Heliadae


In Greek mythology, the Heliadae or Heliadai were the seven sons of Helios and Rhodos and grandsons of Poseidon, brothers to Electryone.

Biography

They were Ochimus, Cercaphus, Macareus, Actis, Tenages, Triopas, and Candalus. They were expert astrologers and seafarers, and were the first to introduce sacrifices to Athena at Rhodes. They also drove the Telchines out of Rhodes.

Mythology

Tenages was the most highly endowed of the Heliadae, and was eventually killed by Macareus, Candalus, Triopas and Actis. This is attributed to their jealousy of his skills at science. As soon as their crime was discovered, the four had to escape from Rhodes: Macareus fled to Lesbos, Candalus to Cos, Triopas to Caria, and Actis to Egypt. Ochimus and Cercaphus, who stayed aside from the crime, remained at the island and founded the city of Achaea. Ochimus, the eldest of the brothers, seized control over the island; Cercaphus married Ochimus' daughter and succeeded to the power. The three sons of Cercaphus, Lindus, Ialysus and Camirus, were founders and eponyms of the cities Lindos, Ialysos and Kameiros respectively.

Genealogy