Narcissus, known for his beauty, was the son of the river god Cephissus and the nymph Liriope. He was desired by women and men alike but rejected each of them. He similarly dismissed the nymph Echo, who had been deprived of speech by the goddess Hera and could only repeat the last words spoken to her. After being spurned by Narcissus, the heartbroken Echo faded away, leaving behind only her voice. Narcissus was subsequently punished by Nemesis, the goddess of retribution, who caused him to fall in love with his own reflection, causing him to pine away (or kill himself). In some versions Narcissus attracted divine vengeance for his rejection of the young man Ameinia.
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