Leucothea

Leucothea (Λευκοθέα) is a sea goddess in Greek mythology. She was originally a mortal woman named Ino, daughter of Cadmus and Harmonia, and sister to Semele, Agave, and Autonoë. Ino was the second wife of King Athamas of Boeotia, and mother to Learches and Melicertes.

Driven mad by Hera as punishment for nursing the infant Dionysus (son of Semele, a sister of Ino, and Zeus), Athamas killed Learches. Ino, also driven mad, fled with Melicertes and jumped into the sea from the Molurian Rock (between Megara and Corinth).

After their deaths, both Ino and Melicertes were transformed into marine deities. Ino became Leucothea ("white goddess") and Melicertes became Palaemon. As Leucothea, Ino became a benevolent protector of sailors in distress, often appearing to shipwrecked mariners to offer assistance.

She is most famously known for her role in Homer's Odyssey. When Odysseus is shipwrecked after leaving Calypso's island, Leucothea appears to him in the form of a seabird and gives him her veil, telling him to discard his raft and swim ashore with the veil tied around his chest. She assures him that the veil will protect him from drowning until he reaches land. Odysseus follows her advice and is saved.

Leucothea is often associated with the sea, salvation, and divine transformation. Her cult was particularly strong in Boeotia and Corinth.