Phaëthon was the son of the Sun and a mortal woman named Clymene. Clymene told Phaëthon that he was the son of the Sun, Helios, but all the other boys teased him in school for being foolish. Clymene told her son to go to the Sun Palace to ask the god, Apollo himself if he was his son. Apollo told him that it was true; he was the father of Phaëthon. In order to prove it, Apollo told Phaëthon to ask anything of him, and he would have it. Phaëthon had often watched the Sun go across the sky in his chariot, throwing his light to the entire world. Phaëthon had often wondered if the Sun was indeed his father, and what it was like to drive the chariot. Phaëthon asked his father to allow him to drive the chariot of light, just for one day.

      Apollo realized he had made a mistake by allowing Phaëthon to request whatever he wanted. However, he could not go back on his promise; he had sworn by the River Styx. He tried to convince Phaëthon that he could not drive his chariot across the sky. He told Phaëthon that only he could drive it; not even Zeus had the know-how or the strength to complete this task. For a mortal to do so would mean certain death. Nonetheless, all of Apollo's convincing would not do anything to sway Phaëthon. He wanted to drive the chariot through the sky, with his mighty horses through the stars. He did not feel the least bit afraid of the perils.

      Soon after, it was time for the day to begin; Apollo relented. He had to let Phaëthon drive the chariot or go back on his sworn promise; Phaëthon took the reins of the mighty chariot and the horses took off. At first, all went well; but as the climb grew steeper, the horses realized that it was not their master behind them, holding the reins. They decided to take their own course. Phaëthon was not strong enough to hold them. Phaëthon was full of terror, and he dropped the reins completely. The horses panicked, and they went straight up in the air; then, they started straight down, and caught the world on fire. The tallest mountains, even Heroesus, were in flames. The chariot that contained Phaëthon was smoking from the extreme heat. The rivers were boiling and turning to steam. Mother Earth could take no more. She called out to the heavens to help. Zeus heard her cries, and threw a mighty lightning bolt at the chariot, killing Phaëthon. The horses rushed to the sea. The body of Phaëthon fell into the river Eridanus, which put out the flames on his body. The naiads, feeling pity for Phaëthon, buried him. The Heliades, the daughters of Helios the Sun and sisters of Phaëthon, came to the river to mourn. There they were turned into poplar trees, on the bank of the river Eridanus.

ACTIVITIES:
Phaëthon activity

KEY TEST WORDS: (Know the material behind these items.)
None

Heroes 

FOOTNOTES:
None

SOURCES:
James Isaacs
Edith Hamilton's Mythology
"Manual of Mythology" by Alexander S. Murray.