Phthonus was the personification of jealousy and envy in matters of love. He had a large number of wives whom he killed on suspicion of adultery. He was the son of Nyx and directed Hera's attention to Zeus' many affairs, particularly that with Semele, the mother of Dionysus. He inspired Hera to trick Semele into seeing Zeus in his full glory, which killed her. However she was later resurrected and deified as Thyone, by her son.