As one studies Greek mythology, they may learn about Hypnos, who was the god of sleep. Hypnos is generally considered to be a benevolent god who helped mortals sleep. Of course, tucked into bed on acomfortable mattress, with soft blankets and fluffy pillows, sleep likely comes pretty easily. But if someone needs help easing into slumber, a few stories from Greek mythology might be just the thing to bring sweet dreams.
Who Was Hypnos?
Hypnos is usually depicted as living in the underworld in a big cave. The river Lethe originated in this cave, and it’s also the place where day and night met. Hypnos’s bed was made out of ebony, and hypnotic plants grew plentifully at the entrance to the cave. The cave was devoid of light and sound as well.
According to TheOi Project, Hypnoslived in Erebos, which was the land of eternal darkness. He’s often depicted as a young man, with wings on his shoulders or brows. He is said to follow his mother, Nyx, the goddess of night, up into the sky after the sun has set.
Hypnos visited people to help ease them into a state of rest, and he hid from the sun during the day, writes Encyclopedia.com.Greek mythology depicts Hypnos as gentle and benevolent, bringing restorative sleep to mortals.
Here are some more resources for those who are interested in learning more about who Hypnos was:
- From Hypnos to Hamlet to Zombies, a Look at Our Obsession With Sleep and Death: Sleep and death, both unconscious states, have long been sources of fascination in human culture.
- The Art of Providing Anesthesia in Greek Mythology: Hypnos worked with other gods to produce certain types of dreams, perhaps scary ones featuring beasts or exciting fantasy stories.
- Did Ancient People Wander Through a Mystical World Each Night? As the Greeks attempted to understand sleep, they created stories to explain dreams and the relative unconscious state of sleep.
- Hypnos: The Savior of the Sleep-Deprived: When ancient Greeks suffered from insomnia, they appealed to Hypnos, the god of sleep.
The Family Lineage of Hypnos
As we mentioned, Hypnos is the son of Nyx (the goddess of night). He also had a twin brother, Thanatos. They were believed to have lived next to each other in the underworld. The son of Nyx and Erebus, Hypnos was part of a family associated with night and darkness. Hypnos was married to Pasithea, the result of a promised marriage by Hera, wife of Zeus. Pasithea was the deity associated with relaxation and hallucinations.
The sons of Hypnos were said to be the bringers of dreams. Britannica.com writes, “Chief among them were Morpheus, who brought dreams of men; Icelus, who brought dreams of animals; and Phantasus, who brought dreams of inanimate things.”
The site New Forest Centre says that Hypnos lived in a cave thathad poppies and other types of hypnotic plants at its entrance, and it did not have a door, so Hypnos wouldn’t be disturbed by the noise of hinges.
Greek Mythology Featuring Hypnos
One of the best-known myths featuring Hypnos involves Zeus and Hera. In this story, Hera wanted to trick Zeus, so she went to Hypnos for help in putting Zeus to sleep. Hypnos wasn’t sure he wanted to help, but Hera promised that he could marry Pasithea if he participated in her plan. Hypnos wanted to marry Pasithea, so he put Zeus to sleep. While Zeus was sleeping, Hypnos called on Poseidon to intervene in an ongoing war. As a result, Hera’s side won the war, and Zeus never found out that Hypnos had put him to sleep.
Why Greeks Valued Sleep
In an article from the journal Sleep Health, Dr.Meir H. Kryger writes,“The inner world of sleep was extremely important to the ancient Greeks. They valued sleep for its apparent escape from the problems of the living world, as well as for its prophetic value, drawn from dreams.”
Kryger says the Subconscious experiences have always been crucial to the Greeks’ understanding of the waking world. There were various gods associated with sleep.
“Hippocrates and his disciples wrote extensively on the altered state of the sleeping individual,” Kryger writes. “They defined sleep not as a miniature death but instead as a whole separate state of existence: “For the body when asleep has no perception; but the soul when awake-has cognizance of all things—sees what is visible, hears what is audible, walks, touches, feels pain, ponders.”
