Nyx in the House of Night

teaches literature. Zoey remarks that she looks like something out of a sci-fi film, with long red-blonde hair and thin Celtic knot Marks that make her face look dramatic. The vampyre Amazon queen Penthesilea is the first historical figure Zoey learns about at the House of Night in her Vampyre Sociology class with Neferet.
    Of note . . .
Another great Amazon queen’s story, that of Hippolyte and her imprint with the Greek hero Herakles, can be found in The Fledgling Handbook 101 .
    Sappho
    (Greek) taken from the seventh-century poet Sappho of the island of Lesbos
    In history . . .
Sappho is well known for her writings on the hidden lives of women. She also wrote about love between women, and it is her name from which the term “Sapphic” originates.
    In the House of Night . . .
The media librarian at the House of Night is named Sappho. The historical Sappho is portrayed as a vampyre poet.
    Vento
    (Italian) wind
    In a word . . .
The surname Vento may have derived from aventure , a bold or adventurous person. It is also the short form of the name Bonaventura , or “good fortune.”
    In the House of Night . . .
Professor Vento sided with Neferet and Kalona during the takeover of the House of Night school. (It’s possible her allegiance can be swayed any way the wind blows.)
    In reality . . .
Professor Vento is based on a real person, Steve Vento, a teacher and band director at South Intermediate High School in Tulsa (the basis for Zoey’s former high school).
    • • •
    The Sons of Erebus
    Darius
    (Persian/Greek) 1. To possess; rich, kingly 2. Upholder of the good
    In history . . .
Darius was a popular name among ancient Persian kings, but the most well known was Darius the Great, who conquered parts of Greece to greatly expand the Persian empire. He organized a new monetary system and declared Aramaic the official language. In addition to numerous building projects, he left behind his autobiography, the Behistun Inscription, carved onto the face a cliff.
    In the House of Night . . .
Darius is Aphrodite’s sworn warrior and consort. He was gifted with super speed by Nyx, and though he is a young vampyre, he demonstrates vast knowledge and skills that have kept Zoey and her circle alive from book to book. Clearly, he’s a warrior who upholds the good!
    Aristos
    (Greek) excellence
    In a word . . .
The root word aristo can also be found in the word aristocracy, a governing body comprised of the most qualified individuals or nobility in a society.
    In the House of Night . . .
Aristos is a warrior of the Sons of Erebus, whose gifted male vampyres are known for their excellence in battle and their fierce protection of their priestesses.
    Ate
    (Greek) taken from the Greek goddess Ate
    In myth . . .
The daughter of Eris (Strife/Discord), Ate was the personification of ruin, rash foolishness of blind impulse, and delusion.
    In literature . . .
P.C., who taught William Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar for over a decade, took the name Ate from one of her favorite parts of the play, Mark Antony’s soliloquy over Caesar’s body: “And Caesar’s spirit, raging for revenge, with Ate by his side come hot from hell, shall in these confines with a monarch’s voice cry ‘Havoc!’ and let slip the dogs of war, that this foul deed shall smell above the earth with carrion men, groaning for burial.”
    In the House of Night . . .
Ate was the leader of the Sons of Erebus. He was killed while coming to the defense of Shekinah in Untamed . Though his actions during the rise of Kalona did not mirror that of his goddess namesake, the actions of the House of Night vampyres following his death, especially their acceptance of Kalona as Erebus and Neferet as Nyx, truly followed the spirit of the goddess of delusion and blind impulse. And, much like what happened to Brutus and the other Roman conspirators after their rash murder of Caesar, this acceptance swiftly leads the House of Night to dark ruin and tragedy in Hunted .
    • • •
    The Vampyre High Council
    Aether
    (Greek) pure fresh air; clear sky
    In mythology . . .
Aether, the son of Nyx and Erebus, is the first of the elemental gods in Greek myth. He is the personification of the heavens and the upper regions of space.
    In the House of Night . . .
Though her namesake is male, Aether is a woman, and a member of the vampyre high council.
    Shekinah
    (Hebrew) the glorious presence or manifestation of God dwelling among men
    In mythology . . .
In Judaism, the Shekinah sometimes