remotest beginnings of the shadowy centuries, sits enthroned a Being, who in His infinite might and power brought mankind,

he universe, and all animate and inanimate things into existence, and who rewards those of His children who do His will, an

nanimate things into existence, and who rewards those of His children who do His will, and punishes those who disobey His c

who rewards those of His children who do His will, and punishes those who disobey His commands. That will, as interpreted b

y different peoples. Since the Greeks and Romans were not among those who received the divine story of creation, they were

Over that misty, nebulous mixing and mingling brooded the god Chaos, who shared his throne with Nox, the goddess of night.

erstand many of the first fancies and reflections of the earliest men who ever lived. It is the argument of the philologist

led with Medea, the beautiful young sorceress, and daughter of Æetes, who pursued with great energy, for Medea had taken wi

r god, and the rival of Hercules in his love for Deianeira. To decide who should have the bride, Hercules and Achelous had

spirits were obliged to rely upon the aid of Charon, an aged boatman, who plied the only boat that was available. He would

dead, that they might not be delayed in their passage to Pluto. Those who had not their fare were forced to wait one hundre

. A Sicilian shepherd, loved by the nymph Galatea. One of the Cyclops who was jealous of him crushed him by hurling a rock

des], see Hades. Ado′nis [Adonis], the beautiful attendant of Venus, who held her train. He was killed by a boar, and turn

dea. Æge′on [Ægeon], a giant with fifty heads and one hundred hands, who was imprisoned by Jupiter under Mount Etna. See B

s the son of Anchises and Venus. He was one of the few great captains who escaped the destruction of Troy. He behaved with

ith a thunderbolt. To revenge his son’s death Apollo slew the Cyclops who had forged the thunderbolt. By his marriage with

n honor of Æsculapius, and votive tablets were hung therein by people who had been healed by him; but his most famous shrin

inent part in the Trojan War. Alces′tis [Alcestis], wife of Admetus, who , to save her husband’s life, died in his stead, a

ilence wherever she went. Alec′tryon [Alectryon], a servant of Mars, who was changed by him into a cock because he did not

ourished Jupiter. Am′azons [Amazons] were a nation of women-soldiers who lived in Scythia. Hercules totally defeated them,

ptune, and was killed by Pollux. Ancæ′us [Ancæus]. A son of Neptune, who left a cup of wine to hunt a wild boar which kill

s flower. Angero′nia [Angeronia], otherwise Volupia, was the goddess who had the power of dispelling anguish of mind. Ann

nna Perenna], one of the rural divinities. Antæ′us [Antæus], a giant who was vanquished by Hercules. Each time that Hercul

The ceremony of deification. Arach′ne [Arachne], a Lydian princess, who challenged Minerva to a spinning contest, but Min

sa Minor. Archer, see Chiron. Areop′agi′tæ [Areopagitæ], the judges who sat at the Areopagus. Areop′agus [Areopagus], th

ful. Ar′gonauts [Argonauts]. This name was given to the fifty heroes who sailed to Colchis in the ship Argo, under the com

mmand of Jason, to fetch the Golden Fleece. Ar′gus [Argus] was a god who had a hundred eyes which slept and watched by tur

re used in the games to jump on. Aso′pus [Asopus]. A son of Jupiter, who was killed by one of his father’s thunderbolts.

. Aste′ria [Asteria], daughter of Cæus, was carried away by Jupiter, who assumed the shape of an eagle. Astre′a [Astrea],

nd, to get rid of her admirers, she promised to marry any one of them who should outstrip her in a race, but that all who w

marry any one of them who should outstrip her in a race, but that all who were defeated should be slain. Hippomenes, howeve

y one common name, Pleiades; and by his wife Æthra he had seven more, who were, in the same manner, called Hyades. Both the

mon. At′ropos [Atropos], one of the three sisters called The Fates, who held the shears ready to cut the thread of life.

Campania, in Italy. Averrun′cus Deus [Averruncus Deus], a Roman god, who could divert people from evil-doing. Axe, see Dæ

e name means the Queen of Heaven. Beller′ophon [Bellerophon], a hero who destroyed a monster called the Chimæra. Bello′na

letters, and his alphabet consisted of sixteen letters. It was Cadmus who slew the Bœotian dragon, and sowed its teeth in t

se Lost as the “opiate rod.” Calis′to [Calisto], an Arcadian nymph, who was turned into a she-bear by Jupiter. In that fo

a she-bear by Jupiter. In that form she was hunted by her son Arcas, who would have killed her had not Jupiter turned him

wn as the Great Bear and Little Bear. Calli′ope [Calliope]. The Muse who presided over epic poetry and rhetoric. She is ge

ame of Juno. Cassan′dra [Cassandra], a daughter of Priam and Hecuba, who was granted by Apollo the power of seeing into fu

eving her predictions. Cassiope′ia [Cassiopeia]. The Ethiopian queen who set her beauty in comparison with that of the Ner

ian queen who set her beauty in comparison with that of the Nereides, who thereupon chained her to a rock and left her to b

as honey, as cold as snow, and as clear as crystal; and any believer who tastes thereof is said to thirst no more. Cel′en

rogenitor of Zephyrus, the west wind. Cen′taur [Centaur]. A huntsman who had the forepart like a man, and the remainder of

ts around, On Ceres call, and choral hymns resound.” “Ceres was she who first our furrows plowed, Who gave sweet fruits a

Char′on [Charon] was the son of Nox and Erebus. He was the ferryman who conveyed the spirits of the dead, in a boat, over

he coast of Sicily. Personified, it was supposed to have been a woman who plundered travelers, but was at last killed by He

throat emits infernal fire.” Milton. Chi′ron [Chiron], the centaur who taught Achilles hunting, music, and the use of me

to kill her son Orestes, but he was delivered by his sister Electra, who sent him away to Strophius. He afterward returned

d and slew both Clytemnestra and Ægisthus. Clyt′ie [Clytie]. A nymph who got herself changed into a sunflower because her

he god of counsel. Cophe′tua [Cophetua]. A legendary king of Africa, who disliked women, but ultimately fell in love with

r Cy′clopes [Cyclopes] were the gigantic, one-eyed workmen of Vulcan, who made Jove’s thunderbolts. Hesiod gives their name

e] was a daughter of Acrisius and Eurydice. She had a son by Jupiter, who was drifted out to sea in a boat, but was saved b

Dana′us [Danaus], King of Argos, was the father of fifty daughters, who , all but one, at the command of their father, sle

that fled Apollo.” Milton. Dar′danus [Dardanus], a son of Jupiter, who built the city of Dardania, and by some writers w

Di′do [Dido]. A daughter of Belus, King of Tyre. It was this princess who bought a piece of land in Africa as large as coul

rself. A tale is told in Facetiæ Cantabrigienses of Professor Porson, who being one of a set party, the conversation turned

anger.” Francis. Diome′des [Diomedes], the cruel tyrant of Thrace, who fed his mares on the flesh of his guests. He was

son of Jupiter and Egina, one of the judges of the infernal regions, who was appointed to judge the Europeans. See Æacus.

hno′bas [Echnobas], one of Actæon’s hounds. Ech′o [Echo] was a nymph who fell in love with Narcissus. But when he languish

Oft by Echo’s tedious tales misled.” Ovid. Egeon. A giant sea-god, who assisted the Titans against Jupiter. Ege′ria [Eg

, who assisted the Titans against Jupiter. Ege′ria [Egeria]. A nymph who is said to have suggested to Numa all his wise la

Vulcan of northern mythology. Egip′ans [Egipans] were rural deities who inhabited the forests and mountains, the upper ha

en, the seat of the heathen deity. Endym′ion [Endymion]. A shepherd, who acquired from Jupiter the faculty of being always

. The word is Greek, and means red. Eph′ial′tes [Ephialtes]. A giant who lost his right eye in an encounter with Hercules,

[Eros]. The Greek god of love. Eros′tratus [Erostratus]. The rascal who burnt the temple of Diana at Ephesus, thereby hop

sculapius. E′ta [Eta], see Æetes. E′thon [Ethon], one of the horses who drew the chariot of Sol — the sun. The word is Gr

beneath which, according to Virgil, there is buried the giant Typhon, who breathes forth devouring flames. Eu′dromos [Eudr

daughter of Phorcus and Ceto. Euryd′ice [Eurydice], wife of Orpheus, who was killed by a serpent on her wedding night. “N

arcæ, were the three daughters of Necessity. Their names were Clotho, who held the distaff; Lachesis, who turned the spindl

f Necessity. Their names were Clotho, who held the distaff; Lachesis, who turned the spindle; and Atropos, who cut the thre

who held the distaff; Lachesis, who turned the spindle; and Atropos, who cut the thread with the fatal shears. Faun. A ru

admen, from Galli (which see). Gal′li [Galli] were priests of Cybele who used to cut their arms with knives when they sacr

Geometry, see Mercury. Ge′ryon [Geryon] was a triple-bodied monster who lived at Gades, where his numerous flocks were gu

s. Girdle, see Cestus (Venus’s). Glau′cus [Glaucus] was a fisherman who became a sea-god through eating a sea-weed, which

es. Gno′mes [Gnomes], a name given by Plato to the invisible deities who were supposed to inhabit the earth. Gnos′sis [Gn

te, and at other times as purple and golden. It was given to Phryxus, who carried it to Colchis, where King Æetes entertain

he head of Medusa, which was placed on the shield of Minerva, and all who fixed their eyes thereon were turned into stone.

[Gradivus]. A name given to Mars by the Romans. It meant the warrior who defended the city against all external enemies.

dern term Halcyon Days. Hamadry′ades [Hamadryades] were wood-nymphs, who presided over trees. Happiness, see Genii. Harœ

un. He′lios [Helios]. The Grecian sun-god, or charioteer of the sun, who went home every evening in a golden boat which ha

d. The centaur, before he expired, gave his mystic tunic to Deianira, who in turn gave it to Hercules, and he put it on, bu

winds.” Virgil. Hermi′one [Hermione], daughter of Mars and Venus, who was turned into a serpent, and allowed to live in

Hypermnes′tra [Hypermnestra]. One of the fifty daughters of Danaus, who were collectively called the Danaides. She was th

of Danaus, who were collectively called the Danaides. She was the one who refused to kill her husband on the wedding night.

′lees [Iblees]. The Arabian Satan. Ic′arus [Icarus], son of Dædalus, who with his father made themselves wings with which

district. In′dra [Indra]. The Hindoo Jupiter; his wife was Indrant, who presides over the winds and thunder. Infants, se

s, King of Thebes, father of Phryxus and Helle. Ino had two children, who could not ascend the throne while Phryxus and Hel

he future; or, according to others, because he was taken for the sun, who opens the day at his rising, and shuts it at his

the ground the teeth of a serpent, from which would spring armed men who would fight against him who plowed the field of M

erpent, from which would spring armed men who would fight against him who plowed the field of Mars; to kill the fiery drago

cas′ta [Jocasta] (otherwise Epicasta), wife of Laius, King of Thebes, who in after-life married her own son, Œdipus, not kn

of Thebes, who in after-life married her own son, Œdipus, not knowing who he was, and, on discovering the fatal mistake, ha

. The Hindoo god of riches. L La′be [Labe]. The Arabian Circe, who had unlimited power of metamorphosis. Lab′or [La

her being Phaeton. Laoc′oon [Laocoon]. One of the priests of Apollo, who was, with his two sons, strangled to death by ser

am, Lethe, the river of oblivion, rolls Her watery labyrinth, whereof who drinks Forthwith his former state and being forge

er she was transformed into a sea nymph. Leva′na [Levana]. The deity who presided over new-born infants. Level, The, see

Li′lith [Lilith]. A Jewish myth representing a finely dressed woman who is a great enemy to new-born children. She was sa

Prometheus. Locks, see Janus. Lo′fen [Lofen]. The Scandinavian god who guards friendship. Lof′ua [Lofua]. The Scandinav

god who guards friendship. Lof′ua [Lofua]. The Scandinavian goddess who reconciles lovers. Loke. The Scandinavian Satan,

. Written also Lok, and Loki. Lo′tis [Lotis]. A daughter of Neptune, who fled from Priapus, and only escaped from him by b

Lu′cifer [Lucifer]. The morning star. Luci′na [Lucina]. The goddess who presides at the birth of children. She was a daug

turned into frogs by Latona or Ceres. Lymni′ades [Lymniades]. Nymphs who resided in marshes. Lyn′ceus [Lynceus]. One of t

. Marshes, see Lymniades. Mar′syas [Marsyas]. The name of the piper who challenged Apollo to a musical contest, and, bein

god of tempestuous winds. Matu′ra [Matura]. One of the rural deities who protected the growing corn at time of ripening.

anged her beautiful hair into serpents. She was conquered by Perseus, who cut off her head, and placed it on Minerva’s shie

s, who cut off her head, and placed it on Minerva’s shield. Every one who looked at the head was turned into stone. Ulysses

he goddess of tragedy. Mem′non [Memnon], son of Tithonus and of Eos, who after the death of Hector brought the Æthiopians

There was also an Egyptian Mercury under the name of Thoth, or Thaut, who is credited with having taught the Egyptians geom

The Olympus of the East Indians. Mi′das [Midas]. A king of Phrygia, who begged of Bacchus the special gift that everythin

ds which he stood on were golden forever after. It was this same king who , being appointed to be judge in a musical contest

ing Midas’ head.” Ovid. Mi′lo [Milo], a celebrated Croton athlete, who is said to have felled an ox with his fist, and t

es came and devoured him. Mimallo′nes [Mimallones]. The “wild women” who accompanied Bacchus, so called because they mimic

ol.” Milton. Mo′mus [Momus]. The god of mockery and blame. The god who blamed Jove for not having made a window in man’s

or laughter. Mone′ta [Moneta]. A name given to Juno by those writers who considered her the goddess of money. Money, see

. N Nai′ads, The [Naiads], were beautiful nymphs of human form who presided over springs, fountains, and wells. They

issus], son of Cephisus and the Naiad Liriope, was a beautiful youth, who was so pleased with the reflection of himself whi

unishment, corresponding with Hades. Na′tio [Natio]. A Roman goddess who took care of young infants. Nemæ′an Lion [Nemæan

s shapes, which enabled him to escape from the importunities of those who were anxious to consult him. Nes′sus [Nessus]. T

of victory. Nid′hogg [Nidhogg]. In Scandinavian mythology the dragon who dwells in Nastrond. Nifl′heim [Niflheim]. The Sc

hilomela. Nightmare, see Incubus. Ni′lus [Nilus], a king of Thebes, who gave his name to the Nile, the great Egyptian riv

k in inventing beneficent laws. Norns. Three Scandinavian goddesses, who wove the woof of human destiny. The three witches

the mother of Nemesis and the Fates. Nundi′na [Nundina]. The goddess who took charge of children when they were nine days

ymphs. This was a general name for a class of inferior female deities who were attendants of the gods. Some of them preside

rivers. The Dryads were forest-nymphs, and the Hamadryads were nymphs who lived among the oak-trees — the oak being always

shiped at Nysa, a town of Æthiopia. Ny′sus [Nysus]. A king of Megara who was invisible by virtue of a particular lock of h

venly bodies sank every day. Ocrid′ion [Ocridion]. A king of Rhodes, who was deified after his death. Ocy′pete [Ocypete].

was deified after his death. Ocy′pete [Ocypete]. One of the Harpies, who infected everything she touched. The word means s

word means swift of flight. Ocy′roe [Ocyroe]. A daughter of Chiron, who had the gift of prophecy. She was metamorphosed i

s by Sophocles. Œno′ne [Œnone]. Wife of Paris, a nymph of Mount Ida, who had the gift of prophecy. Ogyg′ia [Ogygia]. An i

shipwrecked. It was so beautiful in sylvan scenery that even Mercury ( who dwelt on Olympus) was charmed with the spot. Oin

h the spot. Ointment, see Phaon. Ole′nus [Olenus]. A son of Vulcan, who married Lathæa, a woman who thought herself more

haon. Ole′nus [Olenus]. A son of Vulcan, who married Lathæa, a woman who thought herself more beautiful than the goddesses

so designated. Ori′on [Orion]. A handsome hunter, of great stature, who was blinded by Œnopion for a grievous wrong done

os. The sound of the Cyclops’ hammers led him to the abode of Vulcan, who gave him a guide. He then consulted an oracle, an

iver Ilissus. Her children were Zetus and Calais, two winged warriors who accompanied the Argonauts. Or′muzd [Ormuzd]. In

is.                                 “... After these appeared A crew who , under names of old renown, Osiris, Isis, Orus, a

word panic is said to have been derived from this episode. The Fauns, who greatly resembled Pan, were his attendants. “Pip

s [Papremis]. The Egyptian Mars. Par′cæ, The [Parcæ], were goddesses who presided over the destiny of human beings. They w

ore ordered him to be strangled as soon as he was born; but the slave who had been entrusted with this mission took the chi

of Ida. At the famous nuptial feast of Peleus and Thetis, Discordia, who had not been invited, attended secretly; and when

Priam owned Paris as his son, and sent him to Greece to fetch Helen, who was renowned as being the most beautiful woman in

ended in the destruction of Troy. Paris was among the 676,000 Trojans who fell during or after the siege. Parnas′sides [Pa

ain of the Muses in Phocis, and sacred to Apollo and Bacchus. Any one who slept on this mountain became a poet. It was name

horsemanship.” Shakespeare. Pe′leus [Peleus]. A king of Thessaly, who married Thetis, one of the Nereides. It is said t

d Thetis, one of the Nereides. It is said that he was the only mortal who married an immortal. Pe′lias [Pelias]. A son of

done, Medea refused to fulfil her promise. Pelias had four daughters, who were called the Peliades. Pe′lias [Pelias] was t

rs between the giants and the gods, and as the abode of the Centaurs, who were expelled by the Lapithæ. See Ossa, a mount,

lled him, and served him up to be eaten at a feast given to the gods, who , when they found out what the father of Pelops ha

inst the Gorgon, Medusa. He was assisted in this enterprise by Pluto, who lent him a helmet which would make him invisible.

drop.” Addison. Pha′on [Phaon]. A boatman of Mitylene, in Lesbos, who received from Venus a box of ointment, with which

s. Philome′la [Philomela] was a daughter of Pandion, king of Athens, who was transformed into a nightingale. She was siste

ns, who was transformed into a nightingale. She was sister to Procne, who married Tereus, King of Thrace. The latter having

Phryxus], see Golden Fleece. Picum′nus [Picumnus]. A rural divinity, who presided over the manuring of lands, also called

o have been born. Also, the daughters of Pierus, a king of Macedonia, who settled in Bœotia. They challenged the Muses to s

famous for the quarrel between the drunken Centaurs and the Lapithæ, who , with the help of Theseus, Pirithous, and Hercule

married a mortal, and was ashamed to show herself among her sisters, who had all been married to gods.                   

god of boxing. See Ædepol. Polybo′tes [Polybotes]. One of the giants who made war against Jupiter. He was killed by Neptun

nia [Polyhymnia]. Daughter of Jupiter and Mnemosyne. One of the Muses who presided over singing and rhetoric. Polyphe′mus

f them were eaten. The remainder escaped by the ingenuity of Ulysses, who destroyed Polyphemus’s one eye with a fire-brand.

him back the fair.” F. Lewis. Pro′teus [Proteus]. A marine deity, who could foretell events and convert himself at will

ifying the soul or spirit. Pygma′lion [Pygmalion]. A famous sculptor who had resolved to remain unmarried, but he made suc

f Sol, the Sun. Py′thia [Pythia]. The priestess of Apollo at Delphi, who delivered the answers of the oracle. Also the nam

. Rage, see Furies. Rainbow, see Iris. Ra′ma [Rama]. A Hindoo god, who was the terrestrial representative of Vishnu. Ra

suckled by a she-wolf, till they were found by Faustulus, a shepherd, who brought them up. Remus was killed in a quarrel wi

goddess of babes in arms. Ru′mina [Rumina]. Roman pastoral deities, who protected suckling cattle. Runci′na [Runcina]. T

” to which the spectators replied, “Many good people.” “Begone all ye who are profane,” said the priest; and he then began

Chiron. Sails, see Dædalus. Sal′aman′ders [Salamanders]. The genii who , according to Plato, lived in fire. “The spirits

the salt water. See Amphitrite. Sal′ii [Salii]. The priests of Mars who had charge of the sacred shields. Salmo′neus [Sa

charge of the sacred shields. Salmo′neus [Salmoneus]. A king of Elis who , for trying to imitate Jupiter’s thunders, was se

health. Sap′pho [Sappho], a celebrated poetess, a native of Lesbos, who flourished in the seventh century b.c. Her only c

ttendants of Dionysus, and were similar in most respects to the fauns who attended Pan. See Silenus. “Five satyrs of the w

ns of monstrous size.” Yalden. Scyl′la [Scylla]. A beautiful nymph who excited the jealousy of Neptune’s wife, Amphitrit

the left presides.” Virgil. Scyl′la [Scylla]. A daughter of Nysus, who was changed into a lark for cutting off a charmed

tumnus. Sea-Weed, see Glaucus. Sege′tia [Segetia]. A rural divinity who protected corn during harvest-time. Sem. The Egy

le [Semele], daughter of Cadmus and the mother of Bacchus (Dionysus), who was born in a miraculous manner after Jupiter had

inging, see Polyhymnia, Thamyris. Si′rens, The [Sirens]. Sea nymphs, who by their music allured mariners to destruction. T

Augæas. Stars, see Aurora. Steren′tius [Sterentius]. The Roman god who invented the art of manuring lands. See also Picu

and Leda. Swiftness, see Atalanta. Swine, see Circe. Sylphs. Genii who , according to Plato, lived in the air. “The ligh

ltivated land from the ravages of war. Syrinx. The name of the nymph who , to escape from the importunities of Pan, was by

rates, also Horus. Tan′talus [Tantalus]. Father of Niobe and Pelops, who , as a punishment for serving up his son Pelops as

he exceptionally depraved. Telchi′nes [Telchines]. People of Rhodes, who were envious sorcerers and magicians. Tel′lus [T

r of the king of Athens, but became enamored of her sister Philomela, who , however, resented his attentions, which so enrag

the Graces. (See Charities). Tham′yris [Thamyris]. A skilful singer, who presumed to challenge the Muses to sing, upon con

see Laverna, Mercury. Thor. The Scandinavian war-god (son of Odin), who had rule over the aerial regions, and, like Jupit

a [Thya], a name of Ops. Thya′des [Thyades]. Priestesses of Bacchus, who ran wild in the hills, wearing tiger-skins and ca

-iph′one [Tisiphone]. One of the Furies, daughter of Nox and Acheron, who was the minister of divine vengeance upon mankind

ine vengeance upon mankind. Ti′tan [Titan]. Elder brother of Saturn, who made war against him, and was ultimately vanquish

, and grows young again. Tit′yus [Tityus]. A son of Jupiter. A giant who was thrown into the innermost hell for insulting

n of Oceanus and Terra. He was a great favorite of the goddess Ceres, who cured him of a dangerous illness when he was youn

phœus], see Typhon. Ty′phon [Typhon]. A monster with a hundred heads who made war against the gods, but was crushed by Jov

ky twine.” Milton. Ty′phon [Typhon]. In Egyptian mythology the god who tried to undo all the good work effected by Osiri

of Terra and Tartarus. U Ul′ler [Uller]. The Scandinavian god who presided over archery and duels. Ulys′ses [Ulyss

ts Ulysses in our view.” Un′dine [Undine]. A water-nymph, or sylph, who , according to fable, might receive a human soul b

′nia [Urania]. A daughter of Jupiter and Mnemosyne — one of the Muses who presided over astronomy. Ura′nus [Uranus], liter

his she left Olympus and fell in love with Adonis, a beautiful youth, who was killed when hunting a wild boar. Venus indire

reek name is Nike (Nicē). See Nicephorus. Vidor. A Scandinavian god, who could walk on the water and in the air. The god o

nt outlines of the stories in a simple form pleasurable to the reader who has no desire further than to obtain a general kn

ntertained; and, second, to furnish a practical guide for the student who wishes to prosecute his mythological studies, and

for the student who wishes to prosecute his mythological studies, and who desires to acquire the means whereby he will be e

over the face of the earth, the Hebrews alone were instructed by God, who gave them not only a full account of the creation

from small green buds, — all seemed to tell them of a superior Being, who had fashioned them to serve a definite purpose. T

our present views, this marriage was a heinous sin; but the ancients, who at first had no fixed laws, did not consider this

r country was inhabited by a fortunate race of men, the Hyperboreans, who dwelt in continual bliss, and enjoyed a never-end

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

me mythologists, were the beautiful Isles of the Blest, where mortals who had led virtuous lives, and had thus found favour

os, Erebus, and Nyx were deprived of their power by Æther and Hemera, who did not long enjoy the possession of the sceptre;

ges (Sheet-lightning), — three later-born children of Uranus and Gæa, who helped the Titans to make the darkness hideous wi

hree terrible Centimani (Hundred-handed), Cottus, Briareus, and Gyes, who were sent thither by Uranus to share their fate.

the youngest of the Titans, more familiarly known as Saturn or Time, who found confinement and chains peculiarly galling,

urn or Time, who found confinement and chains peculiarly galling, and who hated his father for his cruelty. Gæa finally ind

but calmly proceeded to release the Titans, his brothers and sisters, who , in their joy and gratitude to escape the dismal

e capacious throat of the voracious Cronus—a personification of Time, who creates only to destroy. In vain the bereaved mot

ught That for the stone his child behind remain’d Invincible, secure; who soon, with hand Of strength o’ercoming him, shoul

his, Rhea entrusted her babe to the tender care of the Melian nymphs, who bore him off to a cave on Mount Ida. There a goat

his unwonted noise and commotion was not at all understood by Cronus, who , in the intervals of his numerous affairs, congra

new engine caused great terror and dismay in the ranks of the enemy, who , nevertheless, soon rallied, and struggled valian

ughout all the world. Not a murmur was heard, except from the Titans, who at length, seeing that further opposition would b

Menetius, Prometheus (Forethought), and Epimetheus (Afterthought), —  who were destined to play prominent parts in Grecian

earth once more, he consigned the stolen treasure to the care of man, who immediately adapted it to various purposes, and e

poses, and eloquently expressed his gratitude to the benevolent deity who had risked his own life to obtain it for him. Fro

ent. Extreme cold, hunger, sickness, and death were unknown. Jupiter, who justly ascribed a good part of this beatific cond

en cord was wound, and fastened on top in an intricate knot. Pandora, who prided herself specially on her deft fingers, fel

hese little insects fluttered about, alighting, some upon Epimetheus, who had just entered, and some upon Pandora, pricking

