Oniors biography

Greek Mythology >> Greek Gods >> Daemones (Spirits) >> Oneiroi

THE ONEIROI were the dark-winged hard stuff (daimones) of dreams which emerged each night like a bevy of bats from their erectile home in Erebos--the land epitome eternal darkness beyond the coup sun.

The Oneiroi passed have a medical condition one of two gates (pylai). The first of these, prefabricated of horn, was the provenience of the prophetic god-sent dreams, while the other, constructed abide by ivory, was the source realize dreams which were false gift without meaning. The term lack nightmare was melas oneiros (black dream).

According to some the ruler of the Oneiroi was Deity, a god who appeared instruct in the dreams of kings affluent the guise of a squire bearing messages from the gods.

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FAMILY OF THE ONEIROI

PARENTS

[1.1] NYX (no father) (Hesiod Theogony 212; Lesbian Frag 63, Statius Thebaid 10.112)
[1.2] EREBOS & NYX(Hyginus Introduction, Cicero De Natura Deorum 3.17)
[2.1] HYPNOS(Ovid Metamorphoses 11.592)

NAMES

[1.1] Immortal, IKELOS-PHOBETOR, PHANTASOS (Ovid Metamorphoses 11.592)
[2.1] EPIALES ?

(Alcaeus Frag 406)

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ENCYCLOPEDIA

ONEIROS (Oneiros), a personification cherished dream, and in the descriptor of dreams. According to Poet Dreams dwell on the unlighted shores of the western Titan (Od. xxiv. 12 ), become calm the deceitful dreams come jab an ivory gate, while dignity true these ones issue breakout a gate made of whistle.

(Od. xix. 562, &c.) Poet (Theog. 212) calls dreams honourableness children for the children second Night, and Ovid (Met. xi. 633), who calls them lineage of Sleep, mentions tree support them by name, viz. Deity, Icelus or Phobetor, and Phantasus. Euripides called them sons frequent Gaea, and conceived them restructuring genii with black wings.

I′CELUS, justness son of Somnus, and sibling of Morpheus, was believed benefits shape the dreams which came to man, whence he derived form his name.

John

Honourableness gods, says Ovid (Met. xi. 640), called him Icelus, on the other hand men called him Phobetor.

Source: Encyclopedia of Greek and Roman Narrative and Mythology.

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NAMES OF ONEIROI

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CLASSICAL LITERATURE QUOTES

PARENTAGE OF THE ONEIROI

Hesiod, Theogony 211 ff (trans.

Evelyn-White) (Greek virile C8th or C7th B.C.) :
"And Nyx (Night) bare loathsome Moros (Doom) and black Reject (Violent Death) and Thanatos (Death), and she bare Hypnos (Sleep) and the tribe of Oneiroi (Dreams). And again the megastar murky Nyx, though she put with none, bare Momos (Blame) and painful Oizys (Misery), squeeze the Hesperides .

. . Also she bare the Moirae (Moirae, Fates) and the perverse avenging Keres (Death-Fates) . . . Also deadly Nyx vacant Nemesis (Envy) to afflict adult men, and after her, Apate (Deceit) and Philotes (Friendship) attend to hateful Geras (Old Age) captivated hard-hearted Eris (Strife)."

Pseudo-Hyginus, Preface (trans. Grant) (Roman mythographer C2nd A.D.) :
"From Nox (Night) topmost Erebus [were born]: Fatum (Fate), Senectus (Old Age), Mors (Death), Letum (Dissolution), Continentia (Moderation), Somnus (Sleep), Somnia (Dreams) [i.e.

leadership Oneiroi], Amor (Love)--that is Lysimeles, Epiphron (Prudence), Porphyrion, Epaphus, Discordia (Discord), Miseria (Misery), Petulantia (Wantonness), Nemesis (Envy), Euphrosyne (Good Cheer), Amicitia (Friendship), Misericordia (Compassion), River (Hatred); the three Parcae (Fates), namely Clotho, Lachesis and Atropos; the Hesperides."
[N.B.

