PERIPHAS IN GREEK MYTHOLOGY
Periphas was a mythological king of Ancient Greece. Periphas was listed by some as being the first king of Attica, but is most well known for his metamorphosis.
Periphas the Earth Born
|
Periphas was counted among the autochthons, those who had sprung from the earth itself rather than being born of mortal parents. Thereafter, some name Periphas as the first king of Attica.
The reign of Periphas was one of peace and prosperity. His authority was accepted without question, for he was renowned as a ruler of exceptional justice and integrity. The judgments he rendered were celebrated throughout the land for their fairness, and no stain of wrongdoing was ever attached to his name. |
|
Periphas was also a devout worshipper of Apollo, offering frequent sacrifices and honours to the god.
Yet such was the admiration of his subjects that their reverence gradually exceeded the bounds of mortal loyalty. They began to offer sacrifices, prayers, and praises to Periphas himself, honouring him not as a king, but as though he were a god.
Yet such was the admiration of his subjects that their reverence gradually exceeded the bounds of mortal loyalty. They began to offer sacrifices, prayers, and praises to Periphas himself, honouring him not as a king, but as though he were a god.
The Transformation of Periphas
Such devotion from his subjects though, angered Zeus, for those sacrifices and praise should rightfully belong to Zeus, or at least so Zeus believed.
Zeus’ initial instinct was to smite down Periphas with one of his thunderbolts, but Zeus’ son, Apollo, stayed his father’s hand; for Periphas had been a devout worshipper of Apollo.
Zeus instead descended to Attica and entered the palace of Periphas, there he found Periphas, and his wife Phene, in a loving embrace. Zeus transformed Periphas into an eagle. The punishment of Periphas had thus gone from death by tthunderbolt, to an honoured position, for Zeus made Periphas king of all birds.
Phene then implored Zeus not to let her live on in Attica without her beloved husband, and so Zeus thus transformed Phene into a vulture. Phene was, as a vulture, thereafter regarded as a good omen.
Periphas was perhaps succeeded as King of Attica by Ogyyges, although this belief is by no means universal.
Zeus’ initial instinct was to smite down Periphas with one of his thunderbolts, but Zeus’ son, Apollo, stayed his father’s hand; for Periphas had been a devout worshipper of Apollo.
Zeus instead descended to Attica and entered the palace of Periphas, there he found Periphas, and his wife Phene, in a loving embrace. Zeus transformed Periphas into an eagle. The punishment of Periphas had thus gone from death by tthunderbolt, to an honoured position, for Zeus made Periphas king of all birds.
Phene then implored Zeus not to let her live on in Attica without her beloved husband, and so Zeus thus transformed Phene into a vulture. Phene was, as a vulture, thereafter regarded as a good omen.
Periphas was perhaps succeeded as King of Attica by Ogyyges, although this belief is by no means universal.
Periphas as the Aetos Dios
Some say that Periphas, after his transformation, became the Aetos Dios, the Eagle of Zeus, the giant eagle that acted as the personal messenger of Zeus. It was the Aetos Dios that would abduct Ganymede from Troy, as well as taking part in the daily torture of Prometheus. Other’s though, say that the Aetos Dios was an offspring of Gaia.
|
|
Colin Quartermain - Periphas - 30th May 2026