Nyctimene (mythology)
| Nyctimene | |
|---|---|
Minerva transforms Nyctimene into an owl, 1641 engraving by Johann Wilhelm Baur. | |
| In-universe information | |
| Alias | Nyctaea |
| Species | Human, then owl |
| Gender | Female |
| Title | Princess |
| Relatives | Epopeus (father) |
| Birthplace | Lesbos |
Nyctimene (/nɪktɪmæni/, Ancient Greek: Νυκτιμένη, romanized: Nuktiménē, lit. 'she who stays up at night') was, according to Greek and Roman mythology, a princess and a rape victim, the daughter of Epopeus, a king of Lesbos. She was transformed into an owl by the goddess Athena, who took pity on her for her gruesome fate. The owl was one of Athena's most prominent and important symbols.