I. HEROIC CONCEPTIONS

Because the mythic hero must be able to cross the boundaries that separate our world from that of the gods, to make accessible to mortals that wondrous but forbidden world, the mythic hero must have a mythic passport, i.e., divine parentage (something the established "pattern" waters down to include "royal parentage" ). This commingling of divine and mortal will allow him to act beyond the ordinary limits of humanity, an essential characteristic of the mythic hero. Divine conceptions of mythic heroes may be accomplished in several ways. The trickster-god motif is used by a god when he disguises himself as a woman's husband in order to gain access to her sexually. She then has intercourse with her real husband and eventually gives birth to twins of different fathers. This is not an uncommon tale in classical mythology, but it does not offer any great opportunity to artists, since an illustration of the moment of such a heroic conception would show only what appeared to be man and wife. Heracles, the model mythic hero for today's talk, is the product of such a union between his mother, Alcmene and Zeus, king of the Greek pantheon. Born Alcides, our mythic hero is the son of Zeus and is therefore half-divine; his twin Iphicles is the mortal offspring of Alcmene's husband, Amphytrion. Heracles' paternity will be a never-ending source of pain during his life, for as the bastard son of Zeus he will continually suffer in the throes of Hera's jealousy.

Some versions of Leda's story - another old chestnut - use the same trickster-god format: that Zeus lay with her in the guise of her husband, followed by her actual husband, and she then gave birth to two sets of twins, Helen and Clytemnestra and Polydeuces (or Pollux) and Castor, the first of each set being the divine child of Zeus and the other the mortal child of Leda's husband Tyndareos. But another, more spectacular version of this heroic conception has been popularized by artists ancient and modern:

http://lilt.ilstu.edu/drjclassics/lectures/MythicHero/mythichero.shtm

I. HEROIC CONCEPTIONS

Because the mythic hero must be able to cross the boundaries that separate our world from that of the gods, to make accessible to mortals that wondrous but forbidden world, the mythic hero must have a mythic passport, i.e., divine parentage (something the established "pattern" waters down to include "royal parentage" ). This commingling of divine and mortal will allow him to act beyond the ordinary limits of humanity, an essential characteristic of the mythic hero. Divine conceptions of mythic heroes may be accomplished in several ways. The trickster-god motif is used by a god when he disguises himself as a woman's husband in order to gain access to her sexually. She then has intercourse with her real husband and eventually gives birth to twins of different fathers. This is not an uncommon tale in classical mythology, but it does not offer any great opportunity to artists, since an illustration of the moment of such a heroic conception would show only what appeared to be man and wife. Heracles, the model mythic hero for today's talk, is the product of such a union between his mother, Alcmene and Zeus, king of the Greek pantheon. Born Alcides, our mythic hero is the son of Zeus and is therefore half-divine; his twin Iphicles is the mortal offspring of Alcmene's husband, Amphytrion. Heracles' paternity will be a never-ending source of pain during his life, for as the bastard son of Zeus he will continually suffer in the throes of Hera's jealousy.

Some versions of Leda's story - another old chestnut - use the same trickster-god format: that Zeus lay with her in the guise of her husband, followed by her actual husband, and she then gave birth to two sets of twins, Helen and Clytemnestra and Polydeuces (or Pollux) and Castor, the first of each set being the divine child of Zeus and the other the mortal child of Leda's husband Tyndareos. But another, more spectacular version of this heroic conception has been popularized by artists ancient and modern:

http://lilt.ilstu.edu/drjclassics/lectures/MythicHero/mythichero.shtm

KOIOS
 
Greek: KoioV Transliteration:
Koios Translation:
Inquisitiveness / Curiousity
Latin: Coeus Roman Name: Polus    

KOIOS was the TITAN of the questioning intellect and the husband of Phoibe goddesss of the answering intellect. Presumably these two complemented each other and acted as the primal font of all knowledge. Their grandchildren Apollon god of knowledge and Hekate goddess of witchcraft inherited their supreme intellect.

At the end of the Titan-War he was cast into Tartaros with the rest of his brothers. Zeus later released them from this prison and made Kronos King of Elysium. Presumably the other Titanes settled there as well.

Parents

(1) OURANOS & GAIA (Theogony 132, Apollodorus 1.8, Diodorus Siculus 5.66.1, Hyginus Pref)
(2) GAIA (Aeneid 4.174)

Offspring

(1) LETO, ASTERIA (by Phoibe) (Theogony 404, Apollodorus 1.9, Hyginus Pref)
(2) LETO (by Phoibe) (Diodorus Siculus 5.67.1)
(3) LETO (Homeric Hymn III, Pindar Processional Song on Delos, Sappho Frag 44A, Metamorphoses 6.186, Hyginus Fab 140)

"She [Gaia] lay with Ouranos and bare deep-swirling Okeanos, Koios and Krios and Hyperion and Iapetos, Theia and Rhea, Themis and Mnemosyne and gold-crowned Phoibe and lovely Tethys. After them was born Kronos." -Theogony 132-137

"Again, Phoibe came to the desired embrace of Koios. Then the goddess through the love of the god conceived and brought forth dark-gowned Leto ... Also she bare Asteria." -Theogony 404-410

"Leto, most glorious daughter of great Koios." -Homeric Hymn III to Delian Apollo 61

"The Titanes had children ... The children of Koeus and Phoibe were Asteria and Leto." -Apollodorus 1.8-9

“One the road from Andania towards Kyparissiai is Polikhne [in Messenia], as it is called, and the streams of Elektra and Koios. The names perhaps are to be connected with Elektra the daughter of Atlas and Koios the father of Leto.” –Pausanias 4.33.6

“The Titanes numbered six men and five women, being born, as certain writers of myths relate, of Ouranos and Ge, but according to others, of one of the Kouretes and Titaia, from whom as their mother they derive the name they have. The males were Kronos, Hyperion, Koios, Iapetos, Krios and Okeanos, and their sisters were Rhea, Themis, Mnemosyne, Phoibe and Tethys [he omits Theia]. Each one of them was the discover of things of benefit to mankind, and because of the benefaction they conferred upon all men they were accorded honours and everlasting fame.” –Diodorus Siculus 5.66.1

“To Koios and Phoibe was born Leto.” –Diodorus Siculus 5.67.1

"From Polus [Koios] and Phoebe [were born]: Latone, Asterie." -Hyginus Preface

"Latona [Leto] that Titanis [she-Titan], whom Coeus sired, whoever he may be." -Metamorphoses 6.185

"The legend is that enraged with the gods, Terra [Gaia] produced this creature [Pheme] her last child, as a sister to Enceladus and Coeus." -Aeneid 4.174

“Coeus in the lowest pit [of Tartaros] burst the adamantine bonds and trailing Jove’s [Zeus’[ fettering chains invokes Saturnus [Kronos] and Tityus, and in his madness conceives a hope of scaling heaven, yet though he repass the rivers and the gloom the hound of the Furiai [Kerberos] and the sprawling Hydra’s crest repel him.” –Valerius Flaccus 3.224

Sources:

* Hesiod, Theogony - Greek Epic C8th-7th BC
* The Homeric Hymns - Greek Epic C8th-4th BC
* Apollodorus, The Library - Greek Mythography C2nd BC
* Pausanias, Guide to Greece - Greek Geography C2nd AD
* Diodorus Siculus, The Library of History - Greek History C1st BC
* Hyginus, Preface - Latin Mythography C2nd AD
* Ovid, Metamorphoses - Latin Epic C1st BC - C1st AD
* Valerius Flaccus, The Argonautica – Latin Epic C1st AD

THE THEOI TITANES 

Greek Singular:
Greek Plural: Titan QeoV
TitaneV Qeoi Transliteration: Titan Theos
Titanes Theoi Translation: Straining-Gods
Other Names: OuraniwdeV
OuranidhV
Ouranidai
Akmonidai Transliteration: Ouraniôdes
Ouranidês
Ouranidai
Akmonidai Translation: Sons of Ouranos
Sons of Ouranos
Sons of Akmon
Latin Spelling: Titan Titani        
 
THE TITANES were six sons of Ouranos. All of them except Okeanos participated in the overthrow and castration of Ouranos. According to some Okeanos or Ophion assumed the throne and ruled briefly before being cast back into his earth-encircling stream by Kronos.

The Golden Age of mankind lived during the rule of Kronos and the Titanes. This race of man was created by Prometheus and lived in peace and harmony, blessed with the fruits of the earth which grew freely in a garden of Eden-like paradise.

The Titanes were jealous of their privileges and refused to devolve any power to the younger generations of gods. Zeus led these in rebellion and after a violent ten year war the Titanes were overthrown and cast into Tartaros. Okeanos and the Titanides who had remained neutral in the war remained free.

Many human generations later, at the end of the Age of Heroes, the Titanes were released from their prison by Zeus. He made Kronos king of the Elysian Islands to rule over the shades of the Heroes. The rest of the Titanes presumably also settled there.

Many of the sons of the Titanes were also called Titanes - such as Atlas, Prometheus, Epimetheus, Helios, Astraios, Perses and Pallas. Some of these sided with their fathers in the War, but others like Helios and Prometheus became allies of Zeus.

Parents

(1) OURANOS & GAIA (Theogony 133, Orphic Hymn 37, Alcman Frag 61, Prometheus Bound 204, Apollodorus 1.1, Diodorus Siculus 5.66.1, Hyginus Pref)
(2) A KOURETE & TITAIA (Diodorus Siculus 5.66.1)

Names of the Elder Six Titanes

(1) OKEANOS, KOIOS, KRIOS, HYPERION, IAPETOS, KRONOS (Theogony 133, Apollodorus 1.1, Diodorus Siculus 5.66.1)
(2) OKEANOS, KOIOS, HYPERION, KRONOS (Hyginus Pref)
(3) IAPETOS, KRONOS, ADANOS, ASTASOS, ANDES, OLYMBROS (Stephanus of Byzantium)
(4) SYKEUS (Athenaeus 78a)
------------------------------------------------------------------------

NAMES OF TITANES (ELDER & YOUNGER)

ANYTOS One of the younger Titanes, Anytos was the foster-parent of Demeter's daughter Despoine.
ASTRAIOS The younger Titan-god of astrology and astronomy and an ally of Kronos in the Titan-War.
ATLAS The younger Titan-god of daring-thought. He was an ally of Kronos in the Titan-War and was punished by Zeus by being forced to bear the heavens upon his shoulders.
EPIMETHEUS They younger Titan-god of afterthought and an ally of Zeus in the Titan-War. He was Titan who created the animals of the earth, and was later tricked by Zeus into receiving Pandora and her box of evils.
HEKATEROS The younger Titan-god of hands and fingers. He was the father of the hand-skilled Daktyloi.
HELIOS The younger Titan-god of the sun who rode across the skies in a chariot drawn by fiery horses. He was an ally of Zeus in the Titan-War.
HYPERION The elder Titan-god of observation. He was an ally of Kronos in the Titan-War who was cast into Tartaros with his brothers.
IAPETOS The elder Titan-god of voice and thought. He was an ally of Kronos in the Titan-War who was cast into Tartaros with his brothers.
KOIOS The elder Titan-god of questioning intellect. He was an ally of Kronos in the Titan-War who was cast into Tartaros with his brothers.
KRIOS The elder Titan-god of mastery and lordship. He was an ally of Kronos in the Titan-War.
KRONOS The King of all the Titanes and the Titan-god of time. He was deposed by Zeus and cast into Tartaros at the end of the Titan-War. Zeus later released him and made him King of Elysium (the happy land of the favoured dead).
LELANTOS The younger Titan-god of being unobserved.
MENOITIOS The younger Titan-god of angry thoughts. He was an ally of Kronos in the Titan-War who was struck down by Zeus with a thunderbolt.
OKEANOS One of the elder Titanes and also a Protogenos (ancient elemental god). He was the Titan-God of the earth-encircling River Okeanos, the source of all fresh water on earth. He was neutral in the Titan-War.
OPHION The eldest of the Titanes who inherited the throne of Ouranos after the was castrated by Kronos. Kronos later wrestled him for the throne of heaven and cast him into Okeanos.
PALLAS The younger Titan-god of battle. He was an ally of Kronos in the Titan-War.
PERSES The younger Titan-god of (man-made) destruction. He was an ally of Kronos in the Titan-War.
PROMETHEUS The younger Titan-god of forethought and an ally of Zeus in the Titan-War. He molded the race of mankind out of clay and later stole fire from heaven to help his creation. Zeus chained him to Mt Kaukasos and set an eagle to gnaw his liver as punishment.
SYKEUS The elder Titan-god of the fig-tree who was hidden beneath the earth by Gaia saving him from the pursuit of Zeus.

KRIOS
 
Greek: KriwV Transliteration: Kriôs / Kreiôs Translation: Ruler / Lord / Master
Other Names: MegamhdeV Transliteration: Megamêdes Translation: Great Lord or King
Latin Spelling: Crius        

KRIOS was the TITAN-god of lordship and mastery who attained power over sky, sea, earth and underworld. His grand-daughter Hekate inherited powers over all of these as her birth-right.

At the end of the Titan-War he was cast into Tartaros with the rest of his brothers. Zeus later released them from this prison and Kronos became King of Elysium. Presumably the other Titanes settled in Elysium as well.

Parents

OURANOS & GAIA (Theogony 132, Apollodorus 1.8, Diodorus Siculus 5.66.1)

Offspring

(1) ASTRAIOS, PALLAS, PERSES (by Eurybia) (Theogony 375)
(2) PALLAS (Homeric Hymn IV)
(3) PYTHON (Pausanias 10.6.5)

"She [Gaia] lay with Ouranos and bare deep-swirling Okeanos, Koios and Krios and Hyperion and Iapetos, Theia and Rhea, Themis and Mnemosyne and gold-crowned Phoibe and lovely Tethys. After them was born Kronos." -Theogony 132-137

"And Eurybia, bright goddess, was joined in love to Krios and bare great Astraios, and Pallas, and Perses." -Theogony 375-377

"Bright Selene, daughter of the lord Pallas, Megamedes' son." -Homeric Hymn IV To Hermes 100-102

"The Titanes had children ... To Kreios and Eurybia, the daughter of Pontos, were born Astraios, Pallas, and Perses." -Apollodorus 1.8-9

“Rivers come down from the mountains above Pellene [in Akhaia], the one on the side nearest Aigeira being called Krios, after, it is said, the Titanos (Titan), which rises in Mount Sipylos and is a tributary of the Hermos.” -Pausanias 7.27.11

“The most widespread tradition [for the naming of Pytho, Phokis] has it that the victim of Apollon’s arrows rotted here, and that this was the reason why the city received the name Pytho ... The poets say that the victim of Apollon was a drakon posted by Ge to be a guard for the oracle. It is also said that he was a violent son of Krios, a man with authority around Euboia. He pillaged the sanctuary of the god, and he also pillaged the houses of rich men. But when he was making a second expedition, the Delphians besought Apollon to keep from them the danger that threatened them." -Pausanias 10.6.5

“The Titanes numbered six men and five women, being born, as certain writers of myths relate, of Ouranos and Ge, but according to others, of one of the Kouretes and Titaia, from whom as their mother they derive the name they have. The males were Kronos, Hyperion, Koios, Iapetos, Krios and Okeanos, and their sisters were Rhea, Themis, Mnemosyne, Phoibe and Tethys [he omits Theia]. Each one of them was the discover of things of benefit to mankind, and because of the benefaction they conferred upon all men they were accorded honours and everlasting fame.” –Diodorus Siculus 5.66.1

Sources:

* Hesiod, Theogony - Greek Epic C8th-7th BC
* The Homeric Hymns - Greek Epic C8th-4th BC
* Apollodorus, The Library - Greek Mythography C2nd BC
* Pausanias, Guide to Greece - Greek Geography C2nd AD
* Diodorus Siculus, The Library of History - Greek History C1st BC

IAPETOS
 
Greek: IapetoV Transliteration: Iapetos Translation: Winged-Voice
Latin Spelling: Iapetus        

IAPETOS was probably the TITAN-god of spoken voice and thought. His name derives from 'ia' (meaning voice) and 'petos' (winged) - a common poetic epithet for words and thoughts. He was the husband of Klymene the goddess of fame and infamy (things spread by voice) and the father of the four types of voice - Atlas the daring voice, Menoitios the angry voice, Prometheus the forethought, and Epimetheus the afterthought.

