In Ovid’s Book IV of the Metamorphoses, the tale about the pool of Salmacis, a cursed fountain, is told. It is brought up while the daughters of Minyas are weaving. They are telling different love stories, such as Pyramus and Thisbe and the story of Mars and Venus, and then Venus’ revenge. Finally, comes the tale of Salmacis and Hermaphroditus, which is told by Alcithoë. She explains that the fountain, which now has a wicked reputation, will weaken any man who enters is. It is all due to story of Hermaphroditus and Salmacis. Hermaphroditus, identifiable by visual traits from both his parents, Hermes and Aphrodite, two gods, was fifteen years old at the time of the story. He left his home in Ida and the mountains to explore the rest of the world. The story also features Salmacis, a water nymph who did not enjoy hunting. Whenever they were hunting, her fellow sisters would always scold her for being calm, combing her hair, or looking at herself in the water. Salamcis was the only Naiad that Diana did not know, due to Salmacis’ lack of skill and effort. Hermaphroditus came upon this water, clear and surrounded by only the greenest of grass, and was intrigued. Salmacis was gathering flowers near the water when she saw Hermaphroditus. As soon as she saw him, she knew she wanted him, but controlled herself a little bit. She called to him, “Are you a god? I think you are Cupid. If you are not a god, how lucky your parents are! And your bride, if you have one! If there is no bride, let us marry.” Hermaphroditus rejects her, so she goes into the water and attacks him. In return to this assault, he tries to fight against her, but is unsuccessful. After she notices his unwillingness, she begs the gods to never let there be a day they they are not together, and the gods listen. In return, they morph the two bodies into one. Hermaphroditus shouted “Mother and Father, please grant me this wish! Everyone who enters this fountain is turned into half man and weakened as soon as they touch the waters.” They granted this wish to their son and made the waters of the fountain turn all trespassers into half a man, and make them weak. It is unusual to hear a myth about a female raping a male. From this story, Salmacis has been labelled as the only nymph who attempted rape in greek mythology.