AND THE CHARIOT OF THE SUN

The ancient Greeks believed that Apollo was the god of the sun. They believed that Apollo drove a flaming chariot across the sky which caused sunrise and sunset. Apollo had a son on earth named Phaethon. He was handsome and proud. He used to become very angry when his friends did not believe that Apollo was his father.

He went to his mother and asked for proof of his divine birth. His mother ordered him to travel east. There he would meet his father. Phaethon, after traveling a long time, finally reached the gleaming palace of the sun. Entering the gleaming palace, Phaethon saw Apollo sitting on a throne that glittered with jewels.

On one side of Apollo stood Spring, crowned with flowers. Summer, standing nearby, had poppies in her hair. Autumn stood there in a richly colored garment, with grapes at his feet. Winter, his face pale, wore a white robe. His hair and beard were stiff with frost.

Apollo saw Phaethon at the end of the hall and said to him, "Approach and state your errand." O light of the world," said Phaethon, "give me something that can prove that you are my father." Apollo embraced his son. "You are my son. I shall give you anything that you ask."

Phaethon answered, "My father, just for one day let me drive your chariot across the sky." Apollo drew back. "It is a dangerous request. Only I can drive the flaming chariot." Phaethon insisted. Sadly Apollo led him to the golden chariot of the sun.

Two horses that pulled the chariot were led from their stall. They breathed out flames of fire from their nostrils. Phaethon looked in admiration at the gleaming chariot. Then he leaped into the chariot.

Apollo bathed his son's face with a special oil. He told him that thus the heat would not burn him. Apollo set the golden rays of the sun on Phaethon's head.

Phaethon thanked his father and seized the reins. The chariot started with a rush. The horses soon felt that Apollo was not holding the reins. They rushed headlong across the sky, but they did not follow the usual path.

Phaethon desperately pulled at the reins but could not control the steeds. He grew pale with terror as he looked at the earth beneath him. Weak with fright, Phaethon dropped the reins. With no one controlling them, the steeds dashed high in the sky, then down near the earth.

The chariot, passing close over the mountains, set them afire. Because of the nearness of the chariot great cities were consumed by the heat. Grassy plains were made into deserts by the heat as the chariot passed over them. Crops in scorched fields were destroyed. Rivers dried up and the world was terrified.

Then the people cried to Jupiter, "Save us, O king of the gods." Jupiter rising up gathered his lightning bolts in his hand. He hurled the lightning bolts and rain fell on the smoking earth. All fires were extinguished. Then he hurled a lightning bolt toward Phaethon in his chariot. Phaethon, his hair on fire, plunged to earth like a shooting star. He drowned in a great river. Therefore the boy's vanity did not destroy the world.