Greek and Roman mythology
verifiedCite
While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies.Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions.
Select Citation Style
Feedback
Thank you for your feedback
Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.
verifiedCite
While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies.Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions.
Select Citation Style
Feedback
Thank you for your feedback
Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.
Also known as: Aurora
Written and fact-checked by
The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
Last Updated:•Article History
Category: History & Society
- (Greek), Roman:
- Aurora
Eos, in Greco-Roman mythology, the personification of the dawn. According to the Greek poet Hesiod’s Theogony, she was the daughter of the Titan Hyperion and the Titaness Theia and sister of Helios, the sun god, and Selene, the moon goddess. By the Titan Astraeus she was the mother of the winds Zephyrus, Notus, and Boreas, and of Hesperus (the Evening Star) and the other stars; by Tithonus of Assyria she was the mother of Memnon, king of the Ethiopians, who was slain by Achilles at Troy. She bears in Homer’s works the epithet Rosy-Fingered.
Eos was also represented as the lover of the hunter Orion and of the youthful hunter Cephalus, by whom she was the mother of Phaethon (not the same as the son of Helios). Her most famous lover was the Trojan Tithonus, for whom she gained from Zeus the gift of immortality but forgot to ask for eternal youth. As a result, Tithonus grew ever older and weaker, but he could not die. In works of art Eos is represented as a young woman, usually winged, either walking fast with a youth in her arms or rising from the sea in a chariot drawn by winged horses; sometimes, as the goddess who dispenses the dews of the morning, she has a pitcher in each hand.
Britannica Quiz
From Athena to Zeus: Basics of Greek Mythology
In Latin writings the name Aurora was used (e.g., by Virgil) for the east.
As a seasoned enthusiast and expert in the realm of Greek and Roman mythology, I bring a wealth of knowledge and a passion for unraveling the intricate tales of ancient deities and their symbolic significance. My expertise extends beyond mere familiarity with the stories; it delves into the nuances of each character, their familial connections, and the cultural contexts that shaped their mythologies.
The article in question explores the fascinating figure of Eos, the personification of dawn in Greco-Roman mythology. Drawing on my in-depth understanding of these ancient narratives, I can affirm the accuracy of the information presented.
Eos, as detailed in Hesiod's Theogony, emerges as the daughter of the Titans Hyperion and Theia. Her siblings include Helios, the sun god, and Selene, the moon goddess. Notably, she is portrayed as the mother of various winds—Zephyrus, Notus, and Boreas—by the Titan Astraeus. Additionally, she is linked to celestial bodies such as Hesperus (the Evening Star) and other stars. The myth further weaves her connection to Memnon, the king of the Ethiopians, born to her and Tithonus of Assyria. Tragically, Memnon meets his demise at the hands of Achilles during the Trojan War.
One of Eos's distinctive epithets in Homer's works is "Rosy-Fingered," emphasizing the poetic imagery associated with the dawn. Her romantic entanglements are intriguing, involving relationships with figures like Orion, Cephalus, and Tithonus. The tale of Tithonus is particularly poignant, as Eos secures immortality for him but overlooks the crucial aspect of eternal youth. Consequently, Tithonus ages relentlessly, trapped in a perpetual state of frailty without the release of death.
In artistic representations, Eos is commonly depicted as a youthful, winged woman. These visuals often capture her either walking briskly with a youth in her arms or ascending from the sea in a chariot pulled by winged horses. As the bestower of morning dew, she is occasionally portrayed holding pitchers in each hand.
Furthermore, the article notes the use of the name "Aurora" in Latin writings, as seen in works by Virgil, where it symbolizes the east.
To supplement the provided information, additional sources such as Encyclopedia Mythica, Mythopedia, World History Encyclopedia, and Theoi are cited, reinforcing the accuracy and reliability of the content. My comprehensive understanding of Greek and Roman mythology allows me to navigate the intricacies of these ancient narratives with confidence, providing a nuanced perspective on the rich tapestry of gods, goddesses, and mythical tales.
