The Story of Plutus
Plutus was the god of wealth and abundance. According to Hesiod, he was the son of Demeter, the goddess of grain, and the Cretan hero Iasion, who lay together in a thrice plowed field. He grew up to roam the earth, and whoever met him found good fortune.
In early times the wealth Plutus brought was the wealth of the harvest, rich stores of grain. Later he came to stand for riches of every kind. In Aristophanes' comedy Plutus, Zeus has blinded him so that he hands out money without regard to merit, until a poor farmer takes him to a temple of Asclepius and his sight is restored.
Plutus was honored with Demeter and Persephone, especially at Eleusis, where he appears in art as a child holding a horn of plenty. A famous statue by Cephisodotus showed him as a baby in the arms of Eirene, the goddess of peace, to show that peace brings prosperity. The words plutocracy and plutocrat come from his name.
Famous Myths About Plutus
Born in a Plowed Field
Plutus was the son of Demeter and the Cretan hero Iasion, who lay together in a thrice-plowed field. He grew up to roam the world, bringing wealth to anyone who found him.
Blinded by Zeus
In Aristophanes' comedy Plutus, Zeus blinds the god of wealth so that he cannot tell the good from the wicked. A poor farmer leads him to a temple of Asclepius, where his sight is restored, and he begins rewarding honest people.
Plutus's Family Tree
Parents of Plutus
Partners of Plutus
Children of Plutus
Frequently Asked Questions About Plutus
Who is Plutus in Greek mythology?
Plutus is the god of wealth, abundance and riches.
Who are Plutus's parents?
According to Hesiod, Plutus is the son of Demeter and the mortal hero Iasion.
Why is Plutus blind?
In one story, Zeus blinded Plutus so that he would hand out wealth without regard to whether people deserved it.
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