Asteria facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Asteria |
|
|---|---|
| Goddess of Delos | |
| Abode | Delos |
| Personal information | |
| Consort | Perses |
| Children | Hecate |
| Parents | Coeus and Phoebe |
| Siblings | Leto |
In Greek mythology, Asteria was a brave goddess. Her name means "starry one" because she was connected to the stars. She was the daughter of two powerful Titans, Coeus and Phoebe. Asteria was also the sister of Leto and the mother of Hecate, the goddess of magic.
Asteria's Story
Asteria was known for a famous story involving the powerful god Zeus. Zeus was very interested in Asteria, and she wanted to avoid him. To escape, she changed herself into a quail, a type of bird. Then, she jumped into the Aegean Sea.
When she landed in the sea, Asteria transformed again. She became a wandering island. This island was first called Asteria, or sometimes "Ortygia," which means "quail island."
Helping Her Sister Leto
Later, Asteria's sister, Leto, was in trouble. Leto was expecting children with Zeus, and the goddess Hera was very angry. Hera had forbidden any land on Earth from giving shelter to Leto.
Asteria's island was the only place brave enough to help Leto. It offered a safe place for Leto to give birth. Leto's children, the twin gods Apollo and Artemis, were born there.
After Apollo and Artemis were born, the island received a new name: Delos. Apollo then made sure the island stayed in one place. Delos became a very important and sacred place for Apollo.
What Her Name Means
The name "Asteria" comes from an Ancient Greek word. This word is astḗr, which means "star." So, Asteria's name literally means "starry one" or "of the stars." This connects her to the sky and heavenly bodies. Her name is similar to other Greek figures like Astraeus and Astraea, who are also linked to stars.
Family Connections
Asteria was part of a large and powerful family of Titans. Her parents were Coeus and Phoebe. She married another Titan named Perses. Together, they had one child, a daughter named Hecate. Hecate grew up to become a powerful goddess, often associated with magic, witchcraft, and crossroads.
See also
In Spanish: Asteria (hija de Ceo) para niños
