Azan (mythology)
Encyclopedia
In Greek mythology
, Azan was the son of Arcas
and the Dryad
Erato
, brother of Apheidas
, Elatus
and Hyperippe. Azania in Arcadia
was named after him. He married Hippolyte, daughter of Dexamenus
, and had a son Cleitor. When Azan died, the first funeral games in history were held in his honor. It was at these games that Aetolus accidentally killed Apis
.
Greek mythology
Greek mythology is the body of myths and legends belonging to the ancient Greeks, concerning their gods and heroes, the nature of the world, and the origins and significance of their own cult and ritual practices. They were a part of religion in ancient Greece...
, Azan was the son of Arcas
Arcas
In Greek mythology, Arcas was the son of Zeus and Callisto. Callisto was a nymph in the retinue of the goddess Artemis. Zeus, being a flirtatious god, wanted Callisto for a lover. As she would not be with anyone but Artemis, Zeus cunningly disguised himself as Artemis and seduced Callisto...
and the Dryad
Dryad
Dryads are tree nymphs in Greek mythology. In Greek drys signifies 'oak,' from an Indo-European root *derew- 'tree' or 'wood'. Thus Dryads are specifically the nymphs of oak trees, though the term has come to be used for all tree nymphs in general...
Erato
Erato (dryad)
In Greek mythology, Erato is a dryad. A priestess and prophetess of the god Pan, verses were attributed to her at an ancient oracle of the god, located at Megalopolis near Acacesium. She was married to Arcas, the son of Zeus and Callisto, and bore him three sons, Azan, Apheidas, and Elatus....
, brother of Apheidas
Apheidas
In Greek mythology, the name Apheidas may refer to:*Son of Arcas by either Erato, Leaneira, Meganeira or the nymph Chrysopeleia, brother of Elatus, Azan and others. After his father's death he became king of Tegea. His children were Aleus and Stheneboea.*Son of Polypemon, from Alybas...
, Elatus
Elatus
There were eight figures named Elatus or Élatos in Greek mythology.* Elatus, a Lapith chieftain, was the father, by Hippeia, of:**Ischys who was beloved by Coronis...
and Hyperippe. Azania in Arcadia
Arcadia
Arcadia is one of the regional units of Greece. It is part of the administrative region of Peloponnese. It is situated in the central and eastern part of the Peloponnese peninsula. It takes its name from the mythological character Arcas. In Greek mythology, it was the home of the god Pan...
was named after him. He married Hippolyte, daughter of Dexamenus
Dexamenus
Dexamenus was a name attributed to at least three characters in Greek mythology.*Dexamenus, son of Oeceus, king of Olenus. The Centaur Eurytion forced him to betroth his daughter, Mnesimache, to him. Heracles rescued the girl, killing Eurytion when he showed up to claim his bride. In another...
, and had a son Cleitor. When Azan died, the first funeral games in history were held in his honor. It was at these games that Aetolus accidentally killed Apis
Apis (Greek mythology)
-King of Argos:Apis was a king of Argos. He was a son of Phoroneus by the nymph Laodice, and brother of Niobe. During his reign he established a tyrannical government and called the Peloponnesus after his own name Apia: but he was killed in a conspiracy headed by Thelxion, king of Sparta, and Telchis...
.