What was Erysichthon the earth-tearer's hybris?


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Ἐρυσίχθων ὁ Θεσσαλός (Erysichthon, earth-tearer) in Greek myth once ordered all trees in the sacred grove of Demeter to be cut down. However, one huge oak was covered with votive wreaths, a symbol of every prayer Demeter had granted, and so the men refused to cut it down.

Erysichthon grabbed an axe and cut it down himself, killing a dryad nymph in the process. The nymph’s dying words were a curse on Erysichthon.

The curse left him with insatiable hunger, which eventually led him to eat his own flesh. 


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