Phaethon (Met. 1.474-2.200)

Phaethon, the son of the Sun, asks the god to prove his paternity by giving over the reigns to his heavenly chariot. Riding through the sky, Phaethon tries his best to control his father's horses, but plummets to the earth and perishes.

Model texts.

While there are many possible models for this episode, Euripides' Phaethon (now lost) will be of utmost consideration. This would be an ideal topic for an Ovidian with Greek skills.

Areas to explore.

What did the lost Euripidean model cover? To what extent is this story tragic, especially given its grand, cosmic perspective? How does the figure of the ephebe factor into this episode?

Bibliography.

• For fragments of the Phaethon: C. Collard et al., Euripides: Select Fragmentary Plays.
• R. C. Bass, "Some Aspects of the Structure of the Phaethon Episode."
• P. Knox, "Phaethon in Ovid and Nonnus."
• V. M. Wise, "Flight Myths in Ovid's Metamorphoses."