Demophon

Or Demophoon (Δημοφόων), the youngest son of Celeus and Metanira, who was entrusted to the care of Demeter, in the guise of an old woman. He grew up under her without any human food, being fed by the goddess with her own milk, and ambrosia. During the night she used to place him in fire to secure to him eternal youth; but once she was observed by Metanira, who disturbed the goddess by her cries, and the child Demophon was consumed by the flames.

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References

Sources

  • Homer. Hymn to Demeter, 234.
  • Hyginus. Fabulae, 147.
  • Ovid. Fasti iv, 512 ff.
  • Pseudo-Apollodorus. The Library i, 5.1.
  • Smith, William. (1870). Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology. London: Taylor, Walton, and Maberly.

This article incorporates text from Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology (1870) by William Smith, which is in the public domain.