Clymene (mythology)

Clymene is a name associated with several figures in Greek mythology, leading to some ambiguity and overlap in accounts. It's important to consider the context when encountering the name.

• Oceanid Clymene (Mother of Phaeton): Perhaps the most well-known Clymene is the Oceanid, a daughter of Oceanus and Tethys. She is primarily known as the mother of Phaeton by the sun god Helios. This Clymene plays a crucial role in the story of Phaeton's disastrous attempt to drive the sun chariot, as it was her boasting that led Phaeton to seek proof of his divine parentage from Helios. Some accounts identify her as Rhode or Prote, but Clymene is the most commonly cited name.

• Wife of Merops (Mother of Phaeton in some versions): In some variations of the Phaeton myth, Clymene is the wife of King Merops of Ethiopia, rather than an Oceanid. In these versions, she still bears Phaeton by Helios, but is presented as a mortal queen. This version attempts to reconcile the divine paternity with a more grounded, human context.

• Wife of Iapetus (Mother of Atlas, Prometheus, Epimetheus, and Menoetius): Hesiod's Theogony identifies Clymene, daughter of Oceanus, as one of the wives of the Titan Iapetus and the mother of Atlas, Prometheus, Epimetheus, and Menoetius. This Clymene is distinct from the mother of Phaeton, although they share the same parentage (Oceanus and Tethys).

• Other Figures: The name Clymene appears in connection with other minor characters in Greek mythology. For example, she is sometimes named as one of the handmaidens of Helen or as a companion of Persephone. Identifying these Clymenes can be difficult due to the similar naming conventions of the time.

The diverse application of the name Clymene highlights the complexities of Greek mythology, where characters and stories often have multiple versions and interconnections. The key lies in identifying the specific context to determine which Clymene is being referenced.