Nectar
conceptNectar was the divine drink of the Olympian gods, served by Hebe and later Ganymede — the liquid complement to ambrosia.
The Myth
Nectar and ambrosia together sustained the gods and maintained their immortality. Mortals who tasted nectar gained something of the divine. It was described as sweet and fragrant, sometimes red like wine. Hebe served it until replaced by the Trojan prince Ganymede, whom Zeus abducted in the form of an eagle because the boy was the most beautiful mortal alive. The word néktar may mean "death-overcoming" (nek- "death" + -tar "overcoming").
Symbols
Fun Fact
The nectarine fruit is named after this divine drink — its smooth skin and sweetness seemed godly to early botanists.
Words We Inherited
English words and phrases that trace back to this myth:
Explore Further
Ganymede
heroA beautiful Trojan prince abducted by Zeus to serve as cup-bearer on Olympus. Ganymede became...
Hebe
godHebe served nectar to the gods and married Heracles.
Zeus
godSupreme ruler of the Olympian gods and lord of the sky. Zeus overthrew his father Kronos and...
Aegis
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Aidos
conceptAidos was the Greek concept of shame, reverence, and the inner sense of propriety that restrained...
Ajax (Shield)
conceptAjax's shield was a massive tower shield of seven ox-hides layered with bronze — the largest...