Thrax (mythology)
Encyclopedia
In Greek mythology
, Thrax (by his name simply the quintessential Thracian
) was regarded as one of the reputed sons of Ares
. In the Alcestis
, Euripides
mentions that one of the names of Ares himself was Thrax since he was regarded as the patron of Thrace
(his golden or gilded shield was kept in his temple at Bistonia in Thrace).
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...
, Thrax (by his name simply the quintessential Thracian
Thrace
Thrace is a historical and geographic area in southeast Europe. As a geographical concept, Thrace designates a region bounded by the Balkan Mountains on the north, Rhodope Mountains and the Aegean Sea on the south, and by the Black Sea and the Sea of Marmara on the east...
) was regarded as one of the reputed sons of Ares
Ares
Ares is the Greek god of war. He is one of the Twelve Olympians, and the son of Zeus and Hera. In Greek literature, he often represents the physical or violent aspect of war, in contrast to the armored Athena, whose functions as a goddess of intelligence include military strategy and...
. In the Alcestis
Alcestis
Alcestis is a princess in Greek mythology, known for her love of her husband. Her story was popularised in Euripides's tragedy Alcestis. She was the daughter of Pelias, king of Iolcus, and either Anaxibia or Phylomache....
, Euripides
Euripides
Euripides was one of the three great tragedians of classical Athens, the other two being Aeschylus and Sophocles. Some ancient scholars attributed ninety-five plays to him but according to the Suda it was ninety-two at most...
mentions that one of the names of Ares himself was Thrax since he was regarded as the patron of Thrace
Thrace
Thrace is a historical and geographic area in southeast Europe. As a geographical concept, Thrace designates a region bounded by the Balkan Mountains on the north, Rhodope Mountains and the Aegean Sea on the south, and by the Black Sea and the Sea of Marmara on the east...
(his golden or gilded shield was kept in his temple at Bistonia in Thrace).
Popular culture
- Thrax appears in the animated Wonder WomanWonder Woman (film)Wonder Woman is a 2009 direct-to-video animated film focusing on the superheroine Wonder Woman. The plot of the film is loosely based on George Pérez' reboot of the character, specifically the "Gods and Mortals" arc that started the character's second volume in 1987. It is the fourth in the line of...
film. Here, he is the son of AresAres (DC Comics)Ares is a fictional character, a supervillainous God appearing in DC Comics publications and related media. Based upon the Greek mythological figure of the same name, he is the god of War and one of the major adversaries of Wonder Woman. He first appeared in Wonder Woman #1, volume 1, published in...
and Hippolyta. He is killed after being beheaded by his mother at the beginning of the film and then serves his uncle HadesHades (DC Comics)Hades is a fictional character, a god in the DC Comics universe based on the actual Hades from Greek mythology. He is primarily featured in the Wonder Woman series, alternately as a divine benefactor and enemy of the heroine.-Fictional character biography:...
as a slave in the Underworld.
Sources
- Lemprière, John and Wright, Frederick Adam. Lemprière's Classical Dictionary of Proper Names Mentioned in Ancient Authors. Routledge, 1949. ISBN: 0710017340
- Euripides, H. B. L., i.e. Henry Barrett Lennard, translator. The Alcestis of Euripides: Translated From The Greek Into English, Now For The First Time In Its Original Metres, With Preface, Explanatory Notes, And Stage Directions Suggesting How It Might Have Been Performed. London: R. Bentley and Sons, 1884.