Daphnis

Greek The son of Hermes and a Sicilian Nymph; inventor of simple, countrylike poetry. In one account, Daphnis was untrue to the nymph, Nomia, who loved him, so she blinded him in revenge. After that, Daphnis sang the sad but beautiful songs that are associated with pastoral music. His father, Hermes, at last took pity on his son and led him up to Olympus. Another account has it that Daphnis was incapable of love, a fact that made Aphrodite, goddess of love, so angry that she afflicted him with everlasting sadness and longing. Some say that Pan taught Daphnis to play the pipes, and that Daphnis was a love interest of Apollo and hunted with Artemis, though other accounts have it that it was Daphnis's father, Hermes, who enjoyed these privileges.