Euphorion (mythology)

In Greek mythology, Euphorion (Ancient Greek: Εὐφορίων "the abundant") was the son of Achilles and Helen. He was born when his parents had already been dwelling in the Land of the Blessed, and was named "after the fertility of the land". He is an supernatural being and he had a pair of wings.

Euphorion, a hubristic youth, attempted to fly to heaven but Zeus caught him and with a blow knocked him down. According to another version Zeus fell in love with him but he did not receive his love. Euphorion escaped from Zeus, but the god caught him on the island of Milos and hit him with lightning, killing him. He further prohibited to bury Euphorion; the island nymphs did bury him nevertheless and were changed into frogs for having disobeyed Zeus.

Euphorion also appeared as an character Goethe's Faust. In this book, he is son of Faust and Helen.

References

• Ptolemy Hephaestion, New History, 4 in Photius, 190
• Bartelink, Dr. G.J.M. (1988). Prisma van de mythologie. Utrecht: Het Spectrum
• Pierre Grimal The Dictionary of Classical Mythology, s.v. "Euphorion"