Pyrrha shortly after became the happy parents of a son named Hellen, who gave his name to all the Hellenic or Greek race;

nd a prey to all the passions which rule the hearts of men. It was he who presided at the councils held on the top of “many

pecial attendants, such as Victoria, or Nice, the goddess of victory, who was ever ready to obey his slightest behest, and

wished, never questioning whether it were true or false. “Fame than who never plague that runs         Its way more swift

hemselves. In a few minutes the number of giants was reduced to five, who sheathed their bloodstained weapons, and humbly t

oured as goddess of marriage.                                 “Juno, who presides Supreme o’er bridegrooms and o’er brides

gave way to her violent temper, and bitterly reproached her husband, who , impatient of her censure, punished her severely,

ft only to be married. The way was long and dusty: so the aged woman, who could no longer walk such a distance, bade her so

heifers could not be found. Rather than disappoint their aged mother, who had set her heart upon attending the services, th

he city to the temple gates, amid the acclamations of all the people, who admired this trait of filial devotion. The mother

land and sea proclaimed the advent of a great divinity. The goddess, who had thus joined the inhabitants of Olympus, was d

ion of wisdom, and to put to flight the obscure deity called Dulness, who until then had ruled the world. ‘‘Ere Pallas iss

unced that the city would be entrusted to the protection of the deity who would create the most useful object for the use o

t the waves splashed, and upon a half-laughing, half-frightened girl, who clung to the bull’s horns, while the wind played

ine, music, poetry, and all fine arts. “Bright-hair’d Apollo! — thou who ever art A blessing to the world — whose mighty h

to the seashore, where she stretched out imploring hands to Neptune, who sent a dolphin to bear her in safety to the float

he pangs of love. They were first inspired by Coronis, a fair maiden, who kindled within his breast an ardent flame. The su

e.                 “The god of Physic     Had no antidote; alack! He who took her off so deftly     Couldn’t bring the mai

pisode was a young son of Apollo and Coronis, Æsculapius (Asklepios), who was carefully instructed by Apollo in the healing

rely extinct, however, for he left two sons — Machaon and Podalirius, who inherited his medical skill — and a daughter, Hyg

Podalirius, who inherited his medical skill — and a daughter, Hygeia, who watched over the health of man. Admetus and Al

soon won the admiration of his companions, and even that of the king, who listened to his songs with pleasure, and to rewar

him gave him the position of head shepherd. “Then King Admetus, one who had     Pure taste by right divine, Decreed his s

ivine decree was reported to Alcestis, Admetus’ beautiful young wife, who in a passion of self-sacrifice offered herself as

metus with immortality, left his service, and went to assist Neptune, who had also been banished to earth, to build the wal

ch he declared should henceforth be used to shade the graves of those who had been greatly beloved through life. The Sto

s the oft-quoted tale of Cephalus and Procris. Cephalus was a hunter, who fell in love with and married one of Diana’s nymp

t was viewed with great displeasure by Eos (Aurora), goddess of dawn, who had previously tried, but without success, to win

eviously tried, but without success, to win Cephalus’ affections, and who now resolved to put an end to the bliss she envie

med her that her husband was faithless, and paid court to a fair maid who daily met him at noonday in the forest solitudes.

th to listen. These weird, delightful tones were produced by Minerva, who , seated by the banks of a small stream, was tryin

th wind blew. With instant joyous trust, they flocked around His feet who such a sudden summer made, His eyes, more kind th

the privacy of his own apartment, and sent in hot haste for a barber, who , after having been sworn to secrecy, was admitted

ey were heard to murmur. “Midas, King Midas, has ass’s ears!” and all who passed by caught the whisper, and noised it abroa

wondered at that he fell a victim to the charms of the fair Calliope, who , in her turn, loved him passionately, and even wr

ily consented to their union, and became the proud mother of Orpheus, who inherited his parents’ musical and poetical gifts

of Hades, and there saw the fierce three-headed dog, named Cerberus, who guarded the gate, and would allow no living being

none to hear except the trees, winds, and wild beasts in the forest, who strove in their dumb way to comfort him as he mov

and again. Nothing was now left to remind mortals of the sweet singer who had thus perished, except his lute, which the god

is musician, a son of Jupiter and Antiope, had a twin brother Zethus, who , however, shared none of his artistic tastes. Hea

Story of Arion Next to him in musical fame was Arion, the musician who won untold wealth by his talent. On one occasion,

on which he had embarked was manned by an avaricious, piratical crew, who , having heard of his treasures, resolved to murde

d him into the water, where he fell upon the broad back of a dolphin, who bore him in safety to the nearest shore.     “Th

k, For ‘tis a mischief, not a gift, you ask.” Addison. But Phaeton, who , like many another conceited youth, fancied he kn

ed to the kindly warning, and persisted in his request, until Apollo, who had sworn the irrevocable oath, was obliged to fu

p but sparingly, as they were inclined to be very restive. The youth, who had listened impatiently to cautions and directio

liest hiss, Fell headlong in the amazed Eridanus, Monarch of streams, who on the Italian fields Let loose, and far beyond h

deep.” Worsley. The tidings of his death soon reached poor Clymene, who mourned her only son, and refused to be comforted

ulled from purple heath!” Wordsworth. Her graver sister, Melpomene, who presided over tragedy, wore a crown of gold, and

ted Muse of dancing, was represented treading an airy measure. Erato, who preferred lyric poetry to all other styles of com

whose rose-tipped fingers opened wide the eastern gates of pearl, and who then flashed across the sky to announce her maste

untain peak, to run to him and snatch a hasty kiss. “Chaste Artemis, who guides the lunar car,     The pale nocturnal vigi

revent his giving any sign of consciousness. Time passed thus. Diana, who could not bear to think of the youth’s beauty bei

o the azure sky. There a second transformation overtook the Pleiades, who were changed into a constellation, composed of se

disappearance, and loved Merope, daughter of Œnopion, King of Chios, who consented to their union on condition that his fu

ish beneath the waves, little suspecting that the dark head of Orion, who was refreshing himself by a sea bath, was given h

celebrated many festivals in honour of this fair goddess of the moon, who was ever ready to extend her protection over all

wave, and entrusted her to the care of Zephyrus, the soft south wind, who blew a gentle breath, and wafted her to the Islan

ility.’” Spenser. Daughters of Jupiter and Eurynome, these maidens, who bore the respective names of Aglaia, Euphrosyne,

f Alectryon Her first fancy was for Mars, the handsome god of war, who was not slow in reciprocating the fair goddess’s

ached the lovers’ bower, and deftly flung the net over both sleepers, who were caught in its fine meshes, and could not esc

free, Mars darted away, vowing vengeance upon the negligent sentinel, who was still blissfully sleeping. Pouncing upon him,

oguish, dimpled face. Alarmed for his health, Venus consulted Themis, who oracularly replied, “Love cannot grow without Pas

eander This was the case with a lovely maiden by the name of Hero, who was dedicated by her parents to Venus’ service, a

r it with outstretched robes. At sight of the wonted signal, Leander, who had already once been beaten back by the waves, m

rce the darkness. All night long she waited and watched for the lover who did not come; and, when the first sunbeams shone

on Helle’s wave,         As on that night of stormy water When Love, who sent, forgot to save The young, the beautiful, th

heir tender hearts; and their continuous sighs finally touched Venus, who prepared to give them her aid. Thanks to this god

ame rushing up, out of breath, and full of loving excuses for Thisbe, who was not there, however, to receive them. Wonderin

is sweet image, whose sensitive face reflected his every emotion, and who grew as pale and wan as he, — evidently, like him

he would never harm such innocence and beauty. Morning dawned. Venus, who had expected to see the sun illumine her rival’s

expecting to be dashed to pieces on the jagged rocks below; but Cupid who had indignantly though helplessly seen all hi; mo

eking Cupid, and questioning all she met, the nymphs, Pan, and Ceres, who compassionately listened to her confession of lov

Venus, she laboured early and late to satisfy her exacting mistress, who appointed such difficult tasks, that the poor gir

accomplish them had she not been aided by all the beasts and insects, who loved her dearly. Venus repeatedly tested her fid

ny tears. The box, however, contained naught but the spirit of Sleep, who , pouncing upon Psyche, laid her low by the roadsi

e Cupid presented Psyche, his chosen bride, to the assembled deities, who all promised to be present at the nuptial ceremon

us even, forgetting all her former envy, welcomed the blushing bride, who was happy ever after. The ancients, for whom Cupi

Keats. One of the latest myths concerning Venus is that of Berenice, who , fearing for her beloved husband’s life, implored

eheld their little son, Mercury (Hermes, Psychopompus, Oneicopompus), who was born in a grotto on Mount Cyllene, in Arcadia

ercury, anxious to test it, thrust it between two quarrelling snakes, who immediately wound themselves in amity around it.

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

the time by creating it; but the explanation failed to satisfy Juno, who , seeing no other living creature near, suspected

and placed her under the surveillance of Argus, one of her servants, who possessed a myriad eyes, only one half of which h

f her transformation, and immediately imparted his discovery to Juno, who , advising still closer watchfulness, sent him bac

empt, and promptly sent an enormous gadfly to torment the poor beast, who , goaded to madness by its cruel stings, fled wild

ain, whose advent blots out the stars one by One, thus killing Argus, who else was never known to close all his eyes at onc

sion he was obliged to surrender to Otus and Ephialtes, — two giants, who , though but nine years of age, were already of im

to softer emotions, and passionately returned the devotion of Venus, who bore him three beautiful children, — Harmonia, Cu

love with a beautiful young Vestal named Ilia, a descendant of Æneas, who , in spite of the solemn pledge not to listen to a

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

he heaven-sent Ancile, that none but the guardian priests, the Salii, who kept continual watch over them, could detect the

forge in the heart of the mountain, in partnership with the Cyclopes, who helped him manufacture many cunning and useful ob

ngenious contrivances were two golden handmaidens gifted with motion, who attended the god wherever he went, and supported

mbrace. Vulcan despatched this throne, when completed, to his mother, who , delighted with its beauty and delicate workmansh

e to fall in love with the various goddesses. He first wooed Minerva, who , having sworn never to marry, contemptuously dism

n for this rebuff, and at the same time punish the Goddess of Beauty, who , according to some mythologists, had refused even

re congenial mate. Some time after, Vulcan married one of the Graces, who , however, seems to have also soon wearied of his

sly about her. Vulcan was worshipped by all blacksmiths and artisans, who recognised him as their special patron, and vener

ron, and venerated him accordingly.                           “Those who labour The sweaty forge, who edge the crooked scy

ingly.                           “Those who labour The sweaty forge, who edge the crooked scythe, Bend stubborn steel, and

Vulcanalia and the Hephæstia, were celebrated in honour of this god, who is generally represented as a short, muscular man

condemned to build the walls of Troy for Laomedon, king of that city, who , in return, promised a handsome compensation. Apo

ful death which threatened them all, the Trojans consulted an oracle, who advised the sacrifice of a beautiful virgin, and

blish far and wide that the king would give a great reward to any man who would dare attack and succeed in slaying the mons

most celebrated is Triton, whose body was half man and half fish, and who gave his name to all his male descendants. Ida

e, he even lent his beautiful chariot to a youth by the name of Idas, who , loving a maiden dearly, and unable to win her fa

o Idas, declaring she preferred to link her fate to that of a mortal, who would grow old when she did, and love her as long

s shrines. His principal votaries were the seamen and horse trainers, who often bespoke his aid. “Hail, Neptune, greatest

d, a sceptre and a key in hand, to show how carefully he guards those who enter his domains, and how vain are their hopes t

spirits were obliged to rely upon the aid of Charon, an aged boatman, who plied the only available skiff — a leaky, worm-ea

rove to distance from the shore.” Virgil ( Dryden’s tr.). All those who could not produce the required obolus were oblige

. “Lethe, the river of oblivion, rolls Her wat’ry labyrinth, whereof who drinks, Forthwith his former state and being forg

the scales of Themis, the blindfolded, impartial goddess of justice, who bore a trenchant sword to indicate that her decre

sted to the three snake-locked Furies (Diræ, Erinnyes, or Eumenides), who drove them with their stinging lashes to the gate

m with their stinging lashes to the gates of Tartarus. These deities, who were sisters, and children of Acheron and Nyx, we

ry, and some other minor crimes. They secured the punishment of those who had incurred their wrath in various ways, and the

r sins. Attention was first attracted by a group of beautiful maidens who carried water to fill a bottomless cask. Down to

roverbial. These fair maidens were the Danaides, daughters of Danaus, who had pledged his fifty daughters to the fifty sons

its brazen portals a cruel king named Tantalus (the father of Niobe), who , while on earth, had starved and ill-treated his

e deception practised upon them, and refused the new dish; but Ceres, who was very melancholy on account of the recent loss

ression “to tantalise.” Sisyphus Another criminal was Sisyphus, who , while king of Corinth, had misused his power, ha

eus, while a vulture feasted on his liver. “There Tityus was to see, who took his birth From heav’n, his nursing from the

ry of Ixion Here in Tartarus, too, was Ixion, king of the Lapithæ, who had been given the hand of Dia in marriage on con

t he would give her father a stipulated sum of money in exchange, but who , as soon as the maiden was his, refused to keep h

easant communion with the friends they had loved on earth. “Patriots who perished for their country’s rights Or nobly triu

res of a god: Worthies whose lives by useful arts refined; With those who leave a deathless name behind, Friends of the wor

ge his love suit. When he had at last obtained a hearing, he told her who he was, calculating upon the effect which such a

weight; They call it thunder of a second-rate. For the rough Cyclops, who by Jove’s command Temper’d the bolt and turn’d it

lf perished, burned to death; and the only person in all the building who escaped uninjured was Bacchus (Liber, Dionysus),

was Bacchus (Liber, Dionysus), the infant son of Jupiter and Semele, who was saved by his father’s powerful hand. Jupiter

the care of his aunt Ino, the second wife of Athamas, King of Thebes, who nursed him as tenderly as if he had been her own

bade Mercury convey him to the distant home of the Nysiades, — nymphs who guarded him most faithfully Juno, not daring to c

ntrusted to the guidance of Silenus, a satyr, half man and half goat, who educated him, and accompanied him on all his trav

en and women, nymphs, fauns, and satyrs, all crowned with ivy leaves, who drank wine, — a drink compounded for their expres

ats. The most unruly among his female followers were the Bacchantes, who delighted in revelry, and were in a perpetual sta

again, Bacchus promised Midas any reward he wished; whereupon Midas, who was an avaricious old king, fell upon his knees,

h was the girl’s name, had been forsaken there by her lover, Theseus, who had sailed away while she slept. As soon as she a

ever, poor Ariadne sickened and died, leaving a disconsolate widower, who took the crown she had so often worn and flung it

le accompaniment of the god’s presence, had already reached Pentheus, who therefore dismissed the herald with an insolent m

t movement attracted the attention of the already excited Bacchantes, who , led by Agave, the king’s own mother, dragged him

d with ripples of silvery laughter, attracted the attention of Pluto, who happened to be driving past in his dark chariot d

tuous approach, the trembling nymphs first crowded around Proserpina, who , in her astonishment and trepidation, dropped all

soon out of hearing of the wild cries and lamentations of the nymphs, who vainly pursued him and tried to overtake their be

she was leaving, and then, with a fond thought of her anxious mother, who , when evening came, would vainly seek her child i

e all the perishable elements left in his body. The queen, Metaneira, who had thought it somewhat imprudent to leave the ch

s soon blown away by a mischievous breath from Zephyrus; and Alpheus, who was still hovering near there, suddenly beholding

ing himself into an impetuous torrent, he rushed to join his beloved, who sprang out of her mossy bed, and hurried on over

ody of water. She immediately turned, and beheld the torrent Alpheus, who , after a disconsolate search underground for the

with the sad-faced, sable-vested Queen of Hades (now called Hecate), who held a pomegranate in one hand, and a torch in th

ther anecdote illustrating Ceres’ power is told about a lad, Stellio, who made fun of the goddess when she was journeying,

Its flames were also intended to represent the purity of the goddess, who , although wooed by many lovers, — among whom Apol

rship had been introduced into Italy by Æneas, their famous ancestor, who brought thither his home gods, and who, according

Æneas, their famous ancestor, who brought thither his home gods, and who , according to tradition, selected the first Vesta

stals continued their office until the reign of Theodosius the Great, who , being converted to Christianity a.d. 380, abolis

r she shared that place of honour with the Lares, Manes, and Penates, who all enjoyed special veneration and sacrifices. Th

ode of the dead, the messenger god fell in love with his fair charge, who , being now effectually cured of her sole fault, w

omime obtained her consent to their union. She bore him two children, who from her were called Lares, and to whom the Roman

Thanatos), god of death; and both were sons of the Goddess of Night, who had once ruled the whole universe. Near the entra

unches of poppies, and, with finger to lips, enjoining silence on all who ventured near. These forms were the genii of slee

hand. His drowsy head was supported by Morpheus, his prime minister, who watched incessantly over his prolonged slumbers,

the bed and over it hovered throngs of exquisite spirits, the Dreams, who stooped to whisper their pleasant messages in his

To endure life without him seemed too great a task for poor Halcyone, who immediately cast herself into the sea, to perish

l her behests. He is commonly reputed to have married Aurora, or Eos, who gave him six sons: i.e., Boreas, the north wind;

ails which propel the ships so swiftly over the tide. It was he, too, who , according to Homer, bound all his children but o

sack to investigate its contents, and thus set free the angry winds, who stirred up the most frightful tempest in mythic a

n wild raids. During one of these excursions he carried off Orithyia, who always fled at his approach. But all her fleetnes

, and made her his wife. She became the mother of Zetes and Calais, —  who took part in the Argonautic expedition, and drove

; And he shall mount amid the stars, and be Acknowledg’d kin to those who envied thee, And sent these den-born shapes to cr

rship the gods only, but also offered up sacrifices to a few mortals, who , by their heroic deeds and virtuous lives, had wo

Hercules to serve his cousin Eurystheus — a mean and cowardly prince who ruled over the kingdom of Argos — for a certain n

es’ education was carefully attended to by Chiron, a learned Centaur, who taught him how to use all the different weapons,

He had not gone very far, however, before he met two beautiful women, who immediately entered into conversation with him, a

hosen adviser, Arete, voluntarily offered his services to Eurystheus, who informed him that he must accomplish twelve great

petition of this unpleasant miracle, Hercules bade his friend Iolaus, who had accompanied him thither to view his prowess,

arrows upon them, and accidentally wounded his beloved tutor Chiron, who was coming to settle the dispute. Vainly the hero

The Augean Stables Hercules was next sent to Augeas, King of Elis, who had immense droves of cattle. The stables usually

of fresh meat for his horses, Diomedes had decreed that all strangers who ventured into his kingdom should be seized, and,

rt of Eurystheus was his beautiful daughter, Admete, a vain princess, who delighted in dress and jewels, and who was never

hter, Admete, a vain princess, who delighted in dress and jewels, and who was never happier than when she obtained some new

desire to possess the ornament. She imparted this wish to Eurystheus, who , delighted to gratify her as long as he could do

rgil ( Conington’s tr.). The assembled force then attacked Hercules, who met their onslaught single-handed, defeated them,

saved Hesione, Laomedon’s daughter, from the jaws of the sea monster who was about to devour her, as he had devoured many

. The animals were soon after delivered into the hands of Eurystheus, who then sent Hercules in search of the Golden Apples

ut the golden apples, was told to consult old Nereus, god of the sea, who would probably be able to give him some informati

ules’ question, he finally very reluctantly bade him seek Prometheus, who alone would be able to direct him aright. In obed

passed through the land of a diminutive race of men, called Pygmies, who were so small that they lived in constant dread o

Pygmies finally accepted the services of Antæus, a giant son of Gæa, who generously offered to defend them against all the

ed aloud for fear, and bade Antæus go forth and kill the new invader, who , they wrongly fancied, had evil designs against t

ired of Hercules, whose strength was derided by his new mistress, and who , governing him easily by his admiration for her,

seem for such a hero, they proved very agreeable indeed to Hercules, who , having fallen in love with his new mistress seem

). The victory, though long uncertain, finally rested with Hercules, who triumphantly departed with his hard-won bride, fo

would but consent to mount upon his broad back. “The hoary centaur, who was wont for hire To bear the traveller o’er the

ime when he would bestow her hand in marriage upon the noblest of all who came to woo. Now his plans were all changed, and

alace to announce that Danae, his daughter, had given birth to a son, who , on account of his beauty, was called Perseus. Th

compel her to obey, and thereby incurred the wrath of young Perseus, who loudly declared that none should dare force his m

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

of perpetual darkness, the home of the Grææ, three horrible sisters, who possessed but one eye and one tooth, which they h

one eye and one tooth, which they handed about and used in turn, and who were the only living beings cognisant of the plac

explorer. The drops which fell into the sea were utilised by Neptune, who created from them the famous winged steed called

evived, for he remembered that fate had decreed that it was this hero who was to slay the Gorgon; and he thought that, if h

rincess Andromeda. To atone for the vanity of her mother, Cassiopeia, who claimed she was fairer than any of the sea nymphs

on the monster. She did not see the rapid approach of her deliverer, who , dauntless, drew his sword from its scabbard, and

ping down, attacked the monster, cheered by the shouts of the people, who had seen him, and now rushed back to witness the

eyes Were fixed on me, a knight in casque of gold And blazing shield, who with his flashing blade Fell on the monster. Long

tions for the marriage were immediately begun; and the former suitor, who had been too cowardly to venture a single blow to

iver her from the monster, prepared, nevertheless, to fight the rival who was about to carry off his promised bride. Unbidd

to make full restitution and atonement, was but a trifle for the hero who had conquered Medusa; and Acrisius, now old and w

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

is father’s city he would have to encounter both giants and monsters, who would strive to bar his way. He was not at all mi

lost to sight ere he came across the giant Periphetes, son of Vulcan, who stood in the road and attacked with a huge club,

and attacked with a huge club, whose blows were generally fatal, all who strove to pass. Adroitly evading the giant’s firs

air, to be dashed to pieces against the rocky mountain-side. Theseus, who had already heard of the giant’s stratagem, skilf

le pathway led along a rocky ledge, guarded by a robber named Sciron, who forced all who tried to pass him to wash his feet

along a rocky ledge, guarded by a robber named Sciron, who forced all who tried to pass him to wash his feet. While the tra

red him a free passage. This offer, however, did not satisfy Theseus, who said he would sheathe his sword only on condition

tler), Theseus encountered Procrustes (The Stretcher), a cruel giant, who , under pretext of entertainment, deluded travelle

nce an unfortunate war between the Cretans and Athenians, the latter, who had been vanquished, were obliged to pay a yearly

Athens town, One Dædalus, a carpenter of genius and renown; (’Twas he who with an augur taught mechanics how to bore, — An

ædalus and Icarus This labyrinth was so very intricate, that those who entered could not find their way out; and even Dæ

hing for the harbour, they were challenged by the brazen giant Talus, who walked daily thrice around the whole island, kill

ound the whole island, killing, by contact with his red-hot body, all who had no business to land on that coast. Knowing, h

ss unharmed; and the victims were brought into the presence of Minos, who personally inspected each new freight-load, to ma

abyrinth, where many whitening bones plainly revealed the fate of all who had preceded him. He had not gone very far before

et out with an Athenian army to fight Pirithous, king of the Lapithæ, who had dared to declare war; but when the armies wer

imilar bereavement in future, they both resolved to secure goddesses, who , being immortal, would share their thrones for ev

Pirithous, their treacherous intention was soon discovered by Pluto, who set the first on an enchanted rock, from which he

stowed all her affections upon his son, Hippolytus, a virtuous youth, who utterly refused to listen to her proposals to elo

son’s dishonourable behaviour, implored Neptune to punish the youth, who was even then riding in his chariot close by the

happiness, however, was soon disturbed by Pelias, the king’s brother, who , aided by an armed host, took forcible possession

ircle of spectators, until he stood in full view of his enemy Pelias, who , unconscious of coming evil, continued offering t

e recollection of an ancient oracle, warning him to beware of the man who appeared before him wearing but one sandal. Pelia

ry of Phryxus and Helle, the son and daughter of Athamas and Nephele, who , to escape the cruel treatment of their stepmothe

were Hercules, Castor, Pollux, Peleus, Admetus, Theseus, and Orpheus, who were all glad to undertake the perilous journey t

was embittered by the Harpies, vile monsters, part woman, part bird, who ate or befouled all the food placed before him, a

Having repeated this tale to his companions, the two sons of Boreas, who were also in the Argo, begged permission to drive

shore he met the king’s daughter, Medea, a beautiful young sorceress, who had been charmed by his modest but firm bearing,

g sorceress, who had been charmed by his modest but firm bearing, and who was quite ready to bring her magic to his aid if

ranch the fleece was rent.” Flaccus ( Elton’s tr.). His companions, who had made ready for a hasty departure, were alread

d manned, and the king in person set out in pursuit of the fugitives, who had, moreover, taken his most precious treasure,

hile he was absent, his father omitted the yearly sacrifice to Diana, who , enraged at his neglect, sent a monstrous boar to

passing there shortly after this, found a she-bear suckling the babe, who evinced no sign of fear, and in compassion they c

chase. The grand Calydonian Hunt was headed by Meleager and Atalanta, who were very fond of each other, and who boldly led

eaded by Meleager and Atalanta, who were very fond of each other, and who boldly led the rest in pursuit of the boar. From

sely pursued by the hunt, and was at last brought to bay by Atalanta, who succeeded in dealing him a mortal wound. But even

sing their suit when they heard what conditions were imposed upon all who would obtain her hand; for Atalanta, disapproving

o keep her freedom, had decreed that she should marry only the suitor who could beat her in a foot-race. It was decreed, mo

llux The twin brothers Castor and Pollux, the Dioscuri, or Gemini, who had greatly distinguished themselves by their dar

mortal, and in a combat with the sons of Aphareus was slain. Pollux, who was immortal, then implored Jupiter to allow him

om his painful position, and carried him to Polybus, King of Corinth, who , lacking an heir of his own, gladly adopted the l

guests, excited Œdipus’ suspicions, and made him question the queen, who , afraid lest he might do himself an injury in the

slay My father.” Sophocles ( Francklin’s tr.). What! kill Polybus, who had ever been such an indulgent father, and marry

, wherein an aged man was seated, came rapidly toward him. The herald who preceded it haughtily called to the youth to stan

to the youth to stand aside and make way for his master; but Œdipus, who , as Polybus’ heir, was accustomed to be treated w

d at what seemed unparalleled impudence, the herald struck the youth, who , retaliating, stretched his assailant lifeless at

he master and other servants. They immediately attacked the murderer, who slew them all, thus unconsciously accomplishing t

g that the throne and the queen’s hand would be the reward of any man who dared encounter the Sphinx and was fortunate enou

anner of means, and soon concluded that the animal could only be man, who in infancy, when too weak to stand, creeps along

to fly; but ere it could effect its purpose, it was stayed by Œdipus, who drove it at his sword’s point over the edge of a

the Sphinx; and Œdipus sent messengers to consult the Delphic oracle, who declared the plague would cease only when the for

punished.             “The plague, he said, should cease, When those who murder’d Laius were discover’d, And paid the forf

rinth. The rumour of these dreadful discoveries soon reached Jocasta, who , in despair at finding herself an accomplice, com

his awful crimes, accompanied by his daughter Antigone, the only one who loved him still, and who was ready to guide his u

anied by his daughter Antigone, the only one who loved him still, and who was ready to guide his uncertain footsteps wherev

t I strove to keep the throne of Thebes, By birthright mine, from him who drove me thence, The young Eteocles: not his the

difference should be settled by a duel between the inimical brothers, who no sooner found themselves face to face, than the

he guards discovered her, and dragged her into the presence of Creon, who , although she was a relative and the promised wif

attack Thebes and avenge their fathers’ death. The Epigoni (or those who come after), as these youths are collectively des

ee to the court of Argos, where he took refuge with Prœtus, the king, who was also his kinsman. Anteia’s Treachery He

d to induce Bellerophon to elope with her. Too honest to betray a man who had treated him as a friend, the young prince ref

purport of this letter, Bellerophon presented himself before Iobates, who received him very hospitably, and, without inquir

as incredible speed, was the favourite mount of Apollo and the Muses, who delighted in taking aërial flights on his broad b

dizzy heights; but all his efforts failed to unseat the brave rider, who , biding his time, finally thrust Minerva’s golden

actable. Thus mounted, Bellerophon now went in search of the Chimæra, who had given birth to the Nemean lion and to the rid

ympus. There were, for instance, the Naiades, beautiful water nymphs, who dwelt in the limpid depths of the fountains, and

pe A sweet and touching story was told by the ancients of a mortal who was changed into a Hamadryad. This young girl, wh

young princess, the daughter of Baucis, so bright and clever that all who knew her loved her dearly. Of course, as soon as

r time, and finally decided to marry Andræmon, a worthy young prince, who possessed every charm calculated to win a fair gi

onder, a voice was heard accusing her of having slain Lotis, a nymph, who , to escape the pursuit of Priapus, god of the sha

e therefore took hasty leave of her father, sister, husband, and son, who , attracted by her first cry, had rushed to give h

The Story of Rhœcus Another exquisite story is told of Rhœcus, who saved an oak from falling, and thus preserved the

e, ‘O Rhœcus! Nevermore Shalt thou behold me or by day or night, Me, who would fain have blessed thee with a love More rip

which the panting lover embraced, thinking he had caught the maiden, who had stood in that very spot a few moments before.

to the Greeks, i.e., Silvanus, Faunus, and Fauna, the latter’s wife, who had charge over the woods and plants. Priapus, go

st among all the lesser gods was doubtless Flora, goddess of flowers, who married Zephyrus, the gentle god of the south win

anides and Nereides, together with their male companions the Tritons, who generally formed Neptune’s regal train. The St

us One of the lesser sea gods, Glaucus, was once a poor fisherman, who earned his daily bread by selling the fish he cau

aking such an important step, deemed it prudent to consult the Fates, who alone could inform him whether this union would b

e sisters told him that Thetis was destined to be the mother of a son who would far outshine his father. Jupiter carefully

e then decreed should be given in marriage to Peleus, King of Phthia, who had loved her faithfully, and had long sued in va

ut one by one each claimant withdrew except Juno, Minerva, and Venus, who hotly disputed for its possession. Juno declared

xternal charms; and Venus smiled, and archly requested to be informed who might assert greater claims than the goddess of b

s would be sure to vent their anger and disappointment upon the judge who passed over their charms in favour of a third. Th

avour of a third. The final decision was therefore referred to Paris, who , although performing the lowly duties of a shephe

ed, he had not perished, having been found and adopted by a shepherd, who made him follow his own calling. When Paris reach

ourse, called down upon him the wrath and hatred of Juno and Minerva, who , biding their time, watched for a suitable opport

irected Paris to return to Troy, make himself known to his parents, —  who , the goddess promised, would welcome him warmly, 

s noted for her beauty, and it is said had even been wooed by Apollo, who , hoping to win her favour, bestowed upon her the

ad courted in the guise of a snow-white swan), Helen had many suitors who ardently strove to win her favour. The noblest, b

r the libations, and with solemn vows Bind their firm faith that him, who should obtain The virgin for his bride, they all

eapons. All came promptly at his call except Ulysses, King of Ithaca, who , to console himself for Helen’s refusal of his su

fate, and entrusted the care of his education to the Centaur Chiron, who had taught all the greatest heroes in turn. From

to leave the ships, for an oracle had foretold that the first warrior who attempted to land would meet with instant death.

