Helios: Greek Gods

Helios

Helios driving his chariot of four winged steeds

There are three different versions of his name: 1. Helius 2. Helios 3. Sol (all represent the sun)

Helios is notably known for being the Titan god of sun. He is also known for being the guardian of oaths and the god of sight mainly because as he was riding in his flaming chariot, he saw and hear everything that was going on below him. Most greeks described him as very handsome, always adorned with robes while driving a chariot with fiery steeds.

Family tree of Helios

Helios’s siblings were also related to the sky. Selene is the Goddess of the Moon, in which she would ride the moon in the night time (basically the opposite of helios) and one out of the three lunar goddesses (Artemis as well as Hecate). Eos represented dawn and when she got married Astraeus (dusk), they both represented the twilight zone (because of the mixture of dusk and dawn).

Helios had many wives, including his sister, Selene which resulted in many children: The Charites, Phaethon, The Horae, Pasiphaë, Circe, Aeëtes, Heliadae, and Heliades.

Story: One of his son Phaethon who was mortal, demanded that his father let him drive his chariot for at least one day. Phaethon was unable to control his father’s horses and ran loose until Zeus stepped in and stuck him dead.

Helios in Modern Day:

Since Helios was so worshiped by the greeks a lot of artwork was made inspired by him. Most of the artwork depicts him as youthful, driving his chariot of horses. A lot of these works of art can be featured in museums. The picture above is the State Museum of Berlin.

Sources:

“Helios.” Facts about Poseidon for Kids ,

www.talesbeyondbelief.com/titans-mythology/helios.htm. Accessed 8 November 2018.

“Athene.” Reconstructed Memory Experiment — War of the Ghosts,

msu.edu/~spykman1/wra210/mod5/Gods.html. Accessed 8 November 2018.

Evans, Lily Jasmine, and Matthew. “Helios — The Sun God.” Greek Myths & Greek Mythology, 3 Nov. 2010,

www.greekmyths-greekmythology.com/helios-sun-god/. Accessed 8 November 2018.

“Eos.” Greek Mythology, GreekMythology.com,

www.greekmythology.com/Titans/Eos/eos.html. Accessed 8 November 2018.

Pictures:

“HELIOS.” HERMES MYTHS 6 FAVOUR — Greek Mythology, www.theoi.com/Titan/Helios.html. Accessed 8 November 2018.

Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. “Helios.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 8 Mar. 2018,

www.britannica.com/topic/Helios-Greek-god. Accessed 8 November 2018.