HELIAD (daughter of Helios)
Figure of myth · daughters of Helios in Greek mythology
Tragedy struck when Phaethon fell, prompting the Heliades to wail piteously around the area of his fall.2 Their piercing lament echoed through the night, heard by passing heroes.2 From their eyes, they shed bright drops of amber that rolled onto the ground, carried by water like drops of oil.2
Myths claim the sisters were transformed into alder trees near the Eridanus river, a mythical location said to be near the Po.3 Though Strabo dismisses the story as a falsehood, other accounts describe their tears falling from trees, dried by the sun on the sand.3,4,2 When lake waters flowed over the strand, their tears rolled into the Eridanus river.2
The codex facts behind this entry
Phaethusa is identified as the youngest daughter of Helios. Argonautica 4 ¶56
In the myths
Phaethusa tended sheep while holding a silver crook. Argonautica 4 ¶56 Lampetia herded cattle using a staff made of glowing orichalcum. Argonautica 4 ¶56 They wail piteously around the area where Phaethon fell. Argonautica 4 ¶40 They shed bright drops of amber from their eyes onto the ground. Argonautica 4 ¶40 The heroes heard their piercing lament at night. Argonautica 4 ¶40 Their tears were carried on the water like drops of oil. Argonautica 4 ¶40
Fate
Myths claim the Heliades were transformed into alder trees near the Eridanus river. Strabo 5.1.9 Their amber tears are dried by the sun on the sand. Argonautica 4 ¶40 Their tears roll into the Eridanus river when lake waters flow over the strand. Argonautica 4 ¶40
