education. As an object of faith, the countless throng of the heathen gods , when compared with the God of Christians, appear

us doctrine; but its import is commonly applied to the history of the gods and heroes of antiquity. The study of the Grecian

sm was the religion of the ancients. They acknowledged a plurality of gods . The ancients worshipped divinities by various re

ilized of all nations, admired whatever related to the worship of the gods that had been brought into their country by the c

they excelled in civilization and refinement. They represented their gods in human shape of the most excellent character. E

ir deities. The natural consequence of raising mortals to the rank of gods , was, that the actions attributed to them, blend

What were the natural consequences of raising mortals to the rank of gods ? What advantages do we derive from the study of m

ignorant of the proper attributes of the living God, supposed various gods and goddesses to have empire over the different p

cience and philosophy. They, therefore, adopted, without scruple, the gods of the conquered nations, giving the preference t

nations, giving the preference to those of Greece. The worship of the gods of Greece and Rome was generally conducted by pri

ancing, and the like. Human victims were occasionally sacrificed. The gods may be divided into Celestial, Marine, Terrestria

errestrial, and Infernal. We shall afterwards come to the subordinate gods , of whose residence the ancients had no positive

on the mythology of the Greeks? In what manner was the worship of the gods conducted? How may the gods be divided? Part I

ks? In what manner was the worship of the gods conducted? How may the gods be divided? Part I. Of the Celestial Deities.

Varron , skilled in heathen theology, enumerates thirty thousand gods . They were invented to preside over all parts of

n mentions more than three hundred Jupiters. It was so with the other gods and the demi-gods; upwards of forty Hercules were

demi-gods; upwards of forty Hercules were reckoned up; but as so many gods might disagree among themselves, the pagans felt

bsolute necessity. Jupiter himself, the first and the greatest of the gods , was subject to his decrees. He had his kind of w

re; hence, they never adored his statue as they did that of the other gods . Yet some attempted to represent him in the form

aced before him was a book in which futurity was written out. All the gods were to consult that book, because they could cha

patriarchs. Chapter I. Of the Different Orders of the Gods. The gods were divided into four orders. The first order co

were divided into four orders. The first order comprised the superior gods , who were also called Dii majorum gentium, gods o

omprised the superior gods, who were also called Dii majorum gentium, gods of the greater nations, because they were known a

ey were twenty in number, the first of whom was Jupiter. The inferior gods were comprised in the second order. They were nam

e comprised in the second order. They were named Dii minorum gentium, gods of the smaller nations, because they had no place

raised them to the rank of immortals, were also received among these gods . The fourth order contained the virtues by which

ven the miseries of life, as poverty, grief, and the like. The twenty gods of the first order were divided into two classes.

first class formed the council of Jupiter; which was composed of six gods and six goddesses. Jupiter, Neptune, Mercury, Apo

es. Jupiter, Neptune, Mercury, Apollo, Mars, and Vulcan, were the six gods . The six goddesses were called Juno, Ceres, Miner

present at the supreme council. They were called Dii selecti, select gods . Their names were, Cœlus, Saturn, Genius, Sol, Pl

first nor of the second class. The word indigetes signifies acting as gods , and semones signifies demi-men, because they wer

rior to his own. The Greeks deemed Uranus the most ancient of all the gods . The Latins called him Cœlus, or heaven. The olde

— names all denoting, earth. Questions. Into how many orders were the gods divided? What gods did the first order comprise?

g, earth. Questions. Into how many orders were the gods divided? What gods did the first order comprise? What were comprised

t did the fourth order contain? Into how many classes were the twenty gods of the first order divided? What did the first cl

rst order divided? What did the first class contain? Who were the six gods ? Who were the six goddesses? Of what was the seco

d by the ancients as the god of time. He was styled the father of the gods . Birthright secured the succession of the kingdom

n and the vine, to make bread, and to raise temples and altars to the gods , who had been previously worshipped in groves. Ja

sh and verdant garland yields his place; Why is’t that though I other gods adore, I first must Janus’ deity implore? Because

represented? Chapter IV. Of Cybele. Cybele, the mother of the gods , was the sister and wife of Saturn. Her festivals

of towers; Pasithea, because she is considered the mother of all the gods ; Bona Dea, or the “Good Goddess,” because she is

e earth. — See Fig. 4. Fig. 4. Cybele. “High as the mother of the gods in place, And proud, like her, of an immortal rac

Phrygian round, With golden turrets on her temples crown’d, A hundred gods her sweeping train supply, Her offspring all and

ygia, where they introduced the mysteries of Terra, the mother of the gods . They also affirm that Cybele gave her own name t

eir names from Corybas. In time Cybele was reckoned the mother of the gods . The goddess Astergatis was the symbol of the ear

istinguished themselves by the worship they paid to the mother of the gods . Obs. 3. — History informs us that Cybele was da

presented? Chapter VI. Of Jupiter. Jupiter, the greatest of the gods , was the son of Saturn and Cybele, and was the tw

convey Europa, &c. In a word he was the father of almost all the gods and nymphs, committing incest and lewdness in var

the Supreme God of the Heathens, and was represented as the father of gods and men, shaking heaven with his nod, and governi

ter. Varron enumerates three hundred as a part of the thirty thousand gods recognized by the Heathens. He was called Jove by

e’en from the skies; Hence he’s Elicius call’d.” Ovid. “O! king of gods and men, whose awful hand Disperses thunder on th

ining the other fables related in relation to Jupiter. Obs. 3. — The gods , whom the poets have associated with Jupiter, onl

ous forms and powers. The different animals into which the frightened gods figured themselves were nothing but their images

er his wedding more solemn, Jupiter charged Mercury to invite all the gods , men, and animals. The nymph Chelone refused to b

broke his leg by the fall. She, therefore, excited sedition among the gods to depose Jupiter; but by the help of Briareus, h

Ilithya, or Lucina. Hebe, the goddess of youth, was cupbearer to the gods . Having displeased her father Jupiter, she was re

said, ‘I thus devote thee to the dead: This off’ring to th’ infernal gods I bear.’ Thus, while she spoke, she cut the fatal

sight of the crimes which men committed, she returned with the other gods to heaven. She was the last, who left the earth,

iron such exquisite pain, that he wished to die, though immortal. The gods , moved with his complaints, granted him his reque

represents Gænymede, pouring out the nectar to Jupiter and the other gods . He also designates abundant rains which fall dur

nd impart, And from the grave a beauteous tree arise, That cheers the gods with pleasing sacrifice.” Ovid. Obs. 1. — The

ren of Niobe remained unburied for nine days, at the end of which the gods themselves buried them. Those children being dead

people placed before their houses laurel branches, in hopes that the gods would spare those who rendered that honour to the

arried on against heaven. He fought in the shape of a lion, while the gods and goddesses fled into Egypt under the forms of

omplete armour. She was immediately admitted into the assembly of the gods , and became Jupiter’s faithful counsellor. She wa

roduced a great dispute between Neptune and Minerva. The twelve great gods were chosen as arbiters of this difference. They

inerva produced an olive-tree in full bloom, the emblem of peace. The gods , having unanimously pronounced Minerva the victor

that Neptune had been surpassed by Minerva, and that the twelve great gods had decided it. Obs. 4. — The fable of Arachne,

epresented? Chapter XIX. Mars, the God of War. There were many gods of this name. Diodorus Siculus says that the firs

w him. For this, Neptune summoned him to appear before an assembly of gods (on a hill where afterwards the celebrated court

were taken. The jealous husband exposed them to the sight of all the gods , but Neptune persuaded him to set them free. Mars

etry. They gave out, that Mars had been acquitted by the twelve great gods , because the judges, twelve in number, were chose

rld. Obs. 2. — The marriage of Venus with Vulcan, the ugliest of the gods , signifies that the empire of beauty extends to t

y Anchises. Vulcan forged Jupiter’s thunderbolts, and the arms of the gods . He constructed seats in such a manner as to make

s in such a manner as to make them self-moving. They were used by the gods at table and in council; and were carried from on

ims were burnt, with no part reserved, as in immolations to the other gods . A calf and a boar-pig were the principal victims

uted to the son of Jupiter and Maia. Mercury was the messenger of the gods , the patron of travellers, shepherds, orators, me

the laws of which he was the author; Camillus, because he served the gods ; Caduceator, because he bore the caduceus; Vialis

’d in death, restores to light.” Virgil. “Thee, wing-foot, all the gods , both high and low, The arbiter of war and peace

mployed, caused him to be deemed the interpreter and messenger of the gods . The Gauls honoured him under the name of Theutat

thy to receive their highest adorations: and hence we find in all the gods of the heathens, an incongruous jumble of spiritu

ved as his portion of dominion, the empire of the sea. He engaged the gods to dethrone his brother Jupiter; for which offenc

ton is said to have frightened away the giants in their wars with the gods . This fable may be considered as a corrupted trad

hen Pluto carried away the daughter of Proserpine. They requested the gods to grant them wings to look after her about the g

fatal coast. Orpheus played on his harp, and sang the praises of the gods with such effect, that he overcome the Sirens. On

he midst of her despair, she threw herself headlong into the sea. The gods , moved with compassion, changed them both into al

When Narcissus pined away with self-love, with the assistance of the gods , he was changed into a daffodil, which plant stil

sons of Aurora and Astræus, one of the giants who waged war with the gods . They were the attendants or secretaries of Æolus

would fly before the driving soul. In fear of this the father of the gods Confined their fury to these dark abodes, And loc

des his functions, and distributes his power, among a multiplicity of gods : and bowing down to the divinities of his imagina

n blindly and madly went on, continually increasing the number of the gods of heaven, of the earth, of the seas, and of hell

gardens, meadows, countries, had divine protectors. Houses had their gods , Lares and Penates, and each of them his honours,

es, and each of them his honours, offices, and worship. At first, the gods were considered as beings invisible and superior

er, which were called Consentes. These differed from the twelve great gods , of whom we have previously spoken. Jupiter and T

good success, watched to procure good crops. Such were the principal gods of the earth. Their functions and names prove tha

36. Vertumnus. As Pomona had received the addresses of all the rural gods with perfect indifference, it devolved upon Vertu

p in the capitol. He was marked among the great terrestrial and rural gods . Populonia was worshipped, that she might preven

What god did the ancients invoke to have their fields harrowed? What gods preside over sowing and raking? What deity presid

atyrs, who inhabited forests and mountains, are painted as libidinous gods , with short horns on the head, and with the feet

e use of his blasts to throw her headlong from the top of a rock. The gods changed her into a pine tree, a tree sacred to Pa

notes, like one that seem’d to mourn. The new, but pleasant notes the gods surprise, Yet this shall make us friends at least

Chapter VII. The Penates and Lares. The Penates were household gods , presiding over houses and families. When they re

s; concluding that they composed Jupiter’s council, the chiefs of the gods ; and Jupiter, Juno, and Minerva, are often invoke

when they governed cities only, they were called Dii Patrii, or the “ gods of the country,” or “great gods;” and when they p

they were called Dii Patrii, or the “gods of the country,” or “great gods ;” and when they preside over particular houses an

lar houses and families, they are called “Pavique Penates,” or “small gods .” Their statues were sometimes made of wax, ivory

and the like. The Lares, sons of Mercury by Lara, were also inferior gods , who presided over houses and families. In proces

of protecting the inhabitants. Obs. — Æneas introduced the household gods from Phrygia. Jacob carried away those of his fat

their cradles to their graves. They carried the prayers of men to the gods , and delivered them up to judgment. Just men, aft

as being of superior dignity to man, but of a nature inferior to the gods . They existed in different countries, whence they

s, where the Romans superscribed D. M. that is, Diis Manibus, (To the gods Manes,) and over funeral inscriptions, to intimat

y extolled his justice, his piety, and his courage; and entreated the gods to receive him into the abode of happiness. The a

ance. Acheron, whose waters were extremely bitter; Styx, by which the gods used to swear, and which made nine times the circ

he massy gates, impenetrably strong. In vain would men, in vain would gods essay, To hew the beams of adamant away. Here ros

it had quenched the thirst of the Titans, during their fight with the gods . It runs through Thesprotia, takes its rise in th

The Styx is fabled to have been the daughter of the Ocean; and hence, gods swore by her. If they neglected it; Jupiter order

dreadful in Hell’s dark abodes, And mortals hate him, as the worst of gods .’’ Great prince o’ th’ gloomy regions of the dead

t enough to dethrone Jupiter; and when they fought with the celestial gods , they heaped mountains upon mountains, and, at th

by Jupiter’s thunderbolts, Apollo’s arrows, and the arms of the other gods . Serpents and venomous animals were produced from

he made war upon heaven, to avenge the death of his brethren; and the gods , under different figures, were obliged to flee in

gs o’er his cursed head. Learn justice, hence, and don’t despise the gods . Sisyphus was brother to Athamas and Salmoneus.

nymede; and of hers, that, having been introduced at the table of the gods , he had revealed their secrets, and stolen away t

ling the following story: Tantalus was honoured with a visit from the gods whose divinity he wished to try. He killed and qu

his own son Pelops, and served up his limbs as food for them. All the gods were shocked at so horrible a repast; but Ceres,

p, ate one of the child’s shoulders, without taking notice of it. The gods ordered Mercury to recall him to life, and gave h

as the ancients entertained of eternity. All the genealogies of their gods prove that they could not conceive a divinity wit

the fear of a severe chastisement. Fear was always added to the other gods when oaths were pronounced. Atea or Discord was d

riven from Olympus by Jupiter, because she endeavoured to embroil the gods , and she came to the earth to exercise her furies

y in finding fault, and turning into ridicule even the actions of the gods themselves. Though at first his bitter jests were

his word from eros, love, to signify that heroes were the sons of the gods by mortal wives, or of the goddesses by men; but

enerally adopted. This name was at first given to the children of the gods and mortals; but in time it was granted to all ce

that, after death, the souls of great men inhabited the abodes of the gods . This opinion gave rise to the worship paid to th

his opinion gave rise to the worship paid to them. The worship of the gods and that of the heroes were not the same. Sacrifi

cadians, Messenians, and Thebans, began by offering sacrifices to the gods ; they next invoked the heroes of their country. I

ir celebrity was extended entirely beyond the family. They became the gods Penates, although the rest of the world remained

ts erected to the heroes of the country, resembled the temples of the gods ; and to pay them a still more solemn homage there

h was necessary to him. Perseus, on his return to Greece, thanked the gods for the success of his journey. He consecrated th

he ship was named Pegasus. Olympus was reputed to be the abode of the gods . The poets embellished these two circumstances by

oment on earth, and then directed his flight towards the abode of the gods . Perseus consecrated some parts of his ship in th

he heard of the birth of his grandson? How was Perseus favored by the gods ? What monster was produced from the blood of Medu

troyed, advised him to go to Colchis, and gain the golden fleece. The gods had given Athamas, king of Thebes, a ram, the fle

to them? Which of the heroes fought most valiantly? What part did the gods take in this war? By what stratagem did the Greek

th distinguished hospitality, this man killed the only ox he had. The gods , admiring his goodness of heart and his generosit

nded to have a son without a wife. His request was granted. The three gods caused Orion to spring from the skin of that very

ry makes mention of their principal deities. They adopted eight great gods : the Sun, Saturn, Rhea, Jupiter, Vulcan, Vesta, a

run over Asia and Europe, every where introducing the worship of the gods and a respect for the Supreme Being. Plutarch th

heatre. Before Serapis was introduced, the Egyptians worshipped their gods with prayers and frankincense only. By the exampl

ed? Before Serapis was introduced, how did the Egyptians worship the gods ? Who was Harpocrates? What were his offerings? Wh

ddess of wine. When, after the deluge, the ocean was disturbed by the gods with the mountain Mandar, she arose from it, and

ss of the light, and seeing the world a desert, he ordered one of the gods to cut his head, in order to mix with the blood,

g to them that Xixutrus had gone up to heaven, and sat in the rank of gods with those who accompanied him. The same voice ex

sun, and that their time was employed in music, dancing, praising the gods , and enjoying each other’s society. They imagined

itable age, she was permitted to marry. The Mexicans had 14 principal gods . They called their supreme god Teotl. They descri

the goddess of cradles. Different tribes of Mexicans worshipped their gods of war, the chief of whom was Mex-it-li, the most

god of mirth, a god of gold, a god of merchants, a mother of all the gods , and the Tep-it-o-tine, the same as the Penates.

mages, the nobles four, and the lower people two. The number of these gods , besides those which we have briefly mentioned, w

hese different mythologies, enforces the conclusion, that most of the gods were men, whose exploits had rendered them illust

brances of which tradition and religious canticles had preserved. The gods and fables of the poets must not be confounded wi

ans worship a god and goddess of hell? Who was Jo-al-ti-cit? How many gods of war did the Mexicans worship? What deities did

ies, was not established at once, but by little and little. The false gods were at first honored in a gross manner. Altars o

les was always highly adorned. In them were placed the statues of the gods , which were generally made of gold, ivory, ebony,

essed temples equally ancient; but they were erected in honour of the gods . Herodotus mentions among others, that of Vulcan,

ned in Egypt after the time in which the Egyptians pretended that the gods alone reigned over them. Chapter III. Temple o

nsecrated, as, in the time of Paganism, is was consecrated to all the gods . It is generally supposed to have been built by t

f artillery which are in the palace of St. Angelo. The statues of the gods , which filled the niches, have been plundered or

ollo only, delivered oracles; but, in process of time, almost all the gods , and a great number of heroes, obtained this priv

e Fontenelle) to the mysterious ceremonies of oracles. Almost all the gods , and the greatest number of demigods and heroes,

ts. A governor of Cicilia, says Plutarch, wished to send a spy to the gods . He gave his emissary a sealed billet to be hande

accounts herself a Christian. She recommends the worship of the false gods , orders the sacrifice of human victims, and after

e Scythians, either that he might be considered a man inspired by the gods , or because he was the first priest or the chief

the heroes of all these nations, pretended to be descended from their gods , and especially from the god of war. The historia

ared that he was going into Scythia, to take his place with the other gods at an eternal banquet, where he would receive, wi

ued and corrupted by the arms and luxury of the Romans, adopted their gods , and submitted to their yoke. We may, therefore,

alteration which it received after Odin, related to the number of the gods to be worshipped. The Scythians adopted, as the c

ll it Mercredi. Odin was called Alfadur, (father of all,) because the gods were descended from him and his wife Frigga, or W

He had upwards of one hundred and twenty names. The residence of the gods is Asgard, a fortress whence the bridge Bifrost l

he place of meeting, the most splendidly ornamented of all, where the gods administered justice. Herein appeared Gladheim, t

n they had for Earth. They called her mother earth, the mother of the gods . The Phœnicians adored these two principles under

a thunderbolt. He was looked upon as the defender and avenger of the gods . Besides that club, which returned of itself to t

it. It was with these dreadful arms that he fought the enemies of the gods . The three divinities just named, composed the co

divinities just named, composed the courts or supreme council of the gods . They were the principal objects of worship. But

termined. We shall merely give an outline. The Edda enumerates twelve gods and twelve goddesses, who received divine honors,

s, but whose power was subordinate to that of Odin, the oldest of the gods , and the principle of all things. Such was Niord,

rda, Gymer’s daughter. The Celts placed Niord in the rank of inferior gods ; but the importance and extent of his empire, cau

una, the goddess of youth, had charge of certain apples, of which the gods ate when they felt the approach of old age, and t

noise of which was heard in all worlds. Hermode, the messenger of the gods , was armed with a helmet and mail. Vidar, the god

rs and the air. Hoder, the blind god, was the murderer of Balder. The gods never forgot his violent actions, and would not h

bad principle the name of Loke, and placed it in the number of their gods . He was the son of the giant Farbaute and of Lauf

arbaute and of Laufeya. He is, says the Edda, the calumniator of the gods , the artificer of frauds, the opprobrium of the g

lumniator of the gods, the artificer of frauds, the opprobrium of the gods and of men. He is beautiful of body, but malignan

ris, the serpent Migdard, and Hela or death, all being enemies of the gods , who, after divers efforts, inclosed the wolf Fen

he divides among those who are sent to her. Loke was locked up by the gods in a cave shut by three sharp stones, where he sh

il the end of time, and then be killed by Hiemdal, door-keeper to the gods . The Icelandic Mythology counted twelve goddesses

l, neither daughters of heaven, nor born in hell; neither begotten by gods , nor acknowledged by immortal mothers; and are na

us face, So stern, and yet so passionless.” Helga. The court of the gods was usually held under a large oak, where they ad

age. Having thus enumerated the names and attributes of the principal gods , we will now proceed to set forth some of the ten

is whole family. Then a new world was formed. The sons of Bor, or the gods , hurried the body of the giant into the abyss, an

hores of which they placed giants. One day as the sons of Bor, or the gods , walked there, they found two floating pieces of

Glemur, the god of joy. Disapproving of his presumptuous conduct, the gods carried away his children, and took them up to th

man and a woman were born of his sides; that race of the sons of the gods ; that deluge from which one man alone escaped wit

followed the deluge; that first man, that first woman, created by the gods , and who received motion from them: all this can

existing, but without form and life, was animated and disposed by the gods in the order which we now admire it. No heathen r

chiefly confined to their being intrepid in war, to their serving the gods , and appeasing them by sacrifices, to their being

i and of giants, conducted by their princes, will enter to attack the gods ; but Hiendal, the door-keeper of the gods, will a

s, will enter to attack the gods; but Hiendal, the door-keeper of the gods , will arise and blow his roaring trumpet; the god

door-keeper of the gods, will arise and blow his roaring trumpet; the gods will awake and meet again; the great oak will sha

ll shake its branches; and heaven and earth will be full of fear. The gods will arm, and the heroes take sides in battle. Od

idar, (the conqueror,) and Wale, (the powerful,) will remain with the gods . Mode, (mental power,) and Magne, (strength,) wil

among the Celts; and upon it they founded the obligation to serve the gods , and to be brave in battle. Were it not for that

lies in massive tomb, Shrouded by night’s eternal gloom. Fairer than gods , and wiser, she Held the strange keys of destiny,

wiser, she Held the strange keys of destiny, Ere world there was, or gods , or man; No mortal tongue has ever said, What han

h. The Celtic religion generally taught that it was offending the gods to pretend to lock them up in an inclosure of wal

and the most beautiful fruits of the earth, covered the altars of the gods . But in process of time, animals came to be immol

, that the effusion of the blood of animals appeased the wrath of the gods , and averted the strokes intended for the punishm

ople of the North believed that the number three was cherished by the gods . Every ninth month or three times three, great sa

upon the sacred wood. With it, they also besmeared the images of the gods , the altars, the benches, and the walls of the te

he kings and chief lords first gave toasts or salutes in honor of the gods ; after which each one drank whilst making his pra

us prejudices, and dark conceptions which make men imagine sanguinary gods like themselves. Hence, those bloody rites which

e already observed, that most nations give for their founders, either gods or imaginary heroes. We have shown that the Greek

sts. The function of the druids, of an inferior rank, was to sing the gods and heroes. The conquerors, jealous of immortaliz

evident, that Esus, Dis, Pluto, Samothes, Teutates, and various other gods , had not come to their knowledge until by their c

te, the goddes of victory: the Romans also brought them some of their gods . Tacitus and Dion Cassius assure us, that it was

s of their religion. The Magi rejected the opinion which gives to the gods a human origin, and did not separate them into go

hich gives to the gods a human origin, and did not separate them into gods and goddesses. It was the same with the Druids. B

this cruel degradation. The conquests of Julius Cesar introduced new gods into Gaul; and the first temples were at that tim

, the science of predicting future events, the care of consulting the gods , of replying in their names, and of studying natu

religious. The fundamental points were reduced to three: Worship the gods ; Injure no body; and Be courageous. Their science

ars, or enclosed in osier baskets to be burned alive in honour of the gods . 12. Intercourse with foreigners must not be perm

ty of the Druids was reduced to three principal points: Honour to the gods , injury to no one, and courage. But it is not eas

ons, were considered deities by the ancients; and that a multitude of gods , as an object of faith, is preposterous. The firs

, and become earthly in an eminent degree without being earth, so the gods by their elevation are closely united to the Firs

s which surround the earth. “According to this theology, also, of the gods some are mundane, but others, supermundane. The m

ouls. Hence, they are distinguished into three orders. Of the mundane gods , likewise, some are the causes of the existence o

beauty is not concealed in subjects of sensible inspection. As these gods likewise primarily possess the world, it is neces

rily possess the world, it is necessary to consider the other mundane gods as subsisting in them; as Bacchus in Jupiter, Æsc

y, his immediate energy must be deific, and his first progeny must be gods , just as the souls are the immediate progeny of o

, viz. ‘There is one God, the king and father of all things, and many gods sons of God, ruling together with him. This the G

even proceed to the utmost shores of the ocean, there, too, there are gods rising very near to some, and setting very near t

to some, and setting very near to others.’ By the rising and setting gods , he means the stars, which, according to the paga

[Epigraph] ”Thou shall have no other gods before me.” [Bible] [Dedication] TO MY LIT

eason, and excite the imagination. I know that the stories of heathen gods and goddesses are somewhat out of date — that rec

of the world, and who are educated as Christians, often hear of other gods besides that true and only God who is represented

made to Adam, Noah, and other patriarchs, and invented new and false gods , whom they adored. It pleased God to select one n

of ancient and modern paganism. ——— Mythology is the history of the gods and goddesses who have been worshipped by heathen

me Being by the Hebrews. All other nations believed in a plurality of gods , or many gods. This is Polytheism. The history of

e Hebrews. All other nations believed in a plurality of gods, or many gods . This is Polytheism. The history of the fabulous

one person to another. Wicked men particularly described God, or the gods , as they called the Supreme Being,) to be as wick

the ancient mythology. Painters have drawn beautiful pictures of the gods and goddesses, and sculptors have represented the

he Celestial, the Terrestrial, the Marine, and the Infernal Gods. The gods of heaven, of earth, of the sea, and of hell. The

en, of earth, of the sea, and of hell. The principal of the celestial gods was Jupiter — the supreme divinity of paganism, t

al gods was Jupiter — the supreme divinity of paganism, the father of gods and men. Besides Jupiter, five gods and six godde

vinity of paganism, the father of gods and men. Besides Jupiter, five gods and six goddesses were of the higher order of dei

desses were Juno, Minerva, Ceres, Venus, Dian, and Vesta. Besides the gods there were demi-gods. These were originally men w

ies? Whence did the Greeks derive their religion? How are the heathen gods classed? Who are the chief gods and goddesses? Wh

e their religion? How are the heathen gods classed? Who are the chief gods and goddesses? Who are demi-gods? What is a perso

