In Greek mythology, Alebion (Ancient Greek: Ἀλεβίων) or Albion (Ἀλβίων) of Liguria, was a son of Poseidon and brother of Bergion (also known as Dercynus). In some sources, the brother of Ialebion (Ἰαλεβίων)[1] was named Ligys.[2]
Mythology
Alebion attacked Heracles with Dercynus when he passed through their country, Liguria in North-Western Italy, on his way back to Mycenae from Iberia having obtained the Cattle of Geryon as his tenth labour.[3] The battle that followed was fierce; Albion and Dercynus (or Bergion) were supported by a numerous army. Hercules and his army were in a difficult position so he prayed to his father Zeus for help. With the aegis of Zeus, Heracles won the battle, and both brothers were killed.[1][4][5] It was this kneeling position of Heracles, when he prayed to his father Zeus, that gave the name Engonasin (Ἐγγόνασιν, derived from ἐν γόνασιν), meaning "on his knees" or "the Kneeler" to Hercules' constellation. The story is also alluded to in Hyginus[6] and Dionysius.[7]
See also
Albion (Blake) – Primeval man in the mythology of William Blake
John Tzetzes, Book of Histories, Book II-IV translated by Gary Berkowitz from the original Greek of T. Kiessling's edition of 1826. Online version at theoi.com