The Story of Erebus
Erebus was the primordial god of darkness and shadow. According to Hesiod, he was born from Chaos at the very beginning of creation, together with his sister Nyx, the night. Where Nyx was the darkness of the night sky, Erebus was the deep darkness beneath the earth.
With Nyx, Erebus fathered Aether, the bright upper air, and Hemera, the day. The Greeks found meaning in this, as light and day were born from the union of darkness and night. Some later writers gave him other children as well, but these stories are less certain.
Erebus was also the name of the gloomy region beneath the earth through which the souls of the dead passed on their way to the realm of Hades. Homer uses the name for this shadowy place in the Odyssey. Erebus had no worship of his own, and the Greeks thought of him more as a dark presence than as a god with a personality.
Erebus's Family Tree
Parents of Erebus
Wife of Erebus
Frequently Asked Questions About Erebus
Who is Erebus in Greek mythology?
Erebus is the primordial god of darkness and shadow. His name also refers to the dark region beneath the earth that the dead pass through.
Who are Erebus's parents?
Erebus was born from Chaos, and his sister is Nyx, the night.
Who are Erebus's children?
With Nyx, Erebus fathered Aether, the bright upper air, and Hemera, the day.
Explore More Primordial Gods