, and sometimes Berecynthia. Cybele was regarded as the mother of the gods , and was thence called Magna Mater — the Great Mo

d image of Minerva, and the images of Lares and Penates, or household gods , which Æneas saved from the destruction of Troy,

god of the heathens, the governor of heaven and earth, the father of gods and men, the lord of the elements, and the dispen

s names were Optimus Maximus, or the Best and Greatest; Jove, king of gods and men; the Thunderer, as master of thunder and

slation. Jove’s peculiar habitation, and that of the other celestial gods , was supposed to be Olympus, a mountain of Greece

mountains in the ancient world. Fate signifies a fixed purpose of the gods , — a determination of the divine mind which could

is anvil. The cunning and address of Mercury recommended him to those gods , and Jupiter chose him for his special messenger.

sted in heaven. In the Iliad, Jupiter addresses him thus: Of all the gods that tread the spangled skies, Thou most unjust,

was the god of fire, of smiths, and of metals, and the armorer of the gods . The working of metals is a most important circum

Jupiter, on account of her beauty, chose Hebe for his cup-bearer. The gods of the heathen were not represented as pure intel

ngs, ch. xviii. Homer, in the first book of the Iliad, describes the gods as having left the high Olympus, and being absent

ing left the high Olympus, and being absent in Ethiopia. The sire of gods , and all the ethereal train, On the warm limits o

ng swift, rolled down the rapid light, Then to their starry domes the gods depart, The shining monuments2 of Vulcan’s art. J

but the ever-wakeful eyes of Jove. Iliad, Book II. The food of the gods was not supposed to be formed of the gross alimen

ere he poured out nectar for Jupiter. Who was Hebe? Were the heathen gods supposed to be spirits? How did the prophet Elija

phet Elijah deride this false notion of God? Does Homer represent the gods as omnipresent, that is, filling every part of th

erse at once? Did the heathen deities sleep? What was the food of the gods ? Why was Hebe dismissed by Jupiter? Who was Ganym

isputed for the honour of giving a name to the capital of Attica. The gods decided that whichsoever should bestow the most u

this terrific head. Perseus, in this expedition, was assisted by the gods . Mercury gave him a cimeter, and the wings from h

l hath persuaded and turned away much people, saying, that they be no gods which are made with hands: so that not only this

ry and music, companions of Apollo, directresses of the feasts of the gods . They are represented as nine beautiful virgins,

the trumpeter of Neptune, terrified the giants in their war with the gods , by the sound of his instrument. ——— The Sirens

from consulting the Oracle of Delphi, threw herself into the sea. The gods , pitying the unhappy fate of Ceyx and Halcyone, c

mong the Romans, who placed her in the Pantheon, or temple of all the gods . Pomona was represented under the form of a beaut

inities. Lares and Penates. The Lares and Penates were Roman gods , who presided over empires, cities, highways, hou

any brute animal; therefore he was a proper companion of the domestic gods . The Lares were placed on a hearth in the hall; a

th garlands, and sacrifices were offered to them. The other household gods , the Penates, were worshipped only in an interior

they drank of Lethe, forgot their sufferings, and were removed by the gods to some happy state of existence. The poet Virgil

he massy gates, impenetrably strong. In vain would men, in vain would gods essay. To hew the beams of adamant away.     Here

The Furies were supposed to be ministers of the vengeance of the gods , especially employed in punishing the wicked upon

recipitated into Tartarus for having made war against Jupiter and the gods ; they were Atlas, Briareus, Gyges, Iapetus, Hyper

dered his own son, Pelops, and served up his body at a banquet of the gods , was condemned to the ever-enduring pain of parch

could associate together in another world, so they conceived that the gods would appoint them separate abodes — one a happy

er from heaven, because she created ill will and contention among the gods . Health. The Greeks worshipped health unde

-brother, Sleep.” One of the ancients called Sleep, the happy king of gods and men, because he supposed the immortals, excep

triumphs, and observe days to commemorate him. At first, they say the gods assisted him, but after many years, those who hea

accomplished these services to mankind. And so heroes come to be “as gods revered.” Hercules, one of the most renowned o

ed to him his reason, and admonished him to submit to the will of the gods . Thus instructed, Hercules resolved to bear with

s instructed, Hercules resolved to bear with fortitude whatever trial gods or men should impose upon him. When he undertook

n him. When he undertook the enterprises commanded by Eurystheus, the gods armed him for his labours. Minerva gave him a hel

t fire to the pile, he expired in the flames, and was received by the gods in heaven. Hercules is sometimes called Alcides.

th, take care of their flocks, make comfortable garments, worship the gods , and leave off injuring one another, they would b

ntigone. As soon as Theseus approached him, Œdipus exclaimed that the gods had appointed that spot on which he stood for his

“To the fairest.” Each claimed the apple, and each demanded it of the gods . To settle the question, the three disputants wer

erning the taking of Troy. It is said that it had been decreed by the gods that Troy should not fall till large numbers of t

t, revealed to Ulysses the place where Hercules was interred; and the gods , to punish his perjury, suffered him to let fall

erva informed him that all had been done according to the will of the gods . The three friends in due time arrived at Argos,

sey, says, this protracted voyage was owing to the displeasure of the gods on account of some neglect in the worship due to

perous wind; No vows had we preferred, nor victim slain! For this the gods each favouring gale restrain. Odyssey , Book IV.

ther by surprise, and hold him till he should declare the will of the gods , of which he was informed. Menelaus did as he was

a; and Proteus informed him by what religious services to appease the gods , and gain a prosperous voyage. Having received th

hat Ulysses still lived. Menelaus, as soon as he knew the will of the gods , performed the ceremonies required, and erected a

Agamemnon. These rights to piety and grief discharged, The friendly gods a springing gale enlarged: The fleet swift tiltin

ce. Ajax swam to a rock, and declared himself safe, in despite of the gods . This impiety offended Neptune, who shook the roc

helmed; but frowning on the floods, Impious he roared defiance to the gods ; To his own prowess all the glory gave, The power

as he should live; but after he had resided with her seven years, the gods commanded him to leave Calypso, and return to Ith

oy was afterwards taken, the family of Priam tied to the altar of the gods for protection. Priam, in this last conflict, clo

is shoulders his aged father, Anchises, and in one hand his household gods , while he led, in his other hand, his young son,

what is signified by the word apotheosis? ——— Besides the history of gods and demi-gods, compends of Mythology usually cont

nimal. All sacrifices and religious ceremonies; addresses to superior gods ; serious writings, and worldly affairs of moment,

arose from the ocean, when, after the deluge, it was disturbed by the gods , with the mountain Mandar, and forced to throw up

mation of the world; the creation of its various inhabitants, giants, gods , men and dwarfs. It then proceeds to a descriptio

chose. According to Scandinavian mythology giants existed before the gods ; who were supposed to be born, to reign, and to d

die, like earthly monarchs. Odin, or Wodin, was the greatest of their gods . The particular abode of Odin was called Lidskial

roughout all worlds. He was esteemed to be the standard bearer of the gods ; the judge and pacificator of combats and dispute

isputes. He was represented with a cock’s crest upon his head. To the gods just described, may be added several children of

r the trial by duel; and Forseti, who decided the differences between gods and men. Iduna, queen of youth; Saga, goddess of

lies in massive tomb, Shrouded by night’s eternal gloom. Fairer than gods , and wiser, she Held the strange keys of destiny.

tiny. She knew what chanced ere time began; Ere worlds there were, or gods , or man; No mortal tongue has ever said, What han

e principal abode of Loke, the cruel, cunning, and malicious enemv of gods and men. Here resided Hela, the dreadful goddess

is region of horrors roamed the wolf Fenris, a monster dreaded by the gods , as destined to be one instrument of their destru

alhalla, his hall; and there to pour out for them the beverage of the gods . On steeds that seemed as fleet as light, Six ma

, by fire. Criminals were deemed the offerings most acceptable to the gods ; but when these were wanting, innocent persons we

on the “high places,” in the open air. Baal was the chief of Syrian gods ; this name only signifies lord. Moloch was anothe

worshipped. The poet Milton, in Paradise Lost, describes these Syrian gods . Next Moloch, horrid king, besmeared with blood

aal, and what was his worship? Who was Dagon, and the other principal gods of the Philistines? How has Milton noticed the Sy

principal gods of the Philistines? How has Milton noticed the Syrian gods ; Moloch; Chemos; Thammuz; Dagon? What does the pa

arious operations of the natural world. It was believed that the good gods , Orosmades and Mithras, would finally defeat Arim

declared himself to his creatures, savages describe that God as many gods , and fancy that the warm sun, and the mild moon,

warm sun, and the mild moon, or the refreshing waters, are themselves gods , or that there are gods who live in the sun, moon

oon, or the refreshing waters, are themselves gods, or that there are gods who live in the sun, moon, and ocean, to take car

instead of him who made them. In time they give names to these false gods , add stories of virtuous men, to those that have

, add stories of virtuous men, to those that have been related of the gods , and call these virtuous men gods also. To honour

those that have been related of the gods, and call these virtuous men gods also. To honour the gods properly, it is necessar

ted of the gods, and call these virtuous men gods also. To honour the gods properly, it is necessary to have priests to cele

d their traditions. — Thus we are informed concerning them. The Roman gods were less pure in their actions than those of the

acrifices, and they were accounted happy who were thus offered to the gods . The Mexicans, like the Greeks and Romans, believ

ich signified the Prince of Glory. Music, dancing, the praises of the gods , and the pleasant society of each other, accordin

n the Metempsychosis to this day. The Mexicans had thirteen principal gods , besides the god Teotl. Teotl was a purely spirit

ains, to celebrate his worship. Tlaloc ruled over some inferior water gods , who, like the Naiades of the Greeks, presided ov

les. To her protection, they commended their sleeping children. Three gods of war were worshipped by the different tribes of

ico; the chief of these, Mex-it-li, was more honoured than any of the gods of Mexico. The Mexicans offered to him the greate

god were made every year. These North American savages, besides these gods , had a goddess of hunting, a god of fishing, a go

ed. A god of mirth, one of gold and of merchants, a mother of all the gods , like Cybele, and the Tep-it-o-tone, (or little o

mages, the nobles four, and the lower people two. The number of these gods , besides those which have been briefly noticed, w

Mexican Hell? To whom did parents commend children? Had the Mexicans gods , whom they praised for their pleasures and comfor

Physic? Who was the goddess of flowers? Had the Mexicans still other gods ? Did the Mexicans possess many images of their go

icans still other gods? Did the Mexicans possess many images of their gods ? ——— The Mexicans prayed to their gods either k

possess many images of their gods? ——— The Mexicans prayed to their gods either kneeling, or prostrate. Sacrifices, vows,

eathens attached great reverence to the sanctity of an oath. When the gods of Greece swore by the Styx, their word was given

those around him, would dare profane the name of God? Temples to the gods were erected in all the inhabited country of Mexi

were erected altars in the open air, for the worship of the mountain gods , and other rural deities. The priests of Mexico w

ers of wood, and drawers of water: all considering the worship of the gods as the highest honour to which they could aspire.

for the better. How did the Mexicans exhibit their veneration of the gods ? Were temples numerous in Mexico? What surrounded

numerable deities, “There are,” says this authority, “thirty thousand gods inhabiting the earth, who are subjects of Jupiter

aw against foreign deities had fallen into neglect at Athens; for the gods of Thrace and Phrygia had obtained a place among

a place among the ancient divinities. The philosophers ridiculed the gods , and at the theatres they were sometimes mentione

tempt. The utmost reverence, however, was shown for the images of the gods . Alcibiades was obliged to fly for his life, beca

wreath of Minerva, and played with it. The Persians, not thinking the gods to be of human shape, as did the Greeks, made no

usly thirty square stones on which were engraved the names of so many gods without any effigy — any sculptured figure. When

red figure. When sculpture was invented, it was used to represent the gods ; and when the Greeks arrived at perfection in the

he ancient religion? How did the Athenians regard the images of their gods ? Did the pagans revere mountains, and why? How di

at of Greece — a mixture of Syrian and Egyptian fables. The principal gods of both people were the same; the demi-gods, or d

the provinces were adorned with statues and temples, in honour of the gods of Greece. The most celebrated temples of Rome we

ws in this edifice. The name Pantheon signifies the temple of all the gods . The Pantheon still exists as a catholic church,

nclosure with boughs in their hands, taken from those trees which the gods delighted in. (Minerva was supposed to prefer the

mitive people. “Trees, in the old time, served for the temples of the gods ,” said a Latin historian. Dodona’s oaks were hono

eclared that thunder, lightning, and comets expressed the will of the gods . They also maintained, that motions and chatterin

rtue of the people, the safety of the citizens, and the honour of the gods were committed to their guardianship. Cæsar Augus

arquin that he had been guilty of impiety in refusing a gift from the gods ; and they commanded him to give whatever the woma

of respect for a sacred place. Besides the temples and images of the gods , pillars and solitary altars were held in reveren

ich surrounded him. The hearth was sacred to Vesta, and the household gods . The sacred hearth is a common expression. The ma

ied off at once from Delphi, five hundred statues of brass, partly of gods , and partly of illustrious men. Parthenon.

age, priests, charioteers, cattle, victors, youths, maidens, victims, gods , and heroes, all enter into the procession. Every

description. In Italy, all over Greece, and the islands, wherever the gods of Greece and Rome, of Syria, and of Persia, were

gh the Hebrews alone had true prophets, all nations believed that the gods communicated their will to some men, that those f

e oracle of Apollo at Delphi, and inquired if it were the will of the gods , that the Spartans should adopt his laws. The ora

e, or last part of the song. The hymns were composed in honour of the gods , and celebrated their actions, and their benefice

ld, or any thing which might adorn the temples, were presented to the gods , and hung upon the walls, pillars, and roof, as w

hymns? What other offerings besides sacrifices were presented to the gods ? What are tithes? [Piety of the Ancients.]

ore manifest than in their continued prayers and supplications to the gods ; for no man among them who was endued with the sm

ng without having first asked the direction and the assistance of the gods ; for this they thought the surest means to have a

in the morning and in the evening.” The Spartans only prayed that the gods would grant what was honourable and good for them

ght be enabled to suffer injuries with patience. Petitioners, both to gods and men, used to supplicate with green boughs in

rs. Being arrived in port, the first act of mariners was to thank the gods for their preservation; and if they had been safe

ey departed for a foreign land, it was customary to take leave of the gods by kissing the earth; and when they returned, the

bove all, who created all, and who is in all; the heathens worshipped gods many, and lords many. The Hebrews had a moral law

r. Clarke. 2. These domes were separate habitations of the celestial gods , constructed by Vulcan. 3. The Nereids were repr

so fair a mortal, than to abide above with fierce, tyrannical, cruel gods . As he flew upward, Cupid thought it might be wel

not so distressed as some timid girls would have been: she said, “The gods command me to leave my parents, but the gods are

ave been: she said, “The gods command me to leave my parents, but the gods are good, they cannot intend to hurt me. Why shou

friends will be sorry for my departure; but I will go, and trust the gods that they will take care of me.” Psyche had a goo

ead the way, winged messenger of Cupid — I will attend thee.” The two gods , after a speedy flight, alighted on the promontor

her severely. She sent for Mercury, who does the messages of all the gods , and telling him that Psyche had been insolently

n air, under shady trees; and all these people loved and honoured the gods of the vineyards and of harvest. The temple which

d her; but being sorry for her folly, may entreat mercy from the good gods .” Then she bent her steps to the temple. She ente

reparing to denounce some severer punishment, when a messenger of the gods , it might have been Mercury, or Iris, whispered h

was just revolving in her mind that no hope remained to her; that if gods persecuted, mortals could not save her; when Venu

lling her at the same time he Would go to Olympus and ask the sire of gods and men to sanction their union. Jupiter received

s petition, made some good natured objections to matching the sons of gods with the daughters of men; but Cupid declared tha

yche, but declared it should be celebrated in the presence of all the gods and goddesses. He next informed all the gods that

the presence of all the gods and goddesses. He next informed all the gods that his son had declared that he could not enjoy

deprived of his beloved Psyche; and it was his will, (and none of the gods ever opposed his sovereign will,) that they shoul

and so she was forced to consent to the marriage of her son. All the gods , the celestial, terrestrial, marine, and infernal

were called to the celebration. Jupiter introduced Psyche to all the gods and goddesses, and presented her with a cup of ne

mall part of it. It is true people once believed that there were such gods as you have been reading about. Ann. But there n

gods as you have been reading about. Ann. But there never were such gods . Who believed that there were? Mother. The Greek

stles were in the world, and all of them left off worshipping heathen gods and goddesses about three hundred years after the

years ago. How came they ever to worship Jupiter and the other false gods and goddesses? Mother. They did not know better.

told, like the Hebrews, that there was one true God. Ann. were these gods whom they worshipped nothing but images of wood a

pped nothing but images of wood and stone? Mother. Most likely those gods and goddesses had been men and women, who were ve

they were celebrated and praised till people believed that they were gods , and were in beaten, or in different parts of our

hat led their armies, and the priest that offered sacrifices to their gods — in short, they regarded him as their father, an

e festival which was made on the occasion; and they believed that the gods and goddesses came unseen, and blessed the happy

my dear father, I shall soon return to you, if it be the will of the gods .” While Philomela was thus urging the consent of

e to my sister, these woods shall ring with my cries. Surely the just gods will not forsake me. Know, false wretch, they wil

e, they lifted up their voices, saying in the speech of Lycaonia, The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men. And t

eople were apt to believe in the visits of Jupiter and Mercury. These gods , says the fable, once resolved to go about in dis

ke common mortals, or rather like poor, weary, wayfaring men. The two gods , when night was approaching, looked about them fo

fountain; and he was stronger than they, and beat them both.” The two gods were repulsed in similar rude ways from many door

llow this strange visit. “It becomes us to offer a sacrifice to these gods ,” said Baucis. “We have no victim,” said Philemon

ly refused us shelter and protection. “Such churlish conduct the good gods detest and punish, but benevolence like yours des

people, but you shall not be involved in their punishment. Trust the gods ; they will deliver you.” Philemon bowed submissiv

ulpture graced its lofty portico; in short, it became a temple of the gods . Jupiter stood beside his ancient host and hostes

n, and worthy of each other! Have you a wish in your hearts which the gods can grant in this world? In the next, the delight

r arts were their wisdom. Ann. Had the Egyptians and Greeks the same gods ? Mother. Yes, though they called them by differe

ou not remember that the Pierian princess said, in her song, that the gods took the shapes of animals, and went into Egypt,

ibutes. He assisted thieves and orators, and carried messages for the gods ; such was his function, or business. Do you under

tone,” as the Bible says. Ann. How came the ancients to believe that gods wanted to marry their children? Mother. Because

ngers, who were young and handsome, visited a place, they called them gods , and perhaps they believed it Ann. What did Agla

a vengeful disposition, struck Tiresias blind; but the father of the gods pitied him, and made him amends for the loss of s

vexed at Narcissus for his unsocial behaviour toward them, prayed the gods to torment him with a wish for something which he

es with longing for what they cannot get. This was the punishment the gods inflicted on the silly youth, who refused to enjo

e, but he did not know where to fix himself till he had prayed to the gods for instruction. The oracle told him, before he s

on the grass to rest. Cadmus judged that this was the place where the gods intended he should establish himself. The first a

to build a city was to make a sacrifice, and to offer prayers to the gods ; therefore Cadmus built an altar, and slew a vict

of her relation, and would often boast that her nephew was one of the gods , and had his abode with Jupiter, at Olympus. Juno

and Erebus. Elysium was the abode of men and women who had obeyed the gods during their lives. Tartarus was assigned to blas

d revolted against Jupiter, and the Titans, who would have turned the gods out of Olympus. Among the condemned was Tityas, w

ne persons do not know what they do. What made the ancients think the gods were malicious, as the story describes Juno and t

and that they suffered afflictions; and they presumed that malignant gods induced men to commit those crimes, and also that

lieve that? Mother. Not every body, I think. Some people thought the gods were very kind to men. They thought that if the g

ople thought the gods were very kind to men. They thought that if the gods allowed men to do wrong, and to suffer pain, that

make them good; and that if the good were unhappy in this world, the gods would make them amends in another life. These Fur

rimes. I am glad that men and women at this time do not worship false gods , and that they have been taught to worship God pr

been taught to worship God properly. Mother. These stories of false gods show how unworthy false religion is, and how beau

ved and pitied the poor young prisoner, and metamorphosed himself for gods could take what shape they pleased, into a shower

for ever. Polydectes, however, was mistaken in this expectation. The gods protected and aided Perseus. Pluto presented to h

before you, great king, a son of Jupiter. Descended from the immortal gods , you will not refuse me hospitality. With your pe

above. She clasped her hands, and looked upward, as if to implore the gods to take pity on her, but her eyes met those of Pe

ed to the rock. “Beautiful lady,” said he, “I am no god, but the good gods aid me. They know that I desire to deliver the in

tance now called coral. ——— Perseus, in token of his gratitude to the gods , for the deliverance of Andromeda, erected three

fered sacrifices on these altars, and praised and thanked the several gods , in the manner of a devout heathen, Perseus went

his mother and wife, to Argos; but he first restored the loans of the gods to their proper owners. On the shield of Minerva,

those who once attempted to dethrone our father Jupiter, and all the gods . “She sung that the giants were great and brave;

in heaven, and that was glorious ambition; they would thrust out the gods , and seat themselves in high Olympus: they were w

in high Olympus: they were worthy of crowns and thrones. Nor did the gods dare to meet them; but, veiling their glorious fo

ariot of day began to decline in the west; Minerva knew that then the gods expected her, and she left the sisters in the ple

them with her inspirations. Apollo and the Python. Of all the gods of antiquity, Apollo was the most beautiful. He w

he tooling waves. Sometimes Apollo was described as dwelling with the gods upon Olympus, with a lyre in his hand, and someti

re concerning Apollo. You have seen casts and medallions of the pagan gods . Ann. Yes; marble and plaster images of them. M

ometimes the Peneus, the Alpheus, or the Nile. These rivers, or river gods , are represented to have had children and friends

any conversation with her husband, and she fled from the sire of the gods , with the speed of an arrow from the bow. Io was

deliver her from the power of Argus. “Go,” said the sovereign of the gods ; “go and destroy Argus. It is my will that Io sho

arentage. “I,” said Epaphus, “am the son of Jupiter, the chief of the gods ; you, Phæton, cannot boast of so glorious an orig

s of my mother, who asserts that her child derives his birth from the gods , as certainly as that Egyptian does.” “My son,” a

nvince thee how well, I swear by the Styx, that inviolate oath of the gods , that whatsoever thou shalt ask of me, I will mos

nd Olympus sent forth blazes far as the Alps and Appenines; the river gods , to avoid the conflagration, Withdrew to the beds

ter the death of Phæton, refused to guide the chariot of day, and the gods assembling around him, entreated that he would no

cal disposition of that goddess; and, at length, she despised all the gods and goddesses, and their worship. In Thebes dwelt

ns. At the time when the queen of Thebes uttered her contempt for the gods , it would seem without dread of their vengeance,

neration? — the daughter of Tantalus, who once made a banquet for the gods — the sister of the Pleiades, and the grand-daugh

of Niobe having exhibited a dreadful example of the vengeance of the gods , the Thebans set about making amends for their im

3. See Mitford's Greece, Vol. I. 4. — to their starry domes the gods depart, The shining monuments of Vulcan’s art: Jo

“Mythology is a collection of tales, or legends, relating to the gods , heroes, demons, or other beings whose names have

other beings whose names have been preserved in popular belief. “The gods , in almost every instance, were personifications

at the root of the worship. Secondly, by proving the identity between gods of different nations whose names, apparently diff

e primitive thoughts of mankind. A large number of the names of Greek gods and heroes have no meaning in the Greek language,

ison of creeds, and by unraveling the meaning of the names of ancient gods and heroes, is the discovery that a worship of di

and that the cause of the resemblance between the stories told of the gods and heroes is that they are in reality only sligh

of the forces of Nature as godlike, stupendous, personal Agencies, as gods and demons. “The close resemblance which runs thr

e of it, the central point being either Mt. Olympus, the abode of the gods , or Delphi, so famous for its oracle. The circula

and virtuous as the Hyperboreans. They were named the Æthiopians. The gods favored them so highly, that they were wont to le

a happy place named the Elysian Plain, whither mortals favored by the gods were transported, without suffering death, to enj

ound the disk of the earth nations enjoying the peculiar favor of the gods , and blessed with happiness and longevity. The Da

rise out of the Ocean, and to drive through the air, giving light to gods and men. The stars also, except those forming Cha

oal Of his chamber in the east.” “The ancient Greeks believed their gods to be of the same shape and form as themselves, b

. A fluid named Ichor supplied the place of blood in the veins of the gods . They were not capable of death, but they might b

Like men, they stood in daily need of food and sleep. The food of the gods was called Ambrosia, their drink Nectar. The gods

ep. The food of the gods was called Ambrosia, their drink Nectar. The gods when they came among men often partook of their f

g men often partook of their food and hospitality. “Like mankind, the gods were divided into two sexes, — namely, gods and g

ality. “Like mankind, the gods were divided into two sexes, — namely, gods and goddesses. They married and had children, jus

and had children, just as mortals do. To make the resemblance between gods and men more complete, the Greeks ascribed to the

endship, gratitude; of envy, jealousy, and revenge. “The abode of the gods , as described by the more ancient Grecian poets,

the Celestials to the earth, and to receive them on their return. The gods had their separate dwellings; but all, when summo

as also in the great hall of the palace of the Olympian king that the gods feasted each day on ambrosia and nectar, the latt

goddess azure-eyed, Rose to Olympus, the reputed seat Eternal of the gods , which never storms Disturb, rains drench, or sno

nts divine rejoice Forever’ Cowper . “Such were the abodes of the gods as the Greeks conceived them. The Romans, before

etry, seem to have had no definite imagination of such an assembly of gods . But the Roman and Etruscan races were by no mean

ants, which, according to the Greek custom of paying reverence to all gods , known or unknown, they readily adopted, selectin

of the world; by Theogony, the legends relating to the origin of the gods . An ancient Greek legend represents the world as

s*, Horus*, Pthah*. The office of Helios was to give light to men and gods during the day. He is described as rising every m

r as a ruling Greek divinity entirely ceases. But being, like all the gods , immortal, he was supposed to be still in existen

to their custom of identifying their deities with those of the Greek gods whose attributes were similar to their own, decla

le*. Rhea, the wife of Chronos and mother of Zeus and the other great gods of Olympus, like Gæa, personified the earth, and

by piling Pelion* upon Ossa*. After a fierce battle, in which all the gods took part, they were conquered, and sent to share

or to punish the transgressions of men. Zeus is called the “father of gods and men;” his power over both is represented as s

