In Greek mythology, Amalthea was the goat that nourished the infant Zeus.
Rhea concealed Zeus in Crete to prevent Cronus from swallowing him. Ancient and later sources describe Amalthea as a nurturing goat, although some versions instead call Amalthea a nymph who cared for the goat. This variation explains why the name can refer both to a creature and to a divine foster figure.
A broken horn of Amalthea became the cornucopia, or horn of plenty, in later mythology. The horn was said to provide an endless supply of food and drink. Zeus also placed Amalthea among the stars, where she is traditionally connected with the constellation Capricornus, although ancient identifications vary.
Amalthea is often confused with the goat’s horn itself. The horn is commonly called the Cornucopia, while Amalthea is the name of Zeus’s nurse or nourishing goat in the mythological tradition.