acle of Apollo to learn what might happen to her. The oracle informed them that she must be carried to a promontory near the

ot intend to hurt me. Why should they harm me? I have always honoured them . I have prayed to them, and obeyed their commands

hy should they harm me? I have always honoured them. I have prayed to them , and obeyed their commands, I have pitied and hel

some flowering myrtle trees in the garden whither Cupid had directed them . When Psyche opened her eyes, she perceived that

s, to sow seeds, and to reap the wheat. She had invented and given to them the plough and the sickle, and had improved their

the plough and the sickle, and had improved their manners by teaching them to respect one another’s property; and she had ma

by teaching them to respect one another’s property; and she had made them comfortable by giving them bread, and kine, and s

t one another’s property; and she had made them comfortable by giving them bread, and kine, and sheep; and they were very gr

Psyche, “to separate the different articles which compose it. Arrange them in different piles. In two days, if thou failest

anced a few steps, Venus pointed to a high mountain, which lay before them , at a considerable distance, and near the summit

n, and now that she had repented of her faults, and been punished for them , it might be hoped she would be as pure and good

w to love each other eternally, and a benediction was pronounced upon them . The festivity ended in a dance, and Venus was th

have the people of Greece and Italy been Christians. Mother. Some of them learned to be Christiana while Christ and his apo

hristiana while Christ and his apostles were in the world, and all of them left off worshipping heathen gods and goddesses a

onveyed the souls of the dead to the borders of Styx, and Charon took them across in his boat. Ann. What dug was Cerberus,

Sicily had nothing but chestnuts and acorns to eat; but Ceres taught them agriculture, and gave them fruit trees. She dwelt

stnuts and acorns to eat; but Ceres taught them agriculture, and gave them fruit trees. She dwelt herself near the delightfu

ch cast her portion into the lap of Proserpine, who was to distribute them . “This rose,” said she, “I will give to Maria, it

und, and saw a chariot drawn by two fiery black horses coming towards them . In it was seated a majestic figure, of a stern,

and seized the hand which Proserpine had raised to her eyes, to shade them from the lustre of Pluto’s, which he fixed fondly

sea-nymphs, or those that haunt the rivers and fountains. I have left them all, and chosen thee. Come, then, with me, and be

tty girls were playing in a meadow, and a rude man carried off one of them . One of this girl’s companions was so frightened

tever they could seize, and they would kill those who tried to hinder them . The people, who lived in the country about Athen

punished the barbarians, that the Athenians were no longer afraid of them . Pandion was very grateful to Tereus, and invited

came unseen, and blessed the happy pair; and sometimes they spoke of them as if they saw them. At the wedding of Progne, sa

essed the happy pair; and sometimes they spoke of them as if they saw them . At the wedding of Progne, says the fable, Juno a

lly to Athens, solemnly commending her and his son-in-law, as he left them , to the protection of Neptune, to the Winds, and

he herself in deer skin, the attire of the Bacchantes, and to go with them into the woods. She designed, when they should be

designed, when they should be running about in the forest, to direct them to the prison-house of her sister, and with their

forth to the woods, and began the rites of Bacchus. Progne was among them , and the old woman also, from whom she had got th

Bacchantes set up their accustomed shouting, and beat violently upon them . The superstitious people of Thrace thought the B

er, to whom the old woman had entrusted Philomela, instantly admitted them . As soon as Progne and her companions got into th

who stood around wondering what the scene meant, and explained it to them . In a few words Progne related the cruelty of Ter

and demanded of the Bacchantes, in their sacred character, to protect them both till they could reach her house; and the Bac

or the afflicted sisters, and more especially for Philomela, attended them all the way thither. In those barbarous times, re

than the Hebrews in many respects. There was good mixed with evil in them both. Do you remember the history of Joseph, in t

ould have done sacrifice with the people.” But Paul and Barnabas told them , “We are men.” Acts, chapter xiv. The people m

Minor. When they saw the miracles done by Paul and Silas, they called them Jupiter and Mercury. Not far from Lystra was the

wayfaring men. The two gods, when night was approaching, looked about them for supper and lodging. They knocked at many door

two brothers at the fountain; and he was stronger than they, and beat them both.” The two gods were repulsed in similar rude

back to Olympus, to the golden beds4 which Vulcan had constructed for them , if a poor cottage had not attracted their notice

indifferent cheer, but you shall be welcome;” and waving his hand for them to pass, they stooped their heads a little, at th

pt the uncovered coals, which brightened and glowed as the air fanned them ; she next applied to them brushwood and chips. A

ich brightened and glowed as the air fanned them; she next applied to them brushwood and chips. A thick volume of smoke aros

o his garden, and plucking some coleworts, a sort of cabbage, brought them in for Baucis to cook for supper. Having selected

down from certain pegs two snow-white beechen pails, and pouring into them some water gently warmed, gave her guests each a

, which were soiled with dust; and after they were cleaned, she wiped them dry with her own hands. She next spread soft flex

e next spread soft flexible willow branches on the floor, and covered them over with old garments, as a couch for the guests

yonder.” “The old 6 goose — nobody knew how old she was — had served them as a sentry for forty years. They kept no dog, an

for forty years. They kept no dog, and the goose’s loud cackling gave them the alarm whenever a stranger approached. “The ol

and Philemon were a very happy couple. Mother. Yes; all people, let them be ever so humble, that are good-natured, honest,

you remember the passage? Ann. Yes, the very words, and where I read them . These are the words which Abraham addressed to t

am addressed to the angels, when be sat at the tent-door, and invited them to enter, “Let a little water, I pray you, be fet

says Jupiter and Mercury visited Baucis and Philemon, the people took them for Jupiter and Mercury. Read the 14th chapter of

my suit?” Aglauria replied, “those who ask favours of me must pay for them . My sister will soon return from the temple, whit

part of this story true? Mother. Yes; all stories have some truth in them , or we should not like them. Ann. Why not? Moth

ther. Yes; all stories have some truth in them, or we should not like them . Ann. Why not? Mother. Because every body loves

ought men, women, and children, to settle in Greece. He made laws for them , and for the people whom he found in Attica, so t

es. They lived almost like flocks of wild animals; but Cecrops taught them to live in families, to separate the fields, and

, to separate the fields, and to buy and sell property; and he taught them a great deal more, which they did not know before

ents, which the people made; and that the people had laws, and obeyed them . All that shows you the Egyptians were civilized,

Egyptians and Greeks the same gods? Mother. Yes, though they called them by different names. Do you not remember that the

and may defend a man, may prevent others from injuring him, or punish them if they do — a stick, or thick rod of wood, shows

o without it Mercury’s caduceus, when he touched people with it, made them wake, or fall asleep, just as he chose. Homer des

y, Or in soft slumber seals the wakeful eye.” Ann. Or metamorphosed them to stone, as Aglauria was. Mother. Yes. I will t

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

ing like mischievous fairies and kind fairies. Mother. Somewhat like them . Shall I tell you another story? Ann. If you ple

from distant places, would come to him for advice; and he would tell them what to do when they could not determine for them

ot settle it, so they went to Tiresias, and said he should decide for them . Tiresias heard what each party had to say, and t

ars. The nymphs, vexed at Narcissus for his unsocial behaviour toward them , prayed the gods to torment him with a wish for s

ing leave of any person, they dipped their vessels into it and filled them . This fountain was consecrated to the god Mars; t

t to bear off their vessels of water, the dragon returned, and killed them all. Cadmus, after long wondering why they did no

his friends’ dead bodies on the ground, and the dragon tearing one of them . Enraged at the sight, he aimed an arrow at the d

erprise. Cadmus obeyed Minerva. He drew the dragon’s teeth, and sowed them , when soon after he saw the points of spears push

ets, and to persuade people from distant cities to come and work with them , and dwell in the new city of Thebes, which in ti

people; either males or females would kill or beat those who offended them . Perhaps, when he was asleep, they tied Acteon’s

ght, perhaps, that Acteon came there by design, to frighten or insult them , and that provoked them. Ann. Does this fable te

n came there by design, to frighten or insult them, and that provoked them . Ann. Does this fable teach any thing? Mother.