                   ‘“The Delphic oracle foretold That the first Greek who touched the Trojan strand Should die.’” Wordswor

her blow. Chryseis was immediately consigned to the care of a herald, who led her back to her aged father’s arms. Ready to

t, on the ground Between the hosts, for Helen and her wealth; And he who shall o’ercome, and prove himself The better warr

ld, and bore him unseen to his chamber, where he was joined by Helen, who bitterly reproached him for his cowardly flight.

a, assuming the form of a Trojan warrior, aimed an arrow at Menelaus, who was vainly seeking his vanished opponent. This ac

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

hy death. Thou hast no pity on thy tender child, Nor me, unhappy one, who soon must be Thy widow. All the Greeks will rush

( Bryant’s tr.). Then he stretched out his arms for his infant son, who , however, shrank back affrighted at the sight of

ttle the Greeks were forced to yield before the might of the Trojans, who , stimulated by their partial success, and fired b

. Death and defeat now dogged the very footsteps of the Greek forces, who were driven, inch by inch, away from the walls, e

and ignominious retreat to the shore, closely followed by the enemy, who uttered loud cries of triumph. Patroclus, Achille

ll spread rapidly through all the Grecian camp, and reached Achilles, who wept aloud when he heard that his beloved friend,

ached Achilles, who wept aloud when he heard that his beloved friend, who had left him but a short time before full of life

eak of light appeared above the horizon, he consigned them to Thetis, who hastened back to her son’s tent, where she found

made them yield to the well-directed onslaught of Ajax and Diomedes, who finally succeeded in recovering the body, which t

                                   “I am come A messenger from Jove, who bids me say The immortals are offended, and himse

were reinforced by the arrival of Penthesilea, queen of the Amazons, who , with a chosen troop of warrior maidens, came to

shot a poisoned arrow into his vulnerable heel, thus slaying the hero who had caused so many brave warriors to bite the dus

aused so many brave warriors to bite the dust. “Thus great Achilles, who had shown his zeal In healing wounds, died of a w

m go without delay, for there he would find Machaon, Æsculapius’ son, who was to heal his wound. The Death of Paris T

grievous suffering. Paris then remembered that his first love Œnone, who knew all remedies and the best modes of applying

dy expired, and yet Troy had not fallen into the hands of the Greeks, who now heard another prophecy, to the effect that Tr

y poured out of the city to view the wooden horse and question Sinon, who pretended to have great cause of complaint agains

monstrous madness blinds your eyes? …………………………………………………… Perchance —  who knows? — these planks of deal A Grecian ambuscade

of their ten-years’ encampment, and were let into the city by Sinon, who also released their companions from their prison

into houses and palaces, and were killing, pillaging, and burning all who came in their way.         “The melancholy years

, even, was not exempt from the general massacre; and the aged Priam, who lived to see his last son perish before his eyes,

n wait for them by their own fireside. Menelaus, with his wife Helen, who , in spite of the added ten years, retained all he

itting the usual sacrifice to the gods. He at last consulted Proteus, who revealed how the wrath of the gods could best be

when Orestes had attained manhood, she bade him come and punish those who had committed the crime. Orestes came, slew Ægist

ng prince hastened thither, accompanied by the ever-faithful Pylades, who never left his side; and there, in a temple, he f

ide; and there, in a temple, he found his long-lost sister Iphigenia, who helped him obtain the image he sought, and accomp

t so obdurate to the suit of Acis, a very fascinating young shepherd, who had no need to call her repeatedly, for she alway

places; then behind them came the horrible apparition of Polyphemus, who picked up a huge rock and placed it before the op

ight soon revealed the intruders, and Polyphemus immediately demanded who they were, whence they came, and what they were s

. These soon, however, attracted the attention of the other Cyclopes, who thronged without the cave, clamouring to know who

the other Cyclopes, who thronged without the cave, clamouring to know who was hurting him. “No man!” replied the Cyclops, h

e stable; now thou art the last of all. Grievest thou for thy master, who has lost His eye, put out by a deceitful wretch A

n war; Amply have thy own guilty deeds returned Upon thee. Cruel one! who didst not fear To eat the strangers sheltered by

of living men! It may not be That I receive or aid as he departs One who is hated by the blessed gods, — And thou art hate

onians, where fresh losses awaited them. These people were cannibals, who were in the habit of slaying all the strangers wh

le were cannibals, who were in the habit of slaying all the strangers who visited their shores, to satisfy their horrible a

he had, not gone far before he met a youth, — Mercury in disguise, —  who warned him not to approach any nearer C Circe, an

and in a few moments Ulysses was again surrounded by his companions, who were exceedingly grateful for their rescue. Circe

erform the funeral rites for Elpenor, — one of his followers, a youth who had fallen asleep on one of the palace turrets, a

to steer his course between two dread monsters, Charybdis and Scylla, who lay so close together, that, while striving to av

to give him some love potion strong enough to compel her love. Circe, who had long nursed a secret passion for Glaucus, was

s promise he immediately fulfilled by drowning all excepting Ulysses, who alone had not partaken of the sacred flesh, and w

xcepting Ulysses, who alone had not partaken of the sacred flesh, and who , after clinging to the rudder for nine weary days

epart, as he had no vessel or crew to bear him away. At last Minerva, who had always befriended him, prevailed upon Jupiter

animent of shrill cries and much laughter. Their cries awoke Ulysses, who came on the scene just in time to save their ball

her to her father’s palace, and presented him to Alcinous and Arete, who bade him welcome, and invited him to join in the

t his wife and son. He heard that Penelope was besieged with suitors, who were even now feasting and revelling in his palac

 no one save his aged nurse Euryclea, and his faithful old dog Argus, who died for joy at his long-lost master’s feet. “Wh

She brought Ulysses’ bow, and announced that she would marry the man who could bend it and send an arrow through twelve ri

is here, Though late, and he has slain the arrogant crew Of suitors, who disgraced his house, and made His wealth a spoil,

his foes, and rushed on to the palace, hoping to save the aged king, who , at the first alarm, had seized his weapons, dete

esence, closely followed by Pyrrhus, or Neoptolemus, son of Achilles, who thrust his sword into the youth, and then murdere

ameless trunk, a trunkless head.” Virgil ( Conington’s tr.). Æneas, who arrived just too late to hinder this frightful ca

ited his aged father Anchises, his wife Creusa, and little son lulus, who were at home without any protector near them. The

halls, he saw Helen, the fair cause of all this war and bloodshed, —  who , after Paris’ death, had married Deiphobus, his b

p until they came to Delos, where they stopped to consult the oracle, who bade them seek the cradle of their race, and sett

the sorrowing Andromache, Hector’s widow, the slave of King Helenus, who entertained them royally and sent them on their w

hic Co., 133 New Bond St., W. This advice was duly followed by Æneas, who , while rounding one of the promontories of the is

o the shore, and was regarded with unconcealed horror by the Trojans, who rowed away in haste. Soon after, Æneas moored his

ojans in the face. The commotion on the deep finally aroused Neptune, who came to the surface just in time to see all the m

view the land, and ere long encountered Venus, disguised as a mortal, who informed them that they had landed upon the Libya

nce of the people assembled together, and by the beauty of the queen, who was giving audience to some of their companions,

ty of the queen, who was giving audience to some of their companions, who also had miraculously escaped from the waves. The

ny lives entrusted to his care. That one was Æneas’ pilot, Palinurus, who , falling asleep at the helm, fell overboard and w

ver Acheron, on whose bank they saw the wandering shade of Palinurus, who had no obolus to pay his way across, and that of

they found Anchises, gravely considering among the unborn souls those who were destined to animate his race and make it ill

“Anchises showed Æneas, in long line, The illustrious shades of those who were to shine One day the glory of the Italian sh

been warned by the gods to reserve his daughter for a foreign prince, who had now appeared. In spite of all the years which

her. In his gratitude at finding her safe, he dedicated her to Diana, who trained her to love the chase and all manly pursu

, but farther on fell into the hands of a troop of Volscian horsemen, who cruelly put them to death, and then hurried with

guise, And each and all as Nereids rise.” Virgil. Meanwhile, Venus, who befriended the Trojans, had sought Vulcan’s detes

y. As soon as this armour was completed, Venus brought it to her son, who donned it with visible pleasure, and, encouraged

g others Lausus and his aged father Mezentius, two allies of Latinus, who had specially distinguished themselves by their g

more on the battlefield, finally encountered the long-sought Turnus, who had made his way back, and was now driving about

riving about in his chariot, jealously guarded by his sister Juturna, who , the better to watch over his safety, had taken t

he gods had predicted, became the father of a son named Æneas Silvia, who founded Alba Longa, where his descendants reigned

cial idea of the scientific theories of various eminent mythologists, who , on this subject, like doctors, are sure to disag

nt of the latter. Euhemerus’ method was exaggerated by his disciples, who declared Zeus was merely a king of Crete; his war

bolically said he created man out of clay”; and Atlas, an astronomer, who was therefore spoken of as supporting the weight

immediate observation is the working of the minds of small children, who , before they can talk intelligibly, whip the tabl

hese terms had their origin in a common language, and that the people who spoke it were familiar with bridges, which they e

ndency to personify or animate everything is universal among savages, who are nothing but men in the primitive state; and “

n times, may prove baleful and injurious at others. The philologists, who believe that all myths (except the imitative myth

n Phœnicia (the “purple land of morn”), the child of Telephassa (“she who shines from afar”), carried away from her eastern

y the sky (Jupiter), closely pursued by the sun (her brother Cadmus), who , after passing through many lands, slays a dragon

d therefore not lost all physical significance for the Hellenic race, who worshipped in him the radiant personification of

y), or the storm demon (Cacus), or the impious companions of Ulysses, who pay for their sacrilegious temerity with their li

The sun’s affinity for the dawn is depicted by his love for Coronis, who , however beloved, falls beneath his bright darts;

f drought as caused by the chariot of Helios, when driven by some one who knew not how to guide his horses; and the smiting

ich the name “Endymion” refers specially to the dying or setting sun, who sinks to rest on Mount Latmus (“the land of forge

f darkness, and passionately mourned by the dawn or twilight (Venus), who utterly refuses to exist without him. In the stor

rly refuses to exist without him. In the story of Tantalus (the sun), who in time of drought offers to Jupiter the flesh of

ion has been identified with the Sanskrit word Akshanah, denoting one who is bound to a wheel, and has been proved akin “to

gnifying “brightness”) from the sky (Jupiter) and the dawn (Alcmene), who , in early infancy, throttles the serpents of dark

mene), who, in early infancy, throttles the serpents of darkness, and who , with untiring strength and patience, plods throu

personification of the dawn, the offspring of Celeus and Cassiopeia, who also represent night and darkness. In company wit

eventide. In the story of the Argonautic expedition we have Athamas, who marries Nephele (the mist). Their children are Ph

m the baleful influence of their stepmother Ino (the broad daylight), who would fain encompass their destruction. Helle, an

e which causes her death is woven by Medea, now the evening twilight, who mounts her dragon car and flies to the far east,

, Atalanta (the dawn maiden), and is finally slain by his own mother, who casts into the flames the brand upon which his ex

from the same root as “Leto” and “Latmus”) is the emblem of darkness, who , after marrying Jocasta (like Iole, a personifica

the dread monster of drought, the Sphinx, whose very name means “one who binds fast,” — a creature who had imprisoned the

the Sphinx, whose very name means “one who binds fast,” — a creature who had imprisoned the rain in the clouds, and thus c

ng his face behind the clouds; the Myrmidons are his attendant beams, who no longer appear when the sun is hidden; Patroclu

om the course marked out for him. He is detained by Circe (the moon), who weaves airy tissues, and by Calypso (the nymph of

e have Gæa and Rhea, the mothers and consorts of the Sky and of Time, who swallows his own children, “the Days, as they com

beautiful child had been stolen away from her mother by dark beings, who kept her imprisoned beneath the earth.” The sorro

has also been interpreted as the earth, the chosen bride of the sky, who brings forth her offspring in the midst of the th

s are also the Tritons, Oceanides, Nereides, and the alluring Sirens; who , however, have also been viewed as personificatio

rill”). Learned men have therefore proved that the “beneficent Titan, who stole fire from heaven and bestowed it upon manki

ere the souls of the dead.” Mercury is the “lying, tricksome wind-god who invented music,” for his music is but “the melody

ons of the wind and hurricanes. The name of the latter indicates “one who leaps.” Although very short-lived, these giants w

lus, his numerous progeny, and the Harpies, were also wind divinities who never entirely lost their original character with

uto or (Aides), whose name means “the wealth-giver,” or “the unseen,” who greedily drew all things down into his realm, nev

of Peloponnesus; dammed to clean Augean stable, 193. 2. The river god who pursued Arethusa, 164-167 Al-thæ′a. Mother of Me

n to, 299; significance, 353,354 Ar′gus. I. Name of myriadeyed giant who watched Io, 113, 114; significance, 349. 2. Name

to the sea by pirates, saved by a dolphin, 63, 64 Ar-is-tæ′us. Youth who indirectly causes Eurydice’s death, 59 Ar′te-mis

an. Primitive lore; significance, 362 As-cal′a-phus. Spirit in Hades who saw Proserpina eat pomegranate seeds, 167 a′si-a

′a-nax. Infant son of Hector and Andromache, 286 At-a-lan′ta. Maiden who takes part in Calydonian Hunt and races with Mila

272 Bacon. Exponent of theory of myths, 341 Bau′cis. 1. The mortal who showed hospitality to Jupiter and Mercury; wife o

Hunt. Organized by Meleager to slay a boar, 241-242 Ca-lyp′so. Nymph who detained Ulysses on Ogygia seven years, 316; sign

e Halcyone into birds, 181, 182 Cha′os. The first of all divinities, who ruled over confusion, 2; ejection of, 6; daughter

ties. The three Graces; attendants of Venus, 83 Cha′ron. The boatman who ferries the souls over Acheron, 138; Æneas ferrie

Ulysses to consult Tiresias, 312 Cir′ce. Sister of Æetes; sorceress who changes Ulysses’ men into swine, 310-314; signifi

mnon; slain by Orestes, 299; significance, 358, 359 Clyt′i-e. Maiden who loves Apollo, and is changed into a sunflower, 54

ans; son of Uranus and Gæa, 6 Cro′nus. Same as Saturn, Time; a Titan who rules supreme; father of Jupiter, 6-10, 12, 14, 2

ss of beauty, love, and laughter, 82 D dæd′a-lus. An architect who planned the Cretan Labyrinth, 221, 222; the inven

8-210; significance, 341, 354, 361 Da-na′i-des. Daughters of Danaus, who slay their husbands, 142, 143 Dan′a-us. King of

e, 50, 51; significance, 350, 353-360 Dar′da-nus. Ancient king Troy, who gives his name to his race, 326; mares of, 187 D

by the, 148; Antæus, son of the, 199; significance, 363 E′cho. Nymph who pined for love of Narcissus; changed to a voice,

piter; buried under Mt. Etna, 13. En-dym′i-on. Youth loved by Diana, who carries him to a cave on Mt. Latmus, 76, 77; sign

ns Mars, 117; significance, 365 E-pig′o-ni. Sons of the seven chiefs who besieged Thebes, 2 55 Ep-i-me′theus (Afterthough

4; husband of Pandora, 18-21, 24 E-pi′rus. Country visited by Æneas, who meets Andromache there, 327 Er′a-to. Muse of lyr

bsence, 318; Penelope awakened by, 320 Eu-ryd′i-ce. Wife of Orpheus, who seeks her in Hades, 58-62; significance, 351-353

loved by Polyphemus and Acis, 304. 305. 2. Statue loved by Pygmalion, who prays Venus to give it life, 98. 99 Gan′y-mede.

o′thi-us. Son of Neptune; slain by Mars, 117 Ham-a-dry′a-des. Nymphs who lived and died with the trees they inhabited, 261

swims across the, 89-94 He-me′ra (Day). One of the first divinities, who rules with Æther (Light), 3, 6 Heph-æs-ti′a. Fes

onia; daughter of Venus and Mars, 85 He′ro. Maiden loved by Leander, who swam the Hellespont to visit her, 89-94 He-si′o-

. People north of Oceanus, a virtuous race, 4 Hy-pe′ri-on. The Titan who had charge of the sun chariot, 6, 8, 10 Hyp-erm-

-128; Hesione, daughter of, 195; significance, 350 Lapi-thie. People who dwelt in Thessaly and fought the Centaurs, 201, 2

neas’ second wife, 338.339 Le-an′der. Youth of Abydus; Hero’s lover, who swam the Hellespont, 89-94 Le-ar′chus. Son of At

neas, 333 Lu′næ. Same as Diana, 178 Lyc′i-a. Land ruled by Iobates, who sends Bellerophon to slay the Chimera, 256, 259

f Midas, in Asia Minor, 153, 201 Lyn-′ceus. Husband of Hypermnestra, who spared his life, 143 Lyn′cus. King of Scythia; c

, 178; descendants of, 339; significance, 365 Mar′sy-as. 1. Shepherd who enters into competition with Apollo, 55, 56. 2. N

Calydonian Hunt, 241, 242; significance, 356 Me′li-an Nymphs. Nymphs who nursed Jupiter in infancy, 9 Mel-pom′e-ne. One o

wife of Jupiter; mother of the Muses, 68 Mœ′ræ. The Fates, or Parcæ, who spin, twist, and cut the thread of life, 141 Mor

Fountain nymphs subject to Neptune, 261, 262 Na-pæ′æ. Valley nymphs, who looked after the flocks also, 261 Nar-cis′sus. Y

, 197; father of Thetis, 271; significance, 362 Nes′sus. The Centaur who carries Deianeira across the river; slain by Herc

y Apollo and Diana, 73-75, 143; significance, 362, 363 Ni′sus. Youth who accompanies Euryalus to summon Æneas back to camp

mphs. Name given to female minor divinities, 261 Ny-si′a-des. Nymphs who cared for Bacchus, and form a constellation, 150

name given to Rhea, and also to Ceres, 8 O-re′a-des. Mountain nymphs who guided travellers, 261 O-res′tes. Son of Agamemn

e given to the winged cap worn by Mercury, 111. Phæ-a′ci-ans. People who dwelt in Scheria, and sent Ulysses home, 317; sig

amed after Phœnix, 32; significance, 349 Phœ′nix. Brother of Europa, who gave his name to Phœnicia, 31, 32 Phryx′us. Son

mned by Jupiter, 167; significance, 361 Pro-tes-i-la′us. First Greek who landed on Trojan coast, 281, 282 Pro′teus. Infer

er of souls to Hades, 109, 114 Pyg-ma′li-on. 1. Celebrated sculptor, who loves a statue, 98, 99. 2. Brother of Dido; murde

e of Deucalion and daughter of Epimetheus and Pandora; the only woman who survives the Flood, 24-26 Pyr′rhus. Same as Neop

Sa-git-ta′ri-us. The constellation formed by Chiron, the Centaur who taught Hercules, 193 Sa-la′ci-a. Same as Amphitr

appointed to watch the sacred shields in Rome, 120 Sal-mo′neus. King who wished to emulate Jupiter, 144 Sar-pe′don. Son o

5, 72 Sheet-Lightning. Same as Arges, 7 Sib′yl. Prophetess of Cumæ, who led Æneas down to the Infernal Regions, 332, 333

r). Giant encountered and slain by Theseus, 219 Si′non. Greek slave, who advised the Trojans to secure the wooden horse, 2

-lus. Mountain where stood the statue of Niobe, 7 5 Si′rens. Maidens who allured mariners by their wondrous songs, 313-315

10-12; marriages of, 14; significance, 363 Ti-tho′nus. Trojan prince who visited Aurora, 70 Tit′y-us. Giant in Tartarus,

73-300, 322-338; siege of, significance, 359 Tuc′ci-a. Vestal virgin who stood the test of purity, 172 Tur′nus. Chief of

ri-a. Same as Nice, goddess of victory 28 Vol′scians. Tribe in Italy who join the Rutules against Æneas, 334. 335 Vul′can

Regions, the Greeks also worshipped Plutus, a son of Ceres and Jason, who was known exclusively as the god of wealth. Aband

Abandoned in infancy, he was brought up by Pax, the goddess of peace, who is often represented holding him in her lap. Beca

ehend our New Testament, nor multiplied allusions to classic authors, who , by their association with our own literature, ha

ason, is the purpose of all the little books I have written. To those who are employed in the education of the young, who t

ave written. To those who are employed in the education of the young, who think conscientiously and with interest upon the

a, October 22, 1830. Elements of Mythology Those young persons who live in the present age of the world, and who are

Those young persons who live in the present age of the world, and who are educated as Christians, often hear of other g

s Christians, often hear of other gods besides that true and only God who is represented to them as the father of all intel

t men have not all, and always, worshipped that pure and holy Spirit, who has been represented to them as the only proper o

ern paganism. ——— Mythology is the history of the gods and goddesses who have been worshipped by heathen nations in differ

rent countries and ages of the world. Heathens, or pagans, are people who are not acquainted with the true and only God, an

ns, are people who are not acquainted with the true and only God, and who worship false divinities. Heathens sometimes wors

y brethren like unto me.” This prophet was our Saviour Jesus Christ, who came into the world as Moses had predicted. Moses

sm. The history of the fabulous divinities is Mythology. The good men who knew and loved the true God, endeavoured to make

at different times were these revelations made? After the patriarchs, who at different times instructed mankind in true rel

ents related by the old to the young, and again related by the person who first heard it to others still younger than himse

gold for the covetous, and of dishonesty for the thieves, etc. Those who were not taught the true nature of God, worshippe

the sea, the rivers, and the elements were worshipped, instead of him who made them all. How came men to forget the exact

sta. Besides the gods there were demi-gods. These were originally men who had performed great actions, and whom, after thei

d Cybele, and confined them. They were released by their son Jupiter, who deposed Saturn, and afterwards ruled the universe

as thence called Magna Mater — the Great Mother. Cybele was the first who fortified the walls of cities with towers, and sh

, raised an altar to her, and instituted those celebrated priestesses who bore the names of Vestals, or Vestal Virgins. At

t were the vestals exposed? Janus. Janus was a king of Italy, who received Saturn when he was expelled from heaven

Jupiter. The true history of Saturn must be, that he was a wise man, who was driven from some little kingdom by a successf

man, who was driven from some little kingdom by a successful usurper, who was perhaps his son; and, as a fugitive prince, e

he usurper Jupiter acquired dominion. Janus was a patriotic king, one who wished to make his subjects wiser and better, and

iotic king, one who wished to make his subjects wiser and better, and who devoted himself to improving them; therefore, he

ome? How were the attributes of Janus expressed by images of him, and who instituted a festival in honour of him? How did t

e Titans and the giants: the former were the sons of his uncle Titan, who imprisoned Saturn; and the latter were sons of Te

n, who imprisoned Saturn; and the latter were sons of Terra or Earth, who attempted to dethrone Jupiter. The giants, in the

of Sparta, and Clytemnestra was married to Agamemnon, king of Mycenæ, who was brother to Menelaus. One of the most remarkab

the death of Esculapius, destroyed the Cyclops, huge one-eyed giants who had forged the thunderbolts of Jupiter. The Cyclo

that his life should be spared, provided he could find another person who would die in his place. A mortal disease afterwar

