Galaxy/The codex of Peirene

The spring nymph of Corinth, mother of Leches and Cenchrias by Poseidon — eponyms of the city's two harbours; Pausanias saw her water used to temper Corinthian bronze and heard that she became a spring from tears for Cenchrias, slain by Artemis.1

I

Pausanias names the Corinthian harbours after Leches and Cenchrias, children of Poseidon and Peirene daughter of Achelous — though in the poem called the Great Eoeae Peirene is said to be a daughter of Oebalus. The rival parentages are the dossier's `peirene-parentage` dispute; the atlas keeps both edges rather than choosing one.2

II

At the gateway to Corinth, travellers pass the entrance to the water of Peirene. The legend is that she was a woman who became a spring because of tears shed in lamentation for her son Cenchrias, unintentionally killed by Artemis. Near the fountain stand an image and enclosure of Apollo, with a painting of Odysseus against the suitors.3

the spine ignites as you read · hover a bond on the card — every mention of them lights in the story

BEYOND THE POETS

How the centuries since have seen Peirene — art, artifacts and echoes.

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