**Phaeton** is a figure from Greek mythology, famously known as the son of the sun god **Helios** and the Oceanid nymph **Clymene** (though some sources name other figures as his mother) [1][2][3]. His name means "shining" or "radiant," derived from the Greek word for light [1].

The central myth about Phaeton involves his desire to prove his divine parentage. To do so, he travels to his father Helios’ palace and is recognized as his son. Proud and eager to demonstrate his lineage, Phaeton asks to drive the sun chariot for a day—a task only Helios himself can safely manage [1][2][3].

Despite Helios’ warnings about the dangers, Phaeton insists. Once he takes the reins, he loses control of the powerful horses. The chariot veers too close to the Earth, scorching it and causing rivers and oceans to dry up, mountains to smoke, and widespread destruction. Then it flies too high, causing freezing conditions [1][4].

To prevent further catastrophe, **Zeus** strikes Phaeton with a thunderbolt, killing him instantly. His body falls into the river Eridanus (often identified with the Po River), where he drowns. His sisters, the Heliades, mourn him so deeply that they are transformed into poplar trees, and their tears turn into amber [1][2][3][4].

The myth of Phaeton serves as an explanation for natural phenomena such as deserts and frozen wastelands, as well as the origin of amber. It also symbolizes the dangers of hubris and overreaching beyond one’s limits [1][2][4].

In summary, Phaeton is the tragic youth who, in trying to prove his divine heritage, disastrously drives the sun chariot and is struck down by Zeus to save the world from destruction.