Iphis and Ianthe

Isis appears promising help.

"Not far from Knossos* lived a man

Ligdus by name, of humble family,

Freeborn but hardly known, nor did his purse

Surpass his pedigree, though none could blame

His life or probity."

(*The term "palace" may be misleading; Knossos was an intricate collection of over 1000 interlocking rooms, some of which served as artisans' workrooms and food processing centres (e.g. wine presses). It served as a central storage point, and a religious and administrative centre. )

Otherwise today Ligdus would be judged a "wrongheaded Cretan" in the pejorative sense when he observes:

"Girls are more burdensome"

Telethus, wife of Ligdus, is caused "carking cares" when he announces "
And fate denies our means.

If--heaven forbid!--

The babe should chance to be a girl--she must die".

----------------Time passes--------------

Telethus on the midnight eve of birthing

"She saw before her bed, or seemed to see
As in a dream, great Isis with her train
Of holy deities. Upon her brow
There stood the crescent moon-horns, garlanded
With glittering heads of golden grain, and grace
Of royal dignity..."
And then the goddess spoke:
"Play false your husband's order; when the toils
Of birth are done, be sure you rear the babe,
Whatever it shall be. I answer prayers;
I am the goddess of good hope; I help
In time of need; you never shall complain
You worshipped an ungrateful deity."

(unknow to Ligdus) Iphis is born a girl but raised as a boy; At 13 Ligdus arranges 'his' marriage to Ianthe a lovely girl. Lots of stress ensues! But on the eve of the wedding Isis shows up and metamorphoses Iphis into a man. All ends well.

Isis changing the sex of Iphis. Engraving by Bauer.

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