Saturday, April 5, 2014

A to Z Challenge: E is for Endymion

As promised, today's Greek myth is one of obscurity, though I found it just as fascinating as the more well-known myths.

Quiz: Who was Endymion?

Does anyone know?

If not, here's your answer: Endymion was a handsome shepherd boy with whom the goddess Selene fell in love. Selene was a goddess of the moon. She drove her moon chariot across the heavens, and is said to have had several lovers, including Zeus, Pan, and the mortal Endymion.In some traditions, Selene was thought to be the personification of the moon itself. Her Roman equivalent is Luna.

In many accounts of the story, after Endymion's encounter with Selene, he was put into an eternal sleep, where he would never age or die. How this eternal sleep came about, and what role Selene played in it, are unclear. In one version, Zeus is said to have granted Endymion's eternal sleep. In another version, Selene is thought to be responsible.

What I would like to know is why? Why did Endymion decided he wanted to sleep forever without dying? Did it have something to with Selene? Did he wish to be free from her? Or did he love her? If so, why the eternal sleep?

I've done some research and can't uncover the answer. But for all of my writing friends out there, I can't help but see the potential with this story. Endymion would be alive today. He is ageless. What's his story? Did he love Selene? Or was he at the mercy of an evil moon goddess?

Myths aren't dead. Yesterday's post was evidence of that. So what did happen to Endymion? And where is he now?
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5 comments:

  1. Perhaps he sleeps to dream eternal? Any chance this is an inspiration for or forerunner of Rumpelstiltskin?

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  2. Whatever happens to him, it sounds like it might be your next book!

    Personally, though, I like the idea that she is going to try to wake him up one of these days.

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  3. Stopping by on the 6th day of the #challenge, Congratulations on your blog. I'm writing about gardening and related topics if you have time or interest. Come see me.

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  4. Oh, I love that you're looking at Greek myths. And this one is intriguing. You definitely need to add this to your 'story ideas' folder.

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  5. My guess is to keep him from death and decay the moon goddess put him in an eternal slumber and has him somewhere within gazing view to look upon and lust after him.

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