What is the story of Erysichthon?
ERYSIKHTHON (Erysichthon) was a Thessalian king who chopped down the sacred grove of the goddess Demeter in order to build himself a feast-hall. As punishment for the crime the goddess inflicted him with insatiable hunger, driving him to exhaust his riches and finally, in abject poverty, devour his own flesh.
Why did Erysichthon cut down the tree?
King Erysichthon cuts down a tree sacred to Demeter in order to show that the gods do not exist. In revenge the gods send Hunger to visit Erysichthon. Permanently hungry Erysichthon eats his way through his fortune and even sells his daughter into slavery to feed his habit. Demeter takes pity on Erysichthon’s daughter.
How did Erysichthon offend Demeter?
Erysichthon once ordered all trees in the sacred grove of Demeter to be cut down. One huge oak was covered with votive wreaths, a symbol of every prayer Demeter had granted, and so the men refused to cut it down. The nymph’s dying words were a curse on Erysichthon.
What does the name Erysichthon mean?
In Greek Baby Names the meaning of the name Erysichthon is: Cursed with an insatiable hunger that caused his death.
Who is the god of hunger?
LIMOS
LIMOS was the personified spirit (daimon) of hunger and starvation. His or her opposite number were Demeter, goddess of food, and the daimon Ploutos (Plenty).
Who did Demeter punish?
Demeter responded to the nymph’s curse and punished him by entreating Limos, the spirit of unrelenting and insatiable hunger, to place herself in his stomach. Food acted like fuel on a fire: The more he ate, the hungrier he got. Erysichthon sold all his possessions to buy food, but was still hungry.
Who is Ascalaphus?
Ascalaphus was the custodian of the orchard of Hades. He told the other gods that Persephone had eaten pomegranate seeds in the Underworld. According to another myth Persephone herself changed him into an owl by sprinkling him with water of the river Phlegethon.
