| Cycnus | |
|---|---|
 Cycnus changed into a swan | |
| Abode | Liguria |
| Personal information | |
| Parents | Sthenelus |
| Consort | Phaethon (lover) |
| Children | Cinyras, Cupavo |
In Greek mythology, Cycnus (Ancient Greek: Κύκνος "swan") or Cygnus was a king of Liguria, a beloved and kin of Phaethon, who lamented his death and was subsequently turned into a swan and then a constellation.[1]
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.[2]
After Phaethon died, Cycnus sat by the river Eridanos mourning his death. The gods turned him into a swan to relieve him of his sorrow. Even then he retained memories of Phaethon's death, and would avoid the sun's heat because of that.[3] Swans are known for mourning their mate for many days when they die, which suggests that Cygnus and Phaethon were lovers.[4][5][6] According to Virgil, Cycnus lamented Phaethon's death till he grew old, so his gray hair became gray feathers upon his transformation.[7] Pausanias mentions Cycnus, king of the Ligyes (Ligurians), as a renowned musician who after his death was changed into a swan by Apollo.[8] 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), who had also once blessed him with talent in singing.[2] Cycnus's talent as a musician may serve the association with the concept of the swan song suggested in Hyginus's account.[9]
.jpg)
.jpg)
