Selene

Selene
Personification of the Moon
Detail of Selene from a Roman sarcophagus
Detail of Selene from a Roman sarcophagus
Other namesMene (Μήνη)
GreekΣελήνη
AbodeSky
PlanetMoon[1]
AnimalsHorse, bull, mule
SymbolCrescent, chariot, torch, billowing cloak, bull, moon
DayMonday (hēméra Selḗnēs)
Genealogy
ParentsHyperion and Theia
SiblingsHelios and Eos
ConsortEndymion
ChildrenFifty daughters, Narcissus, Pandia, Ersa, Horae, Musaeus
Equivalents
RomanLuna
PhrygianMen

In ancient Greek mythology and religion, Selene (/sɪˈln/; Ancient Greek: Σελήνη pronounced [selɛ̌ːnɛː] seh-LEH-neh, meaning "Moon")[2] is the goddess and personification of the Moon. Also known as Mene, she is traditionally the daughter of the Titans Hyperion and Theia, and sister of the sun god Helios and the dawn goddess Eos. She drives her moon chariot across the heavens. Several lovers are attributed to her in various myths, including Zeus, Pan, and the mortal Endymion. In post-classical times, Selene was often identified with Artemis, much as her brother, Helios, was identified with Apollo.[3] Selene and Artemis were also associated with Hecate and all three were regarded as moon and lunar goddesses, but only Selene was regarded as the personification of the Moon itself.

Her equivalent in Roman religion and mythology is the goddess Luna.[4]

  1. ^ Evans, James (1998). The History and Practice of Ancient Astronomy. Oxford University Press. pp. 296–7. ISBN 978-0-19-509539-5. Retrieved 2008-02-04.
  2. ^ A Greek–English Lexicon s.v. σελήνη.
  3. ^ Hard, p. 46; Oxford Classical Dictionary, s.v. Selene; Morford, pp. 64, 219–220; Smith, s.v. Selene.
  4. ^ Smith, s.v. Selene; Kerényi, pp. 196–197; Oxford Classical Dictionary, s.v. Selene; Hard, p. 46; Morford, pp. 64, 219–221.

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