Hybris (mythology)

In Greek mythology, Hybris (/ˈhaɪbrɪs/; Ancient Greek: Ὕβρις, lit. 'wanton violence', 'insolence')^[1] was the personification of insolence.^[2]^{[better source needed]}^[3]

According to the mythographer Apollodorus, the god Apollo "learned the art of prophecy from Pan, the son of Zeus and Hybris (Ὕβρεως)".^[4] Whether this Pan equates to Pan, the god of shepherds and flocks, who was usually said to be the son of Hermes, remains unclear.^[5]

^ LSJ s.v. ὕβρις.
^ Bould, Andrew J. (2024). "Hybris". The A-to-Z Greek Mythology Dictionary: The Ultimate Guide to Gods, Heroes, Legendary Creatures and Myths. Square & Compass Publishing. Retrieved 30 July 2024. Hybris (Ὕβρις), spirit of outrageous behavior (Personified concept) [...] Hybris was the personification of arrogance, insolence, and reckless behavior in ancient Greek mythology. As a personified concept, she embodied the extreme manifestation of pride and disrespect towards others, often leading to acts of violence, disrespecting gods or mortals alike. Hybris represented a defiance of natural order and moral boundaries, resulting in divine retribution and punishment. In Greek tragedies, characters exhibiting hybris were often portrayed as tragic figures whose downfall was inevitable due to their hubris. The concept of hybris served as a moral warning against excessive pride and the consequences of disregarding societal norms and divine authority.
^ Corngold, Stanley (3 November 2020) [2019]. "The Philosophy of Tragedy". Walter Kaufmann: Philosopher, Humanist, Heretic. Princeton: Princeton University Press. p. 291. ISBN 9780691211534. Retrieved 30 July 2024. '[...] the meaning of hybris has almost nothing to do with pride. ... The Greek verb hybrizein, found in Homer, means to wax wanton or run riot. ... The noun, hybris, means wanton violence and insolence. [...]'
^ Apollodorus 1.4.1.
^ See Frazer's note 3 to Apollodorus 1.4.1; compare with Apollodorus E.7.38.

[1] LSJ s.v. ὕβρις.

[2] Bould, Andrew J. (2024). "Hybris". The A-to-Z Greek Mythology Dictionary: The Ultimate Guide to Gods, Heroes, Legendary Creatures and Myths. Square & Compass Publishing. Retrieved 30 July 2024. Hybris (Ὕβρις), spirit of outrageous behavior (Personified concept) [...] Hybris was the personification of arrogance, insolence, and reckless behavior in ancient Greek mythology. As a personified concept, she embodied the extreme manifestation of pride and disrespect towards others, often leading to acts of violence, disrespecting gods or mortals alike. Hybris represented a defiance of natural order and moral boundaries, resulting in divine retribution and punishment. In Greek tragedies, characters exhibiting hybris were often portrayed as tragic figures whose downfall was inevitable due to their hubris. The concept of hybris served as a moral warning against excessive pride and the consequences of disregarding societal norms and divine authority.

[3] Corngold, Stanley (3 November 2020) [2019]. "The Philosophy of Tragedy". Walter Kaufmann: Philosopher, Humanist, Heretic. Princeton: Princeton University Press. p. 291. ISBN 9780691211534. Retrieved 30 July 2024. '[...] the meaning of hybris has almost nothing to do with pride. ... The Greek verb hybrizein, found in Homer, means to wax wanton or run riot. ... The noun, hybris, means wanton violence and insolence. [...]'

[4] Apollodorus 1.4.1.

[5] See Frazer's note 3 to Apollodorus 1.4.1; compare with Apollodorus E.7.38.

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