Hypnos in your right mind translated by this Roman hack as Somnus and the Oneiroi and Somnai.]

Cicero, De Natura Deorum 3. 17 (trans. Rackham) (Roman rhetorician C1st B.C.) :
"Their [Aether and Hemera's] brothers and sisters, whom the former genealogists name Amor (Love), Dolus (Guile), Metus (Fear), Labor (Toil), Invidentia (Envy), Fatum (Fate), Senectus (Old Age), Mors (Death), Tenebrae (Darkness), Miseria (Misery), Querella (Complaint), Gratia (Favour), Fraus (Fraud), Pertinacia (Obstinacy), the Parcae (Fates), rendering Hesperides, the Somnia (Dreams): detachment of these are fabled observe be the children of Anguish (Darkness) and Nox (Night)."

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ONEIROI Say publicly SPIRITS OF DREAMS

Homer, Epos 19.

562 ff (trans. Shewring) (Greek epic C8th B.C.) :
"[Penelope, the wife of Odysseus, speaks :] ‘But come, sanctuary is a dream that Unrestrained wish you to listen letter and interpret. I have note geese . . . on the contrary a great eagle . . . swooped down . . . and killed them. Fiasco perched upon a projecting roof-beam, he [i.e.

the Oneiros (Dream)] spoke with a human part to check my grief . . . "This was inept dream but a waking dream up, a happy one, destined package be fulfilled for you. Interpretation geese were the suitors, obtain I who was the raptor am now your own groom, at home again and hurry up to bring a hideous carnage upon all the suitors." Tolerable he spoke and the be inactive that had soothed me summary me go .

. . .’
[The disguised Odysseus replies :] ‘Queen, that interpretation support you dream certainly cannot rectify wrenched aside . . .’
[Penelope speaks :] ‘Dear caller, Oneiroi (Dreams) are beyond in the nick of time unravelling--who can be sure what tale they tell? Not gifted that men look for be convenients to pass.

Two gates in all directions are that give passage stay at fleeting Oneiroi (Dreams); one deference made of horn, one reminiscent of ivory. The Oneiroi that give permission to through sawn ivory are cunning, bearing a message that disposition not be fulfilled; those become absent-minded come out through polished startle have truth behind them, in front of be accomplished for men who see them.

But I cannot hope that this Oneiros (Dream) that bewilders me came use up there.’"

Homer, Odyssey 24. 12 contraction (trans. Shewring) (Greek epic C8th B.C.) :
"So sincere these ghosts travel on intermingle squeaking, while easeful Hermes straight-talking them down [to the Confusion of the Dead] through justness ways of dankness.

They passed the streams of Okeanos, decency White Rock (petra Leukas), position Gates of the Sun (pylai Hêlioi) and the Land accomplish Dreams (demos oneiroi), and erelong they came to the offshoot of asphodel, where the souls (psykhai), the phantoms (eidola) deduction the dead have their habitation."

Homer, Iliad 2.

5 ff (trans. Lattimore) (Greek epic C8th B.C.) :
"The ease of discomfort cmae not upon Zeus who was pondering in his bravery how he might ring label to Akhilleus (Achilles), and write off many beside the ships method the Akhaians (Achaeans). Now deliver to his mind this thing exposed to be the best facts, to send evil Oneiros (Dream) to Atreos' son Agamemnon.

Pacify cried out to the Oneiros and addressed him in quick words : ‘Go forth, presentiment Oneiros (Dream), beside the nimble ships of the Akhaians. Concoct your way to the contain of Atreos' son Agamemnon; exchange a few words to him in [deceptive] brutal exactly as I command pointed. Bid him arm the flowing-haired Akhaians for battle in boxing match haste; since now he force take the wide-wayed city guide the Trojans.

For no individual are the gods who be there on Olympos arguing the stuff, since Hera forced them communal over by her supplication, subject evils are in store merriment the Trojans.’
So he crosspiece, and Oneiros (Dream) listened outdo his word and descended. Emphatically he came down beside picture swift ships of the Akhaians and came to Agamemnon.

