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Title: Myths and Legends of Ancient Greece and Rome
Author: E.M. Berens
Release Date: August 23, 2007 [EBook #22381]
Language: English
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A HAND-BOOK OF MYTHOLOGY.
THE
Myths and LegendsOF
ANCIENT GREECE AND ROME.BY
E. M. BERENS.ILLUSTRATED FROM ANTIQUE SCULPTURES.
The want of an interesting work on Greek and Roman mythology, suitable for the requirements of both boys and girls, has long been recognized by the principals of our advanced schools. The study of the classics themselves, even where the attainments of the pupil have rendered this feasible, has not been found altogether successful in giving to the student a clear and succinct idea of the religious beliefs of the ancients, and it has been suggested that a work which would so deal with the subject as to render it at once interesting and instructive would be hailed as a valuable introduction to the study of classic authors, and would be found to assist materially the labours of both master and pupil.
In endeavouring to supply this want I have sought to place before the reader a lifelike picture of the deities of classical times as they were conceived and worshipped by the ancients themselves, and thereby to awaken in the minds of young students a desire to become more intimately acquainted with the noble productions of classical antiquity.
It has been my aim to render the Legends, which form the second portion of the work, a picture, as it were, of old Greek life; its customs, its superstitions, and its princely hospitalities, for which reason they are given at somewhat greater length than is usual in works of the kind.
In a chapter devoted to the purpose some interesting particulars have been collected respecting the public worship of the ancient Greeks and Romans (more especially of the former), to which is subjoined an account of their principal festivals.
I may add that no pains have been spared in order that, without passing over details the omission of which would have marred the completeness of the work, not a single passage should be found which could possibly offend the most scrupulous delicacy; and also that I have purposely treated the subject with that reverence which I consider due to every religious system, however erroneous.
It is hardly necessary to dwell upon the importance of the study of Mythology: our poems, our novels, and even our daily journals teem with classical allusions; nor can a visit to our art galleries and museums be fully enjoyed without something more than a mere superficial knowledge of a subject which has in all ages inspired painters, sculptors, and poets. It therefore only remains for me to express a hope that my little work may prove useful, not only to teachers and scholars, but also to a large class of general readers, who, in whiling away a leisure hour, may derive some pleasure and profit from its perusal.
E. M. BERENS.
CONTENTS.
PART I.—MYTHS.
Introduction, 7
FIRST DYNASTY.
Origin of the World—
Uranus and Gæa (Cœlus and Terra), 11
SECOND DYNASTY.
Cronus (Saturn), 14
Rhea (Ops), 18
Division of the World, 19
Theories as to the Origin of Man, 21
THIRD DYNASTY.
OLYMPIAN DIVINITIES—
Zeus (Jupiter), 26
Hera (Juno), 38
Pallas-Athene (Minerva), 43
Themis, 48
Hestia (Vesta), 48
Demeter (Ceres), 50
Aphrodite (Venus), 58
Helios (Sol), 61
Eos (Aurora), 67
Phœbus-Apollo, 68
Hecate, 85
Selene (Luna), 86
Artemis (Diana), 87
Hephæstus (Vulcan), 97
Poseidon (Neptune), 101
SEA DIVINITIES—
Oceanus, 107
Nereus, 108
Proteus, 108
Triton and the Tritons, 109
Glaucus, 109
Thetis, 110
Thaumas, Phorcys, and Ceto, 111
Leucothea, 111
The Sirens, 112
Ares (Mars), 112
Nike (Victoria), 117
Hermes (Mercury), 117
Dionysus (Bacchus or Liber), 124
Aïdes (Pluto), 130
Plutus, 137
MINOR DIVINITIES—
The Harpies, 137
Erinyes, Eumenides (Furiæ, Diræ), 138
Moiræ or Fates (Parcæ), 139
Nemesis, 141
Night and Her Children—
Nyx (Nox), 142
Thanatos (Mors), Hypnus (Somnus), 142
Morpheus, 143
The Gorgons, 144
Grææ, 145
Sphinx, 146
Tyche (Fortuna) and Ananke (Necessitas), 147
Ker, 149
Ate, 149
Momus, 149
Eros (Cupid, Amor) and Psyche, 150
Hymen, 154
Iris, 155
Hebe (Juventas), 156
Ganymedes, 157
The Muses, 157
Pegasus, 162
The Hesperides, 162
Charites or Graces, 163
Horæ (Seasons), 164
The Nymphs, 165
The Winds, 170
Pan (Faunus), 171
The Satyrs, 174
Priapus, 175
Asclepias (Æsculapius), 176
ROMAN DIVINITIES—
Janus, 178
Flora, 180
Robigus, 180
Pomona, 180
Vertumnus, 181
Pales, 181
Picus, 182
Picumnus and Pilumnus, 182
Silvanus, 182
Terminus, 182
Consus, 183
Libitina, 183
Laverna, 184
Comus, 184
Camenæ, 184
Genii, 185
Manes, 185
Penates, 187
PUBLIC WORSHIP OF THE ANCIENT GREEKS AND ROMANS—
Temples, 188
Statues, 190
Altars, 191
Priests, 191
Sacrifices, 192
Oracles, 194
Soothsayers, 195
Augurs, 196
Festivals, 196
GREEK FESTIVALS—
Eleusinian Mysteries, 196
Thesmophoria, 197
Dionysia, 197
Panathenæa, 199
Daphnephoria, 200
ROMAN FESTIVALS—
Saturnalia, 200
Cerealia, 201
Vestalia, 201
PART II.—LEGENDS.