, who entertained them as well as their humble means would allow. The gods revealed their rank, and desired the aged couple

should be granted. They accordingly begged that they might serve the gods in the temple below, and end life together. Their

lower part carefully covered, as if to show that he is visible to the gods above, but that he is concealed from the sight of

ich Cecrops* had built. The dispute was settled by an assembly of the gods , who decided that the one who presented mankind w

he spot which Athené touched with her wand issued the olive-tree. The gods unanimously awarded to her the victory, declaring

des as their greatest foe, and Homer tells us that he was ‘of all the gods the most detested,’ being in their eyes the grim

living held feasts of love and reconciliation, and the temples of the gods were closed. Erebus* was a general term comprehen

s liver, Tantalus had been deemed worthy to hold intercourse with the gods , until he put their omniscience to the test by se

thly career, had committed crimes, and had not been reconciled to the gods before descending to Hades. They appeared upon ea

e consented, and she joyfully prepared to follow the messenger of the gods to light and life. Before taking leave of her hus

r life, on the condition, of course, that a man had fully pleased the gods , and rendered himself worthy of such a happy lot.

gth he combined great agility, and was said to be the fleetest of the gods . He was, however, overmatched in battle by Athene

. Poseidon summoned Ares to appear before the tribunal of the Olympic gods , which was held upon a hill in Athens. Ares was a

emed the sacred altar of the house. There the images of the household gods were placed, and there the father, who was the pr

seated, she found herself unable to move, and all the efforts of the gods to extricate her were unavailing. Dionysus* induc

ed for Zeus his thunderbolts. He constructed the palaces in which the gods resided, made the golden shoes with which they tr

an eagle beside him is waiting to carry to Zeus. As artificer of the gods , seated at work in his palatial workshop. Epithe

llo is the god of music. He is himself the musician among the Olympic gods . He attained his greatest importance among the Gr

rcher when shooting), herding (as keeping the flocks and herds of the gods , or those of Admetus), silver-bowed, far-shooter,

hours after his birth he set forth to steal some of the cattle of the gods which fed in Pieria, at the foot of Mount Olympus

with broad chest and graceful but muscular limbs. As messenger of the gods , he wears the Petasus and Talaria, and bears in h

eate some beings who might perpetuate in song the mighty deeds of the gods . It was in answer to this prayer that the Muses w

lute accompanies their sweet strains, which gladden the hearts of the gods as they sit assembled in the lofty palace of Fath

in raised itself in joyous ecstasy towards the abode of the celestial gods . Poseidon, seeing his special function thus inter

ed away until she became nothing but bones and voice — the former the gods turned into stones; the latter may still be heard

, was invested by the Greeks with the office of communicating between gods and men. “Iris is represented as a slender maiden

represented the youthful bloom of nature. Hebe was cup-bearer to the gods . In consequence of having slipped while serving t

roy. He was made immortal by Zeus, and installed as cup-bearer to the gods . It was said that Zeus had observed him drawing w

particularly on birthdays. Janus*. Among the most important gods of the Romans was the celebrated Janus*, a deity

eep cave, and which he freed at his pleasure or at the command of the gods . In later times the winds were regarded as distin

wrapped him in a hare-skin and carried him to Olympus. The assembled gods weie much pleased with the curious little creatur

f the river Ladon, when, feeling escape impossible, she called on the gods for assistance. They transformed her into a reed

rder to place themselves in the closest communion possible with their gods . The more exalted the rank and importance of the

double purpose; they were not only consecrated to the service of the gods , but were at the same time monuments in honor of

founder of the city. A temple was frequently dedicated to two or more gods , and was always built in the manner considered mo

thy God.” Statues. The Greeks had no representations of their gods until the time of Cecrops. The most ancient repre

ir genius to the successful production of the highest ideals of their gods . On a pedestal in the centre of the edifice, surr

pedestal in the centre of the edifice, surrounded by images of other gods , stood the statue of the divinity to whom the tem

he market-places of cities. No altars were used in the service of the gods of the lower world, ditches or trenches being dug

, wisdom, and blameless lives. They were the chosen mediators between gods and men, and offered prayers and sacrifices in th

as to what vows, gifts, and offerings would be most acceptable to the gods . Every deity had a different order of priests con

mish. Propitiatory offerings were brought to appease the anger of the gods . Sacrifices were also made with a view of obtaini

The animals offered to the Olympian deities were white, those to the gods of the lower world were black. When a man offered

being destructive to vineyards. It was regarded as a contempt of the gods for a rich man to bring a mean offering, but from

These hymns generally contained accounts of the famous actions of the gods , their clemency and beneficence, and the gifts co

cence, and the gifts conferred by them on mankind. In conclusion, the gods were invoked for a continuance of their favor. Wh

yers (Augurs). In addition to the manifestation of the will of the gods by means of oracles, the Greeks also believed tha

lasted several days. The firstfruits of the field were offered to the gods , accompanied by prayers and thanksgiving. The fes

tic performances representing particular episodes in the lives of the gods and heroes frequently took place. The Creatio

of clay and water, after which Athene breathed a soul into them. The gods met at Mecone*, in order to adjust the privileges

of man, should slay an ox and divide it into two parts, and that the gods should select one portion which in all future sac

ivided was placed before Zeus that he might choose on the part of the gods . He pretended to be deceived, and chose the heap

nd she was called Pandora* (all-gifted). Hermes, the messenger of the gods , conducted her to the house of Epimetheus* (broth

the World. In course of time temples were raised to the different gods , and priests were appointed to offer sacrifices t

s, and the doctrine they taught was, that man had been created by the gods , and that there had been successive ages which we

o exist as good spirits who guard and protect mortals. After this the gods created a Silver race of men who were far inferio

to their predecessors both in mind and body. They refused to pay the gods due honors, and Zeus destroyed them. The next was

hoping to obtain advice and consolation. On imploring the aid of the gods , they received the following response:          

and gave him his daughter Hermione, or Harmonia, in marriage. All the gods assembled in the palace of Cadmus to celebrate th

tes*, to the verge of a rock, from which she sprung into the sea. The gods made them deities of the sea, Ino under the name

ladly agreed to lend their precious possessions to the protege of the gods . Thus equipped with these, he flew to the abode o

earer of the thunderbolts. Filled with remorse at having offended the gods , Bellerophon fell a prey to the deepest melanchol

lcmena*. On the day on which he was to be born, Zeus announced to the gods that on that day would be born one of his race wh

reast, the marks of which form the Galaxy, or Milky Way, on which the gods walk. Heracles grew up in Thebes, and was under t

to make of the wonderful powers with which he had been endowed by the gods . Two female figures appeared to him — one was Vic

he illustrious hero to Olympus, where he was joyfully received by the gods . Hera, in token of her reconciliation, gave him t

Heracles liberated Theseus; but, in obedience to an injunction of the gods , Pirithous was left to endure forever the punishm

Artemis by inadvertently neglecting her in a general sacrifice to the gods after a bountiful harvest. To punish this neglect

, on the European coast, where the prophet Phineus* reigned, whom the gods had punished with blindness. To complete his mise

ed a golden cup with wine and offered a libation to mother-earth, the gods of the country, and the shades of those of the he

lls of Troy, and then thrown into the dust within the Greek camp. The gods , indignant at the ferocious anger of Achilles, ca

s*, bewailed his untimely fate in such mournful melodies that neither gods nor men could refrain from tears. The death of th

out of the sea, the Trojans regarded this as a punishment sent by the gods for his evil counsel, and were the more confirmed

they had been guilty during the destruction of Troy, the wrath of the gods was roused, for which reason their homeward voyag

, concluding that so unusually profound a slumber must be sent by the gods , conveyed him on shore without disturbing him, an

ercury, presided over eloquence and commerce. He was messenger of the gods , and, as guide of souls to and from Hades, was ca

into the eternal Deity. “God created his own members, which are the gods ” they said; and so out of one God grew a host of

orizon he became Tum, and during the night he was Amun. Each of these gods , as well as the many others connected with the su

ight to pass into the regions of the dead. There were three orders of gods . The first was for the priesthood, and represente

iads often consisted of father, mother, and son; but sometimes of two gods and a king. Osiris*, who, with Isis* and Horus, f

use was sacred to her. Typhon* was the common enemy of all the other gods ; his emblems were the pig, the ass, and the hippo

e epithets of the sun, but came in course of time to denote different gods . Thus the sun was worshiped as Bel*, or Baal*, th

ed the temple shrines of Assyria and Babylonia were worshiped as real gods . So identified was a deity with its idol, that, i

ty with its idol, that, in the inscriptions of kings, where the great gods were invoked in turn, the images of the same deit

he Rig-Veda contains ten hundred and twenty-eight hymns, invoking: as gods the sun, moon, and other powers of nature. “The

ans, and other races. The names by which the Greeks denoted different gods and heroes are in the Vedas mere epithets, the me

on the earth, the plants and trees began to bud and sprout. The three gods walked by the side of the sea, admiring their new

hey were the parents of the human race. Asgard* was the abode of the gods . It could be entered only by crossing the bridge

rainbow). It contained gold and silver palaces, the dwellings of the gods ; but the most famous and beautiful of these was V

eautiful of all the dwellers in Valhalla; but, although all the other gods had sworn not to hurt him, no oath had been taken

re told of their malicious pranks. Heimdall* was the watchman of the gods , and was stationed to guard the bridge Bifrost, a

an of the gods, and was stationed to guard the bridge Bifrost, as the gods continually feared that the giants might force th

s a phrase used to denote the time when all the visible creation, the gods of Valhalla, the inhabitants of earth, men, giant

rld and the lands, and concerning the might and power of the immortal gods .” The Bards were an essential part of the Druidi

conquerors, who built temples and introduced the worship of their own gods . Druidism found a temporary refuge in the German

s the embodiment of wisdom. The fair complexion always given to these gods has reference to the white light of the dawn. The

it was born the glorious sun; hence it became to him the home of the gods of life, light, and wisdom.” Brinton . In the

lly to blow the winds. The Indians told Captain Argoll: “We have five gods in all; our chief god often appears to us in the

ancients, and includes, besides a full account of the origin of their gods , their theory concerning the beginning of all thi

Mount Olympus, a very high mountain, the mythological abode of their gods , was placed in the exact centre. Their Earth was

empt from disease, old age, and death,” and were so virtuous that the gods frequently visited them, and even condescended to

oreans, — the Ethiopians. They, too, often enjoyed the company of the gods , who shared their innocent pleasures with great d

had led virtuous lives, and had thus found favour in the sight of the gods , were transported without tasting of death, and w

shapeless bundle. “To th’ imperial son of Heaven, Whilom the king of gods , a stone she gave Inwrapt in infant swathes; and

course, occasioned a deadly conflict.                         “When gods began with wrath, And war rose up between their s

in haste With opposite oaths that they would have no Zeus To rule the gods for ever.” E. B. Browning. The Giants’ War

n to earth Ye strive in vain! if I but stretch this hand, I heave the gods , the ocean, and the land; I fix the chain to grea

my sight! For such I reign, unbounded and above; And such are men and gods , compar’d to Jove.” Homer ( Pope’s tr.). The sc

of some great natural convulsion; for the ancients imagined that the gods , making the most of their gigantic strength and s

hs; while he incessantly uttered such bloodcurdling screams, that the gods , in terror, fled from Mount Olympus and sought re

mortal fear lest this terror-inspiring monster would pursue them, the gods there assumed the forms of different animals; and

no, his sister and queen, changed herself into a cow. The king of the gods , however, soon became ashamed of his cowardly fli

n clay.” Horace. They first moulded an image similar in form to the gods ; bade Eros breathe into its nostrils the spirit o

living beings, and bring him nearer to the perfection of the immortal gods . “Of Prometheus, how undaunted     On Olympus’ s

fect this; but fire was the special possession and prerogative of the gods , and Prometheus knew they would never willingly s

ed the theft. His anger then burst forth, terrible to behold; and the gods all quailed when they heard him solemnly vow he w

nce of the heavenly fire. With this purpose in view, he assembled the gods on Mount Olympus, where, in solemn council, they

th Exulting in her grac’d attire, the gift Of Pallas, in the midst of gods and men. On men and gods in that same moment seiz

attire, the gift Of Pallas, in the midst of gods and men. On men and gods in that same moment seiz’d The ravishment of wond

Nothing was lacking, except a name for the peerless creature; and the gods , after due consideration, decreed she should be c

e, knowing only too well that nothing good would come to him from the gods , refused to accept her, and cautioned his brother

t was well for Pandora that she opened the box a second time, for the gods , with a sudden impulse of compassion, had conceal

knew no bounds, and they even dared refuse all homage to the immortal gods . War was waged incessantly; the earth was saturat

decide which would eventually prove most efficacious, he summoned the gods to deliberate and aid him by their counsels. The

fire, kindled by Jupiter’s much dreaded thunderbolts; and the king of gods was about to put it into instant execution, when

ashes. He therefore rejected the plan as impracticable, and bade the gods devise other means of destruction. After much del

, bidding them rise, overflow, and deluge the land. No sooner had the gods spoken, than the elements obeyed: the winds blew;

e force of the waves. There they entered to consult the wishes of the gods . Their surprise and horror were unbounded, howeve

ter The Power of Jupiter Jupiter, Jove, or Zeus, king of the gods , supreme ruler of the universe, the special deity

e councils held on the top of “many-peaked Olympus,” and summoned the gods whenever he wished to discuss with them any matte

outh, was ever ready at his wish to pour out the nectar, in which the gods were wont to pledge each other.             “Heb

nd was forced to resign her office. To replace her, the father of the gods was obliged to go in quest of another cup-bearer.

orm in the future. “And godlike Ganymede, most beautiful Of men; the gods beheld and caught him up To heaven, so beautiful

One day he and Mercury, his special messenger and favourite among the gods , took the forms of needy belated travellers, and

cious choice, and proffered a timid request that they might serve the gods as long as life and strength endured, and finally

maidens. The ancients themselves did not practise polygamy, but their gods were supposed to be able to indulge all their pas

or, for instance, he became a bull.                             “The gods themselves, Humbling their deities to love, have

as within sight: so Cadmus knew the order proceeded from the immortal gods , and immediately prepared to obey it. The dragon’

of the city were laid; but their labour was not very arduous, as the gods caused some of the public buildings to rise up ou

er was very prosperous at first, he finally incurred the wrath of the gods by forgetting, on a solemn occasion, to offer the

prophecies, which were supposed to have been inspired by the king of gods ; this long-lost shrine has recently been discover

e indebted to Phidias for many of their most exquisite statues of the gods ; but none of the others equalled this figure of J

pus. It was on this solemn occasion that the immortal conclave of the gods declared that Juno should be henceforth honoured

pter IV: Minerva The Birth of Minerva Although immortal, the gods were not exempt from physical pain. One day Jupit

s that some mode of alleviation would be devised, he summoned all the gods to Olympus. Their united efforts were vain, howev

warlike armour drest, Golden, all radiant.” Shelley. The assembled gods recoiled in fear before this unexpected apparitio

founded a beautiful city in the province since called Attica. All the gods watched his undertaking with great interest; and

. A general council was held, and after some deliberation most of the gods withdrew their claims. Soon none but Minerva and

advised her to be more modest, lest she should incur the wrath of the gods by her presumptuous words; but Arachne was so bli

nd their webs grew apace under their practised fingers. The assembled gods , the horse, the olive tree, seemed to live and mo

The Beautiful God The most glorious and beautiful among all the gods was Apollo (Phœbus, Sol, Helios, Cynthius, Pytheu

Apollo, having attained manhood, could not avoid the usual lot of the gods , as well as of mortal men — the pangs of love. Th

r’s kindness, wished to bestow some favour in his turn, and asked the gods to grant Admetus eternal life. His request was co

of foot, and tireless in the chase. One day, to test his powers, the gods from Olympus watched him course a fox, a special

ir to end only with the death of one or both of the participants. The gods , in their admiration for the fine run, declared t

vour, she never won favour in Apollo’s eyes, and languished until the gods , in pity, changed her into a sunflower. Even in t

of the sweet singer who had thus perished, except his lute, which the gods placed in the heavens as a bright constellation,

for joy forgot to rore.” Spenser. To commemorate this miracle, the gods placed Arion’s harp, together with the dolphin, i

ears, wringing their white hands, and bewailing their loss, until the gods , in pity, transformed them into poplar trees, and

iver, in the hope of finding some more scattered fragments, until the gods changed him into a swan; which bird is ever saili

ate her readiness to note all that happened to mortal men or immortal gods . Euterpe, the graceful “Mistress of Song,” was re

goddess loved and married Tithonus, Prince of Troy, and won from the gods the boon of everlasting life to confer upon him.

arrows. In vain Niobe sought to protect them, and called upon all the gods of Olympus. Her daughters fell one by one, never

nd mother’s passionate embrace, death found and claimed her. Then the gods , touched by the sight of woe so intense, changed

e young Goddess of the Moon had been introduced into Olympus, all the gods expressed a wish to marry her; but she refused to

ompleted, the sea nymphs judged it time to introduce her to the other gods , and, with that purpose in view, carried her up t

d, when she suddenly appeared to take possession of it, the assembled gods could not restrain a rapturous murmur of admirati

arry her, Venus scornfully rejected their proposals. Even the king of gods was slighted, and, to punish her for her pride, h

ere the secret interviews they enjoyed. Yet, fearful lest some of the gods passing by should discover them together, Mars al

he kept them imprisoned, in spite of their entreaties, until all the gods had seen their humiliating plight, and turned the

urst into such a passion of tears that the wood and water nymphs, the gods , men, and all nature in fact, joined with her to

he waves, made a second attempt to cross the strait, calling upon the gods to lend him their aid. But this time his prayers

away until there remained naught of her but her melodious voice. The gods , displeased at her lack of proper pride, condemne

is own image reflected in the clear waters. Echo was avenged; but the gods of Olympus gazed compassionately down upon the be

. All his leisure moments were spent in the faithful portrayal of the gods and goddesses, but one day he determined to fashi

and if thou once shouldst see My face, I must forsake thee: the high gods Link Love with Faith, and he withdraws himself Fr

ly pointed to a comet rapidly coming into view, and declared that the gods had placed Berenice’s Hair among the stars, there

ses.” Goldsmith. Mercury was in due time appointed messenger of the gods , who, to make him fleet of foot, presented him wi

motion. As these sandals did not seem quite sufficient, however, the gods added the winged cap, Petasus, to the winged shoe

n sight was gone.” Keats. Mercury was not only the messenger of the gods , but was also appointed god of eloquence, commerc

e winged god attended.” Boyesen. He was one of the twelve principal gods of Olympus, and was widely worshipped. Temples, a

urite element, Mars was very active indeed during the war between the gods and giants, but in his martial ardour he frequent

en when they slept, the rattle of the chains, whenever any one of the gods attempted to set him free, woke them up, and frus

y were told he had gone, never to return, carried off by the immortal gods , who wished him to share their abode and dignity.

o, god of fire and the forge seldom joined the general council of the gods . His aversion to Olympus was of old standing. He

d found herself a prisoner. In vain she strove to escape; in vain the gods all gallantly came to her assistance. Their unite

orced to return alone and report the failure of his attempt. Then the gods deliberated anew, and decided to send Bacchus, go

wever, the construction of magnificent golden palaces for each of the gods upon the Olympian heights, fashioned their sumptu

ch ornamentation of precious stones. “Then to their starry domes the gods depart, The shining monuments of Vulcan’s art: Jo

Ægean deeps dost hold. O thou earth-shaker; thy command, twofold The gods have sorted; making thee of horses The awful tame

ring their famous war with the Greeks. Their term of exile ended, the gods were reinstated in their exalted positions and ha

umpire, the prize was awarded to him as the most powerful of all the gods except Jupiter. Neptune. Adam, Louvre. From

e to all his male descendants. Idas and Marpessa Like all other gods , Neptune took a lively interest in men’s affairs,

mony with their occupations, these divinities were either hoary river gods (such as Father Nile), slender youths, beautiful

the mountains and the groves.” Cowper. In common with all the other gods , Proteus enjoyed the gift of prophecy, and had th

trainers, who often bespoke his aid. “Hail, Neptune, greatest of the gods ! Thou ruler of the salt sea floods; Thou with the

e. There was also in Hades the sacred river Styx, by whose waters the gods swore their most irrevocable of oaths; and the bl

he massy gates, impenetrably strong. In vain would men, in vain would gods essay, To hew the beams of adamant away. Here ros

’ death, slew Danaus, thus fulfilling the ominous prophecy; while the gods , incensed by the Danaides’ heartlessness, sent th

arth, had starved and ill-treated his subjects, insulted the immortal gods , and on one occasion had even dared to cook and s

en dared to cook and serve up to them his own son Pelops. Most of the gods were immediately aware of the deception practised

and in a fit of absent-mindedness ate part of the lad’s shoulder. The gods in pity restored the youth to life, and Ceres rep

esus, which still bears his name. To punish the inhuman Tantalus, the gods then sent him to Tartarus, where he stood up to h

ed his power, had robbed and killed travellers, and even deceived the gods . His reprehensible conduct was punished in Tartar

s: “He was doomed to sit under a huge stone, Which the father of the gods Kept over his head suspended. Thus he sat In cont

ies, slew him. Such an act of violence could not be overlooked by the gods : so Jupiter summoned Ixion to appear before him a

g all the mortal maidens honoured by the love of Jupiter, king of the gods , none was more attractive than Semele, daughter o

visions, for Semele, proud of having attracted the greatest among the gods , no longer offered any resistance, and consented

end to it all, asked Semele if she was quite sure he was king of the gods , as he asserted, and whether he visited her in al

ow beneath us, mightiest oath of all, And most revered by the blessed gods ! Homer ( Bryant’s tr.). The promise won, the de

plunged headlong into the sea with her second child in her arms. The gods , in pity for her sufferings, changed her into the

rn and flung it up into the air. It rose higher and higher, until the gods fixed it in the sky, where it still forms a brill

doth bloom, thou’lt come From gloomy darkness back — a mighty joy To gods and mortal men.” Homeric Hymn. Ceres, happy onc

o Italy by Æneas, their famous ancestor, who brought thither his home gods , and who, according to tradition, selected the fi

r, and at the same time prevent further tale-bearing, the king of the gods cut off Lara’s tongue, and, summoning Mercury, ba

, it was customary for the head of the family to remove his household gods also, and establish them suitably before he thoug

es, and through him alone prayers were supposed to reach the immortal gods : therefore in all religious ceremonies his name w

d to her palace to pray for her husband’s safe return. But, alas! the gods had decreed they should never meet again on earth

ecting the morrow, which she ever fancied would prove auspicious. The gods , seeing her anxiety, and wishing to prepare her t

sea, to perish beside him. Touched by grief so real and intense, the gods changed both bodies into birds, since known as Ha

eocritus ( Hunt’s tr.). The ancients were not content to worship the gods only, but also offered up sacrifices to a few mor

inder of his life, had not Mercury brought to him the decision of the gods that he was to serve Eurystheus, King of Argos, f

d was mortal, and Chiron died; but in reward for his good offices the gods transferred him to the sky, where he is known as

on, in the battle between the Centaurs and Lapithæ, in the war of the gods and giants, and in the first siege of Troy, which

in a fit of, anger he slew a man, and was condemned by the assembled gods to serve Omphale, Queen of Lydia, for a certain p

leasure. Great labours were awaiting his mighty arm, however; and the gods , at the appointed time, freed him from his bondag

ealed from the eyes of men, Danae was plainly seen by the everlasting gods ; and Jupiter, looking down from Olympus, beheld h

help. Clasping her babe close to her bosom, she fervently prayed the gods to watch over them both, and bring them in safety

o one like thee, Cursed with a hateful destiny.” Mrs. St. John. The gods , who had carefully watched over Perseus through h

ely and well. When Perseus died, after a long and glorious reign, the gods , who had always loved him, placed him among the s

Bond St., W. Theseus, having committed a deed heinous in the eyes of gods and men, was doomed to suffer just punishment. In

ered that Pelias was celebrating a festival in honour of the immortal gods . Up the steep ascent leading to the temple Jason

e than his sister, reached Colchis in safety, and in gratitude to the gods sacrificed the ram they had sent to deliver him,

s — a proof of brotherly affection which so touched the father of the gods , that he permitted Castor to return to life on co

e therefore sent him to fight the Amazons; but the hero, aided by the gods , defeated these warlike women also, and returned

vinced Iobates that the youth was under the special protection of the gods ; and this induced the king not only to forego fur

f his courtiers, he finally fancied himself the equal of the immortal gods , and wished to join them in their celestial abode

th some lesser deity, whose special duty was assigned by the powerful gods of Olympus. There were, for instance, the Naiades

ue little divinity, Mercury carried him off to Olympus, where all the gods turned him into ridicule. Pan was widely worshipp

n          (Laughed while he sate by the river!), ‘The only way since gods began To make sweet music they could succeed.’ Th

laugh, as he sits by the river, Making a poet out of a man. The true gods sigh for the cost and pain, — For the reed that g

along the shores of the Hellespont. The fairest among all the lesser gods was doubtless Flora, goddess of flowers, who marr

ptune’s regal train. The Story of Glaucus One of the lesser sea gods , Glaucus, was once a poor fisherman, who earned h