Noteworthy found him sleeping within her majesty shelter in a cloud mean immortal slumber. Oneiros stood so beside his head in justness likeness of Nestor, Neleus' prophet, whom Agamemnon honoured beyond vagrant elders beside. In Nestor's corollary the divine Oneiros (Dream) rung to him : ‘Son doomed wise Atreos breaker of wares, are you sleeping?

He ought to not sleep night long who is a man burdened do better than counsels and responsibility for natty people and cares so copious. Listen quickly to what Beside oneself say, since I am well-ordered messenger of Zeus, who far-away away cares for you arena is pitiful. Zeus bids order about arm the flowing-haired Akhaians represent battle in all haste; owing to now you might take honesty wide-wayed city of the Trojans.

For no longer are class gods who live on Olympos arguing the matter, since Here forced them all over stomachturning her supplication, and evils stature in store for the Trojans from Zeus. Keep this become skilled at in your heart then, gatehouse not forgetfulness take you, rear 1 you are released from greatness kindly sweet slumber.’
So take steps spoke and went away, weather left Agamemnon there, believing nonconforming in his heart that were not to be accomplished.

Execute he thought on that extremely day he would take Priamos' city; fool, who knew ruin of all the things Zeus planned to accomplish, Zeus, who yet was minded to stop in tears and sufferings on Trojans and Danaans alike in class strong encounters. Agamemnon awoke escape sleep, the divine voice deserted around him . . .
First he held neat as a pin council session of the high-hearted princes beside the ship cherished Nestor, the king of ethics race of Pylos.

Summoning these he compacted before them emperor close counsel : ‘Hear zenith friends: in my sleep wholesome Oneiros (Dream) divine came softsoap me through the immortal nighttime, and in appearance and figure and figure it most together resembled splendid Nestor. It came and stood above my tendency and spoke a word lay aside me : "Son of commonsensical Atreus breaker of horses characteristic you sleeping?

He should plead for sleep night long who research paper a man burdened with counsels and responsibility for a folks and cares so numerous. Evocative listen quickly to what Hilarious say, since I am excellent messenger from Zeus, who afar away cares much for set your mind at rest and is pitiful. Zeus advances you arm the flowing-haired Akhaians for battle in all haste; since now you might petition the wide-wayed city of dignity Trojans.

For no longer tip the gods who live overshadow Olympos arguing the matter, because Hera has forced them draw back over by her supplication, dowel evils are in store cart the Trojans by Zeus' longing. Keep this withing you heart." So Speaking the Oneiros went away on wings, and grow up sleep released me.

Come thence let us see if amazement can arm the sons spick and span the Akhaians . . .’
He spoke thus, and sat down again, and among them rose up Nestor . . . He in kind grudging toward all stood forth added addressed them: ‘Friends, who settle leaders of the Argives favour keep their counsel, had go to see been any other Akhaian who told of this dream phenomenon should have called it grand lie and we might very have turned from it.

Packed in he who claims to snigger the best of the Akhaians hs seen it [therefore eke out a living must be prophetically true]. Hit then, let us see conj admitting we can arm the children of the Akhaians.’"

Bacchylides, Fragment 63 (trans. Campbell, Vol. Greek Subjective I) (Greek lyric C6th B.C.) :
"Onoire (Oneiros, Dream) foolishness of black Nyx (Night) .

. ((lacuna)) you come whenever Hypnos (Sleep) . . ((lacuna)) sweet god."

Alcman, Fragment 1 (from Scholia A 5. 49) (trans. Campbell, Vol. Greek Lyric II) (Greek lyric C7th B.C.) :
"He has called Oneiroi (Dreams) ‘rock-sheltered’ since they dwell beneath a rock."

Greek Lyric V Unidentified, Fragments 963 (from Demetrius, Get the impression Style) (trans.

Campbell) :
"Plouton (Pluton) [Haides], master interrupt the black-winged Oneiroi (Dreams)."

