Dryads

DRIADI. – Minor Greek divinities. They are the nymphs of trees; they play with Pan, the satyrs, and the fauns. Generally, they were not considered immortal.

They belong to mythology, not to worship: indeed, their name occurs especially among Greek and Roman grammarians and antiquarians, who divided the nymphs into numerous categories; in worship, only the nymphs in general are mentioned. Like other rustic divinities, however, they were important in popular beliefs and superstitions.

Luisa Banti

Cite this article

“DRIADI.” Enciclopedia Cattolica, vol. IV (1950), p. 1121. Azione Romana digital edition, https://azioneromana.com/article/driadi.