Taygete was a Pleiad Nymph in Greek Mythology.
Genealogy and Family[]
Modern art of Taygete from https://paintbynumbers.uk/products/goddess-of-beauty-new-paint-by-numbers/
Taygete was born to the Titans, Pleione and Atlas as one of the seven Pleiades. Her other siblings are The Hyades Nymphs, and Hyas, a minor god of seasonal rains. According to Pausanias, she was loved by Zeus and they had: Lacedaemon, the ancestor of the Kings of Sparta and Eurotas, a Laconian King.
Role and Significance[]
As a Pleiad, Taygete could bring forth rain. She is known as "The Laconian Pleiad Nymph" for living on Mount Taygetos (which was also named after her) on Laconia. Taygete was also a companion to Artemis.
Myths[]
According to some traditions, Taygete refused to yield to the embraces of Zeus, and in order to secure her against him, Artemis metamorphosed her into a cow. Taygete showed her gratitude towards Artemis by dedicating to her the Cerynitian hind with golden antlers. Some traditions, moreover, state that by Tantalus she became the mother of Pelops. As one of The Pleiades she would later be turned into a star by Zeus, which is part of the aptly named Pleiades constellation.
Trivia[]
The Pleiades Constellation is one of the best studied Constellations by scientists
Her Greek name is Ταυγετα, also spelt as Τηυγετη which means 'of Mount Taygetus'.