Cerdo (mythology)

In Greek mythology, Cerdo (Ancient Greek: Κερδοῦς means 'gain, profit' or 'the wily one' or 'weasel, vixen'[1]) was the nymph-wife of King Phoroneus of Argos and mother of Apis and Niobe.[2] Otherwise, the consort of Phoroneus was called either Cinna[3] or Teledice[4] (Laodice[citation needed]) also a nymph or Perimede[5] or Peitho.[6]

According to Graves, Cerdo (‘gain or ‘art’) is one of Demeter's titles; it was applied to her as weasel, or vixen, for both are considered prophetic animals.[7]

  1. ^ Graves, Robert (1960). The Greek Myths. Harmondsworth, London, England: Penguin Books. pp. s.v. The Birth of Heracles. ISBN 978-0143106715.
  2. ^ Pausanias, 2.21.1: “Having descended thence, and having turned again to the market-place, we come to the tomb of Cerdo, the wife of Phoroneus, and to a temple of Asclepius.”
  3. ^ Hyginus, Fabulae 145
  4. ^ Apollodorus, 2.1.1; Tzetzes ad Lycophron, 177
  5. ^ Scholia ad Pindar, Olympian Ode 3.28a
  6. ^ Scholia ad Euripides, Orestes 932
  7. ^ Graves, Robert (1960). The Greek Myths. Harmondsworth, London, England: Penguin Books. pp. s.v. Phoroneus. ISBN 978-0143106715.