Iapetos appears to have been Kronos' general in the Titan-War and was cast into Tartaros by Zeus with the rest of his brothers. Zeus later released them from this prison and Kronos became King of Elysium. Presumably Iapetos and the other Titanes settled there as well.

Parents

(1) OURANOS & GAIA (Theogony 132, Apollodorus 1.8, Diodorus Siculus 5.66.1)
(2) TARTAROS & GAIA (author mistakes him for a Gigante) (Hyginus Pref)

Offspring

(1) ATLAS, PROMETHEUS, EPIMETHEUS, MENOITIOS (by Klymene) (Theogony 371, Apollodorus 1.9)
(2) ATLAS, PROMETHEUS, EPIMETHEUS, MENOITIOS (by Klymene) (Hyginus Pref)
(3) BOUPHAGOS (Pausanias 8.27.15)
(4) ANKHIALE (Stephenus Byzantium)

"She [Gaia] lay with Ouranos and bare deep-swirling Okeanos, Koios and Krios and Hyperion and Iapetos, Theia and Rhea, Themis and Mnemosyne and gold-crowned Phoibe and lovely Tethys. After them was born Kronos." -Theogony 132-137

"Now Iapetos took to wife the neat-ankled maid Klymene, daughter of Okeanos, and went up with her into one bed. And she bare him a stout-hearted son, Atlas: also she bare very glorious Menoitios and clever Prometheus, full of various wiles, and scatter-brained Epimetheus." -Theogony 507-511

“The undermost limits of earth and sea, where Iapetos and Kronos seated have no shining of the sun god Hyperion to delight them nor winds’ delight, but Tartaros stands deeply about them.” –Iliad 8.479f

“And of that race were sprung your ancestors, bearers of brazen shields, sons of the maids of the stock of Iapetos [ie the descendants of Deukalion & Pyrrha].” –Pindar Olympian 9 ep2

"The Titanes had children ... Atlas (who holds the sky on his shoulders), Prometheus, Epimetheous, and Menoitios (whom Zues struck with a thunderbolt in the Titane battle and confined to Tartaros), were all sons of Iapetos and Asia." -Apollodorus 1.8-9

“The river {Bouphagos] got its name, they say, from the hero Bouphagos, the son of Iapetos and Thornax. This is what they call her in Lakonia also. They also say that Artemis shot Bouphagos on Mount Pholoe because he attempted an unholy sin against her godhead.” -Pausanias 8.27.15

“The Titanes numbered six men and five women, being born, as certain writers of myths relate, of Ouranos and Ge, but according to others, of one of the Kouretes and Titaia, from whom as their mother they derive the name they have. The males were Kronos, Hyperion, Koios, Iapetos, Krios and Okeanos, and their sisters were Rhea, Themis, Mnemosyne, Phoibe and Tethys [he omits Theia]. Each one of them was the discover of things of benefit to mankind, and because of the benefaction they conferred upon all men they were accorded honours and everlasting fame.” –Diodorus Siculus 5.66.1

“To Iapetos was born Prometheus.” –Diodorus Siculus 5.67.1

"From Iapetus and Clymene [were born]: Atlas, Epimetheus, Prometheus." -Hyginus Preface

“It was only after the battle with fierce Iapetus [general of the Titanes] and the toils of Phlegra [against the Gigantes] that Olympus’ palace set me [Zeus] over the universe.” –Valerius Flaccus 1.563

“[When Leto, Artemis, Apollon cry out to Zeus for the release of Prometheus from his torture on Mt Kaukasos] Then too from Acheron up to heaven’s heights is heard the cry of Iapetus himself; sternly, as he pleads, does Erinys thrust him aside, looking to the law of lofty Jove [Zeus].” –Valerius Flaccus 4.60

“The heavenly palace itself thunders [through Zeus], though no sign is given, the clouds themselves gather an the storms collect without the blast of any wind: one would think Iapetus had burst his Stygian chains.” –Thebaid 10.912

“[Typhoeus to Zeus declaring his intentions when he seizes the throne of heaven:] ‘I will keep the chains of Iapetos for Poseidon [that is he will free Iapetos from his chains and instead lock Poseidon away in Tartaros].” –Dionysiaca 2.298

“Let there not be intestine war in heaven once gain, after that conflict with Kronos which threatened Olympos: let me not see another war after the affray with Iapetos.” –Dionysiaca 36.110

Sources:

* Hesiod, Theogony - Greek Epic C8th-7th BC
* Homer, The Iliad - Greek Epic C9th-8th BC
* Pindar, Odes - Greek Lyric C5th BC
* Apollodorus, The Library - Greek Mythography C2nd BC
* Pausanias, Guide to Greece - Greek Geography C2nd AD
* Diodorus Siculus, The Library of History - Greek History C1st BC
* Hyginus, Fabulae - Latin Mythography C2nd AD
* Valerius Flaccus, The Argonautica – Latin Epic C1st AD
* Statius, Thebaid - Latin Epic C1st AD
* Nonnos, Dionysiaca - Greek Epic C5th AD

SYKEUS
 
Greek: SukeuV Transliteration: Sykeus Translation: Fig-Tree

SYKEUS was the TITAN-GOD of the fig-tree who was rescued from Zeus during the Titan-War by his mother Gaia who hid him beneath the earth.

Parents

OURANOS & GAIA (Athenaeus 78a)

“Speaking of the name given to figs (sykon), Tryphon, in the second book of the History of Plants, says that Androtion, in the Farmer’s Handbook, tells the story that Sykeus, one of the Titanes, was pursued by Zeus and taken under the protection of his mother, Ge (Earth), and that she caused the plant [the fig-tree] to grow for her son’s pleasure; from him also the city of Sykea in Kilikia got its name.” –Athenaeus 78a

Sources:

* Athenaeus, Deipnosophistae - Greek Culinary Guide C3rd AD

ASTRAIOS
 
Greek: AstraioV Transliteration: Astraios Translation: Starry-One
Latin Spelling: Astraeus        

ASTRAIOS was one of the TITAN-god of the stars, astronomy and the ancient art of astrology.
He may also have presided over the art of navigation by the stars for he was the son of sea-goddess.

He was presumably cast into Tartaros with the other Titanes at the end of the Titan-War and may have been one of those Titanes who participated in the savage murder of Zeus' son Zagreos.

Parents

(1) KRIOS & EURYBIA (Theogony 375, Apollodorus 1.8)
(2) TARTAROS & GAIA (Hyginus mistakes him for a Gigante) (Hyginus Pref)

Offspring

(1) THE ANEMOI (ZEPHYROS, BOREAS, NOTOS), THE ASTRA (EOSPHOROS) (by Eos) (Theogony 378)
(2) THE ANEMOI, THE ASTRA (by Eos) (Apollodorus 1.9)
(3) ZEPHYROS, BOREAS, NOTOS (by Eos) (Hyginus Preface)
(4) ZEPHYROS, BOREAS, NOTOS, EUROS, EOSPHOROS (Dionysiaca 6.1)
(5) ASTRAIA (by Eos) (Phaenomena 96, Hyginus Astronomy)
(6) THE ANEMOI (Metamorphoses 14.545)

"And Eurybia, bright goddess, was joined in love to Krios and bare great Astraios" - Theogony 375-377

"And Eos bare to Astraios the strong-hearted Anemoi (Winds), brightening Zephyros, and Boreas, headlong in his course, and Notos, -- a goddess mating in love with a god. And after these Erigenia bare the star Eosphorus (Dawn-bringer), and the gleaming Astra (Stars) with which heaven is crowned." - Theogony 378-382

"The Titanes had children ... To Kreios and Eurybia, the daughter of Pontos, were born Astraios, Pallas, and Perses ... Eos and Astraios were parents of winds and stars" -Apollodorus 1.8-9

“The [Constellation] Maiden [Astraia], who in her hands bears the gleaming Ear of Corn. Whether she be daughter of Astraios, who, men say, was of old the father of the Stars, or child of other sire, untroubled be her course!” – Phaenomena 96

"From Earth and Tartarus, Giants [were born]: ... Astraeus [Hyginus confuses the Giants and the Titanes]" -Hyginus Preface

"From Astraeus and Aurora [Eos] [were born], Zephyrus, Boreas, Notus, Favonius." -Hyginus Preface

"All the brother (fatri Astraci) winds, battling in sudden shock and stife, convulsed the skies and surging seas." -Metamorphoses 14.545

“All that dwelt in Olympos had the same, struck by one bolt [of desire], and wooed for a union with Deo’s divine daughter [Persephone] … Then Deo [Demeter] lost the brightness of her rosy face, her swelling heart was lashed by sorrows … She hastened with quick foot to the house of Astraios the god of prophecy [or more specifically astrology]; her hair flowed behind her unbraided and the clusters were shaking the fitful winds. Eosphoros saw her and brought the news. Old Astraios heard it and arose; he had covered the surface of a table with dark dust [the ancient mathematician’s equivalent of a blackboard], where he was describing in traced lines a circle with the tooth of his rounding tool, within which he inscribed a square in the dark ashes, and another figure with three equal sides and angles. He left all this, and rose and came towards the door to meet Demeter. As they hastened through the hall, Hesperos led Deo to a chair beside his father’s seat; with equal affection the Aetai (Winds), the sons of Astraios, welcomed the goddess with refreshing cups of nectar which was ready mixt in the bowl. But Deo refused to drink, being tipsy with Persephone’s trouble: parents of an only child ever tremble for their beloved children.
But Astraios was one of sweet words, who possessed mind-bewitching Peitho (Persuasion), and with great pains he persuaded Deo to consent while still denying. Then the ancient prepared a great spread, that he might dispel Demeter’s heart-piercing cares by his tables. The four Aetai (Winds) fitted aprons round their waists as their father’s waiters. Euros held out the cups by the mixing-bowl and poured in the nectar, Notos ahd the water fready in his jug for the meal, Boreas brought the ambrosia and set it on the table, Zephyros fingering the notes of the hoboy made a tune on his reeds of spring-time – a womanish Aetes (Wind) this! Eosphoros plaited garlands of flowers in posies yet proud with the monring dew; Hesperos held aloft the torch which is ownt to give light in the night, and spun about with dancing leg while he tossed high his curving foot – for he is the escort of the Erotes (Loves), well practised in the skipping tracery of the bridal dance.
After the banquet, as soon as the goddess had had enough of the dance, she threw of the heavy goad of mindmaddening care and inquired of the seer’ art. She laid her left hand on the knees of the kindly ancient, and with her right touched his deepflowing beard in supplication. She recounted all her daughter’s wooers and craved a comfortable oracle; for divinations can steal away anxieties by means of hopes to come.
Nor did old Astraios refuse. He learnt the details of the day when her only child was new born, and the exact time and veritable course of the season which gave her birth; then he bent the turning fingers of his hands and measured the moving circle of the ever-recurring number counting from hand to hand in double exchange [reckoning the number of days in the years of her life on his fingers]. He called to a servant, and Asterion lifted a round revolving sphere, the shape of the sky, the image of the universe, and laid it upon the lid of a chest. Here the ancient got to work. He turned it upon its pivot, and directed this gaze round the circle of the Zodiac, scanning in this place and that the planets and fixt stars. He rolled the pole about with a push, and the counterfeit sky went rapidly round and round in mobile course with a perpetual movement, carrying the artificial stars about the axle set through the middle. Observing the sphere with a glance all round, the deity found that Selene the Moon at the full was crossing the curved line of her conjunction, and Phaethon the Sun was half through his course opposite Mene the Moon moving at his central point under the earth; a pointed cone of darkness creeping from the earth into the air opposite to the Sun his the whole Moon. Then when he heard the rivals for wedded love, he looked especially for Ares [planet Mars], and espied the wife-robber over the sunset house along with the evening star of the Kyprian [planet Venus]. He found the portion called the Portion of the Parents under the Virgin’s [Virgo’s] starry corn-ear; and round the Ear rand the light bearing star of Kronides [planet Jupiter], father of rain.
When he had noticed everything and reckoned the circuit of the stars, he put away the ever-revolving sphere in its roomy box, the sphere with its curious surface; and in answer to the goddess he mouthed out a triple oracle of prophetic sound:
‘Fond mother Demeter, when the rays of the Moon are stolen under a shady cone and her light is gone, guard against a robber-bridegroom for Perephoneia, a secret ravisher of your unsmirched girl, if the threads of the Moirai can be persuaded. You will see before marriage a false and secret bedfellow come unforeseen, a half-monster cunning-minded: since I perceive the western point Ares the wife-stealer [the planet Mars] walking with the Paphian [the planet Venus], and I notice the Drakon is rising beside them both. But I proclaim you most happy: for you will be known for glorious fruits in the four quarters of the universe, because you shall bestow fruit on the barren soil; since the Virgin Astraia holds out her hands full of corn for the destined lot of your girl’s parents.’
This said, he let the oracular voice sleep in his mouth. [The Titanes later murdered the child of this prophesied union of Persephone and were cast into Tartaros].” –Dionysiaca 6.1f

Sources:

* Hesiod, Theogony - Greek Epic C8th-7th BC
* Apollodorus, The Library - Greek Mythography C2nd BC
* Aratus, Phaenomena - Greek Astronomy C3rd BC
* Hyginus, Fabulae - Latin Mythography C2nd AD
* Ovid, Metamorphoses - Latin Epic C1st BC - C1st AD
* Nonnos, Dionysiaca - Greek Epic C5th AD

ANYTOS
 
Greek: AnutoV Transliteration: Anytos Translation:  
Latin: Anytus        

ANYTOS was one of the TITANES. His lineage is not stated, but he must have remained neutral in the Titan-War as he was not cast in Tartaros. Indeed Demeter gave her daughter Despoine to him to raise.
He was depicted as a man in armour.

Parents

Son of one of the six Titanes (most likely IAPETOS or KRIOS)

“[From Akakesion, Arkadia] it is four stades to the sanctuary of Depoine ... On both sides of the throne [of the goddess] are images. By the side of Demeter stands Artemis … By the image of Despoine stands Anytos, represented as a man in armour. Those about the sanctuary say that Despoine was brought up b y Anytos, who was one of the Titanes, as they are called." -Pausanias 8.37.1

Sources:

* Pausanias, Guide to Greece - Greek Geography C2nd AD

HEKATEROS
 
Greek: 'EkateroV Transliteration: Hekateros Translation: Hundred-Wonders
On-Either-Hand
Latin Spelling: Hecaterus        

HEKATEROS was the TITAN god of the hands, and the husband of Ankhiale, the Titaness of the skill of igniting fire.

He was probably named Hekateros or "Hundred-Wonders" after the hundred skillful fingers (daktyloi) of his five sons and daughters. Though later the word came to mean simply "on-either-hand".