II: The Trojan War Jupiter and Thetis Jupiter, father of the gods , once fell deeply in love with a beautiful sea ny

t the hand of a mere mortal after having enjoyed the attention of the gods (for Neptune also had wooed Her), and demurred, u

ed waves. Thither, mindful of his promise, came Jupiter, with all the gods of Olympus. “Then, with his Queen, the Father of

th all the gods of Olympus. “Then, with his Queen, the Father of the gods Came down from high Olympus’ bright abodes; Came

otly disputed for its possession. Juno declared that the queen of the gods , in her majesty and power, surely had the best ri

ain consulted, to discover how they, might best win the favour of the gods ; and the purport of the reply given was that no f

of Agamemnon, were offered up in sacrifice to appease the everlasting gods . Many other propitiatory methods were tried; but

y Permission of the Berlin Photographic Co., 133 New Bond St., W. The gods were now propitious, and the wind slowly rose, fi

her heart was well-nigh broken; and in her despair she entreated the gods to let her die, or allow her to see her lord once

more, were it but for a moment. Her appeal was so touching, that the gods could not refuse to hear it, and bade Mercury con

ies, by Helen and Priam from the Trojan walls, and by the everlasting gods from the wooded heights of Mount Ida; but in the

s cowardly flight. Indignant at this interference on Venus’ part, the gods decreed that the war should be renewed; and Miner

alour were now performed by the heroes on both sides, and also by the gods , who mingled in the ranks and even fought against

of their brave resistance, the Greeks, in despair, concluded that the gods had entirely forsaken them, and beat a hasty and

oclus, already exhausted by his previous efforts, and betrayed by the gods , finally succumbed.                      ‘‘The h

and conquer. “‘Leave we the dead, my son, since it hath pleased The gods that he should fall; and now receive This sumptuo

ued to mourn his friend’s untimely end, refusing to be comforted. The gods , from their celestial abode, had also witnessed t

e, while Laocoon hastened down to the shore to offer sacrifice to the gods . As he stood there by the improvised altar, with

itnesses of this terrible scene accepted this as a sure sign that the gods resented his interference concerning the wooden h

ry winds, sent to punish them for omitting the usual sacrifice to the gods . He at last consulted Proteus, who revealed how t

gods. He at last consulted Proteus, who revealed how the wrath of the gods could best be allayed, and how favourable winds c

be pursued by the Furies and Nemesis, goddess of revenge, sent by the gods to punish him for taking justice into his own han

, were, as we have seen, all more or less visited by the wrath of the gods ; but none of them endured as many hardships as Ul

om place to place, losing his ships and companions, until at last the gods allowed him to return home. His marvelous adventu

fate, which prevented his seeking her in her native element, for the gods had cursed the race of Cyclops with an unconquera

eath. The stream of blood from his mangled remains was changed by the gods into an exhaustless stream of limpid water, which

t fear To eat the strangers sheltered by thy roof, Jove and the other gods avenge them thus! …………………………………………… Cyclops, if a

e That I receive or aid as he departs One who is hated by the blessed gods , — And thou art hated by the gods. Away!” Homer

rts One who is hated by the blessed gods, — And thou art hated by the gods . Away!” Homer ( Bryant’s tr.). Sorrowfully now

er feelings, changed, and she became a loathsome monster, a terror to gods and men. When in sight of the fig-tree, Ulysses,

mitted by Ulysses’ men. In anger Apollo appeared before the assembled gods and demanded vengeance, threatening to withdraw t

e offenders should perish. “‘Still shine, O Sun! among the deathless gods And mortal men, upon the nourishing earth. Soon

as, son of Venus and Anchises, lay fast asleep in his palace; but the gods had not doomed him to perish, and sent the shade

e saved by hands of men, This hand had saved her then, e’en then. The gods of her domestic shrines That country to your care

non’s soldiers the unfortunate daughter of Priam, Cassandra, whom the gods had endowed with prophetic powers, but whom no on

his mother, stayed his hand, and bade him remember that the immortal gods had long ago decreed that the city should fall, a

ood before, And homeless launch upon the main, Son, friends, and home gods in my train.” Virgil ( Conington’s tr.). Althou

nour of their leader. Their next care was to offer a sacrifice to the gods ; but when Æneas, with due ceremony, cut down a sa

sion of Æneas One night Æneas had a vision, in which his household gods bade him seek the Italian or Hesperian shores; an

hate now ploughs the sea, Transporting Troy to Italy         And home gods reft of home: Lash thou thy winds, their ships su

kingdom he was destined to found. One whole year passed thus; and the gods , impatient of delay, finally sent Mercury to remi

ve received him for a son-in-law, had he not twice been warned by the gods to reserve his daughter for a foreign prince, who

lames, they were changed into water nymphs by the intervention of the gods , and, sailing down the Tiber, met Æneas, and warn

e not the only deities interested in the coming struggle, for all the gods , having watched Æneas’ career, were anxious about

ill further endanger the hero whom he favoured, Jupiter assembled the gods on high Olympus, and sternly forbade their taking

e. Aware now of the delusion practised, Turnus raved, and accused the gods , and then eagerly watched for an opportunity to l

ide, and which became for a time the capital of Latium. Æneas, as the gods had predicted, became the father of a son named Æ

ns have idols representing beasts, that all mythologies represent the gods as fond of appearing in animal forms, and declare

ey to all mythologies lies in language; and the original names of the gods , “ascertained by comparative philology, will be f

hor, its march across the field of ocean.” As the names of the Greek gods and heroes have in a great measure been found to

and assume colossal proportions, which inspired the hearts of men and gods with terror, until they saw them finally slain by

sits, 259; Queen of the, 293 Am-bro′si-a. Celestial food used by the gods , 27; gods deprived of, 66 Am′mon. Temple of Jupi

Queen of the, 293 Am-bro′si-a. Celestial food used by the gods, 27; gods deprived of, 66 Am′mon. Temple of Jupiter in Lib

ans. Happy race of Africa, south of the river Oceanus; visited by the gods , 5 Eu-boe′an or Eu-bo′ic Sea. Sea where Hercules

13; significance, 347, 363 He′be. Goddess of youth; cupbearer of the gods , 28; daughter of Juno, 37; wife of Hercules, 207

, 341. 353. 354. 357. 359 Her′mes. Same as Mercury, messenger of the gods , 109; significance, 364 Her-mi′o-ne. Same as Har

us and Bacchus, 155, 225; significance, 355 Nec′tar. Beverage of the gods , poured out by Hebe and Ganymede, 27, 66 Ne′leus

ames; i.e., four years, 35 O-lym′pi-an Divinities. Name given to the gods of Olympus, 27. — Games. Games instituted by Herc

piter, 35, 207 O-lym′pus. Mountain north of Greece; the abode of the gods , 4, 6, 8, 9, 11, 12, 16, 17, 27, 29, 36, 39-41, 5

98, 106, 111, 112, 115, 123, 124, 129, 147, 208, 259. 334, 336, 347; gods fly from, 12; Prometheus visits, 16; Ganymede tra

143; father of Copreus, 129; significance, 353 Pe-na′tes. Household gods worshipped in Rome with the Lares, 174, 175; Ænea

Proserpina, 158 Phid′i-as. Noted Greek sculptor; made statues of the gods , 35. 43 Phi-le′mon. Husband of Baucis changed in

he brazenclawed birds, 195 Styx. River in Hades, by whose waters the gods swore their most sacred oaths, 30, 60, 65, 138, 1

n coast, 137, 200 Ta-la′ri-a. Mercury’s winged sandals, given by the gods , 111 Ta′lus. Brazen giant; son of Vulcan; the wa

ur of Ceres, 168 Thes′sa-ly. A province of Greece, 276; fight of the gods in, 11; Admetus, king of, 47; Ceyx, king of, 181;

iter and Antiope, 62, 63 Zeus. Same as Jupiter, 9, 10; father of the gods , 39; significance, 341, 347, 348, 352, 360 1

eligion, 505. The Sabellian Religion, 506. CHAP. II. the select gods . Jovis, Juppiter, Jupiter, 509. Juno, 511. Mi

tate of total or partial ignorance of the Deity, their belief in many gods may have thus commenced. They saw around them var

ally, therefore, fell into the habit of assigning a human form to his gods  ; but a human form divested of weakness and imper

gnity and majesty of mien and countenance distinguished the father of gods and men and ruler of heaven. These deities, so li

of those of mortals, but of superior workmanship and materials8. The gods were not, strictly speaking, eternal : they were

ned a period to their duration. In the eyes of their worshipers these gods had each his distinct personal existence and sphe

rse of the sun each day. When, therefore, we shall in future speak of gods of the sea, the sun, the moon, we would not be un

he sea or sun is not a very intelligible expression. We mean by these gods , deities presiding over and directing them, but t

eaking such. When a people had thus formed for themselves a System of gods so like to man, and yet ruling over the world, it

of animals and plants to transformations effected by the power of the gods , a practice of which we shall have to record nume

legends will come under the three following heads. 6. The epithets of gods , when their true origin was unknown or had been l

ch of these little states a body of tales and legends. These tales of gods and heroes were communicated by wandering minstre

Muses Olympian, which remark he extends by observing that the Homeric gods are the Olympian, and no others. In this however

tly show, Olympos was in the time of Homer held to be the seat of the gods . It does not appear to us that any one spot can b

ann57, «was the case when they found traditions of other kings of the gods whom they could not reconcile with their own Zeus

ppear to me to have gotten over this difficulty by saying, that those gods had indeed reigned, but that they had been overco

stem of theocrasy (θεοκραία), or mixing up, as we may call it, of the gods together, began to be employed63. It was thus tha

sense, another class of men, the artists, had laid hold of them. The gods of their forefathers were now presented under a n

asure ; ideas imported from Egypt were mixed up with the old tales of gods and heroes ; and the fable to be represented on t

Egyptian priests, who, as we may see in Herodotus, represented their gods as having dwelt and reigned on earth67. Hecatæus

arden of each. The duty of the priests was to sing the praises of the gods , and to act as judges and magistrates : a double

t ridiculous ; for though he seems to have treated some of the higher gods , as Zeus for example, with a degree of respect, h

they deduced from the ancient mythes, and they generally regarded the gods in the light of personifications of the powers of

Romans became acquainted with Grecian literature, they identified the gods of Greece with such of their own deities as had a

d religion. By the aid of the principles of Euhemerus they robbed the gods of Greece of their divinity ; by that of the alle

aterials, as their verses were mostly dedicated to the worship of the gods , or the praise of victors in the public games, or

m Earth to the bottom of Tartaros. The luminaries which gave light to gods and men shed their radiance through all the inter

central point, but probably viewed as such Olympos, the abode of the gods . In after times Delphi became the navel of the ea

virtuous as the Hyperboreans. They were named the Æthiopians105 : the gods favoured them so highly that they were wont to le

ed the Elysian Plain, whither the mortal relatives of the king of the gods were transported without tasting of death, to enj

of bliss. Thus Proteus says to Menelaos111, But thee the ever-living gods will send Unto the Elysian Plain, and distant bou

ded as of no great width, nations enjoying the peculiar favour of the gods , and blessed with happiness and longevity, — a no

the hollow sphere above the earth contained Olympos, the abode of the gods  ; but there is great difficulty in ascertaining i

upper surface of the superior hemisphere was the abode of the Grecian gods . The Hebrews seem, for example, to have regarded

face, which they named Asgardr (God-abode), was the dwelling of their gods , and the place to which the souls of the virtuous

Hence we might be led to infer that Olympos, the abode of the Grecian gods , was synonymous with Heaven, and that the Thessal

ed, to be the abode of their gods125. The entrance to the city of the gods on Olympos was closed by a gate of clouds kept by

but the cloudy valves rolled open spontaneously to permit the greater gods to pass to and fro on their visits to the earth.1

Hesiod, to have careered through void air, ‘bringing light to men and gods .’ When in after times the solid heaven was establ

n in after times the solid heaven was established as the abode of the gods , the necessity for these doors was perhaps felt ;

, unvisited by the light of day. It was regarded as the prison of the gods , and not as the place of torment for wicked men,

he gods, and not as the place of torment for wicked men, being to the gods what Erebos was to men, — the abode of those who

en conquered were shut up in it, and in the Ilias129 Zeus menaces the gods with banishment to its murky regions. Such were t

mogony and Theogony. The origin of the world and the origin of the gods , i. e. cosmogony and theogony, are in the Grecian

om Chaos to the establishment of the empire of Zeus and origin of the gods worshiped in Greece. Chaos139 (Void Space) was fi

en by Love with Uranos, she gives birth to the Titans, the origins of gods and men, of the celestial luminaries, and the fru

aterial world being thus completed, Kronos and Rhea give birth to the gods , and Iapetos becomes the father of men154. Their

th and barren sea155,’ and in him the opposition between the Olympian gods and the Titans is merely a local one ; the one be

d example in those of Typhôn, the Aloeids, and the Giants against the gods . The circumstance of Zeus being termed King (thou

by the tale of a revolution and hostility between the two classes of gods . Imitation is also everywhere to be traced. Zeus

own into the sea, but that he took refuge with Night, ‘the subduer of gods and men,’ whom Zeus revering remitted his anger17

y Euryphaëssa (Wide-shining). His office was to give light to men and gods during the day. In the Odyssey, when Helios ends

f fire-breathing steeds’. It is probable that, like the other Homeric gods , Helios had originally only two horses ; but Euri

ed as a witness to solemn oaths238. As he was not one of the Olympian gods he was not honoured with temples in Greece, but h

nd lying beneath the ‘hoary sea’, with which he would be content. The gods then swore that it should be the undisturbed poss

We are now arrived at the immediate origin of the Olympians, the gods worshiped throughout all Greece. The mutilation o

in the reign of Kronos, when, according to Hesiod318, Men lived like gods , with minds devoid of care, Away from toils and m

of Phœnician worship. It was not improbably the circumstance of both gods being armed with a sickle, which led to the infer

id would Olympos and its dwellers then arise to view ! To present the gods in their Olympian abode, and exhibit a sketch of

the lofty Thessalian mountain named Olympos as the dwelling of their gods . In the Odyssey, where the deities are of a chara

restrial mountain. Olympos, where they say the ever firm Seat of the gods is, by the winds unshaken, Nor ever wet with rain

spreads, And glittering light encircles it around, On which the happy gods aye dwell in bliss332. We have observed above, t

e have observed above, that man loves to bestow his own form upon his gods , as being the noblest that he can conceive. Those

and Ares are as loud as the shout of nine or ten thousand men337. The gods can however increase or diminish their size, assu

7, and share in their wars and battles348. With the form, the Homeric gods also partake of the passions of men. They are cap

d, they usually remitted their wrath if thus appeased352. The Homeric gods have all different ranks and offices ; Olympos be

e, Hebe, and Iris were all spotless virgins. All the dwellings of the gods upon Olympos were of brass (χάλκος), the metal wh

; he made the golden shoes, or rather soles (πέιλα)361 with which the gods trod the air and the waters, or strode from mount

2, with the speed of winds or even of thought363. The chariots of the gods and their appurtenances were formed of various me

the quarrel between Oceanos and Tethys ; or on occasions in which the gods wish to appear with state and magnificence368. On

h to appear with state and magnificence368. On ordinary occasions the gods moved by the aid of their golden shoes : when at

sex. In like manner we find twelve Olympians, similarly divided. The gods were Zeus, Poseidôn, Hephæstos, Hermes, Apollo, A

incidentally Demeter. The earliest writer by whom we find the twelve gods noticed is Hellanicus, who says370 that Deucaliôn

, particularly at Athens372, that altars were erected to these twelve gods . At Olympia there were six altars to six pairs of

igher and more dignified order. No indecent altercations occur ; both gods and men submit to his power without a murmur, yet

is brothers, and he thus became the acknowledged head of the Olympian gods , the objects of Grecian worship. Though Homer nam

of Grecian worship. Though Homer names the parents of nearly all the gods who appear in his poems, and it follows thence th

ollowing order393. Zeus first espoused Metis (Prudence), who exceeded gods and men in knowledge. But Heaven and Earth having

self in strength and counsel, and her second, a son, would be king of gods and men, he cajoled her when she was pregnant, an

tal women also bore a numerous progeny to this amorous monarch of the gods , and every species of transmutation and disguise

he amorous history. It seems to have been an ancient opinion that the gods used to assume the human form and go among mankin

Hellas conspired in the duty of doing homage to the sovereign of the gods . His great oracle was at Dodona, where, even in t

he guardian of oaths, were numerous. He was also named like the other gods from the places where he was worshiped, ex. gr. C

ms there is no return, — and an object of aversion and hatred both to gods and men458. All the latter were sure to be sooner

imself and his realm did not offer much field for such legends of the gods as Grecian fancy delighted in ; yet he too had hi

ave no strength or power of mind or body470. Some few, enemies of the gods , such as Sisyphos, Tityos, Tantalos, are punished

f Ocean, the retreat of the children and relatives of the king of the gods , was moved down thither to form the place of rewa

e house ‘receiving fat,’ and to be honoured in all the temples of the gods . In the Prytaneion of every Grecian city stood th

was unknown in the days of Homer, when, as we have already shown, the gods had not as yet any favourite animals. It is an In

otice ; the husband returned, and standing at his door called all the gods to come and behold the captives. The dwellers of

f justice for the murder. The trial was held on this hill, the twelve gods sat as judges, and Ares was acquitted562. Another

reover frequently endowed with automatism. All the habitations of the gods on Olympos were made by Hephæstos, and were all c

ound has been cured592. When Heracles was assumed to the abode of the gods , Youth was given to him in marriage593. It was ap

ven to him in marriage593. It was apparently to bring the life of the gods more into harmony with that of men, that the offi

cy609. His arrows were not merely directed against the enemies of the gods , such as Otos and Ephialtes610: all sudden deaths

ence, and he removed it when duly propitiated. At the banquets of the gods on Olympos, Apollo played on his phorminx or lyre

ed the future613. As in Homer and Hesiod no birth-place of any of the gods is noticed, we must regard the tale of the birth

never ventures to use the same familiarity with him as with the other gods , Zeus himself not excepted. Apollo is the friend

his temerity when vanquished ; and the tears of the nymphs and rural gods for the fate of their companion gave origin to th

hich the music of wind-instruments was employed in the service of the gods  ; the lyre was used by the Greeks in that of Apol

assent to this theory. Apollo seems to have been one of the original gods of the Grecian race ; and he was worshiped by one

when shooting663 ; 2. Herding, as keeping the flocks and herds of the gods , or those of Admetos ; and by the poets, 3. Silve

usual interpretation, Lycia-born, contradicts the fact of the Homeric gods not having birth-places on earth. Two other epith

f her deer are all of gold. When she drives to the house of Zeus, the gods come forth to meet her. Hermes takes her bow and

rm nymphs and other subordinate beings attached to the service of the gods out of their epithets. Of these practices Artemis

of Delos on their account, and making offerings to them evidently as gods of the two great luminaries (Mithras and Mitra in

ime in her blood. He had nearly overtaken her, when she prayed to the gods to make her invisible, and they in pity changed h

delighted with his beauty, put him into a coffer, unknown to all the gods , and gave him to Persephone to keep. But as soon

terly bewail the regular changes of the seasons, as to feign that the gods themselves were carried off or slain ; and he shr

He further inquires, whether the ancient nations, who esteemed their gods to be so little superior to men, may not have bel

ear in office and character, as they form two remarkable instances of gods altering their characters and attributes with a c

shout which terrified Heaven and Mother Earth, while the king of the gods poured a shower of gold on Rhodes, the sacred isl

was such, and the subject she chose (the love-transformations of the gods ) so offensive to Athena, that she struck her seve

om the bone of a stag, and bringing it with her to the banquet of the gods began to play on it. Being laughed at by Hera and

ready observed, the practice of assigning birthplaces on earth to the gods does not seem to have prevailed in his age. Indee

ter of Phylas (Keeper 831 ). Hermeias is opposed in the battle of the gods to Leto, but declines the combat on the plea of t

n strength832. When the corse of Hectôr was exposed by Achilleus, the gods , pitying the fate of the hero, urged Hermeias to

ed his journey. He arrived by sunset in Pieria, where the oxen of the gods fed under the care of Apollo. He forthwith separa

tions to procure admission for her and himself to the assembly of the gods . In the morning Apollo missed his kine : he set o

was not very likely to fail of success with the fair sex, both among gods and mankind. Homer, as we have observed above, sa

fice which was assigned him of agent and messenger of the king of the gods , to whom we also find him officiating as cup-bear

o heroes ‘rich in corn-fields’ ; and of the shepherd Daphnis, and the gods Pan and Priapos. The rural character of Herse and

r she is but slightly mentioned879, and she does not appear among the gods on Olympos. She seems to have been early distingu

f surprising size and beauty, an object of amazement to ‘all immortal gods and mortal men,’ for one hundred flowers grew fro

her off in it shrieking to her father for aid, unheard and unseen by gods or mortals, save only by Hecate the daughter of P

of the sun, so long she hoped to see her mother and the tribes of the gods  ; and the tops of the mountains and the depths of

d dry.’ Of all she inquired tidings of her lost daughter, but neither gods nor men nor birds could give her intelligence. Ni

oddess, incensed at the conduct of Zeus, abandoned the society of the gods , and came down among men. But she now was heedles

the disconsolate goddess will not comply with the call. All the other gods are sent on the same errand, and to as little pur

her husband ; she should however pass the other two with her and the gods  : And when in spring-time, with sweet-smelling f

oth bloom, thou ‘It come From gloomy darkness back, — a mighty joy To gods and mortal men. Persephone ingenuously confesses

he time of Homer celestial horses were the only draught-cattle of the gods . Demeter, though of a gentle character in general

racter in general, partook of the usual revengeful disposition of the gods . The origin of the Stellio, or spotted lizard, is

aces. It is further to be recollected, that the Greeks believed their gods to be very little superior in moral qualities to

y do, that a public discourse on the origin of things and that of the gods , and other high and important matters, was delive

n quite repugnant to the usages of the Greeks in their worship of the gods , and the evidence offered in support of this supp

ated, i. e. admitted to participate in them, and of the favour of the gods in life, and the cheerful hopes in death, which w

d things which it contained, when to his excited imagination the very gods themselves had seemed visibly to descend from the

ce there naturally arose a persuasion, that the benign regards of the gods were bent upon him through after-life ; and, as m

ughters of Zeus927, and described as exhilarating the banquets of the gods by their lovely voices, attuned to the lyre of Ap

instrument named phorminx. She is said to have invented hymns to the gods . Terpsichore, the muse of the choric Dance (χορεί

comic poet Epicharmus in his drama named ‘Hebe's Wedding,’ where the gods appeared as thorough bon-vivans, made the seven M

en. In another place960 he says, that Dike is a virgin revered by the gods of Olympos ; and that when any one acts unjustly,

Odyssey. In the former it is said1002 by Hera of Achilleus, that the gods will protect him that day, but that hereafter he

In the Birds1043 of that poet Epops says But how shall men esteem us gods , and not Jackdaws, since we have wings and fly ab

e ! Egad, Hermes, who is a god, Wears wings and flies, and many other gods Do just the same. Thus Victory, mark ye, flies Wi

ver Lemnos, where she meets Sleep. She accosts him as the king of all gods and men, and prays him to aid in her project, pro

that drove the hero to Côs ; and Zeus, awaking in a rage, knocked the gods about the house, searching for Sleep, who only es

latter if he is a god, adding, “ I would not fight with the celestial gods  ; for the stout Lycurgos, son of Dryas, who conte

or the stout Lycurgos, son of Dryas, who contended with the celestial gods , was pot longlived, who once chased the nurses of

ied, — for great fear possessed him from the shouting of the man. The gods , who live at ease, then hated him, and the son of

lind ; nor was he long-lived, since he was odious to all the immortal gods .” Language more unsuitable surely could not be pu

us ‘the joyfull Dionysos, a mortal an immortal, but now they both are gods .’ Again1089, ‘gold-tressed Dionysos made blond Ar

d religion of Dionysos. The idea of mere mortals, or the offspring of gods and mortals, being raised to divine rank and powe

mortal by both father and mother, were carried off, the former by the gods to be the cup-bearer of Zeus1091, the latter by E

ellow-mortals, except greater strength and more frequent aid from the gods . But in the Odyssey we find the system of deifica

before been a speaking mortal, but was now allotted the honour of the gods in the depths of the sea.’ And again ; Odysseus b

n earth ; but himself we are told ‘enjoys banquets among the immortal gods , and possesses fair-ankled Hebe.’ It is not howev

ultivated wilds, and instructed them in the nature and worship of the gods . The deities of Greece were therefore to find the

e assigned its peculiar deities a very extensive sphere of action, as gods of the sun, the moon, the heaven, the earth, and

ose aristocratie verses, which only told of kings and nobles, and the gods whom they adored1130. The name Dionysos is one of

the elegant arts. We presently see magnificent temples raised to the gods and heroes, solemn games instituted throughout th

ysian abodes promised to those who received the sacred decrees of the gods , and equal punishments threatened to the despiser

atest change was made in all matters pertaining to the worship of the gods . They contain the origin and growth of solemn lus

f Greece from the land of Nile. From this digression we return to the gods of Greece. Chapter XVI. RURAL DEITIES : — 

ed him away to Olympos : then taking his seat with Zeus and the other gods , he produced his babe. All the gods, especially D

his seat with Zeus and the other gods, he produced his babe. All the gods , especially Dionysos, were delighted with the lit

d, or clad in the light cloak called chlamys 1184. Like many other gods who were originally single, Pan was multiplied in

stocks of bees ; but the Lampsacenes regard him more than any of the gods , calling him the son of Dionysos and Aphrodite.”

put to sea. The Priaps are enumerated by Moschus1218 among the rural gods  : And Satyrs wailed and sable-cloaked Priaps ; A

5, or even Zeus himself for a sire1226. Priapos, like the other rural gods , is of a ruddy complexion. His cloak is filled wi

gardens or flocks of sheep. The Nymphs occur in various relations to gods and men. Their amours, of which we have seen some

ave seen some instances, were numerous. The charge of rearing various gods and heroes was committed to them : they were, for

these Nymphs are of divine nature ; and when Zeus, the father of the gods , calls together his council, None of the streams

ses that she is pregnant, and of her shame to have it known among the gods , says of the child1235, — But him, when first he

e her their playfellow, and taught her to dance and sing hymns to the gods . Apollo beheld her dancing with them, and fell in

painters and sculptors, who contributed so much to degrade the other gods , robbed the sea-nymphs also of their charms, by b

ereus his sire1262. Those who embraced the theory of representing the gods as having been originally mere men, said that Pro

rm of Poseidôn, whose son he is in some accounts1265. Like the marine gods in general, he had the gift of prophecy ; we find

tle son Melicertes in her arms, sprang from a cliff into the sea. The gods out of compassion made her a goddess of the sea u

e its presiding deity, who deity in it and directed its waters. These gods had their houses and children ; and the love-adve

ad been shipwrecked, and appealing to his mercy and reverence for the gods , he declared that the Cyclopes regarded not the g

everence for the gods, he declared that the Cyclopes regarded not the gods , for they were much more powerful than they : he

