Helios
In Greek mythology, Helios was the personification of the Sun. He was the son of the Titan Hyperion with various mothers (Theia or Euryphaessa) and brother of the goddesses Selene, the Moon, and Eos, the Dawn.
Helios was described as a handsome god crowned with the shining aureole of the Sun. He drove the chariot of the Sun across the sky each day to earth-circling Oceanus, and through the world-ocean, returned to the East at night.
In the Homeric hymn to Helios, Helios was said to drive a golden chariot drawn by steeds. Pindar wrote of Helios's "fire-darting steeds". Later, these horses were given fiery names: Pyrois, Aeos, Aethon and Phlegon.
Over time, Helios became increasingly identified with the god of light, Apollo. Despite their syncretism, however, they often were viewed as two distinct gods, as Helios was a Titan, whereas Apollo was an Olympian. The equivalent of Helios in Roman mythology was Sol, specifically Sol Invictus.
[Image: Helios Takes A Holiday by Jana W on deviantART. Visit this talented artist at: http://yellowboots.deviantart.com.]
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