Phaennu

Phaennu is a figure appearing in select ancient Greek texts, most notably in the writings attributed to Hesiod. While details are scarce, Phaennu is generally presented as a daughter of Hellen, the mythical ancestor of the Hellenes (Greeks). Hellen, in turn, was the son of Deucalion and Pyrrha, the sole survivors of the great flood. Phaennu's mother is often cited as Orseis, though other lineages are occasionally proposed.

The significance of Phaennu lies in her role as a progenitor within Greek mythology. She is typically described as having children who became the ancestors of various Greek tribes or peoples. The exact number and names of these offspring vary across different accounts, reflecting the fluid nature of ancient genealogical traditions. Some sources name her sons as Aeolus, Dorus, and Xuthus, who are credited with founding important branches of the Greek population. These genealogies served to explain the origins and relationships of different Greek city-states and their perceived cultural connections. Phaennu herself does not typically feature in narrative myths with individual exploits or actions, her importance being primarily symbolic and genealogical.