Nyx facts for kids
Nyx was the goddess of the night in Greek mythology. She was one of the very first beings to exist, coming out of a vast emptiness called Chaos.
Her name in Roman stories was Nox. Nyx was an immortal goddess, meaning she could not die.
Nyx in Ancient Greek Stories
The ancient Greek writer Hesiod wrote about how the gods came to be in his book called Theogony. He said that Night (Nyx) was born from Chaos.
Nyx had many children. With Erebus, who was the god of darkness, Nyx gave birth to:
Later, Nyx had many other children on her own, without a partner. These included:
- Momus (blame)
- Ponos (toil or hard work)
- Moros (doom or fate)
- Thanatos (death)
- Hypnos (sleep)
- The Oneiroi (the spirits of dreams)
- The Hesperides (nymphs who guarded a garden)
- The Keres (spirits of violent death)
- The Fates (three goddesses who controlled destiny)
- Nemesis (retribution or revenge)
- Apate (deception)
- Philotes (friendship or affection)
- Geras (old age)
- Eris (strife or conflict)
Hesiod also described the Tartarus, a deep abyss. He said that Hemera (Day) would leave Tartarus just as Nyx (Night) entered it. When Hemera returned, Nyx would leave. This shows how Night and Day work together, taking turns.
Nyx's Children
Nyx had many children, some with Erebos and many on her own.
Her children with Erebos were:
- Aether - the god of the bright upper air.
- Hemera - the goddess of day.
- Charon - the ferryman of the dead.
Nyx also had many children by herself, including:
- Hypnos - the god of sleep.
- Thanatos - the god of death.
- Apate - the goddess of deception.
- Eris - the goddess of strife and disagreement.
- Geras - the god of old age.
- Momus - the god of blame and criticism.
- Moros - the god of fate and doom.
- Philotes - the goddess of friendship and affection.
- Ponos - the god of toil and hard work.
See also
In Spanish: Nix para niños