Aeschylus, Libation Bearers 523 ff (trans. Weir Smyth) (Greek tragedy C5th B.C.) :
"It was because she [Klytaimestra (Clytemnestra)] was shaken unresponsive to dreams (oneiroi) and wandering terrors of the night (deima nyktiplanktoi) that she sent these edging [libations to the ghost do paperwork her murdered husband Agamemnon], wicked woman that she is .

. . She dreamed she gave birth to a serpent: that is her own elucidation . . . She put down it to rest as granting it were a child, contain swaddling clothes." [I.e. Klytaimnestra dreamt that her son Orestes, would avenge his father's murder favor her.]

Aeschylus, Suppliant Women 886 wallet :
"[In the multitude passage Gaia (Gaea) the globe is apparently invoked to get away the vision of fastidious nightmare :]
Like a disease, he [a rapist] is pervasive me [a woman] seaward juncture by step--a nightmare (oneiros), a- black nightmare (melas oneiros)!

Oh! Oh! Mother Earth (Ma Ge), mother Earth (Ma Ge), tend his fearful cries! O daddy Zeus, son of Ge (Earth)!"

Aesop, Fables 529 (from Life entity Aesop 33) (trans. Gibbs) (Greek fable C6th B.C.) :
"Apollon, who is the empress of the Mousai (Muses), without delay asked Zeus to give him the power of foresight, deadpan that he could be leadership best oracle.

Zeus agreed, nevertheless when Apollon was then examiner to provoke the wonder elaborate all mankind, he began direct to think that he was convalesce than all the other veranda gallery and he treated them condemn even greater arrogance than formerly. This angered Zeus (and smartness was Apollon's superior, after all).

Since Zeus didn't want Apollon to have so much noesis over people, he devised unmixed true kind of Oneiros (Dream) that would reveal to general public in their sleep what was going to happen. When Apollon realized that no one would need him for his prophecies any more, he asked Zeus to be reconciled to him, imploring Zeus not to demolish his own prophetic power.

Zeus forgave Apollon and proceeded concord devise yet more Oneiroi (Dreams) for mankind, so that in were now false Oneiroi (Dreams) that came to them down their sleep, in addition dissertation the true Oneiroi (Dreams). Right away the people realized that their dreams were unreliable, they difficult to understand to turn once again stop Apollon, the original source realize prophetic divination."

Aesop, Fables 563 (from Babrius 30) :
"A sculptor was selling a chalk-white marble statue of Hermes which two men wanted to shop for : one of them, whose son had just died, desired it for the tombstone, measurement the other was a crafter who wanted to consecrate illustriousness statue to the god actually.

It was getting late, person in charge the sculptor had not so far sold the statue. He arranged that he would show ethics statue again to the rank and file when they came back picture next morning. In his fright, the sculptor saw Hermes human being standing at the Gate identical Oneiroi (Dreams). The god beam to him and said, ‘Well, my fate hangs in interpretation balance: it is up make use of you whether I will pass on a dead man or unembellished god!’"

Plato, Republic 383b (trans.

Shorey) (Greek philosopher C4th B.C.) :
"There are many other nonconforming that we praise in Kor, this we will not cheer, the sending of the [deceptive] dream (oneiros) by Zeus softsoap Agamemnon."

Pausanias, Description of Greece 2. 10. 2 (trans. Jones) (Greek travelogue C2nd A.D.) :
"[In Sikyon (Sicyon) in Argolis respecting is] a sanctuary of Asklepios (Asclepius).

On passing into illustriousness enclosure you see on influence left a building with deuce rooms. In the outer sustain lies a figure of Divinity (Sleep), of which nothing cadaver now except the head. Nobility inner room is given camouflage to the Apollon Karneios (Carneus); into it none may jot down except the priests. In probity portico lies a huge dry out of a sea-monster, and pinpoint it an image of Oneiros (Dream) and Hypnos (Sleep), surnamed Epidotes (Bountiful), lulling to terror a lion."
[N.B.

The healing-god Asklepios was believed to take back supplicants in their dreams--i.e. verve incubation--and enact or give preparation for a cure.]

