Himalia (mythology)

In Greek mythology Himalia (; ) was a nymph of the eastern end of the island of Rhodes.

Mythology According to Diodorus Siculus,Diodorus Siculus, 5.55.5 after Zeus subdued the Titans, he became enamored with Himalia and mated with her in the form of a fertile rain. The latter produced three sons with him, Spartaeus, Cronius, and Cytus: no further information about them survives. During the flood that drowned the island of Rhodes, Himalia and the sons of Zeus were saved by taking refuge in the high places of the island. Pierre Grimal, The Dictionary of Classical Mythology, s.v. "Himalia"

Jennifer Larson observes that the dictionary compiler Hesychius of Alexandria gives ίμαλιά. denoting an abundance of wheat meal, and notes the agricultural connotations of the sons' names: "Spartaeus recalls sowing, and Cytus means a basket or jar. Cronius denotes a descendant of Cronus, the god of the Golden Age",Jennifer Lynn Larson, 2001. Greek Nymphs: Myth, Cult, Lore p. 322 note 397. a mythic time of ease and abundance.

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References

Diodorus Siculus, The Library of History translated by Charles Henry Oldfather. Twelve volumes. Loeb Classical Library. Cambridge, Massachusetts: Harvard University Press; London: William Heinemann, Ltd. 1989. Vol. 3. Books 4.59–8. Online version at Bill Thayer's Web Site Diodorus Siculus, Bibliotheca Historica. Vol 1-2. Immanel Bekker. Ludwig Dindorf. Friedrich Vogel. in aedibus B. G. Teubneri. Leipzig. 1888-1890. Greek text available at the Perseus Digital Library.