Sarcophagus panel depicting the Fall of Phaeton at The State Hermitage Museum, Saint Petersburg

myminifactory

Of the characters in Greek mythology known as Phaethon, the most famous one was the son of Clymene, an Oceanid, and Apollo or Helios, a solar deity. Alternative genealogies make him a son of Clymenus by Merope, of Helios and Rhode, thus a full brother of the Heliadae, or of Helios and Prote. In the prevailing account, Phaethon challenged his playmates and sought assurance from his mother that his father was the sun god. She gave him the requested assurance and told him to turn to his father for confirmation. He asked his father for some proof that would demonstrate their relationship with the sun. When the god promised to grant him whatever he wanted, he insisted on being allowed to drive the sun chariot for a day. Placed in charge of the chariot, Phaethon was unable to control the horses. The earth was in danger of being burnt up and, to prevent this disaster, Zeus killed him with a thunderbolt. This object is part of "Scan The World". Scan The World is a non-profit initiative introduced by MyMiniFactory, through which we are creating a digital archive of fully 3D printable sculptures, artworks, and landmarks from across the globe for public access. Scan The World is an open-source community effort. If you have interesting items around you and would like to contribute, email stw@myminifactory.com to find out how you can help. Scanned: Photogrammetry (Processed using Agisoft PhotoScan)