Hedylogos

Hedylogos and Pothos proceeding in front of a chariot drawn by Aphrodite. Attic red figure cylindrical pyxis, c. 420-400 BC

In Greek Mythology, Hedylogos (Ancient Greek: Ἡδυλόγος, romanized: Hēdylógos, lit. 'sweet-voiced, flattering') was the god and personification of sweet-talk and flattery. He was part of Aphrodite's procession, and one of the seven Erotes, a group of winged love deities, along with Eros, Anteros, Hermaphroditus, Himeros, Hymen, and Pothos.

Although not mentioned in any existing literature, he is depicted on ancient Greek vase paintings. A surviving example on a red-figure pyxis from the late 5th century BC shows Hedylogos alongside his brother Pothos drawing the chariot of Aphrodite.

To the Romans he was known by his Latinized name Hedylogus. His name, from ἡδύς (hēdys, 'sweet') and λόγος (logos, 'speech') means somebody who speaks gently, softly mesmerizing people with his words. Apart from ἡδῠ́λόγος there are several other Greek words which describe this unique ability: μελιστάλακτος (melistálaktos) and μελισταγής (melistagḗs), which can be translated as mellifluous.

References

• Harvey Alan Shapiro, Personifications in Greek art, Akanthus 1993; ISBN 9783905083057

Sources

• Holzman, Robert S. (2022). Anesthesia and the Classics, Essays on Avatars of Professional Values. CRC Press. ISBN 9781000510683.

External links

• Hedylogos in The Theoi Project