orities, so that when the reader finds them referred to he may not be at a loss to recognize the reference. Thus we hope t

to impart a knowledge of an important branch of education. The index at the end will adapt it to the purposes of referenc

ure which leads them back to the days of their childhood, and revives at every step the associations of the morning of lif

gods that used to share this earth With man as with their friend; and at this day ’Tis Jupiter who brings whate’er is grea

uded to by modern poets, essayists, and orators. Our readers may thus at the same time be entertained by the most charming

iopians. The gods favored them so highly that they were wont to leave at times their Olympian abodes and go to share their

Jupiter and Juno. He was born lame, and his mother was so displeased at the sight of him that she flung him out of heaven

unt, was the consequence of his fall. He was a whole day falling, and at last alighted in the island of Lemnos, which was

the slaves were indulged with great liberties. A feast was given them at which they sat at table, while their masters serv

dulged with great liberties. A feast was given them at which they sat at table, while their masters served them, to show t

sented with two heads, because every door looks two ways. His temples at Rome were numerous. In war time the gates of the

s are exceptions, and to be pronounced as English words. In the Index at the close of the volume, we shall mark the accent

he sea was not fluid, and the air was not transparent. God and Nature at last interposed, and put an end to this discord,

ho, with the aid of Minerva, went up to heaven, and lighted his torch at the chariot of the sun, and brought down fire to

e contents of the jar had escaped, one thing only excepted, which lay at the bottom, and that was hope. So we see at this

only excepted, which lay at the bottom, and that was hope. So we see at this day, whatever evils are abroad, hope never e

the gods. So saying he took a thunderbolt, and was about to launch it at the world, and destroy it by burning; but recolle

the power of our ancestor Prometheus, and could renew the race as he at first made it! But as we cannot, let us seek yond

as a hard race, and well adapted to labor, as we find ourselves to be at this day, giving plain indications of our origin.

as devoured. This state of torment might have been brought to an end at any time by Prometheus, if he had been willing to

f Jove’s throne, and if he would have revealed it, he might have been at once taken into favor. But that he disdained to d

r, that I may always remain unmarried, like Diana.” He consented, but at the same time said, “Your own face will forbid it

llowed her; she fled, swifter than the wind, and delayed not a moment at his entreaties. “Stay,” said he, “daughter of Pen

rove his song. Like Phœbus thus, acquiring unsought praise, He caught at love and filled his arms with bays.” The followi

the stars, and the sun had melted the frost from the grass, they met at the accustomed spot. Then, after lamenting their

Tomb of Ninus, and that the one who came first should await the other at the foot of a certain tree. It was a white mulber

slaughter, approaching the fountain to slake her thirst. Thisbe fled at the sight, and sought refuge in the hollow of a r

a rock. As she fled she dropped her veil. The lioness after drinking at the spring turned to retreat to the woods, and se

he sand the footsteps of the lion, and the color fled from his cheeks at the sight. Presently he found the veil all rent a

f any of our young readers can be so hard-hearted as to enjoy a laugh at the expense of poor Pyramus and Thisbe, they may

ure it. Their efforts were all in vain; no dog could run it down; and at last they came to Cephalus to borrow his famous d

turned on his track, the dog close upon him, with open jaws, snapping at his heels, but biting only the air. Cephalus was

like and natural did they look, you would have thought, as you looked at them, that one was going to bark, the other to le

is dog, still continued to take delight in the chase. He would go out at early morning, ranging the woods and hills unacco

d the secret to Procris, Cephalus’s wife. Love is credulous. Procris, at the sudden shock, fainted away. Presently recover

ob in the bushes. Supposing it some wild animal, he threw his javelin at the spot. A cry from his beloved Procris told him

lore you, if you have ever loved me, if I have ever deserved kindness at your hands, my husband, grant me this last reques

hundred eyes in his head, and never went to sleep with more than two at a time, so that he kept watch of Io constantly. H

watch of Io constantly. He suffered her to feed through the day, and at night tied her up with a vile rope round her neck

ence he could see all around in every direction. Jupiter was troubled at beholding the sufferings of his mistress, and cal

h the novelty and with the sweetness of the music, said, ‘Thus, then, at least, you shall be mine.’ and he took some of th

he rocks. O hapless Argus! the light of your hundred eyes is quenched at once! Juno took them and put them as ornaments on

ed on through Scythia, and the country of the Cimmerians, and arrived at last on the banks of the Nile. At length Jupiter

in the neighborhood of the pole. Why should any one hereafter tremble at the thought of offending Juno, when such rewards

e constellation of the Bear never sets, when he says: — “Let my lamp at midnight hour Be seen in some high lonely tower,

ame to the place, led thither by his destiny. As he presented himself at the entrance of the cave, the nymphs, seeing a ma

and overtopped them all by a head. Such a color as tinges the clouds at sunset or at dawn came over the countenance of Di

ed them all by a head. Such a color as tinges the clouds at sunset or at dawn came over the countenance of Diana thus take

ay, and sought with a sudden impulse for her arrows. As they were not at hand, she dashed the water into the face of the i

cry out, “I am Actæon; recognize your master!” but the words came not at his will. The air resounded with the bark of the

of the valley this pond of clear water, where the country people were at work gathering willows and osiers. The goddess ap

d dogs. As when those hinds that were transformed to frogs     Railed at Latona’s twin-born progeny,     Which after held

e son of Apollo and the nymph Clymene. One day a schoolfellow laughed at the idea of his being the son of the god, and Pha

his disputed father. He approached the paternal presence, but stopped at a distance, for the light was more than he could

right hand and his left stood the Day, the Month, and the Year, and, at regular intervals, the Hours. Spring stood with h

re sprung from my blood? I give you a proof in my fears for you. Look at my face — I would that you could look into my bre

d held to his demand. So, having resisted as long as he could, Phœbus at last led the way to where stood the lofty chariot

ead, and, with a foreboding sigh, said, “If, my son, you will in this at least heed my advice, spare the whip and hold tig

the western gates and we can delay no longer. Take the reins; but if at last your heart fails you, and you will benefit b

n and without, and Parnassus, with his two peaks, and Rhodope, forced at last to part with his snowy crown. Her cold clima

will that I perish with fire, why withhold your thunderbolts? Let me at least fall by your hand. Is this the reward of my

diffuses clouds over the earth, and hurls the forked lightnings. But at that time not a cloud was to be found to interpos

in his right hand launched it against the charioteer, and struck him at the same moment from his seat and from existence!

ine, but it flowed down his throat like melted gold. In consternation at the unprecedented affliction, he strove to divest

his right hand struck the strings. Ravished with the harmony, Tmolus at once awarded the victory to the god of the lyre,

e perfect pattern of those of an ass. Mortified enough was King Midas at this mishap; but he consoled himself with the tho

,) without his wings. They presented themselves, as weary travellers, at many a door, seeking rest and shelter, but found

e aid of feet and wings, for the old folks, eluded their pursuit, and at last took shelter between the gods themselves. Th

ake, only their own house left standing. While they gazed with wonder at the sight, and lamented the fate of their neighbo

s they could speak. “Farewell, dear spouse,” they said, together, and at the same moment the bark closed over their mouths

how Its inclination for below; In vain, for a superior force, Applied at bottom, stops its course; Doomed ever in suspense

till adhered; And still its love to household cares By a shrill voice at noon declares, Warning the cook-maid not to burn

daughter, passing from land to land, and across seas and rivers, till at length she returned to Sicily, whence she at firs

ss seas and rivers, till at length she returned to Sicily, whence she at first set out, and stood by the banks of the Rive

me the present bliss; As frighted Proserpine let fall     Her flowers at the sight of Dis.” The River Alpheus does in fac

on his stream to be carried downward by it, and afterwards reproduced at its emerging: — “O my beloved, how divinely swee

ich Olympic maids Have decked his current, as an offering meet To lay at Arethusa’s shining feet. Think, when he meets at

offering meet To lay at Arethusa’s shining feet. Think, when he meets at last his fountain bride, What perfect love must t

hymes on the Road gives an account of a celebrated picture by Albano, at Milan, called a Dance of Loves: — “’Tis for the

who is ready to meet you half way, and thus make a due return to both at once.” To these words Glaucus replied, “Sooner sh

th at once.” To these words Glaucus replied, “Sooner shall trees grow at the bottom of the ocean, and sea-weed on the top

he companions of Ulysses, and tried to wreck the ships of Æneas, till at last she was turned into a rock, and as such stil

row chill, I tried in fear the pinions of my will. ’Twas freedom! and at once I visited The ceaseless wonders of this ocea

alion.] Pygmalion saw so much wickedness in women that he came at last to abhor the sex, and resolved to live unmar

d like the workmanship of nature. Pygmalion admired his own work, and at last fell in love with the counterfeit creation.

hers, as if she could enjoy their softness. The festival of Venus was at hand — a festival celebrated with great pomp at C

festival of Venus was at hand — a festival celebrated with great pomp at Cyprus. Victims were offered, the altars smoked,

but said instead — “one like my ivory virgin.” Venus, who was present at the festival, heard him and knew the thought he w

pressed yielded to the finger and again resumed their roundness. Then at last the votary of Venus found words to thank the

sses and blushed, and opening her timid eyes to the light, fixed them at the same moment on her lover. Venus blessed the n

g garlands for the altars of the nymphs, and Dryope carried her child at her bosom, precious burden, and nursed him as she

r’s bosom begin to harden, and the milk cease to flow. Iole looked on at the sad fate of her sister, and could render no a

ts alludes to this in his Endymion, where he describes the lookers-on at the game of quoits: — “Or they might watch the q

violence of the winds, which she had known familiarly when she lived at home in her father’s house, — Æolus being the god

ed with terror. The thought of parents, and kindred, and pledges left at home, comes over their minds. Ceyx thinks of Halc

waves may bear his body to her sight, and that it may receive burial at her hands. At length the waters overwhelm him, an

ayers, the last was the only one destined to be granted. The goddess, at length, could not bear any longer to be pleaded w

e of the dull god, Somnus. Here Phœbus dares not come, either rising, at midday, or setting. Clouds and shadows are exhale

ening his eyes, and ever and anon dropping his beard upon his breast, at last shook himself free from himself, and leaning

uggle, I will not be separated from thee, unhappy husband. This time, at least, I will keep thee company. In death, if one

us, one epitaph shall; if I may not lay my ashes with thine, my name, at least, shall not be separated.” Her grief forbade

t a javelin, but a pruning-knife. Armed with this, she busied herself at one time to repress the too luxuriant growths, an

uriant growths, and curtail the branches that straggled out of place; at another, to split the twig and insert therein a g

actly with an old woman’s kiss. She sat down on a bank, and looked up at the branches laden with fruit which hung over her

e. Sometimes he committed his vows to written tablets, and often hung at her door garlands which he had moistened with his

a rock that still clings to its native cliff. She mocked and laughed at him, adding cruel words to her ungentle treatment

with laurel, — you have conquered! I die; stony heart, rejoice! This at least I can do to gratify you and force you to pr

ands, and putting his head into the noose, he murmured, ‘This garland at least will please you, cruel girl!’ and falling h

the fact, the statue still remains, and stands in the temple of Venus at Salamis, in the exact form of the lady. Now think

he for a time, and while the novelty lasted she felt quite happy. But at length the thought of her parents, left in ignora

ison. When her husband came one night, she told him her distress, and at last drew from him an unwilling consent that her

numerous train of attendant voices, to refresh them in her baths and at her table, and to show them all her treasures. Th

e view of these celestial delights caused envy to enter their bosoms, at seeing their young sister possessed of such state

he repaired thither and told them the whole story of her misfortunes, at which, pretending to grieve, those spiteful creat

enance. “Most undutiful and faithless of servants,” said she, “do you at last remember that you really have a mistress? Or

rted and left her to her task. But Psyche, in a perfect consternation at the enormous work, sat stupid and silent, without

d when it was all done, they vanished out of sight in a moment. Venus at the approach of twilight returned from the banque

ot too long on your errand, for I must paint myself with it to appear at the circle of the gods and goddesses this evening

sses this evening.” Psyche was now satisfied that her destruction was at hand, being obliged to go with her own feet direc

o she carefully opened the box, but found nothing there of any beauty at all, but an infernal and truly Stygian sleep, whi

e is tied, but these nuptials shall be perpetual.” Thus Psyche became at last united to Cupid, and in due time they had a

young cow slowly walking before him. He followed her close, offering at the same time his prayers to Phœbus. The cow went

th.” So saying he lifted a huge stone and threw it with all his force at the serpent. Such a block would have shaken the w

his spear opposite to the monster’s opened jaws. The serpent snapped at the weapon and attempted to bite its iron point.

its iron point. At last Cadmus, watching his chance, thrust the spear at a moment when the animal’s head thrown back came

e, once foremost in the race, contested the palm no more, but groaned at his stall and died an inglorious death. The wild

he talked thus with herself: “I know not whether to rejoice or grieve at this sad war. I grieve that Minos is our enemy; b

ieve at this sad war. I grieve that Minos is our enemy; but I rejoice at any cause that brings him to my sight. Perhaps he

d in caves and among mountain cliffs. Her form faded with grief, till at last all her flesh shrank away. Her bones were ch

water-spirit living in the fountain. He stood gazing with admiration at those bright eyes, those locks curled like the lo

a kiss; he plunged his arms in to embrace the beloved object. It fled at the touch, but returned again after a moment and

mage. As he saw it depart, he exclaimed, “Stay, I entreat you! Let me at least gaze upon you, if I may not touch you.” Wit

perhaps she will pardon you.” Arachne stopped her spinning and looked at the old dame with anger in her countenance. “Keep

om the shower,8 in which, where the colors meet they seem as one, but at a little distance from the point of contact are w

s were represented incidents illustrating the displeasure of the gods at such presumptuous mortals as had dared to contend

call to her companions for help. She appeared to shudder with terror at the sight of the heaving waves, and to draw back

and impiety. Minerva could not forbear to admire, yet felt indignant at the insult. She struck the web with her shuttle a

Upon a Lady’s Embroidery “Arachne once, as poets tell,     A goddess at her art defied, And soon the daring mortal fell  

ne be paid to me? My father was Tantalus, who was received as a guest at the table of the gods; my mother was a goddess. M

again.” Tragic as is the story of Niobe, we cannot forbear to smile at the use Moore has made of it in Rhymes on the Roa

  Scribbling and killing all day long;         Like Phœbus in his car at ease,     Now warbling forth a lofty song,       

ering the young Niobes.” Sir Richard Blackmore was a physician, and at the same time a very prolific and very tasteless

proached Medusa while she slept, and taking care not to look directly at her, but guided by her image reflected in the bri

rs. The Sea-Monster. Perseus, continuing his flight, arrived at the country of the Æthiopians, of which Cepheus w

eeze, he would have taken her for a marble statue. He was so startled at the sight that he almost forgot to wave his wings

reast. The virgin shrieked, the father and mother who had now arrived at the scene, wretched both, but the mother more jus

n Æthiopian, and consequently, in spite of her boasted beauty, black; at least so Milton seems to have thought, who allude

tself would have done.” Phineus made no reply, but hurled his javelin at Perseus, but it missed its mark and fell harmless

g alone Th’ appalling and control of his firm look, The Briton Samor; at his rising awe Went abroad, and the riotous hall

urpose took up the mountain Ossa and piled it on Pelion. 10 They were at last subdued by thunderbolts, which Minerva inven

young man also driving in a chariot. On his refusal to leave the way at their command the attendant killed one of his hor

ked him, “What animal is that which in the morning goes on four feet, at noon on two, and in the evening upon three?” Œdip

and in old age with the aid of a staff.” The Sphinx was so mortified at the solving of her riddle that she cast herself d

the husband of his mother. These horrors remained undiscovered, till at length Thebes was afflicted with famine and pesti

bates, sought for some hero to destroy it. At that time there arrived at his court a gallant young warrior, whose name was

Bellerophon in the warmest terms as an unconquerable hero, but added at the close a request to his father-in-law to put h

bridle remained in his hand. Minerva also showed him Pegasus drinking at the well of Pirene, and at sight of the bridle th

. Minerva also showed him Pegasus drinking at the well of Pirene, and at sight of the bridle the winged steed came willing

iendly host, but by the aid of Pegasus he triumphed in them all, till at length Iobates, seeing that the hero was a specia

l. II, p. 12. Pegasus, being the horse of the Muses, has always been at the service of the poets. Schiller tells a pretty

im As soon as he was seated on his back the horse, which had appeared at first vicious, and afterwards spirit-broken, rose

assigned. The Centaurs were admitted to the companionship of man, and at the marriage of Pirithous with Hippodamia they we

e bearing the infant, his daughter Ocyroe came forth to meet him, and at sight of the child burst forth into a prophetic s

eded in restoring the dead to life. Pluto resented this, and Jupiter, at his request, struck the bold physician with light

the gods. Chiron was the wisest and justest of all the Centaurs, and at his death Jupiter placed him among the stars as t

s if they were about to attack a city. But the hero, awaking, laughed at the little warriors, wrapped some of them up in h

here buried treasures lay, and they did their best to keep plunderers at a distance. The Arimaspians, among whom the Griff

crown from his uncle, Pelias pretended to be willing to yield it, but at the same time suggested to the young man the glor

on to all the adventurous young men of Greece, and soon found himself at the head of a band of bold youths, many of whom a

ith her crew of heroes left the shores of Thessaly and having touched at the Island of Lemnos, thence crossed to Mysia and

grazed their stern. They now rowed along the shore till they arrived at the eastern end of the sea, and landed at the kin

the shore till they arrived at the eastern end of the sea, and landed at the kingdom of Colchis. Jason made known his mess

weapons of the armed men. At the time appointed, the people assembled at the grove of Mars, and the king assumed his royal

ea herself, grew pale with fear. Jason for a time kept his assailants at bay with his sword and shield, till, finding thei

on to the main. Transported demigods stood round, And men grew heroes at the sound.” In Dyer’s poem of The Fleece there i

Had marked the sphere celestial,” etc. Hercules left the expedition at Mysia, for Hylas, a youth beloved by him, having

years from my life and add them to my father’s.” Medea replied, “Not at such a cost shall it be done, but if my art avail

were full of blood, his limbs of vigor and robustness. Æson is amazed at himself, and remembers that such as he now is, he

ng to marry Creusa, princess of Corinth, put away Medea. She, enraged at his ingratitude, called on the gods for vengeance

s to the gods, omitted to pay due honors to Diana; and she, indignant at the neglect, sent a wild boar of enormous size to

ds safety in the branches of a tree. Telamon rushes on, but stumbling at a projecting root, falls prone. But an arrow from

umbling at a projecting root, falls prone. But an arrow from Atalanta at length for the first time tastes the monster’s bl

e head and the rough hide which were the trophies of his success. But at this, envy excited the rest to strife. Plexippus

the maiden the trophy she had received. Meleager, kindling with rage at the wrong done to himself, and still more at the

ager, kindling with rage at the wrong done to himself, and still more at the insult offered to her whom he loved, forgot t

s to place the brand upon the pile; four times draws back, shuddering at the thought of bringing destruction on her son. T

ings of the mother and the sister contend within her. Now she is pale at the thought of the purposed deed, now flushed aga

ale at the thought of the purposed deed, now flushed again with anger at the act of her son. As a vessel, driven in one di

, for thine own crime. Return the life which twice I gave thee, first at thy birth, again when I snatched this brand from

d them all to be beaten, and swelled with envy of any one that seemed at all likely to win. While such were his thoughts,

ting those laggards? I offer myself for the contest.” Atalanta looked at him with a pitying countenance, and hardly knew w

goddess,” said he, “prosper your gift!” and threw the last apple off at one side. She looked at it, and hesitated; Venus

sper your gift!” and threw the last apple off at one side. She looked at it, and hesitated; Venus impelled her to turn asi

t they forgot to pay due honor to Venus; and the goddess was provoked at their ingratitude. She caused them to give offenc

and Ceres. Sometimes she is veiled, and seated on a throne with lions at her side, at other times riding in a chariot draw

metimes she is veiled, and seated on a throne with lions at her side, at other times riding in a chariot drawn by lions. S

f wonders, I find That light-footed Fancy leaves Truth far behind, Or at least, like Hippomenes, turns her astray By the g

ying the dead lion on his shoulders; but Eurystheus was so frightened at the sight of it and at this proof of the prodigio

is shoulders; but Eurystheus was so frightened at the sight of it and at this proof of the prodigious strength of the hero

s accompanied by a number of volunteers, and after various adventures at last reached the country of the Amazons. Hippolyt

who dwelt in the island Erytheia, (the red,) so called because it lay at the west, under the rays of the setting sun. This

Geryon was king. After traversing various countries, Hercules reached at length the frontiers of Libya and Europe, where h

now where to find them. These were the apples which Juno had received at her wedding from the goddess of the Earth, and wh

isted by a watchful dragon. After various adventures Hercules arrived at Mount Atlas in Africa. Atlas was one of the Titan

poets, led by the analogy of the lovely appearance of the western sky at sunset, viewed the west as a region of brightness

vice the hero’s nature seemed changed. He lived effeminately, wearing at times the dress of a woman, and spinning wool wit

over him. With a countenance as serene as if he were taking his place at a festal board he commanded Philoctetes to apply

of Œta threw Into the Euboic Sea.” The gods themselves felt troubled at seeing the champion of the earth so brought to hi

require of you all to receive him kindly. If any of you feel grieved at his attaining this honor, yet no one can deny tha

ords with some displeasure that she should be so particularly pointed at , yet not enough to make her regret the determinat

ll where reigns his sire adored; Youth’s bright goddess, with a blush at meeting, Gives the nectar to her lord.” S. G. B.

hens, and of Æthra, daughter of the king of Trœzen. He was brought up at Trœzen, and when arrived at manhood was to procee

of the king of Trœzen. He was brought up at Trœzen, and when arrived at manhood was to proceed to Athens and present hims

ad served others. Having overcome all the perils of the road, Theseus at length reached Athens, where new dangers awaited

e young stranger, and induced him to present him a cup of poison; but at the moment when Theseus stepped forward to take i

wledged by his father, and declared his successor. The Athenians were at that time in deep affliction, on account of the t

h his rescued companions sailed for Athens. On their way they stopped at the island of Naxos, where Theseus abandoned Aria

o the under-world. But Pluto seized and set them on an enchanted rock at his palace gate, where they remained till Hercule

placed him in Italy under the protection of the nymph Egeria. Theseus at length lost the favor of his people, and retired

is people, and retired to the court of Lycomedes, king of Scyros, who at first received him kindly, but afterwards treache

ion that the “Shade of Theseus” appeared strengthening his countrymen at the battle of Marathon. Theseus is a semi-histori

ympic, founded, it was said, by Jupiter himself. They were celebrated at Olympia in Elis. Vast numbers of spectators flock

icinity of Delphi, the Isthmian on the Corinthian isthmus, the Nemean at Nemea, a city of Argolis. The exercises in these

with his fingers, by his play impeding his father in his labors. When at last the work was done, the artist, waving his wi

as prepared for flight he said, “Icarus, my son, I charge you to keep at a moderate height, for if you fly too low the dam

ze, and the shepherd leaned on his staff and watched them, astonished at the sight, and thinking they were gods who could

invented the saw. He put two pieces of iron together, connecting them at one end with a rivet, and sharpening the other en

n the early history of Rome they are said to have assisted the Romans at the battle of Lake Regillus, and after the victor

ourse by the stars. It happened as I was sailing for Delos we touched at the island of Dia and went ashore. Next morning I

ain by cheating a poor boy.’ I wept to hear him, but the crew laughed at both of us, and sped the vessel fast over the sea

rew laughed at both of us, and sped the vessel fast over the sea. All at once — strange as it may seem, it is true, — the

as fast as if it was fixed on the ground. The men, astonished, pulled at their oars, and spread more sail, trying to make

aves, and bore in his hand a spear wreathed with ivy. Tigers crouched at his feet, and forms of lynxes and spotted panther

allusion to the story of Bacchus and the mariners in Milton’s Comus, at line 46, The story of Circe will be found in Chap

ne’s crown, though he has made some mistakes in his mythology. It was at the wedding of Pirithous, and not Theseus, that t

ty conquering you, By our grand heroic guesses Through your falsehood at the True, We will weep not! earth shall roll Heir

ly Christian tradition that when the heavenly host told the shepherds at Bethlehem of the birth of Christ, a deep groan, h

you that punishment awaits you.” He desisted not from his crime, and at last the tree, sundered by repeated blows and dra

rostrated a great part of the grove in its fall. The Dryads in dismay at the loss of their companion and at seeing the pri

in its fall. The Dryads in dismay at the loss of their companion and at seeing the pride of the forest laid low, went in

subdue her, nor the power of my gifts drive her away. Be not alarmed at the distance,” (for Famine dwells very far from C

er the rein, and she drove away and soon reached Scythia. On arriving at Mount Caucasus she stopped the dragons and found

Neptune changed her form and made her assume that of a fisherman busy at his occupation. Her master, looking for her and s

stand? Tell me truly; so may your luck be good and not a fish nibble at your hook and get away.” She perceived that her p

ay.” She perceived that her prayer was answered and rejoiced inwardly at hearing herself inquired of about herself. She re

the starving father procured food; but not enough for his wants, and at last hunger compelled him to devour his limbs, an

Rhœcus boldly asked her love and the nymph yielded to his desire. She at the same time charged him to be constant and told

dmit his society. One time the bee came to Rhœcus when he was playing at draughts and he carelessly brushed it away. This

e of future events. His peculiar power was that of changing his shape at will. Thetis. Thetis, the daughter of Nereu

he ports and shores. Milton alludes to all these deities in the song at the conclusion of Comus: —                      

for him to breathe gently, and sighing was out of the question. Weary at last of fruitless endeavors, he acted out his tru

f Erisichthon to Theseus and his companions, whom he was entertaining at his hospitable board, while they were delayed on

it was as if a mountain had fallen on me. I struggled to get my arms at liberty, panting and reeking with perspiration. H

away in the form of a serpent. I curled my body in a coil and hissed at him with my forked tongue. He smiled scornfully a

a coil and hissed at him with my forked tongue. He smiled scornfully at this, and said, ‘It was the labor of my infancy t

ty. There is another account of the origin of the Cornucopia. Jupiter at his birth was committed by his mother Rhea to the

is Pluto took alarm, and prevailed on Jupiter to launch a thunderbolt at Æsculapius. Apollo was indignant at the destructi

n Jupiter to launch a thunderbolt at Æsculapius. Apollo was indignant at the destruction of his son, and wreaked his venge

ames of their furnaces are constantly issuing. Apollo shot his arrows at the Cyclopes, which so incensed Jupiter that he c

that some one would consent to die in his stead. Admetus, in his joy at this reprieve, thought little of the ransom, and

e from an untimely end?” But the parents, distressed though they were at the thought of losing him, shrunk from the call.

metus, fond as he was of life, would not have submitted to receive it at such a cost; but there was no remedy. The conditi

ed as Admetus revived, and she was rapidly sinking to the grave. Just at this time Hercules arrived at the palace of Admet

was rapidly sinking to the grave. Just at this time Hercules arrived at the palace of Admetus, and found all the inmates

too arduous, resolved to attempt her rescue. He went and lay in wait at the door of the chamber of the dying queen, and w

. Placing a ladder against the wall he mounted, but Jupiter, offended at his impious language, struck him with a thunderbo

nd fell by each other’s hands. The armies then renewed the fight, and at last the invaders were forced to yield, and fled,

ve orders that she should be buried alive, as having deliberately set at naught the solemn edict of the city. Her lover, H

following is the lamentation of Antigone over Œdipus, when death has at last relieved him from his sufferings: — “Alas!

ong the suitors when the robe was finished. During the day she worked at the robe, but in the night she undid the work of

a cave situated on the side of the promontory of Tænarus and arrived at the Stygian realm. He passed through crowds of gh

way with him on one condition, that he should not turn around to look at her till they should have reached the upper air.

Bacchus, one of them exclaimed, “See yonder our despiser!” and threw at him her javelin. The weapon, as soon as it came w

eapon, as soon as it came within the sound of his lyre, fell harmless at his feet. So did also the stones that they threw

re, fell harmless at his feet. So did also the stones that they threw at him. But the women raised a scream and drowned th

hony. The Muses gathered up the fragments of his body and buried them at Libethra, where the nightingale is said to sing o

is bees had perished, and he resorted for aid to his mother. He stood at the river side and thus addressed her: “O mother,

sfortune.” His mother heard these complaints as she sat in her palace at the bottom of the river, with her attendant nymph

r, who ordered that he should be brought into her presence. The river at her command opened itself and let him pass in, wh

ng off in various directions to water the face of the earth. Arriving at his mother’s apartment, he was hospitably receive

ou hold fast the chains. I will carry you to his cave, where he comes at noon to take his midday repose. Then you may easi

e will make his escape. But you have only to keep him fast bound, and at last when he finds all his arts unavailing, he wi

ble wild beast, in rapid succession. But finding all would not do, he at last resumed his own form and addressed the youth

Antiope, queen of Thebes. With his twin brother Zethus he was exposed at birth on Mount Cithaeron, where they grew up amon

tial auditors; but the mischievous urchin Cupid having dared to laugh at the queer face which the goddess made while playi

s will we display our gratitude to the gods, and how merry will we be at the festal board!” The wind and sea continued pro

y life?” said he. “Take my gold, and welcome. I willingly buy my life at that price.” “No, no; we cannot spare you. Your l

t the ivory wand with which he struck its chords. They fell prostrate at his feet, as if a lightning bolt had struck them.

the Ægean Seas from pirates’ view,     Stood still, by him astonished at his lore, And all the raging seas for joy forgot

et, was on his way to the chariot races and musical competitions held at the Isthmus of Corinth, which attracted all of Gr

d briskly on, and soon was in the middle of the wood. There suddenly, at a narrow pass, two robbers stepped forth and barr

th the wreath of triumph in the strife of song!” The guests assembled at the festival heard the tidings with dismay. All G

n solemn march completing the circuit of the theatre, they passed out at the back of the stage. Every heart fluttered betw

en recorded in a previous chapter. Simonides passed much of his life at the courts of princes, and often employed his tal

mer himself, as recorded by tradition. On one occasion, when residing at the court of Scopas, king of Thessaly, the prince

d him to prepare a poem in celebration of his exploits, to be recited at a banquet. In order to diversify his theme, Simon

raises of the sons of Leda. But vanity is exacting; and as Scopas sat at his festal board among his courtiers and sycophan

ed to gain possession of the maiden by violence. Her father, incensed at this conduct, having made Orion drunk, deprived h

e poet tells us — “Down fell the red skin of the lion Into the river at his feet. His mighty club no longer beat The fore

beside the sea, When blinded by Œnopion     He sought the blacksmith at his forge,     And climbing up the narrow gorge,

d Tithonus. The goddess of the Dawn, like her sister the Moon, was at times inspired with the love of mortals. Her grea

nd then she shut him up in his chamber, whence his feeble voice might at times be heard. Finally she turned him into a gra

A long and doubtful contest ensued between him and the son of Aurora; at length victory declared for Achilles, Memnon fell

locks, fought over the pile till they fell into the flame. Every year at the anniversary of his death they return and cele

olable for the loss of her son. Her tears still flow, and may be seen at early morning in the form of dew-drops on the gra

e locks of his with a comb, and mowed his beard with a sickle, looked at his harsh features in the water, and composed his

rceness and thirst of blood prevailed no more, and ships that touched at his island went away in safety. He paced up and d

was a roar such as an angry Cyclops alone could utter. Ætna trembled at the sound. I, overcome with terror, plunged into

rsued him, and tearing a rock from the side of the mountain hurled it at him. Though only a corner of it touched him, it o

plant with pains in his unpolished heart, The best instructor, Love, at once inspired, As barren grounds to fruitfulness

to fruitfulness are fired. Love taught him shame, and shame with love at strife Soon taught the sweet civilities of life.”

the gods were invited with the exception of Eris, or Discord. Enraged at her exclusion, the goddess threw a golden apple a

y numerous suitors, and before her decision was made known, they all, at the suggestion of Ulysses, one of their number, t

hung back and Palamedes was sent to urge him. When Palamedes arrived at Ithaca Ulysses pretended to be mad. He yoked an a

ant chiefs, especially Achilles. This hero was the son of that Thetis at whose marriage the apple of Discord had been thro

ancy that he would be the ruin of the state. These forebodings seemed at length likely to be realized, for the Grecian arm

been a wise prince and had strengthened his state by good government at home and numerous alliances with his neighbors. B

n his Dream of Fair Women, makes Iphigenia thus describe her feelings at the moment of sacrifice: — “I was cut off from h

s to the coast of Troy. The Trojans came to oppose their landing, and at the first onset Protesilaus fell by the hand of H

st onset Protesilaus fell by the hand of Hector. Protesilaus had left at home his wife, Laodamia, who was most tenderly at

’s walls were subject to their view, The trees’ tall summits withered at the sight, A constant interchange of growth and b

Greeks, and that was a quarrel between Achilles and Agamemnon. It is at this point that the great poem of Homer, The Ilia

t was well known to them that fate had decreed that Troy should fall, at last, if her enemies should persevere and not vol

orced the Trojans to give way. Ajax performed prodigies of valor, and at length encountered Hector. Ajax shouted defiance,

Ajax shouted defiance, to which Hector replied, and hurled his lance at the huge warrior. It was well aimed and struck Aj

g a huge stone, one of those that served to prop the ships, hurled it at Hector. It struck him in the neck and stretched h

friend, he sent him to Nestor’s tent to inquire. Patroclus, arriving at Nestor’s tent, saw Machaon wounded, and having to

l him the extent of the Grecian calamities. He reminded him also how, at the time of departing for Troy, Achilles and hims

ase, thou mayest win him back to the common cause; but if not let him at least send his soldiers to the field, and come th

e had seen and heard. He told the prince the sad condition of affairs at the camp of their late associates: Diomede, Ulyss

le they spoke the flames burst forth from one of the ships. Achilles, at the sight, relented so far as to grant Patroclus

ismissed them full of ardor to the fight. Patroclus and his Myrmidons at once plunged into the contest where it raged hott

is Myrmidons at once plunged into the contest where it raged hottest; at the sight of which the joyful Grecians shouted an

ful Grecians shouted and the ships reechoed the acclaim. The Trojans, at the sight of the well-known armor, struck with te

r, borne in his chariot, confronted him. Patroclus threw a vast stone at Hector, which missed its aim, but smote Cebriones

se a tremendous conflict for the body of Patroclus, but his armor was at once taken possession of by Hector, who retiring

oclus’s death, and of the conflict raging for his remains. The Greeks at last succeeded in bearing off the body to the shi

nd Thetis immediately repaired to Vulcan’s palace. She found him busy at his forge making tripods for his own use, so artf

nd Thetis, receiving it, descended with it to earth, and laid it down at Achilles’ feet at the dawn of day. The first glow

ng it, descended with it to earth, and laid it down at Achilles’ feet at the dawn of day. The first glow of pleasure that

w of pleasure that Achilles had felt since the death of Patroclus was at the sight of this splendid armor. And now, arraye

the miseries that had resulted from it, he called on them to proceed at once to the field. Agamemnon made a suitable repl

ng the form of Deiphobus, Hector’s bravest brother, appeared suddenly at his side. Hector saw him with delight, and thus s

said, “Alas! it is plain this is my hour to die! I thought Deiphobus at hand, but Pallas deceived me, and he is still in

inglorious.” So saying he drew his falchion from his side and rushed at once to combat. Achilles, secured behind his shie

rable part where the armor leaves the neck uncovered, aimed his spear at that part and Hector fell, death-wounded, and fee

he city. What words can tell the grief of King Priam and Queen Hecuba at this sight! His people could scarce restrain the

ears of Andromache, the wife of Hector, as she sat among her maidens at work, and anticipating evil she went forth to the

behind. Twice he dragged him round the tomb of Patroclus, leaving him at length stretched in the dust. But Apollo would no

m of a young warrior, presented himself to the aged couple, and while at the sight of him they hesitated whether to fly or

lles sat, attended by two of his warriors. The old king threw himself at the feet of Achilles, and kissed those terrible h

Perhaps even now some neighbor chief oppresses him and there is none at hand to succor him in his distress. Yet doubtless

ir hero. Foremost of all, the mother and the wife of Hector came, and at the sight of the lifeless body renewed their lame

their war cry. Penthesilea slew many of the bravest warriors, but was at last slain by Achilles. But when the hero bent ov

e in the temple of Apollo, negotiating the marriage, Paris discharged at him a poisoned arrow, which, guided by Apollo, wo

e in possession of Philoctetes, the friend who had been with Hercules at the last and lighted his funeral pyre. Philoctete

tes were thrown open, and the whole population issued forth rejoicing at the long-prohibited liberty of passing freely ove

he Greeks even when they offer gifts.”18 So saying he threw his lance at the horse’s side. It struck, and a hollow sound r

s advice and destroyed the fatal horse and all its contents; but just at that moment a group of people appeared, dragging

ce of the malice of Ulysses he had been left behind by his countrymen at their departure. With regard to the wooden horse,

ent was regarded as a clear indication of the displeasure of the gods at Laocoon’s irreverent treatment of the wooden hors

of it is owned by the Boston Athenæum; the original is in the Vatican at Rome. The following lines are from the Childe Har

.” King Priam lived to see the downfall of his kingdom and was slain at last on the fatal night when the Greeks took the

d queen, to take refuge with herself and his daughters as a suppliant at the altar of Jupiter. While there, his youngest s

rsued by Pyrrhus, the son of Achilles, rushed in wounded, and expired at the feet of his father; whereupon Priam, overcome

 —                       “—— many yet adhere To the ancient distaff, at the bosom fixed, Casting the whirling spindle as

o life so friendly or so cool to thirst.” Comus. Menelaus and Helen at length arrived in safety at Sparta, resumed their

l to thirst.” Comus. Menelaus and Helen at length arrived in safety at Sparta, resumed their royal dignity, and lived an

when Telemachus, the son of Ulysses, in search of his father, arrived at Sparta, he found Menelaus and Helen celebrating t

she with her paramour, Ægisthus, laid a plan for his destruction, and at the banquet given to celebrate his return, murder

f Orestes, who, our readers will remember, was snatched away by Diana at the moment when she was about to be sacrificed. A

m the vengeance of the Erinyes. At length he took refuge with Minerva at Athens. The goddess afforded him protection, and

ludes to the story that when, on one occasion, the city of Athens was at the mercy of her Spartan foes, and it was propose

Troy to his own kingdom Ithaca. From Troy the vessels first made land at Ismarus, city of the Ciconians, where, in a skirm

liged to tie them under the benches of his ship.20 They next arrived at the country of the Cyclopes. The Cyclopes were gi

ded, for they were shepherds. Ulysses left the main body of his ships at anchor, and with one vessel went to the Cyclopes’

d, with whom Ulysses joined himself as a fifth. The Cyclops came home at evening, rolled away the stone and drove in his f

them aboard with all haste, then pushed off from the shore, and when at a safe distance Ulysses shouted out, “Cyclops, th

ice. Down came the mass, just clearing the vessel’s stern. The ocean, at the plunge of the huge rock, heaved the ship towa

vigorously, and soon regained their companions. Ulysses next arrived at the island of Æolus. To this monarch Jupiter had

rusted the government of the winds, to send them forth or retain them at his will. He treated Ulysses hospitably, and at h

forth or retain them at his will. He treated Ulysses hospitably, and at his departure gave him, tied up in a leathern bag

e days they sped before the wind, and all that time Ulysses had stood at the helm, without sleep. At last quite exhausted

d back again to the island they had just left. Æolus was so indignant at their folly that he refused to assist them furthe

nd they escaped. With grief for their slain companions mixed with joy at their own escape, they pursued their way till the

ith joy at their own escape, they pursued their way till they arrived at the Ææan isle, where Circe dwelt, the daughter of

hill, and gazing round saw no signs of habitation except in one spot at the centre of the island, where he perceived a pa

nd practise no further harm against him or them; and she repeated it, at the same time promising to dismiss them all in sa

hem. The roar of the waters as Charybdis ingulphed them, gave warning at a distance, but Scylla could nowhere be discerned

y lasted the people kept their oath, but contrary winds detained them at the island for a month, and after consuming all t

upon the birds and fishes they could catch. Famine pressed them, and at length one day, in the absence of Ulysses, they s

fended powers. Ulysses, on his return to the shore, was horror-struck at perceiving what they had done, and the more so on

his resolution to return to his country and his wife and son. Calypso at last received the command of Jove to dismiss him.

favoring gale. He sped on his course prosperously for many days, till at length, when in sight of land, a storm arose that

res of the son of Ulysses in search of his father. Among other places at which he arrived, following on his father’s foots

e. The surf beat high on the rocks and seemed to forbid approach; but at length finding calm water at the mouth of a gentl

rocks and seemed to forbid approach; but at length finding calm water at the mouth of a gentle stream, he landed, spent wi

t dead. After some time, reviving, he kissed the soil, rejoicing, yet at a loss what course to take. At a short distance h

thes of the family. This was no slight affair, for the fountains were at some distance, and the garments must be carried t

plied the lash, her attendant virgins following her on foot. Arrived at the river side, they turned out the mules to graz

to fall into the water, whereat they all screamed and Ulysses awaked at the sound. Now we must picture to ourselves Ulyss

the interposition of his patron goddess Minerva, who never failed him at a crisis. Breaking off a leafy branch from a tree

, he held it before him and stepped out from the thicket. The virgins at sight of him fled in all directions, Nausicaa alo

d by such a gallant stranger. To avoid which she directed him to stop at a grove adjoining the city, in which were a farm

ssembled chiefs. Advancing to the place where the queen sat, he knelt at her feet and implored her favor and assistance to

try. Then withdrawing, he seated himself in the manner of suppliants, at the hearth side. For a time none spoke. At last a

d done their best, Ulysses being challenged to show what he could do, at first declined, but being taunted by one of the y

bserving which, Alcinoüs, when the song was done, demanded of him why at the mention of Troy his sorrows awaked. Had he lo

r friend? Ulysses replied by announcing himself by his true name, and at their request, recounted the adventures which had

ses set sail in the Phæacian vessel, and in a short time arrived safe at Ithaca, his own island. When the vessel touched t

taining his presents, and then sailed away. Neptune was so displeased at the conduct of the Phæacians in thus rescuing Uly

on the brow of a crag commanding harbor, and channel, and ocean. Just at the entrance of the inner harbor there is a pictu

rmed pinnace of Ulysses. “Almost the only river in the island is just at the proper distance from the probable site of the

shepherd, informed him where he was, and told him the state of things at his palace. More than a hundred nobles of Ithaca

arrived and sought Eumæus to learn something of the state of affairs at the palace before presenting himself among the su

e himself known to his son. At the same time she touched him, removed at once from him the appearance of age and penury, a

od that belonged to him. Telemachus viewed him with astonishment, and at first thought he must be more than mortal. But Ul

d riot going on. The suitors pretended to receive Telemachus with joy at his return, though secretly mortified at the fail

receive Telemachus with joy at his return, though secretly mortified at the failure of their plots to take his life. The

gave him a blow. Telemachus had hard work to restrain his indignation at seeing his father so treated in his own hall, but

their astonishment, he said, “Now for another mark!” and aimed direct at the most insolent one of the suitors. The arrow p

nts the old hero, after his dangers past and nothing left but to stay at home and be happy, growing tired of inaction and

but, in the confusion, his wife was swept away and lost. On arriving at the place of rendezvous, numerous fugitives, of b

der the guidance of Æneas. Some months were spent in preparation, and at length they embarked. They first landed on the ne

treasures to the neighboring land of Thrace, to be there brought up, at a distance from the horrors of war. The king to w

hers came from Crete and thither they resolved to steer. They arrived at Crete and began to build their city, but sickness

times round the world, did they arrive there. Their first landing was at the island of the Harpies. These were disgusting

ed and prepared for a feast. But no sooner had they seated themselves at the table than a horrible clamor was heard in the

ars, Polyphemus shouted after them, so that the shores resounded, and at the noise the other Cyclopes came forth from thei

Æneas driving before the gale. Knowing the hostility of Juno, he was at no loss to account for it, but his anger was not

, he was at no loss to account for it, but his anger was not the less at this interference in his province. He called the

now arrived, was a spot on the coast of Africa opposite Sicily, where at that time a Tyrian colony under Dido, their queen

ral vessels, carrying with them the treasures of Sichæus. On arriving at the spot which they selected as the seat of their

ortunate.” 23 The queen’s hospitality displayed itself in festivities at which games of strength and skill were exhibited.

ference to her.” 24 At the feast which followed the games, Æneas gave at her request a recital of the closing events of th

ll content to accept the fortunate chance which appeared to offer him at once a happy termination of his wanderings, a hom

y death the other caused by flying.” Palinurus. After touching at the island of Sicily, where Acestes, a prince of

course for Italy. Venus now interceded with Neptune to allow her son at last to attain the wished-for goal and find an en

ly on her course. Lie down awhile and take needful rest. I will stand at the helm in your place.” Palinurus replied, “Tell

just hovering claimed his prey, With Palinure’s unaltered mood, Firm at his dangerous post he stood; Each call for needfu

l, with fateful sway, The steerage of the realm gave way.” The ships at last reached the shores of Italy, and joyfully di

he Infernal Regions — The Sibyl. The Infernal Regions. As at the commencement of our series we have given the

ed arms, Hydras hissing, and Chimæras breathing fire. Æneas shuddered at the sight, drew his sword and would have struck,

heroes, boys and unmarried girls, as numerous as the leaves that fall at autumn, or the flocks that fly southward at the a

s as the leaves that fall at autumn, or the flocks that fly southward at the approach of winter. They stood pressing for a

ook in only such as he chose, driving the rest back. Æneas, wondering at the sight, asked the Sibyl, “Why this discriminat

but wander a hundred years, and flit to and fro about the shore, till at last they are taken over.” Æneas grieved at recol

fro about the shore, till at last they are taken over.” Æneas grieved at recollecting some of his own companions who had p

bject was to see his father, and finally exhibited the golden branch, at sight of which Charon’s wrath relaxed, and he mad

his coming, and plied him with innumerable questions. But the Greeks, at the sight of his armor glittering through the mur

ariot that the sound might resemble thunder, launching flaming brands at his people in imitation of lightning, till Jupite

ain, so that his punishment will have no end. Æneas saw groups seated at tables loaded with dainties, while near by stood

udden force, rushed again headlong down to the plain. Again he toiled at it, while the sweat bathed all his weary limbs, b

s hoary head, eager to quaff, the water fled away, leaving the ground at his feet all dry. Tall trees laden with fruit sto

ched out both hands to him, while tears flowed freely. “Have you come at last,” said he, “long expected, and do I behold y

re. Some few, of whom Anchises intimates that he is one, are admitted at once to Elysium, there to remain. But the rest, a

o he would have granted, could I have accepted his love, but offended at my refusal, he allowed me to grow old. My youth a

in the cave, and might be consulted by her votaries. But if perchance at the opening of the door the wind rushed in and di

acle was irreparably lost. The following legend of the Sibyl is fixed at a later date. In the reign of one of the Tarquins

his wanderings, invokes his Muse to tell him the situation of things at that eventful moment. Latinus, third in descent f

the animal, and he had only strength left to run homewards, and died at his mistress’s feet. Her cries and tears roused h

eam; I will lead you to Evander, the Arcadian chief, he has long been at strife with Turnus and the Rutulians, and is prep

saw the tall ship gliding onward through the wood, they were alarmed at the sight, and rose from the tables. But Pallas f

eek Evander, and offer to join our arms with yours.” Pallas, in amaze at the sound of so great a name, invited them to lan

party and were most favorably received. Seats were provided for them at the tables, and the repast proceeded. Infant R

lly you with a people numerous and rich, to whom fate has brought you at the propitious moment. The Etruscans hold the cou

ame in arms, pointed out by the gods, have but to appear to be hailed at once as their leader. With you I will join Pallas

the rest of his party in the ships. Æneas and his band safely arrived at the Etruscan camp and were received with open arm

into the field. Night coming on, the army of Turnus, in high spirits at their fancied superiority, feasted and enjoyed th

ness and anxiety and impatience for Æneas’s return. Nisus stood guard at the entrance of the camp, and Euryalus, a youth d

eft the Trojan soil, and would not stay behind with the other matrons at the city of Acestes. I go now without taking leav

o now without taking leave of her. I could not bear her tears nor set at nought her entreaties. But do thou, I beseech you

not return to receive it.” The two friends left the camp and plunged at once into the midst of the enemy. They found no w

ng soldiers strewn on the grass and among the wagons. The laws of war at that early day did not forbid a brave man to slay

ne clear, he said, “Goddess! favor my effort!” and aiming his javelin at one of the leaders of the troop, struck him in th

erbial, “He fell, unhappy, by a wound intended for another, looked up at the skies, and dying remembered sweet Argos.” 29

tius had three times made the circuit, Æneas threw his lance directly at the horse’s head. It pierced his temples and he f

us. The victor almost relented when he saw the brave youth lying dead at his feet, and spared to use the privilege of a co

s and Turnus. Turnus had avoided the contest as long as he could, but at last, impelled by the ill success of his arms and

s were the expressed decree of destiny, the aid of his goddess-mother at every emergency, and impenetrable armor fabricate

ther at every emergency, and impenetrable armor fabricated by Vulcan, at her request, for her son. Turnus, on the other ha

and he begged for mercy; and Æneas would have given him his life, but at the instant his eye fell on the belt of Pallas, w

tive of the island of Samos, but passed the chief portion of his life at Crotona in Italy. He is therefore sometimes calle

eturns to the world, to dwell in some other human or animal body, and at last, when sufficiently purified, it returns to t

nd fell by the spear of Menelaus. Lately being in the temple of Juno, at Argos, I recognized my shield hung up there among

s always the same wax, so the soul, being always the same, yet wears, at different times, different forms. Therefore, if t

ush all, hush!’” Myth of Osiris and Isis. Osiris and Isis were at one time induced to descend to the earth to besto

to the shores of Byblos, had become entangled in the reeds that grew at the edge of the water, the divine power that dwel

d, and erected as a column in the palace of the king of Phœnicia. But at length by the aid of Anubis and the sacred birds,

ese facts, and then went to the royal city. There she offered herself at the palace as a servant, and being admitted, thre

is she replaced by an imitation of sycamore wood, and buried the body at Philæ, which became ever after the great burying

rpassing magnificence was also erected there in honor of the god, and at every place where one of his limbs had been found

is soul was supposed always to inhabit the body of the bull Apis, and at his death to transfer itself to his successor. Ap

for four months. At the expiration of this term the priests repaired at new moon, with great pomp, to his habitation and

wspapers of the day: — The Tomb of Apis. — The excavations going on at Memphis bid fair to make that buried city as inte

pling the30 unshowered grass with lowings loud;         Nor can he be at rest         Within his sacred chest; Nought but

which was given. The most ancient Grecian oracle was that of Jupiter at Dodona. According to one account, it was establis

arried off from Thebes in Egypt by the Phœnicians, and set up oracles at the Oasis and Dodona. The responses of the oracle

ts. But the most celebrated of the Grecian oracles was that of Apollo at Delphi, a city built on the slopes of Parnassus i

city built on the slopes of Parnassus in Phocis. It had been observed at a very early period that the goats feeding on Par

ly, and a temple was erected on the spot. The prophetic influence was at first variously attributed to the goddess Earth,

uted to the goddess Earth, to Neptune, Themis, and others, but it was at length assigned to Apollo, and to him alone. A pr

named the Pythia. She was prepared for this duty by previous ablution at the fountain of Castalia, and being crowned with

Oracle of Trophonius. Besides the oracles of Jupiter and Apollo, at Dodona and Delphi, that of Trophonius in Bœotia w

s. They were distinguished architects, and built the temple of Apollo at Delphi, and a treasury for King Hyrieus. In the w

ly afterwards swallowed up by the earth. The oracle of Trophonius was at Lebadea in Bœotia. During a great drought the Bœo

ng a great drought the Bœotians, it is said, were directed by the god at Delphi to seek aid of Trophonius at Lebadea. They

is said, were directed by the god at Delphi to seek aid of Trophonius at Lebadea. They came thither, but could find no ora

were numerous oracles of Æsculapius, but the most celebrated one was at Epidaurus. Here the sick sought responses and the

e responses. Ancient Christian writers assert that they became silent at the birth of Christ, and were heard no more after

n and elevated beauty pictures the consternation of the heathen idols at the Advent of the Saviour. “The oracles are dumb

trees Oracular, I would not curious ask The future, best unknown, but at thy mouth Inquisitive, the less ambiguous past.”

the work of Phidias. It stood in the Parthenon, or temple of Minerva at Athens. The goddess was represented standing. In

ed the Belvedere, from the name of the apartment of the Pope’s palace at Rome in which it was placed. The artist is unknow

ieving that poems of such length could have been committed to writing at so early an age as that usually assigned to these

ational and patriotic legends. The prevailing opinion of the learned, at this time, seems to be that the framework and muc

re, To give a Milton birth, asked ages more. Thus genius rose and set at ordered times, And shot a dayspring into distant

dious years of Gothic darkness past, Emerged all splendor in our isle at last. Thus lovely Halcyons dive into the main, Th

istinguished to have formed his acquaintance. Ovid spent an easy life at Rome in the enjoyment of a competent income. He w

f various birds, all attracted by the novelty, and gazing with wonder at so beautiful an appearance.” He then gives an acc

the way of the tyrant of the creation, man, for if he were to be got at , some wealthy glutton would surely devour him, th

to heaven, and with a pious appeal to the Deity laid the monster dead at his feet. These wonderful powers of the basilisk

y the intelligence of the proclamation of a Constitutional Government at Naples, in 1820, thus uses an allusion to the bas

ling thy foe with unapparent wounds!         Gaze on oppression, till at that dread risk,         Aghast she pass from the

to have been a sad puzzle to the hunters, who hardly knew how to come at so valuable a piece of game. Some described the h

me at so valuable a piece of game. Some described the horn as movable at the will of the animal, a kind of small sword, in

fall. But it seems they found out how to circumvent the poor unicorn at last. They discovered that it was a great lover o

ar witness. Add to which the authority of numerous sage philosophers, at the head of whom are Aristotle and Pliny, affirms

should be considered proof against that element is not to be wondered at . We accordingly find that a cloth made of the ski

from an Arabic word signifying unbelievers. At Bombay the Parsees are at this day a very active, intelligent, and wealthy

ch the greatest sanctity, and state that Brahma himself composed them at the creation. But the present arrangement of the

y. Kalki is the name of the tenth Avatar, in which Vishnu will appear at the end of the present age of the world to destro

he act, as a pleasing sacrifice to the idol. Every year, particularly at two great festivals in March and July, pilgrims f

arned or ignorant, is a powerful divinity.” When the Brahman arrives at years of maturity it becomes his duty to marry. H

place must be purified by religious ceremonies. They must not appear at public markets, and are confined to the use of pa

vout contemplations. At the expiration of that period he came forward at Benares as a religious teacher. At first some who

that Buddha himself lived to see them spread all over India. He died at the age of eighty years. The Buddhists reject ent

t order are usually men of high birth and learning, and are supported at the principal temples, most of which have been ri

the ice. While she was one day licking the salt stones there appeared at first the hair of a man, on the second day the wh

(the past,) Verdandi, (the present,) Skuld, (the future.) The spring at the Jotunheim side is Ymir’s well, in which wisdo

fleheim feeds the adder Nidhogge, (darkness,) which perpetually gnaws at the root. Four harts run across the branches of t

e, and thus between one and another the whole night was lost, so that at dawn the work had not made the usual progress. Th

he result of his mission, but the goddess of love was quite horrified at the idea of bestowing her charms on the king of t

eceived his veiled bride with due courtesy, but was greatly surprised at seeing her eat for her supper eight salmons and a

r desire to see her lover, the renowned ruler of Jotunheim. Thrym had at length the curiosity to peep under his bride’s ve

nd looking round saw far off in the giant’s kingdom a beautiful maid, at the sight of whom he was struck with sudden sadne

earched on all sides for a place where they might pass the night, and at last came to a very large hall, with an entrance

n adjoining chamber, into which the others entered, but Thor remained at the doorway with his mallet in his hand, prepared

ver might happen. A terrible groaning was heard during the night, and at dawn of day Thor went out and found lying near hi

d put to it to keep up with him. So they travelled the whole day, and at dusk Skrymir chose a place for them to pass the n

noise, he arose, and grasping his mallet launched it with such force at the giant’s skull that it made a deep dint in it.

l be tried forthwith.” He then ordered one of his men who was sitting at the farther end of the bench, and whose name was

lled with meat having been set on the hall floor, Loki placed himself at one end, and Logi at the other, and each of them

been set on the hall floor, Loki placed himself at one end, and Logi at the other, and each of them began to eat as fast

or, Utgard-Loki said, “Whoever is a good drinker will empty that horn at a single draught, though most men make two of it,

two of it, but the most puny drinker can do it in three.” Thor looked at the horn, which seemed of no extraordinary size t

Loki; “thou must not spare thyself; if thou meanest to drain the horn at the third draught thou must pull deeply; and I mu

eds say that thou wilt not be called so mighty a man here as thou art at home if thou showest no greater prowess in other

and wrestle with me.” “I see no one here,” said Utgard-Loki, looking at the men sitting on the benches, “who would not th

ats, and they passed the night there in good cheer. The next morning, at break of day, Thor and his companions dressed the

rds Thor in a rage laid hold of his mallet and would have launched it at him, but Utgard-Loki had disappeared, and when Th

nt, amused themselves with using Baldur as a mark, some hurling darts at him, some stones, while others hewed at him with

as a mark, some hurling darts at him, some stones, while others hewed at him with their swords and battle-axes; for do wha

pretended woman, inquired of her if she knew what the gods were doing at their meetings. She replied that they were throwi

their meetings. She replied that they were throwing darts and stones at Baldur, without being able to hurt him. “Ay,” sai

s, and going up to him, said, “Why dost thou not also throw something at Baldur?” “Because I am blind,” answered Hodur, “a

ki, “do like the rest, and show honor to Baldur by throwing this twig at him, and I will direct thy arm towards the place

ur then took the mistletoe, and under the guidance of Loki, darted it at Baldur, who, pierced through and through, fell do

ll, the gods were struck speechless with horror, and then they looked at each other, and all were of one mind to lay hands

p glens so dark that he could not discern any thing, until he arrived at the river Gyoll, which he passed over on a bridge

pile, on board the ship, and his wife Nanna was so struck with grief at the sight that she broke her heart, and her body

her husband’s. There was a vast concourse of various kinds of people at Baldur’s obsequies. First came Odin accompanied b

. Ugly, long-nosed dwarfs, of a dirty brown color, they appeared only at night, for they avoided the sun as their most dea

different forms, engraven with characters called Runic, which appear at first sight very different from all we know. The

materials of history, and a faithful picture of the state of society at the time to which they relate. Iceland. The

e Lake: — “Ours is no sapling, chance sown by the fountain, Blooming at Beltane in winter to fade;” etc. The other great

hether public or private, all crimes against person or property, were at this time brought before them for adjudication. W

ught in a white mantle, after which they proceed to slay the victims, at the same time praying that God would render his g

n the circle, where none else might tread.” The Druidical system was at its height at the time of the Roman invasion unde

where none else might tread.” The Druidical system was at its height at the time of the Roman invasion under Julius Caesa

rors of the world directed their unsparing fury. The Druids, harassed at all points on the mainland, retreated to Anglesey

mperishable place in history as the seat of civilization and religion at a time when the darkness of heathenism hung over

er almost the whole of Northern Europe. Iona or Icolmkill is situated at the extremity of the island of Mull, from which i

and, and connected by birth with the princes of the land. Ireland was at that time a land of gospel light, while the weste

that state. True, their wives were not permitted to reside with them at the institution, but they had a residence assigne

ce is the subject of a celebrated group of statuary now in the Museum at Naples. 16. The story of the invulnerability of

hind, Thick shadowing the stern forehead of the god; Olympus trembled at the almighty nod.” 32. Gray’s ode, The Fatal

ets sink into the west, changing their shape each moment that we gaze at them. Up in that land above the clouds, it was sp

twin sister was Diana, goddess of the moon. She drove her silver car at night when Apollo had gone to rest in the western

in the daytime, she wandered through the green woods, with her arrows at her side, while her fleet hounds sped on in front

ou are so great, and I am so small, I tremble to think of you, world, at all (Lilliput Lectures.) The Great Bear and t

her, and that was Juno. For some reason, Juno could not bear to look at Callisto, and the lovelier and fairer she grew, t

as she went along, all bitter feelings seemed to rush into her heart at once; and she hated Callisto so much that she cou

seen him, the mother knew her son; and she gazed with wondering eyes at the child who had grown to be such a tall, fine-l

e merely kept her eyes fixed on him. At first Arcas was only startled at coming so suddenly within a few feet of a bear; b

o suddenly within a few feet of a bear; but soon he became frightened at the animal’s fixed stare. There was such a strang

fixed stare. There was such a strange sadness in the eyes that gazed at him that he felt a terror which he could not expl

n. Scarcely knowing what he did, he raised his bow and aimed an arrow at his mother. Just at this moment Jupiter appeared,

what he did, he raised his bow and aimed an arrow at his mother. Just at this moment Jupiter appeared, and snatched both b

god of the sea, and told him her troubles. She asked him to grant her at least one little favor, — never to let the Great

see that as the night passes, they seem to sink lower and lower, and at last to vanish into the sea. That is what Juno me

by his den,     And the wilding bee hums merrily by. The clouds are at play in the azure space     And their shadows at

by. The clouds are at play in the azure space     And their shadows at play on the bright green vale, And here they stre

lower,     And a laugh from the brook that runs to the sea. And look at the broad-faced sun, how he smiles     On the dew

ess, changed into a human being, you would have looked but an instant at Proserpine and said, “She is the Spring.” Proserp

ting her with flowers. The stern old king felt his heart beat quicker at sight of all these lovely maidens, and he singled

epped into the midst of the happy circle. The young girls, frightened at his dark, stern face, fled to right and left. But

serpine had long ago thrown to the water nymph. While she was looking at it, with tears in her eyes, she heard a fountain

eyes, she heard a fountain near her bubbling louder and louder, until at last it seemed to speak. And this is what it said

, O Ceres, great mother! There I saw your daughter seated on a throne at the dark king’s side. But in spite of her splendo

When the winds blow! Into the starlight,     Rushing in spray, Happy at midnight,     Happy by day! Ever in motion,     

put something about the frogs into his tale. As he had not liked them at all, he made them seem very bad and ugly; but tha

harsh words, the goddess ordered the poor mother to leave the island at once; and, although it made Latona very sad to go

ttle one in each arm, and again set forth on her wanderings. She came at length to a desert land, where there was not a bl

ve forever in that pool!” The gods heard her prayer, and the men were at once changed into frogs; and to this day they hau

times grew tired of Juno, and wished to be alone. Juno was very angry at Echo; and she punished her in rather a queer way,

le and thin and began to waste away to a shadow, as people say, until at last her body vanished altogether, and nothing bu

e,             Come near, playmate; Are these fancies true, or naught at all but dreams?                                  

issus, who was so cold to poor Echo, and indeed to all who loved him, at last fell in love himself, and in a very strange

he had been tracking the game through the forest for many hours, and at last, worn out with the heat and the exercise, he

ooth surface, was the most beautiful face he had ever seen. He looked at it in ever-growing surprise, and the more he look

rise, and the more he looked, the fairer did the face seem. Narcissus at last had fallen in love but it was with his own r

d he hear. He smiled, and the two starry eyes in the pool smiled back at him. When he beckoned, the loved one beckoned too

veliness. Poor Narcissus! He, with whom so many had been in love, was at last in love himself, and with a thing that had n

or food or for sleep, and night and day he lay upon the grass, gazing at his own image reflected in the water. When Apollo

ouched with a golden light that made it more beautiful than ever; and at night, when Diana drove her silver car through th

hrough the heavens, the poor boy could scarcely breathe for marveling at the beauty of his own face. Slowly he began to pi

The red left his cheeks and his body grew thinner and thinner, until at last he died. Echo had seen the poor boy’s madnes

ess, and although he had treated her so cruelly, she felt only sorrow at his trouble. Whenever Narcissus, in despair, crie

lovely flower, called the narcissus, is found by quiet pools, gazing at its image in the water. A Web and a Spider

at great lords and ladies came from every part of the land to see her at her work. Her name was famous throughout Greece,

rachne sat spinning. She joined the circle that surrounded the maiden at her work, and listened to the girl’s boastful cla

gods. These were meant as a warning to Arachne. But Arachne worked on at her loom, with the color glowing in her cheeks an

takes. When she laid down her spindle, Minerva, in spite of her anger at the girl’s boldness, was forced to admit that Ara

along your garden wall, perhaps you will see, if not Arachne herself, at least one of her race, spinning and spinning away

Arachne herself, at least one of her race, spinning and spinning away at a web, as a punishment for that foolish girl’s va

ted and made of shining gold, and whoever was pierced by one of these at once fell deeply in love. But the other arrows we

limpse of Apollo’s golden garments above the tree-tops. Cupid saw him at the same instant, and, quick as a flash, he plant

fast, for fear she might hurt herself on the thorns and brambles; and at last he cried, “Do not try to run from me. I love

lo Belvedere (Vatican, Rome). But Daphne was only the more terrified at these words, and fled more swiftly, while Apollo

ewly formed bark and said, “Since you cannot be my wife, fair Daphne, at least you shall be my tree, my laurel. Your folia

m as he went along; and the lifeless rocks became living and trembled at the beauty of his song. And he could so charm peo

long, full of hope, until he came to the black River of Death. Charon at first refused to carry him across; but Orpheus pl

ed for him so sweetly that the stern boatman was melted to tears, and at last agreed to take the player across the river.

to tears, and at last agreed to take the player across the river. But at the entrance to Hades, there was a fierce, horrib

lyre and drew from it such beautiful music that the dog crouched down at his feet, and licked the hands he had been ready

and queen were seated in state. Before Pluto could express his wonder at seeing a living being in his underground palace,

th. He made one condition, however, — that Orpheus must not look back at his wife until they had passed the bounds of Hade

es? Never shalt thou go back and say to men that thou hast seen Diana at her midday rest.” She thereupon sprinkled a few d

something very strange happened. Poor Actaeon had been so bewildered, at sight of Diana’s beauty and at her anger, that he

. Poor Actaeon had been so bewildered, at sight of Diana’s beauty and at her anger, that he had stood motionless and silen

faithful hounds had so often hunted. In terror and dismay, he looked at his new body, which was so strange and yet so fam

n the cry; and the next minute, the whole pack of eager creatures was at his back. Poor Actaeon! He fled in terror, but al

. Now through the copse where the fox is found, And over the stream, at a mighty bound, And over the high lands and over

’er furrows, o’er meadows, the hunters go! Away! as a hawk flies full at his prey So flieth the hunter — away, away! Hark,

ttle boy close, and sang him sweet lullabies, to keep him from crying at the great waves that every now and then swept ove

r. At last he thought of an adventure that would please Perseus, and, at the same time, be so dangerous that the youth, he

than cutting off Medusa’s head, snakes and all. Since merely looking at the Gorgon would turn Perseus to stone, and he co

o that while one of them had the eye, the other two could see nothing at all; and while they were passing the eye from one

appening in countries far away. They were interested for a while; but at length, one of them grew impatient and said, “Sis

ve been afraid, for the sisters fell to quarreling about the eye, and at last, the one who had it was forced to take it ou

t, the one who had it was forced to take it out of her forehead. Now, at that instant, all three of the sisters were blind

tes, they told Perseus all he wanted to know, and he set their hearts at rest by clapping the eye into the forehead of the

l, started out on his errand. He flew over many lands and seas, until at last he came to the island where the terrible Gor

insists, behold the head!” Perseus cried; and drawing it from the bag at his side, he held it aloft in all its horrid beau

t his side, he held it aloft in all its horrid beauty. The king gazed at it an instant, with the sneer still on his face,

ed her shield with the head of Medusa, turning to stone all who gazed at its horrid beauty. How Perseus Won a Wife

ill show you Cassiopeia’s Chair, brightly shining in the heavens. But at the time of my story, she still lived on earth, a

rpent shall trouble you no longer.” Great was the grief of the people at these words. Andromeda was so gentle and good tha

ther’s grief; but in truth she was much frightened, and she shuddered at the thought of the serpent’s cruel jaws. All were

h their hands, for they could not bear to see what was to happen. All at once something like a little black cloud came dar

ried in the monster’s back. Perseus, flying above the spot, had seen, at a glance, the girl bound to the rock and the hide

ter. The people watched the long combat with eager eyes. When Perseus at last pierced the serpent’s heart and the ugly cre

pare for the wedding, and the whole village was invited to be present at the feast. Now there was an old man of whom Andro

t from the man whom she dreaded quite as much. The wedding day dawned at last, bright and sunny, and with great pomp and r

ad with many good things, and the feast began. When the merriment was at its height, suddenly the wide doors swung back, a

wed by a band of armed soldiers. There was silence in the room, until at length the old man spoke: “Perseus, I have come t

eus in terror. Her husband laid his right hand on a bag which he wore at his side and said, “The one you call your bride,

her husband in his own true form and the white cow nibbling the grass at his side. But she knew that it was Io, and she we

nd no matter how tired he was, he never closed more than half of them at one time. If you or 1 had fifty sharp eyes watchi

re than half his eyes. So they had been sitting for a long time, when at last Argus asked the shepherd where his musical p

through the grove. He came up to speak to her, but she was frightened at his goat’s legs and his queer, furry ears, and fl

he vanished nymph.” When Mercury finished his tale, which he had told at great length and in a sleepy tone, he saw, to his

ld at great length and in a sleepy tone, he saw, to his delight, that at last Argus was sound asleep, with all his eyes cl

the people of Egypt still came and laid their flowers and other gifts at the foot of the statue of Isis, to show how much

d with gold. Very tall and proud she looked as she walked along, and, at the gates of the temple, all the women turned and

the words left the mother’s lips’, the last of her children fell dead at her feet. 12. “‘Spare me this last and youngest

color left her cheeks, her eyes grew fixed in their look of pain, and at last, through her sorrow, she was changed to marb

. The marble image of grief stood upon the plain for many days; until at last there came a mighty hurricane sweeping acros

y, you can see the woman of stone seated on the high mountain top; or at least you can see a rock that looks something lik

forever. ——— Children Come to me, O ye children!     For I hear you at your play, And the questions that perplexed me   

ade him chafe night and day under the chains that bound him. The king at last took pity on him, and told him he would set

attles to be fought, before the brave man could gain his freedom. But at last all the dangers were overcome, and Hercules

great river god. The king was undecided as to what he should do; but at length it was agreed that Hercules and the river

sure that he would be the victor, because he could disguise himself, at any moment, and take on the form of an animal. So

m. Now followed the fiercest part of the fight. The angry bull dashed at Hercules with terrible force; but the hero was re

d this is the story of the origin of the horn of plenty, which we see at so many of our autumn festivals. 13. “She fille

ime, Hercules began to grow restless. He was tired of that quiet life at home, and he often thought of his early adventure

iet life at home, and he often thought of his early adventures, until at last the longing to see other lands and to do oth

ppier in his wanderings. Hercules had traveled a great distance, when at last he came to a city by the sea. There he saw t

he had once loved Deïanira. He forgot all about his wife awaiting him at home, and day after day he lingered in the palace

d she grieved and grieved over it, till she grew pale and thin. Then, at last, she remembered the words of the dying centa

am of the fate that was in store for him. He traveled many miles, and at last came to the city where his master was living

. One evening, toward sunset, teacher and pupil were walking together at the side of some cliffs that overhung the sea. Th

e island; but he could not get a boat, though day after day he looked at the white-sailed vessels on the water, and longed

p into the sky where many birds were flying to and fro, and then down at the sea which was covered with sail boats, when s

hey wander out, And traverse their green world round about; And hark! at the top of this leafy hall, How, one to the other

shing adown, ’mong the waterfalls; Then to wheel about, with its mate at play, Above and below, and among the spray, Hithe

m with great fatherly care, and the boy was taught all the arts which at that time were thought fitting for a prince. Ever

im, he came to the gates of his father’s palace. Aegeus was overjoyed at having such a beautiful, brave youth for his son.

o all the people, and the city was filled with feasting and rejoicing at the coming of the heir to the throne of Athens. A

s here! Stay not to sharpen your weapons,     Or the hour will strike at last When, from dreams of a coming battle,     Yo

longed to see him more closely and to speak with him, and felt pained at the thought of the war which made him her enemy.

ne deed by which she might win his love would not leave her mind. And at last, it no longer seemed so dreadful a thing. Th

conquered it by his own bravery and arms, without so much as looking at the lock of purple hair. When he had reached the

ch as looking at the lock of purple hair. When he had reached the bay at the other end of the town, he ordered his men to

the shore, weeping, as she watched the soldiers preparing to go. When at length Minos threw off the last rope, she sprang

I will follow you; for if I have been a traitor to my people, I have at least been a friend to you.” The soldiers pushed

eadful thing was done. Although the Athenians were filled with horror at the cruelty of the demand, they dared not disobey

ime Ariadne had been looking with blushing cheeks and a beating heart at the brave young prince. “He shall not die, if I c

escape to-night with all your companions?” Theseus looked gratefully at the girl who showed such pity for him, and answer

ing passages he passed, keeping firm hold of the precious thread; and at last he came into the open court. There lay the M

, after all, lost his way? But still he followed it up anxiously, and at last came to the entrance of the cave, and saw th

would follow them through the streets, jeering and making ugly faces at them, but the grown people were even worse than t

younger, and there was something bright and quick about him. Indeed, at times his feet seemed hardly to touch the ground,

ouch the ground.” Flying Mercury ( Bologna ). The strangers knocked at the door of the first cottage they came to, and a

door. When they saw the strangers approaching, with the jeering crowd at their heels, they hastened to meet them. “Friends

simple meal. Soon all was ready, and the strangers seated themselves at the table, while the old couple filled their plat

of purple black. Although husband and wife were more than astonished at all they saw, they kept silence about it, quietly

ecrets to each other. Thus the good people had their wish, both dying at the same instant, and in their stead flourished t

to journey to a distant country to consult an oracle. He grieved much at the thought of leaving Halcyone for so long a tim

he terrors of the sea, and the dangers of the storm-beaten waves. But at last, when she found that he was bent on going, s

he wind; the sails flapped merrily, while the happy-hearted crew sang at their work. Ceyx was thinking of his dear wife, a

arewell. She had been standing there some time, when she saw, far out at sea, something white tossed about by the waves. N

ne watched its approach. At length a large wave came inland, and cast at her feet the body of Ceyx, dead and cold, the hai

le do not care much about what they eat or wear. Their only grief was at the loss of their lovely young mother Nephele. Ne

od for the people, and everywhere they were dying of hunger. The king at last sent messengers to an oracle in a distant ci

k to the land. The king was so bewitched by Ino that he felt no grief at this answer, but ordered that the oracle should b

called the Hellespont. Phryxus, however, clung to the ram’s back, and at last they alighted together in the land of Colchi

the javelin, and, what was still better, to be truthful and kind. But at last Jason grew to be a man, and then Chiron told

er; so he had to walk the rest of the way with only one shoe. He came at last to the palace of his father’s brother and wa

s brother and was led before the king. The king turned pale with fear at sight of Jason; for an oracle had foretold that h

rful things about which you will some day hear, the Argonauts arrived at Colchis, the land of the Golden Fleece. ——— The

Fleece Was Brought Back to Greece The morning after their arrival at Colchis, the Greeks were brought into the palace

ny magic arts. The king was seated on his throne, with his little son at his feet and Medea at his right hand, when the Ar

g was seated on his throne, with his little son at his feet and Medea at his right hand, when the Argonauts were brought b

s they thought. In the midst of them sat the king himself, with Medea at his right hand. In all that vast crowd, she was t

ted with iron. As they came tramping along, making the ground tremble at each step of their brazen hoofs, they breathed ou

a very ugly crop of fierce, armed soldiers, who all turned upon Jason at once. Remembering Medea’s advice, he seized a lar

g up from the dragon’s teeth. Of course, the people were all rejoiced at Jason’s success, but the king looked angry and su

leece with them. After a long, hard journey, full of adventures, they at last reached home. Jason banished his uncle from

ulfilled his vow, and King Aeson, grown young again through happiness at his son’s return, ruled in peace for many a year

and the stag had been wandering through the grove for many hours, and at noon they paused in a shady spot by the side of a

that he must not blame himself for what had been a mere accident; and at last he induced him to give up the arrow with whi

f. But the poor boy wept and mourned, and would not be comforted, and at last he died of grief. Apollo grieved much over h

r throw. But the fish he had caught began flapping about and nibbling at the grass beneath them, and in a few minutes, wha

tered his blood, a strange feeling of restlessness came over him; and at length he had such a mad longing to throw himself

w hill. She climbed to the top and then turned to give a parting look at the sea, which she loved very much; but she did n

n the ocean, than my love for Scylla change while she is alive.” Then at last Circe saw that she must at least pretend to

ylla change while she is alive.” Then at last Circe saw that she must at least pretend to grant his wish. In her heart she

stepped into the water when her legs began to change their shape; and at last she screamed aloud in terror, for where her

nting nets, or hold his dogs for a while. Hyacinthus did not think it at all strange that Apollo should like to do these t

r he faded away. Apollo’s grief was sad to see. He could not believe, at first, that the boy he loved so dearly was really

