Aura in the ancient sources

Ancient Sources / Figures / Aura

6 passages from 2 ancient authors that tell of Aura, in the original with English translation, author by author in the order the Greeks read them. Aura was a deity that represented the gentle breeze of the early morning. It appeared both in Greek and Roman mythology. She was the daughter of Lelan... For the story in one place, read our article on Aura.

Ovid (1)

Ovid, Metamorphoses 7.792–865The death of ProcrisCephalus, who loves to hunt, calls on Aura, the breeze, to cool him, and someone who overhears thinks that he is speaking of a mistress. He tells Procris, who hides in the thicket to see, and when she moves in the bushes Cephalus, thinking she is a wild animal, throws the spear. Procris dies in his arms, begging him never to marry Aura, and Aeacus and his sons come in.

Nonnus of Panopolis (5)

Nonnus of Panopolis, Dionysiaca 48.474–652Book 48: Dionysos' wine-spring and the sleeping AuraLovesick and unable to speak to the unyielding Aura, Dionysos sees the shade of Ariadne reproach him in a dream. Remembering how he won another nymph by a potion, he opens a spring of wine on the rock when Aura is parched with thirst at midday. She drinks, falls asleep, and Dionysos binds her hands and feet and takes her while she sleeps.
Nonnus of Panopolis, Dionysiaca 48.811–978Book 48: Aura's twins; her transformation; Iacchos and the end of Dionysos' wanderingsNicaia consoles Aura, and Artemis taunts her before the twins are born. Aura abandons the babes to a lioness, but a panther suckles them, and she then devours one of them and, in shame, throws herself into the Sangarios, where Zeus changes her into a fountain. Artemis takes the surviving boy to Dionysos, and Nicaia nurses him. Athena and the Athenians honour him as Iacchos, and Dionysos sets Ariadne's crown in the sky and goes up to Olympos to sit beside Apollo.
Nonnus of Panopolis, Dionysiaca 48.328–473Book 48: Aura insults Artemis; Nemesis is sent against herBathing beside Artemis, Aura stares at the goddess and mocks her breasts and her claim to virginity, boasting of her own boyish strength. Artemis, furious, appeals to Nemesis for vengeance. Nemesis pursues Aura in her griffin car and strikes her with her whip, and Eros makes Dionysos mad with love for the girl.
Nonnus of Panopolis, Dionysiaca 48.182–327Book 48: Dionysos kills Sithon and weds Pallene; the huntress AuraDionysos kills Sithon with his thyrsus and gives the weapon to Pallene as a love-gift. The Nereids and the sea-gods sing at the wedding, and Dionysos consoles the bride. The poet then introduces Aura, daughter of the Titan Lelantos, a manlike huntress who knows nothing of love, and who drives Artemis's car to the river Sangarios on a hot noon.
Nonnus of Panopolis, Dionysiaca 48.653–810Book 48: Aura's madness and her labourAura wakes to find herself violated and, in her frenzy, kills herdsmen, hunters and vintagers across the hills. She finds that she is pregnant and thinks of killing herself and the child, and Echo answers her cries. In her labour she refuses to call on Artemis, and Artemis delays the birth to punish her.