Arathrax
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 kingship. As the progenitor fo 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.
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.
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
Lord Skiánthra is his servant who bears his missions and commendations to mortals on earth, and serving 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.
See Also
- Aireánnau Mother of the Folk
- Annunciation to Saint Aireánnau
- Deliverance of Saint Aireánnau
- Isxinthion Gods
- Skiánthra
- Sun Gods
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