Hypnos nation we never talk about this itty bitty Hypnos that’s in the Walter’s art museum. Rare wings on the back and not the head! And he’s got his little horn with him :)
One thing I find quite beautiful in Hypnos' mythos, is His relation to death, and no, not just from His brother Thanatos, but specifically His (albeit small) role in the myth of Sarpedon.
I'm speaking more in the sense of passing away in your sleep or a peaceful death - feeling like you're falling asleep even if you are dying. It's something I find quite nice; He'll lull us into His embrace before passing us on to His brother. I don't know, it's just something I personally find comforting.
So today, I've decided to go into a bit of a deep dive on the myth of Sarpedon and Hypnos' involvement in it - along with commentary from me - as well as looking at artistic depictions of this myth! (there are more than I thought there were)
Who is Sarpedon?
"In Greek mythology, Sarpedon was the son of Zeus, the king of the gods, and Laodamia, the daughter of Bellerophon. He was a Lycian prince and a hero in the Trojan War."
- Russell-Cotes
If you go searching, you will most likely come across multiple versions of Sarpedon, atply named Sarpedon 1, Sarpedon 2, and Sarpedon 3. Both one and two share parentage with Zeus in the myths, whereas the third one does not, and does not seem to be related to the other two, simply sharing a name. For ease of talking I will refer to the Sarpedon we are talking about today - Sarpedon 2 - the Hero who fought and died in the Trojan war. Some writers tried to reconcile the longevity of the myth of Sarpedon by stating that the first was the grandfather of Sarpedon 2.
"The ancient sources that claimed that Sarpedon had been blessed with long life, subsequently state that the Sarpedon at Troy was the son of Zeus and Europa. Writers though believed that this longevity was itself a myth, sought to reconcile the appearance of Sarpedon at Troy, by stating that he was the grandson of the first Sarpedon."
- Greek Legends and Myths
He was a Prince of Lycia and led the Trojan armies in defence for Troy, alongside his cousin, Glaucus, the Captain of the Lycian armies. Sarpedon then became one of the most highly revered defenders of Troy, trailing just behind Hector.
However, the glory and fighting could not last forever:
"It had been prophesised though that Sarpedon was destined to die at the hands of Patroclus at Troy; and a one-on-one fight would occur between the two when Patroclus put on the armour of Achilles to defend the Achaean camp."
- Greek Legends and Myths
And so came true the prophecy. Zeus had wanted to save His son from his demise, but it was then brought to His attention by the other gods, including His wife Hera, that their children too were fighting and dying in the war. Why should Sarpedon be an exception? Thus King Zeus recoiled, and did not interfere with His sons fate; Sarpedon was slain by Patroclus.
"A struggle took place for the possession of his body until Apollo rescued it from the Greeks, washed it, anointed it with ambrosia, and handed it over to Hypnos and Thanatos (Sleep and Death), by whom it was conveyed for burial to Lycia."
- Brittanica
Hypnos' role in the myth:
"[Hera speaks to Zeus about his son Sarpedon's fated death :] ‘But after the soul and the years of his life have left him [Sarpedon], then send Thanatos (Peaceful Death) to carry him away, and Hypnos (Sleep), who is painless, until they come with him to the countryside of broad Lykia (Lycia) where his brothers and countrymen shall give him due burial with tomb and gravestone.’"
- Homer, Iliad 16. 453 ff [theoi.com]
After Sarpedon's death on the battlefield, he was taken by Apollo, prepped for burial, and handed over to Hypnos and Thanatos to deliver to back to his homeland, Lycia.
Something sticks out to me in the above passage - "and Hypnos (Sleep), who is painless". Painless; sleep is painless. Seems like we've known that for centuries; that the best way to die is in your sleep. I also think that having Hypnos present as he dies gives Sarpedon his due respect. Although it may be their career or their livelihood, soldiers still hold the right to not have to die brutally and without peace. Of course Sarpedon met his brutal fate, yes, but I believe the horror of it was lessened by the soothing painlessness of sleep washing over him - letting his transition into death be a gentle one. A respect for the life that he held. This due respect given may have also been a nod to Sarpedon's godly lineage, being King Zeus' son. Unfortunaetly, I doubt many had the time to carry every soldiers body off the ground and give each and every one a proper burial rite.
"[Sarpedon was killed at Troy and the god Apollon rescued his body from the fighting :] Then [Apollon] gave him [the body of Sarpedon] into the charge of swift messengers to carry him, of Hypnos (Sleep) and Thanatos (Death), who are twin brothers, and these two presently laid him down within the rich countryside of broad Lykia (Lycia)."
- Homer, Iliad 16. 681 ff [theoi.com]
"But the highest god [Zeus], mighty with his thunderbolt, sent Hypnos (Sleep) and Thanatos (Death) from snowy Olympos to the fearless fighter Sarpedon [to carry off his body for burial]."
- Bacchylides, Frag 20e (from Oxyrhynchus Papyrus 2081) (trans. Campbell, Vol. Greek Lyric IV) (Greek lyric C5th B.C.) [theoi.com]
This is also not the first time that Hypnos has been said to usher someone on the brink of death to His brother.
