Hermaphroditus - God of Effeminate Men in Greek and Roman Mythology
The legend says Hermaphroditus wandered into the woods of Caria and saw the nymph Salmacis in her pool. Salmacis fell in love with Hermaphroditus but he rejected her advances because of his teenage years. Later Salmacis found the boy in the pool and wrapped herself around him entreating the gods to unite her with him in an everlasting bond. The gods answered her prayer and joined their bodies together so both were afterwards one person. Hermaproditus's parents answered his prayer that any man bathing in the pool became soft and effeminate.
Hermaphroditus is depicted with male and female bodyparts or a man who can transform into a woman. In myths, hermaphrodite's roles in Greek society was that of a male. Hermaphrodites were considered to be an extension of the beauty of their race but the Romans did not share this opinion.
The word hermaphrodite is derived from the legend and used in modern medical terminology.
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