Argyra (mythology)

Argyra was a nymph in Greek mythology, known for her association with the town of Argyra in Achaea. Accounts regarding her parentage and specific role are scarce and vary depending on the source.

Some traditions state that Argyra was a daughter of Oceanus, the Titan god of the ocean, and Tethys, the Titan goddess of the primal font of fresh water. This connection to Oceanus positions her as an Oceanid, one of the three thousand daughters of Oceanus, each associated with a spring, river, or fountain.

Other accounts suggest she was simply a local nymph, perhaps the spirit of the spring or river that gave the town of Argyra its name. These nymphs often served as guardians of their waters and were sometimes attributed with healing properties.

The town of Argyra, located near Aigion in Achaea, was said to have been named in her honor. The geographer Pausanias mentions a river called Argyrus near Aigion, which likely contributed to the town's name and further reinforces the association of Argyra with local water sources.

Due to the limited information available, Argyra remains a relatively obscure figure in Greek mythology. However, her association with a specific location and potential connection to Oceanus and water nymphs, establishes her within the broader context of Greek beliefs concerning nature and the divine spirits that inhabited it.