Literary Characters Names, Mythological Names, Greek Names, Greek Mythological Names, Royal Names

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In Greek mythology, there were several characters named Eurydice. The most famous Eurydice is the wife of the famed poet and singer Orpheus.

The story of Eurydice and Orfeus was recorded by Ovid and became a popular theme in Renaissance art. The dryad Eurydice died of a snake bite on her wedding day. Out of love for her, her husband decended into the Hades to ask Death himself to have her back. In exchange for a song, Orfeus won his love back but on one condition. He should leave Hades and Eurydice would follow; but Orfeus could not look back if indeed she was or she would be lost forever. Because Orfeus did not hear any footsteps he did look back and Eurydice was forced to re-enter Hades.

Besides the works of Ovid, Claudio Monteverdi, Christoph Gluck and Jean Cocteau also wrote of Eurydice.

Several Queens of Macedonia had the name Eurydice.