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Galanthis, a MythSource painting
Greek

Galanthis

01Identity

Galanthis in Greek tradition

In Henry T. Riley's 1889 rendering of Ovid, Galanthis assists at Alcmena's labour while Juno interferes. She misleads a separate, unnamed goddess at the altar; Alcmena gives birth, and the goddess transforms Galanthis's arms into forefeet. The story says Galanthis remains active and visits Alcmena afterward. This is a literary transformation, not a historical event.

SourceThe Metamorphoses of Ovid: Book IX, p. 314

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02The myths

The myths of Galanthis

1 myth, with sources recorded for each.

Galanthis deceives the goddess and is transformed

In Henry T. Riley's 1889 English rendering of Ovid's Metamorphoses, Galanthis is an attendant who helps at Alcmena's obstructed labour. Juno is interfering, while a separate, unnamed goddess sits at the altar. Galanthis tells her that the child has arrived. Her deception creates an opening for Alcmena's labour to proceed.

The goddess retaliates by changing Galanthis's arms into forefeet. The story says Galanthis remains active afterward and continues to visit Alcmena's home. This is a literary metamorphosis, not a historical account.

Galanthis deceives the goddess and is transformed, a MythSource painting of the scene

1 source· checked 2026-09-29

  1. 1The Metamorphoses of OvidT1