What is Melinoe?
'''Melinoë''' or '''Meilinoë''' ([[Greek language|Greek]]: Μηλινοη, Μειλινοη) is a deity in [[Greek mythology]]. A Chthonic goddess, originating from the [[Greek underworld|Underworld]], she is known as a bringer and [[nightmares|nightmares]] and [[madness]]. ==Mythology== According to the Orphic Hymns, Melinöe is the daughter of [[Zeus]] and [[Persephone]]. Zeus disguised himself as Persephone's husband, [[Hades]], in order to sleep with her. Melinöe's body is described as being black on one side and white on the other, representing her dual [[Olympus|Olympian]] and Chthonic parentage. Very little is known about Melinöe, but she is possibly connected to [[Hecate]]. She may be another name for Hecate or an aspect of her. ==Religion== Melinöe was a subject of prayer for ancient Greeks seeking protecting from the supernatural. The Orphic Hymn to Melinöe involves a request for protection from ghosts. ==In popular culture== Melinoë is the protagonist of the [[video game]] ''Hades II''. In the game, Melinoë is depicted as the daughter of Hades and the sister of Zagreus, the protagonist of ''Hades''. ==References== * {{Cite book|last1=Athanassakis|first1=Apostolos N.|title=The Orphic Hymns|last2=Wolkow|first2=Benjamin M.|publisher=Johns Hopkins University Press|year=2013|isbn=978-1421408828|language=en|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TTo3r8IHy0wC}} [[Category:Greek gods and goddesses]]