Nyctimene, a figure from Greek and Roman mythology, is a princess with a harrowing story. The daughter of Epopeus, the king of Lesbos, she suffered a terrible fate that led to her transformation into an owl by the goddess Athena. This transformation bestowed upon the owl a significant symbolism closely associated with Athena herself.

The name Nyctimene carries a profound meaning rooted in the Greek language. It is derived from the words "nyx," meaning "night," and "meno," meaning "I stay." Thus, Nyctimene is often interpreted as "she who stays up at night," referring to the owl's nocturnal nature. Another proposed etymology suggests that her name could translate to "moon of the night," but this would require a slightly different spelling. Both interpretations highlight the owl's strong connection to the night.

According to the myth, Nyctimene's father, Epopeus, harbored dark desires for her and committed a heinous act of rape. Overwhelmed by shame and guilt, Nyctimene sought solace in the depths of the forest, refusing to reveal herself during daylight. In her compassion for Nyctimene, the goddess Athena intervened and transformed her into the owl, which became an enduring symbol associated with Athena.

In Ovid's Metamorphoses, Nyctimene's transformation into an owl is described as a punishment for "desecrating her father's bed." While the text does not provide further details regarding whether she was raped, seduced, or the seducer herself, the implication of her involvement in an incestuous relationship is strongly suggested. Nyctimene's story is narrated by Corone, the crow, who laments the usurpation of her place as Minerva's sacred bird by Nyctimene, a creature so consumed by shame that she hides from the light of day.

Various interpretations and variations of Nyctimene's myth exist. Servius suggests that Nyctimene's shame stemmed from the realization that she had slept with her father, possibly indicating some form of trickery involved. Another source mentions that Nyctimene was violated by a visiting guest named Corymbus instead of her Father Epopeus. In an alternative version of her story, referred to as Nyctaea, mentioned in pseudo-Lactantius Placidus's commentary on the Thebaid, further details and variations unfold.

Despite the variations in her story, Nyctimene's transformation into an owl remains a tragic tale with profound symbolism. The owl, now closely associated with Athena, serves as a reminder of the consequences of forbidden desires and the enduring effects of shame and guilt.