in Greek mythology, a shepherd of great beauty, who won the love of Diana. Seeing him one night as he lay asleep on a hillside, Diana left her chariot and kissed him. This she repeated every night, but while Endymion waked enough to gaze into her eyes, he was never able to make any response. Fearful lest age should lessen his beauty, Diana begged for him from Jupiter the gift of endless sleep and carried him off to a cave on Mount Latmos.