Hekateros was probably either one of the sons of Iapetos or one the three ancient Hundred-Handed Giants (Hekatonkheires).

Parents

Probably IAPETOS (for like Prometheus & Ankhiale his gifts were reserved solely for mankind at the creation of man and beast)

Offspring

(1) THE HEKATERIDES (by the daughter of Phoroneus) (Homerica Fragments)
(2) THE DAKTYLOI, THE HEKATERIDES (by the daughter of Phoroneus) (Strabo 10.3.19)

"But of them [the daughters of Hekateros] were born the divine mountain Nymphai and the tribe of worthless, helpless Satyroi, and the divine Kouretes, sportive dancers." -Homerica Fragments of Unknown Position 6 sourced from Strabo

"Hesiod says that five daughters were born to Hekateros and the daughter of Phoroneus, 'from whom sprang the mountain-ranging Nymphai, goddesses, and the breed of Satyroi, creatures worthless and unfit for work, and also the Kouretes, sportive gods, dancers." -Strabo 10.3.19

"Sophokles thinks that the first male Daktyloi were five in number, who were the first to discover and to work iron, as well as many other things which are useful for the purposes of life, and that their sisters [the Hekaterides?] were five in number, and that they were called Daktyloi (Fingers) from their number [ten]." -Strabo 10.3.22

Sources:

* Homerica, Fragments - Greek Epic BC
* Strabo, Geography - Greek Geography C1st BC - C1st AD

.

HEKATERIDES
 
Greek Singular:
Greek Plural: 'EkateriV
'EkaterideV Transliteration: Hekateris
Hekaterides Translation: Hundred-Wonders
Each-of-Two
Dance-of-Moving-Hands
Latin Spelling: Hecaterides        

THE HEKATERIDES were five mountain-ranging NYMPHAI famous for their high-kicking country dance and the skillful talent of their fingers.

Together with their five brothers they were known as DAKTYLOI (Fingers) -being ten in number like the fingers of the hands- and as HEKATERIDES (Hundred-Wonders) -being endowed as a group with a hundred of these wonderful appendages.

The male and female Daktyloi were joined in marriage, "finger to finger" like the harmonious folding of the hands, and from this union were born the various mountain-dwelling spirits - Satyroi, Oreiades, and dancing Kouretes.

"Hekateris" was also the name given to the "kheiron kinesis" or dance of the moving hands. Another dance called the "Hekateros" was a high leaping country dance, where the feet were kicked back high to the buttock.

Parents

(1) HEKATEROS & PHORONEUS' DAUGHTER (Homerica Fragments)
(2) HEKATEROS & ANKHIALE (combination of Strabo & Argonautica on the Daktyloi)

Offspring

THE OREIADES, THE SATYROI, THE KOURETES (by the five Daktyloi) (Homerica Fragments, Strabo 10.3.19)

"But of them [the daughters of Hekateros] were born the divine mountain Nymphai and the tribe of worthless, helpless Satyroi, and the divine Kouretes, sportive dancers." -Homerica Fragments of Unknown Position 6 sourced from Strabo

"Further, one might also find ... these Daimones [Kouretes, Satyroi & Oreiades]... were called, not only ministers of gods, but also gods themselves. For instance, Hesiod says that five daughters were born to Hekateros and the daughter of Phoroneus, 'from whom sprang the mountain-ranging Nymphai, goddesses, and the breed of Satyroi, creatures worthless and unfit for work, and also the Kouretes, sportive gods, dancers." -Strabo 10.3.19

"Sophokles thinks that the first male Daktyloi were five in number, who were the first to discover and to work iron, as well as many other things which are useful for the purposes of life, and that their sisters [the Hekaterides?] were five in number, and that they were called Daktyloi (Fingers) from their number [ten]." -Strabo 10.3.22

Sources:

* Homerica, Fragments - Greek Epic BC
* Strabo, Geography - Greek Geography C1st BC - C1st AD

LELANTOS
 
Greek: LhlantoV Transliteration: Lelantos Translation: Unknown / Unnoticed / Unobserved-One
Latin: Lelantus        

LELANTOS was the younger TITAN-god of being unobserved or unnoticed (gifts he bestowed on the beasts of the earth). He appears to have sat out the Titan-War in his natural state of obscurity.

Parents

Probably either KOIOS or KRIOS though nowhere stated

Offspring

AURA (by Periboia) (Dionysiaca 48.264)

“There [in Phrygia] grew Aura the mountain maiden of Rhyndakos, and hunted over the foothills of rocky Dindymon. She was unacquainted with love ... like a younger Artemis, this daughter of Lelantos; for the father of this stormfoot girl was ancient Lelantos the Titan, who wedded Periboia, a daughter of Okeanos; a manlike maid she was, who knew nothing of Aphrodite." -Dionysiaca 48.264

"[Artemis asks Nemesis to turn the Titanis to stone for insulting her] and the goddess replied with encouraging words:
‘Chaste daughter of Leto ... I will not use my sickle to chastise a Titan girl, I will not make the maiden a stone in Phrygia, for I am myself born of the ancient race of Titanes [Nemesis was a daughter of Okeanos], and her father Lelantos might blame me when he heard.’ -Dionysiaca 48.442

Sources:

* Nonnos, Dionysiaca - Greek Epic C5th AD

MENOITIOS
 
Greek: MenoitioV Transliteration: Menoitios Translation: Doom-Passion / Temper / Battlerage
Latin Spelling: Menoetius        

MENOITIOS was the TITAN-god of angry thoughts and words. He struck down by Zeus with a thunderbolt for his outrageousness.

Parents

IAPETOS & KLYMENE (Theogony 507, Apollodorus 1.8)

"Now Iapetos took to wife the neat-ankled maid Klymene, daughter of Okeanos, and went up with her into one bed. And she bare him a stout-hearted son, Atlas: also she bare very glorious Menoitios ... But Menoitios was outrageous, and far-seeing Zeus struck him with a lurid thunderbolt and sent him down to Erebos because of his mad presumption and exceeding pride." -Theogony 507-511

"The Titanes had children ... Atlas who holds the sky on his shoulders, Prometheus, Epimetheus, and Menoitios whom Zeus struck with a thunderbolt in the Titane battle and confined to Tartaros, were all sons of Iapetos and Asia." -Apollodorus 1.8-9

Sources:

* Hesiod, Theogony - Greek Epic C8th-7th BC
* Apollodorus, The Library - Greek Mythography C2nd BC

OPHION
 
Greek: Ofiwn Transliteration: Ophiôn Translation: Serpent

OPHION was the eldest of the TITANES. He inherited the throne from his father Ouranos after his castration by Kronos. Kronos, however, soon staged a coup and cast Ophion and his wife Eurynome into the River Okeanos.
It is likely that Ophion was originally identical to Okeanos, who is usually called the eldest of the Titanes, and this would explain why he remained neutral in the Titan-War. Okeanos was also always depicted with a serpentine-fish tail, so Ophion (Serpent) is an appropriate name for him.

Parents

Presumably OURANOS & GAIA like the other Titanes
------------------------------------------------------------------------

OPHION RULER OF THE UNIVERSE

“As he [Helios the Sun] shines on the descendants of Ophionides (sons of Ophion) .. [missing text] .. the older gods [the Titanes].” –Callimachus Aetia Frag 177

“He [Orpheus] sang of ... how, in the beginning, Ophion and Eurynome, daughter of Okeanos, governed the world from snow-clad Olympos; how they were forcibly supplanted, Ophion by Kronos, Eurynome by Rhea; of their fall into the waters of Okeanos; and how their successors ruled the happy Titan gods.” –Argonautica 1.498f

”Him [Zeus] who is lord of Ophion’s throne [the king wrestled and deposed by Kronos] ... his [Zeus'] mother [Rhea], skilled in wrestling, having cast into Tartaros the former queen [Eurynome wife of Ophion].” –Lycophron 1191

“[Hera:] 'I am afraid Kronides [Zeus], who is called my husband and brother, will banish me from heaven for a woman’s bed ... I will leave heaven because of their earthly marriage, I will go to the uttermost bounds of Okeanos and share the hearth of primeval Tethys; thence I will pass to the house of and abide with Ophion.” –Dionysiaca 8.110

"The first tablet [recording the prophecies of Phanes], old as the infinite past, containing all things in one: upon it was all that Ophion lord paramount had done, all that ancient Kronos accomplished." -Dionysiaca 12. 43
------------------------------------------------------------------------

THE ORACLULAR TABLETS OF OPHION

"[Harmonia to Aphrodite:] 'I have oracles of history on seven tablets, and the tablets bear the names of the seven planets. The first has the name of revolving Selene [the Moon]; the second is called of Hermes [planet Mercury], a shining tabled of gold, upon which are wrought all the secrets of law; the third has your name [Aphrodite the planet Venus], a rosy tablet, for it has the shape of your star in the East; the fourth is Helios [the Sun], cental navel of the seven travelling planets; the fifth is called Ares [the planet Mars], red and fiery; the sixth is called Phaethon [the planet Jupiter], the planet of Kronides [Zeus]; the seventh shows the name of highmoving Kronos [the planet Saturn]. Upon these, ancient Ophion has engraved in red letters all the divers oracles of fate for the universe. But since you ask me about the directing laws, this prerogative I keep for the eldest of cities. Whether then Arkadia is first or Hera’s city [Argos], whether Sardis be the oldest, or even Tarsos celebrated in song be the first city, or some other, I have not been told. The tabled of Kronos will teach you all this, which first arose, which was coeval with Dawn.’
She spoke; and led the way to the glorious oracles of the wall, until she saw the place where Ophion’s art had engraved in ruddy vermilion on the tablet of Kronos the oracle to be fulfilled in time about Beroe’s country. ‘Beroe came the first, coeval with the universe her agemate, bearing the name of the Nymphe later born, which the colonizing sons of the Ausonians, the consular lights of Rome, shall call Berytos, since here fell a neighbour of Lebanon … ‘
Such was the word of prophecy that she learnt. But when the deity had scanned the prophetic beginning of the seventh tabled, she looked at the second, where on the neighbouring wall many strange signs were engraved with varied art in oracular speech: how first Shepherd Pan will invent the syrinx, Helikonian Hermes the harp, tender Hyagnis the music of the double pipes with their clever holes, Orpheus the streams of mystic song with divine voice, Apollon’s Linos eloquent speech; how Arkas the traveller will find out the measures of the twelve months, and the sun’s circuit which is the mother of the years brought forth by his fourhorse team; how wise Endymion with changing bends of his fingers will calculate the three varying phases of Selene; how Kadmos will combine consonant with vowel and teach the secrets of correct speech; how Solon will invent inviolable laws, and Kekrops the union of two yoked together under the sacred yoke of marriage made lawful with Attic torch.
Now the Phaphian [Aphrodite], after all these manifold wonders of the Mousa, scanned the various deeds of the scattered cities; and on the written tabled which lay in the midst on the circuit of the universe, she found the words of wisdom inscribed in many lines of Grecian verse:
‘When Augustus shall hold the sceptre of the world, Ausonian Zeus will give to divine Rome the lordship, and to Beroe he will grant the reins of law, when armed in her fleet of shielded ships she shall pacify the strife of battlestirring Kleopatra … ‘
Then the goddess, having learnt all the oracles of Ophion, returned to her own house." -Dionysiaca 41.339

Sources:

* Callimachus, Hymns - Greek C3rd BC
* Apollonius Rhodius, Argonautica - Greek Epic C3rd BC
* Lycophron, Alexandra - Greek C3rd BC
* Nonnos, Dionysiaca - Greek Epic C5th AD

PALLAS
 
Greek: PallaV Transliteration: Pallas Translation: Warrior-Youth

PALLAS was the TITAN-god of the warrior and the father of Victory, Power, Force, and Rivalry.

At the end of the Titan-War he was cast into Tartaros with the rest of the Titanes. Zeus later released them from this prison and Kronos became King of Elysium. Presumably the other Titanes settled in Elysium as well.

Parents

KRIOS & EURYBIA (Theogony 375, Apollodorus 1.8)

Offspring

(1) ZELOS, NIKE, KRATOS, BIA (by Styx) (Theogony 383, Apollodorus 1.8)
(2) ZELOS, NIKE, KRATOS, BIA, THE KRINAIAI (Fountains), THE LIMNATOI (Lakes) (by Styx) (Hyginus Pref)
(3) SELENE (Homeric Hymn IV)
(4) EOS (Valerius Flaccus 2.72)

"And Eurybia, bright goddess, was joined in love to Krios and bare great Astraios, and Pallas, and Perses." - Theogony 375-377

"And Styx the daughter of Okeanos was joined to Pallas and bare Zelos (Emulation) and trim-ankled Nike (Victory) in the house. Also she brought forth Kratos (Strength) and Bia (Force), wonderful children." -Theogony 383-403

"Bright [dia] Selene, daughter of the lord Pallas, Megamedes' son, had just climbed her watch-post." -Homeric Hymn IV To Hermes 100-102

"The Titanes had children ... To Kreios and Eurybia, the daughter of Pontos, were born Astraios, Pallas, and Perses ... and Nike, Kratos, Zelos, and Bia were born to Pallas and Styx." -Apollodorus 1.8-9

“The city [Pellene, Akhaia] got its name, according the the Pellenians, from Pallas, who was, they say, one of the Titanes.” -Pausanias 7.26.12

"From Pallas the giant and Styx [were born]: Scylla, Vis [Bia], Inuidia [Zelos], Potestas [Kratos], Victoria [Nike], Fontes (Fountains), Lacus (Lakes)." -Hyginus Pref

Sources:

* Hesiod, Theogony - Greek Epic C8th-7th BC
* The Homeric Hymns - Greek Epic C8th-4th BC
* Apollodorus, The Library - Greek Mythography C2nd BC
* Pausanias, Guide to Greece - Greek Geography C2nd AD
* Hyginus, Preface - Latin Mythography C2nd AD

PERSES
 
Greek: PershV
PersaioV Transliteration: Persês
Persaios Translation: Destroyer / Ravager / He-Who-Lays-Waste

PERSES was the TITAN-god of man-made destruction - he who lays waste. His only child was Hekate the goddess of witchcraft.

At the end of the Titan-War he was cast into Tartaros with the rest of the Titanes. Zeus later released them from this prison and made Kronos King of Elysium. Presumably Perses and the other Titanes settled in Elysium as well.

