Praxithea
In Greek mythology, Praxithea (/ˌpræɡˈzɪθiə/; Ancient Greek: Πραξιθέα) was a name attributed to five women.
- Praxithea, a Naiad nymph. She married Erichthonius of Athens and by him had a son named Pandion I. Praxithea's sister Zeuxippe married her nephew Pandion, and to them were born Erechtheus, Butes, Procne and Philomela.[1] She was also called Pasithea.
- Praxithea, an Athenian daughter of Phrasimus and Diogeneia, daughter of the river-god Cephissus. She became queen of Athens after marrying King Erechtheus by whom she Cecrops, Pandorus, Metion,[2] Protogeneia, Pandora, Procris, Creusa, Oreithyia and Chthonia.[3] Praxithea's other possible children were Orneus,[4] Thespius,[5] Eupalamus,[6] Sicyon[7] and Merope.[8]
- Praxithea, the woman that cried out when she saw Demeter holding Metanira's son Demophon in the fires, thus preventing him from becoming immortal.[9]
- Praxithea (or Phrasithea), daughter of Leos.[10] Along with her sisters, Theope and Eubule, she sacrificed herself in order to save Athens. In another version, their father was the one who offered them up to sacrifice. A precinct called the Leocorium was dedicated to the worship of these three maidens at Athens.[11]
- Praxithea, a Thespian princess as one of the 50 daughters of King Thespius and Megamede[12] or by one of his many wives.[13] When Heracles hunted and ultimately slayed the Cithaeronian lion,[14] Praxithea with her other sisters, except for one,[15] all laid with the hero in a night,[16] a week[17] or for 50 days[18] as what their father strongly desired it to be.[19] Praxithea bore Heracles a son, Nephus.[20]