Ixion

Ixion

Ixion was the king of the Lapiths in Greek mythology, the son of Ares and Perimele. He was the husband of Dia, daughter of Deioneus, to whom he promised a gift as a bride price. Nevertheless, he eventually did not give anything to his father-in-law, so Deioneus decided to punish him by stealing some of his horses. Ixion was enraged, but thought of retaliating in a different way; he organised a feast and invited his father-in-law. When Deioneus arrived, he was pushed by Ixion on burning coals, causing his death, and of course violating the guest-host rules as well as kinslaying.

After his action, Ixion was no longer welcome in any city and lived as an outcast. Later, Zeus felt pity for him and decided to invite him to Olympus. Even there, though, Ixion grew fond of Hera; Zeus realised it and tricked him by creating a cloud in the shape of Hera, which was called Nephele. Ixion had sex with the cloud, a union that gave birth to Centauros, the first of the Centaurs. He was then thrown out of Olympus and Zeus even hurled a thunderbolt against him. Hermes then bound him to an ever-spinning winged fiery wheel for eternity.

See Also: Ares, Zeus, Hera, Nephele, Hermes, Centaur

Ixion Q&A

Who was Ixion?

Ixion was the king of the Lapiths in Greek mythology, the son of Ares and Perimele. He was the husband of Dia, daughter of Deioneus, to whom he promised a gift as a bride price.

Who were the parents of Ixion?

The parent of Ixion was Ixion.

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