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In Ancient Greek mythology, Olethros /ˈɒlɪˌθrɒs/ (Greek: ὄλεθρος) was the personification of havoc and probably one of the Makhai.^{[citation needed]}

Olethros translates roughly in ancient Greek to "destruction", but often with a positive connotation, as in the destruction required for and preceding renewal.

Biblical use of olethros

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the King James Bible defines the word as meaning "ruin"; i.e., death, punishment, or destruction. Olethros is found in the New Testament in 1 Corinthians 5:5, 1 Thessalonians 5:3, 2 Thessalonians 1:9, and 1 Timothy 6:9, where it is translated "destruction" in most versions of the Bible. Some^[who?] believe a more accurate translation of this word in these verses would be "punishment," referring to the kind of punishment that expiates guilt and restores the sinner to communion with God.^{[citation needed]}

In popular culture

The name "Olethros" is used to refer to Destruction in The Sandman series written by Neil Gaiman.

See also

• Alala
• Alke
• Coalemus
• Homados
• Ioke
• Palioxis
• Polemus
• Proioxis

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Olethros Greek myths