The Major Greek and Roman Gods and Myths
This Mythology page comes from the students of World Literature classes at GSU. For each of the Gods below, we provide the following information:
- The Roman (or Latin) name of the god
- genealogy or important "family" connections
- The natural element or special power(s) most closely associated with the god
- any special symbols or attributes associated with the god
- one illustrative tale involving the god
For the myths (right hand column below), we provide a lively summary of the tale.
We also have a nifty listing of mythology links.
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Demeter |
Pentheus |
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Semele |
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Hestia |
Acteon |
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Orpheus |
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Hephaestus |
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Hermes |
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The Muses |
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· Power and attributes: He was known as the ruler of the gods and men, as well as the lord of the sky and the rain god. He had the ability to send thunder, lightning, rain and winds to earth, but is most famous for hurling his weapon--the thunderbolt--at those who displease him. The eagle was also a prominent symbol associated with him.
· Family connections and Zeus' rise to power: Of
all the Olympians (the older gods who were all related in some manner and
resided upon
The great Zeus was then brought up in
Despite the genius and courage Zeus employed to become ruler of the universe, he did not live a totally honorable life himself. He is famous for his promiscuity and many affairs behind the back of his wife Hera, which created constant hostility between the two. In order to fulfill his armorousness, he constantly transformed himself into animal mirages, such as a cukoo when he ravished Hera, a swan when he desired Leda, and a bull when he wanted Europa. Some of the offspring that resulted from his affairs include the twins Apollo and Artemis by the Titaness Leto, Persephone by the goddess Demeter, and Dionysus by the nymph Semele. Athena was born from his forehead after he swallowed the Titaness Metis.
Zeus became the supreme ruler of the world from the heavens atop Mount
Olympus, the highest point in
--Jackie Shoemaker
· Special Power: Hades is god of the Underworld and the dead. Hades is also the
god of wealth because both crops and precious metals came from his realm below
ground. One very interesting item Hades has in his possession is a helmet that
was given to him by the Cyclops. The helmet renders its wearer invisible. Hades
sometimes lends this magnificent gift to both mortals and immortals.
· Genealogy:
Hades is the son of the Titans Cronus and Rhea and
brother to Zeus and Poseidon. After Zeus overthrew their father Cronus, the three brothers drew lots to divide shares of
the world amongst themselves. Zeus had the best draw and proclaimed himself god of the heavens. Poseidon, with the second best
draw, claimed dominion over the sea. Thus Hades was left with rule over the
Underworld.
· Symbols and Attributes: When someone mentions the Underworld, Hades almost automatically pops into your head. Hades is a grim and pitiless god, but he can't be regarded as being capricious. Rarely has Hades ever released someone from the Underworld. Hades' three-headed dragon-tailed dog, Cerberus, is also well known as his pet and guardian to the gates of the Underworld.
· Tale: At Hades' side in the Underworld is his wife Persephone. Persephone was carried off from the world above by Hades and taken to the Underworld. This kidnapping of Persephone gives us the etiological story of the seasons. After Hades took Persephone to the Underworld, her powerful mother Demeter went all over the earth looking for her daughter Persephone. While in the Underworld, Persephone ate a seed of pomegranate. When Zeus ordered Hades to return her, Persephone, because of her eating a seed of pomegranate in the Underworld, had to divide her time between the under and upper world. When Persephone is in the Underworld, Demeter doesn't allow the earth to produce crops and the world becomes cold and barren. These six months out of the year are known as Fall and Winter. When Persephone is returned to her mother for the other six months, Demeter allows the earth to become fruitful and warm. These six months are called Spring and Summer. Hades continues to sit upon his throne and watch his domain increase with souls.
Marion Lewis
· Genealogy: Daughter of Titans Cronus and Rhea. Wife and twin sister ofZeus. Mother of Ares, Hebe, Hephaestus, and Eileithyia
· Special Power: She has the gift of prophecy.
· Symbols and Attribute: Goddess of marriage,
childbirth, and the home. Deity of women and marriage.
