Aon (mythology)

In ancient Greek mythology, Aon was a son of Poseidon and the nymph Arne (or possibly the daughter of a Boeotian king named Hyrieus). He is considered the eponymous founder of Aonia, an ancient region in Boeotia. Aon is often associated with the early, sometimes mythical, inhabitants of the region before the arrival of Cadmus and the Phoenicians. Some traditions state that Aonia was originally inhabited by the Aones, a people who were either indigenous or had migrated to the area. Aon’s influence on the region is primarily seen in its ancient name, Aonia, which was often used poetically as a synonym for Boeotia, particularly in contexts related to music and poetry, as Boeotia was considered the birthplace of the Muses. References to Aon and Aonia are primarily found in classical literature and poetry.