Endymion, << ehn DIHM ee uhn >>, in Greek mythology, was a handsome youth passionately loved by Selene (the moon). Details of Endymion’s life vary from author to author in ancient Greece. According to one story, Selene put Endymion to sleep forever because she could not bear to have him die. In another version, Selene begged Zeus, the ruler of the gods, to grant Endymion a wish. He chose everlasting sleep combined with eternal youth and immortality.
The story of Endymion and Selene has inspired many artists and writers. For example, the English poet John Keats wrote Endymion (1818), a long poem based on the Greek myth.
Loading the player...Keats's Endymion
