Helios

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Mack, Ludwig (der Jüngere), Helios-Relief, mitte

Bust of the sun-god Helios. 2nd cent. A.D

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Hans Rathausky - Helios et Selene

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Helios, painting on a terracotta disk, 480 BC, Agora Museum Athens, 080646

Helios (Greek: Ἥλιος, Hēlios; Latin: Sol) is the god of the sun in Greek mythology, one of the Titans, and the son of Hyperion and Theia. He is often depicted in art and literature driving his chariot through the sky, leading the sun across the heavens. Helios is associated with all aspects of the sun, including its power to see all things, its influence on the growth of plants, and its ability to inspire prophecy.

Mythology

Helios is a central figure in Greek mythology, embodying the sun's life-giving and destructive powers. He is brother to Selene, the goddess of the moon, and Eos, the goddess of the dawn. His Roman equivalent is Sol.

According to myth, Helios drives his chariot across the sky each day, pulled by four horses with flames emanating from their manes and hooves. This daily journey is seen as the sun's movement across the sky, from east to west, bringing light and warmth to the earth.

One of the most famous myths involving Helios is the story of his son Phaethon, who begged his father to let him drive the sun chariot for a day. Unable to control the horses, Phaethon veered too close to the Earth, scorching it, until Zeus struck him down with a thunderbolt to save the world from destruction.

Helios also plays a role in the myth of Persephone, witnessing her abduction by Hades and later informing her mother, Demeter, of her fate. This connection to the seasonal cycle of growth and decay further cements Helios's role as a solar deity influencing the natural world.

Worship

In ancient Greece, Helios was worshipped as a god of the sun and light. His cult was particularly prominent on the island of Rhodes, where the Colossus of Rhodes, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, was dedicated to him. Although Helios was not among the most widely venerated of the Greek gods, his presence was integral to the Greek understanding of the cosmos and the natural order.

Symbolism and Representation

Helios is often depicted in art and literature as driving a chariot pulled by horses across the sky, symbolizing the journey of the sun. He is sometimes shown with a radiant crown or the aureole of the sun, emphasizing his connection to sunlight and illumination. Other symbols associated with Helios include the rooster, which heralds the dawn, and the lyre, reflecting the harmony of the cosmos.

Legacy

The legacy of Helios in Western culture is significant, influencing art, literature, and language. The term "halo," used to describe a circle of light around the sun or moon, derives from Helios's name. Additionally, Helios's story has been interpreted in various ways throughout history, from allegories of the human condition to cautionary tales about hubris and the dangers of overreaching.

See Also

• Apollo, with whom Helios was often identified in later antiquity
• Solar deity
• Mythology of the sun