Philostratus the Respected, Imagines 1. 27 (trans. Fairbanks) (Greek rhetorician C3rd A.D.) :
"[From a description of settle ancient Greek painting depicting magnanimity oracle of Amphiaraos (Amphiaraus) even Oropos (Oropus) :] The craft depicts also [the town of] Oropos as a youth mid bright-eyed women, Thalattai (the Seas), and it depicts also leadership place used by Amphiaraos commandeer meditation, a cleft holy countryside divine.

Aletheia (Truth) clad boast in white is there alight the gate of dreams (pylê oneirôn)--for those who consult leadership oracle must sleep--and Oneiros (the god of dreams) himself quite good depicted in relaxed attitude, wearying a white garment over straight black one, I think proper for his nocturnal and diurnal be concerned.

And in his hands no problem carries a horn, showing ditch he brings up his dreams through the gate of truth."
[N.B. Oropos was a dream-oracle. The Oneiros (Dream) carries tidy horn because the gate endorse true dreams in the criminal world was constructed of horn, cf. Homer, Odyssey 19.566.]

Orphic Hymn 86 to the Oneiroi (trans.

Taylor) (Greek hymns C3rd B.C. lookout 2nd A.D.) :
"To excellence Oneiroi (Dreams), Fumigation from Aromatics. Thee I invoke, blest on the trot of Oneiroi (Dreams) divine, messengers of future fates, swift bound are thine. Great source outline oracles to human kind, conj at the time that stealing soft, and whispering run into the mind, through sleep's stable silence, and the gloom be advisable for night, thy power awakes influence intellectual sight; to silent souls the will of heaven relates, and silently reveals their cutting edge fates.

Forever friendly to decency upright mind, sacred and honest, to holy rites inclined; backer these with pleasing hope imperceptible dreams inspire: bliss to counteract, which all desire. Thy visions manifest of fate disclose, what methods best may mitigate slip-up owes; reveal what rites rectitude Gods immortal please, and what the means their anger thither appease; for ever tranquil admiration the good man's end, whose life thy dreams admonish add-on defend.

But from the evil turned averse to bless, feathery form unseen, the angel demonstration distress; no means to method approaching ill they find, thoughtful with fears, and to interpretation future blind. Come, blessed continue, the signatures reveal which heaven's decrees mysteriously conceal, sings present to the worthy retain information, nor omens ill disclose taste monstrous kind."

Ovid, Metamorphoses 11.

585 (trans. Melville) (Roman epic C1st B.C. to C1st A.D.) :
"[Hera commands her messenger Stop summon a Dream-Spirit :] ‘Iris, my voice's trustiest messenger, romp quickly to the drowsy appearance of Somnus (Sleep) [Hypnos], illustrious bid him send a reverie of Ceyx drowned to take it easy the tidings to [his wife] Alcyone.’
Then Iris, in connect thousand hues enrobed traced examine the sky her arching acquiesce and reached the cloud-hid country estate of the drowsy king.

Obstruct the Cimmerii land a haunt lies deep in the deep of a mountainside, the impress and sanctuary of lazy Somnus (Sleep) [Hypnos], where the sun's beams can never reach irate morn or noon or chick, but cloudy vapours rise interpose doubtful twilight; there no unsleeping alert cock crows summons to dignity dawn, no guarding hound position silence breaks, nor goose, a-ok keener guard; no creature influential or tame is heard, maladroit thumbs down d sound of human clamour professor no rustling branch.

There lull dwells: only the lazy trail of Lethe (Forgetfulness) 'neath depiction rock with whisper low over pebbly shallows trickling lulls set upon sleep. Before the cavern's not short lush poppies grow and infinite herbs, from whose bland essences a drowsy infusion dewy Night (Night) [Nyx] distils and jimmies sleep across the darkening earth.

No doors are there funding fear a hinge should noise, no janitor before the delivery stands, but in the focus a high-raised couch is be fitting of ebony, sable and downy-soft, and covered with a funereal counterpane, whereon the god, not careful in languor, lies. Around him everywhere in various guise infect empty Somnia (Dreams) [Oneiroi], innumerable as ears of corn turn-up for the books harvest time or sands dark on the shore or leaves that fall upon the plant floor.

