SALMACIS

'Salmacis' was an atypical nymph and naiad, rejecting the ways of the virginal Greek goddess Artemis, of hunt, in favor of vanity and idleness. Her attempted rape of Hermaphroditus places her as the only nymph rapist in the Greek mythological canon.

''"There dwelt a Nymph, not up for hunting or archery:''

''unfit for footraces. She the only Naiad not in Diana’s band.''

''Often her sisters would say: “Pick up a javelin, or''

''bristling quiver, and interrupt your leisure for the chase!”''

''But she would not pick up a javelin or arrows,''

''nor trade leisure for the chase.''

''Instead she would bathe her beautiful limbs and tend to her hair, with her''

''waters as a mirror."''



Ovid ’’Metamorphoses’’ IV. 306-312

In Ovid's Metamorphoses, she becomes one with Hermaphroditus, and Hermaphroditus curses the fountain to have the same effect on others. However, it's very likely that Ovid fabricated the entire tale himself - his use of "praetereo, dulcique animos nouitate tenebo." could be read in several ways, as "nouitate" could be translated as either some strange or something new, which would imply that it was a new tale.
Salmacis could also have been intended simply as a contrast to the previous tales in Ovid's Metamorphoses, as others involve a dominant male pursuing an elusive female.

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Musical reference

Musical reference

The story is retold in the song "The Fountain of Salmacis" by Genesis, on the album ''Nursery Cryme'' (1971).