THE HELIADAE IN GREEK MYTHOLOGY
The Heliadae is the collective name for the seven sons of Helios born to the nymph Rhode, although the name could in theory be used for any sons of the Sun god.
The Heliadae Sons of Helios
The Heliadae were the seven sons of the Titan son god, Helios, born to Rhode, the nymph daughter of Poseidon. Rhode was the eponym nymph of the island of Rhodes, an island which Zeus had given divine dominion over.
The Seven Heliadae were most commonly named as Ochimus, Cercaphus, Actis, Macar, Tenages, Triopas and Candalus; the Heliadae also had a sister called Electryone.
The Seven Heliadae were most commonly named as Ochimus, Cercaphus, Actis, Macar, Tenages, Triopas and Candalus; the Heliadae also had a sister called Electryone.
The Heliadae on RhodesThe Heliadae would live on the island of Rhodes, and were said to have forced out the Telchines, the first inhabitants of Rhodes who had taken up sorcery.
The Heliadae would settle well on Rhodes, and Pindar says the seven brothers were the first to introduce the worship of Athena to the islanders. The Heliadae prospered and became masters of astrology and seamanship, skills inherited from their father and grandfather respectively. It was claimed hat the Heliadae were the first to split the day into hours. The skills of the Heliadae surpassed all that had gone before, and yet the skills of Tenages surpassed that of the other brothers. This caused some jealousy amongst the Heliadae, and this jealousy caused four to act rashly. Actis, Candalus, Macar and Triopas murdered Tenages. The crime of four Heliadae were quickly discovered, and the four murderers were forced to flee. |
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The four Heliadae who were forced to flee from Rhodes found new homes and new opportunities. Actis sailed to Egypt, and was said to have founded the city of Heliopolis, named for his father. Candalus setlled upon the island of Cos, Macar, went to Lesbos, where he became king, and Triopas ended up in Thessaly, where some also call him king.
Ochimus and Cercaphus remained upon Rhodes, for they had not taken part in the murder of their brother.
Ochimus, as the oldest of the Heliadae, became sole king of the island, and with Hegetoria, a local nymph, became father to a daughter called Cyrbia (also known as Cyclippe).
Cyrbia would eventually marry Cercaphus, and Cercaphus would succeed his brother as king of Rhodes. Cercaphus became father to three sons by Cyrbia, sons called Camirus, Ialysus and Lindus. These three sons were the eponymous founders of the three most important towns of Rhodes in antiquity.
Ochimus and Cercaphus remained upon Rhodes, for they had not taken part in the murder of their brother.
Ochimus, as the oldest of the Heliadae, became sole king of the island, and with Hegetoria, a local nymph, became father to a daughter called Cyrbia (also known as Cyclippe).
Cyrbia would eventually marry Cercaphus, and Cercaphus would succeed his brother as king of Rhodes. Cercaphus became father to three sons by Cyrbia, sons called Camirus, Ialysus and Lindus. These three sons were the eponymous founders of the three most important towns of Rhodes in antiquity.
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Colin Quartermain - The Heliadae - 28th August 2021