Phaeton

Sat, 20 Mar 2010 21:00:10 -0400

Definition - 1. Any of various light, four-wheeled carriages, with or without a top, having one or two seats facing forward, used in the 19th century.
2. A vintage automobile of the touring-car type

Synonyms- touring car, tourer, car, auto, automobile, machine, motorcar

Etymology- Greek - Phaethon- Name of the son of Helios and Clymene who tried to drive his father's sun-chariot but crashed after almost setting fire to the whole earth.

The story of Phaethon, in Greek Mythology, is a tale of a young man who seeks to prove himself after many bad judgments and consequences. Phaethon realized his father was the Sun-god and wanted to meet him. He went on a journey and found his father and his palace where he lived. Although his father was powerful and important, Phaethon was overcome with awe by his father’s power. Phaethon asked him father for some favors and his father’s attempt at affection was to show his son unfortunate consequences. Phaethon wanted to drive his father’s chariot across the sky. As he jumped into the chariot he lost control and realized the immortal power of the chariot and horses were much too strong, dragging him across the sky. As the chariot got closer to the earth, it caused the ground to burn. Zeus realized this was a bad situation and directed a thunderbolt to hit Phaethon. He was killed on contact and his body landed in the Eridanus River. The legend is that Phaeton’s sad sisters were transformed into trees, their tears turning into amber. (Submitted by Katie Grant)

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Phaeton