Phthonus

File:Phthonos.jpg

Armento vase painting 375–350 BC

In Greek mythology, Phthonus (; Ancient Greek: Φθόνος Phthónos), Template:Citation needed span was the personification of jealousy and envy, Template:Citation needed span In Nonnus's Dionysiaca, he is by proxy the cause of Semele's death, having informed Hera of Zeus's affair with the princess. He also appears in Callimachus's Hymn to Apollo, goading the god into an argument.Template:Efn Template:Cn span Furthermore, they are both Daemons.

His female counterpart was Nemesis, personification of revenge. In contrast to Phthonus’ domain being closely tied to romantic and sexual jealousy, Nemesis was more closely related to violent retribution.

This deity, already envious of Dionysus before his birth, incited jealousy in Athena by displaying an image of Ares clad in fake blood-drenched armor.Template:Efn Additionally, this provoked Hera’s envy, leading her to seek another celestial spouse as she suspected Zeus would remain with Semele.Template:Efn The deity persisted in provoking Hera and Athena, recalling Zeus’s various affairs and foretelling heroic feats for Dionysus.Template:Efn

According to Irenaeus, Gnostics believed that the first angel and Authadia conceived the children Kakia (wickedness), Zelos (emulation), Phthonus (envy), Erinnys (fury), and Epithymia (lust).Template:Efn

Further reading

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