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Title: Myths and Legends of Ancient Greece and Rome

Author: E.M. Berens

Release Date: August 23, 2007 [EBook #22381]

Language: English


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A HAND-BOOK OF MYTHOLOGY.

THE

Myths and Legends

OF

ANCIENT GREECE AND ROME.

BY

E. M. BERENS.

ILLUSTRATED FROM ANTIQUE SCULPTURES.

Publishers Vignette. NEW YORK: Maynard, Merrill, & Co., 43, 45 and 47 East Tenth Street.

PREFACE.

The want of an interesting work on Greek and Roman mythology, suitable for the requirements of both boys and girls, has long been recognized by the principals of our advanced schools. The study of the classics themselves, even where the attainments of the pupil have rendered this feasible, has not been found altogether successful in giving to the student a clear and succinct idea of the religious beliefs of the ancients, and it has been suggested that a work which would so deal with the subject as to render it at once interesting and instructive would be hailed as a valuable introduction to the study of classic authors, and would be found to assist materially the labours of both master and pupil.

In endeavouring to supply this want I have sought to place before the reader a lifelike picture of the deities of classical times as they were conceived and worshipped by the ancients themselves, and thereby to awaken in the minds of young students a desire to become more intimately acquainted with the noble productions of classical antiquity.

It has been my aim to render the Legends, which form the second portion of the work, a picture, as it were, of old Greek life; its customs, its superstitions, and its princely hospitalities, for which reason they are given at somewhat greater length than is usual in works of the kind.

In a chapter devoted to the purpose some interesting particulars have been collected respecting the public worship of the ancient Greeks and Romans (more especially of the former), to which is subjoined an account of their principal festivals.

I may add that no pains have been spared in order that, without passing over details the omission of which would have marred the completeness of the work, not a single passage should be found which could possibly offend the most scrupulous delicacy; and also that I have purposely treated the subject with that reverence which I consider due to every religious system, however erroneous.

It is hardly necessary to dwell upon the importance of the study of Mythology: our poems, our novels, and even our daily journals teem with classical allusions; nor can a visit to our art galleries and museums be fully enjoyed without something more than a mere superficial knowledge of a subject which has in all ages inspired painters, sculptors, and poets. It therefore only remains for me to express a hope that my little work may prove useful, not only to teachers and scholars, but also to a large class of general readers, who, in whiling away a leisure hour, may derive some pleasure and profit from its perusal.

E. M. BERENS.

CONTENTS.

PART I.—MYTHS.

Introduction, 7

FIRST DYNASTY.

Origin of the World—

Uranus and Gæa (Cœlus and Terra), 11

SECOND DYNASTY.

Cronus (Saturn), 14

Rhea (Ops), 18

Division of the World, 19

Theories as to the Origin of Man, 21

THIRD DYNASTY.

