Chrysomallos
Chrysomallos (gr. Χρυσόμαλλος from gr. Χρυσός , "Gold" and gr. Μαλλός , "tufts of wool"; i.e., golden fur or fleece;.. Also Chrysomeles ) In Greek mythology, a ram with a gold coat, wherein the Phrixos according Kolchis wore .
He was a son of Poseidon and the Thracian Theophano. The god stole her, kidnapped her to the island of Krumissa and, when Theophano was harassed by suitors , turned all the inhabitants into sheep or rams. So Chrysomallos was born as a ram with golden fur.
Nephele , the first wife of King Athamas , mother of Phrixus and the Helle , received this golden ram from Hermes to bring it to the children persecuted by the wicked stepmother Ino , who were able to escape by flying on it. Helle fell into the Hellespont , which got her name. Phrixus arrived in Colchis , where the ram ordered him to sacrifice him to Ares . Its valuable fur, the golden fleece , was hung in the Ares grove and stolen by the Argonaut Jason .
Chrysomallos is immortalized in the signs of the zodiac as the constellation of Aries .
literature
- Author collective: Meyers Konversationslexikon Volume IV. 4th edition. Verlag des Bibliographisches Institut, Leipzig and Vienna 1885–1892, p. 114 ( retro library ).
- W. Volmer: Complete dictionary of the mythology of all nations . Hoffmannsche Verlags-Buchhandlung, Stuttgart 1836, p. 154 ( Google Books ).
