The Tragic Story of Cephalus in Greek Mythology

Cephalus was famed throughout the Greek world for his astonishing youthful beauty. He was the son of Hermes, the god of heralds and travellers, and his mother was a mortal woman called Herse.

Some account of the legend claimed Cephalus was born to Deion, the ruler of Phocis, and his wife, Diomede. Phocis was a kingdom in ancient Greece.

Cephalus fell deeply in love with a maiden by the name of Procris and they both lived happily as man and wife.

Procris was the daughter of Erectheus, the king of Athens, and the river nymph, Praxithea, was her mother.

Aurora, the radiant goddess of the dawn, desired Cephalus and carried him far away from his wife, Procris. Cephalus could not resist the charms of Aurora and they became lovers.

The affair between Cephalus and Aurora continued for eight years. However, the goddess, Aurora, was unhappy with Cephalus as her young admirer still loved his wife, Procris.

Aurora could not bear to be slighted in such a way by her young lover, Cephalus. She returned Cephalus to his wife, Procris, with great sadness in her heart.

Cephalus wished only to embrace his beloved Procris but was tortured by thoughts of his wife's infidelity. He tested the loyalty of his wife, Procris, by transforming himself into the guise of a stranger.

Procris was a dutiful wife who remained faithful to Cephalus during his long absence. She rejected the advances of the handsome young stranger for some time.

Sadly, Procris finally yielded to her desire for the stranger and was ashamed when her husband, Cephalus, revealed his true identity.

Poor Procris fled to the sacred forests of Artemis in her distress. Artemis sent Procris home as she was married.

However, the goddess, Artemis, took pity on the young woman and gave Procris a magical javelin that never missed its target and a hound which always found the scent of its prey.

Cephalus was guilt-ridden by the horrible way he treated his wife, Procris. Procris eventually returned to her husband, Cephalus, after he begged her to forgive him. She gave the magical javelin and hound to Cephalus as a sign of her love.

Procris and Cephalus spent many happy years together until one day she heard rumours of her husband's infidelity.

One day Procris decided to follow her husband, Cephalus, on one of his usual hunting trips into the forest. Cephalus caught sight of a wild animal among the trees and threw the magical javelin which, sadly, killed Procris.

Other accounts stated Cephalus left his wife, Procris, so he could hunt a terrible beast that was let loose on the land by an angry god. He took the magical javelin and hound so he could kill the beast.

The gods intervened and settled the matter by changing the beast, the javelin and the hound into stone.

Cephalus was returning home when suddenly a gust of wind whispered the sad news of the death of his wife, Procris.

Procris committed suicide when she heard rumours that Cephalus loved the goddess, Aurora, and her husband would never return.

Cephalus was distraught by the death of his beloved, Procris, and spent the rest of his life mourning the death of his beautiful wife.

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Androclus and the Lion in Greek and Roman Mythology

The cheerful tale of Androclus and the lion is of a runaway slave in ancient Greece whose life was changed forever by a chance meeting with a lion. 

Androclus, or Androcles, and the lion was first told by the famous writer Aesop during the seventh century BC. 

Androclus led a miserable life as a slave for many years and fled from his master into a forest. An overwhelming feeling of joy swept over Androclus as he wandered through the trees.

The young man watched the birds flying through the air when the sounds of moaning and groaning suddenly caught his attention. 

Androculus followed the distressing calls to an injured lion who was licking his paw and crying. The source of the lion’s suffering was a large thorn which has become embedded in his paw.

Androclus was frightened by the sight of the wild beast and was about to run away when he was gripped by pity for the poor animal. 

The lion gazed at Androclus as he approached and gently removed the thorn.

The lion did not roar at Androclus but instead licked his hand in gratitude. Androclus and the lion shared a close bond during their time in the forest. 

The lion brought Androclus food and the young man often petted the lion as a sign of their unusual friendship.

Sadly, Androclus was caught by his master while living in the forest. Androclus received the punishment of death by being exposed to the wild beasts in the arena of Rome. 

The Emperor himself was seated in the area with his family on the day Androclus walked alone into the middle of the arena. 

The crowd rose from their seats and cheered as a lion was set loose from the cages. Androclus watched in horror and then cowered in fear as the lion ran towards him. 

Happily, the lion licked the hand of Androclus and the young man was overjoyed as he recognised his wild friend from the forest. 

The Emperor and crowd were astonished by the display of affection by the lion. The lion was jumping to the shoulder of Androclus and licking his face when the Emperor pardoned the young slave. 

The mercy of the Emperor was great indeed as Androclus was given his freedom and the lion as a token of the Emperor’s clemency.

Androclus and the lion lived out the rest of their days together in bliss. Local people often saw the Androclus and the lion taking long walks together deep into the forest. 

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