According to the ancient Greek poet Eumelus, Callisto's mother was Queen Nonacris. She was the wife of King Lycaon of Arcadia.
Callisto, a prominent figure in Greek mythology often associated with Artemis and Zeus, has several proposed ancestries across different ancient texts. While Nonacris is identified as her mother in one significant account, other poets offered alternative genealogies for her parentage.
The Most Widely Cited Lineage: Queen Nonacris
The most detailed and commonly cited lineage for Callisto, as recorded by the poet Eumelus, identifies her parents as King Lycaon of Arcadia and Queen Nonacris. This places Callisto squarely within the Arcadian royal family, making her a princess.
- King Lycaon: Known for his impiety and transformation into a wolf by Zeus, Lycaon had numerous daughters and sons.
- Queen Nonacris: Her role as Callisto's mother links her directly to one of the most famous myths involving Zeus and the constellation Ursa Major (the Great Bear).
This version of Callisto's ancestry is crucial for understanding her connection to Arcadia and the subsequent myths surrounding her.
Alternative Accounts of Callisto's Parentage
While Eumelus provides a specific mother, other ancient poets and mythographers presented different fathers or a more general origin for Callisto. These variations highlight the fluid nature of Greek mythology, where different regions or storytelling traditions could offer distinct versions of a hero's or heroine's lineage.
Here are some of the alternative genealogies:
- By Asius: The poet Asius described Callisto as the daughter of King Nycteus. In this account, Callisto's mother is not explicitly mentioned. King Nycteus is often associated with Thebes.
- By Pherecydes: According to the poet Pherecydes, Callisto was the daughter of Prince Ceteus. Similar to Asius's account, Pherecydes does not specify Callisto's mother.
- By Hesiod: The renowned poet Hesiod provided a less specific origin, stating that Callisto was the daughter of nymphs. This suggests a divine or semi-divine, nature-bound origin, rather than a specific mortal parent. In this interpretation, she might not have a single identified mother but rather emerged from a collective of nature spirits.
Summary of Callisto's Reported Parentage
To better understand the various accounts of Callisto's lineage, the table below summarizes the information provided by different ancient poets:
| Ancient Poet | Proposed Father | Proposed Mother |
|---|---|---|
| Eumelus | King Lycaon of Arcadia | Queen Nonacris |
| Asius | King Nycteus | (Not specified) |
| Pherecydes | Prince Ceteus | (Not specified) |
| Hesiod | (Not specified) | Nymphs |
Each of these accounts offers a unique perspective on Callisto's origins, reflecting the diverse traditions within ancient Greek storytelling. However, for a specific maternal identity, Queen Nonacris stands out from Eumelus's account.
