Phaethon

Phaethon was a handsome young man who was proud of his divine father. However, when Epaphos questioned his origins, Phaethon went to Helios to learn the truth. But words were not enough, and Helios promised to grant him any wish. Phaethon asked the sun god to lend him the mythical sun chariot for a day. Helios discouraged him from this wish, for Phaethon was inexperienced, the sky was high, and other pitfalls lurked. But Phaethon was not to be denied and entered the chariot.

The ride was short, however, for the horses recognized the inexperienced Phaethon and veered from their course. This burned the fertile plains of Arabia, Nubia, and the Sahara, turning the entire area into a desert. Further, the sea began to dry up and the earth cracked to the depths. The mother earth (Gaia) asked Zeus for help. He became enraged and struck Phaethonus down with lightning.