Galaxy/The codex of Ligdus

In Greek mythology, Ligdus is a poor but honest Cretan of Phaestus (near Cnossus), husband of Telethusa and father of Iphis. In Ovid's Metamorphoses he vows to expose a daughter for want of a dowry; Isis prompts Telethusa to raise the child as a boy until the goddess transforms Iphis into a man to marry Ianthe. Distinct from other figures only loosely tied to the Iphis catalogue.

Adapted from Wikipedia, "Iphis (mythology)" · CC BY-SA 4.0

I.The vow at Phaestus

Ovid sets Ligdus near Phaestus and Cnossus: when Telethusa is with child he swears to kill the infant if it is a girl, because they cannot afford a dowry. Isis appears to Telethusa in a dream and bids her disregard the vow and raise the child whatever its sex.

A daughter is born; Telethusa names the child Iphis — a name usable for either sex — and raises her as a boy. Ligdus remains unaware until the wedding crisis forces the goddess's intervention.

II.Father of Iphis

When Iphis is betrothed to Ianthe, daughter of Telestes, Telethusa and Iphis pray at Isis' shrine; the goddess transforms Iphis into a youth so the marriage can proceed. Ligdus' role is the social pressure — poverty and the exposure vow — that drives the metamorphosis plot.

The atlas id ligdus-crete is this Ovidian Cretan father alone. Other Iphis figures (Patroclus' captive, Thespiad mother, Argive king) belong to other nodes.

AT A GLANCE

Greek nameLigdus (Λίγδος)
Typemortal
Domainshusband of Telethusa · father of Iphis · the vow to expose a daughter
ParentageIphis
Cult centersPhaestus (Crete) · Cnossus region
EtymologyLatin Ligdus (Ovid); Greek form uncertain in the surviving tale.
READ MOREWikipedia