d know whether they really intended it, before we are displeased with them ; and, even if they have injured or affronted us,

injured or affronted us, to be moderate in our anger, and not punish them loo severely. Tisiphone in the palace of Atham

appy, even when we are in trouble. Juno could think of no way to make them miserable, but to tempt them to some wicked act,

uble. Juno could think of no way to make them miserable, but to tempt them to some wicked act, or to deprive them of reason.

e them miserable, but to tempt them to some wicked act, or to deprive them of reason. To do this, Juno descended to Hades, o

                                   —“a stratagem Is his, malicious: them , who enter there, With tail and bended ear he faw

would issue from the gates Of Pluto strong, and stem Proserpina, For them with marking eye he lurks; on them Springs from h

o strong, and stem Proserpina, For them with marking eye he lurks; on them Springs from his couch, and pitiless devours.” J

of Night, who were the keepers of the prison Tartarus, and requested them to guide her to Tisiphone. They attended her very

ides, who had murdered their husbands. Juno cast an unpitying look at them , and turned toward Sisyphus. To him she exclaimed

upper air to enjoy a few comforts; soon will the hand of death compel them to this dreary world below. But the just judges o

substances, which had the property, when certain words were said over them , to cause pain or delirium to absent persons, who

, and tried to escape through an open door, but Tisiphone intercepted them . Lightnings dazzled their eyes, and the snakes wh

r eyes, and the snakes which hung in the hair of Tisiphone, darted at them their barbed tongues, and uttered fearful hissing

ied couple stood motionless and pale with fear. Tisiphone soon roused them ; she shook from a vial she held in her hand, a sh

ess and his children whelps. Impelled by his delirium, Athamas ran at them with blind fury, and instantly killed his infant

enus pitied poor Ino and her child, and she besought Neptune to place them among the marine deities. At her request, Neptune

to place them among the marine deities. At her request, Neptune gave them new forms and new names: Ino became the sea-nymph

allowed men to do wrong, and to suffer pain, that they only punished them in order to make them good; and that if the good

ng, and to suffer pain, that they only punished them in order to make them good; and that if the good were unhappy in this w

and that if the good were unhappy in this world, the gods would make them amends in another life. These Furies, whom you ha

e of Naxos, and was stolen from there by some pirates. He was seen by them , as he lay asleep under a tree, near the seaside,

sel, heard the men talk of what they intended to do, and he commanded them to forbear, but they disobeyed him, and, in spite

to the island, but they took no notice of his supplications. Finding them inflexible, he suddenly caused the vessel to stop

chantes that their behaviour was improper, and have tried to persuade them to a more orderly conduct; but he offended, witho

de them to a more orderly conduct; but he offended, without reforming them . Instead of teaching the Bacchantes the madness a

ness and folly of their worship, he ordered soldiers to march against them and disperse them wherever they should assemble.

their worship, he ordered soldiers to march against them and disperse them wherever they should assemble. Superstitious pers

because he tried to interrupt their frantic rites, and persevered in them the more for his prohibition. When Pentheus learn

ttend one of their festivals, that he might know the truth concerning them . He went to Mount Citheron, where the orgies were

n the branches of a tree, the better to observe the Bacchantes. Among them was Agave, the mother of Pentheus, and his two au

the trees with lamps, and to dance, and sing hymns to Bacchus beneath them . Some of the Bacchantes in their revels heard a r

of good; and these practices are superstitions, and they who practise them are superstitious persons. Ann. Did all the Gree

ple go to fortune-tellers, in these days, to learn what may happen to them ; just as the Greeks, a long time ago, went to the

her child. But Neptune, who was the god of the sea, had compassion on them , and the winds wafted the chest in safety to Seri

auria looked at the strange lady, and then at her husband, as she saw them approach near, but did not speak a word. Dictys p

rown upon our shore by the waves; I know you will shelter and comfort them .” “Indeed I will, if I can. Come in, lady,” said

nd hoped, she said, that one day or other she should be able to repay them . ——— Perseus grew up under the protection of Poly

m Seriphus, on the borders of Western Africa. An old Greek poet calls them Hesperian maidens. Hesper, or Vesper, is the even

ry light upon the couch of the shepherd and the ploughman, admonished them that the hour to commence their daily labour had

e sea-god Nereus, and had their habitation in the ocean. Milton calls them the “blue-haired” deities. Neptune was offended w

they assist those who are foil of compassion like themselves. I trust them ; I know they will afford me help to deliver you:

rose from the table, some of the company begged Perseus to relate to them his adventures. He consented, and commenced as fo

ng Phineus, that Andromeda was his, and no man living should separate them . The friends of Perseus took his part; and they a

themselves, and soon perceived Minerva standing near, holding before them her invulnerable shield, the Ægis. Phineus, seein

ter, from his place of retreat, seeing their danger, would not permit them to be slain in his cause. He rushed from his conc

in order to affright the bad, or to conclude their crimes by killing them . Previous to entering Argos, the travellers stopp

ary for athletic men to try their strength in certain contests; among them was throwing the quoit, or discus, a heavy piece

that is emulation; but if another’s beauty, or accomplishments, make them disagreeable to us, and we dislike their goodness

ayed upon the lyre, all day, and sometimes the god Apollo came to see them . Poets used to pray to them; and they fancied the

and sometimes the god Apollo came to see them. Poets used to pray to them ; and they fancied they could not make good verses

they could not make good verses, unless one of the Muses would assist them . At this time, when Minerva went to see them, the

f the Muses would assist them. At this time, when Minerva went to see them , they were at Mount Helicon. Minerva, who was nev

broidered herself. The sisters were delighted with the honour she did them ; they seated themselves around her, in a delightf

ers, as they flowed from the rock, among the trees which overshadowed them , they heard a sound like human voices. “Can these

tch their voices with ours, and even to challenge us to a, trial with them . ‘Cease, goddesses of Thespia,’ said one of these

they were worthy of crowns and thrones. Nor did the gods dare to meet them ; but, veiling their glorious forms, they took tho

fled into Egypt. There the servile Egyptians cherished and worshipped them ; and still they adore, for their sakes, the ox, t

r counsel?” asked Minerva. “No; they were defeated, and that provoked them ; and they pretended that they were injured. They

artial. This was arrogant and false; and we deemed it right to punish them . We turned them to magpies, and here they are cha

arrogant and false; and we deemed it right to punish them. We turned them to magpies, and here they are chattering in the t

desired to possess it, and now they haunt its borders.” “You treated them as they deserved,” remarked Minerva; “conceit and

when they would compose songs and other verses, pray to us to assist them . We sometimes tell them to drink of these waters;

songs and other verses, pray to us to assist them. We sometimes tell them to drink of these waters; they give them knowledg

sist them. We sometimes tell them to drink of these waters; they give them knowledge and ideas which they can repeat. If the

rhaps; but if they just taste, and expect a single draught to inspire them , they become conceited, but they produce nothing

r, and she left the sisters in the pleasant grove, promising to visit them soon again, and always to aid them with her inspi

pleasant grove, promising to visit them soon again, and always to aid them with her inspirations. Apollo and the Python.

belong to the story of Apollo and the Python. Ann. What are some of them ? Mother. After he had killed the Python, he was

nd of tripods; I mean the form of a tripod was very fashionable among them . They used them for many purposes, and they were

mean the form of a tripod was very fashionable among them. They used them for many purposes, and they were sometimes used t

h year at Delphi. Great numbers of people resorted thither, and among them came poets, musicians and athletes. The poets rec

leaves. There were judges chosen, who bestowed the prizes, and placed them on the victor’s head, and all the surrounding peo

hat bows and arrows did not suit his weak hands: that he should leave them to the god of day, and to his sister Diana, who w

medallions of the pagan gods. Ann. Yes; marble and plaster images of them . Mother. The art of making these figures is scul

statues, and poetry, better than you could have done without reading them . But, at present, you can afford no more time to

, are represented to have had children and friends, and to have loved them , as Peneus loved Daphne. The truth probably is, t

uthful Phæton, as he advanced with his hands before his eyes, shading them from the intense lustre of the beaming sun, and i

power and spirit, that no hand, except that of Apollo, could restrain them . “Audacious young man,” replied the god; “you kno

flying feet, and attended by the winds, which had risen to accompany them through the fields of ether. They soon felt that

sisters might always abide near this favourite spot, Jupiter changed them to poplars. These trees, in the course of years,

rs of her children. Apollo and Diana command you, by my voice, to pay them homage.” The people readily obeyed. Crowning thei

nd of Delos, which was consecrated to Apollo and Latona, and besought them to avenge the insult offered her by Niobe. In obe

th upon the devoted family of Niobe. When this fatal arrest fell upon them , the sons of Amphion were engaged in occupations

ghters transfixed by the same unseen darts; and while the youngest of them yet lived, she covered her with her robe, entreat

ing in an arbour, near the house of some of his friends, recounted to them the following adventure of Latona: “In my youth,”

cutting osiers near the banks, observed her, and approaching, one of them thus coarsely accosted her: ‘Why come you hither,

at this expostulation, and to make the water unfit to drink, some of them jumped into it, and stirred up the clay at the bo

w their guilty hearts; and, at last dropped by that serpent, she sees them trembling headlong from redhot rock to redhot roc

ater, and to fire, under different forms and names, and attributed to them certain powers and qualities; but, as very few of

sing mortals to the rank of gods, was, that the actions attributed to them , blend the mighty with the mean, and represent th

ons attributed to them, blend the mighty with the mean, and represent them , when considered literally, as guilty of the most

o flatter the vanities and passions of human nature, while it incited them to the practice of the most illustrious virtues.

eep and extensive concerns of the Romans in war and politics, allowed them to bestow but little attention to science and phi

abulous history of the heathen divinities serve the Greeks, and after them , the Romans, for their religion? As you have info

Castor, Pollux, &c. &c. Heroes whose glorious actions raised them to the rank of immortals, were also received amon

close prison, where they lay till Jupiter, being grown up, fought for them , and restored them to liberty. But before Jupiter

they lay till Jupiter, being grown up, fought for them, and restored them to liberty. But before Jupiter released his fathe

companied by lictors with the fasces; and even the consuls on meeting them , bowed their fasces in token of respect. Their de

ing. It was the Persians’ abhorrence of every other idol that induced them to demolish the Grecian temples and statues. The

itans whom his father had shut up in Tartarus, and if he could engage them to fight with him. Accordingly he undertook this

t; but Jupiter, by the assistance of Hercules, defeated and destroyed them . Hesiod says that Jupiter was married seven times

reece. The Titans having taken refuge in Spain, the poets represented them as having been driven into the Infernal Regions.

aters, were represented as having been plunged into Tartarus. Some of them having been recalled from Italy or Spain were sai

egorically, their atrocious crimes and passions, the poets incarnated them in monstrous forms and powers. The different anim

the prows of the ships in which they made away. A further account of them will be given under the head of the Sufferers in

how the earth was to be repeopled, and were commanded to throw behind them the bones of their grandmother. They rightly gues

e eternal night. But Juno, that she might his eyes retain, Soon fix’d them in her gaudy peacock’s train.” Ovid. “Then Jun

editrinalia, in which the Romans drank new and old wine, which served them for physic. The Romans gave thanks to Vitula, the

t cow or a heifer, with dancing and shouts through the fields, one of them being adorned with a crown, singing the praises o

ac. Each of these signs answers to a month; so that the sun runs over them all during the course of the year; hence they are

s were working. Being exhausted with fatigue and thirst, she asked of them some water to quench her thirst, saying to them,

thirst, she asked of them some water to quench her thirst, saying to them , “You will preserve my life;” but the Lycians, in

o, refused her that trifling service, and insulted her. Latona turned them into frogs. Apollo. Cicero mentions four Apollos

sing the dead to life; whereupon Apollo killed the Cyclops who forged them , and engaged with Neptune against his sovereign.

nburied for nine days, at the end of which the gods themselves buried them . Those children being dead of the plague, people

m. Those children being dead of the plague, people durst not approach them . The Thebans, frightened for themselves, appeared

the sun. Such was their power, that sudden deaths were attributed to them . The history of the children of Niobe, killed by

learn the lessons of their master Apollo, a heavy fall of rain forced them to take shelter in the palace of Pyreneus, king o

ing insulted by that prince, they took wings and flew away. To pursue them , he rushed from the top of a tower; but not being

s the nine daughters of Pierus, king of Macedonia, who had challenged them to sing; Citherides (Mount Cytheron;) Aonides, (t

n any particular branch of science. Some reckon no more than three of them , viz. Mnemo, Aæde, and Melete, i. e. memory, sing

s were virgins, because a youth, named Adonis, having tried to please them , they put him to death. This fable is intended to

ere the Muses? How are they usually represented? Give some account of them ? How was Clio represented? How was Thalia represe

dint of their incantations; eclipses were supposed to be produced by them ; and on such occasions, drums and cymbals were be

of vintage; the art of squeezing the grapes being unknown, they trod them , and begged of Bacchus that he would render them

g unknown, they trod them, and begged of Bacchus that he would render them sweet and good. The Apaturia were feasts celebrat

vineyards of Thrace. He armed himself with a scythe, and began to cut them , but awkwardly wounded his legs. As the god of vi

ng resemblances between both, that it may be useful to notice some of them , but without pretending to give them as certainti

may be useful to notice some of them, but without pretending to give them as certainties, Moses and Bacchus were born in Eg

e true riches of the mind, not needing a goddess of wisdom to produce them . The oil indicates that one must apply closely to

the ornaments of tapestry show that he should endeavour to embellish them . Arachne, a lady of Colophon, who was highly cele

Apollo, the Trojans were informed that no enemy could succeed against them , if it remained in their city. The oracle was rel

Theseus had collected the twelve boroughs of Attica, and constituted them the city of Athens. They were by the Romans calle

ys, pupils made presents to their teachers. They were obliged to give them , in order to habituate themselves to acts of grat

g the people of Athens, corrected their barbarous customs, and taught them to cultivate the earth, and especially the olive-

invisible nets in which they were taken. The jealous husband exposed them to the sight of all the gods, but Neptune persuad

d them to the sight of all the gods, but Neptune persuaded him to set them free. Mars, enraged at this discovery, transforme

ses, called Flight and Terror, with the goddess Discord flying before them in tattered garments. Clamour and Anger appear in

nd accounts of poets in relation to Venus are obscure, for we find in them a medley of physics, morality, and history. Somet

uncertainty of historical facts, and the impossibility of reconciling them , allowed the poets the exercise of their imaginat

nus gave Hippomonus some apples of the Hesperides, who artfully threw them in the way. Atalanta, enticed by the sight of the

who artfully threw them in the way. Atalanta, enticed by the sight of them , stopped to gather them. After having attained th

in the way. Atalanta, enticed by the sight of them, stopped to gather them . After having attained the goal, he claimed her a

therefore, called “The Lover’s Leap.” Nets artfully spread, prevented them from receiving bruises when they fell, and rich t

ties of gratitude and friendship, and promoted love and harmony among them . They appear as virgins, young, beautiful, modest

hands connected, to show the mutual affection that subsisted between them . Behold the real loveliness of their innocence, o

le. The islanders used him so well, that he fixed his residence among them , and taught them the use of fire and the art of w

used him so well, that he fixed his residence among them, and taught them the use of fire and the art of working metals. Vu

he arms of the gods. He constructed seats in such a manner as to make them self-moving. They were used by the gods at table

the room to another. He also formed some golden statues, and animated them in such a manner that they followed him wherever

y were described as working in the caverns of Mount Ætna. Apollo slew them all, because they had forged the thunderbolts wit

have been the aboriginals of Sicily. Ignorance of their origin caused them to be looked upon as the sons of Heaven and Earth

It was he who released the souls of men from their bodies, conducted them to Charon’s boat, to be ferried across the Styx.

the Styx. After they had spent some time in the nether world, he led them back to revisit the realms of day, according to t

iled. He saw two serpents fighting, and when he laid his wand between them , they regarded each other with eyes of affection,

With this he draws the souls from hollow graves; With this he drives them down the Stygian waves; With this he seals in sle

The wants and necessities of life are continually recurring. To have them unsupplied, causes death. Hence the most unenligh

e beings groping in nature’s darkness, has rendered it impossible for them to form just conceptions of a pure, spiritual, an

eral. The Egyptians held the sea in horror, because it represented to them the tremendous Typhon. They reserved their whole

peus, or Nileus, and often Siris, by an abbreviation of Osiris. Among them this river, or, rather, the god of the water, was

r the Hydria, which they also called Canopus, their god. According to them , the Nile, or water in general, was the principle

ied away the daughter of Proserpine. They requested the gods to grant them wings to look after her about the great sea, and

grant them wings to look after her about the great sea, and obtained them . The jealous Juno inspired them with the perfidio

her about the great sea, and obtained them. The jealous Juno inspired them with the perfidious idea of challenging the nine

ses in singing. They were overcome, and the pupils of Apollo punished them by pulling off their wings, of which they made cr

ness and melody of their notes, that passengers were often allured by them to their destruction. The Tritons and Sirens are

ft presides, And in her greedy whirlpool sucks the tides; Then spouts them from below: with fury driv’n, The waves mount up,

nes of Eurydice. Numerous swarms of bees immediately burst forth from them . Hence, Virgil intimates that when exposed to the

rself headlong into the sea. The gods, moved with compassion, changed them both into alcyons or king-fishers. Questions. Wha

icing to manes under green trees. Nymphs were charged to preside over them ; and their numbers was immense. Questions. By wha

hutting up the winds in a vast rocky cavern, and occasionally letting them loose over the world. When Ulysses was returning

n the water without sinking and over the ears of corn without bending them . This allegorically represents the swiftness of t

Which did he not, their unresisted sway Would sweep the world before them in their way: Earth, air and seas, through empty

ther of the gods Confined their fury to these dark abodes, And locked them safe, oppress’d with mountain loads; Impos’d a ki

ine protectors. Houses had their gods, Lares and Penates, and each of them his honours, offices, and worship. At first, the

ourth. Robigus prevented fruits from being blighted, and watched over them to make them ripen: Flora watched over the birth

s prevented fruits from being blighted, and watched over them to make them ripen: Flora watched over the birth of flowers. M

s and names prove that they owed their origin and the worship paid to them , to the want of their assistance, felt by those w

to them, to the want of their assistance, felt by those who contrived them . Chapter I. Demogorgon . Allegorically, Demogorg

this divinity as the spirit of heat, which produces plants, and gives them life. The people honoured him as a true god. He w

inally considered earth to be animated by a genius, who received from them the name of Demogorgon. Among the different names

g crowned with pine branches. When they met drunkards, they stupified them with their looks. The Fauns, the Satyrs, and the

but musical sound which was made by the whistling of the wind through them , he made of them pipes, which, from her, he calle

which was made by the whistling of the wind through them, he made of them pipes, which, from her, he called Syrinx, and whi

ive and exercise our understanding. The ancient Etruscans denominated them Consentes and Complices; concluding that they com

d. They are often confounded with the Penates, but they differed from them , the latter being of divine origin, the former, o

man, and wearing a crown of the leaves of the plane, a tree sacred to them . The Genii of women were called Junones. The Geni

thoughts. They carefully watched over their voyage of life, attending them from their cradles to their graves. They carried

ir graves. They carried the prayers of men to the gods, and delivered them up to judgment. Just men, after death, were suppo

place.” All houses, doors, stables, and hearths, were consecrated to them . The name of the god of the hearths, was Lateranu

former induces men to the practice of virtue; and the latter excites them to the commission of vice. It is reported that, w

ead could not be molested with impunity. In the sacrifices offered to them , wine, incense, flowers, parched bread, and salte

ged the debts of their ancestors, reinstated their memory, and buried them honourably. Occasionally embalmed bodies were dep

bout in troops, waiting for a passage over the stream. Charon ferried them in the boat Barris over the Stygian lake, for whi

d them in the boat Barris over the Stygian lake, for which he charged them an obolus, a small brass coin of a penny in value

gods swore by her. If they neglected it; Jupiter ordered Iris to give them a cup full of the poisonous waters of this founta

ive them a cup full of the poisonous waters of this fountain, removed them from his table for a year, and deprived them of d

f this fountain, removed them from his table for a year, and deprived them of divinity for nine years. When they swore by th

the saying, that he had penetrated the Infernal regions, and mastered them . Questions. Who was Pluto? Was not Pluto married?

e of that frenzy which remorse figures to offenders, and which haunts them day and night, attends them both in solitude and

se figures to offenders, and which haunts them day and night, attends them both in solitude and at the feast, — whether grop

the giants made war on Jupiter, who afterwards beat and precipitated them into hell. Phlegyas, a son of Mars by Chryse, was

ving stolen the flocks and herds of his neighbours in order to mingle them with his own, knew his bulls by a mark which he h

the bottom of their feet; and by this means, was enabled to separate them from among the numerous herds. Autolycus admired

h to lay heaps of stone on the objects of his plunders, and to permit them to die in the most agonizing and excruciating man

hted torches, as if to imitate lightning; and many who were struck by them , expired. Jupiter could not endure this open impi

tolen away the ambrosia and nectar in order to have his friends taste them ; but most chroniclers agree in telling the follow

and quartered his own son Pelops, and served up his limbs as food for them . All the gods were shocked at so horrible a repas

nd when they were served up in dishes, Atreus and Thyestes feasted on them . The sun is said to have turned his course back t

o the proposal, but secretly armed his daughters with daggers, giving them strict orders to kill their respective husbands o

, and a seven-headed dragon, which devoured the strangers who visited them . Hercules killed the guards, and drove the flocks

, which had the power of transforming those into stones who looked at them . Their hands were brazen; their wings, golden; th

impenetrable scales; and they had one eye and one tooth, which served them all by turns. This tooth exceeded in strength the

e Amazons, and were governed by Medusa, their queen. That hero fought them , and killed Medusa; but Hercules alone could dest

hero fought them, and killed Medusa; but Hercules alone could destroy them all. Some represent the Gorgons as female warrior

ofitting by this advantage, they attacked their enemies, and overcame them . The poets painted this fatal effect of their bea

at their looks changed to stone and rendered immovable whoever beheld them . Pliny the naturalist represents them as wild and

ndered immovable whoever beheld them. Pliny the naturalist represents them as wild and redoubtable women. “Near the Cape Wes

wiftness that of horses, and even the flight of birds. He took two of them , whose bodies were thickly set with horsehair. Th

each other. Those ships had prows representing monsters. Perseus met them in his voyages, fought, and took them. The ship h

resenting monsters. Perseus met them in his voyages, fought, and took them . The ship he mounted, was called Pegasus; the pro

g enigmas to the inhabitants, and devouring those who could not solve them ; but the Thebans were informed by the oracle of A

ity. Hope, that last source of men against the evils which overwhelm them , was early deified. The Greeks honored her under

asons, Slimmer, Autumn and Winter; but Spring was afterwards added to them . The twilight of the morning, the dawn, noon-day,

thenians erected altars to Misericordia or Mercy. The Romans imitated them , and gave to those temples the name of Asylums. V

ted, leaning on a table of laws, having a sword in her hand to defend them , with this legend: They assert the liberty of all

a cruel plague destroyed a part of their children. The Oracle ordered them to sacrifice to the manes, irritated by those inn

she causes; but they are lame, and their cruel sister always outruns them . — See Fig. 63. Fig. 63. Discord. Obs. — It w

ll the ancient deities. In general, the Romans, and the Greeks before them , adored virtues, passions, vices, and even unlook

rice were respected, often even adored, by those whom chance led near them . It will always be easy to supply the numerous li

and effects. It is, therefore, an easy matter to become familiar with them , by studying them as they appear bedecked with th

, therefore, an easy matter to become familiar with them, by studying them as they appear bedecked with the charms and ornam

at least, as men of uncommon stature. Homer and the other poets make them employ darts, which the ordinary strength of four

and good, and respected it; but the Greeks were the first to worship them . It is also from the Greek language that the word

the abodes of the gods. This opinion gave rise to the worship paid to them . The worship of the gods and that of the heroes w

ere were marked times for carrying presents, and making libations, to them . It is very difficult to fix precisely the time i

elatives by feasts, invocations, and offerings. At first, they raised them remarkable tombs; from which they proceeded to ma

e man had the right of eulogising his ancestors, and even of granting them other honors; but often their celebrity was exten

the people among whom they had lived; and often other nations adopted them , and rendered them a worship as splendid and exte

om they had lived; and often other nations adopted them, and rendered them a worship as splendid and extensive as their reno

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

nd Seriphos, where a fisherman, by the name of Dictys, found it, took them out, and carried them to king Polydectes, who fel

isherman, by the name of Dictys, found it, took them out, and carried them to king Polydectes, who fell in love with the lad

by Cassiope. Her mother irritated the Nereides by pretending to equal them in beauty. The nymphs extended their wrath over t

ral noble youths were to be sent by lot every year, and who delivered them to the Minotaur, a monster, half man and half bul

and brought up the girls. Hercules, accompanied by Theseus, defeated them , and, taking Hippolyte, their queen, prisoner, ma

first, called Phalaris, buried men alive in a brazen bull, and burnt them with a slow fire, during which torture their crie

nd strangers to an iron-bed, and cut their limbs so as to accommodate them to the extent of the bed. This bed of Procrustes

st, Sinis, in his haunts, rushed upon the unwary travellers, stripped them , and tied their limbs to the branches of trees, w

ed their limbs to the branches of trees, which, when bent down, threw them up, and tore their limbs in pieces. The second, S

they experienced excruciating torments. Hercules, however, delivered them from this terrible situation. Theseus returned to

. Some poets, in return for various benefits with which he had loaded them , added illustrious particulars to his life, exert

ts to destroy him. These he boldly seized by their necks, and crushed them to death. His twin brother Iphiclus, famed for hi

He dissected it, and dipped his arrows in the gall, which impregnated them with such deadly poison, that the slightest wound

with such deadly poison, that the slightest wound, when inflicted by them , proved mortal. He felt himself so much indebted

ymanthus, he destroyed the Centaurs, who had aggrieved him; and among them , he accidently slew his former preceptor Chiron,

ake Stymphalus in Arcadia, and fed on human flesh. Hercules destroyed them with his arrows. He was ordered to take from Hipp

ng away the fire-breathing mares of Diomedes, king of Thrace, who fed them with the flesh of his guests. The tyrant ordered

with the flesh of his guests. The tyrant ordered him to be thrown to them ; but the here threw the tyrant to be devoured by

to be thrown to them; but the here threw the tyrant to be devoured by them . He afterwards exhibited them to Eurystheus. He w

here threw the tyrant to be devoured by them. He afterwards exhibited them to Eurystheus. He was employed in bringing away t

arded by a dog with two heads, and a dragon with seven. Hercules slew them all, and returned to Argos with the cattle. He wa

m he afterwards took to wife. Ætes ordered his son Absyrtus to pursue them ; but Medea slew him, and scattered his limbs in t

s limbs in the way, in order to keep her father employed in gathering them up. Thus Jason and his companions returned home;

ought for him. Their clemency and humanity to the conquered, procured them the surname of Anaces, or Benefactors. They also

hich Pollux entreated Jupiter to restore him to life. Jupiter allowed them to share immortality by turns. Accordingly they l

aven, they were called Gemini. Sailors deem these stars auspicious to them , because when the Argonauts were tossed about by

perceived only one flame, called Helena, they accounted it ruinous to them . Castor and Pollux had a famous temple in the for

he beauty of Leda, the whiteness and elegant form of her neck, caused them to compare her to a swan; and these different cir

was Castor and Pollux? What became of Castor? What name was given to them , when they became constellations in heaven? How w

autiful nymphs, his constant attendants, into melancholy, or elevated them into raptures of joy — rendered their sorrows cha

y some women on account of his indifferent and cold behaviour towards them . His bones were afterwards collected by the Muses

tory goes, could call Obedient stones to make the Theban wall. He led them as he pleas’d: the rocks obey’d, And danc’d in or

lently opposed to it; but Sinon, suborned by Ulysses, having met with them , said that it was the vow of the Greeks to appeas

iefs were engaged in this war? What principal Trojans were opposed to them ? Which of the heroes fought most valiantly? What

s shoulder, with his son Ascanius clinging to his garments, and saved them both from the flames at the hazard of his life. H

ts, fitted the helmets to his head, brandished the swords, and placed them to his side. By this expedient, Ulysses discovere

us, all the winds, that had proved adverse to his voyage, and wrapped them up in a leather bag. His companions, fancying tha

he desired port, they opened the bag. The winds rushed out, and drove them back to Æolia again, and occasioned additional de

nd by their assistance, rushed upon the suitors of Penelope, and slew them all, after they had treated him in the most insol

numerous and powerful train of wooers; but she delivered herself from them by artifice. To pacify them, she promised to make

of wooers; but she delivered herself from them by artifice. To pacify them , she promised to make choice of one of them, as s

em by artifice. To pacify them, she promised to make choice of one of them , as soon as a piece of needlework about which she

arth, lodged at the house of Ænopeus, or Hyrieus. In order to receive them with distinguished hospitality, this man killed t

multitude: and, as they highly appreciated an opinion which elevated them so far above other men, they enveloped it with im

Isis. The Egyptians called the Sun, Osiris, and the Moon, Isis. With them Osiris signified full of eyes, very clear sighted

d to appear before him. When he saw an ox held in great veneration by them , he wounded it in the thigh, chastised the priest

he customs, manners, and taste of the Egyptians, and introduced among them the grossest superstition, the second Hermes, sur

gion and the laws of the first Hermes, already noticed, and collected them into volumes, which were called “the treasure of

planets. Mithras unceasingly labours to reclaim, purify, and qualify them for their primitive felicity. ————— Robed in pur

st white The magi rang’d before the unfolded tent. Fire blaz’d beside them . Towards the sacred flame They turn’d and sent th

t spirits, called Dewtahs, headed by Mahasoor their prince, throws at them the fiery bolts of vengeance, called Agnyastra. T

rn, in complete armour, and who, having slain two elephants, sit upon them . In front of this gate stands an octagonal pillar

remained in the daytime with men, without eating. He communicated to them a knowledge of letters and the sciences, taught t

communicated to them a knowledge of letters and the sciences, taught them the arts, such as the manner of building cities a

manner of building cities and temples, and of establishing laws, gave them the principles of geometry, and taught them to so

f establishing laws, gave them the principles of geometry, and taught them to sow and gather fruits, and, in short, all that

and gather fruits, and, in short, all that could contribute to polish them , and elevate their morals. At sunset he retired t

ch returned with a little mud in their mouths. The third time he sent them out, they returned no more, by which he knew that

not seeing their companions return, came out of it, and sought after them in vain. A voice was heard, announcing to them th

f it, and sought after them in vain. A voice was heard, announcing to them that Xixutrus had gone up to heaven, and sat in t

rank of gods with those who accompanied him. The same voice exhorted them to be religious, and after they should discover t

so charmed with his eloquence, that they persuaded him to remain with them . Having lectured to them on the evils of war, the

ence, that they persuaded him to remain with them. Having lectured to them on the evils of war, the blessings of peace, and

r. The Mexicans acknowledged a god and goddess of hell, and described them as dwelling in a region involved in eternal night

er physic. Parents carried their sick children to his temple, to have them cured of their diseases, and taught them how to w

ldren to his temple, to have them cured of their diseases, and taught them how to worship the god. When they recovered, they

fly mentioned, was immense. The Spaniards found little clay images of them in the woods, houses, temples, and streets of Mex

nclusion, that most of the gods were men, whose exploits had rendered them illustrious, and that others were fabulous beings

owed their birth to ignorance or flattery; but in order to consecrate them , it was necessary to suppose a heavenly origin to

to consecrate them, it was necessary to suppose a heavenly origin to them , and to clothe them with lovely colours; and the

it was necessary to suppose a heavenly origin to them, and to clothe them with lovely colours; and the poets were addicted

ch were admired in her. He took the perfidious course of embellishing them . It was by devoting themselves unreflectingly and

before the time of Moses. This is indicated by his silence concerning them . It is very reasonable to believe that the tabern

se nations through whose territories they travelled, might have given them the idea of constructing some for themselves. The

may be useful to notice in order to understand their descriptions of them . The first was the vestibule, in which was found

and steps. The interior of the temples was always highly adorned. In them were placed the statues of the gods, which were g

emples. Arian says, that it was forbidden there to spit, or to defile them in any way. Sometimes they entered them on their

n there to spit, or to defile them in any way. Sometimes they entered them on their knees. They served as an asylum for debt

furious people lost all respect for these sacred places, and profaned them . We shall not attempt to give a description of al

oyed immense stones in their construction, although they had to bring them from the quarries of Elephantine, a city remote f

vary, in his letters on Egypt, vastly larger than Herodotus describes them to be. The ideas we now have of the arts and mech

rs, are confounded before such works; and we should place accounts of them in the number of fables, if the remains of such c

winding stairs without. These eight towers formed so many stories. In them were very large rooms, sustained by pillars. Arou

ime in which the Egyptians pretended that the gods alone reigned over them . Chapter III. Temple of Diana at Ephesus.

on could not finish this magnificent work. Other architects succeeded them , and followed out their designs; but, as previous

Rome and the rest of Italy had no fewer temples than Greece. Many of them were remarkable for their magnificence or singula

still entire, is laid on foundations so solid, that nothing can shake them . A manuscript of a celebrated Roman architect, at

eams of the same metal which were there employed, in order to convert them into the canopy of St. Peter’s at Rome, and the g

reat vault, are to be attributed. It has been found necessary to bind them with immense bars of iron; and fears are entertai

pursued no particular route, and made it believed that the god drove them on. A numerous troop of young girls and of matron

e them on. A numerous troop of young girls and of matrons accompanied them , and sung hymns in honour of Jupiter. The ship wa

victims, in inspecting their entrails, and in deriving auguries from them . The priestess prepared herself by a fast of thre

s, over which stood the tripod. They collected her speeches, and gave them to poets, another sort of ministers, who put them

speeches, and gave them to poets, another sort of ministers, who put them in verse. These verses were often harsh, ill done

ed that it was necessary to have recourse to Trophonius, and directed them to seek for him at Lebadea. The deputies obeyed.

to seek for him at Lebadea. The deputies obeyed. Saon, the oldest of them , perceived a swarm of bees flying towards a den.

of them, perceived a swarm of bees flying towards a den. He followed them , and thus discovered the oracle. Trophonius, says

w others of minor importance, although it would be impossible to name them all. In Bœotia, a very small province, they count

he greatest number of demigods and heroes, had their oracles. None of them , however, had so large a number as Apollo. All we

dens and caves, many marks of the imposture of the ministers who made them speak. The following remarks under this head will

sed her to be burnt alive, saying, that, if she had wished to deceive them , they would punish her; and that, if she had spok

s of victory. The people seized the envoys, but they durst hot punish them without judgment, and gave for their judges two p

eir judges two priestesses and two men. The two priestesses condemned them , the two men were of a contrary opinion, and they

s, names ten Sibyls, and cites the ancient authors who have spoken of them . We shall follow the opinion of Varro, and the or

opinion of Varro, and the order which he prescribes himself in naming them . 1. The Persian. She was called Sambethe; and, in

Sibyls, that they never undertook an important war without consulting them . During seditions and misfortunes, such as a revo

which had been collected, policy and ambition well knew how to employ them so as to favour their projects. Julius Cæsar, per

to Tarquin the elder. It consisted of nine books. Herophile asked for them three hundred pieces of gold, which were refused.

ee hundred pieces of gold, which were refused. She then cast three of them into the fire, and persisted in asking the same p

st three, gave her the sum she demanded. After this king had acquired them , he entrusted the charge of them to two particula

manded. After this king had acquired them, he entrusted the charge of them to two particular priests, called Duumviri, whose

for a decree of the Senate to be passed in order to have recourse to them ; and the Decemviri were not permitted to let any

rse to them; and the Decemviri were not permitted to let any body see them under pain of death. This first collection of Sib

in the capitol; but, as there were many Apocryphas, as much faith in them as had been placed in their predecessors, they ne

aving embraced Christianity in the time of Theodosius, veneration for them greatly diminished; and Stilicion annihilated it

n for them greatly diminished; and Stilicion annihilated it by having them burnt in the reign of Honorius. Chapter XIV: O

batants appeared naked, rubbed their bodies with oil, and spread over them very fine dust to prevent perspiration. 5. The ce

us Siculus merely says that it was the Cretan Hercules who instituted them , without informing us in what period or on what o

ned, is that Pelops was the author, and that the first celebration of them was made in Æolis, in the twenty-ninth year of th

ty-third year of Deborah’s judicature. Atreus, son of Pelops, renewed them , and ordered the second celebration of them fourt

s, son of Pelops, renewed them, and ordered the second celebration of them fourteen hundred and eighteen years before Christ

story. The Olympic games began with a solemn sacrifice. People ran to them from every part of Greece. The victors were procl

wn, and had the first places in the assemblies: their cities enriched them with presents; and, during the rest of their days

in which the games were celebrated. Every attempt of this sort caused them to be thrown down from the Tarpeian rock. To avoi

udges; but, in order to render more difficult the means of corrupting them , their number was afterwards increased to ten. Th

l who opposed his progress, and leaving some of his sons to rule over them . Thus Suavlami had Russia; Baldeg, Western Saxony

the orders of Heaven, and shows the superstition of those who obeyed them . Another point of resemblance between these two i

ies, was so great, that, in order to depict it, he was said to strike them deaf and blind. Like a desperate wolf, or an enra

of his brilliant exploits, that the historians, who have transmitted them to us, were poets. Odin, carrying with him arts b

ing the traits preserved by those different writers, and by comparing them with the chronicles of the North, we hope to succ

reedy for the marvellous; and that their ardent passions seldom allow them to keep up a just equilibrium. Hence, as soon as

e the ravings of the priests among the Egyptians, Syrians, and, after them , the Greeks; and hence was produced that chaos, k

h, at first, was directed only towards the intelligence that animated them . The motive of this worship was the fear of a God

splayed their contempt of the polytheism of those nations who treated them as barbarians; and every time they became the str

on of the Scythians, as the god of war: than which rank, according to them , no honour could be more worthy of his attention,

pleasure in shedding the blood of men, was the father and creator of them . God, says the Edda , sees and governs for cent

les under the name of Tautes and Astarte. Some Scythian nations named them Jupiter and Apia; the Thracians, Cotis and Bendis

they felt the approach of old age, and the power of which was to make them grow young again. Hiemdal, a son of nine gigantic

at the head of whom was Frea or Frigga, the consort of Odin. Each of them had her peculiar offices. Eira was the goddess of

inity; she protects chaste females, and, if they die unmarried, takes them to her heavenly dwellings; lyna, the goddess of f

feelings in the bosoms of youth, and especially maidens, and disposes them to mutual love; Fulla, a virgin with beautiful lo

ed consorts. Vara receives their oath, and punishes those who violate them . Snotra, the goddess of modesty, sciences, and go

swift horses. It is their duty to wait upon heroes. Odin also employs them in fights, to choose out those who were doomed to

ivinities of the North, or, rather, the ideas which the poets gave of them to the credulous. It was by fictions, sometimes i

she was one day licking, when, in the evening, human hair grew out of them . On the next day appeared a head; and on the thir

d, out of which they formed man and woman. The elder of the sons gave them soul and life; the second, motion and science; th

them soul and life; the second, motion and science; the third endowed them with speech, hearing, and sight, to which he adde

ay.) Alfadur transported Nott and Dagur to the heavens, and furnished them each with a horse and chariot, to drive round the

is presumptuous conduct, the gods carried away his children, and took them up to the heavens. They were employed in driving

, that first woman, created by the gods, and who received motion from them : all this can be nothing but the vestiges and rec

more than that of the Celts to divine providence. This tenet was for them the key of all the phenomena of nature, without e

their being intrepid in war, to their serving the gods, and appeasing them by sacrifices, to their being just, hospitable to

thstanding the obscurity which pervades these descriptions, we see by them that the Scandinavians held as a doctrine of thei

on generally taught that it was offending the gods to pretend to lock them up in an inclosure of walls. In Denmark, in Swede

e absent sent their presents, and the priests were charged to receive them . Strangers assembled in crowds. The access was sh

ng killed the animals, they opened their entrails to read futurity in them ; and afterwards roasted the flesh, which was dist

thought, that some diviners had familiar spirits, which did’not leave them , and which they could consult, under the form of

believed, that others conjured the manes from their tombs, and forced them to relate the destinies. Odin gave out, that he h

the different cases; but their combination, and the manner of tracing them , were varied. Sometimes it was from the right to

mmortalizing their names, spared these dispensers of glory; attracted them into their camps; where gratitude and rewards ani

mysteries of the first pontiffs. Their genius and knowledge elevated them above the vulgar. They consecrated their songs to

historic poems on solemn occasions, and of causing children to learn them , has been the mean of preserving them long withou

nd of causing children to learn them, has been the mean of preserving them long without the help of writing. The ancient Ger

e high offices to that of being the flatterers of those who protected them , or the slanderers of those whom they looked upon

avagantly beautiful, that they still raise our admiration. In reading them , we are almost at a stand concerning their truth.

where the whistling of the winds and the noise of the torrents caused them to imagine that they heard the voices of the dead

at they heard the voices of the dead; and when sleep came to surprise them amidst their reveries, they considered their drea

the traits and forms of their earthly beauty: terror never surrounded them ; and, when they traversed the air, their motions

ancestors and friends, and to fancy himself constantly surrounded by them . In spite of all the melancholy which such ideas

ir communication with foreigners. The Picts and the Saxons acquainted them with their Andate, the goddes of victory: the Rom

hem with their Andate, the goddes of victory: the Romans also brought them some of their gods. Tacitus and Dion Cassius assu

ictims. In farther extending our researches, we might also find among them vestiges of the worship of the Phœnicians; for we

s of the world, brought their goods into Great Britain, and exchanged them for lead and tin. But we need not enter on farthe

g that the Gauls in peopling that island carried their mysteries with them . In order to reconcile the two authors, says the

religion of the Persians, or, at least, of the people who bordered on them by the North. The Magi and the Druids, equally ve

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

ame with the Druids. Both governed the state, and the kings consulted them . Their white garbs were alike. Golden ornaments w

white garbs were alike. Golden ornaments were equally interdicted to them . As the organs and distributors of justice, they

i and that of the Druids had the same origin; the differences between them might have been easily caused by wars, separation

nspired religious awe and holy fear. Those woods were so sacred among them , that it was not permitted to cut them down. No o

ose woods were so sacred among them, that it was not permitted to cut them down. No one could approach them but with a relig

em, that it was not permitted to cut them down. No one could approach them but with a religious respect, though for the purp

them but with a religious respect, though for the purpose of adorning them with flowers and trophies. People could not emplo

akes and marshes, because they thought that divinity loved to inhabit them . The most celebrated of those lakes, was that of

sts of Marseilles and Toulouse were almost as noted. In the middle of them were held the schools of the Druids of Gaul. Char

periority of the knowledge which the Druids of Great Britain had over them . Chapter IX. Of the different classes of Pries

means a chanter, celebrated in verse the actions of heroes, and sung them accompanied by the harp. So great value was attac

ched to their verses, that they were often the means of immortalizing them . The Bards, though less powerful than the Druids,

d from the path of duty. The Saronides instructed youth, and inspired them with virtuous sentiments. The Cubages or Vates ha

in the remotest antiquity. Aristotle, Phocion, and many others before them , describe them as men among the wisest and most e

antiquity. Aristotle, Phocion, and many others before them, describe them as men among the wisest and most enlightened in m

high an idea was entertained of their learning, that Cicero considers them the inventors of mythology. The Druids, hidden in

eir forests, led an austere life. Thither the nations went to consult them ; and Julius Cesar, who usually admired nothing bu

r manner of living and their science, that he could not withhold from them his esteem. The Druids formed different colleges

so great, that none undertook any important affair without consulting them . They presided over the state; decided upon peace

country. Their rank was superior to that of nobles. All bowed before them ; and it was to their care that the education of t

of the most distinguished youths was entrusted; so that they prepared them , from early life, to be impressed with a deep sen

life, to be impressed with a deep sense of respect for the Druids. To them belonged the right of appointing those who were t

new laws, of watching over the execution of the old, or of reforming them , were the offices and the unlimited powers which

disputed. Their state dispensed with their going to war, and exempted them from all taxes. The number of aspirants after tha

ions separately from men. Their divination had, at one time, rendered them more celebrated than the Druids themselves. When

to the tribunal of Gallic women.” In aftertimes, the Druids stripped them of that authority; but the epoch of this usurpati

hole of the universe; and the retirement in which they lived, allowed them all the time necessary to inform themselves. It c

s immortal; and it was the belief in that sublime truth, which caused them to consider death as a sure means of attaining to

y fifteen and even twenty years were passed in learning and retaining them . The doctrine of the Druids, says Julius Cæsar, w

tivated the science of medicine. Upon, this point, the people yielded them unlimited confidence, because they were persuaded

perceived, that they were acquainted with only a very small number of them . Pliny relates the manner in which they collected

y and violent motions of nature, all meteors, announced, according to them , the death of a great personage. The Druids delig

ixth day of the moon. This month and the number six were sacred among them . It was always on the sixth of the moon that they

inging hymns and canticles. A herald, carrying a caduceus, came after them . Three Druids followed him, and carried instrumen

principal maxims of the Druids, it must be observed, that we present them as they have come down to us by tradition, since

they have come down to us by tradition, since the Druids never wrote them . It is even probable that they were composed afte

who kill themselves to accompany their friends, will live there with them . 17. All letters given at the dying hour, or cast

ly returned to the world. 18. Let the disobedient be driven away; let them recive no justice; let them be received into no e

. Let the disobedient be driven away; let them recive no justice; let them be received into no employment. 19. All fathers o

principal maxims collected and inculcated by the Druids. A glance at them is sufficient to enable us to perceive how easy i

t was for those pontiffs to command opinion, and subjugate the mind —  them who controlled the education of youth, and hurled

and hurled their anathemas against all who dared to disobey or oppose them . Chapter XII. Of the Druidesses. We have a

order to recall heroic enterprizes to their remembrance, they read to them poems and romances, into which was infused all th

did exist among the Druids and the Gauls, could not have belonged to them , but at the time of their greatest degradation. T

bordered on the coasts of Gaul and England. The Druids also inhabited them ; and there the Druids and Druidesses exercised th

us veneration which the Gauls and Germans had for their women, caused them to imagine, that they possessed more highly than

ding and making their predictions believed in. Accordingly, they sent them all questions on futurity; to which they returned

pread over the whole world. People came from every quarter to consult them ; and their decisions inspired infinitely more con

