Epimeliades
nymphs of the sheep and highland pastures. They protected the sheep flocks and goat herds
Epimeliades were nymphs of mountain meadow pastures, the protectors of sheep flocks and goat herds. They were sometimes also the guardians of fruit-trees. The name Epimelides was derived from the Greek words epi- "protector" and melon "sheep" or "apple-tree." The dual meaning of the latter gave them their double role.
In genealogical terms the Epimelides were not a clearly defined class of nymph. Their numbers seemed to have included Okeanides and Oreiades, as well as daughters of Helios the sun, and of the rustic gods Hermes, Seilenos and Pan. Even Nereides, such as Galateia and Psamathe, sometimes assumed the role of Epimelides in myth.
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