Editing Iambe

{{Short description|Tracian mythological character}}
'''Iambe''' ([[Ancient Greek]]: Ἰάμβη means 'banter'), in [[Greek mythology]], was a [[Thracian]] woman, daughter of [[Pan (god)|Pan]] and [[Echo (mythology)|Echo]], granddaughter of [[Hermes]], and a servant of [[Metaneira]], the wife of [[Hippothoon]]. Others call her a slave of [[Celeus]], king of [[Eleusis]].

== Mythology ==
The extravagant hilarity displayed at the festivals of Demeter in Attica was traced to her, for it is said that when [[Demeter]], in her wanderings in search of her daughter, arrived in Attica, Iambe cheered the mournful goddess with her jokes.<ref>[[Bibliotheca (Pseudo-Apollodorus)|Apollodorus]], 1.5.1; [[Diodorus Siculus]], 5.4; [[Photios I of Constantinople|Photius]], ''[[Bibliotheca (Photius)|Bibliotheca]]'' Codices 239. p. 319, ed. Bekker; [[Scholia]] on [[Nicander]], ''Alexipharmaca'' 134</ref><blockquote>Till '''Iambe''', who was knowing and careful, placed for her<br>A fixed seat, and draped a bright-shining fleece over it.<br>There she sat down, and held a veil in front of her.<br>For a long time she sat on the couch without speaking, sorrowing,<br>Nor did she embrace anyone in word or deed,<br><br>But without laughing and not tasting food or drink<br>She sat wasting away in longing for her deep-girdled daughter,<br>Till '''Iambe''', who was knowing and careful, with jests<br>Made many jokes and turned the mood of the divine lady,<br>By smiling and laughing, and keeping her heart gracious:<br>So she pleased the goddess afterwards with her kindly temperament.<ref>''[[Homeric Hymns|Homeric Hymn]] to [[Demeter]]'' 195-205</ref></blockquote>Iambe was believed to have given the name to [[Iambus (genre)|iambic poetry]], for some said that she hanged herself in consequence of the cutting speeches in which she had indulged, and others that she had cheered Demeter by a dance in the Iambic metre.<ref>[[Eustathius of Thessalonica|Eustathius]] on [[Homer]], p. 1684</ref>

==See also==
*[[Baubo]]
*[[Echo (mythology)|The Lay of Narcissus]]

== Notes ==
<references />

==References==
*[[Bibliotheca (Pseudo-Apollodorus)|Apollodorus]], ''The Library'' with an English Translation by Sir James George Frazer, F.B.A., F.R.S. in 2 Volumes, Cambridge, MA, Harvard University Press; London, William Heinemann Ltd. 1921. {{ISBN|0-674-99135-4}}. [http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus:text:1999.01.0022 Online version at the Perseus Digital Library.] [http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus:text:1999.01.0021 Greek text available from the same website].
*[[Diodorus Siculus]], ''The Library of History'' translated by [[Charles Henry Oldfather]]. Twelve volumes. [[Loeb Classical Library]]. Cambridge, Massachusetts: Harvard University Press; London: William Heinemann, Ltd. 1989. Vol. 3. Books 4.59&ndash;8. [http://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Roman/Texts/Diodorus_Siculus/home.html Online version at Bill Thayer's Web Site]
*Diodorus Siculus, ''Bibliotheca Historica. Vol 1-2''. Immanel Bekker. Ludwig Dindorf. Friedrich Vogel. in aedibus B. G. Teubneri. Leipzig. 1888–1890. [http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus:text:2008.01.0540 Greek text available at the Perseus Digital Library].
*''The Homeric Hymns and Homerica'' with an English Translation by Hugh G. Evelyn-White. Homeric Hymns. Cambridge, MA., Harvard University Press; London, William Heinemann Ltd. 1914. [http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.01.0138%3Ahymn%3D2 Online version at the Perseus Digital Library.] [http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus:text:1999.01.0137 Greek text available from the same website].
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[[Category:Mythological Thracian women]]
[[Category:Eleusinian Mysteries]]
[[Category:Eleusinian mythology]]
[[Category:Deeds of Demeter]]
[[Category:Ancient Greek iambic poets| ]]
[[Category:Legendary Greek poets]]

[[fr:Ïambe]]