Leucothea was originally a
mortal named Ino, daughter of Cadmus, king of Thebes. She married Athamas, king
of Orchomenus, who, incensed at her unnatural conduct to her step-children,[43]
pursued her and her son to the sea-shore, when, seeing no hope of escape, she
flung herself with her child into the deep. They were kindly received by the
Nereides, and became sea-divinities under the name of Leucothea and Palaemon.
[43] See Legend of the
Argonauts.
{112}
THE SIRENS.
The Sirens would appear to have
been personifications of those numerous rocks and unseen dangers, which abound
on the S.W. coast of Italy. They were sea-nymphs, with the upper part of the
body that of a maiden and the lower that of a sea-bird, having wings attached
to their shoulders, and were endowed with such wonderful voices, that their
sweet songs are said to have lured mariners to destruction.
