Phaon

, a boatman of Mitylene in Lesbos. He received a small box of ointment from Venus, who had presented herself to him in the form of an old woman, to be carried over into Asia, and as soon as he had rubbed himself with what the box contained, he became one of the most beautiful men of his age. Many were captivated with the charms of Phaon, and, among others, Sappho the celebrated poete . Phaon gave himself up to the pleasures of Sappho’s company; but, however, he soon conceived a disdain for her, and Sappho, mortified at his coldne , threw herself into the sea. Some say that Phaon was beloved by the godde of beauty, who concealed him for some time among lettuces. Ælian says that Phaon was killed by a man whose bed he was defiling. Ælian , Varia Hist or i a , bk. 12 .— Ovid , Heroides , poem 21.— Palæphat us , de Incredibilia , ch. 49 .— Athenæus. — Lucian , Dialog i Mortuorum , bk. 9 .