"At the end of his life, having reached a very great age, Gorgias of Leontini was overcome by weakness and lay gradually slipping away into sleep. When one of his friends came to see him and asked how he was, Gorgias said : ‘Hypnos (Sleep) is now beginning to hand me over to his brother [i.e. Thanatos, Death].’"
- Aelian, Historical Miscellany 2. 34 (trans. Wilson) (Greek rhetorician C2nd to 3rd A.D.) [theoi.com]
Hermes?
You read that right. Hermes was sometimes identified with Hypnos, and had giving sleep as one of His domains. Whilst Hypnos and the Oneiroi personified (Daimones) sleep and dreams, it was sometimes Hermes who was named as the giver of sleep and dreams. Whilst in Homer and many other writers' works Hypnos and Hermes are seperate divinities, it is thought that at one point they were regarded as the same entity.
These are just some examples among many others:
"He [Hermes] caught up the staff (rhabdos), with which he mazes the eyes of those mortals whose eyes he would maze, or wakes again the sleepers. Holding this in his hands, strong (kratus) Argeiphontes winged his way onward."
- Homer, Iliad 24. 339 ff (trans. Lattimore) (Greek epic C8th B.C.) [theoi.com]
"And he [Hermes] took the rod that lulls men's eyes for him, at his pleasure, or awakens others when they slumber."
- Homer, Odyssey 24. 1 & 99 ff [theoi.com]
"May Maia's son [Hermes], as he rightfully should, lend his aid . . . by his mysterious utterance he brings darkness over men's eyes by night, and by day he is no more clear at all."
- Aeschylus, Libation Bearers 811 ff (trans. Smyth) (Greek tragedy C5th B.C.) [theoi.com]
"[...] He found the Phaiakian lords and rulers pouring libations from their cups to the keen-sighted (euskopos) Argeiphontes (Radiant One) [Hermes] to whom by custom they poured libation last when they turned their thoughts to the night's rest."
- Homer, Odyssey 7. 137 ff [theoi.com]
But why am I bringing this up? Because I think it's important to account for one of the (pressumed) origins of Hypnos - stemming from Hermes. Hermes is a psychopomp, a guide of the dead, leading souls to the underworld. Similar to what Hypnos does when handing over sleeping people to his brother, Thanatos (Gentle Death). Whilst it is not considered one of Hypnos' domains, I (UPG) like to consider it as one. Of course it's not a major part of my worship of Him, but something I take note of. It only makes sense (to me), given He is twins with Death Himself.
"[Skylla] despoiled Nisos of his immortal lock as he drew breath in unsuspecting sleep. And Hermes [i.e. as the guide to death] overtook him."
- Aeschylus, Libation Bearers 619 ff (trans. Smyth) (Greek tragedy C5th B.C.) [theoi.com]
The above does not explicitly state Hypnos, but as Him being sleep personified, it also kind of does. Either way, I thought it relevant.
Art depictions of the myth:
Okay, enough reading for now (kind of); let's look at some artistic renditions of the myth of the body of Sarpedon.
"Death and Sleep bearing to Jupiter to the Body of Sarpedon" - 1874 Wood Engraving Henri Levy
And a coloured version? Guess one medium wasn't enough for him (respect). Same but different?
"Sarpedon Carried" - Henri Leopold Levy (French; 1840–1904)
"Apollo and Sarpedon" - Jean-Simon Berthélemy (1743-1811)
Previously I had never seen this artwork before, and I must say I find the interpretation of Hypnos (orange cloak at the bottom, blonde hair with flowers) quite lovely. As well as the depiction of Thanatos (wings and inverted torch). It gives these loevly Underworld deities a sense of life to their characters - yes, the irony is slightly intentional. But I think the clouds which Lord Hypnos is resting on is quite fitting.
Now I couldn't find distinct names for these ones but they all depict the scene in a similar / same way, so I will place them all together. (Yes, one was shown earlier)
Sourced from: theoi.com and Britannica
"Sleep and Death Carrying off the Slain Sarpedon" (cista handle), 400-380 BC, Etruscan, bronze - Cleveland Museum of Art
And finally, finishing off with my personal favourite piece:
"Hypnos and Thanatos Carry Sarpedon" - Henry Fuseli (1741–1825)
I could talk for ages about why I love this artwork and depiction, but I'll save that for another post.
To conclude:
This has been a bit of a ramble, I'm aware, but I hop it has managed to get my point across about Hypnos' relation to death - without focusing too much on his brotherly relation with Lord Thanatos.
I had felt Lord Hypnos pulling me to re-read the myth for about a week now, and so I finally did, with a tumblr post attached! I would have gone into a bit more in-depth analysis if I had the time, but it's currently a lot later than I would usually stay awake, so I'm rushing a bit to get to bed.
Please feel free to drop your thoughts of the myth or of any of the artworks or anything else in the comments or asks or wherever!
