Helios: God of Sun
Helios was the Greek titan god of the sun and the sun himself. He drives a chariot lead by four fire-breathing horses across the sky each day. Later, the horses were given names: Pyrois, Aeos, Aethon, and Phlegon. At night he is carried back to his starting place in a great divinely-wrought cup. He was also the guardian of oaths and the god of gift and sight. Helios dwelt in a golden palace located in the river Okeanos at the eastern ends of the Earth. From there he emerged each dawn driving a chariot drawn by four, fiery winged steeds and crowned with the aureole of the sun. When he reached the land of the Hesperides (evenings) in the West he descended into a golden cup which carried him around the northern streams of Okeanos back to his rising place in the East. Once his son Phaethon attempted to drive the chariot of the sun, but losing controll, set the Earth on fire. Zeus then struck him down with a thunderbolt.
Helios was depicted as a handsome, and usually beardless, man clothed in purple robes and crowned with the shining aureole of the sun. Helios was identified with several gods including fiery Hephaistos and light-bringing Apollon.
Helios was depicted as a handsome, and usually beardless, man clothed in purple robes and crowned with the shining aureole of the sun. Helios was identified with several gods including fiery Hephaistos and light-bringing Apollon.
Persephone Story
Helios saw Hades abducting Persephone. Demeter didn't think to ask him about her missing daughter, but wandered the Earth morosely for months until her friend, the witchcraft goddess Hekate suggested that Helios might have been an eye witness.