Selene, also known as Mene, is a significant figure in Greek mythology, embodying the essence of the moon. By night, she traverses the heavens in a grand chariot, pulling the moon along with her. Selene is the offspring of the Titans Hyperion and Theia, sharing familial ties with her siblings—Helios, the sun god, and Eos, the goddess of dawn. In Roman tradition, Selene is recognized as Luna.
Origins and Lineage
As recorded in Hesiod’s Theogony (circa 700 BCE), Selene emerges from the lineage of Hyperion and Theia, positioning her as a sister to both Helios and Eos. Their ancestral roots trace back to Uranus (the sky) and Gaia (the earth).
“And Theia, mastered by Hyperion,
Bore Helios the great, bright Selene,
And Eos, who shines upon all men on earth
And on the deathless gods who hold broad heaven.”
(Hesiod, Theogony, 371-374)
Zeus, the chief deity, fathered Selene’s daughters, Pandia—revered by the Athenians during each full moon—and Ersa, the goddess representing dew.
The Moon Goddess
The term Selene translates directly to “the moon.” She is often portrayed as a magnificent woman adorned with long wings and a golden diadem that radiates a soft light in the nocturnal sky. Selene’s moon chariot is généralement depicted as being drawn by a pair of ethereal white horses, though there are instances where oxen are shown in place of horses. The intensity of her luminescence varies correspondingly with the phases of the moon.
In Orphic hymns, Selene is depicted with horns, whereas the Homeric Hymn to Selene describes her as a benevolent and striking winged goddess, signaling her presence to humanity as she travels through the dark.
“Glistening in heaven
From her immortal head,
A radiance encircles earth
And from her shining light
Great beauty comes.
The air unlit before
Glows with her golden crown
And her beams are bright as day.”
(The Homeric Hymns: Hymn to Selene, 32.4-7)
The moon held considerable significance in the lives of ancient peoples, dictating the timing of religious festivals and illustrating the natural rhythms of life, death, and rebirth. In addition, the cycle of the moon resonated deeply with women, often paralleling their menstrual periods and reflecting the form of expectant mothers.
Many ancient Greeks believed the moon was inhabited by spirits, a view echoed by Neo-Platonists who claimed that pure souls ascended to the moon post-mortem. Furthermore, during the Classical Period, a popular myth suggested that witches could summon the moon down from its celestial abode, which linked Selene to magical practices, thus associating her with Hecate, the enchantress.
Depictions in Art
Throughout ancient history, Selene has been artistically immortalized in various forms including vases, reliefs, gems, and coins. Typically, Greek artistic representations show her adorned with a crescent moon as a crown and lacking wings. She is frequently illustrated alongside Helios, soaring through the sky, with Selene on horseback while Helios commands a chariot.
Among the most renowned artifacts is Phidias’s sculpture (c. 430 BCE) on the Parthenon in Athens, depicting Helios’s chariot rising over the eastern horizon while Selene, alongside her horses, descends into the west, signifying the passage of time. Another notable representation can be observed on the Pergamon Altar, portraying scenes from the Gigantomachy, and more can be noted on an Attic red-figure krater from 430 BCE showing Selene in company with Helios and Eos.
The Gigantomachy and Typhon’s Assault
Selene’s journey across the starlit sky was momentarily halted during the Giants’ Revolt (Gigantomachy), following the directive of Hera and Zeus. Hera prophesied that the gods would require mortal intervention from Heracles to suppress the uprising. To enable their search for a vital herb of invulnerability, Hera mandated that Selene and Helios conceal their light for a period, allowing Zeus to wander the earth undetected.
The Greek epic poet Nonnus (5th century CE) narrates an assault by the monstrous Typhon, who attempted to overpower Selene during his revolt against the heavens. He hurled bulls at her, yet she stood resolute, engaging in combat. Eventually, Zeus triumphed over Typhon.
Selene and Endymion
One of Selene’s most famous myths involves her deep affection for the handsome youth Endymion. As she traversed the skies over western Asia Minor, she caught sight of him sleeping on Mount Latmos. Captivated by his beauty, she descended during the new moon when her moonlight was hidden and visited him while he slumbered.
From their union, Selene bore him fifty daughters. Various accounts differ on how Endymion fell into an eternal slumber, with some suggesting Selene petitioned Zeus to grant him everlasting sleep, ensuring he would neither age nor die, while others argue Endymion chose this fate himself, or that it was a punishment from Zeus.
Selene and Pan
Another tale of Selene involves her encounter with the god Pan. In a deceptive twist, Pan disguised his goat-like appearance with a soft white fleece, allowing him to approach Selene unnoticed. In her ignorance, she allowed him to exert his will upon her, an event entwined with the traditions of the May Eve festival showcasing a young woman’s journey with her lover.
Selene’s Retribution
In Greek mythology, the deities often react aggressively to perceived slights or challenges to their abilities. This trait is illustrated in the story of Ampelos, a youth favored by Dionysos. Ampelos grew arrogant from repeatedly besting Dionysos, declaring himself superior to Selene. In response, Selene unleashed a gadfly upon the bull he rode, resulting in a tragic end for Ampelos. Dionysos transformed Ampelos’s remains into a vine, ensuring his legacy lived on through nature’s bounty.
Selene’s Role in Heracles’ Tale
Selene’s presence is also felt in the narrative of Heracles, where she played a minor yet significant role in his conception. Zeus desired to visit the mortal Alcmene for a prolonged evening, necessitating the delay of Helios’s rise and a deceleration of Selene’s celestial movements with the aid of Hypnos. Under this cover, Zeus approached Alcmene, leading to the miraculous conception of Heracles and his mortal brother, Iphicles.
Worship and Cultural Significance
Pausanias, a Greek geographer, documented a stone effigy of Selene in the agora of Elis, while Pseudo-Plutarch noted Mount Apesantus was once referred to as Mount Selenaeus, in homage to the moon goddess.
Moon-shaped confectioneries were crafted to honor Selene, and the ancient Attic Tritopatores were believed to symbolize the union between moon and sun. Historical records from poet Pindar indicate men in love prayed to Helios, whereas women turned to Selene for guidance.
In modern times, Selene’s legacy endures with the asteroid 580 Selene orbiting between Mars and Jupiter and the chemical element selenium named after her in 1818.
