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Eileithyia

Mythology
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

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The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

Greek goddess who presides over childbirth and midwifery, aiding women in labor as daughter of Zeus and Hera.

Detailed Definition
Ilithyia is the Roman-influenced spelling of Eileithyia, retaining her role as divine midwife and controller of birth. She appears in Homeric and later texts. Poets use Ilithyia to symbolize the threshold of life, maternal suffering, and divine timing in hymnal, tragic, and ritual poetry.
Example
Example in poetry:
Eileithyia, goddess of childbirth, appears in Homer and Hesiod; Poets invoke Eileithyia to bless or curse labor; In Homeric Hymn 25, she eases Leto’s birth of Apollo—ideal for divine midwifery; “Eileithyia’s hands” might describe safe delivery; She embodies the peril and promise of new life.

Ilithyia, alternate spelling of Eileithyia (goddess of childbirth); Examples identical to 16576: Ilithyia, goddess of childbirth, appears in Homer and Hesiod; Poets invoke Ilithyia to bless or curse labor; In Homeric Hymn 25, she eases Leto’s birth of Apollo—ideal for divine midwifery; “Ilithyia’s hands” might describe safe delivery; She embodies the peril and promise of new life.
Additional Notes
Eileithyia, goddess of childbirth, is invoked in labor—her presence eases or delays birth per Hera’s will (e.g., in Leto’s labor). Hesiod names her Zeus and Hera’s daughter; cults existed in Crete and Argos. Poets call on her in birth scenes or laments for stillbirth—her dual power reflects the peril and hope of delivery, central to female experience in ancient narrative.

Ilithyia is an alternate spelling of Eileithyia, goddess of childbirth—used in Homeric and Cretan contexts. The variation reflects regional dialects (e.g., Linear B tablets). No functional difference exists; both refer to the same deity. Poets may choose spelling for metrical or archaic effect, but meaning remains consistent: divine midwifery and the perils of labor.
Also Known As
Eilithyia Ilithyia
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