In
Greek mythology, 'Libya', like
Ethiopia or
Scythia was one of the mythic outlands that encircled the familiar Greek world of the Hellenes and their "foreign" neighbors.
Personified as an individual, Libya was the daughter of
Epaphus — a son of
Zeus and King of Egypt — and
Memphis. Libya was ravished by the god
Poseidon to whom she bore twin sons,
Belus and
Agenor. Some sources name a third son, named
Lelex. Such genealogies, when applied to a personification of a land, were suggestive to Greek audiences, but need some explication for ordinary modern readers.
(''some cautious explanation of the cultural/legendary meaning of this genealogy is needed'')