Iasion

Iasion (also spelled Iasius) is a figure in Greek mythology, primarily known for his association with the goddess Demeter. He is typically described as a son of Zeus and the nymph Electra, though other parentage is sometimes attributed to him.

Iasion's most significant role in mythology involves a passionate encounter with Demeter in a thrice-plowed field in Crete. This union resulted in the birth of Plutus, the god of wealth and abundance. The location of their meeting, the thrice-plowed field, is often interpreted as a symbol of fertility and the agricultural bounty that Demeter represents.

Different accounts exist regarding Iasion's fate. Some versions claim Zeus, angered by his affair with Demeter, struck him down with a thunderbolt. Other narratives suggest that Iasion simply died of old age or another natural cause.

Iasion is linked to the Samothracian mysteries, ancient religious rituals held on the island of Samothrace. He is often considered one of the founding figures of these mysteries, which focused on themes of fertility, initiation, and the underworld. His association with Demeter and Plutus further connects him to the agricultural and chthonic aspects of these rites.

Iasion, while not a major deity or hero in the Greek pantheon, occupies a notable place in mythology as a figure connected to divine love, agricultural abundance, and the esoteric practices of the Samothracian mysteries.