Legend: the Cyclops and the Nereid Galatea
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- The Cyclops and Galatea
CyclopsOn the island now known as Sicily, near the volcano Etna, lived a Cyclops named Polyphemus, son of the god Poseidon and the nymph Thoosa. He lived in a great cave, herded sheep and goats, and loved their meat, milk, and cheese. But above all, he adored raw human flesh. Because of this, the island had a terrible reputation, and those who knew of it avoided it and never dared approach.
One day, the Cyclops noticed the beautiful nereid Galatea rising among the waves, and instantly fell hopelessly in love with her. He forgot everything else in the world — his flocks, and even the people who landed on the island. He began calling out to Galatea and paying her compliments, but she never answered, and only hid within her father's underwater palace. She was afraid not for herself, but for her beloved, Acis, son of Pan — for disaster would follow if the Cyclops ever learned of him.
The nereid Galatea and AcisThe two lovers met in secret, but, to their great misfortune, the Cyclops spotted them with his enormous eye and gave chase. Galatea dove into the sea, while Acis was crushed beneath a massive boulder that Polyphemus hurled at him. From beneath the rock burst a stream of blood, which later became a river. From time to time, Galatea returns there, gazes into the water, and mourns for her beloved. And to this day, that river is called the Acis.
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