She is often dressed, crowned and seated (sometimes with Zeus), with a peacock
or holding a spectre
Hera was the wife and twin sister of
Zeus, the king of the gods. She was the goddess of marriage, childbirth, and
the home. These attributes make the literal meaning of her name
"lady" more appropriate. She was originally a pre-Greek deity and the
earth goddess of
The marriage of Hera and Zeus is pretty well-known, but the mystery lies in the myth surrounding the circumstances of their marriage. When competing for the king of the gods, Zeus banished his father Cronus. With his father gone, Zeus began to court his twin sister Hera. His many attempts were unsuccessful. He finally realized that the only way she would accept him is if he disguised himself. He disguised himself as a cuckoo bird, and Hera foolheartedly comforted the poor bird at her bosom. The crafty Zeus then changed back to his original form and ravished her. This act shamed her into marrying him. Despite her many children and marriage, Hera bathes frequently in the spring of Canathus and this renews her virginity.
Hera is often associated with peacock. The peacock's ancient meaning is also the only trait that Hera possesses that equalizes her power with Zeus. This meaning and power is wise vision. Hera possesses the gift of prophecy.
To view Hera in art:http://Vanaheim.Princeton.EDU/Myth/Graphics/mo/moreau-peacock_and_juno.gif
--Anne Vonderhaar
· Genealogy: He was the son of Cronus and Rhea and his most well known sibling was Zeus. Zeus is the only god that was more powerful than Poseidon in ancient mythology. Poseidon was the father of a number of children with different wives. Some of his children included Pegasus and Polyphemus, who is widely recognized as the Cyclops in Homer's The Odyssey.
· Power: god of the sea. Poseidon was also the god of a wide variety of subjects. He was a patron of herdsmen and a god of fertility.
· Symbols: He carried a three pronged spear called a trident which could cause earthquakes, hurricanes, and typhoons. Poseidon became the god of all three of these natural disasters.
One of the best known myths that surrounds Poseidon
can be found in The Odyssey, book six. The myth begins when Odysseus the
Greek warrior is returning home from the Trojan war.
He becomes stranded on an island called Ogygia after
a great storm. The nymph that inhabits this island is named Kalypso.
When Kalypso finds Odysseus she nurtures him back to
health and then makes him a prisoner on the island. When Zeus finally arranges
Odysseus' release, he is made to cross the sea in a lashed together raft.
Poseidon had become Odysseus' foe after Polyphemos
had prayed to him before Odysseus' return home. Polyphemos
had wanted trouble and plight to accompany Odysseus on his trip home. When
Poseidon spotted Odysseus sailing on the sea, he had an obligation to make his trip
a troublesome one. At this point one learns about how serious a grudge Poseidon
can hold. Poseidon with his mighty trident churns the sea and causes a great
storm that destroys Odysseus' raft and almost drowns him. If it was not for Ino, Kadmos' daughter who gave
him her sash for protection, he could have very easily perished. The moral of
this myth is not to stick a flaming spear in the eye of a cyclops
who has powerful family members. This is just one of many tales that so boldly
illustrates the omnipresent power of Poseidon, king of the sea.
(Source: Wilkie, Brian. Literature of the Western World. MacMillan, 1997 and http://graham.neb.net/mythology/gods.html.)
--Brad Wells
· Genealogy: Born Phoebus Apollo
to the king of the gods, Zeus and goddess Leto, he
became god of the sun (light). Because his reign was so vast, there is no true
destination for Apollo's origin. Despite his wide-ranging nature, it is
believed that Apollo was born on the Isles of
· Special Power: He was associated with first with the sun and, later, healing, music, poetry, archery, purification, and prophecy.
· Symbols and Attributes: Apollo is often portrayed with a lyre or bow. The Greek ideal of male beauty, Apollo is depicted as a beardless young man either naked or robed.
· Tale: Extra! Extra! Read all about it: Being
the son of a god--the king of the gods--should have been enough for Apollo, but
for him this was only the beginning. Although there were many children fathered
by Zeus, including Apollo's twin sister Artemis, it was Apollo who sat second
in worship to his father. Apollo went on to establish his oracle
From this, a general assumption made is that because
Apollo was widely worshipped, he was well liked. False! His sister and he were
often blamed for sudden deaths. For example, Niobe,
Queen of
Another example of Apollo's negative side concerns his unsuccessful love
affairs. His pursuit of Daphne, a beautiful nymph, led her to flee from him and
call upon the gods, who changed her into a
("Apollo." The New Encyclopedia Britannica. 1988 . Phillips, F. Carter. "Apollo." The World Book Encyclopedia. 1995 .)