Parents

KRIOS & EURYBIA (Theogony 375, Apollodorus 1.8)

Offspring

(1) HEKATE (by Asteria) (Theogony 404, Apollodorus 1.8)
(2) HEKATE (Lycophron 1174)

"And Eurybia, bright goddess, was joined in love to Krios and bare great Astraios, and Pallas, and Perses who was preeminent among all men in wisdom." - Theogony 375-377

"Asteria of happy name, whom Perses once led to his great house to be called his dear wife. And she conceived and bare Hecate." -Theogony 404

"Hekate, bright-coiffed, the daughter of Persaios." -Homeric Hymn to Demeter 25

"The Titanes had children ... To Kreios and Eurybia, the daughter of Pontos, were born Astraios, Pallas, and Perses ... Perses and Asteria [were parents] of Hekate." -Apollodorus 1.8-9

“The maiden daughter of Perseos, Brimo Trimorphos [Hekate].” –Lycophron 1174

Sources:

* Hesiod, Theogony - Greek Epic C8th-7th BC
* The Homeric Hymns - Greek Epic C8th-4th BC
* Apollodorus, The Library - Greek Mythography C2nd BC
* Lycophron, Alexandra - Greek C3rd BC

Names of the Elder Six Titanes

(1) OKEANOS, KOIOS, KRIOS, HYPERION, IAPETOS, KRONOS (Theogony 133, Apollodorus 1.1, Diodorus Siculus 5.66.1)
(2) OKEANOS, KOIOS, HYPERION, KRONOS (Hyginus Pref)
(3) IAPETOS, KRONOS, ADANOS, ASTASOS, ANDES, OLYMBROS (Stephanus of Byzantium)
(4) SYKEUS (Athenaeus 78a)
------------------------------------------------------------------------

NAMES OF TITANES (ELDER & YOUNGER)

HELIOS
 
Greek: 'HlioV Transliteration: Hêlios Translation: Sun
Other Names: ‘UperionideV
Titan
Hlektwr Transliteration: Hyperionides
Titan
Elektor Translation: Son of Hyperion
Titan-God
The Shining
Titles: EleuqerioV
Swthr Transliteration: Eleutherios
Soter Translation: God of Freedom
Savior
Latin Spelling: Helius Roman Name: Sol    
 
HELIOS was the mighty, all-seeing god of the Sun and also, by extension, the god of the gift of sight and the measurements of time.

Helios was depicted as a handsome, beardless man, clothed in purple robes and crowned with the shining aureole of the sun. His golden sun-chariot was drawn by four, fire-breathing,
winged steeds.

Parents

(1) HYPERION & THEIA-EURYPHAESSA (Theogony 371, Homeric Hymn XXXI to Helios, Apollodorus 1.8)
(2) HYPERION (Odyssey 12.168, Homeric Hymn to Demeter 19, Homeric Hymn to Athena 12, Mimnermus Frag 12, Pindar Olympian 7 str3, Metamorphoses 4.170)

Offspring

See page THE LOVES & CHILDREN OF HELIOS
------------------------------------------------------------------------

INDEX: THE HELIOS PAGES:

PART 1: THE GOD HELIOS

* PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION OF HELIOS
* PICTURES OF HELIOS
* HYMNS TO HELIOS
* HELIOS GOD OF THE SUN
* HELIOS WATCHER OF GODS & MEN
* HELIOS WITNESS OF SWORN OATHS
* HELIOS GOD OF SIGHT
* HELIOS INVENTOR OF THE CHARIOT
* HELIOS IDENTIFIED WITH APOLLON

PART 2: HELIOS & THE DIVINE SAGA

* THE BIRTH OF HELIOS
* HELIOS & THE CREATION OF LIFE ON EARTH
* HELIOS & THE WAR OF THE TITANES
* HELIOS & THE DIVISION OF EARTH'S DOMAINS: RHODES
* HELIOS & THE WAR OF THE GIGANTES
* HELIOS & THE MONSTER TYPHOEUS
* HELIOS & THE DEMETER'S SEARCH FOR PERSEPHONE
* HELIOS & THE AFFAIR OF ARES & APHRODITE

PART 3: THE LOVES & CHILDREN OF HELIOS (Helios Loves & Family page)

* LOVES: HELIOS & RHODE (Rhode page)
* LOVES: HELIOS & KLYMENE (Klymene page)
* LOVES: HELIOS & KLYTIE (Klytie page)
* LOVES: HELIOS & LEUKOTHOE (Helios Loves page)
* FABLES: FROGS & THE MARRIAGE OF HELIOS

PART 4: THE CONTESTS OF HELIOS

* HELIOS CONTESTS: POSEIDON
* HELIOS CONTESTS: BOREAS

PART 5: THE WRATH OF HELIOS

* HELIOS WRATH: PHINEUS
* HELIOS WRATH: ARGE
* HELIOS WRATH: NERITES
* HELIOS WRATH: ODYSSEUS & HIS MEN

PART 6: THE BLESSINGS OF HELIOS

* HELIOS BLESSINGS: ORION
* HELIOS BLESSINGS: HERAKLES
* HELIOS FAMILY / BLESSINGS: PHAETHON (Phaethon page)
* HELIOS FAMILY / BLESSINGS: THE HELIADES (Helios Family page)
* HELIOS FAMILY / BLESSINGS: AEETES (Helios Family page)
* HELIOS FAMILY / BLESSINGS: KIRKE (Helios Family page)
* HELIOS FAMILY / BLESSINGS: MEDEA (Helios Family page)

PART 7: THE TREASURES OF HELIOS (Helios Treasures page)

* THE CHARIOT & HORSES OF HELIOS
* THE AUREOLE OF HELIOS
* THE SALVE OF HELIOS
* THE CUP-BOAT OF HELIOS
* THE PALACE OF HELIOS
* THE THRONE OF HELIOS
* THE TABLETS OF PHANES
* THE IMMORTAL CATTLE & SHEEP OF HELIOS
* PLANTS & FLOWERS SACRED TO HELIOS
* BIRDS & ANIMALS SACRED TO HELIOS

PART 8: THE ATTENDANTS OF HELIOS (Helios Treasures page)

PART 9: THE CULT OF HELIOS (Helios Cult page)

* THE COLOSSUS OF RHODES

------------------------------------------------------------------------

DESCRIPTION OF HELIOS

"[Helios] rides his chariot, he shines upon men and deathless gods, and piercingly he gazes with his eyes from his golden helmet. Bright rays beam dazzlingly from him, and his bright locks streaming from the temples of his head gracefully enclose his far-seen face: a rich, fine-spun garment glows upon his body and flutters in the wind: and stallions carry him. Then, when he has stayed his golden-yoked chariot and horses, he rests there upon the highest point of heaven, until he marvellously drives them down again through heaven to Okeanos." -Homeric Hymn XXXI to Helios

"All the Children of Helios were easy to recognise, even from a distance, by their flashing eyes, which shot out rays of golden light [like their father's].” –Argonautica 4.726f

"He made his way direct into the presence [of Helios] and there stood afar, unable to approached the dazzling light. Enrobed in purple vestments Phoebus [Helios] sat, high on a throne of gleaming emeralds." -Metamorphoses 2.20

“Sol [Helios the Sun] puts on his diadem of myriad rays and the corselet woven of twelve stars and bound by the belt which athwart the rain-clouds shows for men its many hued bow.” –Valerius Flaccus 4.90

"He [Helios] placed the golden helmet [of the Sun] on Phaethon’s head and crowned him with his own fire, winding the seven rays like strings upon his hair, and put the white kilt girdlewise round him over his loins; he clothed him in his own fiery robe and laced his foot into the purple boot, and gave his chariot to his son.” –Dionysiaca 38.90
------------------------------------------------------------------------

THE BIRTH OF HELIOS

“The lordly sun-god Helios whose father is Hyperion.” –Odyssey 12.168

"And Theia was subject in love to Hyperion and bare great Helios (Sun) and clear Selene (Moon) and Eos (Dawn) who shine upon all that are on earth and upon the deathless Gods who live in the wide heaven." -Theogony 371

"Glowing Helios whom mild-eyed Euryphaessa, the far-shining one, bare to [Hyperion] the Son of Gaia and starry Ouranos. For Hyperion wedded glorious Euryphaessa, his own sister, who bare him lovely children, rosy-armed Eos (the Dawn) and rich-tressed Selene (the Moon) and tireless Helios (the Sun) who is like the deathless gods." -Homeric Hymn XXXI to Helios

"The Titanes had children ... Hyperion and Theia had Eos, Helios, and Selene." -Apollodorus 1.8-9
------------------------------------------------------------------------

TITAN BROTHER OF HELIOS

”Having crossed the Asopos River again [near Titane, Sikyonia] and reached the summit of the hill, you come to the place where the natives say that Titan first dwelt. They add that he was the brother of Helios (Sun), and that after him the place got the name Titane. My own view is that he proved clever at observing the seasons of the year and times when the sun increases and ripens seeds and fruits, and for this reason was held to be the brother of Helios.” –Pausanias 2.11.5
------------------------------------------------------------------------

HYMNS TO HELIOS

"Glowing Helios whom mild-eyed Euryphaessa, the far-shining one, bare to the Son of Gaia and starry Ouranos. For Hyperion wedded glorious Euryphaessa, his own sister, who bare him lovely children, rosy-armed Eos and rich-tressed Selene and tireless Helios who is like the deathless gods." -Homeric Hymn XXXI to Helios

"And now, O Mousa Kalliope, daughter of Zeus, begin to sing of glowing Helios whom mild-eyed [boopis] Euryphaessa, the far-shining one, bare to the Son of Gaia and starry Ouranos. For Hyperion wedded glorious Euryphaessa, his own sister, who bare him lovely children, rosy-armed Eos and rich-tressed Selene and tireless Helios who is like the deathless gods. As he rides his chariot, he shines upon men and deathless gods, and piercingly he gazes with his eyes from his golden helmet. Bright rays beam dazzlingly from him, and his bright locks streaming from the temples of his head gracefully enclose his far-seen face: a rich, fine-spun garment glows upon his body and flutters in the wind: and stallions carry him. Then, when he has stayed his golden-yoked chariot and horses, he rests there upon the highest point of heaven, until he marvellously drives them down again through heaven to Okeanos.
Hail to you, lord! Freely bestow on me substance that cheers the heart. And now that I have begun with you, I will celebrate the race of mortal men half-divine whose deeds the theai [the Mousai] have showed mankind." -Homeric Hymn XXXI to Helios

“To Helios (Sun), Fumigation from Frankincense and Manna. Hear, golden Titan, whose eternal eye with matchless sight illumines all the sky. Native, unwearied in diffusing light, and to all eyes the object of delight: Lord of the seasons, beaming light from far, sonorous, dancing in thy four-yoked car. With thy right hand the source of morning light, and with thy left the father of the night. Agile and vigorous, venerable Sun, fiery and bright around the heavens you run, foe to the wicked, but the good man’s guide, over all his steps propitious you preside. With various-sounding golden lyre ‘tis thine to fill the world with harmony divine. Father of ages, guide of prosperous deeds, the world’s commander, borne by lucid steeds. Immortal Zeus, flute-playing , bearing light, source of existence, pure and fiery bright; bearer of fruit, almighty lord or years, agile and warm, whom every power reveres. Bright eye, that round the world incessant flies, doomed with fair fulgid rays to set and rise; dispensing justice, lover of the stream, the world’s great master, and over all supreme. Faithful defender, and the eye of right, of steeds the ruler, and of life the light: with sounding whip four fiery steeds you guide, when in the glittering car of day you ride, propitious on these mystic labour shine, and bless thy suppliants with a life divine.” –Orphic Hymn 8 to Helius
------------------------------------------------------------------------

HELIOS GOD OF THE SUN

I. HELIOS THE RISING SUN

“Now the Sun (Helios) of a new day struck on the ploughlands, rising out of the quiet water and the deep stream of Okeanos to climb the sky.” –Iliad 7.422

“Leaving the lovely lake of Okeanos, Helios the sun leapt upwards into the brazen sky, brining light for the Deathless Ones, bringing it too for mortal men who live on the earth that gives them grain.” –Odyssey 3.1

"The island of Aeaea [the home of Kirke, daughter of Helios]; it is there that Eos (Dawn) the early comer has her dwelling-place and her dancing-grounds, and Helios the sun himself has his risings.” –Odyssey 12.1

"From the ocean-verge upsprings Helios (the sun) in glory, flashing fire far over earth." -Quintus Smyrnaeus 8.30

”The many-eyed embroidery of blue-black Nyx (Night), and at once rose Hyperionides [Helios], hard-toiling eternally, almighty.” –Greek Lyric V Anonymous Fragments 931J (Oxyrhynchus papyrus)

“Helios (the Sun) came back from the world’s end to light the dewy hills and wake the shepherds.” –Argonautica 2.164

"Bright as Helios’ round face when he rises fresh from Okeanos Stream.” –Argonautica 3.1228

"When Titan [Helios] perceived the Morning Star [Eosphoros] setting and saw the world in crimson sheen ... he bade the nimble Horae (Hours) go yoke his steeds, and they, swift goddesses, fastened the jingling harness and the reins, as from the lofty stalls the horses came, filled with ambrosial food and breathing flame." -Metamorphoses 2.118

“Until Lucifer [Eosphoros] (the Morning Star) should wake Aurora [Eos] (the Dawn), and Aurora call forth the chariot of the day [Helios the Sun].” –Metamorphoses 4.627

“Phoebus [Helios] climbs steep Olympus from Oceanus and plucks the sky on winged horses.” –Ovid Fasti 3.415

“The stars are now gliding into the life-giving springs of mighty Oceanus, and the bridles are jingling in the Titanian caves [of Helios the Sun]; hastened by the golden-haired Horae (Hours) Sol [Helios the Sun] puts on his diadem of myriad rays and the corselet woven of twelve stars and bound by the belt which athwart the rain-clouds shows for men its many hued bow. Then above the earth and above the horns of the eastern mount he shone forth, and drew a train of light over the sparkling waves.” –Valerius Flaccus 4.90

“[It was] as though they drew nigh the presence of the Radiant God [Helios the Sun] and the very citadel of light eternal, so bright are the rays with which the palace [of King Aeetes of Kolkhis] gleams. There [depicted on the walls of the palace] iron Atlas stands in Oceanos, the wave swelling and breaking on his knees; but the god himself [Helios the Sun] on high hurries his shining steeds across the old man’s body, and spreads light about the curving sky; behind with smaller wheel follows his sister [Selene the Moon] and the crowded Pleiades and the fires whose tresses are wet with dripping rain [the Hyades].” –Valerius Flaccus 5.408

“The sky’s furthest bounds … whereon Sol [Helios the Sun] looks when he issues from the eastern gate.” –Thebaid 1.156

"Now day o’erwhelms the stars, and from the low and level main Titan [Helios the Sun] wheels heavenward his dripping steeds, and down from the expanse of air falls the sea that the chariot bore up.” –Achilleid 1.242

“Day arising from Oceanus set free the world from dank enfolding shades, and the father of the flashing light [Helios the Sun] upraised his torch still dimmed by the neighbouring gloom and moist with sea-water not yet shaken off.” –Achilleid 2.1

II. HELIOS THE DAYTIME SUN

"Tireless Helios who is like the deathless gods. As he rides his chariot, he shines upon men and deathless gods, and piercingly he gazes with his eyes from his golden helmet. Bright rays beam dazzlingly from him, and his bright locks streaming from the temples of his head gracefully enclose his far-seen face: a rich, fine-spun garment glows upon his body and flutters in the wind: and stallions carry him. Then, when he has stayed his golden-yoked chariot and horses, he rests there upon the highest point of heaven, until he marvellously drives them down again through heaven to Okeanos." -Homeric Hymn XXXI to Helios

"Great Helios who begets the fierce rays of the sun.” –Pindar Olympian 7 ep3-ep4

"Titan [Helios] shines strongly” -Greek Lyric II The Anacreontea Frag 46

"Helios, cleaving the ageless vault of heaven." -Greek Lyric IV Euripides Frag 2

“Golden Titan [Helios], whose eternal eye with matchless sight illumines all the sky. Native, unwearied in diffusing light, and to all eyes the object of delight: Lord of the seasons, beaming light from far, sonorous, dancing in thy four-yoked car. With thy right hand the source of morning light, and with thy left the father of the night. Agile and vigorous, venerable Sun, fiery and bright around the heavens you run ... borne by lucid steeds ... Bright eye, that round the world incessant flies, doomed with fair fulgid rays to set and rise ... of steeds the ruler, and of life the light: with sounding whip four fiery steeds you guide, when in the glittering car of day you ride.” –Orphic Hymn 8 to Helius

