In Greek mythology, Zephyrus, or Zephyros (Ζέφυρος) was the gentle god of the west wind, one of the Anemoi . It was thought that Zephyrus lived in a cave on Thrace. He is the son of Eos and Aeolus and the brother of Boreas, Eurus and Notus.
He abducted the goddess Chloris and gave her the domain of flowers. With Chloris, he fathered Ampyx, Mopsus and Carpus.
His Roman mythological equivalent was Favonius, who held dominion over plants and flowers.
Hyacinth was a Spartan prince, very handsome and athletic, the lover of Apollo. The pair were practicing throwing the discus when Hyacinth was struck by one, blown off course by Zephyrus, who was jealous of Apollo and loved Hyacinth as well. When Hyacinth died, Apollo created the flower from his blood.
With the harpy Podarge, his lover (also known as Celaeno) he was the father of Balius and Xanthus.
In the story of Cupid and Psyche, Zephyrus served Cupid by transporting Psyche to his cave.
Spoken-word myths - audio files
| Zephyrus myths as told by story tellers
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| Apollo and Hyacinth - wiki.ogg
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| Bibliography of reconstruction: Homer, Illiad ii.595 - 600 (c. 700 BCE); Various 5th century BCE vase paintings; Palaephatus , On Unbelievable Tales 46. Hyacinthus (330 BCE); Apollodorus, Library 1.3.3 (140 BCE); Ovid, Metamorphoses 10. 162-219 (1CE - 8 CE); Pausanias, Description of Greece 3.1.3, 3.19.4 (160 - 176 CE); Philostratus the Elder , Images i.24 Hyacinthus (170 - 245 CE); Philostratus the Younger , Images 14. Hyacinthus (170 - 245 CE); Lucian, Dialogues of the Gods 14 (170 CE); First Vatican Mythographer , 197. Thamyris et Musae
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