Nyx
Night born from Chaos, generating many conditions of mortal life alone.
Overview
Nyx, Night born from Chaos, bears a series of powers without a male partner in the Theogony. With Erebus she first produces Aether and Day; alone she then bears powers including Fate, Sleep, Death and Strife. The genealogy is not presented as a parentage system shared by every Greek author, but as Hesiod’s way of organising conditions of life into kinship.
Key facts
Coming from Chaos
Nyx and Erebus come from Chaos, and together they produce Aether and Day.
A branch without a partner
Hesiod lists Fate, Sleep, Death and Strife among the powers Nyx bears by herself.
Relationships
- Chaosfrom whom came
Nyx comes from Chaos; the passage assigns Chaos no creative intention.
- Fatesmother in the Night branch
In the Night branch Hesiod says Nyx bears the Moirai alone; later in the same poem they are daughters of Zeus and Themis.
- Hypnosmother of
Nyx is the mother of Hypnos.
- Thanatosmother of
Nyx is the mother of Thanatos.
- Erismother of
Nyx is the mother of Eris.
- Erebusunites with
Nyx joins with Erebus and bears Aether and Hemera.
- Aethermother of
Nyx is the mother of Aether.
- Hemeramother of
Nyx is the mother of Hemera.
Story appearances
- Birth of the GodsOrigin of the Night branch
She comes from Chaos and alone bears conditions including Fate, Sleep, Death and Strife.
Ancient sources
MythWeave distinguishes ancient-source evidence from later adaptations and modern interpretation.