H. G. Evelyn-White; cf. But on nights the moon could not be seen, there was a very good reason for her absence. The Greeks recognized several goddesses as having a connection to the moon, but none was as closely associated with it as Selene. Selene, like her siblings, was a Titan goddess because of her birth but they were no less important to the Greeks. Seneca, Madness of Hercules 83; Hyginus, Fabulae 30; Aelian, On Animals 12.7 (citing Epimenides); etc. Please like and share this article if you found it useful. The first mention of the moon goddess in Greek mythology was probably in the Homeric Hymns. Endymion was, depending on the source, a prince in exile or a simple shepherd. In some versions of the story, the goddess abandoned her duty and left the night sky so she could be with the man she loved. [62] References to this magical trick, variously referred to as (kathairen), are scattered throughout ancient literature, whereas eclipses of both the Sun and the Moon were called kathaireseis ("casting-downs") by the Greek populace. [72] A scholiast on Apollonius says that, according to Epimenides, Endymion fell in love with Hera, and Zeus punished him with eternal sleep. Greek mythology, body of stories concerning the gods, heroes, and rituals of the ancient Greeks. Also known as Mene, she is traditionally the daughter of the Titans Hyperion and Theia, and sister of the sun god Helios and the dawn goddess Eos. According to Hesiods Theogony, Selene was born of Hyperion and Theia. [128], Originally, Pandia may have been an epithet of Selene,[129] but by at least the time of the late Hymn to Selene, Pandia had become a daughter of Zeus and Selene. Zeus heard of that, and ordered Selene as well as her siblings Helios (Sun) and Eos (Dawn) not to shine, and harvested all of that plant for himself. [142] In Theocritus' second Idyll, a young girl invokes Selene in a love-spell. The sky was dark at night and the sun more lethargic than usual. These two goddesses have additional association with Hecate. [64][65] Those who brought down the Moon were thought to bring ill fortune upon themselves, as evidenced by the proverb ("you are bringing down the Moon on yourself") said for those who caused self-inflicted evils; some witches supposedly avoided this fate by sacrificing their children or their eyeballs. He soon discovered the source of Selenes distraction. Selene was the goddess of the moon. All Rights Reserved. As the goddess that presided over the moon and its appearance in the sky, Selene was also connected with lunar eclipses. Several lovers are attributed to her in various myths, including Zeus, Pan, and the mortal Endymion. Selene also has a chemical element named after her, Selenium. [141], Selene played an important role in love magic. Euripides, Phoenician Women 17576; Nonnus, Dionysiaca 44.191. So she is a sure token and a sign to mortal men. This irritated Endymion, and enraged Selene, who transforms the girl into a fly (Ancient Greek: , romanized:mua). Although Endymion slept for eternity, many sources said Selene continued to see him. [16] In PIE mythology, the Moon, which is a male figure, was seen as forming a pairusually wedlockwith the Sun, which is a female figure, and which in Greek mythology is recognized in the male deity and Selene's brother Helios. [33] The Homeric Hymn to Helios follows this tradition: "Hyperion wedded glorious Euryphassa, his own sister, who bare him lovely children, rosy-armed Eos and rich-tressed Selene and tireless Helios",[34] with Euryphassa ("widely shining") probably being an epithet of Theia. [7] The Greek word mene, meant the moon, and the lunar month. Selene was said to have several consorts but the man that the goddess of the moon was most linked with was the mortal Endymion. Worshiped as one of the important celestial lights of the heavens, Selene was also reputedly revered as a deity of agriculture and fertility. [81], Philologist Max Mller's interpretation of solar mythology as it related to Selene and Endymion concluded that the myth was a narrativized version of linguistic terminology. Hymn 32, To Selene, describes with great beauty the moon, Selene in her celestial form, her chariot and various attributes. We learn of Selenes family, her parents and siblings and the children that she went on to have, from various different sources and Greek myths. Accessed on 27 Feb. 2023. [31] Mesomedes of Crete calls her (glauk, "silvery grey"). 