In Greek mythology, Phthonus (; Ancient Greek: æøÃÂýÿàPhthónos), was the personification of jealousy and envy, In Nonnus's Dionysiaca, he is by proxy the cause of Semele's death, having informed Hera of Zeus's affair with the princess. He also appears in Callimachus's Hymn to Apollo, goading the god into an argument. Furthermore, they are both Daemons.
His female counterpart was Nemesis, personification of revenge. In contrast to Phthonusâ domain being closely tied to romantic and sexual jealousy, Nemesis was more closely related to violent retribution.
This deity, already envious of Dionysus before his birth, incited jealousy in Athena by displaying an image of Ares clad in fake blood-drenched armor. Additionally, this provoked HeraâÂÂs envy, leading her to seek another celestial spouse as she suspected Zeus would remain with Semele. The deity persisted in provoking Hera and Athena, recalling ZeusâÂÂs various affairs and foretelling heroic feats for Dionysus.
According to Irenaeus, Gnostics believed that the first angel and Authadia conceived the children Kakia (wickedness), Zelos (emulation), Phthonus (envy), Erinnys (fury), and Epithymia (lust).