The Story of Hyperion
Hyperion was one of the twelve Titans, the children of Uranus and Gaia. His name means the one who goes above, and he was the Titan of heavenly light and watchfulness. He married his sister Theia, the goddess of shining light.
Hyperion is best known through his famous children, Helios the sun, Selene the moon and Eos the dawn. The Greek writer Diodorus said he was the first to understand the movements of the sun, the moon and the stars, and the way they divide time. Homer sometimes uses the name Hyperion for Helios himself, which is why the two are often confused.
Like most of the Titans, Hyperion was defeated by Zeus and the Olympians, and in most tellings he was imprisoned in Tartarus. He had no great cult of his own, yet he lived on as the father of light. Later poets such as John Keats were drawn to him as a symbol of the old order of gods giving way to the new.
Hyperion's Family Tree
Parents of Hyperion
Wife of Hyperion
Frequently Asked Questions About Hyperion
Who is Hyperion in Greek mythology?
Hyperion is the Titan of heavenly light, watchfulness and observation, and one of the twelve children of Uranus and Gaia.
Who are Hyperion's wife and children?
Hyperion married his sister Theia, and their children were Helios the sun, Selene the moon and Eos the dawn.
Is Hyperion the sun god?
Hyperion is the father of the sun rather than the sun itself. Homer sometimes uses the name Hyperion for Helios, which is why the two are often confused.
What are Hyperion's symbols?
Hyperion is associated with the sun, light and the stars.
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