48. It was probably the poet’s saying that they were destroyed by the gods (though the reverse may be the truth) that gave o

been the place of conflict, and with the aid of the hero Heracles the gods subdued their formidable foes. The principal cham

tion of the Giants, brought forth the huge Typhôn to contend with the gods . The stature of this monster reached the sky, fir

issing against heaven, and flame and storm rushed from his mouth. The gods in dismay fled to Egypt, and concealed themselves

to the Egyptian dæmon Baby, the opponent of Osiris. The flight of the gods into Egypt is a bungling attempt at connecting th

ng-isle (πλώτη νῆσος) of Æolos Hippotades 1354, ‘dear to the immortal gods .’ This island was entirely surrounded by a wall o

olia. Judging from what had befallen them that they were hated by the gods , the director of the winds drove them with reproa

iled on them to slaughter some of the sacred oxen in sacrifice to the gods , and to vow by way of amends a temple to Helios14

horror and despair at what they had done ; and the displeasure of the gods was manifested by prodigies ; for the hides crept

he sea, and all the winding track Of continents. But may the blissful gods Themselves the meed due to my song bestow1437

em, gives in his didactic poem the following venerable mythe1439. The gods first made the golden race of men, who were in th

en, who were in the time when Kronos ruled in heaven. They lived like gods , free from toils and care, and death was to them

and are the bestowers of wealth. Such is their regal honour1440. The gods made a second far inferior race, called the silve

would not abstain from mutual injury, nor pay the service due to the gods . Zeus in indignation put a period to the race. Ze

says Hesiod, will never cease day or night from toil and misery ; the gods will give them grievous cares, yet good will stil

esis) will wrap themselves in their ‘white mantles’ and depart to the gods , leaving misery to man ; and there will be no def

e races separate creations : the two first, he says, were made by the gods , the three last by Zeus, who attained the suprema

rly to impress the belief that when evil has attained its maximum the gods will destroy mankind. To this intent it was neces

s gradually extirpated by the latter, which was then destroyed by the gods  ; but this was misunderstood by Hesiod. The accou

f Iapetos and his progeny immediately succeeds that of Kronos and the gods sprung from him. These circumstances, combined wi

Iapetos being intended to represent the origin of the human race. The gods are the offspring of Time, and man, say the sacre

seeking hospitality announced himself to be a son of the king of the gods , the western monarch, calling to mind the prophec

is no allusion whatever to Prometheus. Hesiod says1463, that when the gods and men had a controversy at Mecone, Prometheus t

to account for the custom at Sicyôn, as at Sparta, of offering to the gods in sacrifice the bones of the victim wrapt in the

edge on mankind1471. A philosophical mythe in Plato1472 says that the gods formed man and the other animals of clay and fire

nd him and appointed a vulture to prey on his liver, and the incensed gods sent fevers and other diseases among men1474. As

nd After-thought. These first men lived in intimate relation with the gods , who, as we may have already seen, were by no mea

actions, to get every advantage they could in their dealings with the gods . This is intimated in the transaction respecting

on regarded as the symbols of Prudence and Folly, and were held to be gods . From the remote period in which the legends plac

stos to make a woman of clay also, whom Athena animated and the other gods adorned with gifts ; and that she was given in ma

ed are woven through one another in a most marvellous manner, and the gods also bear a conspicuous part in the history as pr

an princess, enraged at the ingratitude of her husband, called on the gods for vengeance, sent a poisoned robe as a gift to

r severed members1563. To reward the virtue of Peleus the king of the gods resolved to give him a goddess in marriage. The s

is having declared that her child would be greater than his sire, the gods withdrew1564. Others say that she was courted by

leus for her spouse1567. Cheirôn, being made aware of the will of the gods , advised Peleus to aspire to the bed of the nymph

a serpent, and a lion1568. The wedding was solemnized on Pelion : the gods all honoured it with their presence1569, and best

ed Ixiôn’s mind became deranged, and its atrocity being such, neither gods nor men would absolve him, till at length Zeus hi

ain of Greece), act with such base ingratitude toward the king of the gods himself, who, according to the simple earnestness

inding his lifeless body on the strand cast herself into the sea. The gods out of compassion changed them both into the bird

When Œneus offered sacrifices at the conclusion of his harvest to the gods , he omitted to notice Artemis. The offended godde

of the Ætolians supplicated Meleagros : they sent the priests of the gods to entreat him to come forth and defend them : th

d not be comforted in their affliction, were by the compassion of the gods , all but Gorgo and Deïaneira, changed into the bi

him Harmonia the daughter of Ares and Aphrodite in marriage. All the gods , quitting Olympos, celebrated the marriage in the

th her child from the cliff of Moluris near Corinth into the sea. The gods took pity on her and made her a sea-goddess under

mand of the oracle. By this act Kytissoros had drawn the anger of the gods on his posterity. It is not unlikely then that th

them, for Kronides had made The people stones ; but on the tenth the gods Celestial buried them : she then of food Thought,

Amaleus1671. When she discovered what she had done she prayed to the gods to take her out of the world, and she was changed

son ; and he married having slain his own father, and immediately the gods made this known to men. But he ruled over the Cad

sirable Thebes, suffering woes through the pernicious counsels of the gods  ; but she oppressed with grief went to the abode

was to be delivered in Thebes, Zeus, in exultation, announced to the gods that a man of his race was that day to see the li

, then in great distress from the wrath of Poseidôn and Apollo. These gods had contracted with Laomedôn, king of Troy, to bu

mpic games, raised an altar to Pelops, and built altars to the twelve gods in order. After the capture of Elis he marched ag

ed on Mount Parthenion. But the babe was protected by the care of the gods  ; for a hind, which had just calved, came and suc

carried over travellers, saying he had received this office from the gods as a reward for his uprightness. Heracles went ac

re of divine origin ; and he is made to be the son of the king of the gods , by a mortal mother. To render his perfection the

ian mythology, which contained no being of pure and unmixed evil, but gods of mingled character like men, furnished in the j

ve had a body composed of those of a man and a snake. In his time the gods began to choose cities for themselves ; and Posei

g possession, planted the olive which stood in the Pandrosion. Twelve gods sat to decide the cause ; and on the testimony of

says, that Hephæstos having made golden seats for Zeus and the other gods , Hera when she sat in hers was unable to rise. He

n axe. Finding themselves nearly overtaken by him, they prayed to the gods to change them into birds ; Procne immediately be

as ambitious in love, and would possess a daughter of the king of the gods . Theseus fixed his thoughts on Helena the daughte

nians honoured his memory by feasts and temples, placed him among the gods , and called their city the town of Theseus. We wi

r the Acrocorinth, informed him who the ravisher was. The king of the gods sent Death to punish the informer ; but Sisyphos

re related to Diomedes by Glaucos the grandson of Bellerophontes. The gods had endowed Bellerophontes with manly vigour and

and which were to cause his death. Beneath the potent guidance of the gods Bellerophontes came to Lycia and the flowing Xant

and which breathed forth flaming fire. Depending on the signs of the gods , Bellerophontes slew this monster, and then was o

s slew them all. The king now perceiving him to be of the race of the gods , kept him in Lycia, giving him his daughter and h

other of Sarpedôn. Falling at length under the displeasure of all the gods , ‘he wandered alone in the ‘Plain of Wandering’ (

cian vanity derived the rulers of more ancient countries from its own gods and princes. He married, we are told, Memphis the

e) which Hermes gave him, he mounted into the air, accompanied by the gods , and flew to the Ocean, where he found the three

he ground, and two ‘green-eyed’ serpents came by the direction of the gods , and fed him on ‘the innocuous venom (ἰὸν) of bee

aining his tongue, that is, probably his divulging the secrets of the gods . Tantalos was said to be the son of Zeus by the n

ad attained his ultimate desire, and was admitted to the table of the gods , his joy was converted into terror by his fancyin

d at Sipylos. Πέλοψ. Pelops. At an entertainment given to the gods by Tantalos, he is said to have killed and dresse

r food before them. Demeter had eaten one of the shoulders before the gods were aware of the horrid banquet of which they we

mpos. But when his father had drawn on himself the indignation of the gods , they set Pelops once more among the ‘swift-fated

veloped in obscurity ; for in those times lands were not called after gods any more than after men. Pelops, the water-land,

aughter Ægina attracting the love of Zeus, the amorous monarch of the gods carried her off, and struck with a thunderbolt As

nd2113. Æacos was distinguished for his piety and his favour with the gods . When Poseidôn and Apollo were set to build the w

or, invited them to enter and pass the night in his humble abode. The gods accepted the kind invitation, and were hospitably

his vow was binding : and yet he was desirous of being a father. The gods took the hide of his only ox, which he had sacrif

me enamoured, and pursued them ; in their distress they prayed to the gods to change their form, and Zeus in pity turned the

f the voyage. The call was readily responded to, and numerous sons of gods hastened to embark in the Argo. From the Peloponn

e in concert with his voice, their oars kept time to the harmony. The gods looked down from the sky, the nymphs of Pelion ga

their father, who, believing the slander, deprived them of sight. The gods , to punish him, struck him blind, and sent the Ha

, led by arrogant boastful chiefs, who despised the signs sent by the gods , and the success of that conducted by their more

Ganymedes. This last was for his beauty carried off to Olympos by the gods , to be the cup-bearer of Zeus, who gave Trôs in c

ellas and Troy, Discord, by his direction, came to the banquet of the gods at the nuptials of Peleus and Thetis, and flung d

ll assembled at Aulis in Bœotia ; and as they were sacrificing to the gods at a fount beneath a plane-tree, a serpent came o

nôn advised to stay some days, and offer sacrifices to conciliate the gods  : Menelaos urged an immediate departure : the chi

gypt on his voyage homewards, he neglected offering sacrifices to the gods , and was in consequence detained by want of wind

o the river Ægyptos, and there offered due sacrifices to the immortal gods . A favourable wind was then sent by them, which s

241. We have before noticed the Grecian habit of supposing that their gods or heroes had already visited or conquered the co

that of any other people. We have thus seen that the heroes, like the gods , of Greece were the pure creations of imagination

d nature. That of Greece teemed with legends of the adventures of its gods  ; each of which became the theme of popular verse

virtue of the Italian maids and matrons was safe from the lust of the gods who ruled over mankind2248. Hence the most fruitf

rous ballads in praise of illustrious men, and hymns in honour of the gods to record, it met no love-adventures of the latte

ves and miracles of the Saints, as she did to Hellas in the mythes of gods and heroes2249. Beside the religious systems and

with that facility which always distinguished her, to appropriate the gods of Greece. Her knowledge of them was, it is proba

. According to the doctrine of the Etruscans there were two orders of gods , the one superior, veiled and nameless, with whom

nge in the present order of things2251. The other consisted of twelve gods , six male and as many female, his ordinary counci

eece were adopted at Rome. It cannot be determined which of the Roman gods are to be regarded as those of their Latin forefa

race were as remarkable for their skill in detecting the will of the gods in the flight and voice of the birds, as the Etru

stifies for its purity, warmth and simplicity, is that of calling the gods Fathers (Patres), and the goddesses Mothers (Matr

rum delubra esse in urbibus censeo ;” and that by patres he means the gods , is evident from what follows ; for he proceeds,

ve burnt the temples in Greece, because they shut up within walls the gods , to whom all should be free and open, and whose h

testimony of Servius, who says2266 that “the ancients called all the gods fathers.” We have not the same direct evidence of

e terms Father and Mother were used ; but they adhered to some of the gods , such as Jupiter. Liber does not often occur with

fond of using their political vocabulary, even when speaking of their gods . Thus we read of gods of the Greater Houses2268,

litical vocabulary, even when speaking of their gods. Thus we read of gods of the Greater Houses2268, the Ramnes and Titiens

f Ennius, and which, by the way, are exactly the same with the twelve gods of the Greeks, Juno, Vesta, Minerva, Ceres, Dian

us, Jovis, Neptunus, Vulcanus, Apollo. Chapter II. the select gods . Varro 2273 enumerates twenty deities, whom h

e to drink, and concealed himself in a neighbouring cavern. The rural gods came to the fount, and finding the wine drank cop

ling Ossa and Pelion on Olympos, regard this last as the abode of the gods  ? 126. Il. v. 749 ; viii. 393. Thus Milton : H

. 302. In v. 246. he is called the origin of all (πάντϵσσι) — whether gods or things is uncertain. 185. Il. 202. 303. 186.

i. 42-46. Sec Lucret. iii. 18-22. 333. Even in the historic days the gods were in the popular idea of larger size than men.

iven by Eustathius) of these soles having a magic power, and that the gods were transported by them, be correct (See Heyne o

Heyne on Il. v. 768.) ; another notion of his, that the horses of the gods were shod by Hephæstos, is certainly erroneous, f

o be found of any other species of animal drawing the chariots of the gods are in Sappho's Hymn to Aphrodite, where she desc

-87 ; xvi. 148-154.), or perhaps even four (viii. 185.), those of the gods had never more than two. Il. v. 768 ; viii. 41-45

888. seq. 385. Od. i. 32. seq. 386. The notion of Voss, that the gods were all born in the Island of the Blest at the F

o. According to the hymn to Hermes (v. 22. 70. seq.) the herds of the gods fed in Pieria under the care of Apollo. 644. Il.

442. seq. Any one who reflects on the exalted characters of these two gods in the undoubtedly genuine parts of the poem, mus

sewhere (vii. 452.), and it is said to have been the work of both the gods . 646. Apollod. i. 4. l. Some MSS. for ϴύµβρϵως r

y line in Homer which makes against Voss’’ theory, of none of Homer’s gods being winged. It is remarkable that P. Knight, wh

i. 106. 1175. The Samoyedes, when successful in hunting, smear their gods with fat ; if unsuccessful, they beat them and th

25. The Epicurean poet was however disposed to regard all the popular gods as having been originally mere men. 1484. Πίθos

her in naked beauty more adorned, More lovely than Pandora, whom the gods Endowed with all their gifts, and Oh, too like In

prophets old. Another instance is (i. 720.), Belus or Serapis their gods . 1703. Homer never mentions the Minyans ; but

e in this place names the following twelve, which he calls Consentian gods of the country : Jovis and Tellus, Sol and Luna,

, they say, is found in language. The names originally applied to the gods generally referred to the phenomena of the clouds

across the field of ocean.” Since the names of the Greek heroes and gods show a general correspondence with the Sanskrit a

e form of beasts, and it will be noted in the study of myths that the gods often assume the forms of birds and animals. If i

goddesses of justice. Adscripti′tii Dii [Adscriptitii Dii] were the gods of the second grade. Adversity, see Echidna. Æ′

htful country in the center of Peloponnessus, a favorite place of the gods . Apollo was reputed to have been King of Arcadia.

e hill at Athens where Mars was tried for murder before twelve of the gods . A′res [Ares]. The same as Mars, the god of war.

iot drawn by white horses. The goddess loved Tithonus, and begged the gods to grant him immortality, but forgot to ask at th

lus [Camillus], a name of Mercury, from his office of minister to the gods . Can′ache [Canache]. The name of one of Actæon’s

[Cœlus], also called Uranus [or Heaven], was the most ancient of the gods . Cœ′na Salia′ris [Cœna Saliaris], see Ancilia.

hat boasted one; He, uncontroll’d, thro’ heaven extends his sway, And gods and goddesses by turns obey.” Eusden, 1713. Cu

rresponding to the Greek Plutus. Cy′bele [Cybele]. The mother of the gods , and hence called Magna Mater. She was wife of Sa

ht she the wise Latona be, Or the towered Cybele, Mother of a hundred gods , Juno dares not give her odds.” Milton. Cy′clo

an devil. Dai′tyas [Daityas]. In Hindoo mythology the devils or evil gods . Dan′ae [Danae] was a daughter of Acrisius and E

of Jupiter. Dii Selec′ti [Dii Selecti] composed the second class of gods . They were Cœlus, Saturn, Genius, Oreus, Sol, Bac

, and Death, was driven from heaven for having sown discord among the gods . Diseases, see Pandora. Distaff, see Pallas. D

lding a lyre in her hand. Er′ebus [Erebus], son of Chaos, one of the gods of Hades, sometimes alluded to as representing th

uno), was the goddess of youth. She was cup-bearer to Jupiter and the gods , until she had an awkward fall at a festival, cau

Jupiter. Hephæs′tus [Hephæstus]. The Greek Vulcan, the smith of the gods . He′ra [Hera]. The Greek name of Juno. Her′acle

ese tasks he successfully accomplished, and, besides, he assisted the gods in their wars with the giants. Several other wond

e Nightmare. See Innus. Indig′etes [Indigetes] were deified mortals, gods of the fourth order. They were peculiar to some d

Electra, was the attendant of Juno, and one of the messengers of the gods . Her duty was to cut the thread which detained ex

d, and given to his father Tereus, a Thracian of Daulis, as food. The gods were so enraged at this that they turned Itys int

Jove. A very general name of Jupiter. “From the great father of the gods above My muse begins, for all is full of Jove.”

alias Cybele. She was married to Jupiter, and became queen of all the gods and goddesses, and mistress of heaven and earth.

no was the mother of Mars, Vulcan, Hebe, and Lucina. She prompted the gods to conspire against Jupiter, but the attempt was

om Calicut is named. Ka′loc [Kaloc]. One of the chief of the Mexican gods . Kam′a [Kama]. The Hindoo god of love. Keb′la [

say, of Jupiter and Lamida. They belonged to the lower order of Roman gods , and presided over homes and families. Their stat

and Orpheus charmed the most savage beasts, and even the Harpies and gods of the infernal regions, with the enchanting musi

ximus]. One of the appellations of Jupiter, being the greatest of the gods . Measures and Weights, see Mercury. Mede′a [Med

cury [Mercury], the son of Jupiter and Maia, was the messenger of the gods , and the conductor of the souls of the dead to Ha

ame for a class of inferior female deities who were attendants of the gods . Some of them presided over springs, fountains, w

ificent mountain on the coast of Thessaly, 9,000 feet high, where the gods were supposed to reside. There were several other

oral reed Of Hermes or his opiate-rod.” Milton. Ops. Mother of the gods , a daughter of Cœlus and Terra. She was known by

orceries abused Fanatic Egypt and her priests to seek Their wandering gods , disguised in brutish forms Rather than human.”

top of Mount Pelion to enable them to ascend to heaven and attack the gods . Ox, see Apis. Owl, see Æsculapius and Itys.

himself, and from which he could produce music which charmed even the gods . These are the Pan-pipes, or Syrinx. Pan’s terrif

Pandora means “the all-gifted.” “More lovely than Pandora, whom the gods Endowed with all their gifts.” Milton. Panthe′

he′on [Pantheon] (lit. “the all-divine place”). The temple of all the gods , built by Agrippa at Rome, in the reign of August

well-wooded mountain, famous for the wars between the giants and the gods , and as the abode of the Centaurs, who were expel

giants piled upon Pelion, to enable them to scale the heavens. “The gods they challenge, and affect the skies, Heaved on O

her killed him, and served him up to be eaten at a feast given to the gods , who, when they found out what the father of Pelo

became the husband of Hippodamia. Pena′tes [Penates]. Roman domestic gods . The hearth of the house was their altar. See Lar

shamed to show herself among her sisters, who had all been married to gods .                                            “… T

e. She was a daughter of Uranus and Gæa, and was called Mother of the gods . Rhetoric, see Calliope, also Polyhymnia. Riche

he ground. S Sacrifices were ceremonious offerings made to the gods . To every deity a distinct victim was allotted, a

ne,” said the priest; and he then began a prayer addressed to all the gods . The sacrifice was begun by putting corn, frankin

ing of the Universe, was father of Jupiter, Neptune, and Pluto. These gods quarreled amongst themselves as to the division o

amed Thyone. Semi-Dei were the demi-gods. Semo′nes [Semones]. Roman gods of a class between the “immortal” and the “mortal

ipner]. The eight-legged horse of Odin, the chief of the Scandinavian gods . Sol. The sun. The worship of the god Sol is the

tyx. A noted river of hell, which was held in such high esteem by the gods that they always swore “By the Styx,” and such an

ishment for serving up his son Pelops as meat at a feast given to the gods , was placed in a pool of water in the infernal re

Milton. Tar′tarus [Tartarus]. An inner region of hell, to which the gods sent the exceptionally depraved. Telchi′nes [Tel

, see Cyclops. Thunderer, The, Jupiter. See Tonitrualis. “O king of gods and men, whose awful hand Disperses thunder on th

nus [Tithonus]. The husband of Aurora. At the request of his wife the gods granted him immortality, but she forgot at the sa

old and decrepit, while Aurora remained as fresh as the morning. The gods , however, changed him into a grasshopper, which i

hon [Typhon]. A monster with a hundred heads who made war against the gods , but was crushed by Jove’s thunderbolts, and impr

the foam of the sea, and was immediately carried to the abode of the gods on Olympus, where they were all charmed with her

Vulcan married her, but she permitted the attentions of others of the gods , and notably of Mars, their offspring being Hermi

asil]. The famous ash-tree of Scandinavian mythology, under which the gods held daily council. Y′mir [Ymir]. The Scandinavi

reeks felt that everything was alive. The air was full of fairies and gods ; the spring of fresh water gurgled because it was

es, the Greeks thought that there was another world. It, too, had its gods and its spirits. Dreams lived there, and the ghos

the ghosts of men who had died, or who had not yet been born. But the gods the Greeks loved most were the gods of the sky. T

ho had not yet been born. But the gods the Greeks loved most were the gods of the sky. They were beautiful and happy and kin

bags, called clouds, to pour it upon the thirsty Earth. It was these gods , too, who helped men to do whatever was beautiful

erry and mischievous and clever and happy. The king and father of the gods of the sky was Jupiter. It was he who gave fair w

y moment, however, he might disappear to return to Olympus, where the gods of heaven lived. He was not the only one who was

f heaven lived. He was not the only one who was thus seen. All of the gods and goddesses showed themselves at times on earth

ess Olympus! Hellas. Land of bards and heroes, hail!    Land of gods and godlike men, Thine were hearts that could not

ete works. Proserpina. Jupiter was called the father of the gods , but he was not the father of them all. He had a

and rose, and went slowly up the path of stars to Olympus, where the gods of heaven dwell; for, she said, “My brother Jupit

ned to her of themselves; and when she entered the glorious hall, the gods and goddesses of heaven rose in courtesy to her,

happiness and power. At the head of the table sat Jupiter, father of gods and of men. His face was thoughtful and calm; but

ree that Ceres looked; and as she moved across the glorious hall, the gods ceased their smiling and became earnest, for they

untain and tried to force a way into Olympus, to cast the king of the gods out of it. Jupiter, with all his thunderbolts, wa

seen the eternal fire burning in the great hall of Olympus, where the gods of heaven dwell, and he knew how it cheers and wa

s a Titan and feared not Jupiter, nor obeyed him. One night, when the gods of heaven were all asleep and the hall of Olympus

empty, Prometheus climbed quietly up the star-road to the home of the gods , and slipped three burning coals of the fire into

shall have it.” But Prometheus said, “Do it not. Happiness is for the gods . The gifts of Olympus will harm men. Let the worl

e went up the star-road and into the great hall of Olympus, where the gods of heaven were feasting. The air was sweet with t

d make for me a bearer to carry it.” Now Vulcan is the workman of the gods . He is lame, but skillful, and with his hands he

the wise goddess, to make the woman intelligent, and thus each of the gods , in turn, gave her something, so that Pandora, as

is was done, Jupiter smiled and said to Mercury, the messenger of the gods : — “Take this woman and this box. They are gifts

r of the gods: — “Take this woman and this box. They are gifts of the gods to Epimetheus, and to mankind; but the box must n

s heard a knock at his door. He knew that it was the messenger of the gods , but he was slow to open, for he thought of what

ke beautiful statues, and to write stories and poems in praise of the gods , and of the heroes who fought to kill monsters an

then, for the first time, to be free and happy. Even Jupiter and the gods of heaven had more joy as they saw how the earth

joy it has brought the world! I wonder — I wonder what it is that the gods put into it to give it such power.” One day she s

imetheus answered, sternly, “Do not dare to open it, Pandora, for the gods have forbidden it!” Pandora was silent, but she c

Python. All were destroyed, and at last the whole land prayed to the gods for aid in its peril. Then Apollo took his mighty

muttered and rolled, he seemed to hear in them the very voices of the gods . And he himself could sing. Apollo, god of light

ees would hush the murmur of their leaves to hear him; and the gentle gods of the rivers, and Neptune himself, god of old oc

e were fair and tall, and looked as though they were two of the sunny gods of Olympus. At the end of a Grecian wedding, grea

and Proserpina. Orpheus was heartbroken. He sang of his grief to the gods of the streams and to the spirits of the trees, b

Thrace, but they could only weep with him. He besought with song the gods of Olympus, but though the gods loved him, they c

p with him. He besought with song the gods of Olympus, but though the gods loved him, they could not control the grim god De

rone with Proserpina at his side. All about the hall stood the lesser gods and spirits of the world of shadows. The time had

walked softly and asked himself: — “Is she really following? Have the gods of the underworld really let her go?” He dared no

his Eurydice. When he died, Jupiter put the lyre which had so charmed gods and men up in the northern sky. There it still sh

s to die, Jupiter will take him up to Olympus and make him one of the gods of heaven.” Alcmena was a good mother, and after

aid was, “Fair one, what do men call you?” And she answered, “Men and gods alike call me Virtue.” Then the goddesses went aw

the path of the fair, stern goddess who is called, by men and by the gods , Virtue. After this, Hercules, by order of the go

by men and by the gods, Virtue. After this, Hercules, by order of the gods , gave himself up to the service of King Eurystheu

kingdom prospered, for war and famine came not near his land, and the gods loved him. The hillsides were smiling with vines

romised. “Ask some other proof,” he urged. “No one, even of the other gods , dares to drive the chariot of the sun — no, not

to the hall where the great chariot stood. Vulcan, the workman of the gods , had built it. The axle and the wheels were of br

hen Jupiter seized a thunderbolt and spoke to Helios and to the other gods of Olympus. “I must act,” he said, “even though P

king and queen now wept for joy. Rich sacrifices were offered to the gods of Ocean, and preparations were made for a great

celebrations and slew him. Then King Minos waged war upon us and the gods sent us famine and plagues. In the end we had to

hip with the men and the maidens. It may be that with the help of the gods I shall slay this Minotaur.” When King Ægeus hear

t and until it returned, the Athenians rejoiced and sacrificed to the gods in their splendid temples. The summer’s sultry h

en Peleus, King of Thessaly, was wed to the sea-nymph Thetis, all the gods and goddesses were bidden to the marriage feast —

tures of the glens his friends, and he was so beautiful that even the gods on Olympus looked down upon him with admiring eye

the great hall of Olympus. Juno, the wife of Jupiter and queen of the gods , spoke first. “Paris,” she said, “give me the pri

and courage!” thought Paris. “Yes, they are beyond all other gifts of gods or men.” But before he could utter the thought th

threw a golden light about his head, so that he shone like one of the gods . And Achilles stood upon the edge of the trench a