OLYMPIAN DIVINITIES—

Zeus (Jupiter), 26

Hera (Juno), 38

Pallas-Athene (Minerva), 43

Themis, 48

Hestia (Vesta), 48

Demeter (Ceres), 50

Aphrodite (Venus), 58

Helios (Sol), 61

Eos (Aurora), 67

Phœbus-Apollo, 68

Hecate, 85

Selene (Luna), 86

Artemis (Diana), 87

Hephæstus (Vulcan), 97

Poseidon (Neptune), 101

SEA DIVINITIES—

Oceanus, 107

Nereus, 108

Proteus, 108

Triton and the Tritons, 109

Glaucus, 109

Thetis, 110

Thaumas, Phorcys, and Ceto, 111

Leucothea, 111

The Sirens, 112

Ares (Mars), 112

Nike (Victoria), 117

Hermes (Mercury), 117

Dionysus (Bacchus or Liber), 124

Aïdes (Pluto), 130

Plutus, 137

MINOR DIVINITIES—

The Harpies, 137

Erinyes, Eumenides (Furiæ, Diræ), 138

Moiræ or Fates (Parcæ), 139

Nemesis, 141

Night and Her Children—

Nyx (Nox), 142

Thanatos (Mors), Hypnus (Somnus), 142

Morpheus, 143

The Gorgons, 144

Grææ, 145

Sphinx, 146

Tyche (Fortuna) and Ananke (Necessitas), 147

Ker, 149

Ate, 149

Momus, 149

Eros (Cupid, Amor) and Psyche, 150

Hymen, 154

Iris, 155

Hebe (Juventas), 156

Ganymedes, 157

The Muses, 157

Pegasus, 162

The Hesperides, 162

Charites or Graces, 163

Horæ (Seasons), 164

The Nymphs, 165

The Winds, 170

Pan (Faunus), 171

The Satyrs, 174

Priapus, 175

Asclepias (Æsculapius), 176

ROMAN DIVINITIES—

Janus, 178

Flora, 180

Robigus, 180

Pomona, 180

Vertumnus, 181

Pales, 181

Picus, 182

Picumnus and Pilumnus, 182

Silvanus, 182

Terminus, 182

Consus, 183

Libitina, 183

Laverna, 184

Comus, 184

Camenæ, 184

Genii, 185

Manes, 185

Penates, 187

PUBLIC WORSHIP OF THE ANCIENT GREEKS AND ROMANS—

Temples, 188

Statues, 190

Altars, 191

Priests, 191

Sacrifices, 192

Oracles, 194

Soothsayers, 195

Augurs, 196

Festivals, 196

GREEK FESTIVALS—

Eleusinian Mysteries, 196

Thesmophoria, 197

Dionysia, 197

Panathenæa, 199

Daphnephoria, 200

ROMAN FESTIVALS—

Saturnalia, 200

Cerealia, 201

Vestalia, 201

PART II.—LEGENDS.

Cadmus, 203

Perseus, 205

Ion, 210

Dædalus and Icarus, 211

The Argonauts, 213

Pelops, 232

Heracles, 234

Bellerophon, 256

Theseus, 259

Œdipus, 269

The Seven against Thebes, 272

The Epigoni, 276

Alcmæon and the Necklace, 277

The Heraclidæ, 280

The Siege of Troy, 283

Return of the Greeks from Troy, 304

MYTHS AND LEGENDS OF ANCIENT GREECE AND ROME. PART I.—MYTHS. INTRODUCTION.

Before entering upon the many strange beliefs of the ancient Greeks, and the extraordinary number of gods they worshipped, we must first consider what kind of beings these divinities were.

In appearance, the gods were supposed to resemble mortals, whom, however, they far surpassed in beauty, grandeur, and strength; they were also more commanding in stature, height being considered by the Greeks an attribute of beauty in man or woman. They resembled human beings in their feelings and habits, intermarrying and having children, and requiring daily nourishment to recruit their strength, and refreshing sleep to restore their energies. Their blood, a bright ethereal fluid called Ichor, never engendered disease, and, when shed, had the power of producing new life.

The Greeks believed that the mental qualifications of their gods were of a much higher order than those of men, but nevertheless, as we shall see, they were not considered to be exempt from human passions, and we frequently behold them actuated by revenge, deceit, and jealousy. They, however, always punish the evil-doer, and visit with dire calamities any impious mortal who dares to neglect their worship or despise their rites. We often hear of them visiting mankind and partaking of their hospitality, and not unfrequently both gods and goddesses become attached to mortals, with whom they unite themselves, the offspring of these unions being called heroes or demi-gods, who were usually renowned for their great strength and courage. But although there were so many points of resemblance between gods and men, there remained the one great characteristic distinction, viz., that the gods enjoyed immortality. Still, they were not invulnerable, and we often hear of them being wounded, and suffering in consequence such exquisite torture that they have earnestly prayed to be deprived of their privilege of immortality.

The gods knew no limitation of time or space, being able to transport themselves to incredible distances with the speed of thought. They possessed the power of rendering themselves invisible at will, and could assume the forms of men or animals as it suited their convenience. They could also transform human beings into trees, stones, animals, &c., either as a punishment for their misdeeds, or as a means of protecting the individual, thus transformed, from impending danger. Their robes were like those worn by mortals, but were perfect in form and much finer in texture. Their weapons also resembled those used by mankind; we hear of spears, shields, helmets, bows and arrows, &c., being employed by the gods. Each deity possessed a beautiful chariot, which, drawn by horses or other animals of celestial breed, conveyed them rapidly over land and sea according to their pleasure. Most of these divinities lived on the summit of Mount Olympus, each possessing his or her individual habitation, and all meeting together on festive occasions in the council-chamber of the gods, where their banquets were enlivened by the sweet strains of Apollo's lyre, whilst the beautiful voices of the Muses poured forth their rich melodies to his harmonious accompaniment. Magnificent temples were erected to their honour, where they were worshipped with the greatest

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