Echo (mythology)

Echo (Greek Ἠχώ ) is in Greek mythology, the Oread ( mountain nymph ) of Mount Helikon and a daughter of Gaia. According to her the well-known phenomenon of the echo is named.

Myth

Punishment

Echo chatted on behalf Zeus ' wife Hera with its storytelling, so Zeus had time for amorous adventures. When Hera discovered this conspiracy, they robbed Echo punishment of the language and gave her only the ability to repeat the last words addressed to them.

Echo and Narcissus

For this reason, Echo was unable, the beautiful youth Narcissus to confess her love. One day, however, as Narcissus was in the woods for deer hunting, he was separated from his companions. Echo followed him silently through the undergrowth, but could even start a meaningful conversation. Finally called Narcissus:

But Narcissus spurned her cruel embrace, and Echo felt so miserable and humiliated that she hid in a cave, took no more food, and finally atrophied, until she was only a voice. Your gaunt bones were, however, at the same time have to the rocks, which reflect the echo the look of a beautiful young woman.

Later, the goddess of vengeance Nemesis punished Narcissus by saying that he hopelessly fell in love with his beautiful reflection when he saw it in a pond.

Echo and Pan

Another tradition tells of the love of the Pan to her, but she did not return. In vain he had tried to catch, until at last the shepherds infuriated with the passion, so they broke the Echo, the members of which have since been scattered throughout the world.