Oneiroi

Oneiroi are the personifications of dreams in ancient Greek mythology. They are described as a host of dream-spirit beings who visit mortals during sleep to deliver visions and narratives. In most traditions they are the offspring of Nyx, the Night, and Erebus, though some accounts emphasize Nyx as the sole parent. The Oneiroi dwell in the realm near Erebus and travel to the sleeper’s bed, shaping the content and form of dreams.

The most commonly named members are Morpheus, Phobetor, and Phantasos. Morpheus is the lord of dreams in human form, capable of taking on any appearance to convey messages or stories within dreams. Phobetor controls dreams featuring living beings, especially animals and monsters, and is often associated with nightmares. Phantasos is concerned with dreams of inanimate objects and landscapes, transforming ordinary scenes into surreal images. In some sources the names and roles vary, but this triad remains the best-known arrangement.

In Greek literature, the Oneiroi are used to explain the variability and elusive quality of dreams, illustrating how divine forces can influence the sleeping mind. The concept has parallels in later Roman thought and has persisted in Western art and literature through the figure of Morpheus as a symbol of dreaming. The Oneiroi are typically linked with Hypnos, the personification of sleep, as part of the night realm’s suite of dream-related powers.