Greek MythsFamous Myths

Ixion on the Wheel

Ixion's ultimate betrayal of Zeus's mercy earns him an eternal, fiery spinning fate in Tartarus.

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Illustration for Ixion on the Wheel - a famous myths Greek Myths story with moral lessons

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Story Summary

Explore the myth of Ixion on the Wheel. After betraying Zeus's hospitality, the King of the Lapiths is bound to a flaming wheel for eternity in Tartarus.

Ixion, King of the Lapiths, was a man of dark character. After murdering his father-in-law to avoid paying a bride price, he became the first mortal to commit kin-slaying. No earthly power would purify him, but Zeus, showing unearned mercy, invited Ixion to Olympus to be cleansed. Rather than being grateful, Ixion grew arrogant and attempted to seduce Zeus's wife, Hera. Discerning his intent, Zeus fashioned a cloud, Nephele, into Hera's likeness. Ixion, fooled by the deception, boasted of his conquest. Enraged by this ultimate breach of hospitality and divine disrespect, Zeus ordered Hermes to bind Ixion to a perpetually spinning, winged, fiery wheel. Cast into the deepest pits of Tartarus, Ixion remains there for eternity, his screams echoing as a warning against the twin sins of ingratitude and hubris.

The Moral

Betraying the trust of those who show you mercy and violating the laws of hospitality leads to inevitable and eternal ruin.

“Gratitude is the mark of a noble soul; ingratitude, the sign of a doomed one.”

Fun Fact

Ixion is one of the 'Great Sinners' of Tartarus, often grouped with Sisyphus and Tantalus as examples of mortals who dared to defy the gods.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the moral of Ixion on the Wheel?

The story warns against hubris and the betrayal of hospitality. It teaches that showing ingratitude toward those who help you can lead to a cycle of self-inflicted suffering.

Why was Ixion punished by Zeus?

Despite being purified by Zeus for murder, Ixion tried to seduce Zeus's wife, Hera. This gross violation of hospitality and divine order led to his eternal sentence.

What did the cloud Nephele represent?

Zeus created Nephele as a cloud-double of Hera to test Ixion's intentions. When Ixion coupled with the cloud, he proved his guilt and fathered the race of Centaurs.

What was the significance of Ixion being the first kin-slayer?

In Greek culture, murdering a relative was a crime so severe that it required divine purification. Ixion's initial crime set the stage for Zeus's rare act of mercy.

How long is Ixion's punishment?

Ixion is condemned to spin on his fiery wheel for all of eternity. His punishment is one of the permanent fixtures of Tartarus, alongside Sisyphus and Tantalus.

Who are the children of Ixion?

Ixion is most famous for fathering Centaurus through the cloud-nymph Nephele. Centaurus then mated with Magnesian mares to create the race of Centaurs.