ORION (giant huntsman in Greek mythology)
Figure of myth · giant huntsman in Greek mythology
- Parents
- Hyrieus
- Siblings
- Candiope
- Consorts
- Artemis, Eos, Side, Merope, Aero, Aerope
- Children
- Menippe, Metioche
- Allies
- Hephaestus
- Foes
- Pleiades
- Symbols and gear
- bronze club
- Haunts and cult places
- Euboea, Tanagra, Delos, Oreus, Hyria, Ortygia, Crete, Attica
- In the sources
- 57 ancient passages
Orion, son of Poseidon, stood as a giant huntsman whose size and strength surpassed all other heroes.1,2,3 His stature was huge and gigantic, making him the tallest and best-looking man ever born, save for the giant sons of Aloeus.1,4,3,5 Girt in golden arms and holding a great bronze club that was unbreakable forever, he possessed a manliness that marked him as invincible and glorious.6,3,7,2,8,9 Hesiod identifies Euryale, daughter of Minos, as his mother, while some claim he was born directly from the earth.2,1
Poseidon granted him the ability to walk across the sea, where he stood tall and fixed his feet firmly in the earth.1,2,10 He lifted his shoulders high above the waves and hid his brows in the clouds as he moved through the water.10 During a journey to Lemnos as a beggar, he placed a boy on his shoulders to guide him toward the sunrise.2,1 He later constructed a harbour and a mole in Sicily for King Zanclus, and built a headland and a sanctuary of Poseidon at Peloris.3,11
Orion threatened to kill every beast on earth, using a strong club to strike animals and drive the ghosts of wild beasts he previously killed on mountains.2,12,3,7 He made love to Dawn, who fell in love with him and abducted him.13,14 He also attempted to court Artemis, though this did not succeed to his own advantage.15 In a drunken state, he outraged Merope, and Oenopion got him drunk, blinded him while he slept, and cast him onto the beach.2,1
After regaining his vision, Orion moved to attack Oenopion but found him hidden underground.1,2 He settled in Euboea after finishing his work, and his fame led to his placement among the stars in the sky.3,11
In the heavens, Orion appears as a constellation resembling a drawn sword, with many stars and a beam more refulgent than other stars.16,17,18 He is the greatest and most beautiful sight in the starry sky, located near the Pleiades and facing the Bear.19,20,21,4,22 His presence in the sky frightens the gods, and he possesses the strength to bring down the celestial poles.23,24 Sailors watch Orion to determine the length of the night, as he sets completely just before the dawn arrives.25,19
The codex facts behind this entry
Orion likely received his name from the place where he was brought up. Strabo 10.1.4 Orion was a giant huntsman who surpassed all other heroes in size and strength. Diodorus 4.85 Orion is characterized as glorious in this context. Quintus 5 ¶29
Appearance
Orion is described as having a huge, gigantic stature that was not small or insignificant. Apollodorus 1.4.3 +3 Orion was considered more beautiful than the giant sons of Aloeus. Odyssey 11 ¶25 Orion is described as a constellation resembling a drawn sword. Ovid Met. 8.183-259 (2) Orion's beam is described as more refulgent than other stars. Athenaeus 11.79 Orion is described as having many stars. Aratus, Phaenomena ¶22 Orion is described as the greatest and most beautiful sight in the starry sky. Aratus, Phaenomena ¶13
Powers
Poseidon granted Orion the ability to walk across the sea. Apollodorus 1.4.3 +1 Orion darts a flash resembling fire from his eyes. Euripides, Hecuba 1089-1106 Orion's presence in the sky frightens the gods. Seneca, Hercules Furens act 1 ¶1 Orion possesses the strength to bring down the celestial poles. Statius, Thebaid 3.23-48 ¶1 Orion provides sailors with hints about the measure of the night. Aratus, Phaenomena ¶31
In the myths
Orion drives the ghosts of wild beasts he previously killed on mountains. Diodorus 4.85 +1 Orion built a headland and a sanctuary of Poseidon at Peloris, a place called the close of Poseidon that locals highly esteem. Diodorus 4.85 +1 Oenopion got Orion drunk and blinded him while he slept, then cast him onto the beach. Apollodorus 1.4.3 +1 After regaining his vision, Orion moved to attack Oenopion but found him hidden underground. Apollodorus 1.4.3 +1 Orion begins to set along with the Pleiades and Hyades. Aratus, Phaenomena ¶29 +1 Orion's first appearance signals the time to winnow Demeter's grain. Hesiod's Works and Days ll. 597-608 He is said to have offered violence to Opis, a Hyperborean maiden. Apollodorus 1.4.5 The Bear is described as pursuing Orion in the context of the Arctic Circle. Strabo 1.1.6 Pindar mentions the birth of Orion in his dithyrambic works. Strabo 9.2.12 He went to Hephaestus's smithy to seek help. Apollodorus 1.4.3
Fate
He was placed among the stars in the sky due to his fame. Diodorus 4.85 +1 Earth sent a giant scorpion that stung him to death. The Astronomy fr. 4 Zeus placed him among the stars due to his manliness. The Astronomy fr. 4 The scorpion was also placed among the stars as a memorial. The Astronomy fr. 4