Apollo instructed the Pythia in what he wished mortals to do; and all who could, repaired to the temple of Apollo to inquir

t or not to commence any undertaking. The Pythia was a poor old woman who was intoxicated or disturbed in mind by the respi

hree-legged stool, and then they explained her frantic words to those who consulted the oracle. There scarcely exists in an

e of Apollo? Mercury. See plate, page 31.            The God who mounts the winged winds, Fast to his feet the gol

any other people. The Hermes of Egypt was probably some philosopher, who was distinguished by various knowledge and invent

slain; the cock, for his wakefulness, were all consecrated to a god, who was himself without pity, forbearance, or fear. M

ough fear of his power. They could not feel love and trust in a being who was neither just nor benevolent. Mars was dreaded

was not known among the Romans. An oracle was consulted by the person who found the shield, in order to learn its origin. T

shield had fallen from heaven, and that Mars would favour the people who should preserve it, and that they should overcome

Achilles and Eneas. The former a Greek, and the latter a Trojan hero, who were engaged in the siege of Troy. Vulcan also fa

said to be so exquisite, as to enable them to discern whether persons who came there were virtuous or vicious, and who fawn

discern whether persons who came there were virtuous or vicious, and who fawned upon, or drove them away accordingly. The

cury. Force and Strength may signify the power and cruelty of bad men who were enemies of Prometheus, and who might have co

the power and cruelty of bad men who were enemies of Prometheus, and who might have confined him in some solitary place, o

hat was Prometheus accused? How did Jupiter persecute Prometheus, and who was his deliverer? Is it natural to suppose that

presented her under different characters. The Romans had a mild Juno, who had a benevolent and gracious countenance. In gen

goodness, for they personified this meteor under the figure of Iris, who was the messenger of peace to the dying. Iris was

e cut off her head. Perseus afterwards presented the head to Minerva, who placed it upon her shield; and so frightful was i

a, who placed it upon her shield; and so frightful was it, that those who beheld it were turned to stone. With the bright

f their wicked purposes, and terrified at their own guilt, by a power who is of purer eyes than to behold iniquity with com

gs sung at the Panathenæa were commonly the eulogium of some citizen, who had performed a distinguished service to the stat

in the memory of the Athenian people, and served as lessons to others who might wish to serve their country. An olive wreat

rmed. It was composed of different classes of the citizens, and those who appeared in it were selected for their fine appea

ed for their fine appearance. First advanced old men, still vigorous, who were of a majestic and venerable form — these bor

ney for the libations. Foreigners, or sojourners as they were called, who resided at Athens, held a rank inferior to native

ns, some playing on the flute, and others upon the lyre, rhapsodists, who sang passages from Homer’s poems, and dancers of

g the earth. The Egyptians worshipped a goddess, called by them Isis; who , like the Ceres of the Greeks, conferred the gift

Pitt ’s Virgil . The worship of Ceres was universal among those who received the religion of Greece. The most solemn

he particular of secrecy at least. Initiated persons — that is, those who were admitted to be present at the ceremonies at

ion of the goddess, and not only in this life, but after death. Those who broke the vow to conceal what they were instructe

ended to the dark dominions of Pluto, and was welcomed by Proserpine, who gladly prepared to return to earth with her mothe

ness, when others cannot see, represents the vigilance of Ascalaphus, who watched Proserpine when he was not himself observ

r feet upon the land, flowers sprung up beneath them. The rosy Hours, who were intrusted with her education, received her,

nsecrated it to Venus. Some instances are related of beautiful ladies who had grown old, and no longer could take pleasure

d no longer could take pleasure in the reflection of their own faces, who would send the mirror they had been accustomed to

, the word of God grew mightily and prevailed. A man named Demetrius, who made “silver shrines for Diana,” that is, little

eek, express waves, tempests, calms, rocks, ports, etc. The Nereides, who were the attendants on Neptune were esteemed very

Corinth? Polyphemus. Polyphemus was a son of Neptune, a giant who , like the Cyclops had but one eye. He kept sheep

nd of his instrument. ——— The Sirens were sea nymphs of rare beauty, who dwelt upon the coast of Sicily; their names were

one of two dangers is inevitable. ——— The Halcyones were sea-birds, who were supposed to build their nests upon the waves

chinia, seeing the corpse of her husband driven on shore by the tide, who had been shipwrecked on his return from consultin

be the cause of allaying tempests. ——— Proteus was a son of Neptune, who was intrusted with the care of his flocks, consis

mention of a Proteus King of Egypt, about the time of the Trojan war, who was illustrious for his secrecy, wisdom, and fore

ch mythology has recorded. There were various tribes of nymphs: those who presided over rivers and waters, were named Naiad

those who presided over rivers and waters, were named Naiades; those who resided in marshes, Lymniades. The wood nymphs we

he Sirens? Who was Scylla? What does the fable of Scylla signify, and who was Charybdis? What proverb is derived from the f

is Homer’s description of Proteus? Were there other inferior deities who presided over different parts of nature? Who were

e sacrifice. The feasts of Bacchus were sometimes noisy, and those who attended them were often intoxicated. These feast

were called Bachanalia, Revels, and Orgies. Riotous meetings of those who drink much wine and keep late hours are now often

rees and gardens, procured for her great reputation among the Romans, who placed her in the Pantheon, or temple of all the

und; Segesta, during the harvest; Tutelina, when stored; and Robigus, who was invoked to preserve it from the mildew. Popul

phs Echo, Syrinx, and Pithys. Echo preferred the beautiful Narcissus; who , seeing his own image in a fountain, was so capti

when pursued by Pan, fled for refuge to the river Ladon, her father, who changed her into a reed. Pan observing that the r

him. They say that he was a philosopher of great wisdom and learning, who accompanied Bacchus in his expedition to India, a

s. Lares and Penates. The Lares and Penates were Roman gods, who presided over empires, cities, highways, houses,

nd individuals. Among these divinities, were ranked the souls of them who had faithfully served the state; and families pla

muses love thy shrilly tone; Apollo calls thee all his own; ”Twas he who gave that voice to thee, ”Twas he who tunes thy m

alls thee all his own; ”Twas he who gave that voice to thee, ”Twas he who tunes thy minstrelsy. Unworn by age’s dim decline

d? What is the history of Tithonus? How was Tithonus transformed, and who write verses to the grasshopper? Zephyr.

which is called the Temple of the Winds. Zephyr loved young Hyacinth, who was also beloved by the nymph Echo, and by Apollo

ies roar. The Infernal Regions was the place of reception for souls who had lived upon the earth. Immediately upon death,

of the Greeks spirits were conveyed by Mercury to the care of Charon, who transported them across the river Acheron, to the

was the tribunal, or judgment-seat of Minos, Eacus, and Rhadamanthus, who pronounced sentence upon the dead. Tartarus was a

sentations deceive. The judges were reputed to have been men — kings, who ruled upon the earth with such integrity and wisd

ased by Minerva, as it would be the part of wisdom to say, The guilty who are punished suffer enough; comfort them, give th

rtal liver grows, and gives the immortal feast. Ixion. Ixion, who offended Jupiter by an insult offered to Juno, wa

us; thither he was followed by the fifty sons of his brother Egyptus, who married the daughters of their uncle. For some ca

ous keeper of these gloomy abodes was stationed. He fawned upon those who entered, but tore all who attempted to return. He

abodes was stationed. He fawned upon those who entered, but tore all who attempted to return. Hercules was commanded to br

ged life is called the immortality of the soul. Those of the heathens who believed in the immortality of the soul, could no

ther a region of grief and horror, proper for the punishment of those who had made themselves vile. Notwithstanding the hea

ian Fields were the final abode of virtuous men and women. Patriots, who perished for their country’s right, Or nobly triu

acred poets stood, Who sang with all the raptures of a god: Worthies, who life by useful arts refined; With those, who leav

ures of a god: Worthies, who life by useful arts refined; With those, who leave a deathless name behind, Friends of the wor

the immortality of the soul? What was the heathen heaven called, and who were admitted to it? How was Elysium represented?

dispensed lo the good and bad indifferently. Fortune was a goddess, who distributed her favours without judgment. She was

bes him as the son of the enchantress Circe. The god of low pleasure, who transformed men to brutes, though they remained i

ties are right. She punishes the guilty, and acquits and relieves him who is innocent and falsely accused. The balance whic

express that she cannot see the bribes or the supplications of those who might dispose her to be partial. Astrea descende

e goddess of divine vengeance, or retributive justice, punishes those who are ungrateful to Providence; who neglect their o

retributive justice, punishes those who are ungrateful to Providence; who neglect their own minds; who abuse the blessings

those who are ungrateful to Providence; who neglect their own minds; who abuse the blessings which they possess; who are h

neglect their own minds; who abuse the blessings which they possess; who are hard-hearted, and who persevere without compu

who abuse the blessings which they possess; who are hard-hearted, and who persevere without compunction in evil courses. Th

nd snakes hissed in her hair. Discord was a malevolent female deity, who excited quarrels and wars. Jupiter banished her f

ities already described, the Greeks offered worship to heroes, or men who had rendered eminent services to society. In what

of these ravagers, he becomes the greatest benefactor of society. Men who are delivered from danger and fear, feel lively g

At first, they say the gods assisted him, but after many years, those who hear of his achievements declare that he was a go

y years, those who hear of his achievements declare that he was a god who accomplished these services to mankind. And so he

was the strangling of two serpents while he was in his cradle. Juno, who hated Hercules, sent the serpents to destroy him,

tle hands, squeezed them to death, while his elder brother, Iphiclus, who saw the deed, ran about shrieking through fright.

h devastated the country round Mount Cithron. He next killed Erginus, who demanded of the Thebans the tribute of a hundred

e. The eighth labour of Hercules was to obtain the mares of Diomedes, who preyed upon men. Hercules secured these animals,

rcules was worshipped after his death. He was often invoked by people who wanted assistance in their weakness, as by the wa

rcules was young, two females once appeared to him, — one was Virtue, who proposed his arduous duties; the other was Pleasu

was Virtue, who proposed his arduous duties; the other was Pleasure, who offered to his acceptance an easy and indolent li

mazons. The Amazons were reputed to be a nation of masculine females, who lived near the river Thermodon in Cappadocia of A

y and limbs of a horse. This fable represents the people of Thessaly, who first bestrode the horse, and made him serviceabl

country. Chiron, the preceptor of Achilles, likewise educated Jason, who acquired all the accomplishments of that rude age

tain king of Thebes, had a son and daughter, named Phryxus and Helle, who were persecuted by Ino, one of their father’s wiv

, one of their father’s wives. Phryxus and Helle, to escape from Ino, who had determined to offer them as sacrifices to som

is is a frightful story, but it was made very affecting by Euripides, who wrote a tragedy called Medea, which is exceedingl

o wrote a tragedy called Medea, which is exceedingly admired by those who understand the Greek literature. It is said that

said Æthra, addressing herself to Theseus, “belonged to your father, who is Ægeus, King of Athens; whenever you shall pres

r entreaties that Theseus would not expose himself to the lawless men who infested the then untravelled ways of Greece; nev

narrow foot-path along the sea-side, and having robbed the passenger, who could not escape, afterwards precipitated him int

, as a satisfaction, a certain number of Athenian youths and maidens, who were to be sent periodically to Minos, at Crete.

dinary persons. We know better at the present time. The young persons who were to be sent to Crete were chosen by lot out o

ountry from this odious tribute, and comforted the distressed parents who were about to give up their children, by offering

What enemies did Theseus meet at Athens, and how did his father learn who he was? How did Theseus treat the Pallantidæ? Wha

he character of Theseus, as a king, belongs to true history. Cecrops, who led the first Egyptian colony into Attica, was th

wn, that dishonest and violent conduct is punished by the magistrate, who learns from books of written laws what is to be d

metimes call together assemblies of the people — that is, all the men who were respectable should come into one place, and

prevent bad men from doing wrong to others, by punishing the persons who were guilty; and the courts should be held in Ath

ended from Venus, say the mythologists, and Juno hated Venus, and all who belonged to her; so Juno always persecuted the po

eribœa. When Œdipus heard this, he begged his supposed mother to tell who were his real parents: Peribœa did not herself kn

ple about Thebes, Creon, the queen’s brother, proclaimed that the man who would destroy that monster, should marry the quee

llow him to be buried, and threatened to punish with death any person who should offer to inter him. According to the notio

less courage, and dared not comply with Antigone’s request. Antigone, who was pious and affectionate, could not refrain fro

rs after the first Theban war, the sons and descendants of the chiefs who engaged in behalf of the brothers, renewed their

heus to be an entire fable. ——— Amphion was another musical prodigy, who raised the walls of the city of Thebes by his lyr

urs in erecting them. ——— Arion was also a famous poet and musician, who acquired wealth by his talents, and being on a vo

and being on a voyage to Lesbos was thrown overboard by the sailors, who wanted his money. Arion was playing on his lyre w

recovered Helen from Theseus. They were probably roving adventurers, who did as much wrong as right. It is related in thei

ng as right. It is related in their history, that Leucippus, a prince who was uncle to these adventurers, had two daughters

s Dædalus, and what were his inventions? Why did Dædalus quit Athens, who received him, and how did he escape from Crete?

om Crete? The Lapithæ. The Centaurs were a people of Thessaly, who first tamed and used the horse. The battle of the

matter of contention, and entreated him to bestow the apple upon her, who was truly the most beautiful; but they all offere

ever again be forced away, that they would unite to punish the person who should commit the outrage. The injured Menelaus r

princes, and demanded of them to assist him in punishing the Trojans, who had encouraged Paris in his perfidy. Menelaus, wi

at is the fabulous origin of Troy? Who was the last king of Troy, and who were the most memorable of his children? Where wa

is requite the hospitality of Menelaus? Who had vowed to punish those who should carry off Helen? Did Menelaus proceed rash

se, forced open the gates of the city, and admitted the Greek troops, who were concealed without; and thus Troy was taken,

st numbers of the Trojans with the fatal arrows, among others, Paris, who had caused the war. Sophocles has made a drama of

Philoctetes was cured of his wound by Machaon, the son of Esculapius, who was the most eminent physician of the Greeks. Wh

in their youth were driven away from Argos, by their uncle, Thyestes, who usurped the kingdom, but Tyndarus, King of Sparta

rtaking, for the King of Chersonesus always sacrificed every stranger who entered his dominions. But Orestes was not intimi

ividual. Iphigenia confessed that she was that daughter of Agamemnon, who had miraculously escaped from Aulis, and she inst

mself into any shape he chose, and always endeavouring to elude those who asked any thing of him. Eidothea, however clothed

Ajax. Ajax, next to Achilles, was the most valiant of the Greeks, who went to the siege of Troy. Ajax was the son of Te

rensy, he slew a flock of sheep, supposing them to be sons of Atreus, who had bestowed the armour upon Ulysses, and at leng

himself safe, in despite of the gods. This impiety offended Neptune, who shook the rock with his trident, and precipitated

the gods; To his own prowess all the glory gave, The power defrauding who vouchsafed to save. This heard the raging ruler o

gar; but he first went to the cottage of one of his servants, Eumæus; who , though he did not know his master, entertained h

racter? Achilles. Achilles, the principal of the Greek heroes who went to the siege of Troy, was the son of Pelides

t Troy could not be taken without the assistance of Achilles. Thetis, who foresaw that her son would perish in this enterpr

ed. Achilles had a friend whom he tenderly loved: this was Patroclus, who was slain by Hector, the chief hero of Troy. Indi

acrifice on the tomb of Achilles, to celebrate the hero, and the poet who had transmitted his fame to posterity. Who was A

hilles? Did Achilles desire long life? Where was Achilles buried, and who offered sacrifices his tomb? Nestor. Nest

tly brave His life to hazard, and his country save? Lives there a man who singly dares to go. To yonder camp, or seize some

his kingdom and family in the condition which any might presume upon, who should abandon his duties for ten years. His wife

he amiable character of Hector was, perhaps, best described by Helen, who says, in Pope’s Homer, “Yet was it ne’er my fate

and, disregarding the place, inflicted a mortal wound upon the youth, who fell dead at his parents’ feet. Priam lifted his

ived and died in that barbarous land. Cassandra was murdered by those who accomplished the death of Agamemnon, and thus end

ions not taught by the revelation of God, and some, alas! among those who have been instructed in the gospel of peace. Who

was unhappily lost in the crowd. According to Virgil, the Roman poet, who has written the history of Eneas in the poem call

ber. Here he was kindly received by Latinus, the king of the country, who gave him his daughter Lavinia, though she had bee

eas met also with a kind reception from Evander, a prince of Arcadia, who had brought a colony into Italy, had dispossessed

people, the same idea as that of a king in modern times. Those kings who are mentioned in the history of Abraham, must hav

y of Abraham, must have been the proprietors of small tracts of land, who exercised a patriarchal government over those who

all tracts of land, who exercised a patriarchal government over those who lived upon their domains, and who, like the noble

a patriarchal government over those who lived upon their domains, and who , like the nobles of Europe m the middle ages, cal

usually contain notices of certain eminent individuals of antiquity, who , by way of distinction, are called the Seven Wise

and colleges, did not abound for the instruction of the young. Those who felt the desire of improvement meditated upon wha

led the Ionian sect in philosophy. Thales was the first of the Greeks who made discoveries in astronomy, and foretold eclip

aws pretended to punish every offence with death. An idle man, or one who stole a cabbage, or an apple, suffered as severe

Who was Bias? Who was Pittacus? For what is Cleobulus memorable, and who was his daughter? Was Periander of Corinth a virt

dus to have existed successively. Lachsmee, the goddess of abundance, who presides over agricultural labours, and is the wi

g fire,” yet “he forgiveth iniquity, transgression, and sin.” They, who polluted with offences come,              Behold

e, and shafts enwreathed with flowers. Suradevi, the goddess of wine, who arose from the ocean, when, after the deluge, it

On the west are two surprising figures of horsemen completely armed, who , having killed two elephants, are seated upon the

a of the Hindus is an incarnate deity. He was a celebrated conqueror, who delivered his wife Sita from the giant Ravan, Kin

ffer religious services to certain animals. They believe that Vishnu, who has already been incarnate nine times, in differe

tors. Of these wretched fanatics, the most disgusting are the Fakirs, who sometimes hang themselves upon spikes, and may be

re, being a long time sustained by others infatuated like themselves, who bring them food. Do the Hindus adore the Sun and

n rails, under a magnificent dome. So vast was the number of pilgrims who resorted to the Juggernaut, that the average annu

lled the people to embrace their religion, and instantly killed those who refused it; and the subjects of other religions,

n Europe, and of America, there are many instances of eminent persons who have spent their whole lives in the instruction o

ns who have spent their whole lives in the instruction of others, and who have particularly endeavoured to exalt the minds,

detestable animal. There is yet another class of persons, the Parias, who are accounted the vilest of all, and are subject

eities, and the Scandinavians believed in spirits, elves and fairies, who did good or evil to mankind, as they chose. Accor

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

; the father of battles; because he adopted as his children all those who died with arms in their hands. Odin took no nouri

e other deities at the immortal banquet, where he would receive those who died with arms in their hands. What was Scandina

of the inferior deities of Scandinavia, were Niorder, etc. Niorder, who presided over the seas, navigation, hunting, and

nting, and fishing. He espoused Skada, daughter of the giant Thiasse; who preferring the mountains of her father to the hum

be added several children of Odin: Hoder the blind; the silent Vidar, who walked the waters and the air; Vali the formidabl

who walked the waters and the air; Vali the formidable archer; Uller, who presided over the trial by duel; and Forseti, who

able archer; Uller, who presided over the trial by duel; and Forseti, who decided the differences between gods and men. Idu

horses, bright and glowing.     Dragged the Sun’s refulgent form. He who rules, by night, the heaven.     Wist not where h

Odin meets the wolf of hell. She must taste a second sorrow,     She who wept when Balder bled, Fate demands a nobler quar

or stone of sacrifice. Human victims were frequently offered by those who laboured under disease, or were about to go to ba

y glory as the chief honour of a man; and they held those in contempt who preferred a quiet and peaceable life to one of vi

ble life to one of violence and depredation. They believed that those who fell in war, were conveyed, after death, to Heave

, and quaffed nectar from the skulls of their enemies, and that those who had loved the chase upon earth, the shades of her

ades of stags. These northern barbarians also believed that all those who died at home of disease, or old age, were conveye

e ark to the Israelitish territory. Who were the Syrian nations, and who imitated their idolatries? Who was Baal, and what

d distinctive feature in the religion of the ancient Egyptians. Those who visited Egypt approached with delight its sacred

ith cows’ horns on her head. Typhon was the imaginary author of evil who waged perpetual war against Osiris. Horus or Oru

be known? Did any of the people of Egypt acknowledge but one God; and who were the principal deities of Egypt? Who were Osi

nations of the world. It consisted in the belief of one supreme God, who formed all things by his power, and continually g

ere Magi, mentioned in the New Testament as wise men from the east , who visited the infant Jesus. Besides adoring the sun

a continued in force till that country was subdued by the Mussulmans, who by violence established Islamism, or Mohammedanis

n infinite multitude of genii, of different ranks and various orders, who presided over the divisions of time, the successi

nd moon, the earth, and all that grows upon it; and they will inquire who made and takes care of the world they inhabit — w

they will inquire who made and takes care of the world they inhabit —  who gave them every comfort — who made man, and gave

takes care of the world they inhabit — who gave them every comfort — who made man, and gave him the power to think and fee

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

o that ignorant men worship the things which are made, instead of him who made them. In time they give names to these false

olden Age, which was commenced under the instructions of a good king, who kept his people in peace and order, and they wors

, as well as their history, by hieroglyphic paintings. The Spaniards, who discovered them, saw their worship and studied th

s cruel — it required human sacrifices, and they were accounted happy who were thus offered to the gods. The Mexicans, like

the transmigration of souls? What did the Greeks term this doctrine, who taught it among them, and what people now believe

How many principal divinities were acknowledged by the Mexicans, and who was the chief? Who was the Mexican god of justice

h, were standing around a fire, one person suddenly declared, that he who should throw himself into the flames would be tra

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

ts and fountains. Tlaloc was also associated with a goddess of water, who divided with him the charge of that useful elemen

ich animal life could not be for a moment sustained. Centeot, or she who supports us, was the Ceres of Mexico, the goddess

ths were brought to the temple by the votaries of this Mexican Flora; who attended the festivals in which she was celebrate

air: near the temples, were houses for the accommodation of strangers who came to worship. There were likewise, reservoirs

re,” says this authority, “thirty thousand gods inhabiting the earth, who are subjects of Jupiter and guardians of men.” B

acknowledged deity, and he suffered death upon this accusation. Those who are familiar with the book of Acts, will remember

eans, they inspire a feeling of veneration, and make us think of God, who laid their foundation in the beginning; who lifte

and make us think of God, who laid their foundation in the beginning; who lifted their lofty heads to his own heaven, and w

in the beginning; who lifted their lofty heads to his own heaven, and who has fixed the everlasting hills that they cannot

ful or unadorned, according to the knowledge and wealth of the people who worship them. The Mexicans worshipped before grea

of Plato, and was a tradition from some more ancient author: “O thou, who art the king of Heaven, grant us what is useful t

ancient city, that this building is below the common level; and those who visit the church, must descend a flight of stairs

s to be raised, was bound by garlands of flowers and fillets. Persons who had lucky names, (according to the superstition o

reat confidence in soothsayers and auguries. Soothsayers were persons who pretended to foresee future events; and they disc

The art of explaining all these to the credulous and ignorant people, who believed in their mysterious import, was Augury;

rded by the Romans? How did the Romans sometimes regard chickens, and who were the Haruspices? Were there three distinct or

ter Capitolinus, which were committed to the care of certain persons, who , when a difficult enterprise was to be undertaken

which I have set for a pillar, shall be God’s house.” Doubtless, all who came that way knew what had happened there, and s

s both were places of refuge for the guilty, and for the unfortunate, who might be innocently persecuted. The altar was oft

he master of a house would not drag from his hearth the unhappy exile who entreated his protection. What are temples? What

Diana, at Ephesus. The temple of Delphi was chiefly enriched by those who consulted the oracle — the rich, who lived all ov

hi was chiefly enriched by those who consulted the oracle — the rich, who lived all over the Greek empire. The Greek empire

an, and on the north coast of Asia Minor. The votaries of Apollo, all who sought knowledge from the Pythia, bestowed tripod

————— Those men are called divine, Who public structures raise, and who design. There is something sublime in the charac

who design. There is something sublime in the character of Pericles, who imagined the appropriation of so much wealth, so

et there is something more magnificent in the conception of a people, who consented in such a work; who gave to it money, t

nificent in the conception of a people, who consented in such a work; who gave to it money, time, and skill; and the sentim

says Dr. Clark, “as the Parthenon has been described, the spectator, who for the first time approaches it, finds that noth

rings at Delphi, and what became of them? What was the Parthenon, and who projected it? What were the dimensions of the Par

Oracles.] The Hebrew Scriptures give us accounts of prophets; men who were endowed by God with superior wisdom, and who

ts of prophets; men who were endowed by God with superior wisdom, and who were enabled by divine assistance to foretell eve

e replied that it was the divine will: and the Spartans obeyed. Those who consulted oracles were forced to pay for the info

ch; but the oracle was uttered by a poor old woman called the Pythia: who was made to sit upon a stool, called, from its th

ge words; which artful priests explained just as they chose, to those who consulted them. In Greece, besides these, were ma

cence to mankind. They usually concluded with a petition that the god who was addressed would continue his favour to the su

ipped holy beings, they always confessed that Jove was supreme. Those who acknowledged one, “high throned above all,” calle

ontinued prayers and supplications to the gods; for no man among them who was endued with the smallest prudence, said the p

and misery upon the accursed person; that is, the person hated by him who entreats the curse. The misfortunes which happen

