GALINTHIAS

Latin Galanthis, in Greek mythology, a friend, or servant, of Alcmene, who bore Zeus's son Heracles (Hercules). While Alcmene was in labour, Zeus's jealous wife, Hera, goddess of childbirth, was clasping her hands, thus by magic preventing delivery. To foil this, Galinthias rushed in to Hera and falsely announced that Alcmene had given birth to a son, so causing Hera to relax. Thus the charm was broken, and Alcmene gave birth to Heracles. As punishment, Hera transformed Galinthias into a weasel or (according to Ovid) a lizard. The goddess Hecate, however, took pity on her and made her her attendant, and Heracles later made a sanctuary for her.