In Euripides’ play titled Phaethon, Apollo is seen in the same light as Helios. However, with the passage of time, as well as the fading away of Helios, Apollo gradually came to be identified with Helios. Unlike Helios who was often associated with gold, Apollo had a silver bow. In addition to being a solar deity, Apollo was associated with poetry, medicine, prophecy and music.Īccording to Homer, Apollo was in fact a different god. He was the twin brother of the goddess of the hunt, Artemis. Apollo, on the other hand, was an Olympian. For starters, Helios is generally regarded as a member of the Titans – the old gods that existed before the Olympians came onto the scene. The common solar deities that come to mind are Helios and Apollo – both of whom were revered as sun gods. The ancient Greeks had several deities associated with the sun. Generally speaking, the Greeks considered all lands that received ample amounts of sunshine the territory or dwelling place of Helios.Ĭolossus of Rhodes – one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World Helios versus Apollo Although the island’s whereabouts remains unknown to this day, Homer stated that the place was rife with many worshipers of Helios. The statue is generally considered one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.Īnother very important worship center of Helios was at the island of Thrinacia. Legend has it that a huge statue – the Colossus of Rhodes – was erected in his honor on the island. Worshipīeginning around the 5 th century BCE, Greeks on the island of Rhodes considered Helios the chief god of the pantheon. His laugh even had the ability to make plants sprout, making life grow abundantly on the Earth. According to Homer, wherever Helios drove his chariot, he brought joy, laughter and prosperity.īeing the source of life, he had the ability make things grow or regenerate. And to some, he was the god of light, creation and life itself. The Greeks saw him as the creative power behind the Sun. He was also considered a very wise and intellectually gifted god. He was strong, fiery, bright, and hardworking. PowersĪs the god of sight, Helios’ powers were immense. It was also believed that the sun god sailed in a large golden cup around the northerly Oceans of the world. After he was woken up by the rooster, he began his journey by driving the sun from east to west on a daily basis. Helios’ importance in ancient Greece (particularly on the island of Rhodes) was quite pronounced because he was seen as the bringer of life and daylight. In reference to his traits, the rayed headdress was also an important symbol of the solar deity. The names of his four horses are Pyrois (“the firey one”), Aethon (“blazing”), Eos (“belonging to the dawn”), and Phlegon (“burning”).Īnother very important symbol of Helios was his whip and a globe (or a golden cup). Almost all the time, he is shown with his four-horse chariot (a golden chariot). His crown was made of shinning arrows or aureole. The ancient Greeks depicted Helios as a very young and handsome man with a radiant crown. Helios family tree Depictions, Appearance and Symbols
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