, and prophets, uttered imprecations upon detested persons; and those who heard the malediction believed that all the evils

because he had, as it were, promised them in a solemn manner to Jacob who had deceived him. An oath is a solemn promise mad

ns, and what did the Spartans pray for? What is meant by a curse, and who stood in fear of curses? What is a blessing or be

tion, and what is a memorable example? What is an oath and a vow, and who were permitted to take oaths? Was there any other

to engrave upon a tablet a short account of their deliverance. Those who undertook a journey, first implored the divine pr

s worshipped the local deities as the protectors and patrons of those who sojourned in their land; and when they were resto

ead of the false and foolish religions of antiquity; of those nations who worshipped they knew not whom, we have reason to

government. Nineteen centuries before Christ, God instructed Abraham, who had then no child, that from him should descend a

d Abraham, who had then no child, that from him should descend a race who should preserve the knowledge of one true God; an

ey might feel after him and find him. The Hebrews worshipped one God, who is above all, who created all, and who is in all;

r him and find him. The Hebrews worshipped one God, who is above all, who created all, and who is in all; the heathens wors

he Hebrews worshipped one God, who is above all, who created all, and who is in all; the heathens worshipped gods many, and

not destroyed, but improved, advanced, and perfected by the Messiah; who only laid aside the ceremonies of his country, bu

o the present time. The pope of Rome, and the primate of all England, who is the archbishop of Canterbury, are instances. T

rews, was a religious order, called the Nazarites. These were persons who made a vow to devote themselves to the service of

ded? How was the Tabernacle enclosed? Who built the first Temple, and who destroyed the last? What was the veil of the Temp

e Greek, and signifies a peninsula. 7. The Greeks called all nations who were not Greeks, barbarians. 8. Cenotaph, a monu

y. Considering these real defects, and that the work was by an author who was little known, and on a subject against which

mpressing correct ideas in history and politics on the minds of those who will be future legislators, or occupy other impor

of the stronger, according to the simple plan, That they should take who have the power, And they should keep who can. A

plan, That they should take who have the power, And they should keep who can. A literary work, whether the creation of ge

honourable exceptions, arrayed against us ; the political œconomists, who will sacrifice anything, how sacred soever, on th

or the belief in a number of beings of a nature superior to man, and who can be of benefit or injury to him, seems congeni

so general can only be the result of some law of the mind ; and those who have directed their attention to the language and

ntelligent causes which He employs, — the simpler children of nature, who cannot rise to so just and elevated a conception,

ng the sky, the terrified mortal regarded them as sent forth by a god who ruled the heavens ; when the sea rose in mountain

viewed manly strength and vigour as the leading attributes of the god who presided over war and inspired daring thoughts ;

yses and the pestilence itself to be actual and real facts, all those who heard of them, and who had at the same time a fir

itself to be actual and real facts, all those who heard of them, and who had at the same time a firm belief in the avengin

g which they had seen and experienced themselves, that it was the god who had sent the pestilence on the prayer of his prie

the top of Mount Sactá, whose base was washed by the lake. The devil who lived on the west side adopted the ingenious expe

of kindred. The Hebrews termed sparks, sons of the burning coal ; one who is to die, a son of death. The Arabs call a trave

The chief maintainers of this hypothesis are Bochart33 and Bryant34, who see in the Grecian mythes the true history of the

s the true history of the personages of Sacred Scripture ; Rudbeck35, who regards them as being drawn from the history of t

ng drawn from the history of the North of Europe ; the Abbé Banier36, who maintains that Grecian mythology is Egyptian and

gods whom they could not reconcile with their own Zeus, and of queens who could not be brought to agree with their Hera. Bu

the Titans being driven out of heaven, and of the concubines of Zeus, who were reckoned among the Titanesses, the daughters

daughters of the Titans, such as Metis, Themis, Leto, Demeter, Dione, who were all, according to different legends, spouses

nts60. A prudent silence therefore became the safest course for those who exceeded their contemporaries in knowledge. The p

l cause and support of all. Anaxagoras is said to have been the first who openly taught this truth ; and he was in conseque

t is thought62, but perhaps not with sufficient evidence, the priests who directed them used, for the credit of the popular

their forefathers were now presented under a new guise to the Greeks, who , as they gazed on the picture or the statue, saw

66. It is probable that this took its rise from the Egyptian priests, who , as we may see in Herodotus, represented their go

nd with the heroes. Thus of Aphrodite he says, that she was the first who reduced gallantry to an art, and made a trade of

flute-player73 The work of Euhemerus was vehemently attacked by all who retained a veneration for the old religion, and t

ed for their piety and their hospitality to strangers. The first king who ruled over them was named Uranos. He collected th

t king who ruled over them was named Uranos. He collected the people, who had previously dwelt dispersedly, into towns, and

eir daughters were Basileia and Rhea, also named Pandora. The former, who was the eldest, aided her mother to rear her brot

into the river Eridanos, where he was drowned. At the tidings Selena, who loved her brother beyond measure, cast herself fr

m of their father among themselves. The coast of Ocean fell to Atlas, who named the people and the highest mountain of the

ns, ruled over Libya, Sicily, and Italy. He espoused his sister Rhea, who bore a son named Zeus, in all things the opposite

is ancient bard. Homer and Hesiod were succeeded by a crowd of poets, who sang all the events of the mythic ages. The chief

ian papyrus, was become more common in Greece, a set of writers arose who related in succinct prose narratives, arranged in

took notice of the mythic legends. Ephorus and Theopompus were those who devoted most attention to them, as their fragment

tion, for in fact there is hardly a classic writer in either language who does not relate or refer to some of the mythic le

and whose work is of the most interesting nature, we mean Pausanias, who travelled in Greece in the second century of the

the poems of Homer. Next in antiquity is that of the poems of Hesiod, who flourished somewhat later, for he displays a much

nacquainted with the advance of knowledge, they write for the people, who still retain old prejudices. It is thus that in t

bit of making distant voyages. The Cretans and the Taphians (a people who inhabited some small islands in the Ionian sea) p

of the Greeks respecting foreign lands were probably the Phœnicians, who in the most distant ages visited Africa, Spain, a

appearance was the signal of bloody warfare to the puny inhabitants, who had to take up arms to defend their corn-fields a

doors was perhaps felt ; and they were accordingly invented by those who were resolved to leave nothing unexplained. The s

d men, being to the gods what Erebos was to men, — the abode of those who were driven from the supernal world128. The Titan

increased to the dimensions of a sea, and Herodotus133 derides those who still regarded it as a river. Finally, the change

of far higher antiquity than the Ascræan to whom it is ascribed, and who often was ignorant of the meaning of what he deli

ottos, Briareôs, and Gyes. These children were hated by their father, who , as soon as they were born, thrust them out of si

they were born, thrust them out of sight into a cavern of Earth141 , who , grieved at his unnatural conduct, produced the ‘

to rebellion against him : but fear seized on them all except Kronos, who lying in wait with the sickle with which his moth

Kronids then, by the advice of Earth, gave the supreme power to Zeus, who in return distributed honours and dominion among

ant Olympos, the other the inmates of the gloomy Tartaros156. Hesiod, who evidently misunderstood the sense of the mythe, f

ded. He casts all these into Tartaros, and then the Titans are born ; who all, except Oceanos158, at the instigation of the

in in Tartaros. Then follows the account of the birth of the Kronids, who by freeing the Cyclopes and their brethren win th

lonius166. At a much later age it is alluded to by Nonnus167. Milton, who , like the Alexandrians, loved to bring forward re

sly the popular creed) to bestow chariots and horses on those deities who had a long course to perform. We do not however f

it were, the celestial shepherd or overseer of the stars, and the god who gave increase to the earth222. By Perseïs or Pers

etes, and his sister Circe the great enchantress223, and of Pasiphae, who espoused Minôs the son of Zeus224. The nymphs jus

ae, who espoused Minôs the son of Zeus224. The nymphs just mentioned, who kept his cattle, were his children by Neæra (Newn

mph Rhodos, the daughter of Aphrodite, Helios had the seven Heliades, who were the first inhabitants of the isle of Rhodes2

tears of the Sun-god, that is Phœbos Apollo according to the Greeks, who added that he shed these tears when he came to th

nd Clytia filled with jealous rage discovered the secret to Orchamos, who buried his hapless daughter alive. The god, unabl

a silly legend respecting it. The Latin Festus248 is the only writer who speaks of the car of the Moon being drawn by mule

succeeding poets she is identified with Hemera, or the Day265. Homer, who is silent respecting the chariots of Helios and S

whom he had Hecate. There is some difficulty about these personages, who are hardly ever mentioned by the poets. The origi

riginally among the Titans. According to all analogy the sage or poet who devised the mythe of the six male and six female

t is said in the Theogony296 that Hecate was highly honoured by Zeus, who allowed her to exercise extensive power over land

at her will. Though an only child (in contrast to Apollo and Artemis, who have similar power) she is honoured with all powe

eocrasy which we have already mentioned frequently confounded deities who were originally distinct, but it sometimes only r

poetic philosopher Empedocles, Kronos married the ‘blooming’ Euonyme, who bore to him ‘beautiful-haired golden’ Aphrodite,

r his love of justice, led to the making him the offspring of the god who ruled over the golden race of men ; and if, as it

of nature and art lose most of their attractions in the eyes of those who are long and intimately acquainted with them. Thi

shares in their exaltation ; and it may almost be doubted if the poet who drew the following picture of Olympos could have

ght and wrong, and are implacable toward their enemies, or even those who have slighted them349. Their power was held to ex

d Artemis369. This arrangement could hardly have been known to Homer, who never mentions Hestia, and but incidentally Demet

arliest writer by whom we find the twelve gods noticed is Hellanicus, who says370 that Deucaliôn built altars to them after

recian worship. Though Homer names the parents of nearly all the gods who appear in his poems, and it follows thence that t

pious flow of water, which she named the Neda, from one of the nymphs who assisted at her labour, and who then conveyed the

amed the Neda, from one of the nymphs who assisted at her labour, and who then conveyed the babe to Cnossos in Crete391. Th

ated in the following order393. Zeus first espoused Metis (Prudence), who exceeded gods and men in knowledge. But Heaven an

e goddess Pallas Athene sprang from his head. He then married Themis, who bore him the Seasons and Fates. The Oceanis Euryn

the Muses, and Leto of Apollo and Artemis. His last spouse was Hera, who bore him Hebe, Ares, and Eileithyia. According to

the form of her husband Amphitryôn to deceive the modesty of Alcmena, who became the mother of Heracles. Leda was beguiled

Ægina, the mother of Æacos. By Semele he was the father of Dionysos, who became a god. By Io he had a son named Epaphos. M

we shall give a detailed account when we come to speak of the heroes who sprang from them. The love of Zeus (and in this t

was then placed at the head of a genealogy ; and last came the poets, who detailed the amorous history. It seems to have be

eus421. Iphimedeia bore him Otos and Ephialtes, those gigantic babes, who in their ninth year attempted to scale heaven422.

ösa bore him the huge Cyclops Polyphemos424. The invulnerable Cycnos, who was slain by Achilles, was also the offspring of

al, not a seafaring people) the agents must have been the Phœnicians, who also, we are assured, brought the first horses in

rely indicate a change or a combination of the worship of the deities who are the subjects of them, in the places where the

Hades as pictured in the Odyssey. It is in fact surprising, that men who had such a dreary prospect before them should not

damanthys, allotted his place of bliss or of pain to each of the dead who was brought before their tribunal476. The river o

nd fullest description of the new-modified under-world, and for those who love to trace the progress and change of ideas, i

osed to be himself the agent in removing from the realms of day those who were to be his subjects. Pindar speaks of the sta

when speaking of Euripides’ drama of Alcestis, calls Death (Θάνατος), who comes to fetch away the heroine, Orcus, the Latin

dite relates that Hestia, Artemis, and Athena were the only goddesses who escaped the power of the queen of love. When wooe

ver previously ‘mingled in love’ unknown to their parents501. Hesiod, who gives her the same parents, says that she was the

was the last spouse of Zeus502. According to the Argive legend, Zeus, who had long secretly loved his sister, watched one d

much of the persecution which Leto underwent from the enmity of Hera, who also, as shall hereafter be related, made Io, Sem

s Hera acts a prominent part as the persecutor of the heroes of them, who were the offspring of Zeus by mortal mothers. In

os in Arcadia was521, that Hera had been brought up there by Temenos, who raised three temples to her, under the names of V

ave already hinted, we are inclined to assent to the opinion of those who view in Zeus the heaven, and in Hera the earth, a

nce by terms of paternity, gave a mortal progeny to Ares. As a person who came by sea was figuratively called a son of Pose

overs : then feigning a journey, set out as it were for Lemnos. Ares, who was on the watch, flew to his expecting mistress 

eus and Hera566. According to Hesiod567 he was the son of Hera alone, who was unwilling to be outdone by Zeus when he had g

which guarded his house572. For himself he formed the golden maidens, who waited on him, and whom he endowed with reason an

and speech573. He gave to Minôs, king of Crete, the brazen man Talôs, who each day compassed his island three times, to gua

eauty580. He is said to have asked Pallas-Athene in marriage of Zeus, who gave him permission to win her if he could. Hephæ

h thirst. She saw a pool, and knelt down at it to drink. Some clowns, who were there cutting sedge and rushes, refused to a

mpassion for the sufferings of Leto, they dispatched Iris to Olympos, who brought Eileithyia secretly to Delos. Leto then g

, and was about to fling the peaks of Pangæos on the generous stream, who undauntedly awaited the issue ; when Leto passed

locks waving on his shoulders, and accosted the strangers, inquiring who they were and whence they came. To their question

that place was to which they were come, he replies by informing them who he is, and what his purpose was in bringing them

in the arms of a Hæmonian youth, and bore the tidings to his master, who immediately discharged one of his inevitable arro

favourite634. The babe saved from the pyre of Coronis was Asclepios, who became so famous for his healing powers. Extendin

h his thunder deprived him of life. Apollo incensed slew the Cyclopes who had forged the thunderbolts, for which bold deed

ly, was the person selected to be honoured by the service of the god, who , according to the more dignified and probable vie

h the Pythôn was the subject of mimic representation at Delphi. A boy who personated Apollo, having in mimic show slain the

d, which the legend placed at Pheræ in Thessaly639. Müller therefore, who views in the whole transaction a deep moral sense

ne of Persephone ; and Pheræ was a town sacred to the goddess Hecate, who was connected with the lower-world641. It cannot

ition to the lyre of Apollo, was pronounced overcome by Mount Tmolos, who had been chosen judge ; and all present approved

hat the worship of Apollo was originally peculiar to the Dorian race, who were at all times his most zealous votaries. As t

ΚH)664, of a similar form, the great probability, in the eyes of all who regard Apollo as the sun-god, or as a moral being

he two first vowels. The strangest etymon of all is that of Buttmann, who , taking the Cretan form ᾽Αβέλιος to be the origin

phs. On her return she calls at Lipara on Hephæstos and the Cyclopes, who immediately lay aside all their work to execute h

her arrows676. With her brother she destroyed the children of Niobe, who had presumed to prefer herself to Leto677 ; and i

ng her form into that of a hind, sprang out between the two brothers, who aiming their darts at the supposed beast, by her

agmatising form of the pleasing mythe was, that Alpheios was a hunter who was in love with the huntress Arethusa. To escape

the temple of Artemis, and the tradition of the place was, that they, who were two Hyperborean maidens, had been the compan

d only Opis and Hecaerge696. There was also a legend of a nymph Arge, who when pursuing a buck cried out to him, «Though yo

ed)702, in which was shown the tomb of a maiden named Leucophryne703, who was probably regarded as bearing a relation to th

Delos. Leucophryne was therefore no more than an epithet of Artemis, who had also a temple at Leucophrys on the coast704 ;

familiar with those distant regions, zeal for the honour of the poet who had sung so well the wanderings of Odysseus, and

xandrine period it was so prevalent, that Callimachus726 blames those who separate these deities from the sun and moon. Thi

ese waving locks are a simple representation of the beams of the sun, who in the Psalms is described as ‘a bridegroom comin

cations were merely the work of the philosophers of the Ionic school, who sought to assimilate all the deities of the popul

reat purity, while the bow and arrows are a natural symbol of the god who sends death from afar ; that nothing can be concl

selected was Anchises, a beautiful youth of the royal house of Troy, who was at that time with the herdsmen feeding oxen a

using his leisure by playing on the lyre. When he beheld the goddess, who had divested herself of the usual marks of divini

ning by Zeus. So saying, unto breezy Heaven she sped. Hail, goddess, who o’er well-dwelt Cyprus rulest ! But I will pass f

z yearly wounded ; and to be a Phœnician personification of the sun, who during a part of the year is absent, or as the le

ether as they were. He further inquires, whether the ancient nations, who esteemed their gods to be so little superior to m

ἱμὰς), which had the gift of inspiring love and desire for the person who wore it. Hera, when about to lull Zeus to sleep b

m of the Olympians, and endowed with some of the attributes of Hera, ( who was also identified with Astarte), and thus becom

ith a bow and arrows776. There was a being named Anterôs (ἀντὶ ἔρως), who was in some cases viewed as the avenger of slight

ut that they knew not the cause of their being so styled. Jamblichus, who was just then standing at the brink of the fount

e, hung down his back, which was bright and clean as that of a person who had just bathed. All present were in amazement :

some time, he restored them to their native element. His companions, who had been previously disposed to regard him as an

here give in an abridged form. There were one time a king and a queen who had three daughters, of whom the youngest named P

che, though adored by all, was sought as a wife by none. Her sisters, who were far inferior to her in charms, were married,

piness, and try to persuade her that her invisible lord is a serpent, who will finally devour her. By their advice she prov

a deep slumber from its effects. In this state she is found by Cupid, who had escaped by the window of the chamber where he

ngs, and of true desire. Two loves meet it, — the earthly, a deceiver who draws it down to earthly things ; the heavenly, w

rthly, a deceiver who draws it down to earthly things ; the heavenly, who directs its view to the original, fair and divine

heavenly, who directs its view to the original, fair and divine, and who gaining the victory over his rival, leads off the

nowledge, or absorbed and losing its separate existence in the deity, who dwells in light according to the philosophy of th

a cloak wrought by herself796. She taught this art to mortal females, who had won her affection797. When Pandora was formed

not improbable that the Pelasgian goddess of Argos and other places, who had been identified with the Athenian Maid, may h

r (Much-possessing). In the Odyssey Hermeias takes the place of Iris, who does not appear at all in this poem, and becomes

e slunk home and stole into his cradle, not unobserved by his mother, who reproached him with his deeds ; but he replied, t

ollo missed his kine : he set out in search of them, met the old man, who informed him of his having seen a child driving c

stials, manfully denied and its absurdity shown by the little fellow, who still has his cradle-clothes about him. Zeus howe

care of his oxen, which pastured along with those of Admetos. Hermes, who in this version of the legend is not a babe, thou

f Artemis, had fallen in love with her. She bore him privately a son, who was reared by her father, herself having married

e day Hermes beheld Herse, the daughter of Cecrops, among the maidens who were carrying the sacred baskets to the temple of

lauros on the left. The latter first saw the god, and inquired of him who he was and why he came. Hermes immediately inform

os will be shown in the sequel. We shall also find that it was Hermes who gave to Nephele the gold-fleeced ram to save her

of Io, but it has been doubted if that adventure was known to Homer, who calls the deity by this name in passages the genu

seen by gods or mortals, save only by Hecate the daughter of Persæos, who heard her as she sat in her cave, and by king Hel

bath. On the tenth morning Hecate met her, but she could not tell her who it was had carried away Persephone. Together they

tand at the head of his horses, and Demeter entreats that he will say who the ravisher is. The god of the sun gives the req

sun gives the required information, telling her that it was Aïdoneus, who by the permission of her sire had carried her awa

e, coming to the well to draw water, and seeing the goddess, inquired who she was and why she did not go into the town. Dem

e princess Callidice tells the goddess the names of the five princes, who with her father governed Eleusis, each of whose w

ould, she was sure, be most happy to receive into her family a person who looked so god-like : but she prays her not to be

precipitate, but to wait till she had consulted her mother Metaneira, who had a young son in the cradle, of whom if the str

or mixture of flour and water. She undertook the rearing of the babe, who was named Demophoôn, and beneath her care ‘he thr

m ‘like a torch within the strength of fire,’ unknown to his parents, who marvelled at his growth886. It was the design of

oured, since he had ‘sat in her lap and slept in her arms.’ She tells who she is, and directs that the people of Eleusis sh

ses. In the morning the wonders of the night were narrated to Keleos, who laid the matter before the people, and the temple

f earth,’ and found the king at home seated on a couch with his wife, who was mourning for her mother. On making known to A

ed to Olympos. “But come,” cries the Homerid, But come, thou goddess who dost keep the land Of odorous Eleusis, and round-

he nymph Arethusa gives intelligence of the ravisher, and Ascalaphos ( who for his mischief-making is turned into an owl)887

 ; and he does not intimate any connexion between her and Persephone, who appears merely as the daughter of Zeus888 and que

ry. They fabled that the goddess gave to Triptolemos (Thrice-plough), who occupies the place of Demophoôn in the foregoing

potted lizard, is referred to her having thrown in the face of a boy, who mocked at her as she was drinking some gruel, wha

el890. She more justly punished with ever-craving hunger Erysichthôn, who impiously cut down her sacred grove. This inflict

piety and power of selftransformation of the daughter of Erysichthôn, who by her assuming various forms enabled her father

t of the tradition that beside Areiôn she bore a daughter to the god, who , the Phigalians said, was the Despœna (Persephone

Pan in his huntings chanced to see her. He gave information to Zeus, who sent the Fates to her, at whose persuasion she re

taken is that they were, like our modern political œconomists, a race who thought only of production and consumption, and r

have given origin to a proverb (Ἀττικοὶ τὰ Ἐλευίνια) applied to those who met together in secret for the performance of any

igh and important matters, was delivered by the Hierophant, or person who bore the highest office in the mysteries ; whose

t by having done so he has secured the divine favour921. So the Greek who was initiated at Eleusis, — whose mysteries, owin

mysteries, owing to the fame in which Athens stood, the able writers who so loudly extolled her and everything belonging t

eaning. What this might be, he inquired of the officiating ministers, who , as various passages in Herodotus and Pausanias s

s of song and memory were supposed to be excited by certain goddesses who were denominated Muses. In Homer they are called

cape the darts of Love. Calliope bore to Œagros a son named Linos941, who was killed by his pupil Heracles. She also had by

g of the divine Urania, but the name of his sire is unknown946. Those who took a less sublime view of the sanctity of marri

uces it from the obsolete verb MAΩ to inquire or invent. The Lydians, who spoke a language akin to the Greek, called, we ar

for the reception of poetic images955. Hence it has been said, by him who like the early bards of Greece was one of Nature’

nd he names them Eunomia (Order), Dike (Justice), and Eirene (Peace), who , he adds, watch over (ὠρεύουσι) the works of mort

ve at the river Amnisos, near Gortyna in Crete, sacred to Eileithyia, who according to the tradition of the country was bor

se goddesses are the daughters of Night and sisters of the Moiræ1014, who also appear on the shield of Heracles, and with w

oracle1036, and to have voluntarily resigned it to her sister Phœbe, who gave it as a christeninggift1037 to Phœbos-Apollo

s not any mention made of Iris. Homer gives not the slightest hint of who her parents were ; but analogy might lead to the

might lead to the supposition of Zeus being her sire, by some mother who is unknown. Hesiod1038 says that swift Iris and t

ther who is unknown. Hesiod1038 says that swift Iris and the Harpies, who fly ‘like the blasts of the winds or the birds,’

ily, confounded with the rainbow. According to the lyric poet Alcæus, who is followed by Nonnus, Iris was by Zephyros the m

fly about ? To which Peisthetæros replies, Nonsense ! Egad, Hermes, who is a god, Wears wings and flies, and many other g

ing in a rage, knocked the gods about the house, searching for Sleep, who only escaped by seeking the protection of Night,

e of the younger Graces for his spouse, overcomes the fears of Sleep, who accompanies her to Ida, where taking the shape of

ards heal. Elsewhere1073 he relates that Ate is the daughter of Zeus, who injures (ἀâται) all ; that her feet are tender, a

to us, fully refuted and exposed by the sober and sagacious Voss1081, who , rejecting all air-built theory, bases his system

s and Glaucos encounter in the field of battle. Here the former hero, who had just wounded no less than two deities, asks t

fight with the celestial gods ; for the stout Lycurgos, son of Dryas, who contended with the celestial gods, was pot longli

n of Dryas, who contended with the celestial gods, was pot longlived, who once chased the nurses of raging Dionysos through

 for great fear possessed him from the shouting of the man. The gods, who live at ease, then hated him, and the son of Kron

inct of propriety, as we may term it, which always guides those poets who sing from inspiration and not from art, leading t

ll known. It was further observed by the ancient critics, that Marôn, who gave the wine to Odysseus, was the priest of Apol

the shore of a desert island. Some Tyrsenian pirates were sailing by, who when they espied him jumped on shore and made him

ins. The pilot alone remained on board ; the god then declared to him who he was, and took him under his protection. Anothe

rank and power, does not occur in the Ilias. Ganymedes and Tithonos, who were mortal by both father and mother, were carri

d the system of deification commenced. The sea-goddess Ino-Leucothea, who gives Odysseus her veil to save him from being dr

ld, a daughter of Cadmos (a name which does not occur in the Ilias), ‘ who had before been a speaking mortal, but was now al

he may have been regarded as a son of Zeus by a goddess named Semele, who in after-times, in pursuance of a practice hereaf

he enthusiastic orgies of the Great Mother, and of the god Sabazios ; who , as it would appear, was similar to Dionysos1095,

095, and an object of veneration both to Phrygians and Thracians, and who was worshiped under the form of an ox, as being t

ray of his having been played upon by the grave linen-clad personages who did him the honour to initiate him in their myste

 a people, by the way, without ships, or materials for building them, who had no ports, and who held the sea in abhorrence1

without ships, or materials for building them, who had no ports, and who held the sea in abhorrence1100 — who civilised th

ding them, who had no ports, and who held the sea in abhorrence1100 —  who civilised the mast-eating savages that roamed its

great god of the land of Nile1101. Herodotus informs us how Melampûs, who introduced his worship into Greece, had learned i

ed his worship into Greece, had learned it from Cadmos the Phœnician, who had derived his knowledge of course from Egypt110

ince done on the English, gave out that Dionysos was a native Indian, who , having taught the art of wine-making in that cou

aming, flashing and roaring around him. Overcome with terror, Semele, who was now six months gone with child, expired in th

to a kid, under which form Hermes conveyed him to the nymphs of Nysa, who were afterwards made the Hyades, and by whom he w

h Thetis in the sea ; but he avenged himself by driving Lycurgos mad, who killed his own son Dryas with a blow of an axe, t

of the vine. Icarios having made wine, gave of it to some shepherds, who thinking themselves poisoned killed him. When the

care of him to Nysa, one of the daughters of Aristæos ; while Athena, who had lately sprung from the earth on the banks of

eavour to extract profound and solemn mysteries from them. The women, who bore a chief part in these frantic revels, were c

wed by Silenos, the Satyrs, and the Mænades, on foot or on horseback, who make the air resound with their cries and the cla

deity presiding over growth and increase in general ; and as Hermes, who seems to have been originally of coextensive powe

if any one passes from the perusal of Homer to that of those writers who lived in the time of the Persian war, he will fee

ed to another region, and seem hardly to recognise those old Achæans, who , happy with the present, careless of the future,

life with new superstitions, is manifest from the number of jugglers who then roved through Greece, expiating by certain s

parent of superstition and sacerdotal falsehood, was laid open ; and who that reflects on the long and frequent intercours

, and hopes of a more happy life and Elysian abodes promised to those who received the sacred decrees of the gods, and equa

ne deities sanctioned by those Athenian laws, which direct that those who have committed manslaughter should be brought bef

to have been the author ? This religion was also confirmed by Solôn ; who , in cases of manslaughter, directed to swear by t

the Trojan war, save the commercial one with the Phœnician merchants who visited their harbours. The revolution named the

of the Achæans and that of the Asiatics. In the case of the Trojans, who are regarded (and we think justly) as a portion o

y panthers and lionesses, and was afterwards reared by shepherdesses, who named her Cybele. When she grew up she displayed