"Phoibos [Helios the Sun], who, from the summit of his chariot, sets the world aflame with his dazzling rays, Phoibos, a mighty deity amongst the gods and adored amongst mortals." -Aristophanes Birds 563

“He [Orpheus] sang of … how the Astra (Stars), Selene (Moon), and travelling Helios (Sun) keep faithfully to their stations in the heavens.” –Argonautica 1.498

“For verily through them all [the constellations of the zodiac] Helios the Sun passes in yearly course, as he drives his mighty furrow, and now to one, now to another he draws near, now as he rises and anon as he sets, and ever another star looks upon another morn.” – Phaenomena 748

“But even deities have their laws: in thraldom the swift choir of the Astra (Stars), in thraldom is wandering Luna [Selene the Moon], not unbidden is the light whose path so oft returns [Helios the Sun].” –Silvae 3.3.53

"O Helios, cutting the air in your fiery chariot, pouring your light on the Kaukasian plowland so near.” –Dionysiaca 17.269

III. HELIOS THE SETTING SUN

"Helios was going down beneath the earth towards Okeanos with his horses and chariot." -Homeric Hymn IV to Hermes 67

"Helios (the sun) drave down his never-wearying steeds into the dark west: night streamed o'er the earth, bidding men cease from toil." -Quintus Smyrnaeus 8.488

“It was evening. Out in the west, beyond the farthest Aithiopian hills, Helios the Sun was sinking under the darkening world; Nyx (Night) was harnessing her team [of horses].” –Argonautica 3.1192

"Sol’s [Helios the Sun’s] team, the day’s toil nearly done, were pounding down the slope that led them home." -Metamorphoses 6.480

"That far sea that greets the panting horses of Sol (the sun) and welcomed their tired wheels." –Metamorphoses 4.633

"Three times had Phoebus [Helios the Sun] had now unyoked his team when they had plunged in Hibero’s [Spain's] sunset stream [the Atlantic Ocean]." -Metamorphoses 7.323

"Titan [Helios the Sun] was setting and his chariot sloped to the western waves." –Metamorphoses 11.257

“Titan [Helios] exits into Hesperia’s (Evening’s) waves and unhitches his jewelled purple team.” –Ovid Fasti 2.73

“And now Hyperion’s [Helios the Sun’s] car drew close to its goal in the Hiberian [Spanish] Sea, and with declining day the reins slackened at the journey’s end, what time the ancient Tethys raised her hands for the embrace and the holy Titan [Helios] hissed as he cleft the floor of Oceanus.” –Valerius Flaccus 2.34

“The sky’s furthest bounds … whereon Sol [Helios the Sun] looks when he issues from the eastern gate and when he sinks into his Iberian haven, or the lands he touches afar with his slanting devious ray.” –Thebaid 1.156

“Far on the sloping margin of the western sea sinking Sol [Helios the Sun] had unyoked his flaming steeds, and laved their bright manes in the springs of Oceanus; to meet him hastens Nereus of the deep and all his company, and the swift-striding Horae (Hours), who strip him of his reins and the woven glory of his golden coronet, and relive his horse’s dripping breasts of the hot harness; some turn the well-deserving steeds into the soft pasture, and lean the chariot backward, pole in air.” –Thebaid 3.406

“Already had father Titan [Helios the Sun] hidden his flaming chariot in the Hesperian [Western] flood, to emerge again from other waves.” –Thebaid 12.228

“Phoebus [Helios the Sun], stooping low upon the verge of Olympus, was sending forth broken rays, and promising to his panting steeds the yielding shore of Oceanus.” –Achilleid 1.689

“On the verge of Oceanus’ waves beholdest Hyperion slope downward to this setting, and hearest the hiss of plunging wheels.” –Silvae 2.7.25

“[Helios] had just finished his course and come down from the sky. Bright Phosphoros [the star Venus] was ready for the fire-eyed driver, near his chariot and four. He put away the hot yokestraps and starry whip, and washed in the neighbouring Okeanos stream the bodies of the firefed horses wet with sweat. The colts shook the dripping manes on their necks, and stamped with sparkling hooves the shining mangertrough.” –Dionysiaca 12.1

“In the sky was Helios in the basket of his blazing chariot.” –Dionysiaca 25.392

“Phaethon [Helios], blazing shepherd of the everflowing years, checked the course of his firebred steeds.” –Dionsyiaca 27.8

“May Phaethon [Helios] not turn his fireblazing horses to his setting.” –Dionysiaca 36.140

IV. THE DAYTIME PATH OF HELIOS THROUGH THE CONSTELLATIONS

"In constant flux the sky [with its moving constellations] streams by, sweeping in dizzy whirl the stars on high. I [Helios] drive against this force, which overcomes all things but me, and on opposing course against its rushing circuit makes my way. Suppose my chariot yours: what then? Could you confront the spinning poles [of the sky] and not be swept away by the swift axis of the world? Perhaps you fancy cities of gods are there and groves and temples rich with offerings. No! Wild beasts lie in wait and shapes of fear! And though you shall meet Taurus (the Bull), must brave his horns, and face Arcus Haemonius (the Thessalian Archer) [Saggitarius] and the ravening Leo (the Lion), the long curved circuit of the Scorpio’s claws, Cancer (the Crab) whose claws in counter-menace wave." -Metamorphoses 2.78

"[Helios instucts his son Phaethon on the path of the sun:] Avoid the road direct through all five zones; on a wide slanting curve the true course lies within the confines of three zones; beware alike the southern pole and northern Arctus (the Bear). Keep to this route; my wheeltracks there show plain. Press not too low nor strain your course to high; too high, you’ll burn heaven’s palaces; too low, the earth; the safest course lies in between. And neither rightwards towards the twisting Anguis (the Snake) nor leftwards swerve to where the Ara (Altar) lies. Hold in the midst! To fortune I resign the rest to guide with wiser wit than yours." -Metamorphoses 2.130

"[Helios describes his path through the sky to Phaethon:] 'There are twelve houses in all the fiery aither, set in the circle of the rounded Zodiakos (Zodiac), one close after another in a row, each separate; though these alone is the inclined winding path of the restless Planetoi rolling in their courses. All round these Kronos [the planet Saturn] crawls from house to house on his heavy knees along the seventh zone upon the circle, until at last with difficulty he completes thirty circuits of returning Selene [i.e. two & half years]. On the sixth, quicker than his father, Zeus [the planet Jupiter] has his course opposite, and goes his round in a lichtgang. By the third, fiery Ares [the planet Mars] passes [one sign that is, of the Zodiac] in sixty days, near your father. I myself [the Sun] rise in the fourth, and traverse the whole sky garland-wise in my car, following the winding circles of the heavenly orbits. I carry the measures of time (khronos), surrounded by the four Horai (Seasons), about the same centre, until I have passed through a whole house and fulfilled one complete month as usual; I never leave my journey unfinished and change to a backward course, nor do I go forward again; since the other Asteres (Stars), the Planetoi, in their various courses always run contrary ways: they check backwards, and go both to and fro; when the measures of their way are half done they run back again, thus receiving on both sides my one-sided light [as half the planets including the moon are above and half below him each of them gets his light from one side only]. One of these Planetoi is horned Selene (Moon) whitening the sky; when she has completed all her circuit, she brings forth with her wise fire the month, being at firs half seen, then curved, then full moon with her whole face. Against Mene the moon I move my rolling ball, the sparkling nourisher of sheafproducing growth, and pass on my endless circuit about the turning-point of the Zodiakos, creating the measures of time. When I have completed one whole circle passing from house to house I bring off the lichtgang. Take care of the crossing-point itself [where the moon cuts the ecliptic], lest when you come close, rounding the cone of darkness with your car, it should steal all light from your overshadowed chariot. And in your driving do not stray form the usual circuit of the course, or be tempted to leave your father’s usual goal by looking at the five parallel circles [the arctic, the two tropic, the equatorial and the Antarctic circles] with their multiple bond of long encompassing lines, or your horses may run away and carry you through the airout of your course. Do not, when you look about on the twelve circles [the 12 signs of the zodiac] as you cross them, hurry from house to house. When you are driving your car in the Krios (Ram), do not try to drive over the Tauros (Taurus the Bull). Do not seek for his neighbour the Scorpion (Scorpio) moving among the stars, the harbinger of the plowtree, when you are driving under the Balance, until you complete thirty degrees.
Just listen to me, and I will tell you everything. When I reach the Ram, the centre of the universe, the navel-star of Olympos, I in my exaltation let the Spring (Eiar) increase; and crossing the herald of the West-Wind (Zephyros), the turning-line which balances night equal with day, I guide the dewy course of that Season (Hora Eiar) when the swallow comes. Passing into the lower house, opposite the Ram, I cast the light equal day on the two hooves; and again I make day balanced equally with dark on my homeward course when I bring in the leafshaking course of the autumn Season (Hora Phthinoporon), and drive with lesser light to the lower turning-point in the leafshedding month. Then I bring Winter (Kheimon) for mankind with its rains, over the back of fish-tailed Aigokereos (Capricorn), that earth may bring forth her gifts full of life for the farmers, when she receives the bridal showers and the creative dew. I deck out also corn-tending Summer (Theros) the messenger of harvest, floggin the wheatbearing earth with hotter beams, while I drive at the highest point of my course in Karkinon (Cancer the Crab), who is right opposite to the cold Aegokereos (Capricorn): both Neilos (Nile) and grapes together I make to grow.
When you begin your course, pass close by the side of Kerne, and take Phosphoros (the Morning Star) as guide to lead the way for your car, and you will not go astray; twelve circling Horai in turn will direct your way.” –Dionysiaca 38.90

V. THE NIGHTTIME PATH OF HELIOS

“The lofty town of the Laistrygonians whose king is Lamos. There one herdsman as he drives in his beasts will hail another driving his out and the second answers the first. In those parts a man who never slept could have earned wages twice over, one wage for herding cattle and another for pasturing white sheep, because the pathways of Day and Night come close together there.” [Homer seems to place the Laistrygonians in the farthest North shore of the River Okeanos where the sun never sets, alluding to the belief that the Sun returns to the east by sailing in his golden cup around the Northern path of the Ocean-stream] –Odyssey 10.97

“For Helios the Sun’s lot is toil every day and there is never any respite for him and his horses, from the moment rose-fingered Eos (the Dawn) leaves Okeanos and goes up into the sky. A lovely bed, hollow, forged by the hands of Hephaistos, of precious gold and winged, carries him, as he sleeps soundly, over the waves on the water’s surface from the place of the Hesperides [in the West] to the land of the Aithiopes [in the East], where his swift chariot and horses stand until early-born Eos (the Dawn) comes. There the son of Hyperion mounts his other vehicle.” –Mimnermus Frag 12

“They have represented Helios (the Sun) and some other gods as enduring much toil … Mimnermos does not seem to disagree, since he says that Helios (the Sun) sleeps every night.” –Mimnermus Frag 12 (from Philodemus, On Piety)

"That Helios too was conveyed to his setting in a cup Stesichorus tells us in the following words: 'And then Hyperion's strong child [Helios] went down into the cup of solid gold, so that he might cross over Okeanos and reach the depths of holy, dark night and his mother [Theia] and wedded wife and dear childrens." -Greek Lyric III Stesichorus Frag S17 (from Athenaeus, Scholars at Dinner)

"Stesichorus says that Helios sailed across Okeanos in a cup." -Greek Lyric III Stesichorus Frag S17 (from Athenaeus, Scholars at Dinner)

VI. THE WARMING-BURNING POWER OF HELIOS

"Messenia is a land of fair fruitage ... being neither very wintry in the blasts of winter nor yet made too hot by the chariot of Helios." -Strabo 8.5.6

"Helios (the Sun) suddenly shone out with all his warmth. The traveler no sooner felt his genial rays than he took off one garment after another." -Aesop, Fables (from Babrius, Fabulae Aesopeae 18)

"She prayed to Titan Helios with submissive voice: she begged of him one red hot ray, that with its heating fire she might melt the petrified water of Zeus, by pouring his kindred radiance over the frozen.” –Dionysiaca 2.543

“Phaethon [Helios] scourged her skin with his blazing fire.” –Dionysiaca 16.250

“Governor of the flaming stars, Phaethon [Helios], is himself a potentate all of fire.” –Dionysiaca 27.100

See also: PHAETHON for the fiery power of the chariot of the sun

VII. THE FRUIT-RIPENING POWER OF HELIOS

“[Helios] bearing light, pure and fiery bright; bearer of fruit.” –Orphic Hymn 8 to Helius

"Helios, giver of feason, plantdresser, lord of fruits! When will the soil make winemother grapes to grow?” –Dionysiaca 12.1

VIII. THE ROTTING POWER OF HELIOS

"But here, shall Gaia and shining Hyperion make you [the monster Python] rot.'
Thus said Phoibos, exulting over her: and darkness covered her eyes. And the holy strength of Helios made her rot away there; wherefore the place is now called Pytho, and men call the lord Apollon by another name, Pythion; because on that spot the power of piercing Helios made the monster rot away." -Homeric Hymn III to Pythian Apollo 300

IX. THE SCORCHING POWER OF HELIOS (UNDER THE MALEVOLENT INFLUENCE OF SEIRIOS)

"From the ocean-verge upsprings Helios (the sun) in glory, flashing fire far over earth - fire, when beside his radiant chariot-team races the red star Seirios, scatterer if woefullest diseases over men." -Quintus Smyrnaeus 8.30

X. MIRACLES OF HELIOS: THE SUN ECLIPSED

“Beam of the sun! O thou that seest afar, what wilt thou be devising? O mother of mine eyes! O star supreme, reft from us in the daytime [ie an eclipse]! Why hast thou perplexed the power of man and the way of wisdom, by rushing forth on a darksome track? Art thou bringing on us some new and strange disaster? Yet, by Zeus, I implore thee, thou swift driver divine of steeds! Do thou, O queen! Change this world-wide portent into some painless blessing for Thebes.
Is it because, in thine anger at the presumptuous sons of mortals, thou art unwilling utterly to blot out the pure light of life?
But art thou bringing a sign of some war, or wasting of produce, or an unspeakable violent snow-storm, or fatalfaction, or again, some overflowing of the sea on the plain, or frost to blind the earth, or heat of the south-wind streaming with raging rain? Or wilt thou, by deluging the land, cause the race of men to begin anew? I in no wise lament whate’er I shall suffer with all the rest” –Pindar Paean 9

"Dies(Day) [here equated with Helios the Sun] felt her presence [an Erinys summoned up from Haides], Nox [Nyx, night] interposed her pitchy cloud and startled his shining steeds." –Thebaid 1.97

“[Zeus] resolved to mount Semele’s nightly couch, and turned his eye to the west, to see when sweet Hesperos (Evening) would come. He blamed Phaethon [Helios] that he should make the afternoon season so long, and uttered an impatient appeal with passionate lips:
‘ ... Helios, you plague me, though you know the madness of love. Why do you spare the whip when you touch up your slow team? I know another nightfall that came very quickly! If I like, I will hide you and the daughter of the mists [Eos] together in my clouds, and when you are covered Nyx (Night) will appear in the daytime, to speed the marriage of Zeus in haste; the stars will shine at midday, and I will make rising Hesperos, instead ofsetting Hesperos, the regular usher of the loves. Come now , draw your own forerunner Phosphoros to his setting, and do grace to your desire and mine; enjoy your Klymene all night long, and let me go quick to Semele.” –Dionysiaca 7.280

