Orion and His Tragic Love

Orion's Origins and Abilities

Orion, the legendary hunter of Greek mythology, has a story draped in ambiguity. According to varying accounts, he possessed a mystical family background. In the most ancient traditions, Orion emerged as the son of Poseidon, the sea god, and Euryale, a mortal woman from the lineage of Crete's King Minos. This divine lineage granted Orion an unusual gift—the ability to walk on water.

In another tale, Orion was born from an unconventional blend of cosmic intervention. Hyrieus, a pious Boeotian, desired a son but lacked a wife. The gods Zeus, Poseidon, and Hermes collectively covered a bullhide with their semen and buried it in the earth. Nine months later, Orion sprang forth, a living testament to divine hospitality.¹

Orion's hunting skills were unmatched, and his size and strength became legendary. But he wasn't just celebrated for his physical prowess; his tendency for lecherous pursuits was equally famous. This lustfulness led him to father fifty sons with fifty nymphs.

Tragic Love for Merope

Orion's heart found troubled waters when it came to matters of love. He fell for Merope, the daughter of King Oenopion of Chios. Orion endeavored to win her hand by clearing the island of wild beasts. Oenopion, however, reneged on his promise, driving Orion to desperate measures. Fueled by frustration and intoxication, he assaulted Merope, an action that led to severe retribution. Oenopion blinded Orion and threw him off the island.

Blinded but undeterred, Orion ventured to the East, guided by Cedalion astride his shoulders. The rising sun, Helios, restored his vision.² Now restored and seeking vengeance, Orion returned, only to find Oenopion well-hidden beneath the earth. His quest for revenge remained unfulfilled, but his tale didn't fade. The hunter continued his path, embodying a blend of divine gifts and mortal flaws.

Orion's Death and Legacy

The hows and whys of Orion's death vary:

• In one account, Artemis, the goddess of the hunt, either shot him down with her legendary archery skills or set a massive scorpion on him after he tried to force himself on her or her handmaiden Upis.
• Another twist suggests Artemis didn't want to kill Orion and might have loved him. But her brother Apollo, jealous of this development, tricked Artemis into shooting Orion while he was swimming, not realizing it was her beloved until it was too late.
• In yet another version, the earth goddess Gaia summoned a colossal scorpion that stung Orion to death after he boasted he would hunt and kill every animal on Earth.³

No matter how Orion met his demise, his story didn't fade. Zeus honored him by placing him among the stars. Today, Orion is one of the most recognizable constellations in the night sky, a tribute to a legend known for his towering presence and astronomical ambitions. The scorpion that killed him also got a spot in the sky as Scorpius, strategically placed so that when one rises, the other sets.

Orion's tale has left a mark on diverse cultures around the world. The three stars of Orion's Belt are known by various names, such as:

• Drie Konings (the three kings) in South Africa
• Las Tres Marías (The Three Marys) in Spain and Latin America
• The final resting place of the god Osiris in ancient Egypt

Through narratives of love, hubris, and untimely death, Orion's legend endures as a reminder that myths are about our own dreams, flaws, and the eternal quest to understand our place in the cosmos.

1. Hyginus. Fabulae. 195.
2. Apollodorus. The Library. 1.4.3.
3. Hesiod. Astronomy. Frag 4.