Erytheia facts for kids

Erytheia or Erythia (Ancient Greek: Ἐρυθεία) is a fascinating figure from Greek mythology. Her name means "the red one." She is one of the three Hesperides, who were nymphs known for guarding a special garden.

Erytheia is also the name of an ancient island. This island was located very close to the coast of southern Hispania, which is modern-day Spain. It was the original site of an important ancient city called Gadeira, founded by the Phoenicians.

Erytheia: An Island of Myths

The island of Erytheia was famous in ancient stories. Pliny the Elder, a Roman writer, mentioned it in his book Natural History. He wrote that the island of Gades (another name for Cádiz) had another long island nearby. This smaller island was called Erytheia by some ancient historians like Ephorus and Philistides. Locals sometimes called it the "Isle of Juno."

The Home of Geryon

One of the most famous myths connected to Erytheia is about the giant Geryon. Geryon was a fearsome monster with three bodies. He lived on this island and owned a herd of magnificent red cattle.

Heracles and Geryon's Cattle

The hero Heracles had to complete twelve difficult tasks. One of these tasks was to steal Geryon's cattle from Erytheia. Heracles traveled a very long way to reach the island. He fought and defeated Geryon, then successfully brought the cattle back to Greece. This adventure made Erytheia a well-known place in Greek myths.

Helios's Sacred Cattle

Erytheia was also linked to the sun god Helios. According to some stories, Helios kept his own sacred cattle on this island. These cattle were very special and were not meant to be harmed.

The Gigantomachy and Alcyoneus

During a great battle called the Gigantomachy, where the gods fought against the Giants, one Giant named Alcyoneus tried to steal Helios's cattle from Erytheia. This shows how important and mythical the island was, even for the gods themselves.

See also

In Spanish: Eritea para niños