In Greek mythology, Chloris (/ˈklɔːrɪs/; Ancient Greek Χλωρίς Khlōris, from χλωρός khlōros, meaning "greenish-yellow", "pale green", "pale", "pallid" or "fresh") was a Minyan princess.

Family edit

Chloris was the youngest daughter of King Amphion of Orchomenus, son of Iasus,[1] son of Persephone, daughter of Minyas [sic].[2] She was often confused with another Chloris, one of the Niobids, children of another Amphion by Niobe.

Chloris was said to have married Neleus and become queen in Pylos. They had twelve sons including Nestor,[3] Alastor and Chromius - named in Book 11 of the Odyssey - a daughter Pero. Chloris also gave birth to Periclymenus while married to Neleus, though by some accounts Periclymenus's father was Poseidon (who was himself Neleus's father as well). Poseidon gave Periclymenus the ability to transform into any animal. Other children include Taurus, Asterius, Pylaon, Deimachus, Eurybius, Phrasius, Eurymenes, Evagoras and Epilaus (or Epileon).[4] Some say that Chloris was mother only of three of Neleus' sons (Nestor, Periclymenus and Chromius), whereas the rest were his children by different women,[5] but other accounts explicitly disagree with the statement.[6]

Mythology edit

Odysseus is said to have encountered Chloris on his journey to Hades.[7] Pausanias describes a painting by Polygnotus of Chloris among other notable women in the underworld, leaning against the knees of her friend Thyia.[8]

Notes edit

  1. ^ Homer, Odyssey 11.284: "the youngest daughter"
    - Pausanias, Graeciae Descriptio 9.36.8
    - Strabo, Geographica 8.3.19
  2. ^ Scholia on Odyssey, 11. 281 citing Pherecydes
  3. ^ Tzetzes, John (2015). Allegories of the Iliad. Translated by Goldwyn, Adam; Kokkini, Dimitra. Harvard University Press, Cambridge, Massachusetts, London, England: Dumbarton Oaks Medieval Library. pp. 39, Prologue 516. ISBN 978-0-674-96785-4.
  4. ^ Apollodorus, 1.9.9
  5. ^ Aristarchus in scholia on Iliad, 11. 692; Scholia on Apollonius Rhodius, Argonautica, 1. 152 — apparently following Odyssey 11. 285, where only Nestor, Chromius and Periclymenus are enumerated
  6. ^ Apollodorus, 1.9.9; Diodorus Siculus, Bibliotheca historica 4.68.6; Hyginus, Fabulae 10
  7. ^ Homer, Odyssey 11.281-296
  8. ^ Pausanias, Graeciae Descriptio 10.29.5

References edit