--Kathy M. Pierce
Artemis (Latin: Cynthia or Diana)
· Powers: goddess of the moon and the hunt; associated with chastity
· Genealogy: daughter of Zeus and Leto; twin sister of Apollo
· Attributes: often pictured as a young huntress
· An Original Tale:
One fair afternoon, as Apollo took his place high in the azure sky, a young
girl was taking a walk among the foothills of
He began by telling of her birth. "She was born unto the Zeus and Leto, on the desolate
He continued, "She has been bestowed with many titles. She is most commonly known as the Goddess of the hunt but she is also the Goddess of the moon. Being one of three Virgin Goddesses, she represents chastity and purity. The hunter Acteon learned all to well, how much she cherishes her purity."
The young girl asked, "Did she live on
To this the old man responded, "Yes, but she but she spent most of
her time running through the forests of
The old man noticed admiration for Diana, as she was also called, in the eyes of the young girl. So he quickly added," Though Artemis was a being of light, the moon also has a dark side. On one side she was peaceful, nurturing and compassionate, and on the other hand she was bloody, vengeful and destructive. This destructive and vengeful nature is most evident in the Tale of Acteon. Acteon was a young hunter, lost in the woods. As he tried to make his way out of the forest, he came upon Artemis bathing with her nymphs. When she discovers him, she is enraged by his impropriety and turns him into a stag. He wanders until his own hunting dogs find him, and they rip him to shreds."
The sun was beginning to set and the little girl looked homeward. She turned to thank the old man, but he had vanished. On the way home, she took a shortcut. She came across a statue that somewhat resembled the old man. Then she noticed the tarnished plaque that read: "Zeus, Father of the Gods".
--Janelle Mahdi
· Genealogy: In the Iliad she is said to be the daughter of Zeus and Dione. However, in later poems she is said to have come from the foam of the sea ("Aphros" means foam in Greek).
· Special Power: She was the goddess of Love and Beauty. In some areas of mythology she also has power over marriage. Some seamen prayed to her so she may have had some power over the oceans as well.
· Symbols and Attributes: She is often portrayed in a half shell, representing her rise from the ocean. The myrtle was her tree and the dove, sparrow, and swan were her birds. Her attributes included the power to make every man fall in love with her. Even the immortals were not immune (Zeus himself attempted to win her affections and, when he failed, he forced her to marry the lame and deformed Hephaestus).
· Tale: Aphrodite often had
the tendency to wield her powers over love indiscriminately and with
vengeance. She took a great deal of
pleasure in viewing the tortured souls who needed her aid in the romance
department. She is often depicted as a petty and cruel goddess. However, in a
new twist, Aphrodite was once forced to feel some of the pain that comes with
love. She saw Adonis, the most beautiful mortal in the world, when he was born
and immediately knew that she must have him. She gave him to Persephone to raise. But, by the time Adonis had reached adulthood,
Persephone loved him too. The goddesses began to argue, and it finally took the
power of Zeus to end the quarrel. He deemed that Adonis should spend the autumn
and winter with Persephone and the spring and summer with Aphrodite. Aphrodite loved the time they spent together and would often be
seen running through the forest with him in a manner much like the goddess of
the hunt, Artemis. One day, she sat with Adonis's head upon her lap and
warned him about hunting dangerous animals with tusks. However, he failed to
heed her warning and attempted to kill a wild boar. He only injured the animal,
which then turned and gored him in the groin. Aphrodite heard him call as he
lay dying, and she held him as he bled. Finally, she transformed him into an
anemone, which would bloom every spring and be worshipped by all young Greek
girls.
--Natalie Kleparek
· Genealogy: child of Zeus and Metis( a titaness); prophecy of Metis' second child destroying Zeus led him to eat her. He suffered a great headache and when Hepaestus split his skull, a beautiful warrior-bride leaped from inside. She was the half sister of Hercules, one of three virgin goddesses (Artemis and Hestia), and had the city of Athens named for her in a competition between her and Poseidon.
