Explore the Greek myth of Selene and Endymion, a mortal man who captures the attention of the moon goddess. Uncover the multifaceted nature of Selene and her roles as Phoebe and the Huntress. Witness Endymion's preparations for his successors and his decision to lead a solitary life as a shepherd. Follow the enchanting love story of Selene and Endymion as they defy fate to be together. Discover the origins of lunar goddesses and get a sneak peek into the next season.
The story of Selenie and Endimian highlights the challenges of immortality and the consequences of Zeus' jealousy.
The myth of Selenie and Endimian influenced the scheduling of the Olympic Games, creating a 50-month interval between each game.
Deep dives
The Moon Falls in Love with a Mortal
In this episode of Greeking Out, the story revolves around the moon goddess Selenie (also known as Phoebe) falling deeply in love with a mortal man named Endimian. Selenie, who had the ability to give sleep and provide light during the night, was captivated by Endimian's beauty and charm. Despite being a titan, Selenie was determined to meet Endimian face to face and they eventually embraced their love for each other.
Zeus' Jealousy and Zeus-Induced Eternal Sleep
Zeus, already aware of Endimian's appeal to other goddesses, including his wife Hera, took revenge by helping Selenie find a way to make Endimian immortal. However, the enchantment Zeus placed on Endimian ensured that he would never age or die, but also that he would be perpetually asleep. Although Selenie could still visit Endimian in his dreams, she longed for their waking moments together.
Legacy of Selenie and Endimian
Selenie and Endimian had 50 daughters known as the Menai, who represented the lunar months in the Greek calendar. Their story became a tribute to the former king of Eelis and his family. The myth influenced the scheduling of the Olympic Games, decreeing that there would be 50 months between each game.
Oh Muses! Help us tell the tale of a mortal who fell in love with a moon goddess. We encounter having fifty daughters, the ramifications of immortality, getting your affairs in order, Zeus’ jealousy, and eternal sleep.
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Parents! We have another book! It’s every bit as hilarious, harrowing, heartwarming, and Hellenistic as its namesake. Available Sept 17th. You can pre-order the new book here: https://bit.ly/grkoutbk2