Phaon

Phaon (Greek Φάων, Phaon, " the shining one " ) is a figure in Greek mythology. Worked as a ferryman between the island of Lesbos and Asia Minor, he is distinguished by his extraordinary physical beauty. His irresistible attraction makes him a popular figure in the Attic comedy, which are due on Phaon the earliest evidence. He is the hero of a comedy fragments obtained in the dramatist Plato, in which he is swarmed by hordes lovesick women.

Relationship with Aphrodite

One early tradition according to which is first attested in the 5th century BC with Cratinus and has parallels with the Adonis myth, the goddess of love Aphrodite in love even in the young Phaon and hides him in lettuce or young barley to make him all to yourself have to. Other authors derive Phaon youthful beauty forth from a wonderful ointment, with Aphrodite rewarded the already aged ferryman, because he - translated without pay - in ignorance of their true identity.

Relationship with the poet Sappho and the island of Leucas

The comic poet Menander ( late 4th century BC) mentions in his Leukadia the first unhappy love who also native to Lesbos poet Sappho to Phaon, which discharges in the suicide of Sappho, which at Cape Leukatas (now Cape Doukatou ) to the southwest tip of the western Greek island of Leucas from the cliff collapsed. The common reference both figures to Lesbos is probably the starting point of this myth-making that the fate of a mythical and historical figure linked. Phaon was in ancient times as the founder of a Aphroditeheiligtums on Leukas. There was also a sanctuary of Apollo, whose customs which provided for the offering of atonement sacrifice ( pharmakoi ) in which a criminal was thrown off the cliff. The story of the suicide of Sappho must also be seen against the background of this ritual.