Erebus

God of The Primordial Darkness

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Erebus

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erebus

In Greek mythology, Erebus (/ˈɛrəbəs/; Ancient Greek: Ἔρεβος, romanized: Érebos, lit. '"darkness, gloom"'), or Erebos, is the personification of darkness. In Hesiod's Theogony, he is the offspring of Chaos, and the father of Aether and Hemera (Day) by Nyx (Night); in other Greek cosmogonies, he is the father of Aether, Eros, and Metis, or the first ruler of the gods.

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In genealogies given by Roman authors, he begets a large progeny of personifications upon Nox (the Roman equivalent of Nyx), while in an Orphic theogony he is the offspring of Chronos (Time). The name "Erebus" is also used to refer either to the darkness of the Underworld, the Underworld itself, or the region through which souls pass to reach Hades, and can sometimes be used as a synonym for Tartarus or Hades.

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The meaning of the word Erebos (Ἔρεβος) is "darkness" or "gloom", referring to that of the Underworld. It derives from the Proto-Indo-European *h₁regʷ-os- ("darkness"), and is cognate with the Sanskrit rájas ("dark (lower) air, dust"), the Armenian erek ("evening"), the Gothic riqis, and the Old Norse røkkr ("dark, dust").

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Personification of darkness

In a number of Greek cosmogonies, Erebus is described as one of the first beings to exist. In Hesiod's Theogony (late 8th century BC), which the Greeks considered the "standard" account of the origin of the gods, he is the offspring of Chaos, alongside Nyx (Night). In the first instance of sexual intercourse, he mates with Nyx, producing Aether and Hemera (Day), the pair of which represent the personified opposites of their parents.

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The Neoplatonist Damascius attributes to Acusilaus (6th century BC) a cosmogony in which Chaos is the first principle, after which comes Erebus and Night, and from this pair are then born Aether, Eros, and Metis. The philosopher Philodemus records that in the work On the Gods by one "Satyros", Erebus is the first of five rulers of the gods, and is succeeded as sovereign by Chaos (though others have suggested this figure may be Eros). According to a hymn by the poet Antagoras (3rd century BC), one of the possible parentages of Eros is Erebus and Night.

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Ancient Gods – When Darkness Ruled the World

Updated June 11, 2016

Source: https://www.ancient-origins.net/myths-legends/ancient-gods-when-darkness-ruled-world-006067 

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Darkness is the opposite of brightness and it is characterized by the absence of visible light. The emotional response of humans to darkness has led to many culturally different metaphorical usages. For example, in Christianity the first narrative of creation begins with darkness. Darkness is said to have existed before the world, then light was introduced. Ultimately, the separation of light from darkness followed. In Exodus 10:21, darkness appears as the “second to last plague” and, in Mathew 8:12, darkness is the location of “weeping and gnashing of teeth”.

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In the Qur’an (Nab 78.25), the individuals who transgress the boundaries of what is right are doomed to “burning despair and ice-cold darkness”. These perceptions of darkness largely associate it with evil. However, this was not always so. In the past, darkness was seen as something that existed since the beginning of time, and there are many deities associated with darkness as well as with the night.

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Greek Mythology

The best example is probably Erebus from Greek mythology. His name comes from the Greek “Erebos” meaning “deep darkness” or “shadow”. Erebus was a primordial deity seen as the personification or embodiment of darkness. He is one of the first five beings in existence born from Chaos.

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Along with his sister Nyx, Erebus fathered other deities such as Hypnos (Sleep) and Thanatos (Death). Aether, Hemera, the Hesperides, the Moirai, Geras, Styx, and Charon are other children that resulted from the same union. It is interesting to note here the fact that Nyx was the goddess of the night.

Read More Charon The Ferryman of The Underworld Hades click

Read More Nyx Goddess of The Night click

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She was very beautiful and powerful and it is said that even Zeus himself, the chief of all the gods, feared her. In his “Theogony”, Hesiod writes:

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“From Chaos came forth Erebus and black Night; but of Night were born Aether and Day, whom she conceived and bore from union in love with Erebus”.

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Nyx And Erebus Love Story: A Powerful and Enigmatic Tale from Greek Mythology

Source: https://oldworldgods.com/greeks/nyx-and-erebus-love-story/

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The love story of Nyx and Erebus is a powerful and enigmatic tale from Greek mythology. Nyx, the primordial goddess of night, and Erebus, the god of darkness, reside in the depths of the underworld.

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They had numerous children, including Aether, the god of light, and Hemera, the goddess of day. Nyx is revered in the Orphic cult and worshipped at the Temple of Dionysus Nocturnal in Megara. The love between Nyx and Erebus is challenged by the Olympian gods, particularly Zeus, as they struggle to maintain the balance between night and day. Molly Tullis’s book, ‘Consort of Darkness: A Story of Nyx and Erebus’, explores their romance with a unique perspective. The enduring legacy of their love story in Greek mythology continues to captivate and intrigue.

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The Primordial Powers of Nyx

Nyx possesses formidable powers that even Zeus, the king of the gods, finds fearful. As the goddess of the night, she holds dominion over the shadows and darkness. Within the depths of the underworld, Nyx and Erebus rule over their domain, overseeing the realms of night and all that it encompasses.

Read More Nyx Goddess of The Night click

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The Darkness of Erebus

Erebus, the consort of Nyx, personifies darkness and shadow. As the god of darkness, he complements Nyx’s role as the goddess of the night. Together, they embody the mysterious and transformative power of darkness. Their love is an eternal dance between light and dark, creating a mesmerizing and complex dynamic.

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Nyx and Erebus Family: Children of the Primordial Gods

In Greek Mythology, Nyx and Erebus, the primordial gods of night and darkness, had a family comprised of several powerful and enigmatic beings. Let’s explore the children of these primordial gods and their unique roles in the mythological pantheon.

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Nyx and Erebus Caught in the Struggle with the Olympian Gods

Nyx and Erebus, the primordial gods of night and darkness, found themselves entangled in a fierce battle with the Olympian gods, led by Zeus. This clash of powers and ambitions had far-reaching consequences in their love story and the delicate balance of night and day.

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Zeus’s Ambition to Overthrow the Primordials

Zeus, driven by an insatiable hunger for power, aimed to overthrow the primordial gods and claim the throne of his father, Kronos. This posed a significant threat to Nyx and Erebus, as they represented the forces that existed before the Olympians came into power. Their very existence stood in the way of Zeus’s dominance.

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Nyx and Erebus’s Contrasting Loyalties

As the struggle unfolded, Nyx and Erebus found themselves torn between their love for each other and their allegiance to their respective sides. Nyx, as the embodiment of night, felt a profound connection to the primordial gods and their ancient ways. Erebus, as the god of darkness, also faced a difficult choice, torn between his loyalty to Nyx and the pressure to join the Olympians.

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The Battle Between Night and Day

The clash between Nyx and Erebus, representing the night and darkness, and the Olympians, with their association to light and day, symbolized a fundamental conflict in the cosmos. The outcome of this battle would determine the fate of the universe and the delicate balance between light and darkness.

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The struggles faced by Nyx and Erebus in the face of the Olympian gods added a layer of complexity to their love story. It tested their commitment to each other and pushed them to their limits as they fought to maintain their place in the divine hierarchy. The battle between night and day became a metaphor for the eternal struggle between opposing forces in the world.

Read More Nyx Goddess of The Night click

Read More Charon The Ferryman of The Underworld Hades click

Read More Agathos Daemon Daemonic Astrology click