The Four Horsemen

[NYCutie]

Hey all,

I'm going to be adding some horsemen into my novel.. Now I know what each of them are, but my question is:

is one of them called Sleep for some reason?

Does that make sense?

Because a friend of mine told me one of them has a title called Sleep.

[Chase]

I'm going to be adding some horsemen into my novel.. Now I know what each of them are, but my question is . . . one of them called Sleep for some reason?


Are you talking about the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse from the Revelations of St. John: Death, Famine, Pestilence, and War?

I suppose the first horseman might be dubbed Sleep as a euphemism, as in Sleep, Hunger, Illness, and Strife. The original horsemen have been depicted in numerous ways in folklore, literature, and art. I think they were even comic book characters.

[DoomBunny]

Never heard that one before, but I kinda like it. The thing is they're not expressly named in Revelations (except for Death). For example, as much as I like the modern idea of Pestilence, the white horseman usually seems to be interpreted as representing conquest. Seeing as they're pretty vague you can call them whatever you like.

I'd also suggest reading Good Omens (Terry Pratchett, Neil Gaiman) for a few auxiliary horsemen. ;)

[Sarpedon]

In Greek mythology, Sleep and Death were brothers. IF you look at my avatar, you will see them both, taking away dead Sarpedon, under the supervision of Zeus. This might be the cause of some mythological confusion. (in Sandman, Neil Gaiman had them be brother and sister, with Death the more cheerful of the two.)

Many ancient cultures viewed sleep and death to be related conditions. I recall that in the Bible, the term 'fell asleep' is repeatedly used as a euphemism for dying.

[Ellefire]

Many ancient cultures viewed sleep and death to be related conditions. I recall that in the Bible, the term 'fell asleep' is repeatedly used as a euphemism for dying. Stillborn children are often referred to as 'born sleeping' which makes me shudder, quite frankly.

[Kitty Pryde]

I'd also suggest reading Good Omens (Terry Pratchett, Neil Gaiman) for a few auxiliary horsemen. ;)

ROFL! Yes, a very helpful citation:


Death and Famine and War and Pollution continued biking towards Tadfield. And Grievous Bodily Harm, Cruelty To Animals, Things Not Working Properly Even After You've Given Them A Good Thumping but secretly No Alcohol Lager, and Really Cool People travelled with them.

In Greek mythology, Sleep and Death were brothers. IF you look at my avatar, you will see them both, taking away dead Sarpedon, under the supervision of Zeus. This might be the cause of some mythological confusion. (in Sandman, Neil Gaiman had them be brother and sister, with Death the more cheerful of the two.)

The Sandman has Dream and Death as brother and sister. Hans Christian Andersen also had Dream (Morpheus) and Death as brothers (both named Ole Lukoje).

But anyway, Sleep sounds like kind of a weenie horseman if you ask me.

[Sarpedon]

It is clear that Dream and Sleep are the same person. Dream's greek name is Morpheus, the same as Sleep. I think Gaiman used the name Dream so that all his endless family have names beginning with D in english, for some reason. When introduced in Greek, the Endless family's names all start with different letters.

[Kitty Pryde]

It is clear that Dream and Sleep are the same person. Dream's greek name is Morpheus, the same as Sleep.

But Morpheus is the god of dreams, while his dad Hypnos is the god of sleep (in greek myth, not in the comics). Plus, Dream's other greek name is Oneiros. Anyways, weren't you talking about Hypnos upthread?

[Sarpedon]

well whatever, the point is that Death and Sleep are closely identified in mythology, ancient and modern.

[frimble3]

But anyway, Sleep sounds like kind of a weenie horseman if you ask me.
How about Asleep-at-the-Wheel? That's a bit scarier.

[Chase]

The Big Sleep, 1939 Raymond Chandler novel introducing Philip Marlow.

Howard Hawks '46 film noir of the same name with Bogie and Bacall.

[NYCutie]

So Death and Sleep are related but not the same horsemen?

[Chase]

I think most posters are saying Death and Sleep are different names for the same horseman.

[NYCutie]

hmmm that is interesting because a friend of mine called one Sleep thats why I was confused