Greek mythology
Phaethon
Sun-god's son who could not steer his father's chariot
- Mythology
- Greek mythology
- Parents
- Helios
- Group
- Mortal
- Appears in
- Phaethon and the Sun Chariot
Listen to “Phaethon and the Sun Chariot” in the app
Phaethon is the mortal son of Helios who begs to drive the chariot of the sun for a single day. Too weak to hold the immortal horses, he scorches the earth and sets the world ablaze. Zeus strikes him down with a thunderbolt, and he falls flaming into the river Eridanus.
Related figures
Real episode from the app
Phaethon and the Sun Chariot
Chapter 1
00:00--:--
Frequently asked questions
- Who is Phaethon?
- Phaethon is the mortal son of Helios who begs to drive the chariot of the sun for a single day. Too weak to hold the immortal horses, he scorches the earth and sets the world ablaze. Zeus strikes him down with a thunderbolt, and he falls flaming into the river Eridanus.
- Which mythology does Phaethon belong to?
- Phaethon belongs to Greek mythology.
- Which stories does Phaethon appear in?
- Phaethon appears in Phaethon and the Sun Chariot, told as chaptered audio dramas in MythologyNow.
Cite this page
APA
MythologyNow. (2026). Phaethon. https://www.mythologynow.app/en/gods/phaethonMLA
"Phaethon." MythologyNow, 2026, https://www.mythologynow.app/en/gods/phaethon.Chicago
MythologyNow. "Phaethon." Accessed 2026. https://www.mythologynow.app/en/gods/phaethon.Listen to the stories of Phaethon
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