CYCNUS OF LIGURIA IN GREEK MYTHOLOGY

Cycnus of Liguria was a mortal king spoken of in tales of Greek mythology, Cycnus was also one of those individuals who was transformed by the gods. 

Cycnus of Liguria

​Cycnus is a common name in the tales of Greek mythology, but Cycnus of Liguria was an individual associated with Liguria in Northern Italy. 

Cycnus was the son of Sthenelos, a king of Liguria, who was probably born to one of the Oceanid nymphs. Cycnus was become king of Liguria, after his father. 

The Metamorphosis of Cycnus

​As previously mentioned the name Cycnus, or Cygnus, was a common one in Greek mythology, and were often associated with tales of transformation into swans, as the name of the individual suggests. Such tales of transformation include that of Cycnus, one of the defenders of Troy, and also a man called Cycnus, who was the son of Apollo. 

Cycnus of Liguria comes to the fore during the tale of Phaethon, the son of Helios. Cycnus was said to have been Phaethon’s closest friend. Phaethon was famous for attempting to steer his father’s sun chariot, causing devastation, until Zeus’ thunderbolt cast him into the River Eridanus. 

The Eridanus is often associated with the River Po, although in older sources, it was the name of a river that travelled through the distant realm of Hyperborea. Cycnus though was said to have witnessed the fall to earth of his friend Phaethon, and thereafter Cycnus left his kingdom, and travelled to the spot where Phaethon had fallen into the Eridanus. 

At that spot, Phaethon’s sisters, the Heliades, had already been transformed into Poplars, and in their shade, Phaethon sat down and lamented the fate of his friend. There, as he sang his mournful durge, the god Apollo transformed him into a swan. Thereafter, the swan was connected to Apollo and Hyperborea, as well as the mournful final song, just before the bird died. 

Some also tell of Apollo transforming Cycnus into the Cygnus constellation. 

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Colin Quartermain - Cycnus of Liguria - 21st February 2021