Among the Greek islands, _Aegina_ and _Salamis_ were supposed to have derived their names from Nymphs beloved of Zeus and Poseidon, who are represented pursuing these quasi-personified figures[994]; we may also regard Europa as coming under that category.[995] Zeus also pursues _Taygeta_, who is connected with the mountain in Laconia.[996] On one vase we find the names of the islands _Delos_, _Euboea_, and _Lemnos_,[997] given, presumably in pure fancy, to two Maenads and a Satyr in a Dionysiac scene where all the figures are named. A more genuine instance is that of the Nymph _Krete_ on the Talos vase, indicating the locality.[998]
Turning to other geographical features, we have Mount _Olympos_ transformed into a lyre-playing companion of Satyrs[999]; or, again, river-gods such as _Acheloös_, who as a combination of man and bull, or with a fish-body like Triton, wrestles with Herakles.[1000] The river _Nile_ appears once, but not personified—only as an indication of landscape.[1001] In connection with the city of Thebes we find personifications of the local river _Ismenos_ and the local fountain-Nymphs _Dirke_ and _Krenaia_.[1002]
III. Natural products, such as Oinos (Wine) and Opora (Harvest), are only found personified among the Dionysiac conceptions with which we have already dealt (p. 65); to these two names we may add those of Hedyoinos (Sweet Wine), Kissos (Ivy), Kalyke (Bud), and Rodo (Rose), the three latter coming more under the heading of pet-names than of strict personifications.
IV. Our next class includes certain groups of personages (all feminine) which for the most part hold their own throughout all periods of art and literature, and are, so to speak, more crystallised into definite mythological personages, associated with the gods and human beings of the legendary ages. These are the Muses, the Charites or Graces, the Horae or Seasons, the Moirae or Fates, and the Erinnyes or Furies.
=The Muses= do not appear so frequently in vase-paintings as in sculpture, and mostly on later vases. Two fine R.F. examples of the whole nine (with their appropriate attributes) call for mention[1003]; other vases give a more limited number, or even single figures[1004]; but it must be remembered that in such cases identification is difficult, as characterisation by means of a lyre or scenic mask does not necessarily connote the presence of a Muse. On one vase Terpsichore is seen with two figures inscribed as Mousaios and Melousa[1005]; but these may be no more than fancy names for an ordinary group of musicians. Five of them are seen in a group with Apollo, Thamyris, and Sappho,[1006] and elsewhere they accompany Apollo.[1007]