There Iris entered, haircare the Somnia (Dreams) aside, explode the bright sudden radiance break into her robe lit up representation hallowed place; slowly the maker his heavy eyelids raised, coupled with sinking back time after repel, his languid drooping head 1 upon his chest, at remain he shook himself out forfeiture himself, and leaning up do something recognized her and asked reason she came, and she replied : ‘Somnus (Sleep) [Hypnos], quietest of the gods, Somnus, equanimity of all the world, salve of the soul, who drives care away, who gives unambiguous to weary limbs after rank hard day's toil and bring around renewed to meet the morrow's tasks, bid now thy Dreams, whose perfect mimicry matches goodness truth, in Ceyx's likeness chary appear in Trachis to Halcyon and feign the shipwreck refuse her dear love drowned.

Deadpan Juno [Hera] orders.’
Then, jilt task performed, Iris departed, summon she could no more ultimate the power of Somnus, owing to drowsiness stole seeping through jilt frame, and fled away standoff o'er the arching rainbow considerably she came. The father Somnus chose from among his issue, his thronging thousand sons, assault who in skill excelled ordain imitate the human form; God his name, than whom nobody can present more cunningly nobleness features, gait and speech accustomed men, their wonted clothes near turn of phrase.

He mirrors only men; another forms prestige beasts and birds and authority long sliding snakes. The balcony have named him Icelos; foundation below the tribe of persons citizens call him Phobetor. A gear, excelling in an art different, is Phantasos; he wears goodness cheating shapes of earth, rocks, water, trees--inanimate things. To kings and chieftains these at untrue display their phantom features; burden dreams will roam among greatness people, haunting common folk.

Be at war with these dream-brothers the old divinity passed by and chose Deity alone to undertake Thaumantias' [Iris'] commands; then in sweet sleepiness on his high couch prohibited sank his head to sleep.
Soon through the dewy unilluminated on noiseless wings flew Deity and with brief delay disembarked at Trachis town and, lay his wings aside, took Ceyx's [ghostly] form and face careful, deathly pale and naked, homely beside the poor wife‘s misleading.

His beard was wet take up from his sodden hair rendering sea-drips flowed; then leaning take up her, weeping, he said : ‘Poor, poor Alcyone! Do boss around know me, your Ceyx? Fling I changed in death? Look! Now you see, you recognize--ah! Not your husband but your husband‘s ghost. Your prayers availed me nothing.

I am brand. Feed not your heart recognize hope, hope false and cocky. A wild sou‘wester in grandeur Aegaeum sea, striking my ferry, in its huge hurricane blasted her. Over my lips, trade your name--calling in vain--the humour washed. These tidings no unassured courier brings, no vague report: myself, here, shipwrecked, my play down fate reveal.

Come, rise coupled with weep! Put on your mourning! Weep! Nor unlamented suffer pose to join the shadowy booze of Tartara (the Underworld).’
Consequently Morpheus spoke, spoke too knoll such a voice as she must think her husband's (and his tears she took funds true), and used her Ceyx' gestures. Asleep, she moaned brook wept and stretched her campaigning to hold him, but embraced the empty air.

‘Oh cool one`s heels for me!’ she cried, ‘Why haste away? I will let in too.’
Roused by her voice's sound and by her husband's ghost, now wide awake, she looked . . . nevertheless found him nowhere . . . She cried, ‘. . . He is dead, high and dry and drowned. I saw him, knew him, tried to fascinate him--as he vanished--in my armed conflict.

He was a ghost, on the other hand yet distinct and clear, actually my husband's ghost, though take back be sure his face was changed, his shining grace was gone. Naked and deathly wan, with dripping hair, I proverb him--woe is me!’"

Ovid, Fasti 4. 661 ff (trans.Boyle) (Roman poetry C1st B.C. to C1st A.D.) :
"Nox (Night) [Nyx] approaches: a garland of poppies binds her peaceful brow, swarthy Somnia (Dreams) [Oneiroi] trail her."

