival called the Arrephoria where girls carried mysterious objects in her honour from the Acropolis.
Explore Further
Erichthonius Birth
conceptThe miraculous birth of Erichthonius from the earth after Hephaestus's failed assault on Athena,...
Cecrops
heroHalf-serpent first king of Athens who judged the contest between Athena and Poseidon.
Athens
placeAthens was the city sacred to Athena, birthplace of democracy, philosophy, drama, and Western...
Eos
godThe rosy-fingered goddess of the dawn who rose each morning to open the gates of heaven for her...
Athena
godGoddess of wisdom and strategic warfare, born fully armored from the head of Zeus. Patron deity of...
Athena (Warrior)
godAthena was the goddess of wisdom, strategic war, and craftsmanship — born fully armoured from...
Athena (Wisdom Warrior)
godThe warrior-goddess born from Zeus's head who embodied strategic intelligence, craft, and the...
Athena Promachos
godAn epithet of Athena meaning "the Champion" or "who fights in front," represented by a colossal...
Cephalus and Procris
heroCephalus and Procris were devoted spouses whose mutual jealousy — tested by Eos and by a magic gift...
Eos (Titan Dawn)
titanThe rosy-fingered goddess of dawn who opened the gates of heaven each morning for her brother...
Erichthonius (Birth)
heroChild born from the earth after Hephaestus attempted to assault Athena and his seed fell on the...
Erichthonius (King)
heroEarth-born king of Athens raised by Athena in secret.