Erebus

Erebus and Tartarus
In ancient Greek mythology and literature the name Erebus was also used to refer to a region of the Underworld where the dead had to pass immediately after dying, and is sometimes used interchangeably with the region more commonly known as Tartarus. The word Erebus is defined as a "place of darkness between Earth and Hades".

Erebus, the dark god of Night and Shadows

Who was Erebus?
He was one of the primeval gods who was born out of Chaos, a casual deity who ruled over confusion in the void of emptiness. At the beginning of time there was only Chaos (Air), Nyx (Night) and Erebus (Darkness). Erebus took Nyx as his consort and became one of the first of the Immortals. Erebus was believed to have reigned in the mysterious, gloomy Underworld where no ray of sunshine, gleam of daylight or anything healthy lived. He created the shadows that filled the deep hollows of the earth. According to ancient Greek mythology Erebus and Nyx inhabited a palace in the dark regions of the Underworld. He is represented in ancient Greek art in a form similar to that of the later god, Hades.

The Children of Erebus
The children of Erebus and Nyx were Aether and his sister Hemera who brought light and day. Their many offspring also included some of the dark gods and goddesses of the Underworld including Doom (Moros), Old Age (Geras), Divine Retribution (Nemesis), Death and Sleep (Thanatos and Hypnos), Strife (Eris), Charon, the Fates, the Keres and other personifications.

Erebus and the Dynasties of Greek Gods
According to mythology, Erebus and the Ancient Greek gods and goddesses consisted of three major dynasties from different generations:

• The First generation of Ancient Greek Gods were the Primordial deities, to which Erebus belonged
• The Primordial, or Primeval, gods were those that existed at or from the beginning of time and resided within the region of the universe known as the Elemental Chaos
• The Second generation were the Titans
• The Third generation of were the famous Olympian gods

Erebus Family Tree
The god Erebus was worshipped as the great god of darkness and shadows and was the consort of Nyx. Erebus supplanted Chaos and to become the most powerful of the primordial gods. Erebus and Nyx created Aether and Hemera and many dark gods and goddesses of the Underworld. Aether and Hemera eventually supplanted Erebus and Nyx. Each dynasty of Greek Gods overthrew the previous generation. The following Ancient Gods Family Tree details and clarifies the relationship between Erebus and the first primordial generations of gods and goddesses.

The Children of Erebus - Family Tree and Genealogy
Erebus, the dark god of darkness and shadows was the father of many of the Gods of death and darkness. The children and genealogy of Erebus and Nyx are detailed in the following family tree:

Erebus and Nyx Family Tree and Genealogy

The Children of Erebus, the god of darkness and shadows
Short descriptions of the children of Erebus and his consort Nyx are detailed below, for comprehensive information about these deities refer to the Greek Gods section:

• Nemesis was the goddess of revenge awarding to each individual the fate which his actions deserve
• Charon the Ferryman was the grim old boatman who ferried souls across the River Styx to the Underworld
• Hecate was the goddess of witchcraft, spectres and was called the the ‘Queen of Ghosts’
• Hypnos was the God of sleep who brought nightmares
• Eris was the goddess of quarrels, feuds and disagreements
• Oizys personified distress, worry and anxiety
• Momus, the twin of Oizys and the evil-spirited god of blame and unfair criticism
• Geras personified loathsome old age
• Lyssa was the goddess of mad rage and frenzy
• Epiphron was the god of caution and frugality
• Morpheus was a a winged daemon, the god of dreams and father of the Oneiroi, the gods of dreams
• Moros was the god of impending doom
• Thanatos was a god of Death who was hated as the enemy of mankind, whose hard heart knew no pity

The Family of Erebus - Greek Gods Family Tree and Genealogy
The family members and genealogy of this primordial god can be established via the Greek gods family tree, providing an overview of the relationships between Erebus and the principle Greek gods and goddesses.

The Greek Gods Family Tree

Erebus

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• Greek god of darkness & shadows