On Unbelievable Stories

Heraclitus Paradoxographus

Heraclitus Paradoxographus. On Unbelievable Stories. Hawes, Greta, et al., translators. Washington, DC: Center for Hellenic Studies, 2021. (Digital publication).

When Helle and Phrixos escaped the scheme of their stepmother Ino their guardian, Crios [Ram], escaped with them in a small boat during a storm. It came to pass that Helle fell out into the sea. (As a result, the sea received the name Hellespont [sea of Helle]). Phrixos, however, reached safety. Aietes lusted after Phrixos, and when Crios intervened and tried to preserve Phrixos’ purity, he was flayed completely and his skin hung upon a nail. His hide received the name golden because Crios had shown the utmost loyalty.