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Selene, also known as Luna, is the Titan goddess of the moon. She is the daughter of the Titans Hyperion and Theia and sister of the Titan god Helios and Eos, Titan goddess of the dawn. She drives her moon chariot across the heavens.

Description[]

In classical times, Selene was often identified with Artemis, much as her brother, Helios, was identified with Apollo. Selene and Artemis were also associated with Hecate and all three were regarded as lunar goddesses, but only Selene was regarded as the personification of the moon itself. 

She is said to have driven the moon chariot. This heavenly vehicle got its power from white horses. It drove across the sky, providing the night with its light.

Overview[]

Selene's most prominent tale involves the moon goddess falling in love with a mortal man named Endymion who was said to be incredibly beautiful and had Selene be entranced by his appearance. It is said that Selene watched him while he slept beside his cattle and requested Zeus to have him fall into an eternal slumber so that Selene could watch him. According to some legends, the pair had 50 daughters. One account even makes Endymion and Selene as the parents of Narcissus, the hunter of the ancient world who felt infatuated by his own beauty.

Although most often associated with Endymion, some accounts tell of Selene’s affair with Zeus. This pair also had quite a few children, according to some retellings of the legend. In other stories, it is said that it was Zeus himself who gave Endymion immortality. This divine magic trick made Endymion forever young. However, it came with a cost. Endymion was given the choice (by Zeus) of when he would die. The mortal opted for eternal sleep, thus granting him his youth, but it was a youth he could not enjoy. Selene visited Endymion each night in his place of rest near Mount Latmos.

Though Selene still rules the moon, she willing gave Artemis control of the moon after training her, this is why some Lunar deities called Artemis "Selene's Little Apprentice".

According to the Homeric Hymn to Selene, the goddess bore Zeus a daughter, Pandia (all-brightness) exceeding lovely amongst the deathless gods".The Greek poet Alcman makes Ersa (dew) the daughter of Selene and Zeus. Selene and Zeus were also supposed by some to be the parents of Nemea, the eponymous nymph of Nemea, where Heracles slew the Nemean Lion, and where the Nemean Games were held.

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