Cretan Iphis

Ligdus told his pregnant wife Telethusa that he wanted a son. He said their means were too small to raise a daughter, and asked her to kill the child if it was born female. Telethusa pleaded with him, but his decision did not change. Near the time of birth, Isis appeared to Telethusa in a dream, surrounded by her attendants and sacred symbols. The goddess told her to ignore her husband's command and raise the child, whatever it might be. Telethusa woke relieved. When she gave birth to a girl, she hid the truth from Ligdus and the household. The child was called Iphis, a name the account says suited either sex, and was dressed and raised as a boy. Ligdus believed the story and promised Iphis in marriage to Ianthe, daughter of Telestes. The two were the same age, learned together, and fell in love. Ianthe expected to marry a man; Iphis loved her but feared that two women could not be joined as spouses.

As the wedding approached, Iphis tried to reason away the impossible match, while Ianthe continued to hope for their union. Telethusa delayed the ceremony with excuses, but when only one day remained, she went with Iphis to Isis's temple. She prayed for help and reminded the goddess that she had followed the dream's command. The altars moved and Isis's sistrum sounded. As mother and child left the temple, Iphis's features and strength changed. The account declares Iphis a man, then describes the offerings made at the temple and the inscription added at the temple: the gifts had been vowed while female and were now offered by a male.