“A foreboding sign was shown to wine-faced Bakkhos [Dionysos] in the sky [during his war with the Indians], an incredible wonder. For at midday, a sudden darkness was spread abroad, and a midday obscurity covered Phaethon [Helios] with its black pall, and the hills were overshadowed as his beams were stolen away. Many a stray brand fell here and there scattered from the heavenly car; thousands of rainshowers deluged the surface of the earth, the rocks were flooded by drops from the sky, until fiery Hyperion rose again shining high on his chariot after his hard struggle …
Idmon the treasury of learned lore, for he had been taught the secrets of Ourania, the Mousa who knows the round circuit of the stars: he had been taught by his learned art the shades on Selene’s (Moon’s) orb when in union with the Sun, and the ruddy flame of Phaethon [Helios] stolen out of sight from his course behind the cone of darkness, and the clap of thunder, the heavenly bellow of the bursting clouds, and the shining comet, and the flame of meteors, and the fiery leap of the thunderbolt. Having been taught all these things by Ourania the goddess he stood with dauntless heart, while the limbs of every man was loosened [at the sight of the solar eclipse] ...
And now to Dionysos, alone among the rocks which he loved, came Hermes his brother from heaven as messenger of Zeus, and spoke assuring him of victory: ‘Tremble not at this sign, even though night came at midday. This sign, fearless Bakkhos [Dionysos], your father Kronion has shown you to foretell your victory in the Indian War. For I liken Bakkhos the light-bringer to the sun shining again, and the bold black Indian to the thick darkness. That is what is meant by the picture in the sky. For as the darkness blotted out and covered the light of shining day, and then Helios rose again in his fireshining chariot and dispersed the gross darkness, so you also shall shake from your eyes far far away the darksome sightless gloom of the Tartarian Erinyes, and blaze again on the battlefield like Hyperion. So great a marvel ancient [an eclipse] eternal Khronos (Time) our foster-father has never brought, since Phaethon, struck by the steam of fire divine, fell tumbling half-burnt from Helios’s lightbearing chariot." –Dionysiaca 38.19

XI. MIRACLES OF HELIOS: THE SUN HALTED IN THE SKY

"Bright Hyperionides (Son of Hyperion) stopped his swift-footed horses a long while [when Athena was born] until the maided Pallas Athene had stripped the heavenly armour from her immortal shoulders." -Homeric Hymn XXVII to Athena 12

"The god Helios never passes by that beauteous dance [of Artemis and her Nymphai], but stays his car to gaze upon the sight, and lights of day are lengthened.” –Callimachus, Hymn III to Artemis 180

“He [the god Dionysos] called to Helios, reminding the chief of the stars of his love for Klymene, and prayed him to hold back his car and check the stalled horses with the heavenly bit, that he might prolong the sweet light, that he might go slow to his setting and with sparing whip increase the day to shine again." -Dionysiaca 42.45

XII. MIRACLES OF HELIOS: THE SUN BARRED FROM SHINING

"Now there was an oracle among the gods that they themselves would not be able to destroy any of the Gigantes, but would finish them off only with the help of some mortal ally. When Ge learned of this, she sought a drug that would prevent their destruction even by mortal hands. But Zeus barred the appearance of Eos (the Dawn), Selene (the Moon), and Helios (the Sun), and chopped up the drug himself before Ge could find it." -Apollodorus 1.34-38

XIII. MIRACLES OF HELIOS: THE SUN JOURNEYS BACKWARDS

"Zeus then sent Hermes to Atreus and told him to get Thyestes to agree that Atreus should rule [Argos], if Helios should journey backwards. Thyestes agreed, and Helios put his setting where he usually rose." -Apollodorus E2.12

XIV. MIRACLES OF HELIOS: UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF WITCHES' MAGIC

"[Medea the witch cries out to the sky gods:] 'Thee too, bright Luna [Selene the Moon], I banish, though thy throes the clanging bronze assuage; under my spells even my grandsire’s [Helios the Sun’s] chariot grows pale and Aurora [Eos the Dawn] pales before my poison’s power." -Metamorphoses 7.207

"Circe turned to prayers and incantations, and unknown chants to worship unknown gods, chants which she used to eclipse Luna’s [Selene the Moon’s] pale face and veil her father’s [Helios the Sun’s] orb in thirsty clouds." –Metamorphoses 14.365

“[The witch] Medea … than whom is none more potent at the nightly altars; for responsive to her cry and to the juices she scatters in desolate places the Stars are halted trembling and Solis [Helios the Sun] her grandsire is aghast as he runs his course.” –Valerius Flaccus 6.442

“Their [the Brahmans of India] inspired incantations have often enchanted Selene as she passes through the air like an untamed bull, and brought her down from heaven, and often stayed the course of Phaethon [Helios the sun] swiftly driving his hurrying car.” –Dionysiaca 36.345

XV. HELIOS NUMBERED AMONGST THE PLANETS

“He [Kadmos founder of Thebes] dedicated the seven gates [of the new-founded city] to the seven planets [Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn] ... the midmost gate opposite the Dawn he dedicated to fiery Helios, since he is in the middle of the planets.” –Dionysiaca 5.67

XVI. LANDS OF ETERNAL DARKNESS LIE BEYOND THE RISING SUN

"And there [at the ends of earth, sea and sky] the children of dark Nyx (Night) have their dwellings, Hypnos (Sleep) and Thanatos (Death), awful gods. Glowing Helios (the Sun) never looks upon them with his beams, neither as he goes up into heaven, nor as he comes down from heaven." -Theogony 758

“Iapetos and Kronos seated have no shining of the sun god Hyperion to delight them nor winds’ delight, but Tartaros stands deeply about them.” –Iliad 8.480

“The vessel [of Odysseus came to the bounds of eddying Okeanos, where lie the land and the city of the Kimmerians, covered with mist and cloud. Never does the resplendent Sun look on this people with his beams, neither when he climbs towards the stars of heaven nor when once more he comes earthwards from the sky; dismal night overhands these wretches always. [Homer appears to say that Odysseus reached the Kimmerians after crossing the Eastern-most part of the river Okeanos from Kirke’s island of Aeaea, an island in the far East from which Homer says the Sun has his risings and the Dawn has her home].” –Odyssey 11.18

“Hermes led them [the ghosts of the dead] down through the ways of darkness [the caverns of the earth]. They passed the streams of Okeanos, the White Rock [Elysian Island], the Gates of the Sun (Helios) and the Land of Dreams, and soon they came to the field of asphodel [the kingdom of Haides, which Homer again describes as lying in the far East beyond Helios’ places of rising beyond Kirke’s island of Aeaea].” –Odyssey 24.4
------------------------------------------------------------------------

IMAGES OF HELIOS IN ANCIENT GREEK VASE PAINTING
<Click on thumbnails to view full-sized images>
   
  T19.12 T17.4 T17.5  
   
  T17.6 T17.3 T17.2  
------------------------------------------------------------------------

HELIOS THE ALL-SEEING, ALL-HEARING WATCHER OF GODS & MEN

"The all-seeing, all-hearing sun-god Helios.” –Odyssey 11.102

"Helios, who is watchman of both gods and men." -Homeric Hymn II to Demeter 19

"You [Helios] with your beams look down from the bright upper air (aitheros) over all the earth and sea." -Homeric Hymn II to Demeter 19

"All-surveying Helios." -Greek Lyric I Sappho or Alcaeus Frag 4

"Sol [Helios] is the first to see all things." –Metamorphoses 4.169

"Sol (the Sun) gazes far and wide on the day’s deeds.” –Ovid Fasti 4.575

“[Aeetes upon hearing the prophecy from the ghost of Phrixos that his realm will be ruined when the Golden Fleece is stolen] prayed to the godhead of his sire [Helios] and to his chariot as it rose above the eastern strand: ‘This prayer do I make to thee, O father, guardian of my destiny, all-seeing one! Cast now thine eyes upon the land, upon all the sea; whether it be men of my own land or strangers that are planning secret treachery, be first to bear me news.” –Valerius Flaccus 5.245

See also: HELIOS & THE AFFAIR OF APHRODITE & ARES; HELIOS & DEMETER'S SEARCH FOR PERSEPHONE
------------------------------------------------------------------------

HELIOS WITNESS OF THE SWORN OATH

Helios was invoked to witness the most solemn of oaths as the all-seeing god who would report any breach to the deities who punished oath-breakers.

“Bring to lambs: let one be white and the other black for Gaia and Helios, and for Zeus we well bring yet another. Bring, that he may seal the pledges … Priam himself, for his sons are outrageous, not to be trusted; lest some man overstep Zeus’ oaths, and make them be nothing.’ …
The heralds led up the victims for the gods’ oaths, and in a great wine-bowl mixed the wine, and poured water over the hands of the princes. Atreus’ son [Agamemnon] laid hands upon his work-knife, and few it from where it hung ever beside the mighty sheath of his war sword and cut off hairs from the heads of the lambs; and the heralds thereafter passed these about to all the princes of the Trojans and Akhaians. Atreus’ son uplifting his hands then prayed in a great voice: ‘Father Zeus, watching over us from Ida, most high, most honoured, and Helios, you who see all things, who listen to all things, Gaia, and Potaioi (Rivers), and you who under the earth take vengeance on dead men [the Erinyes], whoever among them has sworn to falsehood, you shall be witnesses, to guard the oaths of fidelity … ‘
So he spoke, and with pitiless bronze he cut the lambs’ throats.” –Iliad 3.104 & 3.278

“[Agamemnon] cut first away the hairs from the boar, and lifting his hands up to Zeus, prayed … He spoke before them in prayer gazing into the wide sky: ‘Let Zeus first be my witness, highest of the gods and greatest, and Gaia (Earth), and Helios (Sun), and the Erinyes, who underground avenge dead men, when any man has sworn a falsehood, that I have never laid a hand on the girl Briseis …. ‘
So he spoke, and with pitiless bronze he cut the boar’s throat.” –Iliad 19.259

“[Helios] foe to the wicked, but the good man’s guide, over all his steps propitious you preside ... Faithful defender, and the eye of right.” –Orphic Hymn 8 to Helius

“First I will swear to you by Sol [Helios the Sun-God] the all-seeing that what I’m telling you it true.” –Apuleius 1.5
------------------------------------------------------------------------

HELIOS GOD OF SIGHT

Helios was the god of sight, who could heal the blind (such as Orion), or blind those who offended him (such as Phineus).

“Beam of the sun! O thou that seest afar, what wilt thou be devising? O mother of mine eyes!” –Pindar Paean 9

See also: HELIOS BLESSINGS: ORION; HELIOS WRATH: PHINEUS
------------------------------------------------------------------------

HELIOS INVENTOR OF THE FOUR-HORSE CHARIOT

“Jupiter [Zeus] seeing that he [Erikhthonios] first amongmen yoked horses in four-horse chariots, admired the genius of a man who could rival the invention of Sol, who first among the gods made use of the quadriga.” –Hyginus Astronomica 2.13
------------------------------------------------------------------------

HELIOS & THE CREATION OF LIFE ON EARTH

In the early days of the universe when Ouranos (Sky) and Gaea (Earth) had been driven apart by the Titanes, the sun-god Helios shone for the first time upon the earth. And from the warm, bubbling mud sprouted life - plants and animals sprung fully grown.

“Nondescript monsters, fitted with miscellaneous limbs, were once produced spontaneously by Ge out of the primeval mud, when she had not yet solidified under a rainless sky and was deriving no moisture from the blazing Sun. But Khronos (Time), combining this with that, brought the animal creation into order.” –Argonautica 4.673

"When [after the Great Deluge] Tellus (the Earth) deep-coated with the slime of the late deluge, glowed again beneath the warm caresses of shining Sol (the Sun), she brought forth countless species, some restored in ancient forms, some fashioned weird and new." –Metamorphoses 1.434

"Khthon (the Earth), milling out from Helios the shine of his newmade brightness upon her all-mothering breast [at the first dawn]." -Dionysiaca 41.82

Diodorus Siculus also providess a good description of the sun-created bubbles of mud that birthed the very first animals (not quoted here).
------------------------------------------------------------------------

HELIOS & THE WAR OF THE TITANES

“Before the battle against the Gigantes in Krete [the Titanes not the Gigantes], we are told, Zeus sacrificed a bull to Helios and to Ouranos and to Ge; and in connection with each of the rites there was revealed to him what was the will of the gods in the affair, the omens indicating the victory of the gods and a defection to them of the enemy [certain Titanes, including Helios defected to the side of Zeus].” –Diodorus Siculus 5.71.2

"Aex [was] the daughter of Sol [Helios], who surpassed many in beauty of body, but in contrast to this beauty, had a most horrible face. Terrified by it, the Titanes begged Terra [Gaia] to hide her body, and Terra is said to have hidden her in a cave in the island of Crete. Later she became nurse of Jove [Zeus], as we have said before. But when Jupiter [Zeus], confident in his youth, was preparing for war against the Titanes, oracular reply was given to him [presumably from Helios, Ouranos and Gaia, as above] that if he wished to win, he should carry on the war protected with the skin of a goat, aigos [Aex daughter of Helios], and the head of the Gorgon. The Greeks call this the aegis. When this was done, as we have shown above, Jupiter, overcoming the Titanes, gained possession of the kingdom.” –Hyginus Astronomica 2.13
------------------------------------------------------------------------

HELIOS & THE DIVISION OF EARTH'S DOMINIONS: RHODES

“Now on the tongues of men are told the stories of ancient days, that when Zeus and the immortals made division of the lands of earth [after the Titanes were vanquished], not yet to see was Rhodes, shining upon the waves of sea, but the isle lay hidden deep within the salt sea’s folds. But for Helios no lot was drawn; for he was absent, and they left him of broad earth no heritage, that holy god. And when he made known his mischance, Zeus was in mind to portion out the lots again; but he allowed him not, for he said that beneath the surge of sea his eyes had seen a land growing out of the depths, blessed with rich nourishment for men and happy with teeming flocks.
And straightaway then the god commanded Lakhesis of the golden fillet to raise aloft her hands and swear, no on her lips alone, the great oath of the gods, promising with the son of Kronos this land once risen to the light of heaven should be thenceforth as for a crown of honour his own awarded title. The great words spoken, fell in truth’s rich furrow. And there grew up from the watery wave this island, and great Helios who begets the fierce rays of the sun, holds her in his dominion, that ruler of the horses breathing fire.
There long ago he lay with Rhodes and begot seven sons, endowed beyond all men of old with genius of thoughtful mind. And of these one begot he eldest Ialysos, and Kamiros and Lindos; and in three parts they divided their father’s land, and of three citadels the brothers held each his separate share, and by their three names are the cities called.” –Pindar Olympian 7 ep3-ep4

"Rhodes, Phoebus’ [Helios the Sun’s] favourite." -Metamorphoses 7.365
------------------------------------------------------------------------

HELIOS & THE WAR OF THE GIGANTES

"It was Alkyoneus [the Gigante] who drove away the cattle of Helios from Erytheia. Now there was an oracle among the gods that they themselves would not be able to destroy any of the Gigantes, but would finish them off only with the help of some mortal ally. When Ge learned of this, she sought a drug that would prevent their destruction even by mortal hands. But Zeus barred the appearance of Eos (the Dawn), Selene (the Moon), and Helios (the Sun), and chopped up the drug himself before Ge could find it." -Apollodorus 1.34-38

"[Hephaistos gave many gifts] as a thank-offering to Helios, who had taken him up in his chariot when he sank exhausted on the battlefield of Phlegra [in the war of the Gigantes].” –Argonautica 3.221

