Cycnus of Liguria

In Greek mythology, Cycnus (Ancient Greek: Κύκνος "swan") or Cygnus, was a king of Liguria.

For other uses, see Cycnus.
Cycnus changed into a swan

Biography

Cycnus was the son of Sthenelus and the lover of Phaethon. (Servius explicitly writes "amator", or lover.) According to Ovid, he was a distant relative of Phaethon on his mother's side. Servius also mentions that Cycnus had a son named Cupavo.[1]

Mythology

After Phaethon died, he sat by the river Eridanos mourning his death. The gods turned him into a swan to relieve him of his pity. Even then he retained memories of Phaethon's death, and would avoid the sun's heat because of that.[2] Swans are known for mourning their mate for multiple days in case they died, which suggests that Cygnus and Phaethon were lovers. [3][4][5] According to Virgil, Cycnus lamented Phaethon's death till he grew old, so his gray hair became gray feathers upon his transformation.[6] Pausanias mentions Cycnus, king of the Ligyes (Ligurians), as a renowned musician who after his death was changed into a swan by Apollo.[7] Servius also writes of Cycnus as a musician and a friend of Phaethon, and states that he was changed into a swan and later was placed among the stars by Apollo (that is, as the constellation Cygnus).[1] Cycnus's talent of a musician motivates his association with the concept of the swan song suggested in Hyginus's account.[8]

References
  1. Servius on Aeneid, 10. 189
  2. Ovid, Metamorphoses, 2, 367 sqq.
  3. Wedderburn, Pete. "Animals grieve just as people do". The Telegraph. Retrieved 25 July 2019.
  4. "Lonely Irish swan 'hugs' cars after its mate was killed". IrishCentral.com. 22 October 2018. Retrieved 25 July 2019.
  5. "The care and treatment of swans and waterfowl with an established worldwide reputation". The Swan Sanctuary. Retrieved 25 July 2019.
  6. Virgil, Aeneid, 10. 189 ff
  7. Pausanias, Description of Greece, 1. 30. 3
  8. Hyginus, Fabulae, 154
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