Ganymedes, Greek Mythology Link

Ganymedes

Ganymedes (detail; see image at the Ganymedes Album)

Relevant links

Ganymedes Album

Ganymedes, a handsome young man of beauty only comparable to that of Endymion, Hyacinthus 1, Narcissus, Adonis, Hermaphroditus, Hylas or Chrysippus 2, was abducted for the sake of his beauty, and taken to heaven to be the gods' cupbearer.

Ganymedes abducted by the eagle

Conveyed to heaven

For the sake of his beauty Zeus caught the golden-haired Ganymedes up on an eagle, and ever since he is the cupbearer of the gods in heaven, being honoured by the OLYMPIANS as he draws the red Nectar from the bowl.

Missed by his father

Some say that Ganymedes was caught not by an eagle but by a heaven-sent whirlwind. But the grief of his father Tros 1 (after whom the Trojans are called) was so substantial that Zeus gave him some remarkable horses as recompense for his son. And Zeus also sent Hermes to tell Tros 1, by way of consolation, that Ganymedes would now be deathless and unageing, as are the gods.

The Mares of Laomedon 1

The fine mares that Zeus gave to Tros 1 or to King Laomedon 1 of Troy caused the first sack of the city. For Laomedon 1's daughter Hesione 2 was exposed as a prey to be devoured by a sea-monster, and Heracles 1 promised to save her on condition of receiving the famous mares from Laomedon 1. When the king agreed, Heracles 1 killed the monster and saved the girl. But Laomedon 1 refused to give the stipulated reward, and Heracles 1, with only six ships and a little army, sacked the city of Troy about one generation before the great Trojan War.

Constellation

According to some the constellation Aquarius (Water Bearer) is Ganymedes, who is seen as pouring water from an urn, whereas the eagle that caught him is now the constellation Aquila (Eagle). But others tell quite different tales concerning these CONSTELLATIONS.

Ganymedes and Zeus

Family

Parentage [two versions]

Tros 1 & Callirhoe 3

Assaracus & Hieromneme

Tros 1 called the people of his land Trojans, after his own name.
Callirrhoe 3 is a daughter of the river god Scamander 1.
Assaracus was king of the Dardanians, people living near Mount Ida in the Troad.
Hieromneme is a Naiad, daughter of Simois, one of the RIVER GODS.

Abolengo Album - High Resolution Genealogical Charts

Names in this table

Aeneas, Anchises 1, Assaracus, Astyoche 3, Atlas, Batia 1, Callirrhoe 3, Capys 1, Cleopatra 3, Dardanus 1, Electra 3, Erichthonius 1, Ganymedes, Hector 1, Idaea 1, Ilus 2, Laomedon 1, Pleione, Priam 1, Scamander 1, Simois, Teucer 2, Tros 1, Zeus.

Sources
Abbreviations

Apd.3.12.2; Col.19; Dio.4.75.1-3; Eur.IA.1051; Hom.Aph.5.202; Hom.Il.5.265, 20.232; Hyg.Ast.2.29; Hyg.Fab.224; Nonn.8.94, 25.449; Vir.Aen.1.28, 5.252.

Web

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*Greek Mythology Link* - by Carlos Parada, author of Genealogical Guide to Greek Mythology

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Sources Abbreviations	Apd.3.12.2; Col.19; Dio.4.75.1-3; Eur.IA.1051; Hom.Aph.5.202; Hom.Il.5.265, 20.232; Hyg.Ast.2.29; Hyg.Fab.224; Nonn.8.94, 25.449; Vir.Aen.1.28, 5.252.