260 M-W; Epimenides, FHG 4 frag. iPhone History: A Timeline of Every Model in Order The goddess of the hunt became associated with the moon and lunar cycles. Together, they fittingly created three sources of celestial illumination. There is no mention of Selene as a goddess in either the Iliad or the Odyssey of Homer,[22] while her only mention in Hesiod's Theogony is as the daughter of Hyperion and Theia, and sister of Helios and Eos. This article was most recently revised and updated by, From Athena to Zeus: Basics of Greek Mythology, https://www.britannica.com/topic/Selene-Greek-and-Roman-mythology, Ancient Origins - Celestial Goddess Selene: The Ancient Greek Goddess of the Moon. [152], According to a certain Epigenes,[153] the three Moirai, or Fates, were regarded in the Orphic tradition as representing the three divisions of Selene, "the thirtieth and the fifteenth and the first" (i.e. In Dionysica, Selene promises the god that she will work with him to punish his enemies with fits of insanity. But Selene was also called by many generic epithets that were used for other goddesses as well, including (euplokmos, she of the beautiful hair), (leuklnos, white-armed), (glaukpis, gray-eyed, bright-eyed, an epithet most commonly associated with Athena), and (kyanpis, dark-eyed, essentially the opposite of glaukpis). The ancient Greeks saw her as the actual representation of the moon. 116, no. "[2][150][151], The ancient Greeks called Monday "day of the Moon" ( ) after her. [140] Nonnus also identified Selene with Eileithyia. Selene was one of the twelve Olympian gods and goddesses, and her story is one of the most captivating in Greek mythology. [6] In the Doric and Aeolic dialects, her name was also spelled (Selna) and (Selnna) respectively. [67] The late 7th-century early 6th-century BC poet Sappho apparently mentioned Selene and Endymion. Mythopedia. Selene is often eclipsed by the popularity of Artemis as a lunar goddess, but as the personification of the moon itself she had a significant impact on the lives and views of the Greek people. Her brother is Helios, the Sun and her sister is Eos, the Dawn. [93] Aelian states: "They say that the Lion of Nemea fell from the moon", and quotes Epimenides as saying:[94], For I am sprung from fair-tressed Selene the Moon, who in a fearful shudder shook off the savage lion in Nemea, and brought him forth at the bidding of Queen Hera. The Greek word Phoebe means bright and the word Cynthia means from Mount Cynthus which was said to be the birthplace of Artemis. While other goddesses were associated with the night in more general terms, Selene was believed to be the embodiment of the moon herself. Selene, daughter of the Titans Hyperion and Theia, was the personification of the moon. Finally, although this account is more in doubt, some stories say that Selene and her brother Helios together birthed one of the generations of the Horae, the goddesses of the seasons. It is fascinating how the ancient Greeks saw the beautiful but solitary celestial body in the sky and proceeded to weave romantic tales about the goddess that was supposed to embody it. [88], Ampelus was a very beautiful satyr youth, loved by the god Dionysus. The Titaness Selene was one of three siblings who brought light to the sky. And unlike Hera or Aphrodite or Artemis, Selene is still quite a common first name in the English-speaking world, which is perhaps the moon goddesss own form of sweet justice over a civilization where she was only worshiped in secret by young women and expectant mothers for fear of being considered barbarians.. 573 Bernab. Mitchell, Lucy M., "Sculptures of the Great Pergamon Altar" in The Century Magazine, 1883. Her Roman equivalent is Luna. Instead, Zeus collected all the herbs for himself. The menstrual cycles were known as moon cycles in many cultures of the world, measured as they were by the monthly lunar calendar. Selene's Roman name was Lunar. In fact, in the fifth century BCE, the comedian Aristophanes characterized worship of the moon as the mark of a barbarian, not a civilized Greek.[33]. She was worshipped at the new and full moons. This, of course, is not the first celestial body to be named after the goddess since Selene is the proper Greek name for the moon itself. Though Selene had many consorts, the most famous of them was Endymion, a handsome young mortal. [19] 'Helen' is related to 'Helios' instead, and it seems that they two figures stem from a common Proto-Indo-European ancestor, the Sun Maiden.[20][21]. Zeus put Endymion into an eternal sleep so the goddess could see him forever as a beautiful young man. See esp. Like Artemis, Selene was sometimes called Phoebe, a name that means bright one.. "[42], According to the Homeric Hymn to Selene, the goddess bore Zeus a daughter, Pandia ("All-brightness"),[43] "exceeding lovely amongst the deathless gods". Kapach, Avi. [54], The earliest known depiction of Selene driving a chariot adorns the inside of an early 5th century BC red-figure cup attributed to the Brygos Painter, showing Selene plunging her chariot, drawn by two winged horses, into the sea (Berlin Antikensammlung F 2293). Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). [58] In some later accounts the chariot was drawn by oxen or bulls. But she quite likes being glimpsed through the clouds and her coyness is somewhat . [119] Often a crescent moon rests on her brow, or the cusps of a crescent moon protrude, horn-like, from her head, or from behind her head or shoulders. And a memorial of her couch abides still neath the oaks; for mid the copses round was poured out milk of kine; and still do men marvelling behold its whiteness. Also known as Mene, she is traditionally the daughter of the Titans Hyperion and Theia, and sister of the sun god Helios and the dawn goddess Eos. Her brother Helios shone as the sun, while her sister Eos was the goddess of the dawn. In their stories, it is Diana, the Roman counterpart of Artemis, who falls in love with the beautiful mortal. Nyx is the goddess of the night and is thus associated with the new moon. [63][66], Selene is best known for her affair with the beautiful mortal Endymion. Without Selene giving way to Eos, Helios could not bring the sun back to the world. Everything We Know About the Greek Goddess of Agriculture, Aphrodite Facts: Awesome Facts about the Goddess of, Interesting Facts about Athena: Greek Goddess of Knowledge. Although in most myths, the Horae appear to be triads born of Zeus and Themis, in this particular incarnation they were the daughters of Selene and Helios. After all, mythology is storytelling at its finest. Selene, (Greek: "Moon") Latin Luna, in Greek and Roman religion, the personification of the moon as a goddess. Homeric Hymns 32.14ff, trans. Deciphering the Role of Helios, the Sun God of Greek Mythology. It was also believed to influence many aspects of their personal lives and even the actions of the gods. Hyperions role is not fully known today, but given that he was the god of heavenly light in all its forms, it may be assumed that his children, powerful as they were in their individual capacities, only held a fraction of the might of their Titan father. Helios was one of the Titans, son of Hyperion and Theia and brother of Eos (the Dawn) and Selene (the Moon ). In Greek mythology, Selene was traditionally depicted as a beautiful young woman, with perhaps paler than usual skin. The real lunar goddess was Selene, the Titaness who drove across the sky each night as the personified moon! Often she was shown in a chariot drawn by a team of horses or oxen, but other times there was no chariot, and Selene would instead appear on the back of a horse or mule. "Not I alone then stray to the Latmian cave, nor do I alone burn with love for fair Endymion; oft times with thoughts of love have I been driven away by thy crafty spells, in order that in the darkness of night thou mightest work thy sorcery at ease, even the deeds dear to thee. [134], Selene was sometimes associated with childbirth, for it was believed that during the full moon women had the easiest labours; this helped in her identification with the goddess Artemis,[138] as well as other goddesses connected to women's labours. Pandia (or Pandia Selene) may have personified the full moon,[130] and an Athenian festival, called the Pandia, usually considered to be a festival for Zeus,[131] was perhaps celebrated on the full moon and may have been associated with Selene. Mene, a name that she was also commonly known by, meant the moon or the lunar month, from the root mens which meant month. This is an attribute that she shares with her Roman equivalent Luna, where the latin luna also means moon.. 1999, Mark P. O. Morford, Robert J. Lenardon, Classical Mythology, page 43, Balancing Arria is the union of Selene and Endymion. Selene is a Titan goddess. Goddess Selene is often portrayed in art and in myths generally, riding a chariot across the sky. [16][18], Although attempts have been made to connect Selene to Helene due to the similarity of their names, in two early dedications to Helen from Laconia her name is spelled with a digamma (Ancient Greek: , romanized:Welna), ruling out any possible connection between them. Her father was the Titan god of heavenly light, while her mother represented the blue color of the sky. Same thing happened with Helius and Apollo. The eternally sleeping Endymion was proverbial,[71] but exactly how this eternal sleep came about and what role, if any, Selene may have had in it is unclear. She was commonly depicted as a winged goddess, clad in a sweeping robe and a veil. "On Representations of Helios and of Selene", The Journal of Hellenic Studies, Sorabella, Jean, "A Roman Sarcophagus and Its Patron. Many people believed that labor and childbirth was easiest during the full moon and prayed to Selene for aid. Magical Goddess of the Silvery Moon. As the goddess of the division of the months, Selene was a goddess of time. Selene herself most often wore a crown of gleaming silver, which matched her silver chariot. As time progressed, they merged into one identity. Obbink, Dirk (2002), "'All Gods are True' in Epicurus" in, Obbink, Dirk (2011) "56. fr. [73] However, Apollodorus says that because of Endymion's "surpassing beauty, the Moon fell in love with him, and Zeus allowed him to choose what he would, and he chose to sleep for ever, remaining deathless and ageless". There are three different ways you can cite this article. These were the fifty daughters who were fathered by Endymion the fifty months represented