Hesperus
The personification of the evening star (Venus), son of Eos and Astraeus or of Atlas.
The Myth of Hesperus
Hesperus was the personification of the evening star — the planet Venus as it appears just after sunset in the western sky. In most traditions he was the son of Eos (Dawn) and Astraeus (the starry sky), though some accounts made him a son of Atlas. He was considered the brother of Phosphorus (Eosphorus), the morning star, though Greek astronomers eventually recognized these as the same planet at different times. Hesperus was said to be the most beautiful object in the heavens and was associated with the Hesperides — the nymphs of the western garden — whose name derived from his. Sappho wrote one of her most famous fragments addressed to Hesperus as the bringer of evening rest.
Children
{}
Symbols
Fun Fact
Sappho wrote a celebrated fragment to Hesperus: "Hesperus, you bring home all that the bright dawn has scattered" — one of the most quoted lines of ancient lyric poetry.
Words We Inherited
English words and phrases that trace back to this myth. See our full guide to English words from Greek mythology.
Explore Further
Hesperos
🏔 titanevening star, twilight
The personification of the Evening Star (Venus at dusk), whose appearance signalled the transition from day to night.
Phosphorus
🏔 titanmorning star, Venus at dawn
The personification of the morning star (Venus), who announced the dawn, son of Eos or Astraeus.
Eosphoros
🏔 titanmorning star, dawn
The personification of the Morning Star (Venus at dawn), whose light heralded the arrival of Eos and the new day.
Astraeus
🏔 titanTitan of dusk and stars
Astraeus was the Titan god of dusk, stars, and astrology — father of the four winds and the stars of dawn.
Nox
🏔 titannight (Roman equivalent)
The Roman equivalent of Nyx, primordial goddess of night, mother of darkness and light alike.
Hyperion
🏔 titanTitan who fathered the celestial lights
The Titan of heavenly light who fathered Helios (Sun), Selene (Moon), and Eos (Dawn) — the three celestial luminaries.
Hyperion
🏔 titanTitan of heavenly light, observation
Titan of light and father of the sun, moon, and dawn. Hyperion was one of the original twelve Titans, embodying the celestial light that preceded the Olympians.
Astaeus
🏔 titanTitan associated with the stars
A Titan connected to stellar lore, sometimes conflated with Astraeus the father of the winds.
Kreios
🏔 titanTitan of constellations
A Titan associated with the heavenly constellations, father of Astraeus, Pallas, and Perses through his union with Eurybia.
Celaeno
🏔 titandarkness, the Pleiades
One of the seven Pleiades whose name means "the dark one," and who was also conflated with the Harpy Celaeno in some traditions.
Asterope
🏔 titanstarlight, the Pleiades
One of the seven Pleiades, whose name means "star-face" or "lightning," and whose star was among the dimmest in the cluster.
Theia
🏔 titanTitaness of sight and shining
Theia was the Titaness of sight and shining light — mother of the Sun, Moon, and Dawn.