Definition:

Icarus was the son of the inventive Daedalus. Daedalus was in Crete where he was imprisoned with his son. To escape, Daedalus fashioned two sets of wings. He applied one pair onto himself and the other onto his son Icarus. Before they flew away, Daedalus instructed Icarus to follow him and avoid flying too close to the sun lest the glue (beeswax) melt. Icarus did not obey. He soared so high the wings came apart and Icarus plunged to his death in the Icarian Sea, which was named for Icarus.

Examples:

In Metamorphoses VIII.183-235, Ovid tells the story of Daedalus and Icarus.

Phaethon is another son whose erratic flying led to his death.

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Daedalus and Icarus Quiz