Definition: Helios is the Greek sun god and the sun itself. He is equated with the Roman Sol. Helios drives a chariot led by 4 fire-breathing horses across the sky each day. At night he is carried back to his starting place in a great cup. In Mimnermus, Helios' vehicle is a winged, golden bed. Helios sees everything that happens during the day, so he acts as tale-bearer to the gods. He knew when Hades abducted Persephone. He was also the one to reveal to Hephaestus -- craftsman of the cup that carries him to his morning starting point -- the affair between Hephaestus' wife Aphrodite and Ares. Although Hyperion may simply be part of Helios' name, usually Helios' parents are the Titans Hyperion and Theia; his sisters are Selene and Eos. Helios married the daughter of Oceanus and Tethys, Perseis or Perse, by whom he had Aeetes, Circe, and Pasiphae. By the Oceanid Clymene, Helios had a son Phaethon and maybe Augeas, and 3 daughters, Aegiale, Aegle, and Aetheria. These 3 daughters and two Helios had by Neaera, Lampetie and Phaethusa, were known as the Heliades.
Around the time of Euripides, the sun of Helios became identified with Apollo.
Source: Ancient Library
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Also Known As: Hyperion
Alternate Spellings: Helius
