Cycnus of Liguria


In Greek mythology, Cycnus or Cygnus, was a king of Liguria.

Biography

Cycnus was the son of Sthenelus and a good friend of Phaethon, according to Ovid, he was a distant relative of Phaethon on his mother's side. Servius also mentions that Cycnus had a son named Cupavo.

Mythology

After Phaethon died, he sat by the river Eridanos mourning his death. The gods turned him into a swan to relieve him of his pity. Even then he retained memories of Phaethon's death, and would avoid the sun's heat because of that. According to Virgil, Cycnus lamented Phaethon's death till he grew old, so his gray hair became gray feathers upon his transformation. Pausanias mentions Cycnus, king of the Ligyes, as a renowned musician who after his death was changed into a swan by Apollo. Servius also writes of Cycnus as a musician and a friend of Phaethon, and states that he was changed into a swan and later was placed among the stars by Apollo. Cycnus's talent of a musician motivates his association with the concept of the swan song suggested in Hyginus's account.