Amalthea (mythology) facts for kids
Amalthea is a special figure in Greek mythology. She is most often known as the foster-mother who helped raise the powerful god Zeus when he was a baby.
What Her Name Means
The name Amalthea comes from Greek words that mean "tender goddess." This suggests that she was an important, caring goddess or a young goddess who was worshipped a long time ago. People in ancient Crete, where the Minoan civilization lived, might have known her by a similar name.
Her Story in Mythology
There are a few different stories about Amalthea.
- Sometimes, Amalthea is shown as a goat. This goat gave milk to baby Zeus in a cave on Mount Aigaion in Crete. Mount Aigaion means "Goat Mountain."
- Other times, Amalthea is a nymph (a nature spirit) who looked after goats. She raised Zeus using milk from her own goat. Her parents are not always the same in these stories, which shows that many different groups of people worshipped her.
In one famous story, Zeus's father, Cronus, was afraid of his children. He swallowed them right after they were born! But Zeus's mother, Rhea, tricked Cronus. She gave him a stone wrapped in a blanket instead of baby Zeus.
Rhea then secretly gave baby Zeus to Amalthea to nurse in a cave on a mountain in Crete. To make sure Cronus wouldn't hear Zeus crying, Amalthea gathered special dancers called the Kuretes or Korybantes. They would dance, shout, and bang their spears against their shields. This loud noise covered up the sound of Zeus's cries.
The Aegis Shield
In some stories, when Amalthea or her goat died, Zeus honored her. He took her skin, or the goat's skin, and used it to make a powerful protective shield called the aegis. This shield became a symbol of Zeus's power and protection.
Amalthea in the Stars
Amalthea was honored by being placed among the stars. She is part of the constellation called Capra, which means "she-goat." These are the stars around Capella, which means "little goat," in the constellation of Auriga the Charioteer.
It's important not to confuse Amalthea with the male sea-goat of the Zodiac sign, Capricorn. They are not related in Greek myths.
Ancient writers like Hyginus tell us more:
- Parmeniscus wrote that a king named Melisseus in Crete had daughters who nursed Zeus. Since they didn't have milk, they used a she-goat named Amalthea. She often had twin baby goats. Because of her kindness, these baby goats were also placed in the stars.
- Musaeus said that Zeus was nursed by the goddess Themis and the nymph Amalthea. Amalthea had a pet goat that helped nurse Zeus.
See Also
In Spanish: Amaltea (mitología) para niños
- Auðumbla, a primeval cow in Norse mythology who nourished the first beings.
- Romulus and Remus, twin brothers in Roman mythology who were suckled by a she-wolf.
