Elara (mythology)

In Greek mythology, Elara was the daughter of King Orchomenus and mother of Tityos. She was one of Zeus' lovers and he hid her from his wife, Hera, by placing her deep beneath the earth. This was where she gave birth to Tityos, a giant who is sometimes said to be the son of Gaia, the earth goddess, for this reason. It is further added that Elara died in labour because of the enormous size of her baby.[1][2] The cave through which Tityos was believed to have come to the surface of Earth was located on Euboea and referred to as Elarion.[3]

References

  1. ^ Apollodorus, Bibliotheca, 1. 4. 2.
  2. ^ Scholia on Apollonius Rhodius, Argonautica, 1. 761
  3. ^ Strabo, Geography, 9. 3. 15