Meaning of hipsipila by JOHN

HIPSIPILA tais hipsipila, without accent, is an alpine butterfly that constitutes a pest. HIPSIPALA, with an accent, was the queen of the island of Lemnos, close to Turkey, whose women killed all men for their sexual involvement with Thracian women. HIPSIPILA saved his father by stuffing him into a wooden chest and throwing him into the sea. A short time later Jason and the Argonauts arrived on the island looking for the Golden Fleece. Hypsipila became involved with Jason from whom he had a son Continuing his journey, Jason promised him eternal fidelity, but betrayed her and never returned as he married Medea, daughter of the king of Colchis. The others learned of the rescue and the queen had to flee. Pirates sold her as a slave, becoming an aya of Lycurgus' son.