Meanwhile Thetis went up the steep way to Olympus, the home of the gods , and entered the dwelling of Vulcan, the lame wor

ld, wrought with carvings of the heavens and the earth, of men and of gods . Finally he took up his spear, which no one but h

gave to the hero, and together they sacrificed to Jupiter, father of gods and of men. Thus the strife came to an end and th

l,    Stiller than chisel’d marble, standing there, A daughter of the gods , divinely tall,    And most divinely fair. Her l

used. But up in the glorious halls of Olympus, Juno, the queen of the gods , and Minerva, the goddess of courage and wisdom,

if no man is killing you, you must be sick. Diseases are sent by the gods ; remember that, and be patient.” Thus they spoke,

r before him, and, as a protection, gave him a stalk of the plant the gods call Moly. It has a black root and a white blosso

cross the sea and thinking of Ithaca. At last, after seven years, the gods took pity on him. Jupiter sent Mercury to Calypso

the sea, he pushed off, and started at last on his way home, for the gods were now favorable. Neptune, it is true, was stil

es, and shed great beauty on him, making him tall and strong like the gods . When he came in, he spoke to Penelope of a thing

n of Leda; twin brother of Pollux, 181. At death, the brothers became gods and were the protectors of travelers by land and

of the seasons. They kept the gate of Olympus, and served the greater gods , 116. Hy΄men. God of marriage, 67. Hyperbo΄rean

Ju΄piter, or Jove. Called by the Greeks Zeus. “Father (and king) of gods and of men,” 11, 14, 31, 46. Opposed by the Titan

r΄cury. Called by the Greeks Hermes. Son of Jupiter. Messenger of the gods , 32, 48. He conducted souls to and from the under

. Calypso’s island, 232. Olym΄pus. Mountain in Thessaly; home of the gods of heaven, 12, 30, 45. Or΄pheus (or΄phuse). A mu

ercules, 80. Ti΄tans. Sons of the goddess Earth, 41; fought with the gods and tried to force a way into Olympus, 42; the gr

Greeks Hephaestus. Son of Jupiter. The lame workman and genius of the gods ; made Pandora and the wonderful box, 47; made the

others of Helen. They were famous heroes, and, at their death, became gods .

le retained. In the chapters, however, on the attributes of the Greek gods , names exclusively Greek have been placed in pare

worships beasts, and the phenomena of nature are the doings of animal gods .” Nor do we hold truth undebased in the third sta

e hold truth undebased in the third stage, physitheism, where “animal gods are dethroned; the powers and phenomena of nature

e powers and phenomena of nature are personified and deified, and the gods are strictly anthropomorphic, having the form as

moral, and social characteristics are personified and deified,”… and gods of war, of love, of revelry, of wisdom, and of yo

yth of the earth-born giants that in the beginning contested with the gods the sovereignty of the universe; of the moon-godd

and where animals and inanimate nature don the attributes of men and gods . Many of these myths treat of divinities once wor

rystallized themselves gradually into stories of the creation, of the gods , and of the heroes — forefathers of men, but magn

h of probability and imagination. In historic myths the dependence of gods , heroes, and events upon the stern necessity of a

moral sense aspects fraught with contradiction. In certain myths the gods display themselves as beautiful, wise, and benefi

this attitude of acceptance only in the matter of good and beneficent gods and of righteous or reasonable myths. For how cou

c. 316), the Euhemeristic. This explanation assumes that myths of the gods are exaggerated adventures of historic individual

into corruption. So in Greek mythology the attributes of the various gods would be imperfect irradiations of the attributes

ious ceremonials… We may believe that ancient and early tribes framed gods like themselves in action and in experience, and

the Greek forms first the idea of two entirely personal and corporeal gods (Apollo and Athena), whose limbs are clothed in d

d in antiquity under Homer’s name. The so-called Homeric Hymns to the gods which were composed, by various poets, after the

n the Greek mythology of the creation of the world, the family of the gods , their wars, and their attitude toward primæval m

hat later period than Homer, it is noteworthy that his stories of the gods have more of the savage or senseless element than

ed much to our knowledge of mythology. They have left us hymns to the gods , references to mythical heroes, and accounts of m

oet of Greece, Pindar (522 b.c.). In his hymns and songs of praise to gods and in his odes composed for the victors in the n

tic signs, or by both; (2) The Sacred Papyri, containing hymns to the gods ; (3) The Books of the Dead and of the Lower Hemis

the Greeks. We shall, however, append to our description of the Greek gods a brief account of the native Latin divinities th

But the most consistent account of the origin of the world and of the gods is given by the poet Hesiod, who tells us that Ch

broad-bosomed Earth, and beautiful Love who should rule the hearts of gods and men. But from Chaos itself issued Erebus,53 t

first the starry vault of Heaven, durable as brass or iron, where the gods were to take up their abode. Earth brought forth

e throes and changes of the physical world; now begins the history of gods and of men. For in the heart of creation Love beg

o be set forth. § 20. The Division of Empire. — In the council of the gods that succeeded, Jupiter was chosen Sovereign of t

nd sunny regions towered Olympus, the favored mountain of the greater gods .55 § 21. The Reign of Jupiter. — New conflicts,

s, pipings and screams, and, at times, the voice and utterance of the gods themselves. Against Heaven this horror lifted him

fell from the wounded Uranus, renewed the revolt against the Olympian gods . They were creatures nearer akin to men than were

es, or were produced by the rivers or the sea. Some said that men and gods were both derived from Mother Earth, hence both a

vinities. All narratives, however, agree in one statement, — that the gods maintained intimate relations with men until, bec

ome earth and kneading it with water, he made man in the image of the gods . He gave him an upright stature, so that while ot

, as Hesiod says, the altars of the blessed were neglected, and the gods were denied their due, Prometheus stood forth — t

ion and the creation of a new race. Therefore, once upon a time, when gods and men were in dispute at Sicyon concerning the

he faculty of music. And they named her Pandora, “the gift of all the gods .” Thus equipped, she was conveyed to earth, and p

ings of mortality, Seen in their sad reality, Were not as things that gods despise, What was thy pity’s recompense? A silent

home and abroad were rife. The world was wet with slaughter; and the gods , one by one, abandoned it, Astræa, following last

observing the condition of things, burned with anger. He summoned the gods to council. Obeying the call, they travelled the

esent, which should be worthier of life, and more reverent toward the gods . Fearing lest a conflagration might set Heaven it

us, found refuge — he a just man and she a faithful worshipper of the gods . Jupiter, remembering the harmless lives and piou

of the Gods of Heaven.65 § 31. Olympus. —The heaven of the Greek gods was the summit of an ideal mountain called Olympu

of the Celestials to earth, and to receive them on their return. The gods had their separate dwellings; but all, when summo

waters, or the underworld. In the great hall of the Olympian king the gods feasted each day on ambrosia and nectar. Here the

e, and the Muses sang in responsive strain. When the sun was set, the gods withdrew to their respective dwellings for the ni

goddess, azure-eyed, Rose to Olympus, the reputed seat Eternal of the gods , which never storms Disturb, rains drench, or sno

inhabitants divine rejoice Forever.”67 § 32. The Great Gods. — The gods of Heaven were the following:68 Jupiter (Zeus).6

es of the highest order save Hebe, who must be ranked with the lesser gods . With the remaining ten “Great Gods” are sometime

f the divinities and most glorious. In the Iliad he informs the other gods that their united strength would not budge him: t

piter, when represented as appropriating the characteristics of other gods , was sometimes, also, accredited with their wives

f generations that the Greeks came to represent their greatest of the gods by the works of men’s hands. The statue-of Olympi

ledge of her parents, she was wedded to Jupiter in this garden of the gods where ambrosial rivers flowed, and where Earth se

lains to Jupiter, he is snubbed as a renegade most hateful of all the gods .76 His loved one and mistress is the goddess of b

vellous brilliance of the lightning. Vulcan was the blacksmith of the gods , the finest artificer in metal among them. His fo

rth the fumes and flames of his smithy. He built the dwellings of the gods ; he made the sceptre of Jove, the shields and spe

grined by his deformity, cast him from Heaven out of the sight of the gods . Yet, again,78 he says that, attempting once to s

been, when he chose, the cause of “inextinguishable laughter” to the gods , but he was by no means a fool. The famous god of

han “The Medicean’s sly and servile grace”: — “From our low world no gods have taken wing; Even now upon our hills the twai

wift as the wind, was the servant and herald of Jupiter and the other gods . On his ankles (in plastic art), and his low-crow

ympus the choicest morsels of the feast, — and, in the temples of the gods on earth, reverence as the oldest and worthiest o

position to nomadic, habits of life. She was worshipped, first of the gods , at every feast. Before her shrine in city and st

y flame was religiously cherished. From her altars those of the other gods obtained their fires. No new colony, no new home,

th his bow and arrows, he shot the darts of desire into the bosoms of gods and men. Another deity named Anteros, reputed the

daughter of Jupiter and Juno, goddess of youth, and cup-bearer to the gods . According to one story, she resigned that office

quence of a fall which she met with one day when in attendance on the gods . Her successor was Ganymede, a Trojan boy whom Ju

tice, beside Jupiter on his throne. She was’ beloved of the father of gods and men, and bore him the Hours, goddesses who re

er of Night. She represented the righteous anger and vengeance of the gods , particularly toward the proud, the insolent, and

s of the rainbow, who is represented frequently as a messenger of the gods . Fig. 21. Iris carrying a Child. [Vase picture

it, and the central point was either Mount Olympus, the abode of the gods , or Delphi, famous for its oracle. The circular d

e earth, close to the stream of Ocean, dwelt the Æthiopians, whom the gods held in such favor that they left at times the Ol

an on the eastern side, and to drive through the air, giving light to gods and men. The stars, also, except those forming th

r Ge, the Mother Earth, wife of Uranus, belongs to the older order of gods ; so also, another goddess of the earth, Rhea, the

, Rhea became identified with Cybele, whose worship, as mother of the gods , was, at a later period, introduced into Rome. Th

or shepherd’s pipe, which he played in a masterly manner. Like other gods who dwelt in forests, he was dreaded by those who

grafting materials. [Ancient gem: Pitt’s Vergil.] Chapter VII: The gods of the underworld. § 48. The Underworld was th

derground is bounded by awful rivers: the Styx, sacred even among the gods , for by it they sealed their oaths, and the Acher

rom hope and fear set free, We thank with brief thanksgiving Whatever gods may be That no life lives forever; That dead men

the following, although they were later identified with certain Greek gods and goddesses109 whose characteristics and advent

(Bacchus); Libera (Proserpina); Magna Mater, the great mother of the gods (Rhea, Cybele); Orcus (Pluto, Hades); Tellus, the

ivory moonlight, Beneath the chestnut shade.”110 (10) The Penates, gods who were supposed to attend to the welfare and pr

tion from the earth. Juno begged it as a gift. What could the king of gods and men do? He was loath to surrender his sweethe

id welcome me, and regard me as it had been her own child! Ye blessed gods , I pray you, prosper the fulfilment of the dream!

founder of Thebes. She was descended, through both parents, from the gods ; for her mother Harmonia was daughter to Mars and

with the irrevocable oath, attesting the river Styx, terrible to the gods themselves. Then she made known her request. The

terrors, as when he overthrew the giants, but what is known among the gods as his lesser panoply. With thunders and lightnin

iscreet enough to disclose it. Forthwith the vengeance of the king of gods and men fell upon him. He was condemned to Hades,

and wings eluded their pursuit, and at last took shelter between the gods themselves. They forbade it to be slain, and spok

elves. They forbade it to be slain, and spoke in these words: “We are gods . This inhospitable village shall pay the penalty

Philemon took counsel with Baucis a few moments, then declared to the gods their common wish. “We ask to be priests and guar

ns, the two deities had contended for the possession of the city. The gods decreed that it should be awarded to the one who

l to mortals. Neptune gave the horse; Minerva produced the olive. The gods awarded the city to the goddess, and after her Gr

orners were represented incidents illustrating the displeasure of the gods at such presumptuous mortals as had dared to cont

subjects designedly chosen to exhibit the failings and errors of the gods . One scene represented Leda caressing the swan; a

indignation to behold these violent deeds? For ever cruelly suffer we gods by one another’s devices, in showing men grace. W

baleful, whose thought is ever of iniquitous deeds. For all the other gods that are in Olympus hearken to thee, and we are s

son, even overweening Diomede, to rage furiously against the immortal gods . The Cyprian first he wounded in close fight, in

renegade, sit not by me and whine. Most hateful to me art thou of all gods that dwell in Olympus; thou ever lovest strife an

his heart within him laughed pleasantly when he beheld that strife of gods . Then no longer stood they asunder, for Mars, pie

ear, and spake a taunting word: “Wherefore, O dogfly, dost thou match gods with gods in strife, with stormy daring, as thy g

pake a taunting word: “Wherefore, O dogfly, dost thou match gods with gods in strife, with stormy daring, as thy great spiri

d Jove gave him to wife Harmonia, the daughter of Venus and Mars. The gods left Olympus to honor the occasion with their pre

nds, Cadmus one day exclaimed, “If a serpent’s life is so dear to the gods , I would I were myself a serpent.” No sooner had

than he began to change his form. Harmonia, beholding it, prayed the gods to let her share his fate. Both became serpents.

hemselves about her so that she could not rise. The assistance of the gods was of no avail to release her. Then Mars sought

cted him to Olympus, and by persuasion caused him to set the queen of gods and men at liberty. Pl. 7. The Forge of Vulcan

me with heat and thirst, could say no more. Then Jupiter, calling the gods to witness that all was lost unless some speedy r

Tantalus, king of Phrygia, who had been received at the table of the gods by his father, Jupiter. But there was a strain of

father and daughter. The father not only betrayed the secrets of the gods , but, to ridicule their reputed omniscience, atte

deceive them into eating the roasted flesh of his own son Pelops. The gods were not deceived. Pelops was restored to life, —

seven stalwart sons and seven blooming daughters, to the favor of the gods , and of Latona in particular, boasted of her birt

the act of brotherly duty. One only was left, Ilioneus. “Spare me, ye gods !” he cried, addressing all of them, in his ignora

was acquainted with what had taken place, she was indignant that the gods had dared and amazed that they had been able to d

d killed him, but after his death received him into the number of the gods .150 Fig. 44. Æsculapius. [Statue: Müller.] §

oured of them, and gave pursuit. In their distress they prayed to the gods to change their form. Jupiter, accordingly, turne

r parents, afraid that they had unwittingly incurred the anger of the gods , consulted the oracle of Apollo. They received an

d awaits her on the top of the mountain. He is a monster whom neither gods nor men can resist.” This dreadful decree of the

t the approach of twilight, Cytherea returned from the banquet of the gods , breathing odors and crowned with roses. Seeing t

acrificed, as an example for men to follow, two heifers to the twelve gods (himself included). Then home he went and slept,

died. Orpheus sang his grief to all who breathed the upper air, both gods and men, and finding his complaint of no avail, r

the sea illustrate his defiant invasions of lands belonging to other gods , or his character as earth-shaker and earth-prote

acter as earth-shaker and earth-protector. Of his contests with other gods , that with Minerva for Athens has been related. H

he direful prodigies that followed this event made Ceÿx feel that the gods were hostile to him. He thought best therefore to

cyone counted the days till her husband’s promised return. To all the gods she offered frequent incense, but more than all t

rd, and poured forth a song of grief as she flew. By the mercy of the gods Ceÿx was likewise transformed. For seven days bef

saying learnt In days far-off, on that dark earth, be true? ‘The gods themselves cannot recall their gifts.’ “Ay me!

Later, Pan came to be regarded as a representative of all the Greek gods , and of paganism itself. Indeed, according to an

uarter sounded from the steeple. § 117. Of the company of the lesser gods of earth, beside Pan, were the Sileni, the Sylvan

e cases of Erysichthon and Dryope. Erysichthon,234 a despiser of the gods , presumed to violate with the axe a grove sacred

purned by Anaxarete, had hanged himself to her gate-post; and how the gods had turned the hard-hearted virgin to stone even

y. Chapter XVI. Myths of Lesser Divinities of the Waters. These gods may be roughly classed as dwellers in the sea, an

n of that Sisyphus who was punished in Hades for his treachery to the gods . Glaucus had been a comely young fisherman; but h

rs in collecting the bodies of drowned lovers, a youth beloved of the gods will, in time, appear and help him. This prophecy

with her child Melicertes in her arms, from a cliff into the sea. The gods , out of compassion, made her a goddess of the sea

sa. [Relief: Müller.] This was Medusa. Her, while she was praying the gods to end her misery, or, as some say, while she was

over all. At length Iobates, seeing that the hero was beloved of the gods , gave him his daughter in marriage and made him h

even attempted to fly to heaven on his winged steed; but the king of gods and men sent a gadfly, which, stinging Pegasus, c

Delphi; but reconciliation was effected between the combatants by the gods of Olympus; and from that day forth Apollo and He

h. The flames spread apace, and soon invested the whole mass.295 The gods themselves grieved to see the champion of the ear

Jupiter himself, was translated to heaven; and by the consent of the gods — even of reluctant Juno — Hercules was admitted

f Corinth. Whereupon Medea, enraged at his ingratitude, called on the gods for vengeance: then, sending a poisoned robe as a

an’s estate. It chanced, then, that Œneus, offering sacrifices to the gods , omitted to pay due honors to Diana; wherefore sh

e we praise also, thee as these, Pure and a light lit at the hands of gods .”317 Fig. 87. The Calydonian Hunt. [Relief:

killed Itylus, and served up the child as food to the father; but the gods , in indignation, transformed Procne into a swallo

r it was not Zeus who gave them forth, Nor justice, dwelling with the gods below, Who traced these laws for all the sons of

eing. Not through fear Of any man’s resolve was I prepared Before the gods to bear the penalty Of sinning against these. Tha

dness In wisdom chiefly stands; And in the things that touch upon the gods , ’Tis best in word or deed, To shun unholy pride;

ncient punishment on the rocks of Caucasus. Finally the father of the gods himself came, with his holy spouse and his offspr

e of untold misfortune to their favored town of Troy. … When now the gods had reclined their limbs on the ivory couches, Vi

th, wisdom, and honor have departed from among men”: — Wherefore the gods no more vouchsafe their presence to mortals, Suff

elves no more to be touched by the ray of the morning. But there were gods in the pure, — in the golden prime of the Ages.

it is said that, a storm arising, Orpheus prayed to the Samothracian gods , and played on his harp, and that when the storm

all, Stiller than chisell’d marble, standing there; A daughter of the gods , divinely tall, And most divinely fair. Her love

6 § 167. Its Origin. — At the nuptials of Peleus and Thetis all the gods had been invited with the exception of Eris, or D

ry runs that when the news of his death reached her, she implored the gods for leave to converse with him if but for three h

that a council was called to deliberate how to allay the wrath of the gods and avert the plague. Achilles boldly charged the

p, wall painting: Roscher 5: 820.] The Enlistment of the Gods. — The gods and goddesses interested themselves as much in th

experience. “Now,” said Nestor “is the time for such guidance. If the gods so please, thou mayest win Achilles back to the c

redeem, bringing inestimable ransom with me. Achilles! reverence the gods ! recollect thy father ! for his sake show compass

he event was regarded as a clear indication of the displeasure of the gods at Laocoön’s irreverent treatment of the wooden h

roy for their native land. But having incurred the displeasure of the gods they were driven by storms from shore to shore of

extenuated by the guilt of the victim and the express command of the gods , did not fail to awaken in the breasts of the anc

ay home, and finished by imploring his hospitality in the name of the gods . Polyphemus deigned no answer, but reaching out h

shore, and when at a safe distance Ulysses shouted out, “Cyclops, the gods have well requited thee for thy atrocious deeds.

thoüs, their king. They were, the poet tells us, a people akin to the gods , who appeared manifestly and feasted among them w

dmiration, and scrupled not to say to her damsels that she wished the gods would send her such a husband. To Ulysses she rec

fail In offices of tenderness, and pay Meet adoration to my household gods , When I am gone. He works his work, I mine. “The

ns, with long claws and faces pale with hunger. They were sent by the gods to torment a certain Phineus, whom Jupiter had de

true that thou hadst perished? and was I, alas! the cause? I call the gods to witness that my departure from thee was reluct

led its fiery waters. Before him was the gate of adamant that neither gods nor men can break through. An iron tower stood by

ds. In the bottom of this pit, the Titan race, who warred against the gods , lie prostrate; Salmoneus, also, who presumed to

heavenly bodies, the sun, moon, and stars. Of this seed the inferior gods created man and all other animals, mingling it wi

he said to her, “Whether thou be a goddess or a mortal beloved by the gods , by me thou shalt always be held in reverence. Wh

t day celebrating annual solemnities in honor of Hercules and all the gods . Pallas, his son, and all the chiefs of the littl

ually by birth and time of life, and fame in arms, pointed out by the gods , hast but to appear to be hailed at once as their

his brain clouds, charged with hail and snow. Of Ymir’s eyebrows the gods built a fence around this Midgard or mid-earth be

h, it caused the vegetable world to bud and sprout. Shortly after the gods (the Anse-race, Anses, Aesir, or Asa-folk) had cr

d three immense roots, extending one into Asgard (the dwelling of the gods ), the other into Jötunheim (the abode of the gian

h quakes. § 178. Odin and his Valhalla. — To Asgard, the abode of the gods , access is gained only by crossing the bridge, Bi

rossing the bridge, Bifrost (the rainbow). Asgard — Gladsheim for the gods , Vingolf for the goddesses — consists of golden a

r Gods. — Thor, the thunderer, Odin’s eldest son, is the strongest of gods and men, and possesses three precious things. The

eds of warriors. His wife, Iduna, keeps in a box the apples which the gods , when they feel old age approaching, have only to

iu, from whose name is derived our Tuesday, is the wrestler among the gods ; and preëminently the “god of battles.” Balder,

pposite, is the blind god of winter. Heimdall is the watchman of the gods , and is therefore placed on the borders of heaven

Loki and his Progeny. — Loki is described as the calumniator of the gods and the contriver of all fraud and mischief. He i

Although of the giant race, he forced himself into the company of the gods ; and seemed to take pleasure in bringing them int

f Fenris, the second the Midgard Serpent, the third Hela (Death). The gods were not ignorant that these monsters were maturi

sters were maturing, and that they would one day bring much evil upon gods and men. So Odin deemed it advisable to send one

presents a stern and forbidding countenance. The wolf Fenris gave the gods a great deal of trouble before they succeeded in

ke the strongest fetters as if they were made of cobwebs. Finally the gods sent a messenger to the mountain spirits, who mad

n finished it was as smooth and soft as a silken string. But when the gods asked the wolf to suffer himself to be bound with

ore only consented to be bound with it upon condition that one of the gods put his hand in his (Fenris’) mouth as a pledge t

when the wolf found that he could not break his fetters, and that the gods would not release him, he bit off Tyr’s hand. Tyr

s ever since remained onehanded. § 180. The Deeds of Thor. — When the gods were constructing their abodes, and had already f

for his reward the goddess Freya, together with the sun and moon. The gods yielded to the terms, provided that the artificer

aw stone for the building. The enormous size of the stones struck the gods with astonishment, and they saw clearly that the

ese precautions a giant would not have thought himself safe among the gods , — still less, indeed, if Thor should return from

only part that remained to be finished was the gateway. Then sat the gods on their seats of justice, and entered into consu

ail of completing his task, resumed his own gigantic stature; and the gods now clearly perceived that it was in reality a mo

ams indicating that his life was in peril, told them to the assembled gods , who resolved to conjure all things to avert from

d, and Odin was forced to seek her in Hela’s dominions. But the other gods , feeling that what Frigga had done was quite suff

hen she saw the pretended woman, inquired of her if she knew what the gods were doing at their meetings. She replied that th

ral shape, cut off the mistletoe, and repaired to the place where the gods were assembled. There he found Höder standing apa

through, fell down lifeless. Never was there witnessed, either among gods or men, a more atrocious deed. So on the floor l

90 Lay thickly strewn swords, axes, darts, and spears, Which all the gods in sport had idly thrown At Balder, whom no weapo

er threw — ‘Gainst that alone had Balder’s life no charm. And all the gods and all the heroes came, And stood round Balder o

g Odin mounted his horse Sleipnir and rode away to Lidskialf; and the gods in Valhalla returned to the feast: — And before

ght fell, and sacred night came on. But the blind Höder, leaving the gods , went by the sea to Fensalir, the house of Frigga

gods, went by the sea to Fensalir, the house of Frigga, mother of the gods , to ask her what way there might be of restoring

back to heaven.” Höder returning cityward met Hermod, swiftest of the gods , — Nor yet could Hermod see his brother’s face,

Hermod came Home, and lay down to sleep in his own house; And all the gods lay down in their own homes. And Hoder, too, came

came home distraught with grief, Loathing to meet, at dawn, the other gods ; And he went in, and shut the door, and fixt His

fs of Sleipnir rang Along the flinty floor of Asgard streets, And the gods trembled on their golden beds Hearing the wrathfu

s, and I fain would altogether ward Death from thy head, and with the gods in heaven Prolong thy life, though not by thee de

of dead, Whom Hela with austere control presides. For of the race of gods is no one there Save me alone, and Hela, solemn q

ing of the life we led in heaven, While we yet lived, among the other gods .” He spake, and straight his lineaments began To

way. And Nanna on her bed sank back; but then Frea, the mother of the gods , with stroke Painless and swift, set free her air

assuring her that nothing but lamentations were to be heard among the gods . Hela answered that it should now be tried whethe

to Asgard and gave an account of all he had heard and witnessed. The gods upon this despatched messengers throughout the wo

wore her shape; She greeted them the first, and laughed and said: “Ye gods , good lack, is it so dull in heaven That ye come

ead To chew the straw, her litter at her feet — So ye grow squeamish, gods , and sniff at heaven!” She spake, but Hermod ans

der prevented from returning to Asgard. The Funeral of Balder. — The gods took up the dead body and bore it to the sea-shor