"The plant 'moly' of which Homer speaks; this plant had, it is said, grown from the blood of the Gigante killed in the isle of Kirke; it has a white flower; the ally of Kirke who killed the Gigante was Helios; the combat was hard (Greek malos) from which the name of this plant." - Ptolemy Hephaestion Bk4 (as summarized in Photius, Myriobiblon 190)
------------------------------------------------------------------------

HELIOS & THE MONSTER TYPHOEUS

“Many a time in the weedy gulf he [the monster Typhoeus] ... pulled out a stallion by his brine-soaked mane from the undersea manger, and threw the vagabond nag to the vault of heaven, shooting his shot at Olympos – hit Helios the Sun’s chariot, and the horses on their round whinnied under the yoke.” –Dionysiaca 1.207

“[Gaia] seeing the stone bullets and icy points embedded in the Gigante’s [Typhoeus’] flesh, the witness of his fate [in his battle against Zeus], she prayed to Titan Helios with submissive voice: she begged of him one red hot ray, that with its heating fire she might melt the petrified water of Zeus, by pouring his kindred radiance over frozen Typhon.” –Dionysiaca 2.543
------------------------------------------------------------------------

HELIOS & THE AFFAIR OF APHRODITE & ARES

“Ares and Aphrodite … lay together secretly in the dwelling of Hephaistos. But Helios the sun-god had seen them in their dalliance and hastened away to tell Hephaistos; to him the news was bitter as gall, and he made his way towards his smithy, brooding revenge … [and fashioned a net to trap the lovers in the act] … So they [Ares & Aphrodite] went to the bed and there lay down, but the cunning chains of crafty Hephaistos enveloped them, and they could neither raise their limbs nor shifts them at all; so they saw the truth when there was no escaping. Meanwhile the lame craftsman god approached; he had turned back short of the land of Lemnos, since the watching sun-god Helios had told him everything.” –Odyssey 8.260

"Even Sol [Helios the Sun], whose star-born radiance governs the world, became the thrall of love. How Sol fell in love, shall be my tale. Sol is thought to have been the first to see Venus’ [Aphrodite’s] adultery with Mars [Ares]: Sol is the first to see all things. Shocked at the sight he told the goddess’ husband [Hephaistos], Junonigena [son of Hera], how he was cuckolded and where. Then Volcanus’ [Hephaistos’] heart fell, and from his deft blacksmith’s hands fell too the work he held. At once he forged a net, a mesh of thinnest links of bronze, too fine for eye to see [with which he laid a trap for the lovers Aphrodite and Ares] … Cythereia [Aphrodite] did not forget. Him [Helios] who revealed and brought to ruin the love she hoped to hide she punished with a love as ruinous. What then availed Hyperion’s proud son his beauty’s brilliance and his flashing beams? Why, he, whose fires set the world aglow, glowed with new fire, and he who should observe all things gazed only on Leucothoe [a love which was ultimately doomed]." –Metamorphoses 4.169

“[Hermes to Aphrodite:] ‘Phaethon [Helios], the shining witness of your loves, who told tales of the furtive robber of your bed.” –Dionysiaca 24.305

“Phaethon [Helios] laughed, because Ares in the seafight [of Dionysos against the Indians] had fled again before the fire of Hephaistos, as once before he fled from his chains.” –Dionysiaca 39.403
------------------------------------------------------------------------

HELIOS & DEMETER'S SEARCH FOR PERSEPHONE

"Then she [Persephone] cried out shrilly with her voice, calling upon her father [Zeus] ... But no one, either of the deathless gods or mortal men, heard her voice, nor yet the olive-trees bearing rich fruit: only [Hekate] ... heard the girl from her cave, and the lord Helios, Hyperion's bright son ...
They [Demeter & Hekate] came to Helios, who is watchman of both gods and men, and stood in front of his horses: and the bright goddess enquired of him: 'Helios, do you at least regard me, goddess as I am, if ever by word or deed of mine I have cheered your heart and spirit. Through the fruitless air (aitheros) I heard the thrilling cry of my daughter whom I bare, sweet scion of my body and lovely in form, as of one seized violently; though with my eyes I saw nothing. But you - for with your beams you look down from the bright upper air (aitheros) over all the earth and sea - tell me truly of my dear child if you have seen her anywhere, what god or mortal man has violently seized her against her will and mine, and so made off.'
So said she. And Hyperionides (Son of Hyperion) answered her: 'Queen Demeter, daughter of rich-haired Rheia, I will tell you the truth; for I greatly reverence and pity you in your grief for your trim-ankled daughter. None other of the deathless gods is to blame, but only cloud-gathering Zeus who gave her to Aides [Hades], her father's brother, to be called his buxom wife. And Aides seized her and took her loudly crying in his chariot down to his realm of mist and gloom. Yet, goddess [thea], cease your loud lament and keep not vain anger aunrelentingly: Aidoneus, the Ruler of Many, is no unfitting husband among the deathless gods for your child, being your own brother and born of the same stock: also, for honour, he has that third share which he received when division was made at the first, and is appointed lord of those among whome he dwells.'
So he spake, and called to his horses: and at his chiding they quickly whirled the swift chariot along, like long-winged birds." -Homeric Hymn II to Demeter 19

“She [Demeter] roams the heaven, too [in search of Persephone], and accosts the Stars free of limpid Oceanus near the chilly pole: ‘Parrhasian Stars (you can know everything, since you never sink beneath Oceanus’ stream), show this wretched parent her daughter, Persephone.’ She spoke. Helice replies this to her: ‘Night is guiltless. Consult Sol (the Sun) on the virgin’s rape. He gazes far and wide on the day’s deeds.’ Sol (the Sun) is approached. ‘Don’t waste time,’ he says, ‘You seek the bride of Jove’s brother [Haides], the third realm’s queen.” –Ovid Fasti 4.575
------------------------------------------------------------------------

FABLE OF HELIOS & THE FROGS

"Once upon a time, when Helios/Sol (the Sun) announced his intention to take a wife, the Frogs lifted up their voices in clamor to the sky. Zeus/Jupiter, disturbed by the noise of their croaking, inquired the cause of their complaint. One of them said, 'Helios/Sol (the Sun), now while he is single, parches up the marsh, and compels us to die miserably in our arid homes. What will be our future condition if he should beget other suns?" -Aesop, Fables 127 (Chambry) (from Babrius, Fabulae Aesopeae 24 & Phaedrus 1.6)
------------------------------------------------------------------------

HELIOS COMPETITIONS: POSEIDON

”The Korinthians say that Poseidon had a dispute with Helios about the land, and that Briareos arbitrated between them, assigning to Poseidon the Isthmos and the parts adjoining, and giving to Helios the height above the city.” –Pausanias 2.1.5

”The Akrokorinthos [at Korinthos] is a mountain peak above the city, assigned to Helios by Briareos when he acted as adjudicator [between Helios & Poseidon over the land of Korinthos], and handed over, the Korinthians say, by Helios to Aphrodite … After these [precincts of other gods] are altars to Helios.” –Pausanias 2.4.5

“[Poseidon boasts:] ‘Champion Phaethon [Helios] too in his celestial course felt the point of my trident, when the deep waged formidable war in that starry battle for Korinthos.” –Dionysiaca 43.184
------------------------------------------------------------------------

HELIOS COMPETITIONS: BOREAS

"Boreas (the North Wind) and Helios (the Sun) disputed as to which was the most powerful, and agreed that he should be declared the victor who could first strip a wayfaring man of his clothes. Boreas (the North Wind) first tried his power and blew with all his might, but the keener his blasts, the closer the traveler wrapped his cloak around him, until at last, resigning all hope of victory, the Wind called upon Helios (the Sun) to see what he could do. Helios (the Sun) suddenly shone out with all his warmth. The traveler no sooner felt his genial rays than he took off one garment after another, and at last, fairly overcome with heat, undressed and bathed in a stream that lay in his path. Persuasion is better than force." -Aesop, Fables (from Babrius, Fabulae Aesopeae 18)
------------------------------------------------------------------------

HELIOS WRATH: PHINEUS

“A rumour not to be believed has spread among men that the moles boast themselves sprung from the blood of a king, even of Phineus, whom a famous Thrakian hill nurtured. Against Phineus once on a time was the Titan Phaethon [Helios] angered, wroth for the victory of [Phineus] the prophet of Phoibos [Apollon], and robbed him of his sight and sent the shameless Harpyiai, a winged race to dwell with him to his sorrow. But when the two glorious sons of Boreas, even Zetes and Kalais ... slew that tribe and gave his poor lips sweet food. But not even so did Phaethon [Helios] lull his wrath to rest, but speedily turned him into the race of moles which were before not; wherefore even now the race remains blind and gluttonous of food.” –Cynegetica 2.615
------------------------------------------------------------------------

HELIOS WRATH: ARGE

“When Arge, a huntress, was pursuing a stag, she is said to have told it: ‘Though you equal the speed of the Sun (Sol), yet I will catch up with you.’ Sol [Helios], in anger, changed her into a doe.” –Hyginus Fabulae 205
------------------------------------------------------------------------

HELIOS WRATH: NERITES

“Poseidon was the lover of Nerites [son of Nereus and Doris] ... [and] when Poseidon drove his chariot over the waves ... [all were] left utterly and far behind by the speed of his horses; only the boy favourite was his escort close at hand ... for the god willed that his beautiful favourite should not only be highly esteemed for other reasons but should also be pre-eminent at swimming.
But the story relates that Helios the Sun resented the boy’s power of speed and transformed his body into the spiral shell as it now is: the cause of his anger I cannot tell, neither does the fable mention it [perhaps Nerites bragged that his chariot was swifter than that of the sun god or perhaps challenged the god to a race]. But if one may guess where there is nothing to go by, Poseidon and Helios might be said to be rivals. And it may be that Helios was vexed at the boy travelling about in the sea and wished that he should travel among the constellations instead of being counted among the Ketea (Sea-Monsters).” –Aelian On Animals 14.28
------------------------------------------------------------------------

HELIOS WRATH: ODYSSEUS

“Fools [the companions of Odysseus], they devoured the cattle of Hyperion, and he, Helios (the Sun-god), cut off from them the day of their homecoming.” –Odyssey 1.8

“[The ghost of Teiresias to Odysseus:] You and your men may perhaps reach home, though with much misery, if only you have the strength to curb your own and your comrades’ appetites when you leave dark ocean and bring your vessel near the Thrinakian island. You will find sheep and cattle grazing there; they belong to a god, the all-seeing, all-hearing sun-god Helios. If you leave these unharmed – if you set your mind only to return – you may all of you still reach Ithaka, though with much misery. But if you harm them, then I foretell destruction alike for your ship and for your comrades.” –Odyssey 11.102

“[Kirke, daughter of Helios, to Odysseus:] You will reach the isle of Thrinakia [in the far East – the Caspian or Black Sea perhaps]. In this there are grazing many cows and many fat flocks of sheep; they are Helios’ – seven herds of cows and as many fine flocks of sheep. In each herd and each flock there are fifty beasts; no births increase them, no deaths diminish them [ie they are immortal]. They are pastured by goddesses, lovely-haired Nymphai named Phaethousa and Lampetie, whose father is the sun-god Hyperion and whose mother is bright Neaera; having borne and bred them, she took them away to remote Thrinakia to live there and tend their father’s sheep and the herds with curling horns. If you leave these unharmed – if you set your mind only on return – you may all of you still reach Ithaka, though with much misery. But if you harm them, then I foretell destruction alike for your ship and for your comrades, and if you yourself escape that end, you will return late and in evil plight, having lost for ever all your comrades.” –Odyssey 12.127

“When we had left the rocks behind us, with Skylla and terrible Kharybdis, we came soon enough to the lovely island of Helios. Here were the fine broad-browed herds, here were the plentiful fat flocks of Hyperion. While the dark ship was still out at sea, I heard sheep bleating and cows lowing as they entered their quarters for the night; and into my heart came back the blind prophet’s [Teiresias’] words and Aeaean Krike’s also; both of them had enjoined me earnestly to shun this island of the all-gladdening Helios. Troubled at heart, I spoke to my comrades thus: ‘Comrades, listed to what I say, sad though your plight is; I must tell you of the prophetic words of Theban Teiresias and of Kirke. They urged me solemnly, both of them, to shun this island of the all-gladdening sun-god Helios, because there, they said, the direst of perils awaited us. Take heed then; row the dark vessel past this island.’
So I spoke, and the men’s hearts sank within them. Eurylokhos answered me at once [and with the other men insist that Odysseus land’s the ship] … We beached our ship and dragged it up to a certain cave within whose hollows the Nymphai could sit or weave their lovely dances. Then I called an assembly of my men and spoke thus among them: ‘Friends, in our ship we have food and drink enough. Let us keep our hands from the cattle, then, lest evil should overtake us; these beasts the cows and fat sheep, belong to the dread divinity, Helios the sun-god, who sees all things and hears all things.’
So I spoke, and their own strong wills gave consent. Then for a whole month the south wind blew without ceasing … [then his men starving Odysseus wandered off to pray to the gods] …
Among my comrades Eurylokhos put forth evil counsel: ‘Comrades, in this sad plight of ours, hear what I have to say. Every form of death is loathsome to wretched mortals, but to perish of hunger, to starve to death – that is the most pitiful thing of all. Enough! Let us carry off the best of Helios’ cattle and give them in sacrifice to the Deathless Ones whose home is wide heaven. And if ever we should return again to our own land, Ithaka, we will hasten to build a sumptuous temple to Hyperion the sun-god, and there we may place fine offerings in plenty. But if in anger over his long-horned cattle he resolves to wreck our ship and the other gods second him – why, then, I would rather drink the brine and lose life at one gulp than waste away by inches in this forsaken island.’
So spoke Eurylokhos, and the rest of the crew applauded him. They drove off at once the best of Helios’ cattle – it was near at hand, not far from the ship, that they were grazing, these handsome beasts with their broad brows and curling horns. The men surrounded them and began their prayer to the gods, and because they hadno barley-meal in the ship, they plucked instead the fresh tender leaves of a tall oak. Prayer over, they slaughtered and flayed the cows, cut out the thigh-bones and covered them with a double fold of fat, then laid the raw meat above. They had no wine to make libation over the burning sacrifice, but instead poured water as they set to roasting the inward parts. When the thigh-bones were quite consumed and the entrails tasted, they sliced and spitted the rest.
At that moment the sleep that had soothed me [Odysseus] passed of a sudden from my eyelids, and I took my way to the shore and ship again. Then, as I neared the curving vessel, the rich savour of roasting meat was wafted all about me. I groaned aloud, I cried out to the deathless gods: ‘Oh Father Zeus, oh blessed and ever-living gods, surely it was for my destruction that you lulled me with that fatal slumber, while the comrades that I left behind me devised this deed of unrighteousness.’
But without delay Lampetie of the trailing robe sped off to Hyperion the sun god to tell him that we had slain hiscattle, and he with his heart inflamed with anger spoke out at once to the Deathless Ones: ‘O Father Zeus, O blessed and ever-living gods, take vengeance on the crew of Laertes’ son Odysseus; in their lawlessness theyhave slain the cattle in which I always took delight, both as I climbed the starry sky and as I took my path again back from the sky and down towards the earth. Unless these men pay a just atonement for my cattle, I will descend to Haides’ kingdom and shine among the dead.’
Zeus who masses the clouds made answer: ‘Helios, shine in the sight of the Deathless One and of mortals over the fertile earth. As for those you speak of, soon enough I will strike their ship with my white-hot thunderbolt and shatter and shiver it in mid-ocean.’
All this I heard from Kalypos of the lovely hair, who herself heard it, so she told me, from Hermes, messenger of the gods.
When I reached the sea where the ship lay, I went round to the men one by one and upbraided them, but as for a remedy, there was none to be found; the cattle were killed already. Then the gods began to show signs and wonders to my crew. The beasts’ hides began to move; the flesh on the spits, raw or roasted, began to bellow,and there was a noise like the noise of cattle [perhaps because the cattle were immortal and could not die].
For six days more the crew still banqueted on the choice cattle that they had seized; but when Zeus brought us the seventh day, the wind and raging tempest ceased. So without delay we went aboard, stepped the mast, hauled the white sails and launched into wide ocean … [then Zeus as promised sent a tempest and destroyed the ship with a thunderbolt.]” -Odyssey 12.261

