Arethusa (Hesperid)

Overview

Arethusa is one of the Hesperides, the western nymphs connected with the garden of the golden apples and the Labour of Heracles.

Generation

Titan descendants

Symbols

Golden apples

Notes

Arethusa is named among the Hesperides in some ancient traditions. She should not be confused with the better-known nymph Arethusa associated with the spring and the story of Alpheus.

The Hesperides are nymphs of the distant west whose mythology centres on a divine garden and its golden apples.

Ancient authors give different names and genealogies for the Hesperides. This variation means that no single list of Hesperid sisters should be treated as universal across all Greek sources.

The garden itself belongs to the mythic geography of the far west. It is guarded in association with Ladon, the great serpent or dragon wound around the tree bearing the golden fruit.

The Hesperides become part of the story of Heracles when the hero is ordered to obtain the apples. In important versions Atlas plays a central part in helping Heracles acquire them.

Arethusa's importance therefore lies in her membership of this wider group and in the network connecting the Hesperides, Ladon, Atlas and the Labours of Heracles.