EILEITHYIA IN GREEK MYTHOLOGY
Eileithyia was one of the goddesses of the Greek pantheon. Eileithyia was the Greek goddess of childbirth and labour pains.
Eileithyia Daughter of Zeus
Eileithyia was the daughter of Zeus, the supreme god of the Greek pantheon, and his wife, Hera; and for good and the bas, Eileithyia was often closely associated with her mother.
Eileithyia was said to reside upon Mount Olympus with many of the other gods, but was also occasionally associated with the mythical land of the Hyperboreans.
Eileithyia was said to reside upon Mount Olympus with many of the other gods, but was also occasionally associated with the mythical land of the Hyperboreans.
Eileithyia Goddess of Childbirth
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As goddess of childbirth, there were two sides of Eileithyia, depending on her mood. When Eileithyia was in a good mood, she was a boon to the mother, easing labour pains and make childbirth quick.
If Eileithyia was angry though, she would delay the birth, prolonging pain. This of course gave rise to some saying that there were two different goddess of birth named Eileithyia, one who aided and one who hindered. |
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Eileithyia and the Birth of Apollo
In surviving sources, Eileithyia is prominent in two tales. The first of which involves the goddess Leto. Leto was pregnant with the children of Zeus, Apollo and Artemis; a fact which of course angered Hera.
The pregnant Leto arrived on the floating island of Delos, for Hera had threatened punishment on any land that would accommodate Leto (Delos was not classed as land as it floated). For nine days and nine nights Leto was racked with the pains of childbirth, but no child would come forth. This was due to the fact that Hera had hidden the fact that Leto was in need of her help from Eileithyia.
Goddess after goddess visited Leto, but none could aide her, but Iris was convinced to find Eileithyia and bring her forth to Delos.
Iris would find the oblivious Eileithyia upon Mount Olympus, and has soon as Iris returned with the goddess of childbirth, so Leto was finally able to give birth to her children.
Some tell of Artemis being born first of the twins, and immediately went to the aide of her mother, helping in the birth of Apollo.
The pregnant Leto arrived on the floating island of Delos, for Hera had threatened punishment on any land that would accommodate Leto (Delos was not classed as land as it floated). For nine days and nine nights Leto was racked with the pains of childbirth, but no child would come forth. This was due to the fact that Hera had hidden the fact that Leto was in need of her help from Eileithyia.
Goddess after goddess visited Leto, but none could aide her, but Iris was convinced to find Eileithyia and bring her forth to Delos.
Iris would find the oblivious Eileithyia upon Mount Olympus, and has soon as Iris returned with the goddess of childbirth, so Leto was finally able to give birth to her children.
Some tell of Artemis being born first of the twins, and immediately went to the aide of her mother, helping in the birth of Apollo.
Eileithyia and the Birth of Heracles
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A second tale of Eileithyia sees the goddess of childbirth play a more active role in the plans of her mother.
The mortal Alcmene was pregnant with the son of Zeus, and so Zeus proclaimed that the descendent of Perseus born the following day would become King of Mycenae. Hearing the proclamation of her husband, Hera sent forth Eileithyia to delay the birth of Alcmene’s child; whilst at the same time bringing forth the birth of Eurystheus to Nicippe Hera planned that having Eileithyia stay the birth of Heracles, would kill both Alcmene and the unborn child. For seven days and seven nights Alcmene was racked with childbirth pain, and Alcmene was indeed close to death, when, Galanthis, Alcmene’s handmaiden, spotted Eileithyia sat before the bedchamber door. Eileithyia had her arms and legs crossed preventing birth from occurring. The quick-witted Galanthis realised what was happening, and cried out “a son is born”. This announcement caused Eileithyia to leap up in surprise, breaking her control on Alcmene’s womb, and allowing Heracles to be born. An angry Eileithyia would have her revenge on the mortal woman who had dared to trick a goddess, and so Galanthis was transformed into a polecat (or a weasel). |
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The Worship of Eileithyia
Eileithyia was widely worshipped across the ancient Greek world, and sanctuaries dedicated to the goddess were found in major and minor settlements. Depictions of Eileithyia would normally portray the goddess carrying a lit torch, indicating the pain of childbirth.
Eileithyia herself was said to have been mother to a single son, Sosipolis, who was revered as the protector of the polis of Elis.
Eileithyia herself was said to have been mother to a single son, Sosipolis, who was revered as the protector of the polis of Elis.
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Colin Quartermain - Eileithyia - 11th April 2026