Ophion

Ophion is a primordial deity in Greek mythology, often described as a serpent or snake-like being. He predates the Olympian gods and is considered one of the first beings to exist. In some accounts, Ophion was the ruler of the cosmos alongside his consort Eurynome, a goddess of the primal waters. Together, they are said to have governed the universe from Mount Olympus before the rise of Cronus and the Titans.

Ophion's reign was characterized by peace and order. He is sometimes depicted as having coiled himself around Mount Olympus, establishing it as the center of the world. Eurynome, his mate, is often described as dancing in the void and separating the heavens from the sea. Their rule eventually came to an end when Cronus, one of their children or a later usurper depending on the version of the myth, overthrew Ophion and cast him down into Tartarus, the deepest abyss of the underworld.

The role of Ophion varies across different tellings of the creation myths. In some traditions, he is a more benevolent figure, while in others, he is seen as a more brutish or tyrannical ruler whose time was necessarily over. His story serves as an early part of the genealogical succession of deities in Greek cosmology, illustrating the transition from primordial chaos to the more structured reign of the Titans and eventually the Olympian gods. Ophion represents an older, more fundamental power that was superseded by younger deities.