· Symbols and Attributes: goddess of reason in war and peace, intellect, arts and literature, arts and crafts. Her symbols are the olive, serpent, owl, lance, and crow.
· Tale: The Story of Arachne
There was a young girl from the city of
Athena, hearing this mockery from Olympus, appeared on Earth at Arachne's door. Arachne did not have to question who stood before her. She began to tremble in fear and wept uncontrollably. Athena asks the maidenwhy she should not kill her on sight, but Arachne had no answer. She offers the goddess a gift before she surrenders her life. "I'm sure you have nothing so fine as this" she says.
Athena warns the girl about being too vain, "Your talent has corrupted
you, but I shall be merciful and give you another chance". She challenges
the young girl to prove who is indeed the best weaver.
The people of
Pictures: www.csc.calpoly.edu/~dcheng/athena.html
--Kameelah Martin
· Genealogy: Dionysus was saved from the womb of his burning mother, Semele, who was fatally struck by a fierce bolt of Zeus's angry thunder. It is in the thigh of Zeus, his father, where he was nourished and grew to become a stripling young god.
· Special Powers: He is to all the god of wine, song, intoxication, and "creative ecstasy." It is through the indulgence of this intoxicating and sweet liquid that many come to know too of his love for orgy and pleasures of the flesh.
· Symbols and Attributes: In iconography his
attributes include a drinking vessel, grape vines, anivy
wreath, and the thyrsos (a long fennel stalk that
with ivy leaves flowing from the top). He is usually depicted in both
literature and art in the company of maenads and satyrs.
There is a tale told many times and passed down from the days of old when the great Zeus lived high atop Mt. Olympus and Gods walked the earth beside mortal men. One day Dionysus was captured by a group ofpirates and taken aboard their ship. There they found no bonds could contain such strength as to hold him prisoner and realized he was not of the same flesh as they. It may have been the helmsman who foolishly challenged his mortality whose senses first did stir with the sweet scent of the wine which now ran streaming through the ship. Ivy twined about the boat and crept up the mast in explosions of beautiful flowers and lush berries. It was then that the great god changed his form into a lion roaring with all his majestic pride. There he also created an angry bear which stood tall upon his back legs and fiercely growled as he towered over the terrified sea men. The lion surged forth and attacked the foolish helmsman while the others leapt into the water and swam off,spared, as they were transformed into dolphins.
There is a very important lesson to be learned from this tale that is present in many of the stories of the great gods. When mortals mingle with immortals and, especially, when they dare to challenge the divinity of a god, it always results in adversity, loss, and often transformation or death for the mortal man. So heed this warning and take company with your own kind and play not with the Gods, lest you risk your life!
Cindy Whitlow
· Power: Ares was the god of war and chaos (as opposed to Athena, who was more of a martial strategist).
· Genealogy: Ares was the son of Zeus and Hera and the most hated God by his father. According to ancient stories, it was said that Zeus hated Ares because of his violence and aggression. Perhaps Ares's reputation would not have been so terrible had he not stopped the soldiers with his crying and bawling every time he was injured. Zeus disrespected Ares so much that he even called him a coward. Tantalus was the son of Ares.
· Special Powers and Attributes: Ares was disliked and unpopular because most Greeks felt he represented violence without a just cause or without the use of strategy. Ares wore a golden helmet and carried a large spear covered in blood. His followers were considered crazy or insane because they were so mean and vicious. Some of his followers included Pain, Panic, Famine, Oblivion, and his sons Phobos (fear) and Deimos (Terror). Phobos and Deimos symbolized the horrors of war. The two animals that Ares represented that match his character wonderfully were the dog and the vulture. Ares was identified with the Roman God Mars, but only his title carried over. Unlike the Greeks, the Romans considered war morally correct. Mars was a respected and noble God to the Romans.
