The Death of Procris

The goddess of the dawn, Eos (Aurora to the Romans) kidnapped Cephalus when he was hunting, but although the two had a relationship for some time and had three children together, Cephalus then began to pine for Procris. A disgruntled Eos returned Cephalus to his wife – and put a curse on them. Procris had come into possession of a magical javelin, given by Artemis that never missed its prey, as well as a hunting hound who always caught its prey. The javelin was used by Cephalus while hunting. Cephalus sat by a tree one day, hot after hunting, and sang a little hymn to the wind (Aura). A passerby heard him and thought he was serenading a lover. Procris found out and the next day went out to find him. As he sat singing the same hymn, she thought he was singing to Aurora (Eos) and moved. Cephalus threw the javelin of Artemis into the brush, thinking the noise was an animal, and killed her. As she lay dying in her arms, she told him &quotOn our wedding vows, please never marry Aurora&quot. Cephalus went into exile.