Galaxy/The codex of Chariclo

In Greek mythology, Chariclo (Khariklṓ, "graceful spinner") is a Theban nymph and devotee of Athena who, by the shepherd Everes, became mother of the prophet Tiresias. When Athena blinded Tiresias for seeing her bathe, Chariclo pleaded for his sight; the goddess could not undo the curse but granted prophecy instead. Distinct from Chariclo the wife of the centaur Chiron (atlas id chariclo-centaur).

Adapted from Wikipedia, "Chariclo" · CC BY-SA 4.0

I.Mother of Tiresias

Apollodorus makes Chariclo a favorite of Athena who married Everes and bore Tiresias. Callimachus's Hymn on the Bath of Pallas elaborates the blinding: the young Tiresias accidentally saw Athena bathing; Chariclo's plea won him mantic power, long life, and understanding of birds in place of eyesight.

She is typed as a naiad of Thebes in the atlas — a companion of Athena rather than a river eponym — and her story anchors Tiresias's Theban prophetic career.

II.Homonym: Chiron's wife

A second Chariclo married the centaur Chiron and bore Hippe, Endeïs, Ocyrhoe, and Carystus; scholia make her daughter of Apollo, Perses, or Oceanus, and with Philyra a nurse of Achilles. That figure is the separate atlas node chariclo-centaur. This file is only the mother of Tiresias.

AT A GLANCE

Greek nameChariklō (Χαρικλώ)
Typenymph
Domainsnymph of Thebes
Cult centersThebes
EtymologyAncient Greek Χαρικλώ (Khariklṓ), commonly glossed "graceful spinner."
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