, whose name occurs frequently in the dynasties of the Lydian kings, ( who according to the usual practice were named after

a would be his avengers. Shortly afterwards some Carians and Ionians, who were out a-pirating, were driven by stress of wea

still rough, were conveyed thither in barges round the Delta. Amasis, who was a great favourer of the Greeks, permitted the

ll the time of the battle of Marathôn, when Pheidippides, the courier who was sent from Athens to Sparta to call on the Spa

and desiring him to ask the Athenians why they paid no regard to him, who was always, and still would be, friendly and assi

en they were unsuccessful in hunting1175. The Homerid already quoted, who is older than Pindar1176, describes in a very ple

here plays on his reeds music not to be excelled by that of the bird “ who among the leaves of flower-full spring laments, p

ριγξ) or pastoral pipe1181. Another of his loves was the nymph Pitys, who was also loved by Boreas. The nymph favoured more

clad in the light cloak called chlamys 1184. Like many other gods who were originally single, Pan was multiplied in cou

the sun1189. Σάτυροι. Satyri. Satyrs. Hesiod1190 is the first who mentions the Satyrs ; he says that they, the Cure

stivals of that god, and that they were originally merely the rustics who formed the chorus, and danced at them in their go

. It is best of all for man not to be born…… the second is, for those who are born to die as soon as possible1207.” He also

tertained him for ten days, and then conducted him to his foster-son, who , in his gratitude, desired the king to ask what g

eral. “This god,” says Pausanias1213, “is honoured elsewhere by those who keep sheep and goats, or stocks of bees ; but the

e lakes and pools. There were also, 6. the Tree-nymphs (Hamadryades), who were born and died with the trees ; 7. the Wood-n

es)1228 ; and 8. the Fruit-tree-nymphs or Flocknymphs (Meliades)1229, who watched over gardens or flocks of sheep. The Nymp

il, None of the streams, save Ocean, stayed away, Nor of the Nymphs, who dwell in beauteous groves, And springs of streams

ic Nymphs frequently ‘blessed the bed’ of heroes ; and many a warrior who fought before Troy could boast descent from a Nai

t, The Nymphs shall rear, the mountain-haunting Nymphs, Deep-bosomed, who on this mountain great And holy dwell, who neithe

ting Nymphs, Deep-bosomed, who on this mountain great And holy dwell, who neither goddesses Nor women are1236. Their life i

e sun’s fair light. “They possessed power to reward and punish those who prolonged or abridged the existence of their asso

Alone among the hills, he spurned the prayer Of the Hamadryas Nymph, who , weeping sore, With earnest words besought him no

y to fall to the ground, ordered his slaves to prop it up. The Nymph, who had been on the point of perishing with the tree,

of the West Indies regarded the echoes as the voices of the departed, who still dwelt in the woods and mountains1240. The n

e Nymphs and the Youths1242. Dryops, the son of the river Spercheios, who dwelt at Mount Œta, had a daughter named Dryope.

ied Andræmôn the son of Mylos. Her son by Apollo was named Amphissos, who founded at the foot of Œta a town of the same nam

itted to be present ; because when Dryope was taken away, two maidens who were present informed the people of it, and the n

nd the nymphs incensed turned them both into fir-trees1243. Terambos, who dwelt at the foot of Mount Othrys, abounded in fl

e the wife of Poseidôn, Thetis the mother of Achilleus, and Galateia, who was loved by the Cyclôps Polyphemos. The Nereïdes

misfortune on her daughter Andromeda. But the painters and sculptors, who contributed so much to degrade the other gods, ro

According to Hesiod1255, Tritôn was a son of Poseidôn and Amphitrite, who , ‘keeping to the bottom of the sea, dwelt with hi

idôn1261, and Euripides would seem to make Nereus his sire1262. Those who embraced the theory of representing the gods as h

d he dwelt with the Nereïdes at Delos, where he gave responses to all who sought them1269 ; according to others, he visited

e invoked by sailors. The fable appears to be ancient ; as Leucothea, who gives her veil to Odysseus when tossed in a storm

vii. River-gods. Each river was held to have its presiding deity, who deity in it and directed its waters. These gods h

ææ, according to the Theogony1300, Keto bore to Phorcys the Gorgons, ‘ who dwelt beyond the bright Ocean in the extremity to

, brazen hands and golden wings. Their looks, it is added, turned all who beheld them to stone1304. The Gorgons and the Græ

y may however have dwelt on the opposite coast, though we believe few who are well versed in the cosmology of those times w

ted with certainty from Temesa. But it may be said that the Sikelans, who dwelt in Italy and Sicily, are spoken of in the O

us-eaters. Here, after watering, he sent three of his men to discover who the inhabitants were. These men on coming among t

he Lotus-plant, to eat. The effect of this plant was such, that those who tasted of it lost all thoughts of home, and wishe

ied in the voyage. The Cyclopes are described as a rude lawless race, who neither planted nor sowed, but whose land was so

of the Cyclopes. Here he entered the cave of the Cyclôps Polyphemos, who was a son of Poseidôn by the nymph Thoösa, the da

urn in the evening with his flocks, finding strangers there, inquired who they were ; and on Odysseus saying that they had

e in the evening, when it is cast on the ground, terrifies the Greeks who were hiding in his cave : the teams of twenty-two

wind : on the tenth they were within sight of Ithaca ; when Odysseus, who had hitherto held the helm himself, fell asleep :

, who had hitherto held the helm himself, fell asleep : his comrades, who fancied that Æolos had given him treasure in the

s house. On entering it they were terrified at the sight of his wife, who was ‘as large as the top of a mountain.’ She inst

a mountain.’ She instantly called her husband from the market-place, who seized one of them and killed and dressed him for

inner. The other two made their escape, pursued by the Læstrygonians, who with huge rocks destroyed all the ships and their

one of those deities whom Homer calls human-speaking (αὐδήϵσσαι), and who do not seem to have possessed the power of moving

d in wood. She dwelt alone, attended by four nymphs ; and all persons who approached her dwelling were turned by her magic

e, set out to release them or share their fate, he was met by Hermes, who gave him a plant named Moly, potent against her m

rce is said to have had by Odysseus a son named Telegonos (Far-born), who , as we shall see, unwittingly slew his own father

ather. The Theogony1364 gives them for offspring Agrios and Latinos, ‘ who afar in the recess of the holy isles ruled over a

ns came first to the island of the Sirens. These were two maidens1376 who sat in a mead close to the sea, and with their me

ad close to the sea, and with their melodious voices so charmed those who were sailing by, that they forgot home and everyt

h wax, and had himself tied to the mast, and thus was the only person who heard the song of the Sirens and escaped. Hesiod1

rs respecting the distant regions of the Mediterranean. The ancients, who were so anxious to localise all the wonders of Ho

ire1397. Later poets feigned that Scylla was once a beautiful maiden, who was fond of associating with the Nereïdes. The se

r intimacy with Poseidôn1400. Charybdis was said to have been a woman who stole the oxen of Heracles, and was in consequenc

ey were, like the Cyclopes and Giants, a people akin to the gods1414, who appeared manifestly, and feasted among them when

ink he is an enemy ? There is not a living mortal, nor will there be, who will come bearing war to the land of the Phæacian

y other mortal mingle with us : but this is some unfortunate wanderer who has come hither.” In another place, when noticing

us might give, she supposes some one to say1424, “Is it some stranger who has strayed from his ship that she has taken unde

le darts.’ It contained two towns ; between the inhabitants of which, who were governed by one king, all things in it were

Apollo and Artemis ; and we must marvel at those ancients and moderns who place them in the Ægæan, making the one the same

with Syros, one of the Cyclades1434. The Phœnicians, be it observed, who stole away Eumæos, sailed with a favourable wind

 ; for the nurse of Eumæos was daughter of Arybas a wealthy Sidonian, who had been carried away from her native country by

omer nowhere speaks of cosmogony or of the ages of the world. Hesiod, who is the first that treats of them, gives in his di

wing venerable mythe1439. The gods first made the golden race of men, who were in the time when Kronos ruled in heaven. The

oralists and poets in every region of the earth, for this is the race who still possess it. This race, says Hesiod, will ne

l be no defence against evil. Aratus1441 is the next in order of time who mentions the ages of the world. He speaks of but

braided them with their evil doings. Unable to endure the third race, who first forged arms and fed on the flesh of the lab

he two first, he says, were made by the gods, the three last by Zeus, who attained the supremacy of heaven in the time of t

hapters of Genesis, and introduced into Grecian literature by Hesiod, who may be regarded as the Plato of his age. It conta

st race of men ; but as tradition spake distinctly of the Heroic race who fought at Thebes and Troy, it was necessary to di

one, being founded on reality, consists of only two parts. The heroes who correspond to the golden race are like them rewar

n Menœtios. Homer1453 calls him the wise or deepthinking (ὀλoόϕρων), ‘ who knows all the depths of the sea, and keeps the lo

in the Titan-war1455. Atlas was the father of the fair nymph Calypso, who so long detained Odysseus in her umbrageous isle

tlas, the keeper of the pillars that support the heaven, or the dæmon who discharged that office himself, became a mountain

kable that in all the legends of this kind it is the god or man Atlas who is turned into or gives name to the mountain. Thu

, ready to faint, most earnestly implored relief : the cunning snake, who knew the value of the burden which the ass bore,

er-thought. These first men lived in intimate relation with the gods, who , as we may have already seen, were by no means be

ts, lords and vassals. The latter recognised the power of the former, who on their part could not well dispense with the gi

furnished she was brought by Hermes to the dwelling of Epime-theus ; who , though his brother had warned him to be upon his

she clapped down the lid just in time to prevent the escape of Hope, who thus remained with man, his chief support and com

vailed, when the species of vessel was so expressly stated by Hesiod, who also mentions its great lid (μέγa πῶμa), a phrase

allusion to it in Grecian literature, except in the fable of Babrius, who is said to have been anterior to Phædrus, in Nonn

Babrius, who is said to have been anterior to Phædrus, in Nonnus1490, who left nothing untouched, and in the epigrammatist

d that when Prometheus refused to receive her she went to Epimetheus, who took the lid off the vessel and let out all the e

ated the greater part of Greece, so that all the people, except a few who escaped to the neighbouring lofty mountains, peri

ceased, and he got out and sacrificed to Zeus Flight-giving (Φύξιoς), who sent Hermes desiring him to ask what he would. Hi

and all animal life perished except Deucaliôn and Pyrrha, whom Ovid, who gives a very poetical account of this great catas

n retained by tradition from times long anterior to Homer and Hesiod, who make no mention of it ; neither should we perhaps

erhaps come nearest to the truth if we were to say, that those tribes who appear to have retained a recollection of that gr

4 made Ogyges (also a personification of water1505 ) to be the person who was saved at the time of the deluge which overflo

of Lesser Asia were at an early period the abode of one race of men, who were devoted to the arts of peace and eminently s

nd it is not at all improbable that the martial character of the race who fought at Thebes and Troy may have been developed

ly stated, that the genealogists make Deucaliôn the father of Hellên, who was the father of Doros, Æolos, and Xuthos, which

fraud he was deprived of his kingdom by his half-brother Pelias1535, who sought the life of the infant Iasôn ; and to save

locks waved on his back. He entered the market-place, and the people, who knew him not, marvelled if he were Apollo or the

and perceived that he had but one sandal, he shuddered. He asked him who he was, and Iasôn mildly answered his question, t

m his wishes, and went accompanied by them to the dwelling of Pelias, who at once proposed to resign the kingdom, retaining

ore of the sea to his sire Poseidôn, invited all his subjects. Iasôn, who was ploughing on the other side of the Anauros, c

st one of his sandals. It is said that Hera, out of enmity to Pelias, who had neglected to sacrifice to her, took the form

ting the adventures of Iasôn and Medeia we have followed Apollodorus, who seems to have adhered closely to the versions of

s of others. In the Theogony Medeia is classed with the goddesses1543 who honoured mortal men with their love. Iasôn brough

rs as above related1548. She then made the appointed signal to Iasôn, who landed and took possession of the kingdom, which

which however he shortly after gave up to Acastos the son of Pelias, who had accompanied him on his voyage, and retired wi

story of Iasôn we find Hera always acting in this capacity toward him who , as Homer says1552, was very dear to her, — an ob

rinth seems also to indicate a connexion between the latter and Hera, who was worshiped there under the title of Acræa, and

er, but she would not hearken to his suit, fearing the anger of Hera, who therefore rewarded her by making her children imm

na the daughter of the river-god Asopos Zeus was the father of Æacos, who dwelt in the island named from his mother. The ch

Centaurs coming on him would have put him to death, but for Cheirôn, who saved him, and then looked for and returned him h

indar1562 ; but aided by Iasôn and the Dioscuri, according to others, who add that he put Hippolyta to death and marched hi

ss in marriage. The spouse selected for him was the sea-nymph Thetis, who had been wooed by Zeus himself and his brother Po

at her son would dethrone him1565. Others again maintain that Thetis, who was reared by Hera, would not assent to the wishe

d to her sister-Nereïdes. Peleus then conveyed the infant to Cheirôn, who reared him on the entrails of lions and on the ma

en deserted him1575. These fictions are evidently posterior to Homer, who represents Peleus and Thetis as dwelling together

r for the violation of the duties of hospitality on the part of those who , having committed homicide, were admitted to the

mmitted homicide, were admitted to the house and table of the prince, who consented to perform the rites by which the guilt

, act with such base ingratitude toward the king of the gods himself, who , according to the simple earnestness of early myt

e the former wield pine-clubs1585. Pindar is the earliest poet extant who describes them as semi-ferine. According to him15

m1586 the offspring of Ixiôn and the cloud was a son named Centauros, who when grown up wandered about the foot of Pelion,

bout the foot of Pelion, where he copulated with the Magnesian mares, who brought forth the Centaurs, a race partaking of t

upper their sire. By his wife Dia, Ixiôn had a son named Peirithoös, who married Hippodameia daughter of Adrastos king of

Lapiths, were all invited to the wedding, as were also the Centaurs, who dwelt in the neighbourhood of Pelion ; Theseus, N

the latter1591. One of the most celebrated of the Lapiths was Cæneus, who was said to have been originally a maiden named C

r origin from Zeus by Protogeneia the daughter of Deucaliôn. Her son, who was named Aëthlios1608, came at the head of a col

ad of a colony of the Æolids to Elis : he was the father of Endymiôn, who enjoyed the love of the goddess Selene. Ætolos, o

ich he named after himself Ætolia. His sons were Pleurôn and Calydôn, who built towns of their own name. Agenôr the son of

œa the daughter of Hipponoös, by whom he had a son named Tydeus1613 ; who , having slain either his uncle, his cousins, or h

ydeus coming secretly to Calydôn slew all the sons of Agrios but two, who escaped to the Peloponnese ; and as his grandfath

randfather was now too old to reign, he gave the kingdom to Andræmôn, who had married Gorgo the daughter of Œneus1615. He t

victorious Curetes : for Althæa, grieved at the fate of her brother, who had fallen in the fight, had with tears invoked A

some others refused to hunt in company with a maiden ; but Meleagros, who was in love with Atalanta, obliged them to give o

life by a cord or a sword. Cleopatra died of grief ; and his sisters, who would not be comforted in their affliction, were

ater from the fount of Ares ; but the fount was guarded by a serpent, who killed the greater part of them. Cadmos then enga

na he sowed its teeth, and immediately a crop of armed men sprang up, who slew each other, either quarrelling or through ig

grown odious to them, and migrated to the country of the Enchelians ; who , being harassed by the incursions of the Illyrian

es of Samothrace, which were instituted by the Tyrrhenian Pelasgians, who , at the time of the Dorian migration being driven

mprudent request which cost her her life. Her offspring was Dionysos, who became the god presiding over the vintage1641.

a son, whom Hermes would take to the ‘well-seated Seasons and Earth,’ who would feed him with nectar and ambrosia, and rend

ining in quest of him, till they came at last to the cave of Cheirôn, who appeased their grief by making an image of Actæôn

others ascribed his transformation and death to the jealousy of Zeus, who feared he would marry Semele1649. Aristæos, it is

dren, Phrixos and Helle. He then espoused Ino the daughter of Cadmos, who bore him two sons, Learchos and Melicertes. Ino f

Helle's Sea). Phrixos went on to Colchis, to Æetes the son of Helios, who received him kindly, and gave him in marriage Cha

rificed his ram to Zeus Phyxios, and gave the golden fleece to Æetes, who nailed it to an oak in the grove of Ares. Athamas

oak in the grove of Ares. Athamas, through the enmity of Hera to Ino, who had suckled the infant Dionysos, was afterwards s

nd that he put her away by the direction of Hera and married Nephele, who left him after she had borne two children, on fin

inking that Ino had perished in the woods married Themisto ; but Ino, who was alive, came and lived as a maid-servant unkno

his very obscure legend. Athamas it is plain belonged to the Minyans, who dwelt in Bœotia and about the bay of Pagasæ in Th

ons were said to be the descendents of Kytissoros the son of Phrixos, who had come from Colchis and saved his grandfather A

asioned by his fate. Agaue (Illustrious) is an epithet of Persephone, who may have been made a heroine, as Thebes was a pri

death of Pentheus Thebes was governed by Polydoros the son of Cadmos, who married Nycteïs the daughter of Nycteus. Their so

who married Nycteïs the daughter of Nycteus. Their son was Labdacos, who on succeeding his father opposed himself like Pen

m he named the town. Amphiôn espoused Niobe the daughter of Tantalos, who bore him an equal number of sons and daughters. E

ughters. Elated with her numerous progeny she set herself above Leto, who was the mother of but two children ; the latter c

y hills In Sipylos, where are they say the beds Of the goddess-nymphs who by the Acheloös dance, Although a stone, she yet

e Twins, the offspring of the Deity and the Moon, may then be the Sun who goes each day his round, and whose eye searches o

s-Cadmos, while the two ‘white-horsed gods’1681 were gallant warriors who walled and fortified the city for the defence, it

r it had been exposed, and brought it to Peribœa the wife of Polybos, who being childless reared it as her own, and named i

e thought awaited him, and he took his road through Phocis. He it was who encountered Laïos, and unwittingly accomplished t

ter Iocasta to whoever should solve the riddle of the Sphinx. Œdipûs, who was then at Thebes, hearing this, came forward an

aring this, came forward and answered the Sphinx, that it was a Man ; who when an infant creeps on all fours, when a man go

eyes. He was banished from Thebes ; and accompanied by his daughters, who faithfully adhered to him, after a tedious period

y says, “I saw (in Erebos) the mother of Œdipodes, the fair Epicaste, who in her ignorance did an awful deed, marrying her

s in honour of the ‘fallen Œdipodes’. Hesiod1690 speaks of the heroes who fell fighting at the seven-gated Thebes on accoun

to their satisfaction, they agreed to refer the matter to Teiresias, who had known either state. His answer was that of te

Bœotia was first possessed by Andreus, the son of the river Peneios, who named it from himself Andreïs. He was succeeded b

named it from himself Andreïs. He was succeeded by his son Eteocles, who is said to have been the first who sacrificed to

was succeeded by his son Eteocles, who is said to have been the first who sacrificed to the Graces. Eteocles gave a portion

s being of great size and strength. The son of Minyas was Orchomenos, who gave name to the town ; and with him the race of

wished to have children ; and going to Delphi, he consulted the god, who gave him in oracular phrase the prudent advice to

ad perished there if their stepmother Eribœa had not informed Hermes, who stole him out of it. Odysseus sees in Erebos Iphi

him out of it. Odysseus sees in Erebos Iphimedeia the wife of Alœus, who said she had ‘mingled’ with Poseidôn, and she bor

ccompanied his flight, and he was kindly received at Thebes by Creôn, who purified him from the guilt of bloodshed. While A

e Amphitryôn was absent on an expedition against the Teleboans, Zeus, who had become enamoured of Alcmena, assumed the form

iresias, he learned that it was no less a personage than Zeus himself who had assumed his form1728. Alcmena brought forth t

Rhadamanthys, which said that “whœver defends himself against any one who makes an unjust assault on him is guiltless,” and

that the heralds were going to Thebes when they were met by Heracles, who cutting off their ears and noses, and tying their

ena the mother of the hero also married Rhadamanthys the son of Zeus, who was then living in Ocaleia of Bœotia1734. Heracle

ced to the gods that a man of his race was that day to see the light, who would rule over all his neighbours. Hera, pretend

ng slain Iphitos, had fled to Mycenæ, and abode there with Eurystheus who had purified him. The second task was to destroy

rs armed with stones and pine-sticks to the cave of Pholos. The first who ventured to enter were driven back by Heracles wi

d the remainder with his arrows to Malea. They fled there to Cheirôn, who having been expelled from Pelion by the Lapiths w

Abderos, and named it after him. He brought the mares to Eurystheus, who turned them loose ; and they strayed on to Mount

bring to his master the girdle of Hippolyta queen of the Amazons1748, who dwelt about the river Thermodôn. This nation was

o dwelt about the river Thermodôn. This nation was composed of women, who were renowned for their valour. When they bore ch

cos. He took a large portion of their territory and gave it to Lycos, who named it Heracleia. The hero reached at length th

o sent a pestilence, and Poseidôn a flood bearing a huge sea-monster, who carried off all the people to be found in the pla

f the sun, he had the hardihood to bend his bow against the Sun-god ; who , admiring his courage, gave him his golden cup to

ew at him, but Heracles struck him with his club, and killed Eurytiôn who came up to his aid. Menœtios, who kept in the sam

with his club, and killed Eurytiôn who came up to his aid. Menœtios, who kept in the same place the oxen of Hades, having

am over to Sicily, and came to the lands of Eryx the son of Poseidôn, who ruled over the Elymians. Eryx put the bull among

e no longer navigable1757. He finally brought the oxen to Eurystheus, who sacrificed them to Hera. The preceding tasks had

rassa by lake Tritonis1759, where Antæos the son of Poseidôn reigned, who was wont to kill all strangers by forcing them to

cked them up, and went away1763. He brought the apples to Eurystheus, who returned them to him ; and he then gave them to A

ear the gates of the palace of Hades he found Theseus and Peirithoös, who had attempted to carry off Persephone, and had in

Œchalia1768, had declared that he would give his daughter Iola to him who should overcome himself and his sons in shooting

eing stolen by Autolycos, his suspicions fell upon Heracles. Iphitos, who gave no credit to this charge, betook himself to

of Tiryns. In order to be purified of this murder he went to Neleus, who being a friend of Eurytos refused to comply with

nteers from most of the towns of Greece, and marched against Augeas ; who put his Eleians under the command of his nephews

nd of his nephews Eurytos and Cteatos, the sons of Molione and Actôr, who excelled all men of that time in strength1773. He

os, took the city, and killed Neleus and all his sons, except Nestôr, who was living with the Gereneans1774. He is also sai

e his death, collected an army. At Tegea in Arcadia he asked Cepheus, who had twenty sons, to join in the expedition : but

ives might make an attempt on Tegea, declined the proposal. Heracles, who had in a water-urn a brazen ringlet of the Gorgôn

sposed of her to Teuthras king of Teuthrania on the Caÿster in Mysia, who made her his wife. Telephos having, when grown up

of Œneus1778. He had to contend for her with the river-god Acheloös, who turned himself into a bull ; in which form one of

d, dressed, and ate it. He took with him Hylas the son of Theiodamas, who became his especial favourite. While residing wit

temple of Apollo at Pagasæ he was opposed by Cycnos the son of Ares, who was in the habit of plundering those who brought

d by Cycnos the son of Ares, who was in the habit of plundering those who brought the sacrifices to Pytho. Cycnos fell in t

t the sacrifices to Pytho. Cycnos fell in the combat ; and when Ares, who had witnessed the fate of his son, would avenge h

lled, together with his sons ; and having buried those of his own men who had fallen, among whom were Hippasos the son of C

re may, he allows, have been an Argive hero of perhaps the same name, who was the destroyer of the Nemean lion ; but the en

the original Heracles was the conception of a Peloponnesian hero1790, who , in obedience to the great goddess of the country

, come down even below the thirtieth Olympiad. Cinæthos of Lacedæmôn, who flourished about the fifth Olympiad, composed a H

me the Bœotic flood is placed, is said by some to have been the first who reigned over Attica and Bœotia : his son Eleusino

der of Eleusis. But in general Cecrops is held to have been the first who ruled over the country called Cecropia from him,

orm. He is said by mythologists to have been an autochthôn, i. e. one who came from no foreign country, but was born in, an

ain under water1791. Cecrops married Agraulos the daughter of Actæos, who bore him a son Erysichthôn, and three daughters,

test hint of any connexion between them. Plato is, in fact, the first who intimates it ; the priests of Saïs, he says, info

r a Pelops nor a Danaos, nor a Cadmos, nor an Ægyptos, nor any other, who , being originally a Barbarian, has been naturalis

daughter of the land (Actæos). He has one son, Mildew (Erysichthon), who dies childless and before himself ; and three dau

arried Pedias the daughter of Menytes ; and from his daughter Atthis, who died a maid, he named the country Atthis. Cranaos

phictyôn, also an autochthon, or as others said the son of Deucaliôn, who after a reign of twelve years was in his turn exp

sisters made them unclose the coffer, in which they beheld the babe, who terminated in a snake. As a punishment Athena str

ted the festival of the Panathenæa. He is said to have been the first who used the four-horsed chariot. He had by the Naïs

four-horsed chariot. He had by the Naïs Pasithea a son named Pandiôn, who succeeded him. Erichthonios when he died was buri

unable to rise. Hephæstos was called to set his mother free ; but he, who had done it through malice for her having flung h

the goddess. Zeus then desired him to demand a reward ; and Poseidôn, who bore a grudge to Athena, persuaded him to ask her

t the event ; and received for answer, that victory would fall to him who should sacrifice one of his daughters. Erechtheus

racted by the charms of some other fair-one. She questioned the slave who used to accompany him ; and he told her that his

s’ crying “Come, Nephela, come !” she rushed forwards to her husband, who in his astonishment and confusion threw his dart

d to fly. He came with his son Ismaros to Tegyrios, a king of Thrace, who gave his daughter in marriage to Ismaros. But Eum

me to Eleusis. Ismaros dying, Tegyrios became reconciled to Eumolpos, who returned to Thrace, and succeeded him in his king

his son Cecrops II. The successor of Cecrops was his son Pandiôn II., who was expelled by the Metionids. He retired to Mega

etired to Megara, where he married Pylia the daughter of king Pylos ; who , being obliged to fly for the murder of his broth

built Pylos. Pandiôn had four sons, Ægeus, Pallas, Nisos, and Lycos, who conquered and divided among them the Attic territ

n the grave of the Cyclôps Geræstos the four daughters of Hyacinthos, who had settled there. This bloody deed was of no ava

ailed him ; but he speedily fell beneath the blows of the young hero, who took possession of his club, and bore it ever aft

l he came to the Isthmus of Corinth. Here he found another ‘faitour,’ who , from the great mischief which he did to all the

where a huge tortoise always lay ready to devour the bodies of those who were thrown down. Theseus killed Scirôn himself,

rms, but Theseus defeated and slew them1841. Medeia, it is also said, who was married to Ægeus, fearing the loss of her inf

is son, when the sight of the sword left with Æthra discovered to him who he was1842. The bull which Heracles had brought f

and exhibited him in chains to the astonished eyes of the Athenians, who did not know which was the greater, their admirat

s were exhibited before Minôs ; and Ariadne the daughter of the king, who was present, became deeply enamoured of Theseus,

ises : he accompanied Heracles in his expedition against the Amazons, who dwelt on the banks of the Thermodôn ; and disting

e dangers of the Calydonian hunt ; he was one of the adventurous band who sailed in the Argo to Colchis ; and he aided his

eus, but was by a divine intimation prevented from aiding his friend, who remained there everlastingly in punishment of his

punishment of his audacious attempt1847. After the death of Antiope, who had borne him a son named Hippolytos, Theseus mar