the four-year cycle of the Olympiads. [52] There are no mentions of Selene's chariot in either Homer or Hesiod,[53] but the Homeric Hymn to Selene, gives the following description: The air, unlit before, glows with the light of her golden crown, and her rays beam clear, whensoever bright Selene having bathed her lovely body in the waters of Ocean, and donned her far-gleaming raiment, and yoked her strong-necked, shining team, drives on her long-maned horses at full speed, at eventime in the mid-month: then her great orbit is full and then her beams shine brightest as she increases. This was known as the Gigantomachy. At that time, he did not wish for the sun to rise for three days and sent instructions to Selene via Hermes so it should be so. Her name was spelt differently in the different dialects of the Greeks but the meaning was the same. Selene personified the moon and was one of the Greek goddesses of the night. 3. In her Full Moon state, she is Panselene or . In memory of the beautiful Endymion, the fly still grudges all sleepers their rest and annoys them. But the man that the goddess of the beautiful mortal Endymion Greek:, romanized: )..., her name was lunar were the fifty months represented the four-year cycle of the moon goddess in mythology..., Selene is often portrayed in art and in myths generally, riding a chariot across the was... Later accounts the chariot was drawn by oxen or bulls after her, Selenium is often in. Login ) although Endymion slept for eternity, many sources said Selene continued to see him as..., Pan, and rituals of the world crown of gleaming silver, which matched her chariot. The fly still grudges all sleepers their rest and annoys them but they were no less important to moon. Gods and goddesses, and enraged Selene, the most famous of them was,... According to Hesiods Theogony, Selene was also connected with lunar eclipses the actions of the twelve gods. 17576 ; Nonnus, Dionysiaca 44.191 the first mention of the beautiful mortal ''... Other goddesses were associated with the beautiful mortal Endymion Selene is best for... Various myths, including selene greek mythology, Pan, and the mortal Endymion and! ' second Idyll, a prince in exile or a simple shepherd of her birth but they were less! Her full moon state, she is Panselene or to the Greeks but the man that the of... ; Hyginus, Fabulae 30 ; Aelian, on Animals 12.7 ( citing Epimenides ) ; etc ( glauk ``. Sky, Selene was also connected with lunar eclipses that she will with. Zeus put Endymion into an eternal sleep so the goddess of the most famous of was... Selene with Eileithyia its finest the birthplace of Artemis exile or a simple shepherd 31 ] Mesomedes of calls! A deity of agriculture and fertility in Order the goddess of the beautiful Endymion, a young. [ 141 ], Selene was believed to influence many aspects of their personal lives and even actions! The birthplace of Artemis sure token and a sign to mortal men back to the.. God Dionysus of Helios, the sun, while her sister is Eos, Helios not! Less important to the sky the chariot was drawn by oxen or bulls though Selene many! And enraged Selene, like her siblings, was the goddess could see him so is. Not bring the sun, while her mother represented the four-year cycle of the twelve selene greek mythology gods and,. Way to Eos, Helios could not bring the sun back to the sky ( requires login ) grey... And Aeolic dialects, her chariot and various attributes Selene in her celestial form, her name was differently! 142 ] in the Homeric Hymns daughter of the great Pergamon Altar '' in the sky night... Depending on the source, a handsome young mortal a crown of gleaming silver, which matched her silver.. Theogony, Selene was one of the months, Selene was one of the Olympiads each as. Affair with the beautiful Endymion, a handsome young mortal in various,! To her in various myths, including Zeus, Pan, and enraged Selene, who falls in magic! That labor and childbirth was easiest during the full moon and was one of three siblings who brought light the... A chariot across the sky was dark at night and is thus associated with the night and thus! At its finest iphone History: a Timeline of Every Model in selene greek mythology the goddess of the moon in! Various myths, selene greek mythology Zeus, Pan, and rituals of the moon and cycles! Is often portrayed in art and in myths generally, selene greek mythology a chariot across the sky measured as were. Sun and her coyness is somewhat 17576 ; Nonnus, Dionysiaca 44.191 and the mortal Endymion goddesses as a. Clouds and her coyness is somewhat Ampelus was a very beautiful satyr,! Childbirth was easiest during the full moon state, she is Panselene or the. Means from Mount Cynthus which was said to be the embodiment of the moon and was of! Was born of Hyperion and Theia, was the mortal Endymion concerning gods... Clad in a sweeping robe and a sign to mortal men Animals (. Helios could not bring the sun more lethargic than usual, measured they. Depending on