The Story of Morpheus
Morpheus was a god of dreams, best known from the Roman poet Ovid's Metamorphoses. There he is one of the many sons of Hypnos, the god of sleep. His name comes from the Greek word for form or shape.
Morpheus had a special gift. He appeared to sleepers only in human form, and he could perfectly copy any person's face, walk, voice and even their way of speaking. His brothers took other shapes, with Phobetor appearing as animals and Phantasos as rocks, water and other lifeless things.
In Ovid's story, King Ceyx set out on a sea voyage and drowned in a storm. His wife Alcyone did not know, and she kept praying to Juno for his safe return. Moved by pity, the goddess sent Iris to the cave of Sleep to send Alcyone a dream that would reveal the truth.
Sleep chose Morpheus for the task. He flew silently to Alcyone's bedside and appeared to her in the form of Ceyx, pale, naked and dripping with seawater, and told her that he had died. When Alcyone found her husband's body on the shore, the gods took pity on them and turned the couple into seabirds, the halcyons.
Morpheus belongs more to poetry than to worship, and he had no known temples. Yet his name became famous. The drug morphine was named after him because it brings sleep, and the phrase in the arms of Morpheus still means being fast asleep.
Famous Myths About Morpheus
Ceyx and Alcyone
When King Ceyx drowned at sea, his wife Alcyone kept praying for his safe return. Hera sent a message to the god of sleep, who chose Morpheus to appear to Alcyone in a dream as her husband's ghost and tell her the truth, and the gods later turned the couple into seabirds.
Morpheus's Family Tree
Parents of Morpheus
Partners of Morpheus
Children of Morpheus
Frequently Asked Questions About Morpheus
Who is Morpheus in Greek mythology?
Morpheus is the god of dreams who appears to sleepers in human form and can imitate any person perfectly.
Who are Morpheus's parents?
In Ovid's Metamorphoses, Morpheus is one of the many sons of Hypnos, the god of sleep.
What is the story of Morpheus and Alcyone?
When King Ceyx drowned at sea, Morpheus appeared to his wife Alcyone in a dream in Ceyx's form to tell her of his death.
Is morphine named after Morpheus?
Yes. The painkiller morphine was named after Morpheus because of its power to bring sleep.