"He [Odysseus] went to Thrinakia, an island belonging to Helios, where cattle grazed. He stayed there, held captive by windless weather. His crew, lacking sustenance, slaughtered and feasted on some of the cattle; and Helios angrily complained to Zeus. So when the ship but to sea, Zeus hit it with a thunderbolt." -Apollodorus E7.22-23

“He [Odysseus] had come to the island of Sicily to the sacred herds of Sol [Helios], but their flesh lowed when his comrades cooked it in a brazen kettle. He had been warned by Tiresias and by Circe, too, not to touch them, and as a result he lost many comrades there
Borne on to Charybdis, who three times a day sucked down the water and three times belched it up, by Tiresias’ warning he passed by. But Sol [Helios] was angry because his herd had been harmed. When Ulysses had come to the island, and at Tiresias’ warning forbade anyone’s touching the herd, his comrades seized some cattle while he slept; as they were cooking them the flesh lowed from the brazen kettle. For his reason Jove [Zeus] struck his ship with a thunderbolt and burned it.” –Hyginus Fabulae 125
------------------------------------------------------------------------

HELIOS BLESSINGS: ORION

"[The blinded giant] Orion took Kedalion upon his shoulders and used to carry him about while he pointed out the roads. Then he came to the east and appears to have met Helios and to have been healed [of his blindness]." -The Astronomy Frag 4 (from Pseudo-Eratosthenes, Catast. fr. xxxii)

“He [Orion] was blinded by Oenopion and cast out of the island. But he came to Lemnos and Vulcanus [Hephaistos], and received from him a guide named Cedalion. Carrying him on his shoulders, he came to Sol [Helios], and when Sol healed him he returned to Chios to take vengeance on Oenopion.” –Hyginus Astronomica 2.34
------------------------------------------------------------------------

HELIOS BLESSINGS: HERAKLES

"Theolytos says that he [Herakles] sailed across the sea in a cauldron; but the first to give this story is the author of the Titanomakhia." -Titanomachia Frag 7 (from Athenaeus 11.470B)

"Helios too was conveyed to his setting in a cup Stesichorus tells us in the following words: 'And then Hyperion's strong child [Helios] went down into the cup of solid gold, so that he might cross over Okeanos and reach the depths of holy, dark night and his mother [Theia] and wedded wife and dear children; while he Zeus' son [Herakles], who has reached Erytheia in the cup or has traveled back to the mainland in it, now retuns it to Helios went on foot into the grove, shady with its laurels." -Greek Lyric III Stesichorus Frag S17 (from Athenaeus, Scholars at Dinner)

"Stesichorus says that Helios sailed across Okeanos in a cup and that Herakles also crosssed over in it when travelling to get Geryon's cattle." -Greek Lyric III Stesichorus Frag S17 (from Athenaeus, Scholars at Dinner)

"When Helios made him [Herakles] hot as he proceeded, he aimed his bow at the god and stretched it; Helios was so surprised at his daring that he gave him a golden goblet, in which he crossed Okeanos [to reach Erytheia] … He then loaded the cattle [of Geryon] into the goblet, sailed back to Tartessos, and returned the goblet to Helios." -Apollodorus 2.107

"Then after proceeding through Libya to the sea beyond, he [Herakles] appropriated the goblet from Helios [for the trip from Libya to the Kaukasos mountains]." -Apollodorus 2.119-120
------------------------------------------------------------------------

HELIOS EQUATED WITH APOLLON

”That Apollon is the same as the sun and that one god is furnished with two names is made clear to us by the mystical words spoken in the secret initiation rites and by the popular refrain which can be heard everywhere: The sun is Apollon and Apollon is the sun.” –Greek Lyric V Folk Songs Frag 860 (from Heraclitus, Homeric Allegories)

”And you Helios, who strike with your bright rays the everlasting heavenly vault, send on our enemies a far-shot arrow from your bowstring, oh ie Paian.” –Greek Lyric V Timotheus Frag 800 (from Macrobius, Saturnalia)

"Both Helios and Selene are closely associated with these [Apollon & Artemis], since they are the causes of the temperature of the air. And both pestilential diseases and sudden deaths are imputed to these gods [Apollon & Artemis]." -Strabo 14.1.6

“The name Apollo is Greek; they say that he is the Sun, and Diana they identify with the Moon; the word Sol being from solus, either because the sun ‘alone’ of all the heavenly bodies is of that magnitude, or because when the sun rises all the stars are dimmed and it ‘alone’ is visible.” –De Natura Deorum 2.27

“You say that Sol the Sun and Luna the Moon are deities, and the Greeks identify the former with Apollo and the latter with Diana [Artemis].” –De Natura Deorum 3.19
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sources:

* Homer, The Odyssey - Greek Epic C9th-8th BC
* Homer, The Iliad - Greek Epic C9th-8th BC
* Hesiod, Theogony - Greek Epic C8th-7th BC
* The Homeric Hymns - Greek Epic C8th-4th BC
* Homerica, The Astronomy - Greek Epic C8th-4th BC
* The Orphic Hymns - Greek Hymns C? BC
* Greek Elegaic Mimnermus, Fragments – Greek Elegaic C7th BC
* Pindar, Odes - Greek Lyric C5th BC
* Pindar, Fragments - Greek Lyric C5th BC
* Greek Lyric II The Anacreontea, Fragments - Greek Lyric BC
* Greek Lyric III Stesichorus, Fragments - Greek Lyric C7th-6th BC
* Greek Lyric IV Bacchylides, Fragments - Greek Lyric C5th BC
* Greek Lyric IV Euripides, Fragments - Greek Lyric BC
* Greek Lyric V Philoxenus, Fragments - Greek Lyric BC
* Greek Lyric V, Anonymous Fragments - Greek Lyric BC
* Aristophanes, Clouds - Greek Comedy C5th BC
* Apollodorus, The Library - Greek Mythography C2nd BC
* Herodotus, Histories - Greek History C5th BC
* Strabo, Geography - Greek Geography C1st BC - C1st AD
* Pausanias, Guide to Greece - Greek Geography C2nd AD
* Apollonius Rhodius, The Argonautica - Greek Epic C3rd BC
* Callimachus, Hymns - Greek C3rd BC
* Callimachus, Fragments - Greek C3rd BC
* Aratus, Phaenomena - Greek Astronomy C3rd BC
* Diodorus Siculus, The Library of History - Greek History C1st BC
* Aelian, On Animals - Greek Natural History C2nd - C3rd AD
* Ptolemy Hephaestion, New History -Greek Scholar C1st-2nd AD
* Philostratus, Life of Apollonius of Tyana - Greek Biography C2nd AD
* Hyginus, Fabulae - Latin Mythography C2nd AD
* Hyginus, Astronomica - Latin Mythography C2nd AD
* Ovid, Metamorphoses - Latin Epic C1st BC - C1st AD
* Ovid, Fasti - Latin Epic C1st BC - C1st AD
* Cicero, De Natura Deorum – Latin Philosophy C1st BC
* Valerius Flaccus, The Argonautica – Latin Epic C1st AD
* Statius, Thebaid - Latin Epic C1st AD
* Statius, Achilleid - Latin Epic C1st AD
* Statius, Silvae - Latin Epic C1st AD
* Apuleius, The Golden Ass – Latin Epic C2nd AD
* Oppian, Cynegetica – Greek Poetry C3rd AD
* Nonnos, Dionysiaca - Greek Epic C5th AD
* Photius, Myriobiblon -Byzantine Greek Scholar C9th AD
* Suidas - Byzantine Greek Lexicography C10th AD

Illustrations:

* Picture T17.1 - Attic Red Figure Vase Painting - Greek Pottery C5th BC

Other references not currently quoted here: Argonautica Orphica 1216; Sophocles Oedipus at Colonus 869; Athenaeus 7.296 & 11.470; Eustathius on Homer 36 & 1632 & 1668; Pliny Natural History 34.3 & 34.7 & 34.17 & 34.19; Theocritus 25.130

.

THE THEAI TITANIDES
 
Greek Singular:
Greek Plural: TitaniV Qea
Tithnia Qea
TitaneV Qeai Transliteration: Titanis Thea
Titênia Thea
Titanides Theai Translation: Straining-Goddesses /
Titan-Goddesses
EnglishSpelling: Titaness Titanesses        

The TITANIDES were the six daughters of Ouranos and Gaia, the female counterparts of the Titanes. They remained neutral in the Titan-War and, unlike their brothers, were not cast into Tartaros.

After the War Themis married Zeus and assumed an important position as his counsellor and goddess of assemblies, Tethys remained with her husband Okeanos in the river Ocean, Mnemosyne was loved by Zeus and bore him the nine Mousai with whom she dwelt on Olympos, Theia went to live in the palace of her son Helios the Sun, Rhea retreated to Phrygia and was worshipped as the Mother of the Gods, and lastly Phoibe gifted the oracle of Delphoi to her grandson Apollon and then presumably went to dwell with him and her daughter Leto on Olympos.

Parents

(1) OURANOS & GAIA (Theogony 116, Apollodorus 1.2, Diodorus Siculus 5.66.1)
(2) A KOURETE & TITAIA (Diodorus Siculus 5.66.1)

Names of the Elder Titanides

(1) THEIA, RHEA, THEMIS, MNEMOSYNE, PHOIBE, TETHYS (Theogony 116)
(2) THEIA, RHEA, THEMIS, MNEMOSYNE, PHOIBE, TETHYS, DIONE (Apollodorus 1.2)
(3) RHEA, THEMIS, MNEMOSYNE, PHOIBE, TETHYS (Diodorus Siculus 5.66.1)
(2) RHEA, THEMIS, MNEMOSYNE, DIONE (Hyginus Pref)
------------------------------------------------------------------------

NAMES OF TITANIDES (ELDER & YOUNGER)

ANKHIALE The younger Titanis-goddess of the drawing of heat. She was the wife of Hekateros the titan of hands and fingers and the mother of the metal-working Daktyloi.
ASTERIA The younger Titanis-goddess of (fire?). She was pursued by Zeus and to escape him leapt into the sea and transformed herself into the island of Delos.
ASTRAIA The younger Titanis-goddess of justice. She shines in the heavens as the constellation Virgo.
AURA The younger Titanis-goddess of the breeze. She was a virgin huntress who was raped by Dionysos.
DIONE One of the younger Titanides loved by Zeus. She was the mother or foster-mother of Aphrodite.
EOS The younger Titanis-goddess of the dawn..
EURYNOME One of the younger Titanides and a wife of the Titan-King Ophion. She and her husband were deposed by Kronos and Rhea. Eurynome later become a love of Zeus and mother of the Kharites.
HEKATE The younger Titanis-goddess of witchcraft. She was a firm ally of Zeus in the Titan-War and was granted many privileges by the god.
KLYMENE The younger Titanis-goddess of fame and infamy.
LETO The younger Titanis-goddess of being unseen. She was persecuted relentlessly by Hera during her pregnancy but successfully gave birth to the twin-gods Apollon and Artemis.
METIS The younger Titanis-goddess of wisdom. She was a lover and ally of Zeus during the Trojan War who gave Kronos a draught to make him disgorge his children. She was later swallowed by Zeus who heard a prophecy that their child would depose him.
MNEMOSYNE The elder Titanis-goddess of goddess of memory, words and language. She was loved by Zeus and became mother of the nine Mousai (Muses).
MOUSAI, THE ELDER Three elder Titanides who were goddesses of music and song.
PHOIBE The elder Titanis-goddess of answering intellect. She was a keeper of the oracle at Delphoi, which she gifted to her grandson Apollon.
RHEA The Queen of the Titanes and the Titanis-goddess of the fertility of the female body. She was forced to hide her son Zeus from the jaws of her husband Kronos. Rhea was honoured during the reign of Zeus as the great mother of the gods and a queen of the mountains.
STYX The younger Titanis-goddess of the great River Styx in Haides. She was a firm ally of Zeus in the Titan-War and brought to his side her four powerful offspring. He made her the goddess of the great oath of the gods.
TETHYS The elder Titanis-goddess of nursing the young and of the underground sources of fresh-water. She was the foster-mother of Hera during the Titan-War.
THEIA The elder Titanis goddess of sight and by extension of the value placed on gold, silver and gems. She dwelt with her son Helios the Sun in the far East.
THEMIS The elder Titanis-goddess of law and custom. She was a wife of Zeus and mother of the Horai and Thriai.

See also THE TITANES (the male Titanes)
------------------------------------------------------------------------

"But afterwards she [Gaia] lay with Ouranos and bare deep-swirling Okeanos, Koios and Krios and Hyperion and Iapetos, Theia and Rhea, Themis and Mnemosyne and gold-crowned Phoibe and lovely Tethys. After them was born Kronos the wily, youngest and most terrible of her children, and he hated his lusty sire." -Theogony 116f

"[Ouranos] fathered other sons on Ge, namely the Titanes: Okeanos, Koios, Hyperion, Kreios, Iapetos, and Kronos the youngest; also daughters called Titanides: Tethys, Rhea, Themis, Mnemosyne, Phoibe, Dione, Theia." -Apollodorus 1.1-2

“The Titanes had their dwelling in the land about Knosos, at the place where even to this day men point out foundations of a house of Rhea and a cypress grove which has been consecrated to her from ancient times. The Titanes numbered six men and five women, being born, as certain writers of myths relate, of Ouranos and Ge, but according to others, of one of the Kouretes and Titaia, from whom as their mother they derive the name they have. The males were Kronos, Hyperion, Koios, Iapetos, Krios and Okeanos, and their sisters were Rhea, Themis, Mnemosyne, Phoibe and Tethys [he omits Theia]. Each one of them was the discover of things of benefit to mankind, and because of the benefaction they conferred upon all men they were accorded honours and everlasting fame.” –Diodorus Siculus 5.66.1

“Of the female Titanes [Mnemosyne invented words and Themis taught man divination and law] ... And so these gods [the Titanes], by reason of the many benefactions which they conferred upon the life of man, were not only accorded immortal honours, but it was also believed that they were the first to make their home on Mount Olympos after they had been translated from among men.” –Diodorus Siculus 5.67.3

"From Aether [Ouranos] and Terra [Gaia] [were born]: ... Themis ... Hyperion and Polus [Koios], Saturnus [Kronos], Ops [Rhea], Moneta [Mnemosyne], Dione." -Hyginus Pref

Sources:

* Hesiod, Theogony - Greek Epic C8th-7th BC
* Apollodorus, The Library - Greek Mythography C2nd BC
* Diodorus Siculus, The Library of History - Greek History C1st BC
* Hyginus, Fabulae - Latin Mythography C2nd AD