Elate (mythology)

In Greek mythology, Elate () is a minor female figure, the sister of the two Aloadae giants who was transformed into a fir tree.

Family As sister to the Aloadae, Elate was probably the daughter of Iphimedeia by either Aloeus or Poseidon, the god of the sea.

Mythology Elate was big in size, as big as her enormous brothers. When they died after trying to wage war against the heavens, she mourned them so much she was changed into a fir tree.Libanius, Progymnasmata 38 She kept however her great size in her new life, hence the ancient Greek expression "a silver-fir tree big as heaven."Eustathius on Homer's Odyssey 5.239Bloch, René (Berne), “Elate”, in: Brill’s New Pauly, Antiquity volumes edited by: Hubert Cancik and Helmuth Schneider, English Edition by: Christine F. Salazar, Classical Tradition volumes edited by: Manfred Landfester, English Edition by: Francis G. Gentry. Consulted online on 09 January 2023. Her sister, Platanus, had a similar fate.

See also

Heliades Pelia Niobe

References

Bibliography