Damasen
Domains:
Mysian Giant
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Greek Name | Transliteration | Latin Spelling | Translation |
Δαμασην | Damasên | Damasen | Tamer, Subduer |
DAMASEN was a giant of the kingdom of Lydia in Anatolia who slew a monstrous drakon (dragon) that was laying waste to the land. His name was derived from the Greek verb damazô or damasô, meaning "to subdue."
The story given by Nonnus below appears to be derived from Lydian mythology. He may be related to Manes, the earth-born first King of the Lydians described by Herodotus whose son Atyllos may be the same as Nonnus' Tylos. The pair also apparently appear in Greek mythology in the guise of Tantalos and Pelops. Pelops like Tylos is slain but restored to life by the Moirai (Fates).
The Lydian hero Damasen may also have been identified with Herakles by the Greeks. In one myth Herackles is described slaying a similar Lydian Drakon. He was probably also connected with several other giants of Lydian myth--Hyllos, Atlas, Anax, and Asterios.