Erebus: Father of Death

Explanation and Impact


This next god very shortly followed Khaos as the second primordial god, Erebus. The personification of
darkness and shadow, he, with his siblings, began to create the cosmos. He coupled with Nyx, the primordial
goddess of night, together creating Aether, Hemera, and Hypnos. These primordial beings, in order of both
birth and list, were the representation of light and air, day, and sleep. As an ancient god of darkness he sounds
threatening, but was often depicted as a fundamental action of the universe. His bringing of darkness allowed
for the seasons and change of day. Later they had six more offspring, the Moirai, Thanatos, Geras, and
Nemesis. The Moirai are three beings that govern fate itself, Thanatos is death, Geras is old age, and Nemesis
is the goddess of retribution. Each of the offspring mentioned here went one to be core parts of both reality
and myth. Thanatos is sent after Sisyphus and his refusal to go with him causes his most infamous
punishment. Death and fate are both classic examples of the inevitable, destined and sure. Yet, here the c
reation is seen, their power dwindles compared to their forebears. Death nor fate can capture these concepts,
reality can’t die, and darkness cannot be fated away. His connection to death is fitting given that a part of
the underworld bears his name. The other two sections named after a god are Tartarus, which is the god
itself for he is that large, and Hades, the king of the underworld and the other name for the underworld
as a whole. Erebus is the part of the underworld in which the monsters and gods of the underworld reside.
Hades himself rules here with Persephone.


Worship


While never directly worshiped, his name was invoked by those wishing for deeper understanding.

Being a primordial he didn’t have a defined form, being that he is darkness itself. He was depicted as having

more intent than Khaos, but was still a very vague entity.


Conclusion


As the father of such powerful and important gods his position is earned. He, like his creator, ought to

be more well known for both their might and the unintended consequences to their actions. 

Comments

  1. Beth GulleyJune 21, 2024 at 7:03 AM

    I didn't know about this god before. Thanks for informing me.

    ReplyDelete

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