Niobe/Definition

In Greek mythology, the Thebian queen and sister of Tantalos. She suffered from excessive pride and boasting that she was better than a goddess, since she had fourteen children but the goddess Leto only had two. Apollo and Artemis killed all fourteen of Niob's children and the story serves as a lesson in mortality, that is, humans are not gods, can die at any time and accordingly should be humble. According to one story, Niope turns into a cliffside with water running down representing her never ceasing tears of sadness after losing all her children.