· Tale: Ares had an affair
with one Olympian, Aphrodite, wife of Hephaestus. The story goes that
Hephaestus had heard word that Aphrodite was fooling around on him, so he
invented a trap to catch her in the act. With his metal skills, he made a wire
mesh trap. After he placed it over their bed (secretly), he falsely told his
wife he was going out of town for a while. Shortly after leaving, Hephaestus
returned home and found Ares and his wife Aphrodite trapped snuggled together
in his own bed. The moral of the tale for the Greeks of the time was that women
are very untrustworthy and that men should have an excuse to be suspicious of
their wives. Odysseus's encounter with the tale revealed that he seemed to
enjoy the story because he even gave Alkinoos a
complement after his men sang the tale. Odysseus's complement also revealed his
masterful ability with words, because after his complement the king rewarded
him with bars of gold and gifts. And there may well be a final relevance to
Homer's telling of the tale, as his hero Odysseus comes close to being trapped
by beautiful goddess-women (Kalypso and Kirke) himself.
--Eric Collins
There are many ways to read the tales of metamorphoses or "changes," one being an account of how objects of the natural world (like flowers, trees, animals, etc) came into the being. Another valuable way is to read them as commentaries upon the errors or limitations of mortals, especially those who dare challenge the gods or attempt to assert their individuality. These mortals are punished for their various assertions and transgressions by being pulled back into nature and losing their identities. The objects into which they "metamorphose" provide ironic or symbolic commentaries upon their former identities.
The Story of Narcissus and Echo
Narcissus was a person of legendary beauty. He was conceived in an act of violence which foreshadows his tragedy. His mother, Liriope, was bathing in a river when a river god Ceciphus took control of her with his waters and raped her.
And so was born Narcissus. He was a man of beauty who loved himself so much he was unable to love anyone else. It was on the occasion that Narcissus caught his reflection in the water for the first time that the meaning of the words of Tiresisas was brought to light. The prophet had said Narcissus would live a long life ifhe never saw himself. As he went to take a drink one day, however, Narcissus saw himself. It was love at first sight. In fact, Narcissus was so enthralled with himself he became "caught in the mirror". He stayed there by the water, engaged by his own reflection until he had wasted away to a flower.
Narcissus's punishment for his disdain of others did not occur by whim or chance. A vengeful nymph whom Narcissus had neglected prayed that Aphrodite would give retribution for her poor state. Her name was Echo. When Narcissus spurned her, as he did all the maidens, she was unable to bear the slight, retreated to the mountains, and, wasted away to a mere shadow of a being. Even to this day, "Echo" can still be heard in the mountains responding to all who call, a reminder of the tragic story of obsessive and ill-fated love.
Retribution was given. Narcissus never knew the love of anyone but himself. There by the water, he is said to have turned into a flower which carries his name. The flower, like Narcissus, looks down, bent upon itself, like the infatuated boy. From his story, we get the word "narcissistic," meaning one too vain or enchanted with self.
--Cara Hunt
Phaeton, son of Helios (god of the sun) and Clymene
(a nymph)adopted the Latin name, Shining. The story of
Phaeton is an interesting fable mirroring everyday parenthood struggles. Helios
loves his son dearly, and in order to express his love he grants Phaeton
anything his heart desires. When Phaeton requests the enormous privilege of
driving the sun-chariot across the sky, Helios regrettably gives in. Feeling honored,
Phaeton excitedly sails the chariot through the sky and loses control of the
burning mass while over
--Julie Ann Drown
Differing from the tales of Metamorphoses, the following tales show mortals or friends of mortals beginning to exert a degree of power in the face of the gods. These mortals may transgress divine law, but through their ingenuity and artfulness manage to maintain and assert their identities. They point the way to such figures as Odysseus, implacably opposed by Poseidon yet managing to survive through the use of his wits (and, of course, Athena's aid). They provide an early expression of humanism.
Daedalus, The Minotaur, and the Labyrinth
Two men were responsible for the creation of the freak half-man, half-bull creature known as the Minotaur. King Minos, a Cretan king, was a profound bragger, and he annoyed the gods when he claimed that they would do anything for him that he wished. Daedalus the inventor was his craftsman, who had an awful past left behind in Greece, for he had jealously murdered his own nephew. He was well known for his great talent at crafting new and advanced constructs.
