Nicaea

In Greek mythology, Nicaea or Nikaia is a Naiad nymph ("the Astacid nymph", as referred to by Nonnus) of the springs or fountain of the ancient Greek colony of Nicaea in Bithynia (in northwestern Asia Minor) or else the goddess of the adjacent lake Ascanius. She is the daughter of the river-god Sangarius and the mother-goddess Cybele. By the god of wine, Dionysus, she mothered Telete (consecration) and Satyrus, as well as other children. Mythology Nonnus' account Nicaea was a huntress, devoted to the goddess Artemis from Astacia, a sworn virgin unacquainted with Aphrodite, the goddess of love. Eros made a young shepherd named Hymnus ("hymn") fall in love with her with a single arrow. One day, Hymnus stole Nicaea's hunting gear, her arrows, her nets, her lance, and quiver, lamenting his misfortune. Nicaea found him, and he pressured her to shoot him in the heart, so that he might be freed from the soreness of unrequited love. Angered, Nicaea obliged and fulfilled his wish. Hymnus was greatly mourned; Adrasteia alerted Aphrodite and Eros of Nicaea's deeds. Eros then found Dionysus, and shot him with one of his love arrows; the moment Dionysus saw Nicaea bathing not too far from where he stood, he instantly fell in love, and had nothing else in mind but her. He tried to court her, but to no avail: