In Greek mythology, King Erichthonius (/ərɪkˈθoʊniəs/; Ancient Greek: Ἐριχθόνιος, romanized: Erikhthónios) was a legendary early ruler of ancient Athens. According to some myths, he was autochthonous (born of the soil, or Earth) and adopted or raised by the goddess Athena. Early Greek texts do not distinguish between him and Erechtheus, his grandson, but by the fourth century BC, during Classical times, they are distinct figures.
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👉 Erichthonius of Athens in the context of Auriga (constellation)
Auriga is a constellation in the northern celestial hemisphere. It is one of the 88 modern constellations; it was among the 48 constellations listed by the 2nd-century astronomer Ptolemy. Its name is Latin for '(the) charioteer', associating it with various mythological beings, including Erichthonius and Myrtilus. Auriga is most prominent during winter evenings in the northern Hemisphere, as are five other constellations that have stars in the Winter Hexagon asterism. Because of its northern declination, Auriga is only visible in its entirety as far south as −34°; for observers farther south it lies partially or fully below the horizon. A large constellation, with an area of 657 square degrees, it is half the size of the largest, Hydra.
Its brightest star, Capella, is an unusual multiple star system and amongst the brightest stars in the night sky. Beta Aurigae is an interesting variable star in the constellation; Epsilon Aurigae, a nearby eclipsing binary with an unusually long period, has been studied intensively. Because of its position near the winter Milky Way, Auriga has many bright open clusters in its borders, including M36, M37, and M38, popular targets for amateur astronomers. In addition, it has one prominent nebula, the Flaming Star Nebula, associated with the variable star AE Aurigae.
In this Dossier
- ⭐ Core Definition: Erichthonius of Athens
- 👉 Erichthonius of Athens in the context of Auriga (constellation)
- Erichthonius of Athens in the context of Erechtheus
- Erichthonius of Athens in the context of Praxithea
- Erichthonius of Athens in the context of Pandion I
- Erichthonius of Athens in the context of Pasithea (mythology)
Erichthonius of Athens in the context of Erechtheus
Erechtheus (/ɪˈrɛkθjuːs, -θiəs/; Ancient Greek: Ἐρεχθεύς) in Greek mythology was a king of Athens, the founder of the polis and, in his role as god, attached to Poseidon, as "Poseidon Erechtheus". The name Erichthonius is carried by a son of Erechtheus, but Plutarch conflated the two names in the myth of the begetting of Erechtheus.
Erichthonius of Athens in the context of Praxithea
In Greek mythology, Praxithea (/ˌpræɡˈzɪθiə/; Ancient Greek: Πραξιθέα) was a name attributed to five women.
- Praxithea, a Naiad nymph. She married Erichthonius of Athens and by him had a son named Pandion I. Praxithea's sister Zeuxippe married her nephew Pandion, and to them were born Erechtheus, Butes, Procne and Philomela. She was also called Pasithea.
- Praxithea, an Athenian daughter of Phrasimus and Diogeneia, daughter of the river-god Cephissus. She became queen of Athens after marrying King Erechtheus by whom she Cecrops, Pandorus, Metion, Protogeneia, Pandora, Procris, Creusa, Oreithyia and Chthonia. Praxithea's other possible children were Orneus, Thespius, Eupalamus, Sicyon and Merope.
- Praxithea, the woman that cried out when she saw Demeter holding Metanira's son Demophon in the fires, thus preventing him from becoming immortal.
- Praxithea (or Phrasithea), daughter of Leos. Along with her sisters, Theope and Eubule, she sacrificed herself in order to save Athens. In another version, their father was the one who offered them up to sacrifice. A precinct called the Leocorium was dedicated to the worship of these three maidens at Athens.
- Praxithea, a Thespian princess as one of the 50 daughters of King Thespius and Megamede or by one of his many wives. When Heracles hunted and ultimately slew the Cithaeronian lion, Praxithea and her other sisters, except for one, all lay with the hero in a night, a week or for 50 days as their father strongly desired. Praxithea bore Heracles a son, Nephus.
Erichthonius of Athens in the context of Pandion I
In Greek mythology, Pandion I (/pænˈdaɪɒn/; Ancient Greek: Πανδίων) was a legendary King of Athens, the son and heir to Erichthonius of Athens and his wife, the naiad Praxithea. Through his father, he was the grandson of the god Hephaestus.
Erichthonius of Athens in the context of Pasithea (mythology)
In Greek mythology, Pasithea (Ancient Greek: Πασιθέα or Πασιθέη Pasitheê, possibly meaning 'the one who runs to all' or 'the Goddess revered by all') may refer to the following figures:
- Pasithea, one of the 50 Nereids, marine-nymph daughters of the 'Old Man of the Sea' Nereus and the Oceanid Doris.
- Pasithea, one of the younger Charites, the consort of Sleep (Hypnos).
- Pasithea, a naiad who was married to King Erichthonius of Athens and by him the mother of Pandion I and others. Usually, her name is given as Praxithea.