One day, Minos was exercising his divine talents as he prayed for a beautiful bull to come from the sea. The bull soon came forth, continuing to enlarge Minos’s already grand ego. Poseidon, god of the sea, then waved his Trident as he cursed Minos’s wife, Queen Pasiphae, to fall in love with his newly created beast. When Pasiphae realized she couldn’t fulfill her lusty desire for the bull, she asked Daedalus to help her. Daedalus constructed a less-than-authentic cow-like contraption for the queen to do with as she wished. When the queen took full advantage of the cow, the god’s curse continued. She then gave birth to the epitome of all bastard sons, the horrible Minotaur. The creature looked like a man except for its head, which was that of a bull. It also had a continuous appetite for humans, which proved to be quite a drawback of the semi-royal child.
Minos embarrassingly had Daedalus construct a house for the Minotaur. The inventor built a maze called the Labyrinth for the creature. King Minos, obviously an easily bored man, continued to entertain himself as he threw helpless men and women into the Labyrinth and watch them get devoured by his wretched pet.
Tragedy befell King Minos when his son was killed by King Aegeus’s men because of a rumor that the young man was conspiring with King Aegeus’s enemies. When the king of Crete got Zeus to help him avenge his son’s death, Athens, Aegeus’s home, was pounded with earthquakes and drought, leading to famine. The Grecian king tried to settle the dispute with Minos. Minos, always thinking of his family, made a proposal to Greece that the disaster would cease if seven men and seven women were given every nine years to sacrifice to the Minotaur. Greece accepted.
Several years later, when the payment of men and women was due to King Minos, Theseus, supposed son of Aegeus who was well known for his heroics, decided to accompany the group to Crete and bring them back safely. Aegeus told Theseus to fly a white flag when he returned to the harbor instead of his usual black flag so the king knew his prodigal son was safe.
When Theseus arrived in the land of King Minos, the king’s daughter, Ariadne, fell madly in love with the young hero. She wished to help him in his secret plot to save those who were to be sacrificed. She brandished a sword for Theseus and commanded Daedalus to help Theseus get through the Labyrinth. The brilliant craftsman told the hero to drop a ball of string behind him so he could find his way out of the maze. Theseus entered the Labyrinth and killed the Minotaur.
Previously, unbeknownst to the Cretans, several feminine-looking Greek men had easily disguised themselves as women and joined the group of women to be sacrificed to the Minotaur. The resourceful young lads use their masculine strength to break out of their cell and free the women just in time to meet up with Theseus and escape in their ship.
Ariadne escaped with Theseus, but King Minos found out about Daedalus’s participation in the creation of the Minotaur. The inventor was exiled from Crete with his son Icarus, who turned out to not have the brain his father had.
--Ben Simpkins
Daedalus and Icarus
Daedalus and his son, Icarus,
wished to flee to their homeland from the isle of Crete. Since their land
was over the ocean, there was a limited range of possibilities for a mode of
transportation. Daedalus decided that the
easiest way would be to fly. He gathered different sized feathers to make
wings for himself and his son. He then tied the feathers together with
twine and wax.
As Daedalus fitted the wings onto Icarus, he warned his son not to fly too low because the
water from the ocean would weigh down the feathers. He also warned not to
fly too high because the sun would melt the wax on the wings. The best
option would be to take the middle ground and to stay together.
As they got up in the air, however, Icarus
became overwhelmed with the beauty of the view, so he flew higher and
higher. Soon the wax on his wings began to melt and he began plummeting
to the ground. He fell into the ocean. His father gathered up Icarus’s body and buried him in a respectable manner.
The body of water into which Icarus fell is named
after him.
This tale reveals a central tension in Greek culture. While
their literature shows admiration for figures of great ingenuity and daring,
heroes who possess these traits often get carried away with their powers.
Icarus is one such “over-reacher.”
His tragedy underscores the need for moderation. He should have
heeded the advice from one of the phrases over the Delphic oracle:
“Nothing too much.” If Icarus had only taken
the middle ground as his father advised, he would not have plummeted to his
death at such an early time in his life.
--Bonny Dukes
Greeks exalted great thinkers and those who used reason to counter difficult situations. Prometheus, one of the first deceivers of the gods, gave men upright stature and the power to wield fire. Zeus distrusted Prometheus because Prometheus deceived Zeus and obviously favored man. Prometheus inspired the Greeks and many later generations of rebels and free-thinkers because of his defiance of Zeus's tyranny and his ability to suffer endlessly without giving in to his oppressor. The life of Prometheus was praised and inspired countless others to endure suffering to protect principle.
Prometheus and his brother Epimetheus, sons of Iapetus, were assigned the task of giving the creatures of earth characteristics that would enable their survival. Prometheus, who had created man out of clay and water, allowed Epimetheus to equip the creatures of earth. Epimetheus, whose name means "afterthought," gave all the best traits to the animals. When he got to man, all of his resources had been exhausted. Prometheus, whose name means forethought, finished Epimetheus's task by giving man an upright posture like the gods, enabling man to rule the earth.
Prometheus's benevolence for his creation increased with his aversion for the Olympians. Although Prometheus remained neutral when the Olympians rebelled against the Titans, he became bitter when Zeus imprisoned his fellow Titans in Tartarus. Zeus's decision disturbed Prometheus, who become increasingly angered at the gods and sought to help mankind.
When the gods and man were arguing about what part of the animal was to be sacrificed, Prometheus presented the choice to Zeus. With skillful deception, Prometheus wrapped the sumptuous meat and the rich inner parts with the unsightly hide. He then carefully and beautifully arranged the bones with silvery fat. When Zeus was presented with the choice between the two, he laughed at the disproportion. Zeus eagerly picked the bones laced with silvery fat. His angered swelled when he realized he had been deceived. In retaliation Zeus put out the ash trees' weariless fire. Prometheus, unwilling to leave man helpless against nature without the aid of fire, placed heaven's fire in a fennel stalk and gave it to man to control.
Zeus, weary of Prometheus, discovered Prometheus knew the name of the god who was to end Zeus's reign. Because Prometheus was unwilling to reveal his secret, Zeus chained him to a rock. Everyday Zeus sent an eagle to eat Prometheus's liver, which grew back every night. Freedom could only be obtained if Prometheus betrayed Zeus's adversary or both an immortal must give his life for Prometheus and the eagle had to be killed. After years of enduring agony, Heracles killed the eagle and Centaur Chiron died for Prometheus.
Prometheus, an icon of endurance, suffered much pain for mankind. His animosity toward the gods and his quick wit solicited him the epitaph: benefactor of mankind. His ability to deceive even rivals that of the great strategist, Odysseus. Either stealing, deceiving, or keeping secrets, Prometheus used his intellect to better the condition of man. The story of Prometheus demonstrated the power of reason and of endurance, man's only defense against the gods.
--Michael-Paul James
Paris was the son of Hecuba (the Greek form of
her name is Hecabe.)and was
first exposed to the Gods through a dream his mother had. During his infancy he
was saved by the shepherds who found him on
The tale begins with a marriage and then concerns the breaking of a
marriage. The marriage of Peleus and Thetis was celebrated on
The Judgement of
(Hathorn,
--Robbie Tigert
The myth of Io is a tale that reminds the reader of the volatility of the
relationship between gods and mortals. Io was the beautiful daughter of Inachus, an ancient hero or river god of
Some versions of this story say that what happens next to Io is a result of Hera's anger with Zeus. In other accounts, however, it is said that Zeus performs these actions to protect Io from Hera's wrath. Whatever the reason, a god (Hera or Zeus) transforms Io into a white heifer. Hera continues to torture the once beautiful mortal by having a "gad-fly" chase her unmercifully. Hera then adds one more pest to Io's new existence by having Argus, an ugly creature with one hundred eyes, follow her every movement. In anger, Zeus sends his son Hermes to kill Argus. Io's troubles, however, are not over. She is still being chased by the persistent "gad-fly."
During this pursuit she encounters Prometheus bound to a rock surface. Io
questions Prometheus, a known seer of the future, about how long will she stay
in this form. Feeling sympathetic towards her, Prometheus informs Io that her
pain will be long, but he guides her to the paths she should follow. He
concludes by telling her that her journey will end at the
The reader may conclude that one of Io's descendants (thirteen generations later) was thanking Prometheus for helping Io and avenging her pain, when he releases Prometheus from the chains that bind him. That descendant is no one less than the mighty Hercules.
--Barbara Perez
Please add the picture of Io from this
url:http://home5.swipnet.se/~w-58907/GGGM-F/Io.html
Some good places on-line to research myth:
· Voice of the Shuttle Classical Studies Page