Iphimedeia


In Greek mythology, Iphimedeia was the daughter of Triopas of Thessaly. Her brothers were Erysichthon and Phorbas. She was the wife of Aloeus, who was also her uncle. She is attested in Homer's Odyssey in the catalogue of women as being a mortal.

Mythology

Iphimedeia also fell in love with Poseidon and would often come to the sea shore and pour the sea water in her lap, until the god came and answered her feelings. With Poseidon she was the mother of Otus and Ephialtes, as well as Cercyon and the bandit Sciron. One account calls Aloeus natural father of the Aloadae.
With Aloeus, Iphimedeia had a daughter Pancratis, renowned for her beauty. When she and her daughter were participating in the celebration of the orgies of Dionysus, they were carried off by the companions of the Thracian Butes and brought to the island of Strongyle, where Pancratis was given in marriage to the new king Agassamenus and Iphimedia to a friend and lieutenant of his. Two other leaders, Sicelus and Hecetorus, had fought over Pancratis and killed each other. Soon after, Otus and Ephialtes, sent by Aloeus, defeated the Thracians and rescued their mother and sister; but Pancratis died not much later.

Connection with Hekate

According to Pietro Scarpi, Iphimedeia should be placed in the chthonic realm as a double of Hekate.
Iphimedeia was one of the heroines whose spirits Odysseus encountered at the entrance of the Underworld.

Ancient cults

Her name seems to be attested in Mycenaean Greek in the Linear B syllabic script at Pylos in the form ?????, i-pe-me-de-ja.
Pausanias mentions a painting of Iphimedeia by Polygnotus, and remarks that she was honored by the Carians in Mylasa.
The tomb of Iphimedeia and her sons was shown at Anthedon in Boetia.