Ceyx & Alcyone
The love that calmed the sea
When King Ceyx dies in a storm, his wife Alcyone, who awaited him, throws herself into the sea in grief; moved, the gods turn them into seabirds — halcyons — who reunite each winter.
01Why it matters
From this myth come the "halcyon days," the calm days when the sea stills so they may nest.
02The conflict
The storm and the separation by the sea.
03The iconic moment
Alcyone recognizing Ceyx's body on the shore.
04What survived
The phrase "halcyon days"; Ovid's "Metamorphoses."
05Frequently asked questions
Who were Ceyx & Alcyone?
When King Ceyx dies in a storm, his wife Alcyone, who awaited him, throws herself into the sea in grief; moved, the gods turn them into seabirds — halcyons — who reunite each winter.
Why is the story of Ceyx & Alcyone famous?
From this myth come the "halcyon days," the calm days when the sea stills so they may nest.
How does the story of Ceyx & Alcyone end?
Alcyone recognizing Ceyx's body on the shore. The phrase "halcyon days"; Ovid's "Metamorphoses."
Is the story of Ceyx & Alcyone real?
Yes, Ceyx & Alcyone is based on real people and events.
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