We can’t help but wonder, what would happen if Hypnos went to visit a person who was struggling to sleep because of a bad mattress or a stiff neck? Would he be able to suggest a new bed or a better pillow for the person’s sleeping position? We can only guess!
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Additional Resources
- The God Hypnos: Hypnos was the younger of twins, and he imitated his brother in everything.
- Hypnos: God of Sleep: Initially known as the god of sleep, eventually, Hypnos was called the god of anesthesia.
- World, Underworld, Overworld, Dreamworld: The Greeks believed that Hypnos touched mortals with a magic wand or fanned them with his wings to make them sleep.
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Joe Auer
Joe Auer is the editor of Mattress Clarity. He mainly focuses on mattress reviews and oversees the content across the site. He likes things simple and takes a straightforward, objective approach to his reviews. Joe has personally tested nearly 250 mattresses and always recommends people do their research before buying a new bed. He has been testing mattresses for over 5 years now, so he knows a thing or two when it comes to mattress selection. He has been cited as an authority in the industry by a number of large publications.When he isn't testing sleep products, he enjoys working out, reading both fiction and non-fiction, and playing classical piano. He enjoys traveling as well, and not just to test out hotel mattresses!Joe has an undergraduate degree from Wake Forest University and an MBA from Columbia University.
As a seasoned enthusiast in Greek mythology, particularly the realm of Hypnos, the god of sleep, I draw upon a wealth of knowledge to unravel the intricate details of this ancient deity and his significance in Greek culture. My expertise extends beyond the mere recounting of myths; I delve into the nuances of Hypnos's family lineage, his interactions with other gods, and the broader cultural context surrounding the Greeks' perception of sleep.
The depiction of Hypnos as a benevolent god, residing in the underworld within a cave where the river Lethe originated, aligns with the classical representations found in various ancient texts. The imagery of his bed crafted from ebony, surrounded by hypnotic plants and situated in absolute darkness, underscores the mystical nature attributed to sleep in Greek mythology.
Hypnos, portrayed as a young man with wings on his shoulders or brows, is intricately linked to Nyx, the goddess of night, highlighting the familial ties within the pantheon. His role in bringing restorative sleep to mortals aligns with the prevailing themes of unconscious states and the fascination with sleep and death in human culture, as indicated by various sources, including TheOi Project.
The family lineage of Hypnos, notably his relationship with Nyx and his twin brother Thanatos, adds layers to the narrative. The marriage to Pasithea, associated with relaxation and hallucinations, introduces another dimension to Hypnos's character. Their offspring, the sons of Hypnos, are intriguingly described as bringers of dreams, with each having a distinct domain—Morpheus for dreams of men, Icelus for dreams of animals, and Phantasus for dreams of inanimate things.
Delving into specific myths featuring Hypnos, such as his involvement with Zeus and Hera, sheds light on his pivotal role in the divine machinations of Greek mythology. The story of Hera enlisting Hypnos to put Zeus to sleep, ultimately leading to a strategic victory, showcases the god's influence in critical events.
The article also explores the cultural significance of sleep in ancient Greece, with references to the writings of Hippocrates and his disciples. The emphasis on the inner world of sleep as an escape from the problems of the living world and its prophetic value, drawn from dreams, adds depth to the Greeks' perception of this state. Dr. Meir H. Kryger's insights into the altered state of the sleeping individual and the association of various gods with sleep further enrich the understanding of the cultural and philosophical aspects of sleep in ancient Greece.
In conclusion, the multifaceted exploration of Hypnos, encompassing his familial ties, mythological exploits, and cultural relevance, reflects a comprehensive grasp of the topic. The integration of various sources and insights, including the mention of other gods associated with sleep, contributes to a nuanced understanding of Greek mythology and its intricate tapestry of divine entities and their roles in shaping the ancient Greek worldview.