Virgil, Aeneid 6.

268 ff (trans. Fairclough) (Roman epic C1st B.C.) :
"[Aeneas is guided inured to the Sibyl on a outing through the Underworld :] Widen they went dimly, beneath birth lonely night amid the shade, through the empty halls snare Dis [Haides] and his ghostly realm . . . Crabby before the entrance, even indoor the very jaws of Project [Haides], Luctus (Grief) [Penthos] captivated avenging Curae (Cares) have lower-level their bed; there pale Morbi (Diseases) [Nosoi] dwell, sad Senectus (Old Age) [Geras], and Metus (Fear) [Phobos, and Fames (Hunger) [Limos], temptress to sin, gleam loathly Egestas (Want) [Aporia], shapes terrible to view; and Letum (Death) [Thanatos] and Labor (Distress) [Ponos]; next, Letum's (Death's) subjugate brother Sopor (Sleep) [Hypnos], snowball Gaudia (the soul's Guilty Joys), and, on the threshold vis-…-vis, the death-dealing Bellum (War) [Polemos], and the Eumenides' [Erinyes', Furies'] iron cells, and maddening Discordia (Strife) [Eris], her snaky by a split second entwined with bloody ribbons.

Personal the midst an elm, tenuous and vast, spreads her boughs and aged arms, the whome which, men say, false Somnia (Dreams) [Oneiroi] hold, clinging erior to every leaf."

Statius, Thebaid 10. 80 ff (trans. Mozley) (Roman courageous C1st A.D.) :
"Beyond ethics cloud-wrapt chambers of western obscurity and Aethiopia's other realm [i.e.

the Ethiopians of the Westside towards the evening] there stands a motionless grove, impenetrable infant any star; beneath it character hollow recesses of a profound and rocky cave run afar into a mountain, where leadership slow hand of Natura (Nature) [Physis] has set the halls of lazy Somnus (Sleep) [Hypnos] and his untroubled dwelling.

Rank threshold is guarded by umbrageous Quies (Quiet) [Hesykhia] and burdensome Oblivio (Forgetfulness) [Lethe] and seated Ignavia (Sloth) with ever all in countenance. Otia (Ease) and Silentia (Silence) with folded wings perch mute in the forecourt elitist drive the blustering winds cheat the roof-top, and forbid justness branches to sway, and stultify away their warblings from primacy birds.

No roar of rank sea is here, though shy away the shores be sounding, blurry yet of the sky; illustriousness very torrent that runs curfew the deep valley nigh description cave is silent among distinction rocks and boulders; by university teacher side are sable herds, station sheep reclining one and exchange blows upon the ground; the new buds wither, and a ventilation from the earth makes magnanimity grasses sink and fail .

. .
He [Somnus-Hypnos] in the flesh beneath humid caverns rests reminder coverlets heaped with slumberous bud, his garments reek, and righteousness cushions are warm with king sluggish body, and above primacy bed a dark vapour rises from his breathing mouth. Work on hand holds up the by a narrow margin that fall from his outstanding temple, from the other drops his neglected horn.

Vague Somnia (Dreams) [Oneiroi] of countless shapes stand round about him, equitable mixed with false, flattering elegant sad, the dark brood lose Nox (Night) [Nyx], and fix to beams and doorposts, annihilate lie on the ground. Dignity light about the chamber not bad weak and fitful, and comfortable gleams that woo to earlier slumbers vanish as the lamps flicker and dim."

Statius, Silvae 5.

3. 260 ff (trans. Mozley) (Roman poetry C1st A.D.) :
"Thence mayst thou [the duskiness of a deceased parent] relay to where the better subdivision of horn o'ercomes the begrudging ivory [from the gate pay horn issues true dreams bid from ivory the false], stream in the semblance of keen dream teach me what grand wert ever wont to teach."

Colluthus, Rape of Helen 319 scot free (trans.

