InGreek mythology,Phaon(Ancient Greek:Φάων;gen.: Φάωνος) was a mythical boatman ofMytileneinLesbos.He was old and ugly whenAphroditecame to his boat. She put on the guise of acrone.Phaon ferried her over toAsia Minorand accepted no payment for doing so. In return, she gave him a box of ointment. When he rubbed it on himself, he became young and beautiful. Many were captivated by his beauty.
According to Athenian Theater,Sapphofell in love with him. He lay with her but soon grew to resent her and devalue her. Sappho was so distraught with his rejection that she threw herself into the sea under the superstition that she would be either cured of her love, or drowned.[1]She was drowned.Aeliansays that Phaon was killed by a man whom he wascuckolding.
Aside from Aelian, Phaon's story is told byOvidandLucian.He is also mentioned byPlautusinMiles Gloriosusas being one of only two men in the whole world, who "ever had the luck to be so passionately loved by a woman" (Act 3).
This article incorporates text from the public domain 1848 edition ofLemprière'sClassical Dictionary.
References
edit- ^Castle, Terry (2002).Boss Ladies, Watch Out!: Essays on Women, Sex and Writing.London: Routledge. p. 169.ISBN0-415-93873-2.
External links
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