Revision as of 19:32, 21 January 2015

Arathrax is an Isxinthion Solar Deity. According to legend, Arathrax is the firstborn issue of Amrulon and Eriu. He is a great solar divinity in his own right and the patron god of inherited kingship. As the progenitor of the demi-mortal Arathracian Race, Arathrax is held with immense esteem by the worshipers of the Arathracian Religion. After the passing of the Yophenthean Empire, the role of Arathrax underwent transformation. The legendary Edict of Amrulon is held to capture the motivation behind many of these changes. Arathrax continues to form many primary functions in the liturgical practices of the Yophenthean Church. His portfolio adopted the sphere of filial devotion to one’s parents, especially one’s father. Heirs, princes, future rulers, and those of Yophenthean heritage often worship him.

He is the rescuer of his brother, Rhio, from the Chaos Gods who kidnapped him. Arathrax struggled indirectly against his half-brother, Thwar and their conflict mirrors the conflict between the Sun Gods and the Sky Gods. Arathrax is held to represent lawful order, lawful succession of hereditary monarchy, and the orderly progression of the sun through the year and the zodiac. Arathrax shares many of his holy days with his father Amrulon and other sun gods, especially the solstices. He is protector of crops, harvests, and his priests instruct farmers to know best when to plant crops and when to harvest them.

Depiction in Art

In art, Arathrax is depicted in many ways. The most common shows him standing in a golden chariot pulled by sixteen horses, representing the sixteen months of the solar year. He bears a helmet, a breastplate, greaves, and sword of beaming gold, along with a cuirass and boots of golden cowhide. He is the most important of the solar divinities, after Amrulon. He is the bearer of the sun and considered a manifestation of the sun.

Rescue of Rhio

In myth, Arathrax rescues his younger brother, the solar and wine god, Rhio, from the gods of chaos.

Death and Resurrection of Arathrax

Arathrax's death and resurrection is re-enacted everyday with the setting and rising of the sun, the sun chariot of Arathrax. Arathrax dies and rises from the death and with his resurrection attains the power to raise his family members from the power of death to the realm of Eránatazar. This process was re-enacted in secret sacraments known only to initiates, the most sacred components of the so-called the Rites of Arathrax.

In the story, the god Threy causes Talithuz, the draconic god of the depths, to rise from the depths and slay Arathrax in the night. Arathrax and Talithuz fight one another and Talithuz is victorious. Elystra gives up her life in order to redeem Arathrax from the under world. Arathrax rises from the dead, now immune to the power of Talithuz. He fights Talithuz, slays the draconic monster, and then realizes the power to raise the dead. He raises Elystra from the dead. In all but the earliest accounts, Threy acknowledges Arathrax's final victory and yields to him the secret of immortal life.

Chariot of Arathrax

Arathrax is often depicted in poetry and art driving the chariot of the sun in behalf of his father, Amrulon. Sixteen steeds draw the splendid golden chariot across the sky. The chariot represents the sun in his course across the sky.

Arathrax in Arathracian Theology

Arathrax is called "Father and Son," the Father, because he is the father of Erithraigean and the other seven of the Eight Sons of Aireánnau, and the Son, because he is the firstborn son of the god Amrulon. Arathrax has replenished the human race through his demi-mortal offspring enriching manking and enabling his followers to bless and enrich other humans.

Skiánthra

Main article: Skiánthra

Lord Skiánthra is the servant and totemic beast of Arathrax who bears the god's missions and commendations to mortals on earth and serves as an intermediary between gods and mortals. Skiánthra appears as a giant golden eagle and is called Lord of Golden Eaglekind. In Arathracian theology, Skiánthra is the means by which the sacred seed of Arathrax was transmitted to the pool of water in which the maiden Aireánnau bathed and conceived each demi-mortal son of Arathrax, in his turn. Thus, Skiánthra is seen as an intermediary between humans and the god Arathrax.

Father of Arathraciots

Main article: Arathraciot

Arathrax is regarded as the father of the Arathraciot Demi-Mortal race. Just as Elystra is the heavenly companion of Arathrax, Aireánnau was his earthly consort, raised to a heavenly afterlife. In later Arathracian thought, the role of Elystra was completely eclipsed by the ascended station of Aireánnau whose ascension foreshadowed the ascension of her son, Erithragean. Arathrax's conquest of death enabled him to raise the members of his family from death and thus to raise his followers from the power of death.

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 Arathrax's death and resurrection is re-enacted everyday with the setting and rising of the sun, the sun chariot of Arathrax. Arathrax dies and rises from the death and with his resurrection attains the power to raise his family members from the power of death to the realm of [[Eránatazar]].  This process was re-enacted in secret sacraments known only to initiates, the most sacred components of the so-called the [[Rites of Arathrax]].
-In the story, the god [[Threy]] causes [[Talithuz]], the draconic god of the depths, to rise from the depths and slay [[Arathrax]] in the night.  Arathrax and Talithuz fight one another and Talithuz is victorious.  [[Elystra]] gives up her life in order to redeem Arathrax from the under world.  Arathrax rises from the dead, now immune to the power of Talithuz.  He fights Talithuz, slays the draconic monster, and then realizes the power to raise the dead.  He raises Elystra from the dead. In all but the earliest accounts, Threy acknowledges Arathrax's final victory and yields to him the secret of immortal life.
+In the story, the god [[Threy]] causes [[Talithuz]], the draconic god of the depths, to rise from the depths and slay Arathrax in the night.  Arathrax and Talithuz fight one another and Talithuz is victorious.  [[Elystra]] gives up her life in order to redeem Arathrax from the under world.  Arathrax rises from the dead, now immune to the power of Talithuz.  He fights Talithuz, slays the draconic monster, and then realizes the power to raise the dead.  He raises Elystra from the dead. In all but the earliest accounts, Threy acknowledges Arathrax's final victory and yields to him the secret of immortal life.
 =Chariot of Arathrax=

Difference between revisions of "Arathrax"

Revision as of 19:32, 21 January 2015

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