, so that it would have made you cry, too, if you had seen him. Then, at last, he seized his lyre, for now that Hyacinthus

ore lovely than any of the living ones. So he passed his time singing at his work, and perfectly happy in living for that

shape in the stone. Each day it stood out more and more clearly, till at last, one evening, the light of the setting sun f

her pedestal and move about like any other woman. As Pygmalion looked at the finished work, his heart beat fast, and his f

him that the statue was beginning to breathe. He could no longer sing at his work; in fact, he could no longer work, for h

o dearly that he spent all his time kneeling before it, and marveling at the beauty he had wrought. So the days passed on,

the days passed on, until the time of the great festival of Venus was at hand. Venus, you know, was the goddess of love, a

vre, Paris). On this day Pygmalion joined the train of young men and at last stood before the altar in the temple of Venu

o had heard the prayer, and would speedily grant it. Full of joy, yet at the same time fearing that his hope would be disa

oving kiss, and, just as the sleeping beauty in the fairy story awoke at her true lover’s kiss, so Galatea opened her eyes

ry awoke at her true lover’s kiss, so Galatea opened her eyes, looked at Pygmalion with wonder, and slowly stepped down fr

ess to him, he and Galatea were married in the temple of the goddess, at the altar where Pygmalion first offered up his pr

e nymphs of the woods, also, loved to hear Pan play on his flute, and at last he became so used to hearing his praises sun

hundreds of summers and winters. Midas, clothed in a purple robe, sat at the judge’s right hand, while grouped about them

were the nymphs and the satyrs, and all who were eager to be present at the coming contest. In front of the judge stood A

fit the place or the occasion. Midas, alone, expressed great delight at his favorite’s playing, and called him to sit by

love with her. He forgot to look after his sheep, but let them wander at their own sweet will. His huge staff — a pine tre

will. His huge staff — a pine tree stripped of its boughs — lay idle at his side. He was anxious to look pleasing to the

long for you.” Thus sang Polyphemus. But Galatea was only frightened at the great, shaggy monster, for such he seemed to

ightened at the great, shaggy monster, for such he seemed to her, and at the roar of his awful voice. Besides, she was in

his heart burned with wrath, and he seized a large rock and hurled it at the lovers. Galatea slipped beneath the waters an

like blood, but as it flowed on, it became clearer and clearer, until at last, pure as crystal, it sprang into the sea and

waters, or in the lower shades, were compelled to assemble in Olympus at his command. Here they feasted on ambrosia and ne

, discoursed upon the affairs of heaven and earth, and were delighted at intervals by the music of Apollo’s lyre, and the

d shone with celestial beauty. They could render themselves invisible at will, and were otherwise endowed with supernatura

right hand; giants lie prostrate under his feet, and an eagle stands at his side. Jupiter is sometimes called Jove, and a

he plea that the latter garment would be more comfortable for the god at all seasons, as it was neither so heavy in summer

the dominion of Jupiter over the natural world. Others were invented at later times; and all were embellished by the poet

gentleness of the animal, caressed him, crowned him with flowers, and at length fearlessly mounted on his back. He immedia

y of the young princess, and carried her off. When her father grieved at her loss, the courtiers, and perhaps the oracles,

s fiery breath. Cadmus, awaiting their return, and becoming impatient at the delay, proceeded to the spot, and found his s

e spot, and found his servants lifeless, while the dragon was basking at his ease upon the grass. The hero, aroused to ven

th the vengeance of the god whose grove he had desecrated. Cadmus was at first dismayed, but Minerva told him to sow the d

and Latona [Lato′na]. This god was, with his twin-sister Diana, born at Delos, an island in which Latona had taken refuge

[Cyparis′sus] was also beloved by the god. The boy grieved so deeply at having unintentionally killed a favorite deer, th

changed him to a cypress, the branches of which tree were always used at funerals. After many adventures and wanderings, A

, devoted herself to death for her husband. Admetus grieved so deeply at her loss that Proserpine [Proser′pine] actually r

ole in the ground, and whispered it to the earth. What was his dismay at hearing the hollow reeds which grew upon the spot

touch might be turned into gold. This prayer was granted, and he was at first overjoyed to see plants, stones and all aro

orch, and exciting the combatants by her cries. The temple of Bellona at Rome, was without the city, near the Carmental ga

ised himself as a shepherd, entered into conversation with Argus, and at length played so sweetly on his pipe, that, one b

ck’s tail. Io, still persecuted by Juno, wandered over the earth, and at length arrived, faint and weary, on the banks of

a rude head with a pointed beard. They were set up in the fields, and at all cross roads. The Greeks had pillars of stone,

at of Mercury. These pillars were sometimes placed, by the Athenians, at the entrances of their houses as a protection aga

various. The Bacchanalia or Orgia were the most celebrated. They were at first participated in by women only but afterward

velled, shouting and singing in a distracted manner. The Roman Senate at length abolished this festival. Ques. Relate the

gies of Bacchus. During the celebration of these rites, they remained at home, plying the distaff and the spindle, and sin

te the transformation of mariners into dolphins? Ans. A ship touched at Chios for a supply of fresh water. The sailors wh

eavy with sleep and wine, and declared their intention of selling him at the next port. Acœtes [Acœ′tes], their captain, t

r it was he, awaking from his slumber, begged the sailors to land him at Naxos. This the captain promised, but when they h

dage suddenly appeared hung with grapes and ivy; spotted panthers lay at his feet, and when the terrified sailors tried to

es the enmity she bore their mortal mothers. Juno was chiefly honored at Argos, Samos and Platæa. The victims offered to h

r were kine, ewe lambs, and sows. The cow was consecrated to her, and at Argos the priestess of Juno always rode in a char

called Gorgons, and were all immortal, except Medusa. The latter was at one period distinguished for her personal beauty,

at precaution to avoid the same misfortune. He looked, therefore, not at Medusa, but at her reflection in his polished shi

o avoid the same misfortune. He looked, therefore, not at Medusa, but at her reflection in his polished shield, and when h

her to heaven as soon she became of age. All the gods were astonished at the beauty of Venus, and many demanded her in mar

ere had Venus temples? Ans. In many places. The most celebrated were at Paphos, Cytherea, Idalia and Cnidos. Ques. Who w

r rival, but the island of Delos formerly floated in the sea, and was at that time hidden under the waters. Neptune, pityi

discovered her husband in the supposed stranger, she was so indignant at his suspicion that she fled from him and joined t

egged of Jove that he might be exempted from death, she forgot to ask at the same time for the bloom of immortal youth. Wh

he sounds of which we have spoken, were really heard from this statue at sunrise; the only question is as to the means by

s — Contradictory Accounts of his Origin — Temple of Janus — Quirinus at Rome. Saturn. Ques. Who was Saturn? Ans.

oclaim war or execute criminals during this festival. Servants might, at this time, say what they pleased to their masters

emory of the freedom and equality enjoyed in Saturn’s reign, they sat at table while their masters served, and reproved th

mon people were allowed to wear purple cloaks, a distinction reserved at other times to the patricians. The Saturnalia is

nus, were always open in time of war, and closed when the Romans were at peace. It is a remarkable circumstance that the g

in, had a lamp attached to their foreheads, to give them light. This, at a distance, would appear like a large, flaming ey

nus, he complained of the noise made by her golden sandals. Momus was at length driven from Olympus. Chapter XV. Terre

a — Her Parentage and Attributes — How represented — Worship of Vesta at Rome — Vestal Virgins — Their Obligations and Pri

was a household divinity. Statues of Vesta were placed by the Romans at the entrance of their houses; hence the word vest

l sacrifices. Fire was the emblem of this goddess, and in her temple, at Rome, a sacred fire was suspended in the air, and

treated with extraordinary respect. They had the most honorable seats at games and festivals, and even the consuls and mag

nd Corybantes ran about like madmen, with cries and howlings, making, at the same time, a terrific noise with the clashing

ered through the world in search of her daughter. At length, arriving at the fountain of Cyane, she perceived the girdle o

e hopes of Ceres were thus destroyed, but Proserpine was so indignant at the treachery of Ascalaphus, that she changed him

ew days, became a beautiful young man. His mother, Meganira, wondered at this, and resolved to discover the cause. She wat

ndered at this, and resolved to discover the cause. She watched Ceres at night, and when she saw her covering Triptolemus

stellation Virgo — Erigone — Nemesis — Her Office — Temple of Nemesis at Rhamnus. Ques. Who was Themis? Ans. She instr

ng to some, Erigone [Erigo′ne], a maiden who hung herself in despair, at the death of her father, was changed into the con

surer is its blow.” Ques. What do you say of the temple of Nemesis at Rhamnus? Ans. This temple was but a short distan

ling. The Latins sometimes called him Incubus or the “Nightmare,” and at Rome he was worshipped as Lupercus, or Lynceus. H

irruption into Greece, and were about to plunder the temple of Apollo at Delphi, Pan suddenly showed himself, and so terri

Attendants — Punishment of Chione — Story of Niobe — Temple of Diana at Ephesus — Burned by Erostratus — Despoiled by Ner

lent by prosperity, she insulted Latona, and refused to offer incense at her shrine. Niobe had seven beautiful sons, and a

at its clear waters were reddened with the blood of the victims slain at the Olympic games. Ques. Who was Echo? Ans. Ech

a fountain, and, not perceiving that it was but his own shadow, gazed at it, lost in admiration, until he was changed into

hboring fountain, and try to recall the image of his sister by gazing at his own reflection in the waters. Ques. Were the

ntage of the God — How represented — Offices of Neptune — Feasts held at Rome in his Honor — Children of Neptune — Triton

How was Neptune worshipped? Ans. Neptune had an altar in the Circus at Rome where sacrifices were offered, and plays wer

drew the thread between her fingers; Lachesis turned the wheel, and, at the appointed moment, Atropos cut the thread with

lus? Ans. He was the son of Jupiter. He invited the gods to a feast, at which he served up the flesh of his son Pelops to

: “What animal is that which goes on four feet in the morning, on two at noon, and on three in the evening?” The Thebans o

ocasta, to that man who should solve the riddle. Œdipus, who was then at Thebes, came forward and answered the Sphinx, tha

nix? Ans. A fabulous bird of which there never existed more than one at the same time. It excelled all other birds in bea

een described in the article on the goddess Astræa. Hope had a temple at Rome in the herb market. It was destroyed by ligh

. It was destroyed by lightning. Misericordia, or Mercy, had an altar at Athens This was a public sanctuary for the unfort

ed into a plebeian family. The noble ladies of Rome were so indignant at this alliance, that they would not permit her to

une had many splendid temples in Italy. Servius Tullius dedicated two at Rome; one to Bona Fortuna, the other to Fors Fort

nged, and her right hand resting on a wheel. In the temple of Fortune at Thebes, the goddess held Wealth, represented as a

hat they might abstain from doing them harm. When they built a temple at Rome to Febris, or Fever, they undoubtedly wished

horrence. We have an instance of this in the altar erected to Calumny at Athens. Apelles drew an allegorical picture, in

e should submit to this injustice, and consulted the oracle of Apollo at Delphi. The oracle told him that he must obey Eur

an attendant to burn the wound with a firebrand, and by this means he at length cut off the last head. Third. He captured

dia, and brought it bound to Eurystheus. The tyrant was so frightened at the sight of the animal, that he shut himself up

aits which are called from her, Hellespont. Phryxus arrived in safety at Colchis, where he sacrificed the ram to Jupiter,

ich circumstance they were called Argonauts [Ar′gonauts]. On arriving at Colchis, they demanded the fleece, which the king

ith this? Ans. The poets tell us that Jupiter was so much displeased at the theft, that he sent Pandora [Pando′ra] to Pro

ad done, he shut the box quickly, and prevented Hope, which was lying at the bottom, from escaping also. This signifies th

agle fed on his liver, which was continually renewed. Prometheus had, at one time, rendered Jupiter a service. The king of

to the magic of his lyre, he repaired to the infernal regions. Here, “ at the music of his golden shell,” the wheel of Ixio

; the vulture ceased to prey on the vitals of Tityus; Cerberus fawned at the musician’s feet, Proserpine was melted to tea

uring the orgies of Bacchus, by the Thracian women, who were incensed at the coldness with which he had treated them. Afte

t was carried down the stream to the Ægean Sea. Bacchus was indignant at the cruelty of the Thracian women, and changed th

. Ques. Who was Arion? Ans. He was a famous musician who resided at the court of Periander, king of Corinth. Impelled

ly, Arion desired to return to Corinth, and embarked for this purpose at Sarentum, taking with him the riches that he had

Arion. They replied confidently that they had left him well and happy at Sarentum. Upon this Arion stepped forth, clothed

his event was commemorated by a statue of brass which was consecrated at Tænarus. It represented a man mounted on a dolphi

ions of Atlas, of whom he claimed the rites of hospitality, declaring at the same time his divine parentage. The king, rem

ought upon Atlas the calamity which he feared; for Perseus, indignant at so much inhumanity, showed him the head of Medusa

uld subdue the wildest and fiercest animals, the earth was displeased at his presumption, and sent a scorpion to sting him

sherman named Dictys drew it ashore in his net. He was much surprised at beholding Danaë and the infant Perseus, and broug

ess by Prœtus, king of Argos. Bellerophon had not, however, been long at Argos when the king was prejudiced by a calumniou

found the bridle in his hand, and repaired immediately to the spring at which Pegasus was accustomed to drink. The winged

pallid countenance and dripping garments. She hastened to the strand at break of day, and gazing over the waters, beheld

of bright and tranquil happiness. The only bird of modern times which at all resembles the halcyon described by Pliny and

r from the sky. Scylla cast herself into the sea, and was transformed at the same moment into a lark. Erisichthon.

nt which awaited his impiety. Erisichthon persisted in his crime, and at length the tree, severed by repeated blows, and d

the ice-clad plains of Scythia, where Famine chiefly dwelt. Arriving at Mount Caucasus, the nymph found her in a stony fi

to be an aged fisherman mending nets. The master, strangely surprised at the sudden disappearance of his slave, questioned

ade several voyages in the company of a sea captain named Mentes; but at length his sight became so much affected that he

sight became so much affected that he was obliged to remain on shore at Ithaca. While in this island, he was kindly enter

ife, gaining wealth and fame by the recitation of his verses. He died at Ios, one of the Cyclades, where he was buried. Th

an deities. The description of the Battle of the Titans and the Gods, at the close of the work, is considered one of the m

civil troubles which distracted Italy, but it was afterwards restored at the intercession of a powerful friend. His gratit

trons; his life was, therefore, spent in ease and prosperity. He died at Brundusium, in the year 19, B. C. The Eclogues, s

en did Ovid write? Ans. Ovidius Naso was born in the year 43, B. C., at Sulmo (now Sulmona), a town about ninety miles di

great Cicero. Ovid belonged to an equestrian family; he was educated at Rome, and enjoyed every advantage that splendid c

antage that splendid capital afforded. He showed his taste for poetry at an early age, but was dissuaded from cultivating

is verses were universally admired, they were sung in the streets and at entertainments, or were recited in the theatre am

s and Clytemnestra — Achilles — His Parentage — Discovered by Ulysses at the Court of Lycomedes — His Quarrel with Agamemn

ng the siege of Troy. The combined fleet was detained for a long time at Aulis, owing to the wrath of Diana, whom Agamemno

as disregarded. Agamemnon was assassinated immediately on his arrival at Mycenæ; according to the tragic poets, it was Cly

e anointed him with ambrosia during the day, and laid him in the fire at night. The fears of Peleus interrupted this stran

ing stratagem. Attired as a travelling merchant, he presented himself at court, and displayed before the queen and her mai

d. The death of his friend Patroclus, who fell by the hand of Hector, at length aroused him to action. Achilles’ armor, wh

the Iliad. Arrayed in this Achilles performed prodigies of valor, and at length killed Hector, after a desperate combat. A

took an ignoble revenge on the dead body of his foe, which he dragged at his chariot-wheels, three times around the tomb o

ound the tomb of Patroclus. The corpse of the Trojan hero was yielded at last, to the tears and supplications of Priam, an

however pressing their wants might be. They were detained a long time at Thrinakia by contrary winds; and Ulysses bound hi

in sacrifice. Ulysses returning to the shore, was struck with horror at their temerity, the more so on account of the fea

e sacrilege. He formed a raft from the fragments of his ship, and was at length cast by the waves upon the island of the n

d Penelope to choose a husband from among their number. She promised, at length, that she would do so when she had complet

e diligently during the day, and undoing the greater part of her work at night. This device succeeded for three years, at

ter part of her work at night. This device succeeded for three years, at the end of which time the suitors became so impor

ings, and were regaled with a portion of the viands. On their arrival at the palace, they found the usual scene of riot an

rs received Telemachus with affected joy, although secretly mortified at the failure of their plots against him. As Ulysse

which was to decide the fate of Penelope. Twelve rings were suspended at equal distances, and Telemachus brought from the

ry the mighty bow of Ulysses, with its quiver of arrows; taking care, at the same time, to remove all other weapons from t

; he then exclaimed, “Now for another mark!” and aimed a second shaft at the most insolent of the suitors. He fell dead, a

rmed retainers. The suitors, deprived of their weapons, and terrified at the aspect of the injured prince, whom they recog

after their long separation. Chapter XXXVI. Orestes — Education at the Court of Strophius — Pylades — Murder of Clyt

Clytemnestra — Orestes pursued by the Furies — Discovery of Iphigenia at Tauris — Circumstances added by the Tragic Poets

her counsels were confirmed by the responses of the oracle of Apollo at Delphi. Orestes, accompanied by his friend Pylade

s of the death of her son Orestes. The guilty queen feigned to grieve at these tidings, but Ægisthus made no effort to con

ffort to conceal his satisfaction. Orestes was now seized with horror at the thought of the deed which he was about to com

n statue of Diana, from the temple of that goddess. It was the custom at Tauris, to sacrifice all strangers at the altar o

that goddess. It was the custom at Tauris, to sacrifice all strangers at the altar of Diana; Orestes and Pylades were acco

r of Orestes, whom Diana had saved when she was about to be immolated at Aulis. Perceiving that the strangers were Greeks,

friendship, each desiring to sacrifice himself for the other. Pylades at length yielded to Orestes, and consented to take

t when pursued by the Furies, he took refuge in the temple of Apollo, at Delphi. By the command of that god, he repaired t

stined to fall before the walls of his native city, and that he could at best only postpone the ruin of his country for a

had expired, he refused to resign the crown. Polynices was indignant at this breach of faith, and fled to Argos, where he

y. She no sooner learned the cruel order of Creon, than she resolved, at whatever hazard, to perform the funeral rites for

as — His Parentage — His Flight from Troy — Interview with Andromache at Epirus — Prophecy of Helenus — Æneas driven by a

s — Æneas driven by a Storm on the Coast of Africa — Received by Dido at Carthage — Departure of Æneas — Death of Dido — F

of new settlements. After many wanderings and adventures, they landed at Epirus [Epi′rus], and were rejoiced to learn that

very beautiful passage in the Æneid. The Penates of Troy had appeared at night to Anchises, and revealed to him that Italy

exiled countrymen all the assistance in his power, and dismissed them at length, loaded with costly gifts. Æneas was desti

alities of the Trojan chief, and felt her heart moved with compassion at the sight of so much undeserved misfortune. She r

likely to be useless in the wars which awaited him. Æneas next landed at Cumæ, in Italy. This was the abode of a famous Si

the sibyl, and pursued his voyage along the Italian coast, anchoring at length in the mouth of the Tiber. The country aro

re certain females, supposed to be inspired by Heaven, who flourished at different times and in different parts of the wor

ce of the second Tarquin with nine volumes, which she offered to sell at a very high price. The king declined the offer; t

arcus Antoninus, appeals confidently to the sibylline prophecies, and at that time, about the middle of the second century

esent day. Chapter XXXIX. Oracles. Oracles — Oracle of Jupiter at Dodona — Manner of giving Responses — Oracle of D

isting — Fons Solis — Account given by Belzoni — Oracle of Esculapius at Epidaurus — Remarkable Embassy sent to Epidaurus

oracles? Ans. Among the most celebrated were, the oracles of Jupiter at Dodona [Dodo′na]; of Apollo, at Delphi; of Tropho

lebrated were, the oracles of Jupiter at Dodona [Dodo′na]; of Apollo, at Delphi; of Trophonius, near Lebedea [Lebe′dea] in

] in Bœotia; of Jupiter Ammon, in the deserts of Lybia; of Æsculapius at Epidaurus; and the Castalian Fount. Ques. Descri

h consisted of three chains, each having an astragalus (a small bone) at the end. These, when moved by the winds, struck t

d. Demosthenes tells us that the responses delivered to the Athenians at Dodona were carefully preserved in the public arc

l of Ephesus. Ques. What does Diodorus tell us concerning the oracle at Delphi? Ans. This historian relates that a sheph

xicated by the vapor from the sanctuary. This effect was not produced at all times, and on some days it was not permitted

mysterious vapor, her hair stood erect, her eyes flashed, she foamed at the mouth, and a convulsive trembling seized her

remarkable oracles are recorded by Herodotus as having been delivered at Delphi, but as a general thing the answers were a

cused of having bought the oracles they desired. The temple of Apollo at Delphi was enriched by the offerings of different

s of great booty. Sylla also plundered Delphi, and Nero took from it, at one time, no less than five hundred statues of br

ther Agamedes [Agame′des] were the architects of the temple of Apollo at Delphi. According to one legend, when the edifice

g occasion: In a time of severe drought the Bœotians consulted Apollo at Delphi, and were directed to seek aid from Tropho

erodotus. According to that historian, this fountain was always tepid at dawn, icy cold at noon; it grew warm again toward

g to that historian, this fountain was always tepid at dawn, icy cold at noon; it grew warm again towards sunset, and was

cold at noon; it grew warm again towards sunset, and was boiling hot at midnight. Belzoni says that this account is quite

aggerated, although the water of the fountain felt to him much warmer at midnight than at noon-day. The truth seems to be

gh the water of the fountain felt to him much warmer at midnight than at noon-day. The truth seems to be that little or no

nity spread, these impostures fell gradually into disrepute, and were at length entirely abandoned. It has been asserted t

tirely abandoned. It has been asserted that the oracles became silent at the birth of Christ, but this is an error. Milton

mn sanction of the Delphic oracle. The Olympian games were celebrated at intervals of forty-nine and fifty lunar months al

ught by Hercules from the land of the Hyperboreans. A palm branch was at the same time placed in the victor’s hand, and hi

e walls for his reception. Banquets were given to him by his friends, at which odes were sung in honor of his victory. The

he horse or chariot, although he himself should not have been present at the games. The Greek historians relate that three

bled to witness the games. Ladies were admitted to dispute the prizes at Olympia, and many are mentioned as successful com

rity. The princess dedicated a brazen chariot in the temple of Apollo at Delphi; in this votive offering, the charioteer w

represented; which proves that she had not driven the chariot herself at the games. This is a feat which, it is believed,

s placed in the same temple. Ques. Were any other exercises admitted at the Olympic games? Ans. Yes; there was also an i

time, and employed professional readers to recite some of his pieces at Olympia. When they began to read these verses the

lear and harmonious voices pleased the ear, and they were listened to at first with great attention, which gradually decre

hon; according to the more probable historic account, they originated at the time when the Delphic oracle had already gain

charged with the superintendence of the games, which were celebrated at first every ninth, and afterwards every fifth yea

even after the destruction of Corinth by the Romans. The victors were at first rewarded with garlands of pine leaves, but

iarities of the Greek Theatre — Description of the Theatre of Bacchus at Athens — Stage Machinery — Dress of the Actors — 

ht of day, beneath the bright canopy of a southern heaven. The Romans at a later period introduced awnings to screen the a

ancients in the highest degree absurd. The great theatre of Bacchus, at Athens, is the only structure of the kind of whic

onvenience of entering and leaving, the tiers of benches were divided at intervals, by passages extending around the theat

rank of the personages was generally indicated by the particular door at which they entered; that in the centre of the pro

d part in the drama. Heroes also ascended to Olympus, and were hidden at length from view by scenic clouds. In the Prometh

hurnus, or buskin, was soled with several layers of cork, which added at least three inches to the height of the actor, an

is may have been true to a certain extent, but we must remember that, at the distance at which the actors were placed from

true to a certain extent, but we must remember that, at the distance at which the actors were placed from the greater par

The murderers heard this appeal, to which, however, they paid no heed at the time. The body of Ibycus was found and recogn

d to witness the Isthmian games were sorely disappointed and dismayed at the sad tidings of his death. They crowded the tr

ycus being still on every tongue. The assembled people were assisting at a dramatic representation, when the dread chorus

rtainment was about to take place, the people hastened to the theatre at the dawn of day, that they might secure good seat

day, that they might secure good seats, as the performance commenced at a very early hour. There were three or four disti

e theatres themselves were erected, and in a great measure maintained at the expense of the state. The cost of the enterta

destruction of the statue. It was executed for the temple of Jupiter at Olympia, which was worthy of such an adornment, b

Ques. Describe the Diana à la Biche? Ans. This beautiful statue, now at the Louvre, is considered the counterpart of the

is — Attributes — Emblematic representation — Rites of Isis forbidden at Rome — Condemned by Juvenal — Apis — Manner of tr

is became a cloak for much secret vice, and were repeatedly forbidden at Rome. Tiberius caused the images of the goddess t

these divinities? Ans. The names Baal and Moloch seem to have been, at first, different appellations of the Sun; later t

and the little victim immediately fell into the fiery furnace placed at the foot of the idol. Ques. Was Moloch worshippe

syrian women mourned for him in the autumn-time. It was believed that at this season the river changed its color, and ran

man, half fish, who was said to dwell in the sea, from which he came at stated times, to instruct the Babylonians in wisd

. They maintain that they were composed by Brahma, the Supreme Deity, at the creation. Ques. When do the Hindoos think th

ch favor that he lived to see them spread over all India. Buddha died at the age of eighty. Ques. Was Buddhism tolerated

f Tao or Reason — His Writings — Chinese Buddhists — Temple of Buddha at Pou-tou — General Feeling of the Chinese with reg

through the neighboring countries, preaching wherever he went; he was at one time prime minister of the empire, but his la

both master and pupils are required to prostrate themselves before it at the beginning and end of each class. Every town h

at the worship of the souls of deceased relations, the oblations made at their tombs, etc., were simply national customs t

s — his hammer, his belt of strength, and his iron gloves. The giants at one time obtained his hammer, and he was obliged

past with proportionate draughts of mead. Loki bade him not to wonder at this, as her thoughts had been so much occupied b

as Heimdall? Ans. He was the watchman of the gods, and was stationed at the extreme verge of heaven to guard the bridge B

Valhalla, that he may be able to meet the giants in the final contest at the end of the world. He sends the Valkyrior, the

sed themselves with throwing sticks, stones and all manner of weapons at the hero, who was not harmed by anything. Loki, w

nd went to see Frigga. The goddess asked him what the gods were doing at their meetings. The disguised Loki replied that t

. The disguised Loki replied that they were throwing darts and stones at Baldur, without being able to hurt him. He inquir

, and put the bough among the sticks which they were casting in sport at Baldur. It was thrown with the rest, and Baldur f

de use of his magical power to escape their wrath. He changed himself at one time into a salmon, and hid among the stones

No; the Night Elves, also called Gnomes, and sometimes Brownies, were at times exceedingly malicious. They were ugly, long

g-nosed dwarfs of a dark brown complexion, and were never seen except at night, because the sun’s rays had the power of ch

different forms, engraven with characters called Runic, which appear, at first sight, very different from any letters we k

 Beltane or Beal-Tinne — Ceremonies observed in Ireland — St. Patrick at Tara — First of November — Breton Legend — Supers

Druids was farther characterized by the use of circular temples, open at the top; the worship of fire as the emblem of the

were sought fasting, and gathered with the left hand, without looking at it. They plucked the helago, or hedge hyssop, bar

Were the Druids acquainted with the art of writing? Ans. They were, at least in Gaul and Ireland. Their alphabet contain

posed to read the future, to conjure tempests, and appease them again at will. The Gallic mariner often went to consult th

ces of wind and sea. Some of these sorceresses were obliged to assist at nocturnal rites, where, with their bodies painted

eculiar rite was practised by the Druidesses who resided in an island at the mouth of the Loire. They were obliged once ev

y, who, in addition to practices of sorcery and incantation, presided at fearful rites. Strabo tells us that when the Cimb

e played either so terrible or so important a part. We only know that at Tara, certain virgins of royal blood were consecr

ir nocturnal rites. At length the fire was rekindled; torches lighted at the sacred flame were passed from hand to hand, a

with the Druids in the presence of the king and chieftains assembled at Tara. It was Easter Eve, and the Saint, who must

hed to such an act, commanded his disciples to light the paschal fire at the moment when all around was plunged in darknes

he moment when all around was plunged in darkness. The flame was seen at Tara, and the Druids called loudly for the punish

y, still prevails. The bonfires of St. John’s Eve (June 21st) recall, at least, one feature of the ancient Druid festival.

