Krotos
Encyclopedia
In Greek mythology
, Krotos or Crotus was the son of Pan
and Eupheme
. He dwelt on Mount Helicon
and kept company of the Muses, whom his mother had nursed.
Krotos was renowned for being both an excellent hunter and a devoted adherent of the Muses and their arts. He is credited with having invented archery and being the first to use bow and arrows for hunting animals. He is also said to have introduced applause
, as he would clap his hands at the singing of the Muses, for whom this was a sign of acclaim preferable to any verbal ones.. To commemorate his diligence, the Muses asked Zeus
to place him among the stars, which he did, transforming Krotos into the constellation Saggitarius. Various details of his stellar image were thought to represent one of his virtues: lower body of a horse for his skills of a horse rider; arrows for his keenness and swiftness as a hunter; a Satyr
's tail for him being as delightful to the Muses as the Satyrs are to Dionysus
.
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...
, Krotos or Crotus was the son of Pan
Pan (mythology)
Pan , in Greek religion and mythology, is the god of the wild, shepherds and flocks, nature, of mountain wilds, hunting and rustic music, as well as the companion of the nymphs. His name originates within the Greek language, from the word paein , meaning "to pasture." He has the hindquarters, legs,...
and Eupheme
Eupheme
Eupheme was the ancient Greek female spirit of words of good omen, praise, acclaims, shouts of triumph, and applause. Her opposite was Momus and her sisters were Euthenia, Eucleia, and Philophrosyne. Along with her sisters, she was regarded as a member of the younger Charites...
. He dwelt on Mount Helicon
Helicon
Mount Helicon is a mountain in the region of Thespiai in Boeotia, Greece, celebrated in Greek mythology. With an elevation of , it is located just off the Gulf of Corinth.-Greek mythology:...
and kept company of the Muses, whom his mother had nursed.
Krotos was renowned for being both an excellent hunter and a devoted adherent of the Muses and their arts. He is credited with having invented archery and being the first to use bow and arrows for hunting animals. He is also said to have introduced applause
Applause
Applause is primarily the expression of approval by the act of clapping, or striking the palms of the hands together, in order to create noise. Audiences are usually expected to applaud after a performance, such as a musical concert, speech, or play...
, as he would clap his hands at the singing of the Muses, for whom this was a sign of acclaim preferable to any verbal ones.. To commemorate his diligence, the Muses asked Zeus
Zeus
In the ancient Greek religion, Zeus was the "Father of Gods and men" who ruled the Olympians of Mount Olympus as a father ruled the family. He was the god of sky and thunder in Greek mythology. His Roman counterpart is Jupiter and his Etruscan counterpart is Tinia.Zeus was the child of Cronus...
to place him among the stars, which he did, transforming Krotos into the constellation Saggitarius. Various details of his stellar image were thought to represent one of his virtues: lower body of a horse for his skills of a horse rider; arrows for his keenness and swiftness as a hunter; a Satyr
Satyr
In Greek mythology, satyrs are a troop of male companions of Pan and Dionysus — "satyresses" were a late invention of poets — that roamed the woods and mountains. In myths they are often associated with pipe-playing....
's tail for him being as delightful to the Muses as the Satyrs are to Dionysus
Dionysus
Dionysus was the god of the grape harvest, winemaking and wine, of ritual madness and ecstasy in Greek mythology. His name in Linear B tablets shows he was worshipped from c. 1500—1100 BC by Mycenean Greeks: other traces of Dionysian-type cult have been found in ancient Minoan Crete...
.