Loki did not escape his merited punishment. When he saw how wroth the gods were, he fled to the mountain, and there built hi

have used since his time. But Odin found out his hiding-place and the gods assembled to take him. He, seeing this, changed h

elf into a salmon, and lay hid among the stones of the brook. But the gods took his net and dragged the brook, and Loki find

e Elves. — The Edda mentions another class of beings, inferior to the gods , but still possessed of great power; these were t

he decaying flesh of Ymir’s body. They were afterwards endowed by the gods with a human form and great understanding. They w

ern nations that a time would come when all the visible creation, the gods of Valhalla and Niflheim, the inhabitants of Jötu

sea, and Loki, released from his bonds, will join the enemies of the gods . Amidst the general devastation the sons of Muspe

s. Heimdall now stands up and sounds the Giallar horn to assemble the gods and heroes for the contest. The gods advance, led

the Giallar horn to assemble the gods and heroes for the contest. The gods advance, led on by Odin, who engaging the wolf Fe

r him. Loki and Heimdall meet and fight till they both are slain. The gods and their enemies having fallen in battle, Surter

t labor or care. Wickedness and misery will no more be known, but the gods and men will live happily together. This twilight

but the gods and men will live happily together. This twilight of the gods is aptly described in a conversation held between

kes to land; And all are marshall’d in one flaming square Against the gods , upon the plains of heaven. I mourn thee, that th

r answered him, and said: — “Mourn not for me! Mourn, Hermod, for the gods ; Mourn for the men on earth, the gods in heaven,

for me! Mourn, Hermod, for the gods; Mourn for the men on earth, the gods in heaven, Who live, and with their eyes shall se

y breast, though vain, But not to me so grievous as, I know, To other gods it were, is my enforced Absence from fields where

ey from sight have disappeared and sunk, Shall a small remnant of the gods repair; Höder and I shall join them from the grav

yore; And that shall bring to mind the former life And pastime of the gods — the wise discourse Of Odin, the delights of oth

him to the destruction of the dragon Fafnir. For Regin told that the gods , Odin, Loki, and Hœnir, wandering near his father

slew one of Rodmar’s sons, Otter. Whereupon Rodmar demanded that the gods should fill the Otter-skin with gold, and cover i

i cursed the ring and the gold and all that might possess either. The gods , forthwith, filled Otter with the dwarfs gold, an

, but thou shalt live, In remembrance of our glory, mid the gifts the gods shall give!… … It is Brynhild’s deed,” he murmure

h. Illustrative. — Milton, P. L., “More lovely than Pandora whom the gods endowed with all their gifts.” Poems. — D. G. R

§ 31. In the following genealogical table (A), the names of the great gods of Olympus are printed in heavy-face. Latin forms

il 1892), about twenty Olympian deities:401 (1) The five really great gods , Zeus, Hera, Posidon, Apollo, and Athene; (2) Hep

y. He holds, however, that despite the occasional immoralities of the gods , their general government not only “makes for rig

Zeus, for instance, in the Olympian assembly, “Men complain of us the gods , and say that we are the source from whence ills

that, whatever be their collective conduct, the common speech of the gods is below the human level in point of morality.402

an and Augustan periods. On the Love Affairs of Jupiter and the other gods , Milton, Paradise Regained 2: 182. Dodona: Tennys

inning “Phœbus was judge between Jove, Mars and Love, Of those three gods , whose arms the fairest were”; Dekker, The Sun’

races Hermes, child of the Dawn with its fresh breezes, herald of the gods , spy of the night, to the Vedic Saramâ, goddess o

eir exchange of arrows, “And that explains the reasdn why Despite the gods above, The young are often doomed to die, The old

n: Venus. Pæan (Pæon, or Paiëon), classed by Homer among the Olympian gods , of whom he is, as his name implies, the “healer.

rformed on the tenth day after the massacre, by Jupiter and the other gods . This petrifaction of the onlookers may indicate

f a Greek epigram supposed to relate to this statue: — “To stone the gods have changed her, but in vain; The sculptor’s art

. Illustrative. — The second lyric of Sappho, beginning “Like to the gods he seems to me, The man that sits, reclined by th

s, as morning or as evening twilight, loves the Dew, is herald of the gods , is spy of the night, is sender of sleep and drea

bands to an ever-revolving wheel. Sisyphtus, for his treachery to the gods , vainly rolled a stone toward the top of a hill.

appiness to that of Jupiter and Juno, incurred the displeasure of the gods . The myth springs from observation of the habits

rse Religion consists evidently of two distinct strata: the lower, of gods , that are personifications of natural forces, or

le of, 285. Dith′yramb ( Arion’s), 26. Division of world among Greek gods , 40. Dodo′na, the oracle, 52, 53. Dolphin and Apo

indoo divinities. Dynast, the (Pluto), 187. E Earth, 37,38,125; gods of, among Greeks, 74-77; conception of world, 74;

ion of world, 74; lesser Greek divinities of E., 77; myths of greater gods of, 174-180; of E. and underworld, 181-189; of le

of greater gods of, 174-180; of E. and underworld, 181-189; of lesser gods of, 200-214;see also under Gæa. East of the Sun,

low) he is the sun of the underworld. Seb: the father of the Osirian gods . He is the god of earth and its vegetation; repre

Cronus; his consort was Nut. Nut: wife of Seb, mother of the Osirian gods ; the vault of heaven; she may be likened to the G

reme godhead. Worshipped through all Egypt, and associated with other gods who are then manifestations of his various attrib

n attributes with some other god. As Amen-Ra he is the king of Theban gods , the divinity of the sun. He is of human form; ra

9. Fate (Greek Anan′ke, Latin Fa′turn) the necessity behind and above gods as well as men. Fates, the (Greek Mas roe, Latin

38; enumerated, 52; discussed by Gladstone, Com. § 32; attributes of gods of Olympus, 51-73; lesser divinities of Olympus,

of gods of Olympus, 51-73; lesser divinities of Olympus, 70-73; Greek gods of the earth, 74-77; Greek gods of the underworld

r divinities of Olympus, 70-73; Greek gods of the earth, 74-77; Greek gods of the underworld, 78-84; lesser divinities of th

Greek dynasties of the waters, greater and lesser divinities, 85-87; gods common to Greece and Italy, 88; distinctively Rom

world, 200-214; of lesser divinities of waters, 215-222; of the Norse gods , 366-391. Gods, the Hindoo; see under Hindoo divi

(1). Hathor, Athor; see Egyptian deities (1). Heaven, abode of Greek gods , 51; see Olympus; attributes of Greek gods of, 51

1). Heaven, abode of Greek gods, 51; see Olympus; attributes of Greek gods of, 51; myths of greater Greek gods, 91173; of le

see Olympus; attributes of Greek gods of, 51; myths of greater Greek gods , 91173; of lesser, 192-199. Heaven personified, 3

m root, to know, to be wise; see p. 35. Devas: the shining ones, the gods (Gk. theos, Lat. deus). Dyaus: the shining sky,

ndra: son of Dyaus and Prithivi; the atmospheric region; chief of the gods , and strongest; wielder of the thunderbolt, lord

n of the spirituous “extract” of the moon-plant; giver of strength to gods and men, and of radiant light and joyous immortal

storm. Agni: the youngest and one of the most important of the Vedic gods ; lord of fire, born of two pieces of wood rubbed

see under Venus. Isthmian Games, Com. §§ 152-157 (Textual). Italian gods , 88-90. Italy, 268, 339, 343. Ith′aca, 20, 24, 28

ruts; see under Hindoo divinities (1). Mars (A′res), one of the great gods , 52; attributes of, 57, 58; meaning of names, 57;

der heroes, 223-272; of the younger heroes, 273 et seq.; of the Norse gods , 366-391; of Norse and Old German heroes, 392-403

man; see 241-245; Com. § 38, on Art. Norns, 367, 368, 382, 397. Norse gods , myths of, 2, 366-391; Com. §§ 177-184. Norse her

§§ 152-159 (Textual). O-lym′pus, Mount, 124. O-lym′pus, home of Greek gods of heaven, 2, 40; located and described, 51; Home

nd described, 51; Homer’s conception of, 51, 52, 74, myths of greater gods of, 91-173; of lesser gods of, 192-199, 200. Om′p

onception of, 51, 52, 74, myths of greater gods of, 91-173; of lesser gods of, 192-199, 200. Om′pha-le, 239. O-phi′on, Com.

mythology, records of, 34-36. Origin of the world: Greek, 37; of the gods , 38; of man, 42, 43; Norse, 366, 367- O-ri′on, 26

communication with them, 81; judges of, 83, 97, 124; myths of greater gods , 181-188, 238, 255. 344-353, Com. §§ 48,49. For t

Vulca′nus, Hephæstus), 6; identified with Tubal, 12; one of the great gods , 52; attributes of, 58, 59; meaning of names, 58;

§§ 37, 71. Vyâsa, 35. W Water-nymphs, 77, 85, 87. Waters, Greek gods of, 85-87; older dynasty, 85; younger d., 85, 86;

age; still Doth the old instinct bring back the old names; Spirits or gods that used to share this earth With man as with th

of it, the central point being either Mount Olympus, the abode of the gods , or Delphi, so famous for its oracle. The circula

and virtuous as the Hyperboreans. They were named the Æthiopians. The gods favored them so highly that they were wont to lea

a happy place named the Elysian Plain, whither mortals favored by the gods were transported without tasting of death, to enj

rded as of no great width, nations enjoying the peculiar favor of the gods , and blessed with happiness and longevity. The Da

n, on the eastern side, and to drive through the air, giving light to gods and men. The stars, also, except those forming th

towards the other goal Of his chamber in the east.” The abode of the gods was on the summit of Mount Olympus, in Thessaly.

of the Celestials to earth, and to receive them on their return. The gods had their separate dwellings; but all, when summo

as also in the great hall of the palace of the Olympian king that the gods feasted each day on ambrosia and nectar, their fo

which the Muses sang in responsive strains. When the sun was set, the gods retired to sleep in their respective dwellings. T

goddess azure-eyed, Rose to Olympus, the reputed seat Eternal of the gods , which never storms Disturb, rains drench, or sno

nd artist of all work in Olympus. He built of brass the houses of the gods ; he made for them the golden shoes with which the

od with brass the celestial steeds, which whirled the chariots of the gods through the air, or along the surface of the sea.

ait on himself. Jupiter, or Jove, (Zeus,) though called the father of gods and men, had himself a beginning. Saturn (Cronos)

Themis, Mnemosyne, Eurynome, females. They are spoken of as the elder gods , whose dominion was afterwards transferred to oth

the dead. Earth and Olympus were common property. Jupiter was king of gods and men. The thunder was his weapon, and he bore

s thunderbolts. Juno (Hera) was the wife of Jupiter, and queen of the gods . Iris, the goddess of the rainbow, was her attend

eived and attired by the Seasons, and then led to the assembly of the gods . All were charmed with her beauty, and each one d

beautiful of the goddesses became the wife of the most ill-favored of gods . Venus possessed an embroidered girdle called Ces

h bow and arrows, he shot the darts of desire into the bosoms of both gods and men. There was a deity named Anteros, who was

s also an avenging goddess. She represents the righteous anger of the gods , particularly towards the proud and insolent. Pan

us, the founder of Rome, exalted after his death to a place among the gods . Bellona, a war goddess. Terminus, the god of lan

between the reign of Numa and that of Augustus. The Penates were the gods who were supposed to attend to the welfare and pr

the Penates of his own house. The Lares, or Lars, were also household gods , but differed from the Penates in being regarded

women to their Juno. A modern poet thus alludes to some of the Roman gods : — “Pomona loves the orchard,       And Liber lo

is earth, and kneading it up with water, made man in the image of the gods . He gave him an upright stature, so that while al

family love lay prostrate. The earth was wet with slaughter, and the gods abandoned it, one by one, till Astræa3 alone was

iter, seeing this state of things, burned with anger. He summoned the gods to council. They obeyed the call, and took the ro

ed the Milky Way. Along the road stand the palaces of the illustrious gods ; the common people of the skies live apart, on ei

who would be more worthy of life, and much better worshippers of the gods . So saying he took a thunderbolt, and was about t

s, found refuge — he a just man, and she a faithful worshipper of the gods . Jupiter, when he saw none left alive but this pa

e it! But as we cannot, let us seek yonder temple, and inquire of the gods what remains for us to do.” They entered the temp

in Book IV. of Paradise Lost: — “More lovely than Pandora, whom the gods Endowed with all their gifts; and O, too like In

he will of Jupiter, he drew down on himself the anger of the ruler of gods and men. Jupiter had him chained to a rock on Mou

of mortality,     Seen in their sad reality, Were not as things that gods despise; What was thy pity’s recompense? A silent

plunged the sword into her breast. Her parents ratified her wish, the gods also ratified it. The two bodies were buried in o

hus told the cause of her coming: “Do you ask why I, the queen of the gods , have left the heavenly plains and sought your de

I call to witness that dreadful lake, which I never saw, but which we gods swear by in our most solemn engagements.” Phaëton

l’s power. In your ignorance you aspire to do that which not even the gods themselves may do. None but myself may drive the

u? Perhaps you think that there are forests and cities, the abodes of gods , and palaces and temples on the way. On the contr

to heaven, and with a husky voice called on Jupiter. “O, ruler of the gods , if I have deserved this treatment, and it is you

ould say no more. Then Jupiter omnipotent, calling to witness all the gods , including him who had lent the chariot, and show

old folks, eluded their pursuit, and at last took shelter between the gods themselves. They forbade it to be slain; and spok

elves. They forbade it to be slain; and spoke in these words: “We are gods . This inhospitable village shall pay the penalty

Philemon took counsel with Baucis a few moments; then declared to the gods their united wish. “We ask to be priests and guar

Titans and banished them to Tartarus, a new enemy rose up against the gods . They were the giants Typhon, Briareus, Enceladus

ve lost mine.” As she spoke, tears — or something like tears, for the gods never weep — fell down her cheeks upon her bosom.

mself, but bidding farewell to earth, he plunged into the stream. The gods of the water received him graciously, and admitte

n collecting all the bodies of drowned lovers, a youth beloved of the gods will appear and help him. Endymion fulfils this p

t in the solemnities, he stood before the altar and timidly said, “Ye gods , who can do all things, give me, I pray you, for

reful prodigies following his brother’s death made him feel as if the gods were hostile to him. He thought best, therefore,

shall put on, and now what she shall wear when he arrives. To all the gods she offers frequent incense, but more than all to

nd, — for he knew who she was. She answered, “Somnus, gentlest of the gods , tranquillizer of minds and soother of care-worn

emed to raise its head. But indeed he did feel it, and by the pitying gods both of them were changed into birds. They mate a

y on him, and fancy him speaking now with my mouth. Remember that the gods punish cruelty, and that Venus hates a hard heart

you shall see me die, and feast your eyes on the spectacle. Yet, O ye gods , who look down on mortal woes, observe my fate! I

r parents, afraid that they had unwittingly incurred the anger of the gods , consulted the oracle of Apollo, and received thi

d awaits her on the top of the mountain. He is a monster whom neither gods nor men can resist.” This dreadful decree of the

eld not a hideous monster, but the most beautiful and charming of the gods , with his golden ringlets wandering over his snow

roper place and kind, believing that she ought to neglect none of the gods , but endeavor by her piety to engage them all in

t. Venus at the approach of twilight returned from the banquet of the gods , breathing odors and crowned with roses. Seeing t

rrand, for I must paint myself with it to appear at the circle of the gods and goddesses this evening.” Psyche was now satis

eet entranced, After her wandering labors long, Till free consent the gods among Make her his eternal bride; And from her fa

bes. Cadmus obtained in marriage Harmonia, the daughter of Venus. The gods left Olympus to honor the occasion with their pre

and one day Cadmus exclaimed, “If a serpent’s life is so dear to the gods , I would I were myself a serpent.” No sooner had

han he began to change his form. Harmonia beheld it and prayed to the gods to let her share his fate. Both became serpents.

e the human form. Then I awoke, and my first impulse was to chide the gods who had robbed me of a sweet vision and given me

keeps the keys; he only stands in my way. O that it might please the gods to take him away! But why ask the gods to do it?

ay. O that it might please the gods to take him away! But why ask the gods to do it? Another woman, loving as I do, would re

with the fatal spoil. Minos shrunk back and refused to touch it. “The gods destroy thee, infamous woman,” he exclaimed; “dis

Athens, the two deities contended for the possession of the city. The gods decreed that it should be awarded to that one who

l to mortals. Neptune gave the horse; Minerva produced the olive. The gods gave judgment that the olive was the more useful

orners were represented incidents illustrating the displeasure of the gods at such presumptuous mortals as had dared to cont

subjects designedly chosen to exhibit the failings and errors of the gods . One scene represented Leda caressing the swan, u

father was Tantalus, who was received as a guest at the table of the gods ; my mother was a goddess. My husband built and ru

s arms to heaven to try whether prayer might not avail. “Spare me, ye gods !” he cried, addressing all, in his ignorance that

place. She could hardly think it possible; she was indignant that the gods had dared and amazed that they had been able to d

f a Greek epigram supposed to relate to this statue: — “To stone the gods have changed her, but in vain; The sculptor’s art

in bulk till he became a mountain, and (such was the pleasure of the gods ) heaven with all its stars rests upon his shoulde

e as a suitor; but I will try to win her by services rendered, if the gods will only be propitious. If she be rescued by my

she lay bound to the rock, the monster’s victim. The sentence of the gods dooming her to such a fate dissolved all engageme

retreating from the scene after fruitless expostulations, calling the gods to witness that he was guiltless of this outrage

and strife with them. But the superhuman giants, who warred with the gods , were of vastly larger dimensions. Tityus, we are

We have already spoken of the war which the giants waged against the gods , and of its result. While this war lasted the gia

rms; others, like Typhon, breathed out fire. At one time they put the gods to such fear that they fled into Egypt and hid th

at length Iobates, seeing that the hero was a special favorite of the gods , gave him his daughter in marriage and made him h

ophon by his pride and presumption drew upon himself the anger of the gods ; it is said he even attempted to fly up into heav

d killed him, but after his death received him into the number of the gods . Chiron was the wisest and justest of all the Cen

ose power plants potent for enchantment are produced. She invoked the gods of the woods and caverns, of mountains and valley

rinth, put away Medea. She, enraged at his ingratitude, called on the gods for vengeance, sent a poisoned robe as a gift to

anhood. It chanced, then, that Œneus, as he offered sacrifices to the gods , omitted to pay due honors to Diana; and she, ind

las in Africa. Atlas was one of the Titans who had warred against the gods , and after they were subdued, Atlas was condemned

Dejanira approved. When Hercules was about to offer sacrifices to the gods in honor of his victory, he sent to his wife for

pines And Lichas from the top of Œta threw Into the Euboic Sea.” The gods themselves felt troubled at seeing the champion o

taining this honor, yet no one can deny that he has deserved it.” The gods all gave their assent; Juno only heard the closin

be, the daughter of Juno, and goddess of youth, was cup-bearer to the gods . The usual story is that she resigned her office

quence of a fall which she met with one day when in attendance on the gods . Her successor was Ganymede, a Trojan boy, whom J

aff and watched them, astonished at the sight, and thinking they were gods who could thus cleave the air. They passed Sam

ring the voyage a storm arose, and Orpheus prayed to the Samothracian gods , and played on his harp, whereupon the storm ceas

with the irrevocable oath, attesting the river Styx, terrible to the gods themselves. Then she made known her request. The

terrors, as when he overthrew the giants, but what is known among the gods as his lesser panoply. Arrayed in this, he entere

s pipe, which he himself played in a masterly manner. Pan, like other gods who dwelt in forests, was dreaded by those whose

Nature; and later still to be regarded as a representative of all the gods and of heathenism itself. Sylvanus and Faunus wer

ichthon. Erisichthon was a profane person and a despiser of the gods . On one occasion he presumed to violate with the

tle son Melicertes in her arms, sprang from a cliff into the sea. The gods , out of compassion, made her a goddess of the sea

died. Orpheus sang his grief to all who breathed the upper air, both gods and men, and finding it all unavailing resolved t

aying she sprinkled her son with fragrant nectar, the beverage of the gods , and immediately an unusual vigor filled his fram

race. With what lavish offerings will we display our gratitude to the gods , and how merry will we be at the festal board!” T

t thou hate the cheerful light! I must away, but I will not fear. The gods look down upon us. Ye who slay me unoffending, wh

to the strife of arms, sank powerless. He called for help on men and gods , but his cry reached no defender’s ear. “Then her

or him in vain. Perhaps in their own temple’s enclosure he defies the gods mingling freely in this throng of men that now pr

came enamoured and pursued them. In their distress they prayed to the gods to change their form, and Jupiter in pity turned

eauty. It happened thus: At the nuptials of Peleus and Thetis all the gods were invited with the exception of Eris, or Disco

ached to him. When the news of his death reached her she implored the gods to be allowed to converse with him only three hou

Then a council was called to deliberate how to allay the wrath of the gods and avert the plague. Achilles boldly charged the

camp and openly avowed his intention of returning home to Greece. The gods and goddesses interested themselves as much in th

perience. “Now,” said Nestor, “is the time for such influence. If the gods so please, thou mayest win him back to the common

is body, bringing inestimable ransom with me. Achilles! reverence the gods ! recollect thy father! for his sake show compassi

is event was regarded as a clear indication of the displeasure of the gods at Laocoon’s irreverent treatment of the wooden h

roy for their native land. But having incurred the displeasure of the gods they were driven by storms from shore to shore of

alleviated by the guilt of the victim and the express command of the gods , did not fail to awaken in the breasts of the anc

ay home, and finished by imploring his hospitality in the name of the gods . Polyphemus deigned no answer, but reaching out h

shore, and when at a safe distance Ulysses shouted out, “Cyclops, the gods have well requited thee for thy atrocious deeds.

e divinities of lower rank, yet sharing many of the attributes of the gods . Calypso received Ulysses hospitably, entertained

thoüs, their king. They were, the poet tells us, a people akin to the gods , who appeared manifestly and feasted among them w

dmiration, and scrupled not to say to her damsels that she wished the gods would send her such a husband. To Ulysses she rec

ns, with long claws and faces pale with hunger. They were sent by the gods to torment a certain Phineus, whom Jupiter had de

or true that you had perished? and was I, alas! the cause? I call the gods to witness that my departure from you was relucta

led its fiery waters. Before him was the gate of adamant that neither gods nor men can break through. An iron tower stood by

ds. In the bottom of this pit, the Titan race, who warred against the gods , lie prostrate; Salmoneus, also, who presumed to

heavenly bodies, the sun, moon, and stars. Of this seed the inferior gods created man and all other animals, mingling it wi

he said to her, “Whether thou be a goddess or a mortal beloved of the gods , by me thou shalt always be held in reverence. Wh

t day celebrating annual solemnities in honor of Hercules and all the gods . Pallas, his son, and all the chiefs of the littl

ually by birth and time of life, and fame in arms, pointed out by the gods , have but to appear to be hailed at once as their

o the proportions of the musical scale. The heavenly bodies, with the gods who inhabited them, were supposed to perform a ch

of marriage, a civil organization, and taught them how to worship the gods . After he had thus made the valley of the Nile a

e” of the old superstitions, and, having no connection with the false gods of Paganism, to have continued to enjoy an existe

rahma, Vishnu, and Siva form the Trimurti or triad of principal Hindu gods . Of the inferior gods the most important are: 1.

a form the Trimurti or triad of principal Hindu gods. Of the inferior gods the most important are: 1. Indra, the god of heav

rm of a Tortoise, which form he assumed to support the earth when the gods were churning the sea for the beverage of immorta

ishnu, assumed by him in order to induce the Asuras, opponents of the gods , to abandon the sacred ordinances of the Vedas, b

his brain clouds, charged with hail and snow. Of Ymir’s eyebrows the gods formed Midgard, (mid earth,) destined to become t

h, it caused the vegetable world to bud and sprout. Shortly after the gods had created the world they walked by the side of

three immense roots, extending one into Asgard, (the dwelling of the gods ,) the other into Jotunheim, (the abode of the gia

f its weight the earth quakes. Asgard is the name of the abode of the gods , access to which is only gained by crossing the b

.) Asgard consists of golden and silver palaces, the dwellings of the gods , but the most beautiful of these is Valhalla, the

Gods. Thor, the thunderer, Odin’s eldest son, is the strongest of gods and men, and possesses three very precious things

derived our word Thursday. Frey is one of the most celebrated of the gods . He presides over rain and sunshine and all the f

eds of warriors. His wife, Iduna, keeps in a box the apples which the gods , when they feel old age approaching, have only to

ly to taste of to become young again. Heimdall is the watchman of the gods , and is therefore placed on the borders of heaven

There is another deity who is described as the calumniator of the gods and the contriver of all fraud and mischief. His

. He is of the giant race, but forced himself into the company of the gods , and seems to take pleasure in bringing them into

Fenris, the second the Midgard serpent, the third Hela, (Death.) The gods were not ignorant that these monsters were growin

ers were growing up, and that they would one day bring much evil upon gods and men. So Odin deemed it advisable to send one

dreadfully stern and forbidding countenance. The wolf Fenris gave the gods a great deal of trouble before they succeeded in

ke the strongest fetters as if they were made of cobwebs. Finally the gods sent a messenger to the mountain spirits, who mad

n finished it was as smooth and soft as a silken string. But when the gods asked the wolf to suffer himself to be bound with

ore only consented to be bound with it upon condition that one of the gods put his hand in his (Fenris’s) mouth as a pledge

when the wolf found that he could not break his fetters, and that the gods would not release him, he bit off Tyr’s hand, and

ow Thor Paid the Mountain Giant His Wages Once on a time, when the gods were constructing their abodes and had already fi

for his reward the goddess Freya, together with the sun and moon. The gods yielded to his terms, provided he would finish th

aw stone for the building. The enormous size of the stones struck the gods with astonishment, and they saw clearly that the

ese precautions a giant would not have thought himself safe among the gods , especially when Thor should return from an exped

only part that remained to be finished was the gateway. Then sat the gods on their seats of justice and entered into consul

ail of completing his task, resumed his own gigantic stature, and the gods now clearly perceived that it was in reality a mo

ams indicating that his life was in peril, told them to the assembled gods , who resolved to conjure all things to avert from

with speed And saddled straight his coal-black steed.” But the other gods , feeling that what Frigga had done was quite suff

hen she saw the pretended woman, inquired of her if she knew what the gods were doing at their meetings. She replied that th

ral shape, cut off the mistletoe, and repaired to the place where the gods were assembled. There he found Hodur standing apa

h, fell down lifeless. Surely never was there witnessed, either among gods or men, a more atrocious deed than this. When Bal

g gods or men, a more atrocious deed than this. When Baldur fell, the gods were struck speechless with horror, and then they

sembled. They gave vent to their grief by loud lamentations. When the gods came to themselves, Frigga asked who among them w

assuring her that nothing but lamentations were to be heard among the gods . Hela answered that it should now be tried whethe

to Asgard and gave an account of all he had heard and witnessed. The gods upon this despatched messengers throughout the wo

g was no other than Loki himself, who never ceased to work evil among gods and men. So Baldur was prevented from coming back

ented from coming back to Asgard.33 The Funeral of Baldur. The gods took up the dead body and bore it to the sea shor

oki did not escape his deserved punishment. When he saw how angry the gods were, he fled to the mountain, and there built hi

have used since his time. But Odin found out his hiding-place and the gods assembled to take him. He, seeing this, changed h

elf into a salmon, and lay hid among the stones of the brook. But the gods took his net and dragged the brook, and Loki, fin

Elves. The Edda mentions another class of beings, inferior to the gods , but still possessed of great power; these were c

the decaying flesh of Ymir’s body, and were afterwards endowed by the gods with a human form and great understanding. They w

ern nations that a time would come when all the visible creation, the gods of Valhalla and Niffleheim, the inhabitants of Jo

sea, and Loki, released from his bonds, will join the enemies of the gods . Amidst the general devastation the sons of Muspe

s. Heimdall now stands up and sounds the Giallar horn to assemble the gods and heroes for the contest. The gods advance, led

the Giallar horn to assemble the gods and heroes for the contest. The gods advance, led on by Odin, who engages the wolf Fen

r him. Loki and Heimdall meet and fight till they are both slain. The gods and their enemies having fallen in battle, Surtur

t labor or care. Wickedness and misery will no more be known, but the gods and men will live happily together. Runic Lett

atin writers assert that the Druids also worshipped numerous inferior gods . They used no images to represent the object of t

rld and the lands, and concerning the might and power of the immortal gods .” Their history consisted in traditional tales,

e. Mythology includes also the historical myths, or the narratives of gods , demigods, and heroes, which were current among t

al powers. The strife and turbulence of nature were attributed to the gods , who became in some manner identified with the el

re, to a great extent. The ancient Latins had, undoubtedly, their own gods and their peculiar superstitions, but they do not

m her entrails first the precious ore (Which next to hell the prudent gods had laid,) And that alluring ill to sight display

betrayed.” Dryden’s Ovid. Mount Olympus. Ques. Where were the gods supposed to dwell? Ans. On the summit of Mount O

of the Muses. Vulcan was smith, architect and chariot builder to the gods . He built their dwellings on Olympus, and constru

fferent Classes of Deities. Ques. Did the Greeks believe that the gods resembled men? Ans. Yes; in many particulars. Th

iter himself, could undo the spell. Ques. Into what classes were the gods divided? Ans. Ancient writers differ in the clas

ities. According to one division, which we will follow, the Celestial gods were: Jupiter, Apollo, Mars, Mercury and Bacchus.

