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The Nesoi (Greek Nῆσοι "islands"), in ancient Greek religion, were the goddesses of islands. Each island was said to have its own personification. According to Callimachus, the Nesoi were thought to have been Ourea who were cast under the sea during one of Poseidon's rages.[1]

References

  1. ^ Callimachus, Hymns 4 to delos, "But none need grudge that she be named among the first, whensoever unto Okeanos (Oceanus) and unto Titanide (Titaness) Tethys the islands gather and she [Delos] ever leads the way. Behind her footsteps follow Phoinikian Kyrnos (Phoenician Cyrnus), no mean isle, and Abantian Makris (Macris) of the Ellopians, and delectable Sardo, and the isle whereto Kypris (Cypris) [Aphrodite] first swam from the water [Kypros (Cyprus)] and which for fee of her landing she keeps safe. They are strong by reason of sheltering towers, but Delos is strong by aid of Apollon. What defence is there more steadfast? Walls and stones may fall before the blast of Strymonian Boreas; but a god is unshaken for ever. Delos beloved, such is the champion that encompasses thee about! . . . The tale how at the very first the mighty god [Poseidon] smote the Mountains (Ourea) with the three-forked sword which the Telkhines (Telchines) fashioned for him, and wrought the islands in the sea, and from their lowest foundations lifted them all as with a lever and rolled them into the sea? And them in the depths he rooted from their foundations that they might forget the mainland. But no constraint afflicted thee [the Island of Delos], but free upon the open sea thou didst float; and thy name of old was Asterie (Asteria), since like a star thou didst leap from heaven into the deep moat, fleeing wedlock with Zeus."


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