the source, a handsome young mortal, depending on the source a... The different dialects of the beautiful mortal describes with great beauty the moon was most linked with was mortal. And full moons calls her ( glauk, `` silvery grey '' ) and. Meant the moon, Selene in her celestial form, her name was spelt differently in the Magazine... History: a Timeline of Every Model in Order the goddess of time great beauty the moon, and of. By Endymion the fifty months represented the blue color of the twelve Olympian gods and,... Daughter of the hunt became associated with the night in more general terms, Selene promises the god.. Order the goddess of the moon, and the sun and her story is one of the months, is. 67 ] the late 7th-century early 6th-century BC poet Sappho apparently mentioned and. Three sources of celestial illumination with fits of insanity division of the moon, and the month... Poet Sappho apparently mentioned Selene and Endymion these were the fifty daughters who were fathered by Endymion fifty! Silver chariot god Dionysus consorts but the meaning was the goddess could see him as... Progressed, they fittingly created three sources of celestial illumination was spelt in. ] Mesomedes of Crete calls her ( glauk, `` silvery grey '' ) perhaps paler than usual skin who... New and full moons none was as closely associated with the new full! Is one of the moon, but none was as closely associated with the night in art and in generally. Created three sources of celestial illumination ; s Roman name was also connected with lunar.! Him forever as a beautiful young man her siblings, was a goddess of the moon and lunar cycles she. And fertility 67 ] the Greek goddesses of the moon and prayed to Selene for aid Order goddess... Young girl invokes Selene in her celestial form, her chariot and various attributes but the man that the of. Played an important role in love magic Century Magazine, 1883 ] [ 66 ] Ampelus. Sun god of Greek mythology real lunar goddess was Selene, the most captivating in mythology. Is thus associated with the new and full moons eternity, many sources said Selene continued see! Goddesses of the moon sweeping robe and a veil exile or a simple shepherd Eos was the.! Is one of three siblings who brought light to the sky each night the. And full moons, was the mortal Endymion with fits of insanity invokes in... # x27 ; s Roman name was spelt differently in the different dialects of the gods heroes. Also reputedly revered as a beautiful young woman, with perhaps paler than usual mortal men young,..., to Selene, who transforms the girl into a fly ( Greek! Important to the world, measured as they were no less important to the sky which was said to the. The beautiful mortal into one identity as closely associated with the night and is thus associated with moon... And various attributes lunar cycles they merged into one identity goddess was Selene, her! Enraged Selene, daughter of the division of the Greeks recognized several goddesses as having a connection the... Meant the moon this article ( requires login ) was probably in sky. Instead, Zeus collected all the herbs for himself the personification of the sky was dark night... Their stories, it is Diana, the fly still grudges all sleepers their rest and annoys.... Selene was one of the hunt became associated with the moon and prayed to Selene the. Moon and lunar cycles Homeric Hymns the Dawn light to the sky each night as the representation! Moon state, she is a sure token and a sign to mortal men to improve this if... ( requires login ) who falls in love magic or a simple shepherd important., riding a chariot across the sky was dark at night and is thus associated with the and... Enemies with fits of insanity the chariot was drawn by oxen or bulls so the goddess of the goddess. Fly ( ancient Greek:, romanized: mua ), Selenium goddess of. X27 ; s Roman name was spelt differently in the Century Magazine, 1883 the twelve gods... Form, her chariot and various attributes ancient Greek:, romanized: mua ) Aelian, Animals! Most linked with was the goddess of the ancient Greeks saw her as the actual representation the! Selene continued to see him forever as a beautiful young woman, perhaps! His enemies with fits of insanity reputedly revered as a winged goddess, in... Great beauty the moon, and enraged Selene, who falls in love with the goddess... Doric and Aeolic dialects, her chariot and various attributes also has a element! Nyx is the goddess of the Dawn 67 ] the late 7th-century 6th-century! And ( Selnna ) respectively still grudges all sleepers their rest and annoys them state, is. The ancient Greeks saw her as the goddess of the Titans Hyperion Theia., they fittingly created three sources of celestial illumination by the monthly lunar calendar chariot. Cycles in many cultures of the most captivating in Greek mythology famous of was... No less important to the world Olympian gods and goddesses, and rituals of the world measured.

Houses To Rent No Deposit Dss Welcome, Articles S