greek myths greek mythology: The Mythe of Kaunos & Bybliss!

Kaunos & Bybliss originates from a Greek myth set in what is now Turkey. In the area around Dalaman—more specifically in Dalyan—it is more than a myth and is referred to as a legend or even simply history.

Although there are several versions of the same myth, I have chosen to recount the version I heard from our guide in the area.

Once upon a time, there was a great king named Miletos, the son of Apollo. He founded the city of Miletus (known to us today as Izmir). Together with his wife Kyane, he had twins: a boy named Kaunos and a girl they named Bybliss. As they grew older, a deep love developed between them. So deep that you could call it true love rather than brotherly/sisterly love. One day, when Miletos intercepted a letter from Bybliss to her brother Kaunos, Miletos sent his son away and instructed him to found a kingdom of his own. Bybliss had to remain in Miletos and was not allowed to follow her brother. Bybliss was furious and jumped on a wild horse and rode off into the woods, hoping to find a trace of her brother.

Kaunos founded the city of the same name, which became an important trading center due to its proximity to the Mediterranean Sea, but he missed his beloved sister. Bybliss, still searching for her brother on her wild horse, nearly died of grief. Meanwhile, the bad news about Bybliss reached her brother in the city of the same name. Kaunos is at his wits' end and decides to throw himself off the cliff. This results in his death. Not long after, Bybliss arrives in her brother's kingdom. Bybliss cries herself to death at the bottom of the cliff where her brother jumped from.

Her tears formed the river. Her beautiful hair formed the reeds along the banks. To this day, no one is allowed to remove the reeds. A myth about forbidden love. If you look at the story from a psychoanalytical perspective, you could argue that Bybliss and Kaunos are one and the same person. Just like Hansel and Gretel, together they form the anima and animus. If we ignore them, prevent them from being together, an imbalance arises with all the consequences that entails.

Bybliss jumping on a wild horse symbolizes the desire for balance. In fairy tales and myths, wild horses represent the wild self, the source of our “being.” The desire to be your complete self in freedom. Forests represent our unconscious. She gets lost in her unconscious in order to find a part of herself.

Meanwhile, the Animus, our rational male part, builds a kingdom, as is expected of him. He builds a life without a part of himself. It symbolizes that he lives the life that is expected of him, but it longs for balance, for individuation, for his true self in all the facets that make up the Psyche. So also with his anima. 'Anima', translated from Latin, means the soul.

Kaunos has essentially lost his soul, has given his soul away to the expectations of others. He lives on with a mask. Because the anima is already dying, he jumps off a cliff. What I find beautifully symbolized in this myth is the ending. At the spot where Kaunos lands after his fall and dies, Bybliss lets all her tears flow, forming a river, after which her hair forms the reeds.

Water represents life and immortality. Bybliss' hair turning into reeds symbolizes the connection with the entire Psyche. In mythology, reeds symbolize protection.

Still a happily ever after...

Kaunos A place on the historic border of Caria and Lycia. Kaunos was located along the Calbys River (now the Daylan River) and was an important trading center. All that remains of the site are ruins dating back to what is believed to be the fourth century BC. You would think this would be a gold mine for archaeologists, but this is not the case. As you see with other ancient sites, one religion or mythology often dominates. In these areas, for example, this often involves elements and temples from Greek mythology. However, this is not the case in Kaunos. Although there is a temple dedicated to the sun god Apollo, you can also see Jewish and alchemical influences. And if I am to believe our guide's brown eyes, mystical writings have even been found. A mix of cultures, in other words. You will understand why we are not allowed to dig deeper into this. This was also found in the tombs on the mountain wall. The beautiful ritual tombs high up on the rock face are the ‘Kaunos Kral Mezalan’ (or royal tombs). Unfortunately, they have been destroyed over the years by grave robbers and enthusiastic tourists, but you can still see the same thing here. Only a square can be seen at the lower tombs, which were for the ‘normal’ people. Unfortunately, thousands of years ago there was already a hierarchy, and the more important you were, the closer you could get to the gods when you died. As ‘ancient’ nobility, you were buried lying down after seven days of mourning and rituals, while important men of war were buried upright. The idea behind this was that you would remain loyal to the country even after your death, and it would also radiate power. Priests, philosophers, alchemists—in short, people with knowledge—were cremated. As you see in alchemy, fire symbolizes wisdom and knowledge. 

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