Cephalus
Ancient Greek name
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ToursExplore Lably’s 3D toursThe name was borne by several figures in Greek mythology, most notably the husband of Procris and the beloved of Eos, and by a number of historical figures in classical antiquity.
Mythological figures
Several mythological figures are named Cephalus:
- Cephalus, son of Hermes and Herse. In Pseudo-Apollodorus, Herse bears Cephalus to Hermes.
- Cephalus, son of Deioneus, husband of Procris and beloved of Eos.
The myth of Cephalus and Procris was especially well known in ancient and later literature. In one common version, Cephalus accidentally kills Procris with a hunting spear after a sequence of suspicion, disguise and misunderstanding.
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Historical figures
The name was also borne by several historical figures:
- Cephalus of Syracuse, son of Lysanias, a wealthy metic and arms manufacturer living in Athens. He appears as an elderly interlocutor of Socrates in the opening book of Plato's Republic. He was the father of the orator Lysias, the philosopher Polemarchus, and Euthydemus.
- Cephalus, an Athenian orator who flourished after the time of the Thirty Tyrants.
- Cephalus, a Molossian who supported Perseus of Macedon during the Third Macedonian War.
Etymological use
The Greek root κεφαλ- is also found in scientific and taxonomic terms derived from Greek, especially words referring to the head or head-like structures.