Asteria
titanAsteria was a Titaness who leapt into the sea to escape Zeus's advances and was transformed into the island of Delos — birthplace of Apollo and Artemis.
The Myth
Zeus pursued Asteria after failing with her sister Leto. Asteria transformed into a quail and leapt into the sea, becoming a floating island called Ortygia ("Quail Island") or Asteria. When Leto, pregnant with Apollo and Artemis, could find no land willing to host her, the floating island of Asteria/Delos agreed. Poseidon anchored it to the seabed. Thus the island that was once a goddess fleeing a god became the birthplace of two of the most worshipped gods in Greece.
Children
Hecate (by Perses)
Symbols
Fun Fact
Asteria literally became the ground her niece and nephew were born on — self-sacrifice creating a birthplace for the next generation of gods.
Explore Further
Apollo
godGod of light, music, poetry, and prophecy. Apollo embodied the Greek ideal of youthful masculine...
Artemis
godTwin sister of Apollo and goddess of the hunt. Artemis roamed the wild forests with her band of...
Coeus
titanCoeus was the Titan of rational intelligence and the celestial axis — grandfather of Apollo and...
Delos
placeDelos was a tiny island in the Cyclades, sacred as the birthplace of the twin gods Apollo and...
Hecate
godA powerful Titan goddess associated with crossroads, doorways, magic, witchcraft, and the night....
Phoebe
titanPhoebe was the Titaness of radiant intellect and prophetic wisdom — the original holder of the...