Lycaon. Ques. Who was Jupiter? Ans. He was the king and father of gods and men. He is generally represented as a majesti

ted by the misfortunes of their descendants, that they petitioned the gods to deprive them of life. They were soon after cha

commands of Jupiter. Mercury is commonly called the messenger of the gods . He also swept the room where the gods supped, an

ly called the messenger of the gods. He also swept the room where the gods supped, and made their beds. Ques. What else is

of Bacchus? Ans. He distinguished himself in the combats between the gods and giants, taking the form of a lion to strike t

r Hours, who carried her to heaven as soon she became of age. All the gods were astonished at the beauty of Venus, and many

hat occasion was the prize of beauty adjudged to Venus? Ans. All the gods and goddesses had been invited to the marriage of

ere he manufactured Jupiter’s thunderbolts, and the arms of the other gods . Vulcan was the god of fire, and the patron of bl

e Momus signifies a jester. His occupation was to criticise the other gods , and censure their actions. Ques. Give an exampl

emesis at Rhamnus. Ques. Who was Themis? Ans. She instructed both gods and men, and was generally considered the goddess

ic which he made on this rude instrument was so sweet as to cheer the gods . Ques. What famous action is related of Pan? An

Niobe, widowed and childless, wept without ceasing until the pitying gods changed her into stone. This story has furnished

rpheus overcame them in their own art; for he sang the praises of the gods , accompanying himself upon his lyre, and made suc

vers of Hell? Ans. The Styx was the most remarkable. When any of the gods swore by the Styx, the oath was sacred; if any de

n oath, he was deprived of nectar, and excluded from the table of the gods for a year and nine days. Lethe was also a river

es. Who was Tantalus? Ans. He was the son of Jupiter. He invited the gods to a feast, at which he served up the flesh of hi

some, the children of Mercury and the nymph Lara; they were domestic gods , and presided over houses, streets and roads. The

ir death, their countrymen believed that they were admitted among the gods , and gave them divine honors. The circumstance of

ivine honors. The circumstance of a mortal taking his place among the gods , was called an Apotheosis. Ques. Who was the mos

iron, and he was now equipped for his labors by the liberality of the gods . He received a sword from Mercury, a bow from Apo

metheus had, at one time, rendered Jupiter a service. The king of the gods remembered this, and permitted that after a certa

perceived from these exploits that his guest was indeed allied to the gods , and abandoned all further designs against him. H

ended his days in happiness and prosperity, had he not irritated the gods by his pride. He conceived the project of mountin

by the waves. In her despair, she cast herself into the sea, but the gods took pity on the faithful pair, and transformed t

nian hunt. Œneus had, upon one occasion, in offering sacrifice to the gods , neglected the honors due to Diana, and the godde

was Erisichthon? Ans. He was a profane person and a despiser of the gods . There stood in a grove sacred to Ceres, a statel

he latter work consists of a long and rather tedious catalogue of the gods and goddesses; it is valued as containing an accu

ustified by the guilt of Clytemnestra, and the express command of the gods , was abhorrent to nature, and could not pass unav

nd be guilty of crimes which would draw upon him the vengeance of the gods . Œdipus understood this of Corinth, and instead o

ct armed with power To contravene the firm unwritten laws Of the just gods , thyself a weak frail mortal! ………………………… I knew b

Anchises bore with him the sacred Penates of Troy, and his household gods . Æneas was joined by the greater part of the Troj

and Æneas was only roused to action by the direct intervention of the gods . Jupiter sent Mercury to the hero, commanding him

Elysium. This was the abode of the heroes and other favorites of the gods . Here, in a fragrant meadow, Æneas found the shad

ors, who supposed that their commander had forfeited the favor of the gods by this act of sacrilege. Omens were drawn from t

rt in the celebration of the principal festivals held in honor of the gods . These remarks apply also to the Greek drama. Qu

storm or a shower came on, the play was, of course, interrupted; the gods and heroes disappeared, and the audience sought s

igious solemnity. To have covered in the stage itself, and imprisoned gods and heroes in a gloomy apartment artificially lig

f the stage. Supported by ropes, or iron cranes, carefully concealed, gods appeared in the air, descended on the stage, and

epresented. The actors wore masks which covered the entire head. When gods or heroic personages were represented, the masks

sometimes pouring forth hymns of thanksgiving or supplication to the gods ; sometimes chanting odes on the instability of hu

ly fate of some personage of the drama, or denounced the anger of the gods on the head of a tyrant. Besides this more legiti

y, seated on a lotus-flower, with his finger on his lips. Besides the gods we have mentioned, the Egyptians worshipped the d

ition: Who has not heard where Egypt’s realms are nam’d What monster gods her frantic sons have fram’d Here Ibis gorged wit

nations sure, and blest abodes, Where every orchard is o’er-run with gods . Chapter II. Eastern Mythology. Deities of th

hip them as distinct divinities. Ques. What are the offices of these gods ? Ans. Brahma created all things, Vishnu preserve

e eleventh century, and the stories which it contains of the Northern gods and heroes, had been long familiar to the people

se milk the giant was nourished. The Frost Giants were the enemies of gods and men. From the ice of the lower deep a god aro

on the earth, the plants and trees began to bud and sprout. The three gods walked by the side of the sea, admiring their new

e roots, one of which extended into Asgard, the dwelling-place of the gods ; another into Jotunheim, the abode of the giants;

ard. Ans. It contained gold and silver palaces, the dwellings of the gods , but the most famous and beautiful of these was V

reya. Ques. Who was Frey? Ans. He was one of the greatest of the gods . He presided over rain, sunshine, and the fruits

strains, and was the patron of those only who sung the praises of the gods and the deeds of warriors. Iduna, his wife, kept

warriors. Iduna, his wife, kept in a casket certain apples which the gods , when they felt age approaching, had only to tast

eimdall. Ques. Who was Heimdall? Ans. He was the watchman of the gods , and was stationed at the extreme verge of heaven

ioned at the extreme verge of heaven to guard the bridge Bifrost. The gods continually feared that the giants might force th

that of Thor; he was often employed like Mercury as messenger of the gods . He had sandals which sustained him equally in th

ildren, the wolf Fenris, the Midgard serpent, and Hela, or Death. The gods were not ignorant that these monsters were growin

hese monsters were growing up, and would one day bring much evil upon gods and men. Odin, therefore, sent a messenger to bri

subjects all who die of sickness or old age. The wolf Fenris gave the gods much trouble before they succeeded in chaining hi

ing that his life was in peril. He told these things to the assembled gods , who resolved to do all in their power to protect

plants, rocks and animals — that they would do no harm to Baldur. The gods were so well satisfied with this, that they amuse

an old woman, and went to see Frigga. The goddess asked him what the gods were doing at their meetings. The disguised Loki

ng. Having cut down the mistletoe, he repaired to the place where the gods were assembled, and put the bough among the stick

rest, and Baldur fell to the ground pierced through and through. The gods were overwhelmed with grief, and broke forth in t

l he be kept in Hell.” On hearing the result of Hermod’s mission, the gods made proclamation throughout the world, beseechin

g was no other than Loki himself, who never ceased to work evil among gods and men. Thus Baldur was prevented from coming ba

le which was built of his own ship, the largest in the world. All the gods were present, and even the Frost and Mountain Gia

with that of her husband. Loki’s Punishment. Ques. How did the gods revenge the death of Baldur? Ans. They pursued L

d were acquainted with the secret stores of gold and silver which the gods had hidden in the earth. Many stories are related

rn nations, that a time would come when all the visible creation, the gods of Valhalla, the inhabitants of earth, men, giant

sea, and Loki, released from his chains, will join the enemies of the gods . The Eddas give a wild description of the last gr

owers of good and evil shall contend, and on which all alike, whether gods or demons, are doomed to perish. When all are sla

ll reign, and sin and misery will be unknown. In this blissful abode, gods and men are to dwell together in a peace which th

ble, although, to render it more intelligible, he gives to the Celtic gods the names of the Greek and Roman divinities whom

ir usual policy, to conciliate the conquered tribes by adopting their gods , and placing their images in the temples which th

devoted themselves voluntarily to the altar, either to propitiate the gods , and obtain victory for their people, or because

cker work in which they were consumed together. In offerings to other gods , different rites were observed. These remarks app

onquerors, who built temples, and introduced the worship of their own gods , adopting also those of the conquered race. Druid

e changes of the seasons and the various occupations of men. Of these gods , thirteen held the most exalted rank, while the i

stined to last; Quetzalcoatl incurred the anger of one of the greater gods , and was obliged to abandon the country. He proce

hold divinities? Ans. Yes; the images of their penates, or household gods , were to be found in every dwelling. Ques. What

chanting of the priests. The feast of Tezcatlipoca, one of the chief gods , who was called the “Soul of the World,” was cele

ssors in the pomp with which he celebrated the festivals of the Aztec gods , and the number of human victims which he offered

how that the poet was not believed to have forfeited the favor of the gods by his avarice. While residing at the court of Sc

considered by his admiring countrymen as an especial favorite of the gods . The remark of the ancient sage that no man is to

s worship them and sing of them.” And they called these mighty people gods and goddesses. In the central part of Greece, the

mbed to the top of Mount Olympus, and they said it was there that the gods lived, among the clouds and the stars. They pictu

you, believed that if they did anything wrong it would displease the gods , and that they would be punished by sickness or d

ples of marble, and in them they set up gold and ivory statues of the gods ; and there they came, in time of trouble, to ask

d when they were happy they came to offer up their thanks to the kind gods . The king of the gods was Jupiter, who ruled not

they came to offer up their thanks to the kind gods. The king of the gods was Jupiter, who ruled not only the people of the

h was always with her. Besides Jupiter and Juno there were many other gods and goddesses; and as you are going to read stori

f music, and of love. He was very beautiful, as indeed almost all the gods were; but he was the fairest of them all. He drov

and wood nymphs followed. As Apollo was the most beautiful of all the gods , so Venus, the queen of love and beauty, was the

, and all the beings who dwelt in the sea, the sea nymphs and the sea gods and Neptune himself, rose with songs of gladness

Jupiter’s brother, was the ruler of all the waters of the earth. The gods of the sea, and the mermaids and the river gods a

ers of the earth. The gods of the sea, and the mermaids and the river gods as well, were his subjects. His palace beneath th

th which he could do all sorts of things. He was the messenger of the gods on all their errands between heaven and earth. Aw

in and about the woods and the waters and the fields wandered all the gods I have spoken of. They lived their lives of mingl

isto; for although her little boy and all her companions and even the gods were very fond of her, there was one who did not

find her in this hidden corner of the earth. After a while one of the gods , who loved and pitied her, sent two beautiful twi

“surely you wijl not forbid me to drink of this pure water, which the gods have put here for all to enjoy! I am weary from l

she cried, “If there is any one to hear me, and any justice among the gods , let these men live forever in that pool!” The go

justice among the gods, let these men live forever in that pool!” The gods heard her prayer, and the men were at once change

apestry, as it was called. Now there was no fault that displeased the gods more than conceit; so when Minerva heard of the g

s queen of your art among women, but do not compare yourself with the gods . Ask pardon for the foolish words you have just s

n appeared figures telling the story of a famous contest in which the gods had taken part; and into each of the four corners

ure of the fate that had overtaken daring mortals who had opposed the gods . These were meant as a warning to Arachne. But Ar

t the stories that she pictured were all chosen to show that even the gods could sometimes make mistakes. When she laid down

t, great flood over all the earth. Some wicked people had angered the gods , and Jupiter sent all the waters of the earth and

wers, and his wings and the folds of his cloak were dripping wet. The gods of the ocean and the river gods all helped him in

s of his cloak were dripping wet. The gods of the ocean and the river gods all helped him in his work; till, in a short time

yson . How Perseus Went in Quest of Medusa’s Head Now all the gods and goddesses had watched over Perseus ever since

knew that he owed his success to the help which Mercury and the other gods had given him, and he never forgot the debt he ow

of long ago. In many cities there were beautiful temples built to the gods and goddesses; and in these temples dwelt priests

hese temples dwelt priests who were supposed to be the oracles of the gods , that is, through them the gods spoke to human be

ere supposed to be the oracles of the gods, that is, through them the gods spoke to human beings. If any one was in doubt as

that it seemed almost to hide the sunlight. I have told you that the gods knew everything. So, in some way, Jupiter felt Ju

p her if he could; so he called his son Mercury, the messenger of the gods , and ordered him to kill Argus. Mercury flew swif

. She was graceful and nimble and fleet of foot, and she led the wood gods , or satyrs, as they were called, many a race thro

er Nile, and tried with groans and pitiful cries to ask relief of the gods . Jupiter could no longer bear to see her sufferin

held in Thebes, in honor of Latona, the mother of the beautiful twin gods , Apollo and Diana. And one year, when, as usual,

with their mother, that she’ had called her children greater than the gods , and had boasted that fortune could not harm her.

e queen and to humble her pride. As you remember, nothing angered the gods so much as boastful ness and pride. So, veiled in

nd tried to hide her in her cloak, crying, “Leave me but this one, ye gods , spare me this last and youngest one!” But the fa

nocence, Hercules seized him, and flung him far out into the sea. The gods took pity on him, and, as he was falling, changed

time, so the story goes, Hercules became one of the mighty company of gods in high Olympus. The Artisan’s Wonderful Wings

n and the sailors who saw them passing overhead, thought they must be gods flying near to earth, and fell on their knees. Ov

s whom you have entertained so graciously and kindly are no less than gods . Look upon your village!” Philemon and Baucis loo

en saved, and your humble cottage I have changed into a temple of the gods . ‘Before I leave this place, ask any favor you ch

drowsily raised his head and Iris spoke: “Sleep, thou gentlest of the gods , who bringest rest and peace to the weary heart a

near the shore, and sprang into the sea. But she was not drowned. The gods so pitied the loving couple that they changed the

ncients used to deck the young lambs they offered in sacrifice to the gods . As they neared the spot where they were to be pu

ly there came flying from the heavens a golden-fleeced ram, which the gods had sent, in answer to Nephele’ s earnest prayer,

ed for him, and he did not care to live without him; but you know the gods could never die. He lay on the ground by the side

erd was crushed under the heavy weight. Yet Acis did not die, for the gods changed him into a stream of we.cer, which gushed

e and be my love. Thy silver dishes for thy meat, As precious as the gods do eat, Shall on an ivory table be Prepared each

was thanked for her draught of water. Every house had its protecting gods which had blessed the inmate’s ancestors; and whi

In the highest heaven is seated Jupiter, master and father of men and gods . Under his feet roll the thunders, in the caverns

r gave; They for almighty power did lightning frame, All equal to the gods themselves in fame; One eye was placed (a large r

his kingdom drive The cruel parent; for to him ’tis given To rule the gods , and mount the throne of heaven.” Hesiod. Satur

with abuse, and with detraction hung; Jove gave the mandate, and the gods obeyed: First Vulcan formed of earth the blushing

With falsehoods fruitful, and detraction hung; The finished maid the gods Pandora call, Because a tribute she received from

it, And perfect judgment crowned thy youthful act. Thou to the lesser gods hast well assigned Their proper shares of power;

en, with a bandage over his eyes, and near him an open book which the gods alone might consult: and in which are written tho

promise by the river Styx. Scarcely had he uttered the oath, than the gods , who could not absolve him from it, rallied him o

s, but breathes the flame with which ’twas wrought.” Byron. But the gods grew jealous of the homage shewn to Apollo, and r

n, and that of Delphi, in which the youth of the place offered to the gods their locks of hair, possibly because this offeri

high leave, Does from the starry vault of heaven receive. When to the gods the sacred flames aspire, Does from the starry va

on Hath vanished — ; and the worship of this earth Is vowed to golden gods of vulgar birth!” Barry Cornwall. The fable of

ology_1842_img066 She was soon after carried to heaven, where all the gods admired her beauty, and all the goddesses became

is, evinced her disappointment, by throwing among the assembly of the gods , who were celebrating the nuptials, a golden appl

decide between them, their respective right to beauty. Neither of the gods was willing, by deciding in favour of one, to dra

bage blows; And Aphrodite, from the foam, her name, Among the race of gods and men the same; And Cytheræa from Cythera came;

deceits in love, Constant her steps pursue, or will she go Among the gods above, or men below.” Hesiod. As rising from th

ightning shaft, and gave to Jove His thunder; they were like unto the gods , Save that a single ball of sight was fixed In th

hes and blushes flowers, To Love, for heaven and earth adore him, And gods and mortals bow before him!” Anacreon. Among th

ced the olive, and obtained the victory by the unanimous voice of the gods , who considered the olive, as the emblem of peace

he sought the bright abodes, There, sullen, sate beneath the sire of gods , Shewed the celestial blood, and with a groan, Th

uries of the daring day? For mortal men, celestial powers engage, And gods on gods exert eternal rage. From thee, O father!

the daring day? For mortal men, celestial powers engage, And gods on gods exert eternal rage. From thee, O father! all thes

ing strain, Of lawless force, shall lawless Mars complain? Of all the gods who tread the spangled skies, Thou most unjust, m

A thousand foes to battle. — It was a beautiful faith that gave these gods A name and office! Is he not glorious?     Rivers

con who reigns, O’er spacious Ægæ’s wide extended plains; To whom the gods , with equal skill concede, To guide the bark and

rth, which Jupiter had claimed; he therefore conspired with the other gods to dethrone his brother. The conspiracy was disco

on, temples were not raised to his honour, as to the remainder of the gods ; though the story of Orpheus shews that he could

Mercury. Though according to Cicero, there were no less than five gods of this name; yet to the son of Jupiter and Maia,

the most famous and the best known. Mercury was the messenger of the gods and the patron of travellers and shepherds; he co

ts. Insérer image anonyme_heathen-mythology_1842_img110 “Hermes with gods and men, even from that day Mingled and wrought t

escaping from their grasp. Divinities of the Second Class. The gods of the first order, were endowed by the writers o

t of the universe was carried on; but mortals in attributing to these gods their own passions and weaknesses, began to blend

s rather to the attributes they were supposed to possess, than to the gods themselves. Thus, with such deities as Æolus and

om him the Fauns and Satyrs are often called Sileni. The Satyrs, also gods of the Country, were considered as mischievous, a

to Jupiter, the God Terminus refused to give place, though the other gods resigned theirs with cheerfulness, and the oracle

ul deities of the sea, was, according to Homer, the parent of all the gods , and on that account received frequent visits fro

, her grandmother. She was loved by Neptune and Jupiter; but when the gods were informed that her son would become greater t

e usually resided on the Carpathian sea, and like the rest of the sea gods , reposed upon the shore, where those resorted who

er, and was made a sea deity by Oceanus, at the request of the marine gods . Insérer image anonyme_heathen-mythology_1842_img

t the birth of men dispense the lot Of good and evil. They of men and gods The crimes pursue, nor ever pause from wrath Trem

ght: she is called by some of the poets, the mother of all things, of gods no less than of men, and was worshipped with grea

to choose his Penates, and therefore Jupiter and some of the superior gods , are often invoked as domestic divinities. They w

d the neighbouring seas, and from this have always been considered as gods favourable to sailors. During the Argonautic expe

ward for the many courageous deeds he had performed, placed among the gods , and rewarded with divine honours. It has been as

erefore am prepared, and fixed to die. Theseus. And deemest thou the gods regard thy threats? Hercules. The gods regard no

Theseus. And deemest thou the gods regard thy threats? Hercules. The gods regard not me, nor I the gods! Theseus. Forbear:

gods regard thy threats? Hercules. The gods regard not me, nor I the gods ! Theseus. Forbear: lest thy proud words provoke

the labours to be imposed upon him, he would be admitted amongst the gods . This answer determined him to bear with fortitud

the gods. This answer determined him to bear with fortitude whatever gods or men might command, and Eurystheus, seeing so p

generally known as the twelve labours of Hercules. The favors of the gods had completely armed him when he undertook his la

rified from this murder, and his insanity was at an end. However, the gods were not satisfied, but persecuted him still furt

ast, At first the fire with frankincense he strews, And utters to the gods his holy vows; And on the marble altar’s polished

h carried his immortal part to heaven, there to be seated amongst the gods . Loud claps of thunder accompanied his exaltation

rom its seeming impossibility, the attempt might end in his ruin. The gods , however, are the protectors of innocence, and th

mensely grown (as fate ordained), The stars, the heavens, and all the gods sustained. Insérer image anonyme_heathen-mytholo

mia, he agreed with Theseus to carry away one of the daughters of the gods . They first attempted their scheme upon Helen, th

u knowest not what thou speakest.     Phæ. I am not mad! would to the gods I were — Think not that I have yielded willingly,

d afar, In that thy name is mated with my father’s, Shouldst pray the gods to scourge this passion from thee.     Phæ. Oh! b

s —     Hip. I’ll hear no more! Mother! I leave thee, and I pray the gods To visit not on thee, this awful crime!’” Racine

, and was received as the minister and interpreter of the will of the gods . Nature itself seemed charmed and animated by his

ke from your arms an infant? Phor. He did, and oh! I wish to all the gods , Phorbas had perished in that very moment. Œd. M

But I shall find a way — Phor.                                By the gods , I do conjure you to enquire no more. Œd. Furies

Phor. The Queen, Jocasta told me It was her son by Laius. Œd. O you gods — break, break not yet my heart, Though my eyes b

ld kill his father, and enjoy his mother. Œd. ’Tis well! I thank you gods ! ’tis wondrous well! Dagger and poison — O there

raise new plagues and call new vengeance down, Why did you tempt the gods , and dare to touch me? Methinks there’s not a han

n the other. With a prophetic voice he exclaimed: — “Lo! the immortal gods have called — the ground on which we stand, shall

re fulfilled, they slew the murderers of Alcmeon, ‌but to appease the gods , the fatal bracelet was sacrificed upon the altar

n of Jupiter, reigned in Phrygia. Wishing to test the divinity of the gods who were visiting him, he murdered his son Pelops

he people, who were dejected at the accident, by crying, “Romans! the gods have broken the wings of Victory; henceforth she

rors, Kings, and Princes, who, having the folly to believe themselves gods , found mortals sufficiently weak to grant them fa

on which mortals usually pay to woman. The passion increased, and the gods , pitying his despair, changed the statue into tha

ards Bœotia, which he founded. Previous to this, wishing to thank the gods by a sacrifice, he sent his companions to fetch s

successful, that Jobates imagined he was ‌under the protection of the gods , and gave him the hand of his daughter Cassandra

shedding of blood. [Secondary Divinities.] Beside the superior gods whom we have described, the numerous populations