It would seem that the spirits of the departed were also propitiated at this season, and many curious traditions are conn

sailors and fisher men along the coast hear mysterious voices calling at their doors. They rise and find strange barks wai

rfs and night-elves still haunt the deserted cromlech, and have power at certain times, to wreak their malice on the belat

ubject to mysterious laws. Once in a hundred years, they are obliged, at the hour of midnight, to pass in weird procession

ed those who were offered in sacrifice. These privileged souls passed at once into the presence of the Sun, whom they acco

ile the birds and domestic animals offered in sacrifice were consumed at the banquets with which the festival concluded. T

d only about two hundred years before the Spanish Conquest. They were at first exceptional, but became more frequent as th

mber of those sacrificed annually throughout the empire is calculated at twenty thousand, which is the lowest estimate giv

und up the sides of the pyramid, he played upon a musical instrument; at first, joyous airs, which grew graver and more mo

s, which grew graver and more mournful as the cortege advanced, until at length he broke his lute, and cast it aside. He t

accomplished, and the yet palpitating heart of the victim was thrown at the feet of the idol. The career of this captive,

ntended as an allegorical representation of human life, which, joyous at first, terminates in sorrow and in death. In spea

the origin of this legend? Ans. It was evidently a fiction, invented at a later period to gratify the vanity of the Incas

ould consider that he had neglected a sacred duty, if he had not made at least one pilgrimage to the holy shrine. Ques. F

our great festivals; but the most solemn was the feast of Raymi, held at the period of their summer solstice. This festiva

stival lasted many days. The animals offered in sacrifice were served at the tables of the Inca and of his nobles; but of

icated to the service of the Sun. They were taken from their families at an early age, and placed under the care of elderl

rro. Æschylus, The earliest of the Greek dramatists, was born at Eleusis in Attica, 525 B. C. He distinguished him

een of which he obtained the victory over all his competitors. He was at length defeated by a younger rival, Sophocles. He

y dropped his mantle so as to expose the stump of the arm he had lost at Salamis. The silent appeal was not without its ef

is request Archelaûs refused, and Euripides was buried with much pomp at Pella, in Macedon. This poet is inferior to Æschy

Herodotus, who has been called the Father of History, was born at Halicarnassus, 484 B. C. He spent many years trav

stians,” addressed to the Emperor Antoninus. It is written in a style at once eloquent and persuasive, and it is believed

under the influence of the heathen philosophers whom he had assembled at his court, to judge impartially in the matter. On

th of their intrepid defender. The martyrdom of St. Justin took place at Rome, about the year 161 A. D. Juvenal .

tant wakefulness, and this great man, with the resources of the world at his command, would probably have sacrificed both

istant music, all failed to produce the desired effect. A stream was, at length, conducted through a garden adjoining the

he commanded a troop of cavalry; he afterwards practised as a pleader at the Roman bar, filled the office of procurator in

Roman bar, filled the office of procurator in Spain, and we find him, at the time of his death, in command of the fleet wh

Pliny to literary pursuits was uninterrupted. He rose to his studies at two in the morning, and during the entire day, wh

t two in the morning, and during the entire day, whether in the bath, at table, or sitting in his garden, he either listen

as lay near the scene of peril, he steered across the bay, and landed at the foot of the mountain. The next morning, while

of the most learned men of his age. He began his career as an orator at the early age of nineteen. After filling the high

distinguished poets of Greece wrote verses in honor of those who fell at Marathon, the elegy of Simonides took the prize,

aphs is the monumental inscription composed for the Spartans who died at Thermopylæ: “Stranger, tell the Lacedæmonians tha

here in obedience to their laws.” Simonides was held in high esteem at the court of Hiero, king of Syracuse. This prince

o have forfeited the favor of the gods by his avarice. While residing at the court of Scopas, king of Thessaly, he was eng

while, a slave brought him word that two young men on horseback were at the gate, and desired earnestly to speak with him

with lyre and song the erection of the trophy in honor of the victory at Salamis. In his twenty-fifth year, he carried off

henians, who seem to forget the calamities of the time in their grief at the loss of so illustrious a citizen. Sophocles w

are the most admired. Strabo . A celebrated geographer, born at Amaseia, in Pontus, about the year 24, B. C. He s

n Pontus, about the year 24, B. C. He spent many years in travelling, at first for his own gratification, and in the pursu

e manners and customs of the nations he had visited. Little was known at that time of the extent and form of earth. Strabo

the arts of civilized life than any nation existing on the continent at the time of its discovery. Varro . A Lati

id that this hateful monster was uttering his hard riddles; and when, at last, the rain burst forth, they said that the br

ms, and thus showing their meaning and revealing the thought that lay at the root of the worship. Secondly, by proving the

the Hindu myths were completely forgotten. “One chief result arrived at by the comparison of creeds, and by unraveling th

scovery that a worship of different aspects and forces of nature lies at the foundation of all mythologies, and that the c

opians. The gods favored them so highly, that they were wont to leave at times their Olympian abodes, and go to share thei

. Their images were kept in a sacred place, and each family observed, at fixed times, memorial rites in their honor, and f

ean is produced by the combined influence of heaven and earth; while, at the same time, their fervid and poetical imaginat

us cursed Chronos, and prophesied that he would suffer a similar fate at the hands of his own son. Nyx* (The Night).

t on fire, and a total conflagration would have ensued, had not Zeus, at the prayer of Earth, launched his thunder, and hu

nd of the ill-fated Phaethon, also abandoned himself to mourning, and at length was changed into a swan. “One who cannot g

mythological way of intimating the fact that the wind generally rises at dawn. She was also mother of Eosphorus* (dawn-bea

ad won her admiration, Eos became disgusted with his infirmities, and at last shut him up in a chamber, where soon little

le power over the moon, and that they could draw her down from heaven at pleasure by the mere force of their incantations.

which covers the back of the head. Sometimes on her brow a crescent; at others, horns. 3. Scenes illustrating the story o

nounced her approach. Her statues, which were dog-headed, were set up at Athens and elsewhere, in the market-places and at

headed, were set up at Athens and elsewhere, in the market-places and at crossroads. She was believed to preside over witc

lambs, dogs, eggs, libations of milk, and honey. Festivals were held at night, by torchlight. At the time of the new moon

partly distinct and partly united, having three distinct faces united at the neck; such a figure was called “Triformis.”

n he had swallowed. The stone which had counterfeited Zeus was placed at Delphi, where it was long exhibited as a sacred r

where it was long exhibited as a sacred relic. Chronos was so enraged at being circumvented that war between the father an

ich the latter, with their hundred hands, hurled down upon the enemy, at the same time raising mighty earthquakes. Victory

was called the “Golden Age.” A temple in honor of Saturn was erected at the foot of the Capitoline Hill, in which were de

was always of a riotous character. At her festivals, which took place at night, the wildest music of flutes, cymbals, and

amping of feet, filled the air. The principal seat of her worship was at Crete, into which place this divinity was introdu

k heaven and earth. Zeus, by means of his never-failing thunderbolts, at length overcame the monster, and buried him benea

e the monster, and buried him beneath Mount Ætna*, in Sicily*, whence at times he still breathes out fire and flames towar

of them was that of Dodona*, where the Pelasgian* Zeus was worshiped at a time prior to the existence of any temple in Gr

es the deity revealed himself to the faithful. Later, near the temple at Dodona were two columns. On one was a brazen vase

hild holding a whip with three brass chains, each chain having a knot at the end. The constant winds of Dodona caused thes

rshadowed by the great national seat of the worship of Hellenic* Zeus at Olympia*, on the northern bank of the river Alphe

shrines was undoubtedly the temple erected by Tarquin* on the Capitol at Rome. This, after being nearly destroyed by fire

l of the Olympian Zeus. Capitolini Ludi* were games yearly celebrated at Rome in honor of Jupiter, who was believed to hav

ved the Capitol from the Gauls. The Capitol was the temple of Jupiter at Rome. The earliest wife of Zeus was Metis*, a dau

ing through the air on their golden wings, in order to calm the storm at the prayer of the terror-stricken mariner. It has

beautiful white bull, and quietly approached the princess. Surprised at the gentleness of the animal, and admiring its be

nd admiring its beauty, she caressed it, crowned it with flowers, and at last playfully seated herself on its back. The di

e Dawn has been taken from the sky, but her mother follows her, until at length she sinks to sleep in the Thessalian plain

es the sun’s rising re-appears only to die out in the western heavens at eventide.” Cox . Zeus and Ægina* were the pare

undred-eyed Argus* to watch her. When asleep, he closed only two eyes at a time. Hermes*, however, by the command of Zeus,

lo, who, in her madness, wandered through Europe and Asia, until she at length found rest in Egypt, where, touched by the

ajesty, his beard flows long, and an eagle stands with expanded wings at his feet. He generally appears with the upper par

with golden apples. It was placed under the charge of the Hesperides at the foot of Mount Atlas. On the first day of ever

owers were the dittany, poppy, and lily. Her most famous temples were at Olympia, Argos, and Samos*. The Dædala* and Tonea

“Great Dædala” every sixty years. The Tonea was a solemnity observed at Samos. It was usual to carry Hera’s statue to the

us* and Thetis*, all the deities were present except Eris*. Indignant at not being invited, she determined to cause dissen

is, son of Priam, King of Troy, who, ignorant of his noble birth, was at that time feeding flocks on Mount Ida. Hermes con

t, and announce that this was Platea, his future wife. Hera, incensed at the idea of a rival, flew in great anger to meet

of Rome. Moneta*, the adviser, was a surname of Juno, in whose temple at Rome money was coined. The Roman consuls, when th

residence on Olympus, Poseidon had a splendid palace beneath the sea at Ægæ*, in Eubœa, where he kept his horses with gol

lement over which he presided, he was described by the poets as being at times quiet and composed, and at others as distur

was described by the poets as being at times quiet and composed, and at others as disturbed and angry. He was said to be

ictive and impatient. He was believed to be able to cause earthquakes at his pleasure, and to raise islands from the botto

al expedition without propitiating Neptune by a sacrifice. His temple at Rome was in the Campus Martius, and the festival

des signifies dark, gloomy, melancholy, and invisible. The term Hades at a later time denoted the unseen world beneath the

and cypress were sacred to Aides. He had temples erected to his honor at Olympia, Athens, and in Elis. His sacrifices, whi

nor at Olympia, Athens, and in Elis. His sacrifices, which took place at night, consisted of black sheep, and the blood, i

d, instead of being sprinkled on the altars or received in vessels as at other sacrifices, was permitted to run into the g

sts wore black robes, and were crowned with cypress. It was said that at the close of the Titan war the Cyclopes made for

og Cerberus*,5 which, with his three necks bristling with snakes, lay at full length on the ground. He permitted all shade

avenge an injury received from Apollo, burned the temple of that god at Delphi. He was placed where a stone hanging over

as bound hand and foot to an ever-revolving wheel. The Danaides, who, at their father’s command, had slain their husbands

ing the highest point, seems to drop down again. “Ixion means the sun at mid-day, whose four-spoked wheel, in the words of

m as beautiful maidens of a grave but kindly aspect. When represented at the feet of Aides in the lower world, they are cl

associated this transformation with the institution of the Areopagus* at Athens, and the purification of Orestes*, effecte

by Apollo and Athene. Apollo first purified him before his own altar at Delphi, and then defended him before the court of

e, the criminal should have the benefit of the doubt. The Furies were at first very angry, and threatened the land with ba

ns for a moment to pluck a narcissus, when suddenly the ground opened at her feet and Pluto appeared in a chariot. He seiz

six she was to be the joyless companion of her grim lord. Every year at spring-tide she ascends from her subterranean kin

of darkness and death. This legend grew out of the phrases which had at first described the change of summer and winter,

make him immortal by anointing him with ambrosia, and then laying him at night in the glow of the fire. The imprudent curi

nd husbandry. The Eleusinian* Mysteries, or Eleusinia*, were observed at Eleusis every fifth year. They were in honor of D

god of heaven sent down an oblong brazen shield (ancile*). As it fell at the feet of the king, a voice was heard declaring

ne and Athene. The sacred olive-tree, which Athene had caused to grow at the time of her contest with Poseidon about namin

ty to the twelve towns of Attica, and established the general worship at Athens. The Athenæa*, which had been instituted b

ebrated every fifth year. Citizens from all parts of Attica assembled at Athens, bringing sacrifices consisting of oxen th

cobweb, while Arachne became a spider. As Athene was one day bathing at the fount of Helicon with Chariclo*, one of her f

ed fire burning on the public hearth was never allowed to die out. If at any time it went out, either from neglect or by a

ges were accorded to them. The best seats were reserved for their use at all public spectacles. If they met a criminal on

ot and hurled him from Olympus. He fell for a whole day, and alighted at sundown on the isle of Lemnos. The inhabitants re

Milton ’s “Paradise Lost ,” Book I. The same fundamental idea lies at the foundation of these legends, namely, that fir

one, and the sceptre of Agamemnon. Hephæstus was held in great esteem at Athens, also by the Greeks in Campania and Sicily

or forge. Sometimes he appears just ready to strike with the hammer; at others turning a thunderbolt, which an eagle besi

ide him is waiting to carry to Zeus. As artificer of the gods, seated at work in his palatial workshop. Epithets. — Both-

rose were sacred to Aphrodite. The Venus of Milo is now in the Louvre at Paris. It was found in the year 1820, on the Isla

tenderly loved, was killed by a wild boar while hunting. Inconsolable at her loss. Aphrodite piteously entreated Father Ze

. Aphrodite piteously entreated Father Zeus to restore his life. Zeus at length consented that Adonis should spend one-hal

ntreated their favor. Incense was burned daily upon their altars, and at every banquet they were invoked, and a libation p

ame of Hymen became synonymous with conjugal felicity. He was invoked at all marriage festivities. Phœbus Apollo*.

es in honor of Apollo in the third year of every Olympiad. There were at these games sacrifices of cakes and frankincense,

igh position in this festival. The most splendid temple of Apollo was at Delphi, which was considered the centre of the ea

victory over the Python, Apollo saw Eros bending his bow, and mocked at his efforts. Eros, to punish him, shot him in the

punish him, shot him in the heart with his golden arrow of love, and at the same time discharged his leaden arrow of aver

story of Daphne indicates the love of the Sun for the Dawn, who flees at his approach, and at length, as he draws nearer t

ates the love of the Sun for the Dawn, who flees at his approach, and at length, as he draws nearer to her, vanishes away.

lcestis took his place. But Heracles* (Hercules), happening to arrive at the house of Admetus, engaged and overcame death,

especially exalted by the Emperor Augustus, who ascribed his victory at Actium to the assistance of the god. He according

own Artemis. There was a magnificent temple erected to this divinity at Ephesus. It was considered one of the seven wonde

ents bathing, imprudently ventured to approach. The goddess, incensed at his audacity, sprinkled him with water, and trans

et forth to steal some of the cattle of the gods which fed in Pieria, at the foot of Mount Olympus, under the care of Apol

Hermæ* (pillars of stone surmounted by a head of Hermes), were placed at cross-roads and in streets. Zeus presented to Her

orest, and strengthening himself by his contests with wild beasts, he at length planted the vine. Both the god and his att

Seemann . “Dionysus was regarded as the patron of the drama, and at the state festival of the Dionysia*, which was ce

esentation of this scene still exists on the monument of Lysicrates*, at Athens. Dionysus found Ariadne*, daughter of Mino

in imitation of the Greek orgies. Brumatia* were festivals celebrated at Rome in honor of Bacchus about the month of Decem

st instituted by Romulus. Representations. In the Medici gallery at Florence is a fine statue of Bacchus by Michael A

sembled in the lofty palace of Father Zeus, on Mount Olympus.’ Looked at in connection with nature, there is little doubt

In early times, too, they appeared only as a chorus, or company; but at a later period a separate function was assigned t

Roman writers seem to have identified these goddesses with the Muses at pleasure. The daughters of Pierus*, King of Æmath

his thunder and lightning. The later poets represent Pegasus as being at the service of the Muses. He seems to represent t

ns which, in warm climates, are emitted from the sea, more especially at sunset. They were represented as misty, shadowy b

s. A celebrated temple was erected to this divinity on the Acropolis, at Athens, which is still to be seen, and is in exce

lent preservation. Far more extensive was the worship of this goddess at Rome under the name of Victoria. Her chief shrine

nt of these statues was the one erected by Augustus after his victory at Actium. The festival of this goddess took place o

es. His shrines consisted of gateways in common places of resort, and at cross-roads, or of arched passages, in which the

family. Their statues stood on the hearth. They received their share at every meal„ and were crowned with garlands on eve

had the power of foretelling future events, and could assume any form at pleasure, changing himself into fire or water, pl

f the winds, which he kept shut up in a deep cave, and which he freed at his pleasure or at the command of the gods. In la

he kept shut up in a deep cave, and which he freed at his pleasure or at the command of the gods. In later times the winds

aid to be the children of Eos and Astræus. There was an altar erected at Athens in honor of Boreas, in commemoration of hi

troyed the Persian fleet sent to attack the Greeks. On the Acropolis, at Athens, there was a celebrated octagonal temple,

ing. Mountain caves, in which flocks and herds were gathered together at night or in threatening weather, were held sacred

m panic to indicate sudden fear. The Athenians ascribed their victory at Marathon to the alarm which he created among the

e fruit of the vine, and all garden produce. He was chiefly worshiped at Lampsacus, his birthplace. Asses were sacrificed

of shelter from the inclemency of the weather. These structures were at first of the simplest form, and without decoratio

; they were not only consecrated to the service of the gods, but were at the same time monuments in honor of the dead. Thu

ty of Larissa, served as the sepulchre of Acrisius, and the Acropolis at Athens received the ashes of Cecrops, founder of

the deity intended to be represented was engraved. The first attempts at sculpture were rude images with a head and a shap

n an enterprise about to be undertaken, or in fulfilment of a vow, or at the command of an oracle. Every sacrifice was acc

acred to the deity they invoked. This practice of wearing crowns was, at a later period, adopted by the general public at

wearing crowns was, at a later period, adopted by the general public at banquets and other festivities. On occasions of s

th in the year was set apart in which to consult the oracle of Apollo at Delphi. The following is an instance of the ambig

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

nded to be deceived, and chose the heap of bones, but he was so angry at the attempted deception that he avenged himself b

the sun, and conveyed them to earth hidden in a hollow tube. Furious at having been outwitted, Zeus determined to be reve

he evening, was a torch-race in honor of Prometheus. A torch, lighted at the altar of that deity, was passed from one comp

bjects of the confinement, the release, and the worship of Prometheus at Athens. Ages of the World. In course of tim

ct neither to the infirmities of age nor to the pangs of disease, men at last sunk peacefully to death. We are told that t

pimetheus and Pandora, and reigned over the southern part of Thessaly at the time when Zeus resolved to destroy mankind by

to rise. Nine days and nights the ark was carried along by the waves; at length it rested on Mount Parnassus. Deucalion an

rough Phocis, and meeting a cow he followed her through Bœotia, until at length, on the site where Thebes afterwards stood

, according to the advice of Athene. There arose a band of armed men, at whom Cadmus flung stones. They turned their arms

ot). When Œdipus had grown to manhood, a Corinthian noble taunted him at a banquet with not being the son of the king. He

iscovering that one of them was Laius, king of Thebes. On his arrival at Thebes he found the people afflicted by the Sphin

e riddle, “What animal is it that goes in the morning upon four feet, at noon upon two, and in the evening upon three?” Ev

“Man, as a child, in the morning of life creeps upon hands and feet, at the noon-tide of life he walks on two feet, and i

fied of the blood of king Laius, whose murderer was living unpunished at Thebes. The king sent for the blind prophet Tires

resias*, and implored him to reveal the author of the crime. Tiresias at first hesitated, but yielding to the earnest soli

who had carried him to the king of Corinth, identified him. Horrified at this dreadful revelation, Œdipus, in despair, dep

ithful daughter, Antigone, he wandered to the grove of the Eumenides* at Colonus, near Athens, and here his life terminate

heir father in the government, agreeing to reign alternately one year at a time. Eteocles, being the elder, first ascended

at a time. Eteocles, being the elder, first ascended the throne, but at the expiration of the year he refused to resign i

her representations, Alcmæon accepted the command of the troops, and at the head of a large and powerful army advanced ag

ssailed by the Erinnys. He roamed in madness through Arcadia, and was at length purified by Phegeus*, king of Psophis*, wh

allirrhoe*, and he built his town on the soil deposited by the stream at its mouth. Unfortunately, Callirrhoe had heard of

cured only when he placed the robe and collar in the temple of Apollo at Delphi, he obtained them from Arsinoe. Alcmæon’s

ng the fate of Alcmæon, implored Zeus that her infant sons might grow at once to manhood, and avenge the death of their fa

sius chanced to pass by the brazen chamber and heard him cry. Enraged at finding his precautions unavailing, he enclosed b

which Perseus had made rashly, and the latter was filled with terror at the prospect of so perilous an adventure. The Gor

ood on the shore wringing their hands in despair. Perseus rushed down at the moment when the monster was about to seize it

r, brother of Cepheus, to whom Andromeda had been betrothed, appeared at the wedding-feast, accompanied by his warriors, a

king of Larissa. Some time after, Perseus went to Larissa to contend at some games. As he was throwing the discus, it acc

resent the twilight or gloaming, or else the graymists which are seen at the mouth of caverns near the sea-shore.” Cox .

a prominent position in Greek art. There is in the Capitoline Museum at Eome a marble relief depicting the rescue of Andr

his life. He first sent him to kill the Chimæra, a monster which was at that time devastating the country. It had the hea

sacrifice a bull to Poseidon, and then to repair to a certain spring at which the winged steed Pegasus was wont to drink,

and put the bridle on his head. Bellerophon did as directed. Pegasus at once yielded, and the hero mounting him rose in t

tion against the Solymi*, a fierce neighboring tribe with whom he was at enmity. Bellerophon succeeded in vanquishing them

to heaven and became bearer of the thunderbolts. Filled with remorse at having offended the gods, Bellerophon fell a prey

in the loneliest and most desolate places. After death he was honored at Corinth as a hero, and he had a shrine in the gro

lderness; the middle, which was fruitful, was covered with goats, and at the base the marshy ground abounded with serpents

of his brother Iphicles. When he regained his reason he was horrified at what he had done, and went to Thestius* to be pur

the filth. When Augeas learned that Heracles had undertaken the labor at the command of Eurystheus, he refused to give him

ious adventures, Heracles and the heroes that accompanied him arrived at the town of the Amazons, and Hippolyte was so imp

aordinary stature and noble bearing that, on learning his errand, she at once consented to give him the girdle. But Hera,

belonging to the giant Geryon*. This monster had three bodies united at the waist, three heads, six hands, and six feet.

region of the setting sun. After a wearisome journey Heracles arrived at the western coast of Africa, where, as a monument

threatened to shoot the sun-god. Helios was so struck with admiration at his audacity that he lent the hero his golden boa

urneyed on foot through Iberia, Gaul, and Italy. At length he arrived at Mycenæ, where Eurystheus sacrificed the oxen to H

s, for his cruelty to strangers. He then wandered through Arabia, and at last arrived at Moutit Caucasus, where Prometheus

ty to strangers. He then wandered through Arabia, and at last arrived at Moutit Caucasus, where Prometheus groaned in unce

s shoulders, near which lay the Garden of the Hesperides. On arriving at his destination, Heracles, by the advice of Prome

Eleusinian Mysteries, Heracles made his descent into the lower world at Cape Tænarum. Close to the gates of Hades he foun

him from the murder of Iphitus. When he sought the aid of the oracle at Delphi, he was denied a response; whereupon the a

ed. After his marriage with Deianeira, Heracles lived for three years at the court of his father-in-law. In consequence of

ce. In Marathon, games were celebrated in his honor every four years, at which silver cups were given as prizes. The fourt

nts killed by Heracles. Iole, the violet-colored clouds that are seen at sunrise and sunset. The ‘golden apples,’ the gold

ure’ — the battle of the sun with the clouds, which gather around him at his setting like mortal enemies. As he sinks, the

ould gain for him the hearts of the people. The Marathonian* bull was at this time committing great ravages. Theseus went

g of Crete. Androgeus*, son of Minos, having come to the public games at Athens, vanquished all his competitors. Ægeus, je

ith his rescued companions sailed for Athens. On the way they stopped at the island of Naxos, where Theseus abandoned Aria

er they entered the gloomy realm. Aides set them on an enchanted rock at his palace gate, where they remained until Heracl

Theseus, when too late, discovered the innocence of his son. Theseus at length lost the favor of his people and retired t

s people and retired to the court of Lycomedes*, king of Scyros*, who at first received him kindly, but afterwards treache

and told him how to use them. In the race he threw them on the ground at different times. Atalanta, who was dazzled by the

wn happiness that they forgot to pay due honor to Aphrodite. Provoked at their ingratitude, she caused them to give offenc

ped himself and son. He taught Icarus to fly, and charged him to keep at a moderate height. Icarus fell into the sea, whic

rown if Jason would bring back the Golden Fleece from Colchis*. Jason at once accepted the perilous adventure. Athene and

en, and after remaining several days they again embarked. On arriving at the coast of Mysia they went ashore. Here Hylas w

when they separated, the Argonauts, aided by Hera, worked vigorously at the oars and achieved the perilous passage in saf

eeping his ever-wakeful watch, lay the dreadful sleepless dragon, who at sight of them bounded forward. Medea, quietly app

them for the horrible murder of which they had been guilty. The Argo at length arrived safely at Iolcus, and Jason delive

rder of which they had been guilty. The Argo at length arrived safely at Iolcus, and Jason delivered the Golden Fleece to

o Athens in her chariot drawn by winged dragons, and found protection at the court of Ægeus. Jason either put an end to hi

don* became king of Troy, and he was succeeded by Priam, who was king at the time of the Trojan War. He was married to Hec

d five days later that a bear had taken care of the infant. Surprised at the incident, he took the child, named him Paris,

of Paris, the fleet set sail, and arrived safely in Greece. Arriving at Sparta, where Menelaus*, the husband of Helen, wa

enelaus experience any difficulty. Ulysses, famed for his wisdom, was at this time living happily at Ithaca with his fair

culty. Ulysses, famed for his wisdom, was at this time living happily at Ithaca with his fair young wife Penelope and his

o by stratagem. Attired as a traveling merchant, he presented himself at the court of Lycomedes, and displayed before the

e Greeks to Troy. The troops, numbering a hundred thousand, assembled at Aulis, in Bœotia. In the bay were a thousand ship

long time the unhappy father refused to listen to all arguments, but at length the other generals succeeded in persuading

etext, that the hero Achilles desired to make her his wife. Rejoicing at the brilliant destiny which awaited her beautiful

The fleet now sailed with a fair wind. The expedition first stopped at Tenedos, opposite the coast of Troy. Here, Philoc

ally defeated, and driven within the walls of the city. With Achilles at their head, the Greeks now made an attempt to tak

her Greeks, became bolder, and no longer kept within the walls. Zeus, at the request of Thetis, gave them the victory in t

Hector encountered each other. Hector was slain, and his body dragged at the chariot wheels of Achilles three times around

then thrown into the dust within the Greek camp. The gods, indignant at the ferocious anger of Achilles, cared for the bo

cared for the body of Hector by preserving it from corruption. Moved at last by the supplications of Priam, who came to b

he Amazons, came to the assistance of the Trojans, and fought bravely at the head of her army of female warriors. Achilles

ppeared, and restored the battle. A long and doubtful contest ensued; at length Memnon fell, and the Trojans fled in disma

olable for the loss of her son. Her tears still flow, and may be seen at early morning, in the form of dew-drops, on the g

to a place of safety. Mourning and confusion reigned among the Greeks at the death of Achilles. During seventeen days and

ooden horse. Sinon declared that Pallas Athene was so deeply offended at the removal of her sacred image, the Palladium, f

were sunk in deep sleep. The Greek fleet quietly approached the shore at a signal from Sinon. The heroes who were hidden i

Dr. Schliemann has excavated the legendary site. We can scarcely tell at present the full importance of these discoveries.

d Ægisthus*. She received Agamemnon with every mark of affection, but at the banquet given in the evening to celebrate his

em away and fasten them to the benches of the ship. They next arrived at the country of the Cyclopes. The name means “roun

hat was placed in the middle of the forehead. Odysseus left his fleet at anchor, and with twelve chosen companions set out

and went out, carefully replacing the barrier after him. He came home at evening, rolled away the stone, and drove in his

r vessel, taking a good part of the flock with them. Thinking himself at a safe distance, Odysseus shouted out his real na

s the ship, which narrowly escaped destruction. Odysseus next arrived at the island of Æolus*, to whom Zeus had intrusted

usted the command of the winds. He treated the Greeks hospitably, and at their departure gave Odysseus a leather bag tied

ne days they sailed before the wind, all that time Odysseus had stood at the helm without sleep. At last, quite exhausted,

igorously, and they escaped. They pursued their way till they arrived at the island of Ææa*, where dwelt Circe*, the daugh

ovisions, and reluctantly bade him farewell. Though somewhat appalled at the prospect of seeking the gloomy realm inhabite

ezes they soon reached their destination in the far west. On arriving at the spot indicated by Circe, where the waters of

y Circe, where the waters of the rivers Acheron* and Cocytus* mingled at the entrance to the lower world, Odysseus landed

recognized his mother. From her he learned that she had died of grief at her son’s protracted absence, and that his aged f

ring a portion of them to the offended powers. Odysseus was horrified at what they had done, especially on account of the

His course was prosperous for many days; but Poseidon, still enraged at the hero, who had blinded and insulted his son, c

the raft was destroyed. He floated about for two days and nights, but at last the sea goddess, Leucothea*, aided him, and

related to them the history of his long and eventful voyage. When he at last took leave of his royal host and hostess, Al

him that he was in his native land, and told him the state of affairs at his palace. Many nobles of Ithaca and the neighbo

d weaving a burial-robe for the aged Laertes; but by secretly undoing at night what she had done in the day, she prevented

r. He went first to Eumæus to learn something of the state of affairs at the palace. Athene now urged Odysseus to make him

e palace. Athene now urged Odysseus to make himself known to his son, at the same time she touched him and gave him the ap

, which belonged to him. Telemachus viewed him with astonishment, and at first thought he must be more than mortal; but Od

rgus, though feeble with age, recognized his master, and then expired at his feet. At the palace they found the usual scen

would certainly arrive before the year was out. The queen, overjoyed at the glad tidings, ordered her maidens to treat th

g. Odysseus asked permission to be allowed to try. The suitors mocked at his audacity, but Telemachus interfered and bade

ht. In the tenth the fortress falls, as the dark shades are scattered at break of day. The victory is won, but the Sun sti

il Odysseus returns, because the web of morning clouds reappears only at sundown.” Cox . Æneas*. Æneas* was the s

w, and prepared for a feast. But no sooner had they seated themselves at the table, than the Harpies came rushing upon the

ey departed loaded them with gifts. After a short voyage, they landed at the foot of Mount Ætna, in Sicily, where the Cycl

e useless in the wars which awaited him. The Trojans re-embarked, and at last landed at Cumæ, in Italy. This was the abode

e wars which awaited him. The Trojans re-embarked, and at last landed at Cumæ, in Italy. This was the abode of a famous Si

g Latinus. A javelin from the hand of Iulus wounded the animal, which at once ran homewards and died at the feet of its mi

and of Iulus wounded the animal, which at once ran homewards and died at the feet of its mistress. Tyrrheus, with his sons

impler myths, which corresponded essentially to the phrases which lie at the root of Hindu, Greek, and Teutonic mythology.

sky in a boat, accompanied by the souls of the “Supremely Blest,” and at night to pass into the regions of the dead. There

brother. A temple of surpassing magnificence was erected in his honor at Philoe, which became ever after the great burial-

for four months. At the expiration of this time the priests repaired, at new moon, with great pomp, to his habitation, and

vorable sign, and the contrary when he received it. The calf Mnevis*, at Heliopolis, and the white cow of Athor*, at Athri

ved it. The calf Mnevis*, at Heliopolis, and the white cow of Athor*, at Athribis*, were also reverenced as incarnations o

lace were often, in others, hated and hunted, or used for food. Thus, at Thebes, the crocodile and the sheep were worshipe

the crocodile and the sheep were worshiped, while the goat was eaten; at Mendes* the sheep was eaten and the goat worshipe

oat was eaten; at Mendes* the sheep was eaten and the goat worshiped; at Apollinopolis the crocodile was so abhorred as an

here they were given elegant apartments, and treated to every luxury, at the public expense. Imagine a crocodile fresh fro

le it retained a mysterious connection with its mummied body, and was at liberty to come and go from the grave, during the

re. Assyrian Mythology. The names of the Assyrian deities were at first mere epithets of the sun, but came in cours

pollo, Perseus, all originally mere names of Helios (the sun), became at length names of different persons. The sun was ch

ese horrid sacrifices; five hundred children, it is said, were placed at once in the fiery jaws of the idol when the Sicil

ved from Pars, the ancient name of Persia. At Bombay, the Parsees are at this day a very active, intelligent, and wealthy

n. Kalki is the name of the tenth Avatar, in which Vishnu will appear at the end of the present age of the world to destro

ohibited this sacrifice about ten years ago. Every year, particularly at two great festivals in March and July, pilgrims f

ch favor that he lived to see them spread over all India. Buddha died at the age of eighty. Buddhism was tolerated by the

The Night Elves, also called Gnomes*, and sometimes Brownies*, were at times exceedingly malicious. They were ugly dwarf

re ugly dwarfs of a dark-brown complexion, and were never seen except at night, because the sun’s rays had the power to ch

fair maiden, Brynhild, lay asleep. Sigurd rode through the fire, and at his touch she awoke. They then plighted their tro

ether public or private, all crimes against persons or property, were at this time brought before them for adjudication. W

ught in a white mantle, after which they proceed to slay the victims, at the same time praying that God will render his gi

for nearly a century. American Mythology. Personification lies at the foundation of all myths. Many expressions whi

“The beginning of things, according to the northern Algonquins, was at a period when boundless waters covered the face o

ned long — a whole day and night — and they gave her up for lost. But at length she floated to the surface, unconscious, a

the original number was increased to five. “The morning star, which at certain seasons heralds the dawn, was sacred to M

, the East. The rays of light are his messengers and servants. Seated at the extreme east, ‘at the place where the earth i

f light are his messengers and servants. Seated at the extreme east, ‘ at the place where the earth is cut off,’ watching i

in it, but he is distinctly the impersonation of light. “Michabo was at times the god of light, at others, of the winds;

y the impersonation of light. “Michabo was at times the god of light, at others, of the winds; and as these are the rain-b

others, of the winds; and as these are the rain-bringers, he was also at times spoken of as the god of waters. He was said

” Tanner . Michabo is said to sleep through the winter months; and at the time of the falling leaves, by way of composi

emons. Here the resemblance between the Aryan and barbaric legends is at an end. But little reflection is needed to assure

ce is the subject of a celebrated group of statuary now in the Museum at Naples, known as the Farnese Bull. 3. Read Tenny

and reliefs of the Parthenon. 7. The Acropolis was a fortified hill at Athens, entered through a magnificent temple-gate

dy of the book. Instead, an index of the proper names has been placed at the end. For copyright selections in this volume,

ne who was thus seen. All of the gods and goddesses showed themselves at times on earth, and they were very much like men

that it disturbed even the world under the earth. When the strife was at an end, Pluto, the king of the underworld, came u

Proserpina, with her arms full of flowers, stood looking with wonder at the approaching god. Before she could even turn,

e, and all the light they had was so faint that it was scarcely light at all. Proserpina could see nothing at first, but P

faint that it was scarcely light at all. Proserpina could see nothing at first, but Pluto gave a sigh of contentment, for

ger than any horse, and he had three heads, all of which were barking at once. Proserpina shuddered, but Pluto stopped to

ne who has the right to pass him.” But Proserpina could not even look at him. So they passed on. All the land was full of

a black chariot. The nymphs had all cried out, but there was no help at hand and they had seen their beautiful goddess fr

Ceres heard that, her face grew very stern and terrible. She set out at once to find her child and to punish him who had

lthough she moved swiftly, she saw no trace of the lost maiden until, at nightfall, she picked up a rose which had fallen

est. She took two great pine trees, bound them together, and lit them at the volcano of Ætna. With this tremendous torch t

ver-god would raise his great, dripping head above the water and look at her with gentle, majestic eyes, and she would ask

mes hear her voice calling, “Proserpina.” Many weeks passed thus, but at last, when the goddess was near to despair, she c

edge of the water, and Arethusa was far down in the earth below. But at the call of Ceres she came up quickly and raised

esy to her, for Ceres was reverenced by all. Then they sat down again at the long table, where they were eating and drinki

goddess-queen, in a robe of dazzling white, and with golden sandals; at his left sat Minerva, goddess of truth and wisdom

rried out of Olympus and came swiftly down to earth. The earth opened at touch of the magic wand, and the messenger of Jup

a, coming to meet her mother. And Ceres, in her joy, wept and laughed at the same time, as she took her daughter in her ar

seem to swoon    Through awful wastes of dimness whirled —    Emerged at length, no trace hath she    Of that dark hour of

ut of it. Jupiter, with all his thunderbolts, was not entirely secure at that time. Among the Titans, two were special fri

stronger of the two. When he saw men suffer in the winter months, he at once began to consider what could be done for the

hen Prometheus brought down the fire, the world was never again quite at peace. All this Epimetheus saw, and it grieved hi

. Epimetheus was dazzled for a moment. Then he went forward and knelt at the feet of Jupiter. “O King of Gods and. of Men,

“Let them have some of the joy of Olympus.” Jupiter thought long, but at last he spoke. “It is an unwise wish, O Epimetheu

e gift shall be yours.” So Epimetheus left Olympus, glad and thankful at heart. Then Jupiter turned to Vulcan and said: —

by the hand, and led her away. Next morning Epimetheus heard a knock at his door. He knew that it was the messenger of th

find how beautiful the sky was, with its white clouds; they wondered at the songs of the birds, which seemed new and stra

it. In vain did heroes fight against Python. All were destroyed, and at last the whole land prayed to the gods for aid in

rose as incense to Hymen, the marriage god. When the torches were lit at the wedding of Orpheus and Eurydice, the smoke wo

l. “Bring other torches,” cried Orpheus, for the guests were dismayed at the evil omen. But the other torches burned no be

behind him the world of light and life. Down and down it led him, but at last it became less steep and, with a turn, led h

gdom of Pluto. The moment he appeared, a host of monsters made a rush at him. As they came near, Orpheus began to play and

ely. Yet he, too, let Orpheus pass unharmed and forgot his fierceness at the sound of that wondrous lyre and voice. After

nce of the dread god himself, sitting upon his throne with Proserpina at his side. All about the hall stood the lesser god

tried to endure her loss, and how he had felt it more and more until at last he had been driven to come down into the und

pray you, let her go,” he sang to the dark ruler. “She will come back at the end of her life. You do but lend her to me, n

and her footstep was as yet only the noiseless tread of a spirit. But at last the end was in sight. The light of day began

is way. “You can do nothing,” he said. And Orpheus, stupid with grief at his second loss, turned and went out into the fre

and the trees were green and the blue sea was breaking in long waves at the foot of the promontory of Tænarus. It is said

ous singer lived seven long months of grief before the god Death came at last to take him down to his Eurydice. When he di

here might then have been an end of both of its little occupants, but at that moment the children awoke. Iphicles, like an

him, though he knew, as everybody did, that the oracle in the temple at Delphi had commanded Hercules to submit to his se

e himself had made of a wild olive tree which he tore up by the roots at the foot of the sacred mountain of Helicon, Hercu

out. He soon found the creature, and, first of all, let fly an arrow at him. The arrow never so much as scratched the lio

a crushing blow, but the lion only paused an instant. Then he sprang at the young hero. There was no use for weapons now.

dog, Cerberus, from the underworld, that Eurystheus might have a look at it. But perhaps the hardest labor of all was to g

these apples. The old goddess Earth had brought them as a bridal gift at the wedding of Juno and Jupiter. Juno had been so

be conquered before he will talk. The aged god awoke with a cry, and, at the sound of his voice, all the sea-creatures shu

. Far to the west, over land and sea, Hercules had now to travel, but at last, in the uttermost part of Africa, he found t

I think I will take the apples to Eurystheus myself.” “Come back here at once, and take the sky again,” shouted the Titan.

fter the coming of the stranger, Admetus set out to attend a festival at the court of Pelias, king of Iolcus, and there he

Alcestis, the beautiful daughter of Pelias, and had loved her deeply at first sight. He had asked Pelias if he might sue

rved Admetus a year, came to take leave of him. The king was downcast at the thought of such a loss, but the stranger said

urden him with needless sorrow. Then Hercules wished to go on his way at once, but Admetus knew how hard was the lot of He

Of the household of Admetus, not one remained behind but the servant at Hercules’ side. Even he was in silent prayer and

r back to Admetus. He drew a veil over her face, however, and did not at first tell Admetus who she was. She herself spoke

. “No woman shall enter the palace, now that Alcestis is dead.” Then, at last, the hero told what he had done, rebuking Ad

” said Epaphus, with scorn. “I suppose, rather, that he often blushes at the thought.” These words hurt Phaëton deeply. Wh

orld that he is not.” Phaëton heard these words with joy, and set out at once for the far distant east, where the sky come

so dazzlingly bright that human eyes would have been blinded to look at him, and Phaëton dared not raise his head. His co

oof that you are not ashamed of your child.” And Helios, as he looked at him, was pleased with his courage and pride. “Ind

such chariot was not to be found in all the universe, and as he gazed at the glorious car, Phaëton’s desire to drive it gr

igh to hear anything more. All this time the steeds were pulling hard at the reins. They felt that the chariot was not so

k. They increased their speed. Phaëton began to be alarmed. He pulled at the reins and called the horses by name, but they

rth pole, where the Great Bear stood. The Bear, surprised and enraged at the unusual heat, rose fiercely, and the horses v

her they would. The people of earth had been gazing up with horror at the scene. Now the sun was near the north star, n

w, Jupiter hurls his thunderbolts from the clouds, but in the hot air at this time not a cloud was to be seen. Therefore,

ess from the car, fell, bright as a shooting-star, to the earth. Then at last the horses, tired and trembling, went to the

the palace of King Polydectes. There the whole court gazed in wonder at the beauty of the strange princess, and King Poly

g Acrisius of Argos. My child is called Perseus. Because of ill omens at his birth, we have been driven from home to die.”

, when Perseus was grown to young manhood, King Polydectes grew angry at the continued refusal of Danaë to marry him, and

hat would be a great gift, for whoever looks on the Gorgon is changed at once to stone. No enemy could stand against him w

Medusa is to be found.” With these words the goddess disappeared, but at his feet Perseus saw the winged sandals and the m

is feet Perseus saw the winged sandals and the magic helmet. Next day at sunrise he was gone, and King Polydectes was glad

helmet. Next day at sunrise he was gone, and King Polydectes was glad at heart to think that now he should have his way. H

I may see where the wretch is.” Then they all began to talk and rage at each other; and as one was passing the eye to ano

ing shield as a mirror. Thus he might see the Gorgons without looking at them. When Perseus came into the main hall, the t

hall, the three Gorgons were there. Two of them were terrible to look at . Their heads were flat and were covered with scal

er and she was pale and terror-stricken because of them. As he looked at her in his shield, Perseus felt his blood grow ch

he begin to draw away from them, and in the evening they wavered and at last turned back. The race was won. Far away Pers

, who did not like strangers. He ordered Perseus to leave the country at once. Perseus did what he could to soothe the big

to soothe the big fellow, but Atlas grew more and more enraged. When at last he made a move toward the hero and would hav

sword into it up to the hilt. Then the fight began. The beast snapped at him with its great jaws and struck at him with it

fight began. The beast snapped at him with its great jaws and struck at him with its tail and limbs. The sea was beaten i

rseus with his winged feet was far too quick, and though he could not at once kill the creature, he plunged his sword into

harm, for he feared the great goddess of wisdom; but he left soldiers at the door of the temple to seize Danaë if she shou

ded him to stand hack. Mad with passion, Polydectes leveled his spear at the brave fisherman, but at that moment the door

ith passion, Polydectes leveled his spear at the brave fisherman, but at that moment the door opened and Perseus, strong a

Polydectes. “Kill him!” and without another word he hurled his spear at the young hero. The spear was well aimed, but Per

d, the hero, with his queenly mother and his beautiful bride, set out at last for Argos and Greece, where his own kingdom

own young wedded love. And, ah, too sure that arrow sped,    For pale at his feet he sees her lie; — “I die, I die,” was a

son of Ægeus, the king of Athens. His mother, Æthra, lived in Trœzen, at her father’s palace. Now when Ægeus at length had

other, Æthra, lived in Trœzen, at her father’s palace. Now when Ægeus at length had to return to Athens, he led Æthra out

great stone?” “He must,” answered the king, “else he will not be safe at Athens. Let him bring the sword and the sandals,

she led Theseus out into the woods. They wandered here and there, but at last they turned in the direction of the great st

great stone. “Mother,” said Theseus, “how long must I stay here idly at my grandfather’s court?” “But you are still only

u are still only a boy, Theseus,” replied Æthra. “Hercules was famous at my age,” said Theseus, “and I wish to go out into

Thus the first day passed. The following days were much like it, but at last Theseus reached Athens. His fame had gone be

eople of the city welcomed him with great rejoicing, and he was taken at once to the court of King Ægeus. There the king r

s the enchantress Medea. This beautiful and terrible woman was living at the royal palace and had great power over King Æg

et from his hand, and it fell with a crash upon the marble floor. For at that moment the king had recognized the sword whi

an. “Minos, the king of Crete, sent his son to take part in the games at our great yearly festival. The young man won many

meth like a flood    O’er all the Attic nation.2 Theseus looked out at the black ship and round him at the mourning peop

e Attic nation.2 Theseus looked out at the black ship and round him at the mourning people, and a firm purpose came into

ouths and maidens were led ashore to the palace of King Minos. There, at the end of the hall, sat the stern king upon his

d beside him stood his beautiful daughter, Ariadne. The king wondered at the strength and size of Theseus, as he saw him a

d size of Theseus, as he saw him among the victims, and Ariadne gazed at him long; indeed she could not take her eyes from

ilding of the Labyrinth. Theseus went in boldly, unwinding the thread at every step, but Ariadne stood outside, trembling

y yards before he was all confused. The way parted in many directions at every few steps, and it grew worse and worse as h

rd a great bellow. It sounded like the voice of a bull, yet it seemed at the same time human. It was a terrible cry, and T

f some enormous wolf. After a moment it saw Theseus, and as it looked at him with its fierce, cunning, hungry eyes, he hat

and for a moment was off its guard. But in that moment Theseus sprang at it and plunged the good sword into it, dealing a

he sank fainting to the ground. When she looked up again, Theseus was at her side. He had come out quickly, following the

s his lovely bride, and had saved them all. Next day the ship stopped at the island of Delos. There Theseus offered sacrif

d live in song forevermore    The pride of Attic story!3 Ariadne at Naxos. High upon the Hill of Drios,    As

Far away on the slopes of Mount Ida, in the land of Troy, there lived at this time a fair shepherd youth. He was a son of

of love, stepped forth. “Paris,” she said — and Paris turned to look at her. Her hair was as golden as the sunlight, and

me over him like a cloud, and the goddesses disappeared. When he woke at early dawn, the voice of Venus was still ringing

