Selene: Greek Mythology

Greek Mythology

Selene is the physical embodiment of the moon, and she drives it across the night sky with her two white horses and chariot.

Selene was the daughter of Hyperion and Theia, and the sister of Helios (sun) and Eos (dawn). She was thought to be the physical embodiment of the moon, and each night she would drive it across the sky in her silver chariot pulled by two pure-white horses.

She did fall in love with an earthly prince named Endymion. Zeus gave him an ultimatum: he could die or slip into an eternal sleep, safe from death or aging. Endymion chose the latter, so each night Selene would sneak down from her drive with the moon to be with her sleeping lover.

Selene was also rumored to have had an affair with Zeus which produced many children, including Pandia, Ersa, and Nemea. Some versions of the myth also credit them as Dionysus’ parents, but most scholars believe this is due to the similarity in spelling of Selene and Semele.

Selene Quick Reference

Parents

Hyperion and Theia


Domain / Power

Moon


Notable Myths


Symbol / Attributes

Crescent moon, white horses pulling a silver chariot