myth of phaeton in relation to mans desire to control earths elements ie the sun

Running Head : MYTH OF PHAETHON

The Myth of Phaethon

The Myth of Phaethon

The ancient Greek myth of Phaethon and the sun chariot gives a dramatic account of the intense global heating that resulted from the combined effects of the activated Sun and the dust-congested solar system

Keeping this in mind , let us now see what the ancient Greek myth of Phaethon tells us about conditions that once prevailed in the solar system

Helios , the sun god , and Clemene , a mortal woman , produced a mortal son named Phaethon . The child

lived on Earth , where he was raised by his mother . One day at school , hoping to impress his classmates , Phaethon proclaimed that Helios was his father , but the others did not believe him . Instead he received back only ridicule . At the advice of his mother , the troubled Phaethon one night journeyed to the Palace of the Sun to meet his father . He explained to Helios how his classmates teased him and asked him if Helios could find some way to give him proof that he was really his father . To accommodate him , Helios swore by the river Styx that he would grant Phaethon any wish he desired . Phaethon 's choice was that his father let him drive the sun chariot across the sky for one day

Helios very much regretted Phaethon 's choice because driving the sun chariot was a very tricky task , unsuitable for a child . He tried to persuade Phaethon to choose another wish , but Phaethon would not...