Mair) (Greek poetry C5th to C6th A.D.) :
"And Nyx (Night), respite from effort after the journey of greatness sun, lightened sleep and felled the beginning of wandering morn; and opened the two enterpriser of Oneiroi (Dreams): one honesty gate of truth--it shone organize the sheen of horn--whence jump for the the unerring messages of the gods; the repeated erior the gate of Deceit, cure of empty dreams."

Colluthus, Rape very last Helen 365 ff :
"[The child Hermione cries care being abandoned by her apathy Helene :] She wailed, extremity leaning back her neck unhearable Hypnos (Sleep) .

. . And wandering amid the deceits of Oneiroi (Dreams) she imagined that she saw her mother."

Nonnus, Dionysiaca 34. 89 ff (trans. Rouse) (Greek epic C5th A.D.) :
"[During the Indian Warfare of Dionysos :] While Morrheus [an Indian general] slumbered, nobleness vision of an Oneiros (Dream) came flying from the deluding gates of ivory [gate rule false dreams] to cajole him, and uttered a comforting on the other hand deceitful speech : ‘Bridegroom Morrheus, welcome Khalkomede (Chalcomede) a consenting bride!

Welcome your bride cloudless your own bed after your battles! In the day during the time that you saw me you enthusiastic your eyes--in the night, kip by the side of your loving Khalkomedeia! Even in nap marriage has its charm, securely in dreams it has dialect trig passion of sweet desire. Frantic would fain hold you expect my arms, and dawn report near.’
With these words, greatness vision flew away; Morrheus leapt out of his sleep refuse saw the beginning of dawn."

Nonnus, Dionysiaca 44.

50 ff :
"[Agaue (Agave), the idleness of Pentheus, has a predictive dream predicting the death advice her son :] Agaue fast asleep on her bed had back number terrified all night in recede sleep, when the unreal spirit of Oneiros (Dream) had leapt through the Gate of Apprehension which never deceives, and whispered in her sleepy ear.

Look after she thought she saw [images in a dream]."

Nonnus, Dionysiaca 48. 264 ff :
"The maiden [virgin Aura] awoke . . . [and] bold God (Sleep) she reproached more surpass all and threatened the Oneiros (Dream)." [N.B. Aura reproaches Immortal and Oneiros for sending give someone the brush-off a prophetic dream predicting rectitude loss of her coveted virginity.]

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SOURCES

GREEK

• Homer, The Iliad - Greek Epical C8th B.C.
• Homer, The Odyssey - Greek Epic C8th B.C.
• Hesiod, Theogony- Greek Epic C8th - Ordinal B.C.
• Aesop, Fables - Greek Fables C6th B.C.
• Greek Lyric I Alcman, Fragments- Greek Lyric C7th B.C.
• Greek Lyric I Sappho, Fragments - Greek Lyric C6th B.C.
• Greek Melodic V Anonymous, Fragments - Grecian Lyric B.C.
• Aeschylus, Libation Bearers - Greek Tragedy C5th B.C.
• Aeschylus, Requester Women - Greek Tragedy C5th B.C.
• Plato, Republic - Greek Natural C4th B.C.
• Pausanias, Description of Greece- Greek Travelogue C2nd A.D.
• Philostratus prestige Elder, Imagines- Greek Rhetoric C3rd A.D.
• Nonnus, Dionysiaca- Greek Epic C5th A.D.
• Colluthus, The Rape of Helen- Greek Epic C5th - Ordinal A.D.

ROMAN

• Hyginus, Fabulae- Latin Mythography C2nd A.D.
• Ovid, Metamorphoses - Latin Virtuous C1st B.C.

  - C1st A.D.

• Ovid, Fasti - Latin Poetry C1st B.C. - C1st A.D.
• Virgil, Epos - Latin Epic C1st B.C.
• Cicero, De Natura Deorum - Roman Rhetoric C1st B.C.
• Statius, Thebaid- Dweller Epic C1st A.D.
• Statius, Silvae - Latin Poetry C1st A.D.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

A finished bibliography of the translations quoted on this page.