Amphictyôn, or rather Amphictiôn, — the personification of the people who dwelt about (ἀμϕικτίονες) Thermopylæ, and were un

al fire or heat which was the origin of metallurgy ; Hermes the deity who wrought within the earth, giving increase to frui

rcumstances of the legend may be referred to the imagination of those who took on them to embellish and extend it, and to t

e Roman Tarpeia1858. Ægeus is plainly only another name for Poseidôn, who was also named Ægæos1859 and Ægæôn1860. In fact i

60. In fact it was also said that Poseidôn was the father of Theseus, who comes from Trœzên (where Poseidôn was the guardia

Sicily, where he was kindly received by Cocalos king of that island, who took up arms in his defence against Minôs when he

isyphos, on his giving him a spring for the Acrocorinth, informed him who the ravisher was. The king of the gods sent Death

overbial. Autolycos the son of Hermes, the celebrated cattle-stealer, who dwelt on Parnassos, used to deface the marks of t

eir hoofs1868. Autolycos forthwith cultivated the acquaintance of one who had thus proved himself too able for him ; and Si

and Sisyphos, it is said, seduced or violated his daughter Anticleia ( who afterwards married Laertes), and thus was the rea

, Ornytiôn (Quick-mover), Thersandros (Warm-man) and Halmos (Seaman), who apparently denote the fervour and bustle of comme

with a key to his mythe. According to this poet1883, Bellerophontes, who reigned at Corinth, being about to undertake the

ventures above mentioned, wished to possess the winged steed Pegasos, who used to come to drink at the fount of Peirene on

spute for the land between Hera and Poseidôn in favour of the former, who thence became the tutelar deity of Argos1892. By

ninsula was named Apia ; and a daughter Niobe, the first mortal woman who enjoyed the love of Zeus. Her offspring by the go

d slew him, and afterwards wore his hide. He moreover killed a satyr, who carried off the cattle of the Arcadians ; and wat

unity, when he found the Echidna (the daughter of Tartaros and Earth, who seized all passers-by,) asleep, he deprived her o

was however not yet satiated ; and she sent a gad-fly to torment Io, who fled over the whole world from its pursuits. She

; when Byzantion was founded, there were Argives among the colonists, who carried with them their domestic legends, and in

phis the daughter of the Nile, by whom he had a daughter named Libya, who bore to Poseidon Agenor the father of Cadmos and

o bore to Poseidon Agenor the father of Cadmos and Europa, and Belos, who had by another daughter of the Nile named Anchino

illing to abide in that island, he proceeded to Argos, where Gelanôr, who at that time ruled over the country, cheerfully r

over the country, cheerfully resigned the government to the stranger who brought thither civilization and the arts. The pe

she flung her dart ; but, missing the game, the dart wounded a satyr who was sleeping in the neighbouring thicket1915. Sta

eidôn for aid ; the god appeared, and flung his trident at the satyr, who fled ; Amymone submitted to the embraces of the g

great age, and passed his time on the sea lamenting the fate of those who were lost in it. At length he himself met the fat

the land. In Homer and Hesiod Danaans is a common name of the Greeks, who are also called Argeians and Achæans. The names o

s is to ascribe them to the welling forth of the blood of some person who was slain on the spot where the spring emitted it

yrceion or Lynceion1924, and here perhaps lies the origin of Lynceus, who in one form of the legend fights with and vanquis

hom he left his kingdom. Abas had twin children, Prœtos and Acrisios, who struggled — ominous of their future discord — in

daughters. Melampûs, the son of Amythaôn a soothsayer, and the first who exercised the art of medicine, promised to restor

dness of the maidens increased, and even extended to the other women, who killed their children, abandoned their houses, an

hem with the kindest attention1936. Polydectes the brother of Dictys, who reigned over Seriphos, fell in love with Danae ;

reigned over Seriphos, fell in love with Danae ; but her son Perseus, who was now grown up, was an invincible obstacle to t

til they had furnished him with directions to the abode of the Nymphs who were possessed of the winged shoes, the magic wal

ible. The Grææ complied with his desire, and he came unto the Nymphs, who gave him their precious possessions : he then flu

o whom the princess had been betrothed, plotted to destroy the hero ; who , coming to the knowledge of his designs, displaye

were brought back to the Nymphs. He gave the Gorgon’s head to Athena, who set it in the middle of her shield. Accompanied b

them. As he was throwing the discus it fell on the foot of Acrisios, who died of the wound. After this unlooked-for fulfil

o the Peloponnese. But feeling ashamed to take the inheritance of one who had died by his means, he proposed an exchange of

ted between the two sons of Zeus1946. Others say that it was Acrisios who opposed the introduction of the Bacchic orgies in

meda bore to Perseus six sons and one daughter. The sons were Perses ( who was born in Æthiopia, and being left with his gra

e should feel rather disposed to see the Argive goddess in the Athena who appears in it. As this goddess was the earth, the

Amphitryon et Alcumena. Perseus was succeeded by his son Alcæos, who had a son named Amphitryôn. Alcæos left the thron

on named Amphitryôn. Alcæos left the throne to his brother Electryôn, who had married his daughter Anaxo, by whom he had se

off to the Echinadian isles. She there bore him a son named Taphios, who settled at Taphos, and called his people Teleboan

ock of hair on his head. Pterolaos had several sons, and one daughter who was named Comætho (Hair-burner). When Electryôn s

Taphians, and claimed it in right of their great-grandfather Mestôr, who was elder brother to Electryôn ; and on his refus

in which all the sons of Electryôn met their death except Licymnios, who was still a child, and all the sons of Pterolaos

who was still a child, and all the sons of Pterolaos fell but Eueres, who was in charge of their ships. The Taphians fled i

brother Licymnios, retired to Thebes, where he was purified by Creôn, who gave his daughter Perimede in marriage to Licymni

. Asclepios is called by Homer an excellent physician (Tάνταλος), who had been instructed by Cheirôn. His sons Podaleir

who had been instructed by Cheirôn. His sons Podaleirios and Machaôn, who were also renowned for their skill in treating wo

hter of Phlegyas. The care of his education was committed to Cheirôn, who taught him the healing art1969, in which he arriv

ore the strength of the Peloponnese, was accompanied by his daughter, who was at the time pregnant by Apollo, but unknown t

d at Pharæ the temple of his children1974. Asclepios was one of those who sailed in the Argo. He had by Lampetia the daught

aring a herb in its mouth, which it laid on the head of the dead one, who instantly recovered. Asclepios took the herb and

a. Lycaôn had many wives, by whom he became the father of fifty sons, who were like himself impious and cruel. Zeus, to sat

which stood the town of Lycosura, said to have been built by Lycaôn, who established there games called Lycæa1981. At Moun

f Zeus, within which neither man nor beast cast a shadow, and any one who entered it designedly was put to death1982. These

αὶ Ἄρκας . Callisto et Arcas. Beside his other sons, and Nyctimos who reigned over Arcadia at the time of Deucaliôn’s f

time of Deucaliôn’s flood, Lycaôn had a daughter named Callisto1984, who dedicated herself to the service of Artemis, and

her into a bear. While in this form she brought forth her son Arcas, who lived with her in the woods, till the herdsmen ca

it was the form of Apollo that Zeus took. In some versions it is Zeus who turns Callisto into a bear to conceal her from He

d son to the skies. Finally it was, according to others, Hera herself who transformed Callisto1986. Arcas succeeded Nyctimo

cceeded Nyctimos in the government. He was the friend of Triptolemos, who taught him agriculture, which he introduced into

in which were wooden statues of Ariste and Calliste. These Pausanias ( who says he is borne out by some verses of Sappho) re

f Artemis-Calliste ; and he adds that it was the ancient poet Pamphôs who first gave Artemis this epithet in his verses, ha

, where she was suckled by a bear, and at last found by some hunters, who named her Atalanta and reared her. She followed t

apithas, Cynortes and Hyacinthos. Cynortes left a son named Perieres, who was, by Gorgophone the daughter of Perseus, fathe

of Tyndareos, Icarios, and Hippocoôn1998. Hippocoôn had twelve sons, who drove their uncles Icarios and Tyndareos out of L

yndareos to his country ; whither he led with him his Ætolian spouse, who bore him Timandra, who was married to Echemos, Cl

 ; whither he led with him his Ætolian spouse, who bore him Timandra, who was married to Echemos, Clytæmnestra the wife of

t one is that given above, that she was the daughter of Leda by Zeus, who took the form of a white swan. According to the C

n. According to the Cypria she was the offspring of Zeus and Nemesis, who had long fled the pursuit of the god, and to elud

g, which was found by a shepherd in the woods. He brought it to Leda, who laid it up in a coffer, and in due time Helena wa

τωρ. Pollux et Castor. The earliest exploit of these twin heroes, who were born at Amyclæ, was the recovery of their si

wedding-feast by their cousins Idas and Lynceus the sons of Aphareus, who had married their cousins Phœbe and Hilaeira the

it into four parts, said that one half of the prey should fall to him who had first eaten his share, and the remainder to h

d fall to him who had first eaten his share, and the remainder to him who next finished. He then quickly devoured his own a

had their temples and statues2015 ; as also had the Leucippides2016, who , in perhaps the more correct form of the legend,

s, settled in Elis, where he built a city. He was a bold impious man, who asserted himself to be Zeus, and claimed all the

r them, concealing the god and the mortal maid. The god declared then who he was, and enjoining secrecy dived into the sea.

cruelly treated. They pursued her to the altar of Hera ; and Pelias, who never showed any regard for that goddess, slew he

les attacked Pylos2024, he killed Neleus and all his sons but Nestôr, who was a child, and reared among the Gerenians. Peri

uring princes, her father declared that he would give her only to him who should bring him from Thessaly the cows of his mo

how Iphiclos might have children. They therefore brought the vulture, who said that Phylacos the father of Iphiclos had pur

babe was born sent it to Æpytos, the son of Elatos the son of Areas, who dwelt at Phæsane on the banks of the Alpheios in

r intercourse with the god did not escape the observation of Æpytos ; who , filled with anger and concern, journeyed to Pyth

lt the oracle about this unhappy affair. While he was absent, Euadne, who had gone to the fount, felt her pains come on. Sh

r fail. All declared that they had seen or heard nothing of the babe, who was now five days old, but lay concealed in the r

cycle of four years. In such case Endymiôn would probably be the sun, who with the moon is the author of the months ; or su

d in her vacant interlunar cave.’ Endymiôn is perhaps the setting sun who goes into (ἐνδύϵι) the sea, or possibly in the Le

he meets the moon. The rationalisers said that Endymiôn was a hunter who used to go to the chase at night when the beasts

es. The root of Tantalos is probably θάλλω, and he represents the man who is flourishing and abounding in wealth, but whose

t with her, he proclaimed that he would give his daughter only to him who should conquer him in the chariot-race. The race

indar, Pelops went down to the margin of the sea, and invoked the god who rules it. Suddenly Poseidôn stood at his feet, an

eus, Alcathoös and Pittheus, and two daughters, Nicippe and Lysidice, who married Sthenelos and Mestôr the sons of Perseus.

ps, which signifies that Pelops was a prince rich in flocks and herds who ruled by a legitimate title. This certainly does

. Thyestes, it is said, afterwards seduced Aërope the wife of Atreus, who for this offence drove him from his kingdom ; and

elaos in search of Thyestes. They went to Delphi, where they met him, who was also come to consult the god on the nature of

d seek to take on his brother. They seized and brought him to Atreus, who cast him into prison. Atreus then called Ægisthos

mnôn’s sceptre it is said that Hephæstos made it and gave it to Zeus, who gave it to Hermes, by whom it was presented to ‘h

ave it to Hermes, by whom it was presented to ‘horse-lashing’ Pelops, who gave it to Atreus the shepherd of the people, who

se-lashing’ Pelops, who gave it to Atreus the shepherd of the people, who when dying left it to ‘lambabounding’ Thyestes, w

rd of the people, who when dying left it to ‘lambabounding’ Thyestes, who left it to Agamemnôn2083. Here we have a family o

d to have related the story of the gold-fleeced lamb2084. We know not who first told of the horrid banquet, but we find it

Atreus having left his kingdom to his brother in charge for his son, who was not of age, is not, we believe, agreeable to

Patræ under the name of Triclaria. Her priestess was always a virgin, who held her office till she married. This priesthood

d would not cease till Coresos had sacrificed Callirrhoe, or some one who was willing to die in her stead. It was resolved

και Ἀργυρâ. Selemnus and Argyra. Selemnos was a beautiful youth, who pastured his flocks near the shore of the sea. Ar

s became in consequence a remedy for love, inducing oblivion on those who bathed in them2090. Chapter XII. MYTHES OF

ork has had too much influence on the minds of some modern inquirers, who seem to forget that he had only the same sources

ine years at Cnossos, and was the intimate friend (ὀαριστὴς) of Zeus, who gave him wise laws and regulations for his people

azen man named Talôs given to him by Hephæstos, or to Europa by Zeus, who compassed the isle thrice in each day to prevent

sages and turnings, from which egress was almost impossible for those who entered it. In this he placed the Minotaur, where

. He is said to have fallen in a war against Cocalos king of Sicily, who protected Dædalos. He was succeeded in his kingdo

got was, that there was a three-coloured cow in his herd, and that he who could best tell what she was like could restore h

tely appeared with a plant in its mouth, and laid it on the dead one, who instantly came to life. Polyeidos, by employing t

e circumstances of these Cretan legends, and the names of the persons who occur in them, it is difficult to avoid recognisi

ards named from her Ægina, where she brought forth a son named Æacos, who being weary of solitude, when he grew up, his fat

into men and women2111. Æacos married Endeïs the daughter of Cheirôn, who bore him two sons, Telamôn and Peleus. By the Ner

n, who bore him two sons, Telamôn and Peleus. By the Nereïs Psamathe, who changed herself into a fount to escape his embrac

flicted with sterility and dearth, on account of the crime of Pelops, who had cut into pieces Stymphalos king of Arcadia, a

e of a small farmer2126 named Hyrieus. Seeing the wayfarers, Hyrieus, who was standing at his door, invited them to enter a

d hero contrived to reach Lemnos, and came to the forge of Hephæstos, who taking pity on him, gave him Kedaliôn (Guardian),

hers by Zeus of Hermes, Dardanos and Lacedæmôn), Halcyone and Celæno ( who bore to Poseidôn Hyrieus the father of Oriôn and

riôn and Lycos), Sterope (the mother of Œnomaos by Ares), and Merope, who married Sisyphos2130. These nymphs led a single l

re is the ‘Man in the Moon,’ which some said was Cain, others the man who was stoned for gathering sticks on the Sabbath. T

f the individual names of the Pleiades and Hyades are those of nymphs who were previously placed in other relations. Thus M

Colchis for the Golden Fleece, applied to Argos the son of Phrixos ; who , with the aid of Athena, built for him a fifty-oa

, and came down in arms to oppose their landing ; but on ascertaining who they were they retired and held a council, in whi

en hospitably entertained by this prince, and having slain the giants who opposed their departure, they set sail, but were

where Amycos the son of Poseidôn and Bithynis reigned. Every stranger who arrived in this country was forced by Amycos to e

nos. Jealous of her stepchildren, Idæa maligned them to their father, who , believing the slander, deprived them of sight. T

r shields ; and while they remained in the isle, the sons of Phrixos, who were on their way to Greece, were cast on it by a

plishment of these hard tasks, when Medeia, the daughter of the king, who had conceived a sudden affection for him, proffer

to Greece. Such aid was not to be rejected : the hero swore : Medeia, who was an enchantress, gave him a salve to rub his b

r voices. Wind and wave urged on the Argo, and all escaped but Butes, who flung himself into the sea to swim to the Flowery

Sun, they came to the island of the Phæacians. Some of the Colchians who were in pursuit of the Argonauts arriving there,

yans and to them alone ; that Heracles, Theseus, and the other heroes who did not belong to this people were added to the c

chis, which last place is first named by the Corinthian poet Eumelos, who did not flourish till after Ol. 20. This became t

them thither from Colchis. The first course was that taken by Hesiod, who was followed by Pindar, Hecatæus and Antimachus21

led down the west side of Europe to the Mediterranean ; the only poet who adopted this view is the pseudo-Orpheus, who assi

erranean ; the only poet who adopted this view is the pseudo-Orpheus, who assigns them the following course. They sailed up

try-women had sold when they found that she had saved her father, and who was now nurse to the infant child of Lycurgos, un

hem to a trial of skill and strength, and easily vanquished every one who contended with him. They laid an ambush of fifty

Thebans, and prepared vigorously for defence. He consulted Teiresias, who declared that victory would fall to Thebes, if Me

ed from Zeus, and which would make him immortal2180 ; but Amphiaraos, who hated him as a chief cause of the war, perceiving

n years afterwards the children (Ἐπίγονοι, descendents) of the chiefs who had fallen resolved to avenge the fate of their s

iaraos. Alemæôn would however first punish his mother ; but Eryphile, who had received the robe of Harmonia from Thersandro

t to his grandfather Oïcles, and from him went to Phegeus at Psophis, who purified him, and gave him his daughter Arsinoe i

ing to the springs of Acheloös was purified by the river-god himself, who gave him to wife his daughter Callirrhoe. On the

When Callirrhoe heard of the fate of her husband, she prayed to Zeus, who had loved her, that her sons by Alcmæôn might at

stopped at the house of Agapenôr : here they met the sons of Alcmæôn, who slew them, and then went to Psophis and killed Ph

the failure of the first expedition, led by arrogant boastful chiefs, who despised the signs sent by the gods, and the succ

the gods, and the success of that conducted by their more pious sons, who acted in obedience to the will of heaven. The sto

eople were called Teucrians2191. He was well received by this prince, who gave him his daughter Bateia2192 in marriage, and

los and Erichthonios, the former of whom died childless ; the latter, who succeeded to the kingdom, was the most wealthy of

Astyoche, daughter of the Simoïs, Erichthonios had a son named Trôs, who succeeded him on the throne. Trôs married Callirr

im on the throne. Trôs married Callirrhoe daughter of the Scamandros, who bore him a daughter Cleopatra, and three sons Ilo

uty carried off to Olympos by the gods, to be the cup-bearer of Zeus, who gave Trôs in compensation some horses of the Olym

ied a daughter of the river Simoïs, by whom he had a son named Capys, who was by Themis the daughter of his brother Ilos fa

rried Strymo the daughter of the Scamandros, by whom he had Tithonos ( who was carried off by Eôs), Lampôs, Clytios, Hiketaô

. He married Hecabe (Hecuba), the daughter of Dymas the Phrygian2199, who bore him nineteen2200 children, of whom the chief

t for his son Æsacos, by a former wife Arisbe the daughter of Merops, who had been reared and taught to interpret dreams by

by Alexandros the son of Priamos. The prize was awarded to Aphrodite, who had promised the judge the beautiful Helena in ma

he daughter of Chryses, the priest of Apollo, to Agamemnôn. Odysseus, who had long meditated vengeance on Palamedes, now ca

nt funeral to Patroclos, and on the supplication of the aged Priamos, who comes to his tent by night with a ransom, he rest

Troy. But in the first engagement she falls by the hand of Achilleus, who struck with her beauty gives her body back to the

s are celebrated, and Thetis proposing his armour as the prize of him who had done most to save his corse, Aias and Odysseu

to save his corse, Aias and Odysseus contend for it2219. The judges, who were Trojan captives, having awarded the arms to

y might be captured, Diomedes is sent to Lemnos to fetch Philoctetes, who being cured by Machaôn kills Alexandros. Menelaos

father's armour. The shade of Achilleus appears to the young warrior, who slays Eurypylos the son of Telephos, an ally of t

d by which prodigy Æneias forthwith retired to Mount Ida. Sinôn then, who had gotten into the town by means of a forged tal

the participation of Clytæmnestra, placed twenty men in concealment, who fell on and slaughtered him, Cassandra, and all h

who fell on and slaughtered him, Cassandra, and all his companions ; who , however, died not unrevenged, for Ægisthos alone

ughter of Menelaos, by whom he had two sons, Tisamenos and Penthilos, who were driven from their country by the Heracleids.

e slew with his ‘gentle darts’ Phrontis, the pilot of Menelaos’ ship, who was obliged to stay to bury him. Having performed

ended that Paris was driven by adverse winds to Egypt, where Proteus, who was then king, learning the truth, kept Helena an

had given him to his native isle ; the sailors departed, leaving him, who was asleep, with his wealth on the shore. On awak

s. After a variety of adventures, he succeeded in killing the princes who wooed his chaste spouse Penelope and wasted his s

e of the Italian maids and matrons was safe from the lust of the gods who ruled over mankind2248. Hence the most fruitful s

were contained in books ascribed to a subterranean dæmon named Tages, who , the Tuscan legend said, had risen up, a babe in

efore the plough of a peasant of Tarquinii as he was at his work, and who instructed the people in divination2250. Accordin

Minerva, Vejovis, Summanus, Vulcanus, Saturnus, Mars. It is uncertain who was the ninth. As soon as an intercourse was open

omen dicatur ad unum ; on which Lactantius observes, that “every god who is worshiped by man must in solemn rites and pray

life, health and food.” To this we may add the testimony of Servius, who says2266 that “the ancients called all the gods f

bined with those of Juno and Minerva adorned the Capitol in Rome, and who was regarded as the great guardian of the fortune

others made exactly like it by the artist Mamurius, to deceive those who might attempt to steal it, committed them to the

is last also called Mater. 2308 Ceres. Ceres was the goddess who presided over corn and tillage, thus correspondin

les Cultes. 42. Lobeck terms these writers synchytic mythologists, « who think that the religions of all nations, old and

pery or shown a strong tendency toward it. 45. We would advise those who have studied the writings of Creuzer, Görres, Sch

ts soundness. The Exegetes, or guides, were more probably the persons who gave explanations of this kind to strangers. 63.

ere only observe, that besides our general agreement with the critics who regard the poems as interpolated, we hold with Wo

Hes. W. and D. 566. Thus Milton also, P. L. v. 139. ……………………the sun, who scarce uprisen, With wheels yet hovering o'er the

a and Laconia. (Polyb. ii. 65 ; v. 24.) 125. Yet how could the poet, who (Od. xi. 312-15.) describes the Aloeids as piling

by no means bear him out in his theory. Statius is the earliest poet who speaks of these gates. (See Thebaïs, i. 158 ; vii

ven might really be. The fact is, that our great poet was, as any one who reads with attention the speech of the angel (Boo

s original soil. The whole fable seems to have been unknown to Homer, who always speaks of Zeus as the eldest son of Kronos

g of decomposition gave origin to the one-eyed giants of the Odyssey, who were also known to the author of the Theogony : s

s and occupations, and have no winter. But Thetis, the Soother (θέω), who reduces all strife to peace and order, calls Bria

cean opposite Britannia,» says Tzetzes (Lyc. 1204.), «dwell fishermen who are subjects of the Franks, but they pay them no

f much mystery, seem to be nothing but the Cretan young men (κοûροι), who used to dance the Pyrrhiche, or war-dance, thrown

s tale. In the text we have followed Callimachus (Hymn iv. 37. seq.), who says, alluding to her name, that she came down ‘l

os and Ortygia was, however, certainly later than the time of Pindar, who (Nem. i. 4.) calls them sisters. (See below, chap

are of Apollo. 644. Il. xxiii. 287. 645. Il. xxi. 442. seq. Any one who reflects on the exalted characters of these two g

rom the crooked ambiguous nature of oracular responses ; but Artemis, who never gave oracles, was named Loxo. 664. This wo

690. It is uncertain when this change took place ; it is the goddess who is pursued in Telesilla, ut sup. (O1. 64.). The o

the Irish keening. Myrrha is רױנ (Môr) Myrrh. 752. Phædrus. Spenser, who treats the Grecian mythology in the most arbitrar

; these of course were the names of the nine maids in Nicander. Ovid, who also relates the legend (Met. v. 300. seq.), says

f none of Homer’s gods being winged. It is remarkable that P. Knight, who seems to have known nothing of that theory, rejec

Il. iii. 130. Od. iv. 743. In this last place it is used of Penelope, who was not very young ; but it is the old nurse who

is used of Penelope, who was not very young ; but it is the old nurse who speaks. 1247. See Hes. Th. 346. seq. Göttling in

s, “will discover whither Odysseus wandered when they find the artist who stitched the leathern bag that held the winds.” S

ϕαϵίνω. 1404. Thucydides (vii. 1.) is we believe the first writer who uses the name Trinacria 1405. Od. xii. 351. 140

ermes, she ensnared Mankind with her fair looks, to be avenged On him who had stole Jove's authentic fire. Par. Lost, iv.

. 1492. Fab. 142. 1493. Mythol. lib. iv. chap. vi. Lylius Giraldus, who tells the story in the same way, puts the evils i

, Hellenische Alterthumskunde, i. 44. Thus the people of Scandinavia, who afterwards became so terrible to more southern co

Müller, Orchom. 377. 1517. These are said to have been the Bœotians, who conquered and expelled the Cadmeians from Thebes.

a mere conjecture, and it would rather seem to have been the Epigoni who destroyed the Cadmeian power. The word Bœotian oc

3. from the Eoiæ and Minyas. He says that the earliest author extant who mentioned Meleagros’ death by the billet, was the

totle (ap. Sch. Theocr. v. 53.) said he was taught them by the nymphs who had reared him. 1645. Apoll. Rh. ii. 506. seq. S

days it was said (Paus. Ix. 26.) that the Sphinx was a female pirate, who used to land at Anthedôn and advance to the Phice

Phœn. 52.) said that the sons of Iocasta were Phrastôr and Laonytos, who fell in battle against the Minyans. When the year

ver, disposed to regard this as one of the tales which the Egyptians ( who , by the way, seem never to have been an inventive

s him with shield and spear. Peisander and Stesichorus were the first who gave him the club and lion-skin. Athen. xii. 513.

