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Who was the Greek god of sleep?

Hypnos was the Greek god of sleep. He was the son of Nyx and Erebus and was joined to Pasithoe. Hypnos was commonly depicted by the ancient Greeks as a young man with a laurel wreath on his head, holding a poppy in his hand.

Story and mythology

Here’s the story of Hypnos, according to Wikipedia:

Hypnos is usually the fatherless son of Nyx ("The Night"), although sometimes Nyx’s consort Erebus ("The Darkness") is named as his father. His twin brother is Thanatos ("Death"). Both siblings live in the underworld (Hades). According to rumors, Hypnos lived in a big cave, which the river Lethe ("Forgetfulness") comes from and where night and day meet. His bed is made of ebony, on the entrance of the cave grow a number of poppies and other soporific plants. No light and no sound would ever enter his grotto. According to Homer, he lives on the island Lemnos, which later on has been claimed to be his very own dream-island. He is said to be a calm and gentle god, as he helps humans in need and, due to their sleep, owns half of their lives.

Wikipedia

Myths are generally fundamental stories that reflect a culture’s values. They may be based on historical events, or they may be altogether fictitious. Many classic myths were first written in ancient Greece and Rome, but they were apparently based on much older oral traditions.

Myths often reveal the origins of natural phenomena or theological beliefs. They may also feature gods or heroes who symbolize the ideal characters of a culture. For example, the ancient Greeks believed in the heroic ideal of self-sacrifice and bravery.

Some myths teach a moral lesson, while others are simply entertaining. They often contain characters and elements that are familiar to a culture, such as its gods, heroes, and creatures.

Many cultures have their own versions of the same myths, and often these versions are passed down through oral traditions. So myths often contain elements that are unique to a particular culture.

Storytelling is a common way of transmitting myths, and many of the classic myths are still popular today. They often appear in films, comics, and other forms of popular culture.

Conclusion

Hypnos, the Greek god of sleep, had the ability to put people to sleep and to calm them. The ancient Greeks often depict him as a young man with a quiet demeanor and a blue cloak. He is the son of Nyx, the goddess of night, and is brother to Thanatos, the god of death.

Reference