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Revision as of 02:29, 10 September 2002 by Tucci528 (talk | contribs)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)Arion was a famous poet in greek mythology who lived in Corinth in Greece. He attended a musical competition in Sicily, which he won. On his return trip from Sicily, the avaricious sailors plotted to kill Arion and steal the rich prizes he carried homewards. Arion was given the choice of "suicide" with a proper burial on land, or being thrown in the sea to perish. Neither prospect appealed to Arion and he asked for permission to sing a last song to win time.
Playing his chitara, Arion song a praise to Apollo, the god of poetry, and his song attracted a number of dolphins around the ship. At the end of the song Arion threw himself in the sea rather than being killed, but one of the dolphins saved his life and carried him to safety. Arion then continued to Corinth by other means and arrived before the sailors that tried to kill him. On return to Corinth the king didn't quite believe Arion's fantastic story. The sailors believed Arion was dead in the sea, and on arrival in Corinth they told the king that Arion had decided to remain in Italy. The king then understood that Arion's story was true and punished the sailors with death.
Other variations of the story exist.
Also in Greek mythology, Arion was a horse, offspring of Demeter and Poseidon.