, hidden among its pleasant hills. Menelaus, king of Sparta, wondered at the grace and charm of Paris, and set good cheer

y do not dare.” But one day the watchman spied a mighty fleet far out at sea, and raised a cry that spread throughout the

on the walls to watch. Nearer and nearer came the Grecian ships, and at last one touched the strand. Protesilaus was the

on land when Hector, the bravest and strongest of the Trojans, hurled at him his mighty spear. Right through the chieftain

jan hosts. Through him the Trojan towns were captured one by one, and at last only Troy remained. In this great city, prot

ks was held and a priest was called to tell why Apollo was thus angry at the Grecian host. The priest feared to speak, but

llo by insulting the father of Chryseis. Agamemnon, like a good king, at once ordered the maiden to be sent back to her ho

fts, that the plague might be stayed. But his heart was hot with rage at the loss of his share of the spoil of battle, and

t any more against the Trojans. And Achilles wept with grief and rage at the loss of his slave, Briseis, whom he loved. Th

the Trojans; but Hector, the great Trojan warrior, with brave. Æneas at his side, did more. Jupiter kept his vow and the

e Grecian camp, and the Trojans are setting fire to our fleet.” Then, at last, Achilles yielded, but his heart was still b

tood near him, lest in his grief he should do himself harm. Far away, at the bottom of the ocean, Thetis, the goddess moth

emies. Would that there were no such thing in the world as wrath, for at first it is sweeter than honey, but in the end it

at and retreated. ‘Thus they passed round the city three times. Then, at last, Minerva, who hated the Trojans because of t

y. When they came near, he hurled his mighty spear with all his force at Hector, but the Trojan hero dodged it and it sank

and now she had taken back to Achilles the mighty spear he had thrown at Hector. Then Hector drew his great sword and rush

or died. The Greek warriors came near and gazed upon him and wondered at his great body, but the heart of Achilles was sti

ody of his son, and the grief of the old man touched Achilles so that at last he burst into tears and granted the request.

wonder. Could it be that the Greeks were going, and that the war was at an end? Night came on, and they could still hear

ar was at an end? Night came on, and they could still hear the Greeks at work. Then all was still. With the first light of

the town and keep it as a trophy.” This plan pleased the people, but at that moment Laocoön, the priest of Neptune, came

the Greeks even when they offer gifts.” With that, he hurled a spear at the side of the horse, and as it struck and stood

of Trojans came hurrying to the spot. They were laughing and jeering at a captive they had caught — a dirty, ragged Greek

en found in the reeds by the shore. He was trembling with fright, and at first could not speak for fear. When at last he f

as trembling with fright, and at first could not speak for fear. When at last he found his voice, he told a long tale of s

of suffering, and of how he had fled into the marshes to escape death at the hands of the Greeks, who hated him. King Pria

ere struck with awe, and said, “It is because Laocoön threw his spear at the wooden horse, impious man that he was!” Af

s took off their armor and rejoiced with the rest, for the war seemed at an end. But beautiful Queen Helen came with the T

end. But beautiful Queen Helen came with the Trojan Deiphobus to look at the horse, and a strange thought came into her mi

chart. Then last of all he touched her brow.    Prophetic power came at his call — Ah I what is this? She sees it now:   

turned their faces each toward his own home. Their labors seemed now at an end, and they rejoiced at the thought of seein

rd his own home. Their labors seemed now at an end, and they rejoiced at the thought of seeing their wives and children. U

emachus, and the great warrior was eager to see them again, and to be at home as a king once more in his rugged island of

ship suddenly grated upon the bottom, and the ships found themselves at land. When morning came, the sailors saw that the

trangers?” he said, “and where have you come from?” Their hearts sank at the sound of that great voice, but Ulysses answer

swered’: “We are Greeks. For ten years we fought under King Agamemnon at Troy, and now, when we thought to reach our homes

d. Ulysses and his crew alone escaped. They sailed away in haste, but at last came to a little island with a good harbor.

ill had the minds of men. Eurylochus waited long for his friends, but at last returned to the ship alone and told Ulysses

and told Ulysses of their disappearance. Ulysses, alarmed, set out at once, resolved to find his companions or share th

rd, as if to take her life, and the fair enchantress, trembling, fell at his feet and begged for mercy. Her evil power was

trembling, fell at his feet and begged for mercy. Her evil power was at an end. The swine were brought in and she anointe

irce gave them a fair wind. First, they sailed by the Sirens, who sit at the edge of the sea and sing sweetly to passing v

e. Then, drawing the raft down to the sea, he pushed off, and started at last on his way home, for the gods were now favor

dering about, over unknown lands and seas, things were not going well at his home in Ithaca. His son, Telemachus, was but

nd return and take control, for in those days a strong arm was needed at the head of the state. But year after year went b

s will return,” she would answer. But the suitors grew impatient, and at last Antinoüs, the worst of them, came to her and

the crowd of evil men who reveled in her halls. Every day she worked at the robe, but at night she unraveled all that she

l men who reveled in her halls. Every day she worked at the robe, but at night she unraveled all that she had woven. Thus

though she worked slowly, and with many delays, the robe was finished at last, and there were no tidings of her husband. T

no one should see him or do him harm. When Ulysses awoke, he did not at first know where he was, but soon the mist cleare

about the suitors. “These are evil days in my master’s land,” he said at last. “Who is your master?” asked Ulysses. “Ulyss

now the suitors are lying in wait to kill him as he comes back.” But at dawn next day, as Ulysses awoke in the swineherd’

as his father commanded. The suitors were beside themselves with rage at the sight of him, but they spoke to him with smoo

they feasted in the palace, Ulysses came and sat down, like a beggar, at the door of the banquet hall. “Bring the aged man

those days, Antinoüs, in his wrath, seized a heavy stool and flung it at him. It struck him on the shoulder, but though it

ly invented stories of himself. Long did Penelope listen, and when at last she rose to go, she said: — “Stranger, your

through all the rings. “The trial is ended,” he said. “Now I will aim at another mark,” and he sped an arrow at Antinoüs,

ded,” he said. “Now I will aim at another mark,” and he sped an arrow at Antinoüs, killing him instantly. In a moment ther

their swords, but Telemachus rushed to his aid, and the two held them at bay while Ulysses smote them with the swift arrow

r to the hall. There was Ulysses, seated by a pillar. Penelope looked at him long in silence. She could not believe that i

of barren foam. Then someone said, “We will return no ‘more”: And all at once they sang, “Our island home Is far beyond th

ed, 102-104, Alcestis dying in his stead, 106; received Alcestis back at the hands of Hercules, 109. Æ΄geus (e΄juse). King

ing of the winds, 224. Æ΄thra. Mother of Theseus, 146. Æt΄na. Volcano at which Ceres lit her torch, 24. It was thought to

ete with Theseus, 166. Later traditions say that Theseus deserted her at the island of Naxos, 168. Ath΄ens. City of Greec

carried off by Pluto, 15-17, 23. Ep΄aphus. A son of Jupiter; scoffed at Phaëton, 113. Epime΄theus (ep-i-me΄thuse). Titan

a land visited by Ulysses, 217-218. Mede΄a. A beautiful. Enchantress at the court of Athens. Intrigued against Theseus an

e house of Ulysses, 245. Medu΄sa. One of the Gorgons. Whoever looked at her was turned to stone, 129-130; slain by Perseu

8. Pe΄leus (pe΄luse). King of Thessaly; married Thetis, a sea-nymph; at the wedding, Discord threw among the guests a gol

eptune). Pri΄am. King or Troy; father of Hector and Cassandra; slain at the taking of Troy, 211. Pro΄c ris, 145. (See Ce

be carried across it by the ferryman Charon, 21) Tæn΄arus. Promontory at the southern point of Greece, 68. Telem΄achus (t

165; carried off Ariadne as his wife, 166; lost her, or deserted her, at Naxos, 168. Thes΄saly. A kingdom of Greece, rule

stor and Pollux were brothers of Helen. They were famous heroes, and, at their death, became gods.

ity in it which every one must have observed. Further, it was written at such hours as I could withdraw from other literar

s whose works are so frequently referred to, my obligations to whom I at all times most cheerfully acknowledge. Should it

e sings, To the wars my necessities take me away, But if I had money at home I would stay ; so I may say of myself, it w

aged however in the literary career, my first thought was how I might at the same time promote my own interest, and render

as more than justified my anticipation ; and the adoption of my books at Eton, Harrow, Rugby, Winchester, and most of the

ssic literature, which in my opinion tends so strongly to refine, and at the same time to invigorate the intellect, but wh

mythology, for I know from experience how delightful it is to escape at times from the dull realities of the actual world

e, and I think Greek names should be so written as that they might be at once transferred to the original Greek characters

rted, or will part, with his copyright, let it become common property at the end of his life, or of the twenty-eight years

copyright. My books, thank Heaven and the liberality of the gentlemen at whose office they are printed, are my own. When t

oes not seem to have been united with the two goddesses, as Liber was at Rome. We would propose the following hypothesis o

ng hypothesis on the subject. The temple usually called that of Ceres at Rome was in reality one of the three conjoined de

eities (Liv. iii. 55. Dionys. vi. 17. 44. Tac. Ann. ii. 49). It stood at the foot of the Aventine and belonged to the pleb

lural (ναών, ναοὺѕ) by Dionysius we may further infer that the temple at the Aventine contained three cellœ like that on t

G. M. Statue. 61. Mus. Pio Clem. i. 16. Plate V. 1. Aphrodite at the bath ; beside her, the Alabastrites or perfum

owing Dionysos the roll with the rites of the mysteries ; a priestess at the window. G. M. 276. Tïschbein, Vases Grecs, iv

Coin of the Ephesians. G. M. 109. — 6. Isis suckling Horus. Sculpture at Philæ. Descrip. de l’Egypte Antiq. i. pl. 22.

les and fables in this circumstance, and in that of their having been at one time matters of actual belief. Mythology may

as the depository of the early religion of the people. It also stands at the head of their history, for the early history

lled and sank, must be under the control of intelligences ; and trees at regular seasons put forth and shed their foliage

involuntarily rise in the soul of man, and the ready eloquence which at times flows from his lips, being referable to no

 : they were born, according to most systems of mythology ; and some, at least, assigned a period to their duration. In th

to hand, receive various embellishments and additions, till what was at first but a mere dry assertion or conjecture beca

to be actual and real facts, all those who heard of them, and who had at the same time a firm belief in the avenging power

k to cast lustre on the origin of some noble house by placing a deity at the head of its pedigree, or to veil the transgre

had penetrated the recesses of her chamber, or met her in the wood or at the fountain. Legends of this kind are to be plac

On the rocky faces of two of the hills, which advance into the plain, at a height of about fifty feet, runs a line, below

hough probably incorrect inference is, that the waters stood one time at that height. The ancient Arcadians said that Apol

time at that height. The ancient Arcadians said that Apollo, incensed at Hercules’ having carried off the tripod from Delp

ite sides of it, and were continually quarrelling ; a furious contest at length took place between them on the top of Moun

ry of whose true origin had been lost. The festival of the Hyacinthia at Sparta, for example, originally it would seem cel

d fled to a tree, up which he climbed. The lion came and laid himself at the foot of the tree with his mouth still open, a

ng the human race by flinging stones behind them20. There was a place at Rome called Argiletum : this word, which evidentl

nto thongs, which he tied together, resolving to halt and give battle at the spot where the line he made of them should te

ly a distortion of the revelations made to man by the true God ; and, at the present day, Görres, Creuzer and others42, as

as well as its absurdity ; it approaches the confines of impiety, and at times seems even to pass them. The study and adop

cation of etymology to this subject51. If applied judiciously it will at times give most valuable results ; if under no gu

em with all the embellishments a lively fancy could bestow ; and thus at a period long anterior to that at which her histo

ively fancy could bestow ; and thus at a period long anterior to that at which her history commences, Greece actually abou

s56 is of opinion that the original seat of these schools was Pieria, at the northern foot of Mount Olympos. He has been l

ign deities possessing the same attributes as some of their own, they at once inferred them to be the same under different

itself ; for they could not assume several kings and queens reigning at one time. The ancients appear to me to have gotte

contemporaries in knowledge. The philosophers of Greece early arrived at the knowledge of one only God, the original cause

ished, the poets, especially the later dramatists, thought themselves at liberty to treat them in whatever manner they dee

lings of their audience65. They added, abstracted, united, separated, at their pleasure ; ideas imported from Egypt were m

that, as is more especially the case with Euripides, the poet appears at times to have found it necessary to inform his au

mies, those munificent patrons of learning, had assembled around them at Alexandria the scholars and the men of genius of

empire of the world. In the midst of the grove already described, and at a distance of sixty stadia from the chief town, s

ry with dishevelled locks, beating drums and cymbals. She disappeared at length in a storm of rain, thunder, and lightning

already observed, the allegorical system of interpretation prevailed at the same time with the historical. This mode of e

long with its history and literature the sleep of the dark ages ; but at the revival of learning it was eagerly laid hold

lready enumerated, were then revived or devised ; and mythology forms at present an important branch of learning and philo

the gods, or the praise of victors in the public games, or were sung at banquets or in funeral processions. These too hav

Protagoras’ story of Prometheus and his brother84. We are now arrived at the Alexandrian period. In this the mythes were t

Homer. The northern one was afterwards named Europe96; the southern, at first called Asia alone97, was in process of time

t coast of Lesser Asia. They do not seem to have navigated the Euxine at this time, though they were doubtless not ignoran

ns105 : the gods favoured them so highly that they were wont to leave at times their Olympian abodes and go to share their

: There life is easiest unto men ; no snow, Or wintry storm, or rain, at any time Is there ; but Ocean evermore sends up S

y unfounded supposition of the learned Voss127, that there were doors at the eastern and western extremities of the heaven

Rhea, and the other deities. This is apparently, however, an attempt at bringing Homer and Hesiod into harmony. The vener

rn, thrust them out of sight into a cavern of Earth141 , who, grieved at his unnatural conduct, produced the ‘substance of

tter from Othrys. During ten entire years the contest was undecided ; at length by the counsel of Earth the Kronids releas

were naturally named Hundred-handed, from their acting so extensively at the same moment of time147. Of the Titans we shal

at the same moment of time147. Of the Titans we shall presently treat at length, and the progeny of Earth and Pontos shall

Tartaros, and then the Titans are born ; who all, except Oceanos158, at the instigation of their mother, fall on their si

n particular, omitting Iapetos, whom we shall set in his proper place at the head of mankind. Though Night, ‘eldest of thi

de of or beyond Ocean172. In Homer Sleep says to Hera that, when once at her desire he had cast Zeus into a slumber, the g

of quiet Night’ ; Apollonius180 represents Night as yoking her horses at sunset ; and Statius181 makes Sleep her chariotee

ng his waters tried to terrify him, but on the hero's bending his bow at him he retired188. In the Ilias189 Oceanos is sai

god had a flock of ‘long-wooled’ sheep219. He had also herds of oxen at Gortyna in Crete220, and sacred sheep at Apolloni

9. He had also herds of oxen at Gortyna in Crete220, and sacred sheep at Apollonia in Epeiros221. The Sun was not singular

t on fire, and a total conflagration would have ensued, had not Zeus, at the prayer of Earth, launched his thunder, and hu

nd of the ill-fated Phaëthôn, also abandoned himself to mourning, and at length was changed into a swan (κύκνος)230. The a

unknown, but it is probably not very ancient ; it is only to be found at present in the Latin poet Ovid236; but beyond que

an gods he was not honoured with temples in Greece, but he had altars at Corinth, Argos, and some other places. The chief

ias247 says that one of the figures on the base of the throne of Zeus at Olympia was Selene driving a single horse, as it

, the moon, and the stars retire before her. Sometimes she is winged, at other times not. Eôs was styled by the poets281,

the herdsman, to her and Hermes, — for she can increase and diminish at her will. Though an only child (in contrast to Ap

verter of evil302. Her statues, which were dog-headed303, were set up at Athens and elsewhere in the market-places and at

aded303, were set up at Athens and elsewhere in the market-places and at cross-roads ; and at the time of new moon the wea

at Athens and elsewhere in the market-places and at cross-roads ; and at the time of new moon the wealthy persons used to

s. Kρόνος καὶ Ῥєίη ἢ Ῥέα. Saturnus et Ops. We are now arrived at the immediate origin of the Olympians, the gods w

s didactic poem314 says that Kronos ruled over the Isles of the Blest at the end of the earth by the ‘deep-eddying’ ocean 

would appear from the eastern part of the Ocean-stream. It was fabled at a late period that Kronos lay asleep, guarded by

0, in describing a horse of perfect strength and beauty, says, Such, at the coming of his wife, the swift Saturnus’ self

en338, or of any animals339 and make themselves visible and invisible at their pleasure340. Their bodies are also of a fin

obles of the heroic ages. In the palace of Zeus on Olympos they feast at the approach of evening, and converse of the affa

nary occasions the gods moved by the aid of their golden shoes : when at home in their houses, they, like the men of those

race, for it seems probable that it was only among them, particularly at Athens372, that altars were erected to these twel

water, which she named the Neda, from one of the nymphs who assisted at her labour, and who then conveyed the babe to Cno

ere epithet was probably the germ of the mythe ; Zeus was then placed at the head of a genealogy ; and last came the poets

best, which they set before their celestial guests, whose quality was at length revealed by the miracle of the wine-bowl b

by Apollo407 and by Athena408. The most famous temple of this god was at Olympia in Elis, where every fourth year the Olym

ty of doing homage to the sovereign of the gods. His great oracle was at Dodona, where, even in the Pelasgian period, his

thesteriôn (beginning of March), a festival named the Diasia was held at Athens, in which offerings were made to Zeus, the

ated. They were worshiped together, — he as Hippios, she as Hippia, —  at Colonos near Athens442 ; we find them united in t

residence on Olympos, Poseidôn had a splendid palace beneath the sea at Ægæ452. Homer gives a noble description of his pa

he deep gamboling around their king. His most celebrated temples were at the Corinthian isthmus, Onchestos453, Helice454,

tures. The tale of his carrying off Persephone (which we shall relate at length in the sequel) is one of the most celebrat

is difficult to determine the scene of the conflict. Some say it was at the gate of the nether world, when the hero was s

well been termed481 ) of the Egyptian priests on this subject, one is at a loss which most to admire at, their audacity, o

yptian priests on this subject, one is at a loss which most to admire at , their audacity, or the credulity of the Greeks.

he had raised a storm, which drove his son Heracles out of his course at sea, he tied her hands together and suspended her

urse at sea, he tied her hands together and suspended her with anvils at her feet between heaven and earth505 ; and when h

worship of Hera were Argos, Samos, and Platæa. She was also honoured at Sparta, Corinth, Corcyra, and other places. The v

he East512. Peafowl were first brought to Samos, where they were kept at the temple of Hera ; and gradually the legend was

ays513, ’Tis said the phœnixes are all born in The City of the Sun ; at Athens, owls ; Excellent pigeons Cyprus hath ; an

pears as the agent in the loves of the two deities. There was a fount at Nauplia near Argos named Canachos, by bathing in

her, and she became priestess of the temple. Some Tyrrhenian pirates, at the instigation of the Argives, stole the image,

α)532. Here again we meet the Sacred Marriage performed in secret, as at Argos. In Eubœa Hera was called Virgin (Πάρθϵνος)

r shoot of Ares (ὄζος Ἄρηος). But the only tale of his amours related at any length by the poets is that of his intrigue w

he net : the Sun-god gave notice ; the husband returned, and standing at his door called all the gods to come and behold t

and other hero-princes of Ætolia561. The Hill of Ares (Ἄρϵιος πάγος), at Athens, is said to have derived its appellation f

to Pallas-Athene. He was born lame, and his mother was so displeased at the sight of him that she flung him from Olympos.

æstos’ working in any other substance than metal are in Hesiod, where at the command of Zeus he forms Pandora of earth and

in curls on his shoulders. He generally appears with hammer and tongs at his anvil, in a short tunic, and his right arm ba

os she appears as a kind of maid-servant ; she hands round the nectar at the meals of the gods590 ; she makes ready the ch

n his time she was named Hebe. Strabo says598 that Hebe was worshiped at Phliûs and Sicyôn under the name of Dia. It is no

d the goddess was parched with thirst. She saw a pool, and knelt down at it to drink. Some clowns, who were there cutting

sion for her babes. The brutes were insensible : they not only mocked at her distress, but jumped into and muddied the wat

den deaths of men were ascribed to his darts ; sometimes as a reward, at other times as a punishment. He was also by his s

Apollo or of the Muses. Prophets in like manner were taught by him ; at Pytho he himself revealed the future613. As in Ho

arose, clashed his arms, that the mountains and all Thessaly trembled at the sound, and was about to fling the peaks of Pa

uld be disturbed by the noise of the horses and mules coming to water at her stream. She recommends to him Crissa beneath

sounds would disturb the holy silence demanded by an oracle. Arrived at Crissa, the god is charmed by the solitude and su

h-wind carried the vessel rapidly along : in vain they sought to land at Tænaron ; she would not obey the helm. When they

f so celebrated an event as the establishment of the oracle of Apollo at Delphi, the sacred counsellor of all Greece, are

erse from gloom and the promoter of joy and innocent pleasure621; but at the same time dignified in his sentiments and act

f his victory over the Pythôn, beholding Erôs bending his bow, mocked at the efforts of the puny archer. Erôs incensed fle

626, but he says nothing of the raven, making the god himself, though at Pytho, discover what was done through his divine

bears his name631. The latter, a youth of Amyclæ, was playing one day at discus-throwing with the god. Apollo made a great

. Other versions of the legend say that Zephyros (West-wind), enraged at Hyacinthos’ having preferred Apollo to himself, b

e Hyacinthia was celebrated for three days in the summer of each year at Amyclæ, in honour of the god and his unhappy favo

pollo serving Admetos, Müller sees matter of deeper import than might at first sight be supposed. According to the Delphia

ar the combat with the Pythôn was the subject of mimic representation at Delphi. A boy who personated Apollo, having in mi

nch of bay, in imitation of the act of the god, he returned to Delphi at the head of a theoria 638. This mimic flight also

ht also represented the servitude of the god, which the legend placed at Pheræ in Thessaly639. Müller therefore, who views

(we know not why given), served Laomedôn, king of Troy, for a year ; at the end of which time he refused to pay them thei

these deities were united, or perhaps we might say re-united. Apollo at the same period also took the place of Pæeôn, and

Delos, of Patara in Lycia, Claros in Ionia, Grynion in Æolis, Didyma at Miletus ; in all of which his oracles revealed th

orship of Apollo was originally peculiar to the Dorian race, who were at all times his most zealous votaries. As the Homer

denied656. Apollo was supposed to visit his various favourite abodes at different seasons of the year : Such as, when wi

hands he bears his bow or lyre. The wonderful Apollo Belvidere shows at the same time the conception which the ancients h

the advocates for the original identity of this deity with Helios see at once the appropriateness : the maintainers of the

thence to Ocean, and selects all her nymphs. On her return she calls at Lipara on Hephæstos and the Cyclopes, who immedia

s, with horns of gold, fed on the banks of the ‘dark-pebbled’ Anauros at the foot of that hill : of these the goddess unai

fable later than Homer she is said to have detained the Grecian fleet at Aulis, in consequence of Agamemnôn’s having kille

f a hind, sprang out between the two brothers, who aiming their darts at the supposed beast, by her art pierced each other

haps united with her. There was a similar deity named Aphæa worshiped at Ægina, and they were all joined in a legend in th

in love with her, pursued her for the space of nine months, the nymph at times concealing herself from him amidst the tree

ths, the nymph at times concealing herself from him amidst the trees, at times among the reeds and sedge of the marshes. A

r the earth and through the sea, till she rose in the isle of Ortygia at Syracuse, still followed by the amorous stream680

a common altar to her and Alpheios within the precincts of the Altis at Olympia683. When in the fifth Olympiad Archias th

7, the goddess was made to fly the pursuit of Alpheios688. The legend at Letrini was689 that he fell in love with her, but

ellucid waters also became turbid with the blood of the victims slain at the Olympic games692. We may here observe, that i

«Though you should follow the course of the Sun I will overtake you,» at which the Sun being offended, turned her into a d

le shore701. She was identified too with the goddess of nature adored at Ephesus, whose symbolical figure, by its multitud

ring a relation to the goddess similar to that borne by Upis and Arge at Delos. Leucophryne was therefore no more than an

s therefore no more than an epithet of Artemis, who had also a temple at Leucophrys on the coast704 ; and it becomes a que

, and was probably as imaginary as Ogygia, that of Calypso ; but when at a later period the Greeks grew more familiar with

which he employs to various places really to be found, and the islet at the mouth of the port of Syracuse was determined

een thrown by his son Kronos. She first, he adds, approached the land at the island of Cythera, and thence proceeded to Cy

d was Anchises, a beautiful youth of the royal house of Troy, who was at that time with the herdsmen feeding oxen among th

lled with love and desire. Anchises happened to be alone in the cotes at this time, and was amusing his leisure by playing

ho had divested herself of the usual marks of divinity, he was amazed at her beauty and the splendour of her attire. He co

proached, and the arrival of the herdsmen with the sheep and oxen was at hand, the goddess poured a profound sleep over An

ng the marks of divinity, the brilliant eyes and rosy neck, she stood at the door and called to her slumbering lover to aw

ent of heaven. A festival in honour of Adonis was annually celebrated at Byblos by the Phœnician women during two days ; t

e mournful and the joyful parts of the festival should have been held at different times of the year, and not joined toget

ourite plants were the rose and the myrtle. She was chiefly worshiped at Cythera and Cyprus759 ; in which latter isle her

favourite places were Paphôs, Golgoi, Idalion, and Amathûs ; and also at Cnidos, Miletos, Côs, Corinth, Athens, Sparta, et

the tale of Adonis sufficiently proves it ; and that this took place at a very early period, the name Cypris given to Aph

to be (as her name seems to denote761) an originally Grecian deity ; at first, probably, merely cosmogonic, but gradually

venly (Urania). It is very important to observe that she was so named at her temple in Cythera, which was regarded as the

tique wooden statue (ξόανον) in this temple was armed, as it also was at Sparta and Corinth763. In this last city she was

phrodite Archaia, to whom Theseus was said to have dedicated an altar at Delos771 : possibly it was meant to express the i

them one of Pcntelican marble of rare beauty774. Erôs also had altars at Athens and elsewhere. The poetic epithets of this

tly increase. But this was only when Anterôs was near ; for if he was at a distance, Erôs found himself shrink to his orig

ause of their being so styled. Jamblichus, who was just then standing at the brink of the fount of Erôs, touched the water

e. She ventures to enter this palace, goes over it lost in admiration at its magnificence ; when suddenly she hears a voic

she beheld, instead of a dragon, Love himself. Filled with amazement at his beauty, she leaned in rapture over his charms

