Iasion in the ancient sources

Ancient Sources / Figures / Iasion

5 passages from 4 ancient authors that tell of Iasion, in the original with English translation, author by author in the order the Greeks read them. Iasion was the son of Zeus and the nymph Electra in Greek mythology. Other sources say that his parents were either Zeus and Hemera, or Corythus and E... For the story in one place, read our article on Iasion.

Diodorus Siculus (2)

Diodorus Siculus, Library of History, Books 4 to 6 (the Greek myths) 5.47.1–5.49.6Samothrace and its mysteriesThe historian tells of the early history of Samothrace, a flood that drove the people to the heights, and the lawgiver Saon. He tells of the wedding of Cadmus and Harmonia and the gifts brought to it, and of the mysteries, in which the gods are said to help initiates in danger.
Diodorus Siculus, Library of History, Books 4 to 6 (the Greek myths) 5.73.1–5.77.8The gods' discoveries and their Cretan originsZeus is said to have given each god a field of invention: the Muses the letters and poetry, Apollo the lyre, healing and the bow, Hermes the herald's staff, Athena the olive, and Dionysus the vine. The chapters then give an older Heracles, Artemis, Plutus, and the claim that most of the gods began in Crete and spread to other lands.

Conon (1)

Conon, Narrations 19.1–27.1Linus, Narcissus and the Dorian migrationsThe story of Linus explains the Argive lament and the festival of the lamb. Theoclus' betrayal of the Bisaltae, Dardanus' crossing to the Troad, a boy's serpent and the doom of Corythus and Oenone lead on to Narcissus at Thespiae. The section closes with the Cretans in Italy, the death of Codrus and the descendants of Deucalion.

Hyginus (1)

Hyginus, De astronomia 2.4.1–7Book 2: Arctophylax, Icarus and ErigoneArctophylax is first Arcas, the son of Callisto, and then Icarus, to whom Dionysus gave the vine. The long story of Icarus's murder, his daughter Erigone's death and the faithful dog Maera leads to the Athenian festival of the swing, the Dog-star and the Etesian winds. A last part tells of Iasion, Philomelus and the invention of the plough-wagon.

Strabo (1)

Strabo, Geography 7.fragments.48–55Thrace, Samothrace and the CabiriThese fragments count the Thracian nations and the kings of the Odrysae, and describe the coast past Doriscus to the Hebrus and Cypsela. They tell of Jasion and Dardanus on Samothrace, Jasion being struck by lightning for his offence against Demeter (Ceres), and of the gods Curetes, Corybantes and Cabiri. The Thracian Chersonesus is described with Lysimachia, Cardia and Eleus.