Philomelus (; ), Philomêlos or Philomenus was a minor Greek mythology demi-god, patron of husbandry, tillage/ploughing and agriculture. His name means 'friend of ease' from philos and mêlos.
Family
Philomelus the son of
Demeter and
Iasion, and the brother of
Plutus. His son Parias gave his name to the
Parians and the city of
Parium (a town in
Mysia on the
Hellespont).
[Hyginus, De astronomia 2.4.7]
Mythology
Plutus was very wealthy, but would share none of his riches to his brother. Out of necessity, Philomenus bought two oxen, invented the wagon or plough, and supported himself by ploughing his fields and cultivating crops. His mother, admiring him for this, put him in the heavens as the constellation Boötes, his wagon or plough being the constellation
Ursa Major.
Note
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