Endymion (mythology)

For other uses, see Endymion (disambiguation).
Endymion
The Sleep of Endymion by Anne-Louis Girodet (1791), Musée du Louvre, Paris.
AbodeElis or Mount Latmus
Genealogy
ParentsAethlius and Calyce
Zeus and Phoenissa
ConsortSelene
Iphianassa or Asterodia or Chromia or Hyperippe
ChildrenNarcissus, Aetolus, Eurypyle, Eurycyda, Paeon, Epeius, fifty daughters with Selene

In Greek mythology, Endymion[a] (/ɛnˈdɪmiən/; Ancient Greek: Ἐνδυμίων, gen.: Ἐνδυμίωνος) was variously a handsome Aeolian shepherd, hunter, or king who was said to rule and live at Olympia in Elis.[1] He was also venerated and said to reside on Mount Latmus in Caria, on the west coast of Asia Minor.[2]

There is confusion over Endymion's identity, as some sources suppose that he was, or was related to, the prince of Elis, and others suggest he was a shepherd from Caria. There is also a later suggestion that he was an astronomer: Pliny the Elder[3] mentions Endymion as the first human to observe the movements of the moon, which (according to Pliny) accounts for Endymion's infatuation with its tutelary goddess. Consequently, Endymion's tomb has been attributed to two different sites. The people of Heracleia claimed that he was laid to rest on Mount Latmus, while the Eleans declared that it was at Olympia.[4]

Endymion as hunter (with a dog), sitting on rocks in a landscape, holding two spears, looking at Selene who descends to him. Antique fresco from Pompeii.

However, the role of lover of Selene, the Moon, is attributed primarily to the Endymion who was either a shepherd or an astronomer, as either profession provides justification for the time he spent gazing at the Moon.[citation needed]


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  1. ^ Classical sources linking Endymion with Elis include Pausanias, 5.1.3 & Pseudo-Apollodorus. Bibliotheca, 1.7.5-6
  2. ^ Classical sources linking Endymion with Mount Latmus include Ovid, Heroides, 18.61–65; Ovid, Ars Amatoria, 3.83; Lucian, Dialogi Deorum 19, where Endymion is discussed by Aphrodite and Selene; Cicero, Tusculan Disputations i.38.92.
  3. ^ Pliny's Naturalis Historia Book II.IV.43.
  4. ^ John Lemprière's Classical Dictionary