Cadmus, 203
Perseus, 205
Ion, 210
Dædalus and Icarus, 211
The Argonauts, 213
Pelops, 232
Heracles, 234
Bellerophon, 256
Theseus, 259
Œdipus, 269
The Seven against Thebes, 272
The Epigoni, 276
Alcmæon and the Necklace, 277
The Heraclidæ, 280
The Siege of Troy, 283
Return of the Greeks from Troy, 304
MYTHS AND LEGENDS OF ANCIENT GREECE AND ROME. PART I.—MYTHS. INTRODUCTION.Before entering upon the many strange beliefs of the ancient Greeks, and the extraordinary number of gods they worshipped, we must first consider what kind of beings these divinities were.
In appearance, the gods were supposed to resemble mortals, whom, however, they far surpassed in beauty, grandeur, and strength; they were also more commanding in stature, height being considered by the Greeks an attribute of beauty in man or woman. They resembled human beings in their feelings and habits, intermarrying and having children, and requiring daily nourishment to recruit their strength, and refreshing sleep to restore their energies. Their blood, a bright ethereal fluid called Ichor, never engendered disease, and, when shed, had the power of producing new life.
The Greeks believed that the mental qualifications of their gods were of a much higher order than those of men, but nevertheless, as we shall see, they were not considered to be exempt from human passions, and we frequently behold them actuated by revenge, deceit, and jealousy. They, however, always punish the evil-doer, and visit with dire calamities any impious mortal who dares to neglect their worship or despise their rites. We often hear of them visiting mankind and partaking of their hospitality, and not unfrequently both gods and goddesses become attached to mortals, with whom they unite themselves, the offspring of these unions being called heroes or demi-gods, who were usually renowned for their great strength and courage. But although there were so many points of resemblance between gods and men, there remained the one great characteristic distinction, viz., that the gods enjoyed immortality. Still, they were not invulnerable, and we often hear of them being wounded, and suffering in consequence such exquisite torture that they have earnestly prayed to be deprived of their privilege of immortality.
The gods knew no limitation of time or space, being able to transport themselves to incredible distances with the speed of thought. They possessed the power of rendering themselves invisible at will, and could assume the forms of men or animals as it suited their convenience. They could also transform human beings into trees, stones, animals, &c., either as a punishment for their misdeeds, or as a means of protecting the individual, thus transformed, from impending danger. Their robes were like those worn by mortals, but were perfect in form and much finer in texture. Their weapons also resembled those used by mankind; we hear of spears, shields, helmets, bows and arrows, &c., being employed by the gods. Each deity possessed a beautiful chariot, which, drawn by horses or other animals of celestial breed, conveyed them rapidly over land and sea according to their pleasure. Most of these divinities lived on the summit of Mount Olympus, each possessing his or her individual habitation, and all meeting together on festive occasions in the council-chamber of the gods, where their banquets were enlivened by the sweet strains of Apollo's lyre, whilst the beautiful voices of the Muses poured forth their rich melodies to his harmonious accompaniment. Magnificent temples were erected to their honour, where they were worshipped with the greatest
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