Pan. She now goes through the world in search of Cupid : she arrives at the kingdom of her sisters ; and, by a false tale

Proserpina with a box to request some of her beauty. Psyche, dismayed at the peril of the journey to the lower regions, as

ace and elegance to celebrate the nuptials of her son. Thus Cupid was at length reunited to his long-lost Psyche, and thei

tial fidelity was exposed in such a country as degenerate Greece, and at the same time to present an image of a fidelity s

secret and real nature. All, therefore, we should ever hope to arrive at is a view of the general sense and meaning. In tr

e moth was Psyche (ψυχὴ). The fondness of this insect for approaching at night the flame of the lamp or candle, in which i

in the narrative of Pindar. According to the Homerid788 Olympos shook at the divine birth, the earth resounded, the sea wa

ith her to the banquet of the gods began to play on it. Being laughed at by Hera and Aphrodite, on account of her green ey

of the Panathenæa were celebrated in her honour. She had also temples at Thebes, Argos, Sparta, and elsewhere. At Tegea sh

th the owl and olivebranch808 ; there was a torch-race (λαμπαδοϕορία) at the Panathenæa, a contest with which none but lig

contest with which none but light-bearing deities were honoured809 ; at the festival of the Skirophoria the priest of the

e to the Athenians814 ; perpetual flame was maintained in her temples at Athens and Alalcomenæ815. It could hardly have be

e816. To these proofs respecting the Athenian goddess we may add that at Tegea Athena was called Alea, that is probably Wa

obably Warmer. 817. At Sparta she was named Ophthalmitis or Eyed, and at Argos Sharp-sighted. 818. If this theory be corre

the days of Homer, or probably till after the colony had been settled at Cyrene, this theory seems to have little in its f

, this theory seems to have little in its favour. Müller821 therefore at once rejects it, and fixes on the banks of the Bœ

lowed by Alalcomenæ got its name in the same manner as the hill Delos at Tegyra, and the grove Ortygia at Ephesus822. The

in the same manner as the hill Delos at Tegyra, and the grove Ortygia at Ephesus822. The moon-goddess of the Athenians pro

a of the impolicy of making an enemy of one of the consorts of Zeus ; at the same time courtier-like telling her that, if

In the Odyssey Hermeias takes the place of Iris, who does not appear at all in this poem, and becomes the messenger of Ze

comes to Pylos, where he sees the traces of his cattle, but is amazed at the strange footprints of their driver. He procee

vetous Battos took the cloak, and turned informer : the god, incensed at his duplicity, struck him with his rod and change

and did not return them till he had amused himself well with laughing at their perplexity840. A god with so many agreeable

out of the house till he should have given it. Pallas-Athene incensed at her unhallowed cupidity, and provoked with her al

e then to endure the idea of the felicity of her sister, she sat down at the door, determined not to permit the god to ent

. Hermes exerted his eloquence and his blandishments on her in vain ; at length, provoked by her obstinacy, he turned her

n or requiring art and ingenuity. A certain good-humoured roguery was at all times a trait in his character. In the pleasi

his person, with his petasus or winged hat, and the talaria or wings at his heels. In his hand he bears his caduceus 851

aff, with two serpents twined about it, and which sometimes has wings at its extremity. The ancient statues of Hermes were

he Hermæ were also pillars of stone, and the head of some other deity at times took the place of that of Hermes ; such wer

carried away Persephone. Together they proceed to Helios ; they stand at the head of his horses, and Demeter entreats that

y of the ravisher. Helios urged on his steeds ; the goddess, incensed at the conduct of Zeus, abandoned the society of the

en carried off by pirates from Crete, but that when they got on shore at Thoricos, she had contrived to make her escape, a

related their adventure to their mother, she agreed to hire the nurse at large wages : And they, as fawns or heifers in s

h within the strength of fire,’ unknown to his parents, who marvelled at his growth886. It was the design of Demeter to ma

filled With splendour. She left the house, and the maidens awakening at the noise found their infant-brother lying on the

: he quickly reached the ‘secret places of earth,’ and found the king at home seated on a couch with his wife, who was mou

rd, is referred to her having thrown in the face of a boy, who mocked at her as she was drinking some gruel, what was rema

lay with Iasiôn in a ‘thriceploughed’ field, and that Zeus, offended at the deed, struck the mortal lover with his thunde

n was the celebrated steed Areiôn ; and from the anger of the goddess at being thus abused she was named Erinnys899. It wa

d to see her. He gave information to Zeus, who sent the Fates to her, at whose persuasion she remitted her anger, and ceas

n she remitted her anger, and ceased from mourning. She was worshiped at this cave under the name of Black (Mé-λαινα), and

Zeus to his daughter on her day of unveiling (ἀνακαλυπρια), that is, at her marriage906 ; as also was Thebes according to

. Under this title she was honoured in a festival named Thes-mophoria at Athens and Ephesus. She had a temple at Megara un

festival named Thes-mophoria at Athens and Ephesus. She had a temple at Megara under the title of, 12. Sheep-bringere 909

iberality, admission to witness the solemn rites celebrated each year at Eleusis was extended to all Greeks of either sex

ded to all Greeks of either sex and of every rank, provided they came at the proper time, had committed no inexpiable offe

were termed, were performed with a considerable degree of splendour, at the charge of the state and under the superintend

our on the performer. The Mussulman makes his pilgrimage to the Kaaba at Mecca, the Catholic to Loretto, Compostella, or e

o he has secured the divine favour921. So the Greek who was initiated at Eleusis, — whose mysteries, owing to the fame in

lia. He had boasted that he could excel them in singing ; and enraged at his presumption they struck him blind, and depriv

latter the sky became dark and all nature was put out of harmony, but at that of the Muses the heaven itself, the stars, t

. The Muses collected the fragments of his body, and buried them, and at their prayer Zeus placed his lyre in the skies943

rriage gave him Dionysos and Aphrodite for parents947. He was invoked at marriage festivals948. By the Latin poets he is p

may further observe that the musical Sirens were placed by the poets at the edge of the water, possibly from a feeling of

eak spontaneously to let them pass. On the return of these goddesses, at the mandate of Zeus, the Seasons unyoke their ste

. They are also mentioned by Poseidôn958 as bringing round the period at which he and Apollo were to be paid their wages b

s describes that goddess as going to the ‘great house’ of her brother at Delphi, and regulating the dance of the Muses and

e names of Hegemone (Leader) and Auxo (Increaser)985. The Graces were at all times in the creed of Greece the goddesses pr

a in Pindar990, and the subsequent poets in general. There was a cave at the river Amnisos, near Gortyna in Crete, sacred

tradition of the country was born there991. Eileithyia was worshiped at Delos, where a hymn was sung in her honour ascrib

hat his mother gave him the choice of two keres ; — one, to die early at Troy ; the other, to die after a long life at hom

s ; — one, to die early at Troy ; the other, to die after a long life at home1009. On the shield of Achilleus1010 Ker appe

r Denier), and Tisiphone (Blood-avenger). The Erinnyes were worshiped at Athens as the Venerable (σεμναὶ) Goddesses, and a

yes were worshiped at Athens as the Venerable (σεμναὶ) Goddesses, and at Sicyôn as the Gracious (Εὐμενίδες)1021, both of w

tly defined1024 as a “feeling of deep offence, of bitter displeasure, at the impious violation of our sacred rights by tho

ous as well as beneficial effects, the bounteous earth itself becomes at times grim, as it were, and displeased with manki

and noble-minded son of Zeus falls by the hands of Patroclos, Apollo at the command of his father washes his body in the

the goddess of the imminent danger which he formerly ran, for having at her desire sealed the eyes of Zeus in slumber whe

his goddess is in the Theogony a daughter of Night1055. The tradition at Rhamnûs in Attica, where she had a temple (whence

matists. At Smyrna two Nemeses were worshiped1058. The goddess adored at Cyzicos under the name of Adresteia, said by the

Persuasion, and daughter of Forethought (Προμηθία)1065. In her temple at Thebes1066 Fortune held Wealth (Πλοȗτος) in her a

rouse with him the Trojans to battle1069. Strife is said to be small at first, but at last to raise her head to the heave

m the Trojans to battle1069. Strife is said to be small at first, but at last to raise her head to the heaven. She is sent

ship of Odysseus in the centre of the fleet, shouts so as to be heard at either extremity. When Ares1071 hears of the deat

he Seeva of that country. According to him, the Vishnoo-religion had, at a period far beyond that of history, spread itsel

t fear possessed him from the shouting of the man. The gods, who live at ease, then hated him, and the son of Kronos made

the son of Zeus by a mortal mother. The vintage is in wine-countries at the present day, like haymaking and harvest-home

nd indecent extravagance, having been very prevalent among the Greeks at the time when the Ionians were permitted to settl

f through grief1110. At Argos the rites of Dionysos were received, as at Thebes, by the women, and opposed by Perseus, the

ng various instruments. Indecent emblems were carried in processions, at which modest virgins assisted ; and altogether fe

ether few ceremonies more immoral or indecent are celebrated in India at the present day, than polished Athens performed i

ulders ; he carries a crook or a thyrse, and a panther generally lies at his feet. In some monuments Dionysos appears bear

entified with Osiris, and regarded as the Sun. He is sometimes alone, at other times in company with Ariadne or the youth

the water-goddess Ino, and to the Hyades and to Silenos. His temples at Athens1123 and Sparta1124 were in places named ma

ed, for we find a Nysa on Helicôn in Bœotia1131, in Thrace, in Naxos, at the foot of Mount Tmolos in Lydia, in Arabia, in

know themselves, there succeeded that more mature and solicitous age, at which when men arrive they feel more strongly and

pecially when the regal power had been abolished, increased. But that at the same time the mystic ceremonies, whose first

rs be paid to Cybele. A stately temple was accordingly erected to her at Pessinos by king Midas1139. It is apparent from t

the mysteries of the Great Mother were common in Greece, particularly at Athens, in their time. The worship of Cybele was

mn embassy was sent to Attalus king of Pergamus, to request the image at Pessinos which had fallen from heaven. The monarc

d Demeter. Sometimes she is veiled, and seated on a throne with lions at her side ; at other times riding in a chariot dra

etimes she is veiled, and seated on a throne with lions at her side ; at other times riding in a chariot drawn by lions. H

ly identical with the Phrygian Cybele1144. Her worship was introduced at Athens and at Corinth, where it was celebrated in

ith the Phrygian Cybele1144. Her worship was introduced at Athens and at Corinth, where it was celebrated in private with

d she was probably the same with Cybele. Her worship also was adopted at Athens ; her temple named the Bendideion was in t

m Herodotus found there two centuries afterwards1162. We may thus see at once how in a space of two hundred years, by mean

pursuit, he found his arms filled with reeds. While he stood sighing at his disappointment, the wind began to agitate the

were originally merely the rustics who formed the chorus, and danced at them in their goat-skin dresses1194. Their name m

s relating to moisture. Midas, king of the Brygians in Macedonia, had at the foot of Mount Bermion a garden, in which grew

times1206. One was, What is best for men ? Silenos was long silent ; at length, when he was constrained to answer, he sai

Theocritus1214, the shepherds set his statue with those of the Nymphs at a shady fountain, and a shepherd prays to him, pr

y Dionysos1220, whom she met on his return from his Indian expedition at the Lampsacene town Aparnis. Owing to the maligni

other part of the poem1233 their sacred cave is thus described : But at the harbour’s head a long-leafed olive Grows, and

The bark around them wastes, the branches fall, And the Nymph’s soul at the same moment leaves The sun’s fair light. “Th

him and expressed her gratitude to him for having saved her life, and at the same time desired him to ask what reward he w

permit him to be her lover, and the Nymph acceded to his desire. She at the same time charged him strictly to avoid the s

senger. One time the bee happened to come to Rhœcos as he was playing at draughts, and he made a rough reply. This so ince

wering, Echo cried, Let us meet here, and issued from the wood. But at the sight of her the youth fled. Vexed at the ill

issued from the wood. But at the sight of her the youth fled. Vexed at the ill success of her advances, and ashamed to a

pastoral state, the Epimelian- or Flock-nymphs were once seen dancing at a place called the Sacred Rocks in Messapia. The

be punished.” The shepherds instantly became trees where they stood, at the temple of the nymphs ; and to this day, says

 ; and to this day, says Nicander, a voice as of lamentation is heard at night to issue from the grove. The place is calle

nd the Youths1242. Dryops, the son of the river Spercheios, who dwelt at Mount Œta, had a daughter named Dryope. She fed t

the son of Mylos. Her son by Apollo was named Amphissos, who founded at the foot of Œta a town of the same name, and rule

the whole of that part of the country. He built a temple to Apollo ; at which when Dryope appeared one day, the Hamadryad

mphissos out of gratitude raised them a temple, and instituted games, at which no woman was permitted to be present ; beca

phs incensed turned them both into fir-trees1243. Terambos, who dwelt at the foot of Mount Othrys, abounded in flocks, whi

dence, despised the admonition of the friendly deity, and even mocked at and ridiculed the gentle amiable nymphs, saying t

gentle amiable nymphs, saying that they were not the children of Zeus at all, but of Deino daughter of the Spercheios, and

an axe. He relates these legends to account for the statue of Tritôn at Tanagra being headless. He then subjoins, —  “I h

was keeping the seals or sea-calves1260. When Menelaos was wind-bound at the island of Pharos, opposite Egypt, and he and

sguise himself and three of his companions in them ; and when Proteus at noon should come up out of the sea and go to slee

his own form, and reveals to Menelaos the remedy for his distress. He at the same time informs him of the situation of his

reports of his soothsaying1268. Some said he dwelt with the Nereïdes at Delos, where he gave responses to all who sought

poets, led by the analogy of the lovely appearance of the western sky at sunset, viewed the West as a region of brightness

hey were also represented as winged on the ancient coffer of Kypselos at Olympia1302. On the shield of Heracles the Gorgon

ty places them somewhere in Libya. This however is not to be wondered at , for it is only a part of the system of localisat

onceived narrative. Into this interesting subject we are not required at present to enter, for the geography of these part

en to regard all westwards of Greece as one wide sea, in which he was at liberty to place what isles he pleased, and peopl

bserve, a part of the food of the people of the north coast of Africa at the present day. Κύκλωπϵς. Cyclopes. When

derive any advantage from it. Odysseus, leaving the rest of his fleet at the island, went with one ship to the country of

under their bellies, and so escaped. Odysseus, when a little way out at sea called out his real name, and the Cyclôps hur

at sea called out his real name, and the Cyclôps hurled immense rocks at him, which were near sinking his ship. Nothing is

ss equal to the mast of a large ship : the first rock which he flings at the ship of Odysseus was ‘the top of a great hill

owever cannot help thinking that it was on the coast of Libya. It lay at no great distance from that of the Lotus-eaters,

ld also have told us with what wind they sailed to it, if it had been at anything like the distance which Sicily is from L

s cause the eruptions of Ætna1349. It is said1350 that Earth, enraged at the destruction of the Giants, brought forth the

nt of Osiris. The flight of the gods into Egypt is a bungling attempt at connecting the Greek mythology with the animal wo

ven from his isleby Æolos, sailed on further for six days and nights, at the end of which time he reached the land of the

uncertain which), and the fountain near it Artakia. There was a port at a little distance from the city, which all the sh

hers were then sent to the city : they met the daughter of Antiphates at the fount Artakia, and were by her directed to he

er directed to her father’s house. On entering it they were terrified at the sight of his wife, who was ‘as large as the t

ght. The ancients explained this by the custom of pasturing the oxen at night, on account of the gad-fly (οἶστρος), whose

n and Dawn being in the West, which may have engendered a belief that at the western extremity of the earth the night was

ss bound herself by a solemn oath to do him no injury. She afterwards at his desire restored his companions to their prist

ays, and conversed with the shades of Agamemnôn and Achilleus. Terror at length came over him ; he hastened back to his sh

that, as soon as the ship left the Ocean and entered the Sea, it was at Ææa. Circe is said to have had by Odysseus a son

to those of the Thousand and One Nights. Odysseus and Circe remind us at once of king Beder and queen Labe ; and the Cyclo

it was feigned that they threw themselves into the sea with vexation at the escape of Odysseus1379. But the author of the

allow the funeral rites of the new Siren to be celebrated, which was at once understood to be Sophocles, then just dead13

he abode of Scylla and Charybdis ; but as there is no whirlpool there at all resembling Charybdis, the most that can be sa

shed him to transfer his affections to herself ; and filled with rage at his refusal, she infected with noxious juices the

to Helios1403. Odysseus on awaking was filled with horror and despair at what they had done ; and the displeasure of the g

been more than the third day after leaving Ææa that Odysseus arrived at it. Καλυψ ἐν Ὠγυγίῃ. Calypso in Ogygia. Od

2. The princess Nausicaa, when reproving the false alarm of her maids at the sight of him, says1423, “Do you think he is a

be Scheria is the island of Corcyra1428, the modern Corfu, which lies at a very short distance from the coast of Epeiros.

t ; and as Corcyra was the principal island in that direction, it was at once inferred to be that of the Phæacians. Völcke

this last place. We finally think, that if Thesprotia and its oracle at Dodona were so well known to the poet as they see

est-sea, apparently sacred to Apollo and Artemis ; and we must marvel at those ancients and moderns who place them in the

sale. The ship whose crew carried off Eumæos continued an entire year at Syria, to dispose of her cargo and lay in one in

Semigods. These also were carried off by war and combat. They fought at Thebes, on account of the sheep of Œdipûs, and sa

this race also, when they become ‘hoary-templed.’ Fathers will not be at unity with their children, nor brethren with each

men ; but as tradition spake distinctly of the Heroic race who fought at Thebes and Troy, it was necessary to distinguish

bes the deification of the golden race are an interpolation, inserted at the time when the intercourse prevailed with Egyp

etheus. Hesiod says1463, that when the gods and men had a controversy at Mecone, Prometheus took an ox, and dividing it pu

e. The former legend was manifestly devised to account for the custom at Sicyôn, as at Sparta, of offering to the gods in

legend was manifestly devised to account for the custom at Sicyôn, as at Sparta, of offering to the gods in sacrifice the

naked and helpless. As the day for their emerging from the earth was at hand, Prometheus was at a loss what to do ; at le

the day for their emerging from the earth was at hand, Prometheus was at a loss what to do ; at length as the only remedy

ing from the earth was at hand, Prometheus was at a loss what to do ; at length as the only remedy he stole fire, and with

he introduction of evil into the world by means of a woman is related at large by Hesiod in his didactic poem, and is touc

t back to earth. Zeus then, the mythe goes on to relate, was incensed at this daring deed, and resolved to punish the men

therto unknown to man poured out and spread over the earth. In terror at the sight of these monsters, she clapped down the

, who also mentions its great lid (μέγa πῶμa), a phrase that does not at all accord with such a box as Pandora could have

naming the vessel which Pandora opened a jar (πίθος), and never hint at her having brought it with her to the house of Ep

t up in a box (πυξίς). We can only account for this by supposing that at the restoration of learning the narrative in Hesi

ongruously represents others having escaped as well as Deucaliôn, yet at the same time intimates that he and his wife alon

preserved in the catastrophe. What is said of the Brazen Age is quite at variance with the narrative in Hesiod, and is a v

t variance with the narrative in Hesiod, and is a very clumsy attempt at connecting two perfectly independent and irreconc

e mythes. The circumstance of the ark would seem to have been learned at Alexandria1496, for we elsewhere find the dove no

ed clothes, And cast behind you your great parent’s bones. They were at first horror-struck at such an act of impiety bei

hind you your great parent’s bones. They were at first horror-struck at such an act of impiety being enjoined them, but a

irst horror-struck at such an act of impiety being enjoined them, but at length Deucaliôn penetrated the sense of the orac

(also a personification of water1505 ) to be the person who was saved at the time of the deluge which overflowed Greece, b

ts of Greece. The Homeric poems exhibit to us the people of Greece at the time of the Trojan war as a race very far rem

uments indicate that Greece and Italy, and a part of Lesser Asia were at an early period the abode of one race of men, who

aces occur in them of previous invasions and conquests, and it is not at all improbable that the martial character of the

t at all improbable that the martial character of the race who fought at Thebes and Troy may have been developed by peculi

, and sent so many colonies to the East and the West. It was probably at this time that the word Hellenes came into use ;

tory as progenitors of various Heroic families. Any attempt therefore at introducing the accuracy of chronology into such

an be pronounced absolutely true ; where fancy and ingenuity are ever at liberty to sport and lead the inquirer an eager a

, we have given the preference to the latter mode, and shall commence at Thessaly, the most northerly portion of Greece. I

died, and was laid in the tomb ; but Heracles happening to come just at this time to the house of Admetos, and hearing wh

to the house of Admetos, and hearing what had occurred, went and sat at the tomb, and when Death (or according to others

s wishes, and went accompanied by them to the dwelling of Pelias, who at once proposed to resign the kingdom, retaining th

nce proposed to resign the kingdom, retaining the herds and pastures, at the same time stimulating Iasôn to the expedition

he would order him to go and fetch the Golden Fleece. Pelias took him at his word, and imposed this task on himself1539. I

Acastos, and the most renowned heroes of the time in Greece contended at the games celebrated on the occasion. Acastos dro

n king of that place, put away Medeia. The Colchian princess, enraged at the ingratitude of her husband, called on the god

It is evident therefore that this poet supposed Iasôn to have reigned at Iolcos after his return from his great adventure.

of Medeia were in the temple of this goddess. It was an annual custom at Corinth that seven youths, and as many maidens, c

eity. The cause assigned for this rite was as follows. Medeia reigned at Corinth, but the people, disdaining to be governe

children fled to the temple of Hera, but they were pursued and slain at the altar. The anger of heaven was manifested by

ed was instituted1554. There was also a tradition that Medeia resided at Corinth, and that she caused a famine to cease by

as, according to Eumelos1557, the son of Helios and Antiope, and born at Ephyra or Corinth, which his sire gave to him ; b

e of Æetes and Medeia is derived from the worship of the Sun and Hera at Corinth. Πηλϵὺς καὶ Ἀχιλλϵύς . Peleus et Achi

arried. Being so unfortunate as to kill his father-in-law by accident at the Calydonian hunt, he fled to Iolcos, where he

its atrocity being such, neither gods nor men would absolve him, till at length Zeus himself took pity on him and purified

and of the Æthicans1589 ; and Nestôr says1590 that he came from Pylos at the invitation of the Lapith chiefs to aid them a

ce of the Lapiths1602, and thus accounts for the Centaurs having been at the wedding. Müller1603 regards the Lapiths as be

d his wife Hera, and was by her styled Zeus in return. Zeus indignant at their impiety turned them both into birds, making

the daughter of Deucaliôn. Her son, who was named Aëthlios1608, came at the head of a colony of the Æolids to Elis : he w

te fiction, to give a colour of right to the Ætolian conquest of Elis at the time of the Dorian Migration. We may observe

ing over the fence of his vineyard1612. When Œneus offered sacrifices at the conclusion of his harvest to the gods, he omi

e, his cousins, or his brother (for writers differ), fled to Adrastos at Argos. When Œneus was grown old and helpless, and

ng sons of Agrios, watching their opportunity, killed the aged prince at the house of Telephos in Arcadia. Diomedes brough

ends.” He relates the circumstance of the neglect of Artemis by Œneus at his harvest-home feast (θαλύσια), and her vengean

ted from all sides, and the boar was, with the loss of several lives, at length destroyed. A quarrel arose between the Cur

had the worst of it, and could not keep the field ; but when, enraged at his mother Althæa, he remained with his wife the

f Calydôn were shaken by the victorious Curetes : for Althæa, grieved at the fate of her brother, who had fallen in the fi

e forth and defend them : they offered him a piece of land (τέμϵνος), at his own selection, of fifty gyas 1618, half arabl

ed the skin and head to Atalanta ; but the sons of Thestios, offended at this preference of a woman, took the skin from he

nce : for it is said that when Cadmos saw them rising he flung stones at them ; and thinking it was done by some of themse

31 ; but it is very remarkable that this Theban poet never even hints at his Phœnician origin. It was however an article o

n reality be the sole foundation for the notion of a Phœnician colony at Thebes ; for none of the usual evidences of colon

Cadmeionians, and the country the Cadmeian land1635 ; the citadel was at all times named the Cadmeia. Cadmos is therefore

Samothrace, which were instituted by the Tyrrhenian Pelasgians, who, at the time of the Dorian migration being driven fro

f the Ægæan. We are further reminded that the name Cadmos occurs only at Thebes and Samothrace ; that Harmonia was an obje

n this last place, and that the Cabeiræan deities were also worshiped at Thebes. Hence it is inferred that Cadmos-Hermes,

r courage, he called out to Cheirôn to quit his cave and come to look at her. To the questions of the god respecting her t

se Artemis and her nymphs as they were bathing. The goddess, incensed at his intrusion, flung some water upon him and turn

master. They then went about whining in quest of him, till they came at last to the cave of Cheirôn, who appeased their g

nger of the goddess was Actæôn’s boasting that he was superior to her at the chase1648 ; while others ascribed his transfo

652. Apollo was also an object of especial veneration to the settlers at Cyrene ; and in the oldest part of the city there

the dog-star1656. Now Actæôn’s father Aristæos had done just the same at Ceos, and this shows a connexion between their my

him and his sister to a place of safety. The ram, it was added, died at Colchis1661. It was also said that the flight of

reatment of the ancient mythes. There is none which has suffered more at their hands than the present one, for it was a fa