Heliadae

According to the attested tradition, the Heliadae are the sons of Helios and Rhodos and grandsons of Poseidon. They are variously counted as seven (with some later variants adding names). As a group they establish civic order on Rhodes: Ochimus, the eldest, seizes control of the island; Cercaphus marries Ochimus' daughter (Cydippe) and succeeds to power; the three sons of Cercaphus — Lindus, Ialysus and Camirus — become the eponymous founders of the cities Lindos, Ialysos and Kameiros. Four brothers (Macareus, Candalus, Triopas and Actis) murdered their brother Tenages out of jealousy for his scientific skill and fled Rhodes when the crime was discovered.

Classical summaries and genealogical accounts record the Heliadae by name and role but do not provide consistent physical descriptions or iconographic attributes in the supplied sources. They are represented as mortal offspring of a god rather than as a distinct nonhuman species.

The sources describe the Heliadae as expert astrologers and seafarers and credit them with instituting cult practice on Rhodes (they are said to have been the first to introduce sacrifices to Athena at Rhodes). They are also said to have driven the Telchines out of Rhodes. Beyond these claims of technical, navigational, and cultic actions, the supplied material does not attribute specific supernatural powers.