What is erigone?

Erigone is a Greek mythological character who is typically referred to as the daughter of Icarius, the king of Athens. She is known for her story of grief and vengeance, which is often associated with the constellation Virgo. According to the myth, Erigone's father Icarius introduced wine to the people of Athens. However, when some shepherds drank too much and became drunk, they believed that they had been poisoned by Icarius. In their drunken rage, they killed him and buried his body in a vineyard.

When Erigone discovered her father's body, she was overcome with grief and hanged herself from a tree. The goddess Athena, moved by Erigone's tragedy, placed her among the stars as the constellation Virgo. As a result, Erigone is often depicted as a young woman with a basket of grapes or as a maiden holding a sheaf of wheat. The story of Erigone is seen as a cautionary tale about the dangers of excess and the importance of moderation.