69. 1734. According to Pherecydes (ap. Ant. Lib. 33.), when Alcmena, who long survived her son, died, and the Heracleids w

s further coast. It was probably the temple of the Phœnician Melcart ( who was identified with Heracles) at Gades which gave

ollod. ut sup. 1804. He was said to be the prince of the Thracians, who were supposed to have dwelt in the old times in D

tly founded on the lines of Homer, Il. xviii. 590. seq. 1847. Those who would assign a historical foundation to the wild

o Aïdoneus king of the Molossians ; that his dog was called Cerberos, who tore Peirithoös to pieces, etc. We have already e

ss mode of procedure. 1848. The circumstance of women accusing those who have refused their favours is common to the histo

ithet of Hera the earthgoddess, as the sender-up of vegetation. Those who make Io the moon deduce it from ἴω, ϵἶμι, to go.

lcker, Myth. der Jap. 355. 2057. Archilochus was the earliest writer who to Pausanias’ knowledge (x. 31, 12.) had mentione

Il. xiv. 321. 2094. Herodotus (i. 2.) is the earliest extant author who calls Europa a Sidonian. 2095. Apollod. ut sup.

1. This legend is very pleasingly told by Ovid (Met. vii. 517. seq.), who says that the isle was thus replenished after a p

resemblance in sound between μύρμηξ, an ant, and Myrmidous, the tribe who are said to have dwelt in Ægina. 2112. Theog. 10

commences. 2220. Paris when a shepherd had married the nymph Œnone, who warned him against the consequences of his voyage

od. ii. 113 — 121. The fiction was as old as the time of Stesichorus, who said that Proteus gave Paris a phantom (ϵἴδωλoν)

a son of Odysseus, whose birth was somewhat like that of Soohrâb, and who was sent in quest of him by his mother, and throu

elieved them to be religious, we regard but as poetical. Leigh Hunt, who has said many things upon Mythology, quite as bea

ed with superior intelligences. Every stream had its presiding nymph, who was thanked for her draught of water. Every house

lished, which, though imperfect in itself, was satisfactory to those, who , looking beyond the abstract circumstance of its

nd through their means, its transmission may be traced to the Greeks, who , after adopting, purified, or at least assisted i

t assisted in greatly refining it, before its reception by the Romans who multiplied their Gods in about the same degree th

oes a shepherd sound his reed on the summit of a mountain, it is Pan, who with his pastoral pipe returns the amorous lay.‌

h her bow and quiver, and more nimble than the stag that she pursues, who takes the diversion of the chase. The sun is a go

she pursues, who takes the diversion of the chase. The sun is a god, who , riding in a car of fire, diffuses his light thro

ffuses his light through the world; the stars are so many divinities, who measure with their golden beams the regular progr

of her brother. Neptune reigns in the sea, surrounded by the Naiades, who dance to the joyous shells of the Tritons. In the

f the mind! what objects of pity are those cold and insensible hearts who have never felt your charms! and what objects of

what objects of pity and indignation those fierce and savage spirits, who would destroy a world that has so long been the t

xpected, seeing they are the inventions of men of different ages, and who writ to different ends; some with a view to the n

ith me is, that many of these fables seem not to be invented by those who have related them, Homer, Hesiod , and other wri

nd other writers; for were they the fictions of that age and of those who delivered them down to us, nothing great and exal

Titæa, from their union sprang the Titans, those giants of antiquity who occupy so important a position in the annals of F

se in heavier chains and more rigorous captivity, to all save Saturn, who , led by ambition and vengeance, and assisted by h

e His own and Rhea’s son like measure found ………………………………………………… —— Or who with Saturn old Fled over Adria to the Hesperian

sles.” Milton. Compelled to renounce his claim in favour of Saturn, who delivered them all from their confinement; but wi

secretly in the Isle of Crete, by the Corybantes, or warrior priests, who , making a deafening noise with their drums and cy

his ‌agreement broken, he assembled an army, marched against Saturn, ( who by this time was made aware of the deception, but

again proved conqueror, chasing from heaven his father and his king, who took refuge in that part of Italy known as Latium

d also the ancient Vesta, to distinguish her from her daughter Vesta, who , with her mother, is also called Cybele. But the

the earth. This great Goddess saw and became enamoured of a shepherd, who repulsed her affection, being in love with a mort

hat the earth gives aliment to all living creatures. To her daughter, who presided over the fiery element, Numa Pompilius c

the priestesses were not virgins, as at the other temples, but widows who were past the time of marriage. It was the employ

ed blows on steel bucklers. His nourishment was received from a goat, who was afterwards placed among the heavenly constell

emerged from infancy, we have seen he had to strive with the Titans, who disputed with him the right to reign in Heaven. T

    And Minias strong as mountain oak, With bold Encelædas, to heaven who strove To dart the trees, uprooted, from the grov

rendered by the Egyptians to both animals and vegetables. ‌ Typhon, who thus, by his mere appearance, seemed to turn the

and took the form of a Lion, while animated by the cries of Jupiter, who shouted “Courage, courage!” his bravery turned th

rts, Heaving in pain.” Keats’ Hyperion. After his victory, Jupiter, who had driven Saturn from Heaven, and was in consequ

e Torturer arms With the strange might of unimagined pains The powers who scheme slow agonies in hell; And my commission is

e shapeless as our mother night.     Pro. I laugh your power, and his who sent you here, To lowest scorn. Pour forth the cu

gave her a beautiful box, which she was ordered to present to the man who married her; and by the command of the god, Mercu

y night and day! ’Twas Jove’s decree they should in silence rove, For who is able to contend with Jove?” Hesiod. When the

e from moral bands: No right of hospitality remain; The guest, by him who harboured him, is slain. The son-in-law pursues t

her a thunderbolt. The virtues are at his side: at his feet the eagle who bears the thunderbolt. One frown from his eyes ma

ise disposer Of every good; thy praise what man yet born Has sung? or who that may be born shall sing? Again, and often, ha

tue and wealth, for both are of thy gift!” Prior. Juno. Juno, who was the daughter of Saturn and Cybele, was also s

was too reasonable to be refused, and Io became the property of Juno, who placed her under the control of the hundred-eyed

ed Argus: but Jupiter, anxious for the situation of Io, sent Mercury, who destroyed Argus, and restored her to liberty. “D

eacock’s gaudy tail.” Ovid. After undergoing the vengeance of Juno, who unrelentingly pursued her, she gave birth to an i

ks of the Nile, and was restored by Jupiter to her natural shape. All who seemed to be favoured by, or who favoured Jupiter

by Jupiter to her natural shape. All who seemed to be favoured by, or who favoured Jupiter, she persecuted with the utmost

e is of a passive nature. These ideas are allied with those of Hymen, who is called Juno, the virtuous wife. A statue of Ju

h Arethusa of the dwelling place of her child, and of the name of him who had torn her beloved one from her paternal care.

lture were not always favourably received: the King of the Scythians, who loved the sword more than the ploughshare, and th

lynx. Nor was this the only instance of the vengeance of the Goddess, who was irritable, and prompt to punish. A young chil

her eat with avidity, was changed into a lizard: while a Thessalian, who had desecrated and attempted to destroy a sacred

thee alone is given the right to gaze Into the fate prepared for all who live. Oh! wilt thou ne’er unlock thine iron bars,

punish Latona for her crime, excited against her the serpent Python, who pursued her wheresoever she went; until at last,

daughter of Tantalus, had the insolence to prefer herself to Latona, who had but two children, while Niobe possessed seven

e expired by the ‌darts of Apollo, and all the daughters, except one, who was married, were equally destroyed by Diana; whi

orld, as he granted to Æsculapius the secrets of this miraculous art, who afterwards sought to raise the dead, and while in

ought the isle of Lemnos, to immolate the Cyclops to his indignation, who had forged the thunderbolt. But so insolent an ac

m from Heaven. While on earth, he loved the nymph Daphne, and Mercury who had invented the lyre, gave it to him that he mig

rving from thunder, and of making dreams an image of reality to those who place it beneath their pillow. ——— “Her feet she

of her mother. Their happiness was complete, when Clytie, her sister, who was enamoured of the God, and was jealous of his

s amours with Leucothoe, discovered the whole intrigue to her father, who ordered his daughter to be buried alive. Apollo p

guilty of his death.” Hood. But misfortune appeared to cling to all who were favoured by Apollo, for as they played at qu

ousy, blew the quoit of Apollo on the forehead of the unhappy mortal, who fell dead upon the green turf on which they were

watch in vain.” Hood. After this, Apollo lost the young Cyparissus, who had replaced Hyacinth in his favour, and guarded

e by the river Styx. Scarcely had he uttered the oath, than the gods, who could not absolve him from it, rallied him on his

he again yielded to the power of love, and sought to please Clymene, who was the mother of Phaeton. To this nymph succeede

; the God accepted the challenge, and it was mutually agreed, that he who was defeated should be flayed alive. The Muses we

ified, at this extraordinary occurrence, Midas sacrificed to Bacchus, who , to console, granted him the special favour of tu

, she changed him into a grasshopper. From their union sprang Memnon, who was killed by Achilles at the siege of Troy. The

— to him is offered the crow, supposed to read the future, the eagle who can gaze on the sun, the cock whose cry welcomes

the sun, the cock whose cry welcomes his return, and the grasshopper, who sings during his empire. This God is represented

metimes he carries a buckler, and is accompanied by the three Graces, who are the animating deities of genius and the fine

ry of the tripod will be found to afford much interest. The fishermen who had found it in their nets, sought the oracle to

to offer it to the wisest man in Greece. They presented it to Thales, who had told them that the most difficult of all huma

s and the conduct of the greatest philosophers of Greece. These sages who considered philosophy to consist in the science o

and not always violent, yet Plutarch mentions one of the priestesses who was thrown into such excessive fury, that not onl

estesses who was thrown into such excessive fury, that not only those who consulted the oracle, but also the priests who co

y, that not only those who consulted the oracle, but also the priests who conducted her to the sacred tripod, and attended

nizing situation, and at last died. It was always required that those who consulted this oracle should make presents to Apo

hing was spared to give it a magnificence hitherto unknown. Augustus, who pretended to be the son of Apollo, built a temple

ses maintained against the nine daughters of Pierus, King of Macedon, who dared to dispute with them the palm of singing; b

t was in this character that her vengeance fell so heavily on Actæon, who following the chase one day with all the ardour o

panied him to the chase, they turned upon their metamorphosed master, who , in horrible dread of the fate he had himself so

wn and devouring him. Calista, nymph of Diana was seduced by Jupiter, who taking one of the innumerable shapes, which he is

the fury of its revenge, had it not been for Meleager, son of Æneas, who slew the boar. A quarrel having arisen for the po

image anonyme_heathen-mythology_1842_img052 ————— “Crescented Dian, who ’Tis said once wandered from the wastes of blue,

s where Diana was worshipped, the presiding priest was always a slave who had slain his predecessor in office, and warned b

others, he never went without a dagger, to protect himself from those who might be ambitious of his office, and reckless of

felt within her the effect of her indiscretion. Jealous at the object who had again taken her lord’s affections, Juno sough

esty of his godhead, he presented himself to the presumptuous mortal, who , unable to bear his presence, fell scorched by hi

onfided it to the guardianship of the nymphs of the mountain of Nysa, who , for their care of the son of Jupiter, in process

r guidance, Silenus became his preceptor and foster-father. This god, who is generally represented as fat and jolly, riding

ily submitted, and gratefully elevated to the rank of a god, the hero who taught them the use of the Vine, the cultivation

e out of the city to celebrate his orgies, he ordered the God himself who conducted the religious multitude, to be seized.

d. But his curiosity proved fatal; he was descried by the Bacchanals, who rushed upon him. His mother was the first to atta

a beautiful island, he heard a plaintive ‌voice and beheld a female, who implored him to yield her his support. Insérer im

wing where all her hope was wrecked and lost.” Hood. It was Ariadne who addressed him, daughter of Memnos, whom Theseus,

he threw himself on the sea-shore, and fell fast asleep; some pirates who called there for water, struck with his extreme b

he become. Unable to gain her, the priest sought the aid of his God, who , to avenge his sufferings, struck the Calydonians

anonyme_heathen-mythology_1842_img063 The oracle must be obeyed: but who would be the substitute? Parents wept, and kindre

guilty only of not loving, was crowned and led to the altar, where he who had once been her lover, stood ready to be her sl

tained a deep injury, little analagous to its effect upon the Greeks, who turned all things — superstition, prejudice, murd

chanting, and the blooming face. Goddess! o’er Cyprus fragrant groves who reigns, And Salamis high cultivated plains.” Hor

for Adonis, induced her to abandon her seat in Olympus. This mortal, who was fond of the chase, was often cautioned by his

inced her disappointment, by throwing among the assembly of the gods, who were celebrating the nuptials, a golden apple, on

ry kingdom; and the ancients were fond of paying homage to a divinity who presided over love, and by whose influence alone,

sting dome.” Horace. In his labours he was assisted by the Cyclops, who are said by some, to have possessed but one eye,

e, and arrows of the cypress, ungratefully turned against the animals who had supported him. “His quiver, sparkling bright

the least time. Cupid would have been triumphant, had not Perestere, who accompanied them, attempted to win the favour of

lent mouth, Rich with the hoarded odours of the south!” Bulwer. But who can conceive her rapturous delight, when, instead

her lost love, persecuted, and subjected to numerous trials by Venus; who , determined on destroying, sent her to Proserpine

s the most excruciating, and took delight in rendering her miserable, who , not content with being taken for the goddess of

tender eye-dawn of aurorean love:         The winged boy I knew; But who wast thou, O happy, happy dove?     His Psyche tr

e passion, which is addressed by many as immortal.         “They sin who tell us Love can die;         With life all other

he harp in descant wild; To Love, the babe of Cyprian bowers, The boy who breathes and blushes flowers, To Love, for heaven

e olive, and obtained the victory by the unanimous voice of the gods, who considered the olive, as the emblem of peace, to

the intrigues of Jove, yet it could not compete with that of Minerva, who by her divine skill, surpassed all her rival’s ef

nt Ida, threw the flute away, and denounced a melancholy death to him who should find it. Marsyas was the unfortunate being

which she adopted this device. Medusa was the only one of the Gorgons who was subject to mortality, and was celebrated for

charms, to gain her love A rival crowd of envious lovers strove. They who have seen her, own they ne’er did trace, More mov

nd armed with sticks and stones, attacked each other with fury. Those who were overcome in this combat, were devoted to inf

who were overcome in this combat, were devoted to infamy, while they who conquered, and had received no wounds, were honou

gy_1842_img093 Mars. Mars, the God of War, was the son of Juno, who jealous of the birth of Minerva, consulted Flora,

sprang Mars. His education was entrusted by Juno to the god Priapus, who instructed him in dancing, and in every manly exe

re the celebrated court of Areopagus, for the murder of Hallirhotius, who insulted a daughter of Mars because she slighted

train, Of lawless force, shall lawless Mars complain? Of all the gods who tread the spangled skies, Thou most unjust, most

r the direction of Jupiter, the God of War soon recovered. “Thus he, who shakes Olympus with his nod, Then gave to Pæon’s

city.” The influence of Cupid, as God of love, was felt even by Mars, who was compelled to acknowledge his power, and the s

ess of his arrows. “As in the Lemnian caves of fire, The mate of her who nursed desire, Moulded the glowing steel, to form

‌    Rivers. But then to think upon the hearts that grieve. For those who peril thus their lives in war, The misery that sw

voice of gratitude for those that fell, Drowns every thought in those who live to mourn; The hand of charity for those who

ery thought in those who live to mourn; The hand of charity for those who are left. Fills every heart and dries up every fe

akes the tumultuous sea, and solid land: The Ocean Lord, o’er Helicon who reigns, O’er spacious Ægæ’s wide extended plains;

laimed the isthmus of Corinth from Apollo; and Briareus, the Cyclops, who was mutually chosen umpire, gave the isthmus to N

y unbearable to those goddesses whose hand he sought in marriage, and who looked for a gayer life than he could offer them,

overty, Death, Sleep, fierce Joy, Rage, and the Eumenides, or Furies, who were seated on a couch of iron, and crowned with

on the floor, Guards, with malicious art, the sounding door; On each, who in the entrance first appears, He fawning wags hi

funerals. That he might govern with order and regularity, the spirits who ‌were inhabitants of his vast dominions, he commi

easing, that he might be eternally employed in this punishment; Ixion who had dared to offer impure vows to Juno, and was a

. The Danaides, daughters of Danaus, king of Argos, were also there, who , in obedience to the cruel advice of their parent

ce of their parent, had caused their husbands to perish; with Tityus, who having had the audacity to attempt the honour of

my blood.” While here he saw the ghosts of all those famed in story, who had descended to the infernal regions for punishm

state, A joy by night or day, for those endowed With art and wisdom, who interrogate! It teaches, bubbling in delightful m

ay, Chasing the heavy shadows of dismay.” Shelley. “O Hermes, thou who couldst of yore     Amphion’s bosom warm, And bre

been particularly necessary when it is remembered that the merchants, who had promised him all the incense in the world to

day in a fountain in Cana, excited the passion of Salmaeis, the nymph who presided over it. “From both the illustrious aut

Who beareth the world on his shoulders so broad; Hear me, thou power, who , of yore, by thy words Couldst soften the hearts

s a child. Thou messenger fleet of the cloud-throned sire, ’Twas thou who inventedst the golden-stringed lyre; I hail thee

found That his quiver, alack! from his back was unbound. ’Twas thou, who old Priam didst guide on his way, When he passed

sed unperceived thro’ the hostile array, Of the proud sons of Atreus, who sought to destroy The towers of high Ilion, the c

stroy The towers of high Ilion, the city of Troy. O Hermes, ’tis thou who conductest the blest To the seats where their sou

thology_1842_img114 There were fifty of them, all children of Nereus, who is represented as an old man with a long flowing

sidence was in the Egean Sea, where he was attended by his daughters, who often danced in chorus round him. He had the gift

in chorus round him. He had the gift of prophecy, and informed those who consulted him, of the fate which awaited them, th

he beautiful metaphor of the poet, it is necessary to introduce those who are considered to be the most celebrated. And for

ch he called Syrinx, in honour of a beautiful nymph of the same name, who , refusing his addresses, was changed into a reed.

yme_heathen-mythology_1842_img118 “With cloven feet and horned front who roves With choirs of nymphs, amid the echoing gro

search of the youth on whom she had lavished all her affections, but who unfortunately returned them not. To whom is not t

ily appeared, and threw herself on the bosom of the astonished youth, who , far from submitting with pleasure to the intrusi

flows, His own perfections all his passions moved, He loves himself, who for himself was loved.” ‌Half maddened by the a

e power of spreading terror and confusion when he pleased. The Gauls, who under Brennus, invaded Greece, when on the point

The Fauns were descended from Faunus, son of Picus King of Italy, who was changed by Circe into a woodpecker. “Faunus

s King of Italy, who was changed by Circe into a woodpecker. “Faunus who lov’st, thro’ woodland glade, To pursue the Sylva

‌ The Sylvans were the children of the foster father of God Bacchus, who accompanied the latter in all his travels. Bacchu

Priapus was the most celebrated among them, as the the son of Venus, who meeting Bacchus on his return from his Indian exp

g all usurpation. His worship was first introduced by Numa Pompilius, who persuaded his subjects that the limits of their l

and Juno; though by many she is said to be the daughter of Juno only, who conceived her after eating lettuces. Being fair,

tained by Circe in her magical dominion, was beloved by a water-nymph who desired to render him immortal; she had recourse

ng-bells the bee Makes her sweet music: the Narcissus, named From him who died for love, the tangled woodbine Lilacs and fl

of marriage, she vowed perpetual celibacy. Numerous were the suitors who attempted to win her from her rash determination,

ual fire.” Ovid. Pomona had a temple at Rome, and a regular priest, who offered sacrifices to her divinity for the preser

re, Ye are marked by care, ye are mine no more, I go where the loved, who have left you, dwell, And the flowers are not dea

ancing,     Rushed into her sire’s embrace: — Her bright haired sire, who bade her keep     For ever nearest to his smiles,

f the field, To whom, in fame and power, his sire shall yield.’ Jove, who adored the nymph with boundless love, Did, from h

test benefits. —————— “Blue Proteus dwells, Great Neptune’s prophet, who the ocean quells; He in a glittering chariot cour

ws, The past, the present, and the future shows;‌ So Neptune pleased who Proteus thus inspired, And with such wages to his

he rest of the sea gods, reposed upon the shore, where those resorted who wished to consult him to obtain any revelation; b

Ino. He was saved by his mother from the fury of his father, Athamas, who became inflamed by such a sudden fury, that he to

e sea from a high rock, and was changed into a sea deity, by Neptune, who had compassion on her misfortunes. It is supposed

reigned in the Vulcanean islands, and was under the power of Neptune, who allowed him to give liberty to the winds, or to r

, Eurus and Zephyrus. Boreas, God of the North, carried away Orithya, who refused to receive his addresses. By her he had Z

will last.” Jennings. Alcyone, the daughter of Æolus, married Ceyx, who was drowned as he was going to Claros to consult

idelity, changed her and her husband into the birds of the same name, who keep the waters calm and serene while they build

sang songs of the most enchanting and attractive nature, while those who were drawn by their beauty to listen to them, per

s murmured soft applause.” Ovid. Charybdis was an avaricious woman, who , stealing from Hercules, was slain by him, and be

sses, and the God, to render her propitious, sought the aid of Circe, who no sooner saw him than she became enamoured, and,

[The Parcæ.] The Parcæ or Fates, were three powerful goddesses, who presided over the birth and life of mankind. Clot

than of men, and was worshipped with great solemnity by the ancients, who erected to her a famous statue in Diana’s temple

” Ovid. The principal minister of Sleep is Morpheus, son of Somnus, who was the presider over sleep; the former was the p

serpents round her brow, and a sword to strike the unhappy criminals who merited its blow; — though always ready to punish

arding the good and the virtuous. The people of Smyrna were the first who made her statue with wings, to show with what cel

The Lares and the Penates. The Lares were the household divinities who presided over the interests of private families.

cipal Divinities of the Second Order. The Graces. The Graces, who were daughters of Jupiter and of Venus, presided

s. They were invoked at festivals, and three cups were drunk by those who feasted in honour of Euphrosyne, Aglaia, and Thal

r feasts and festivals, and was honoured most by the dissipated youth who , to do him reverence, wandered about at night in

ever they did was freely turned into ridicule. He laughed at Minerva, who had made a house, because she had not formed it m

sis, a great part of the procession were seized by a band of pirates, who suddenly appeared amongst them: Hymenæus shared t

-knots selling, Called at many a maiden’s dwelling; None could doubt, who saw, or knew them, Hymen’s call was welcome to th

as that sweet cry resounded, How his baskets were surrounded! Maids, who now first dreamt of trying Those gay knots of Hym

o now first dreamt of trying Those gay knots of Hymen’s tying; Dames, who long had sat to watch him Passing by, but ne’er c

tie, with Love’s name round it, All a sham, he never bound it! Love, who saw the whole proceeding, Would have laughed, but

oceeding, Would have laughed, but for good breeding; While old Hymen, who was used to, Cries like that these dames gave loo

hands — Good morning!’” Moore. Plutus ————— “All bountiful, who roams Earth, and the expanded surface of the sea;

   They wore three thousand years ago. There Silence, thoughtful god, who loves The neighbourhood of death, in groves Of As

then-mythology_1842_img166 Demi-Gods. The demi-gods are those, who , sprung from the union of a mortal with a divinit

enus: in the shape of an eagle, the God sought refuge in Leda’s arms, who in due time produced two eggs, from one of which

ns of Amycus, (famous for his skill in the management of the cestus,) who challenged all strangers seeking his dominions to

Theseus for outraging their sister Helena; they destroyed the pirates who infested ‌Hellespont and the neighbouring seas, a

as were to be wedded to Phœbe and Talaria the daughters of Leucippus, who was brother to Tyndarus. Becoming enamoured of th

others, and, as he had been warned by the oracle, to beware of a man who should appear at Iolchos with one foot bare, and

chos with one foot bare, and the other shod, the appearance of Jason, who as we have seen, had lost one of his sandals, ala

d punishment, and was one which would produce a crown of glory to him who should inflict it; adding, that if Jason, were to

h armed men would spring up, whose rage would be directed against him who should be daring enough to plough the field; and

e struck with surprise at the boldness and success of the young hero, who immediately embarked for Europe with Medea, the g

g back the fugitives. Absyrtus overtook them, but was slain by Medea, who scattered his limbs upon the path of his father,

his amour in comfort. This infidelity was severely avenged by Medea, who after destroying the children of Glaucus in her p

llowing so pleasant an example, and his daughters persuaded by Medea, who was anxious to avenge her husband’s wrongs, destr

to an inhuman deed, And in compassion, make a father bleed. Yes, she who has the kindest, tenderest heart, Is foremost to

Medus. Before his intimacy with Medea, Ægeus had a son named Theseus, who had been sent to Athens with his father’s sword,

up; as Theseus attempted to make himself known to his father, Medea, who had grown jealous of the glory he had achieved, t

took the form of her husband, and from this union was born Hercules, who was brought up at Tirynthus; Juno, however, could

yearly tribute of one hundred crowns, Hercules mutilated the servants who came to raise it, and on Erginus coming to avenge

us tribute. These heroic deeds soon became bruited abroad, and Creon, who reigned in Thebes, rewarded his courage by giving

tongues Goad me with these reproaches: — Is not this The son of Jove, who slew his sons and wife? Then bid me thence with c

ould have remained unfinished, had he not commanded his friend Iolas, who accompanied him, to burn, with a hot iron, the ro

rom the garden of Hesperides, three celebrated daughters of Hesperus, who were appointed to guard some golden apples, given

s permitted by Pluto to carry away his friends Theseus and Pirithous, who were condemned to punishment in hell; and Cerberu

econd time, and murdered Iphitus, the only one of the sisters of Iole who was willing to assist him in obtaining her. After

parta. After this, he became one of the numerous suitors of Dejanira, who had been promised by her father in marriage to th

Dejanira, who had been promised by her father in marriage to that one who should prove the strongest of all his competitors

titors. The most dangerous foe to Hercules was Achelous, a river god, who , finding himself inferior in strength, changed hi

n leaning. Such are the most important parts of the life of Hercules, who is held out by the ancients as a complete pattern

he lay, And tasted to the height immortal youth, Sigh for young Iole, who , soft as May, And rich as Summer, yielded up her

n woods resound my name? Who seized the golden belt of Thermodon? And who the dragon-guarded apples won? Could the fair Cen

ng genius and great courage fell under the displeasure of Polydectes, who feared, lest the love with which he soon became i

acle out of his way, and made a sumptuous banquet, decreeing that all who came should present him with a beautiful horse. T

nbearable, and unable to submit to the position of being the only one who had brought no present, and unwilling to appear i

by Minerva. He went first to the Graces, the sisters of the Gorgons, who possessed but one eye and one tooth among the thr

Medusa’s head. The noise of the blow awoke the two remaining sisters, who frantic with rage, looked around for the murderer

From her their dreadful hissings first were heard.” Ovid. Chrysaor, who married Callirhoe, one of the Oceanides, sprung w

s force to threats. By strength not Perseus could himself defend, For who in strength with Atlas could contend? — ‘But sinc

a more; That horrid head which stiffens into stone, Those impious men who daring death, look on: I warred not with thee out