Italy. The emperors, after they became masters of Gaul, often caused them to be consulted. History has preserved a great nu

re very properly called by the ancients, Gods; and were considered by them as perpetually subsisting in the most admirable a

ts desiring, to signify to us by names, have symbolically denominated them . Hence, says Olympiodorus, (in MS. Comment. in Go

oets say that Saturn devoured his children, and afterwards again sent them into the light, because intellect is converted to

d to itself, seeks itself, and is itself sought; but he again refunds them , because intellect not only seeks and procreates,

, it is necessary to consider the other mundane gods as subsisting in them ; as Bacchus in Jupiter, Æsculapius in Apollo, and

urn is attributed to Ceres; aether to Pallas; and heaven is common to them all. “It is likewise necessary to observe, that,

his little volume, much of the poetry of Milton which has appeared to them “harsh and crabbed” would be found “musical as is

y translations require some previous knowledge of the subject to make them intelligible. Let any one who doubts it read the

blem, by telling the stories of mythology in such a manner as to make them a source of amusement. We have endeavored to tell

ner as to make them a source of amusement. We have endeavored to tell them correctly, according to the ancient authorities,

, according to the ancient authorities, so that when the reader finds them referred to he may not be at a loss to recognize

es, and they will enrich the memory with many gems of poetry, some of them such as are most frequently quoted or alluded to

lish reader need feel no mortification in confessing his ignorance of them . Our book is not for the learned, nor for the the

advanced life, pleasure in retracing a path of literature which leads them back to the days of their childhood, and revives

rn, to pass into oblivion. We propose to tell the stories relating to them which have come down to us from the ancients, and

e Greeks — the people from whom the Romans, and other nations through them , received their science and religion. The Greeks

as the Hyperboreans. They were named the Æthiopians. The gods favored them so highly that they were wont to leave at times t

e stars, also, except those forming the Wain or Bear, and others near them , rose out of and sank into the stream of Ocean. T

ened to permit the passage of the Celestials to earth, and to receive them on their return. The gods had their separate dwel

and as they quaffed their nectar, Apollo, the god of music, delighted them with the tones of his lyre, to which the Muses sa

ork in Olympus. He built of brass the houses of the gods; he made for them the golden shoes with which they trod the air or

lympus till they were dethroned by Saturn and Rhea. Milton alludes to them in Paradise Lost. He says the heathens seem to ha

d against their father Saturn and his brothers the Titans; vanquished them , and imprisoned some of them in Tartarus, inflict

and his brothers the Titans; vanquished them, and imprisoned some of them in Tartarus, inflicting other penalties on others

t for taking part with his mother in a quarrel which occurred between them . Vulcan’s lameness, according to this account, wa

de holes in the opposite edges of it, and drew cords of linen through them , and the instrument was complete. The cords were

s gifts bestow     Which deck the body or adorn the mind,     To make them lovely or well-favored show;     As comely carria

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

was given them at which they sat at table, while their masters served them , to show the natural equality of men, and that al

ly. Their name is derived from Penus, the pantry, which was sacred to them . Every master of a family was the priest to the P

his Genius, and every woman her Juno: that is, a spirit who had given them being, and was regarded as their protector throug

all other animals. It enabled him to make weapons wherewith to subdue them ; tools with which to cultivate the earth; to warm

piter made her, and sent her to Prometheus and his brother, to punish them for their presumption in stealing fire from heave

ther Neptune to aid him with his. He lets loose the rivers, and pours them over the land. At the same time, he heaves the la

re they fell prostrate on the earth, and prayed the goddess to inform them how they might retrieve their miserable affairs.

d their faces, unbound their garments, and picked up stones, and cast them behind them. The stones (wonderful to relate) beg

s, unbound their garments, and picked up stones, and cast them behind them . The stones (wonderful to relate) began to grow s

in the hands of the sculptor. The moisture and slime that were about them became flesh; the stony part became bones; the ve

ankind, who interposed in their behalf when Jove was incensed against them , and who taught them civilization and the arts. B

d in their behalf when Jove was incensed against them, and who taught them civilization and the arts. But as, in so doing, h

d to him, “What have you to do with warlike weapons, saucy boy? Leave them for hands worthy of them. Behold the conquest I h

to do with warlike weapons, saucy boy? Leave them for hands worthy of them . Behold the conquest I have won by means of them

for hands worthy of them. Behold the conquest I have won by means of them over the vast serpent who stretched his poisonous

ontent with your torch, child, and kindle up your flames, as you call them , where you will, but presume not to meddle with m

d in the spoils of the chase. Many lovers sought her, but she spurned them all, ranging the woods, and taking no thought of

ght as stars; he saw her lips, and was not satisfied with only seeing them . He admired her hands and arms, naked to the shou

spoilers tempt no second blow; They fawn on the proud feet that spurn them as they go.” Pyramus and Thisbe. Pyramus w

y for the sun to go down beneath the waters and night to rise up from them . Then cautiously Thisbe stole forth, unobserved b

ing head!” At the name of Thisbe Pyramus opened his eyes, then closed them again. She saw her veil stained with blood and th

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

rightened even herself. She saw her father and her sisters, went near them , and suffered them to pat her back, and heard the

elf. She saw her father and her sisters, went near them, and suffered them to pat her back, and heard them admire her beauty

sisters, went near them, and suffered them to pat her back, and heard them admire her beauty. Her father reached her a tuft

ved by the satyrs and spirits of the wood; but she would have none of them , but was a faithful worshipper of Diana, and foll

least, you shall be mine.’ and he took some of the reeds, and placing them together, of unequal lengths, side by side, made

Argus! the light of your hundred eyes is quenched at once! Juno took them and put them as ornaments on the tail of her peac

ight of your hundred eyes is quenched at once! Juno took them and put them as ornaments on the tail of her peacock, where th

en Jupiter, beholding, arrested the crime, and snatching away both of them , placed them in the heavens as the Great and Litt

eholding, arrested the crime, and snatching away both of them, placed them in the heavens as the Great and Little Bear. Juno

unbound the sandals from her feet. Then Crocale, the most skilful of them , arranged her hair, and Nephele, Hyale, and the r

er with their bodies. But she was taller than the rest and overtopped them all by a head. Such a color as tinges the clouds

s eyes, and would have raised his arms in supplication, if he had had them . His friends and fellow-huntsmen cheered on the d

oin the sport. At the sound of his name he turned his head, and heard them regret that he should be away. He earnestly wishe

d have been well pleased to see the exploits of his dogs, but to feel them was too much. They were all around him, rending a

y breathe forth from their mouths and nostrils. I can scarcely govern them myself, when they are unruly and resist the reins

reins. They go fast enough of their own accord; the labor is to hold them in. You are not to take the straight road directl

re let down, and the boundless plain of the universe lies open before them . They dart forward and cleave the opposing clouds

d leave the travelled road. He is alarmed, and knows not how to guide them ; nor, if he knew, has he the power. Then, for the

and knows not what to do, — whether to draw tight the reins or throw them loose; he forgets the names of the horses. He see

failed, and the reins fell from his hands. The horses, when they felt them loose on their backs, dashed headlong, and unrest

ess all the gods, including him who had lent the chariot, and showing them that all was lost unless some speedy remedy were

had he touched the waters before the gold-creating power passed into them , and the river-sands became changed into gold, as

a depraved pair of ears any longer to wear the human form, but caused them to increase in length, grow hairy, within and wit

selves to open for their reception. At last a humble mansion received them , a small thatched cottage, where Baucis, a pious

, on which Baucis, bustling and attentive, spread a cloth, and begged them to sit down. Then she raked out the coals from th

ame. She brought out of a corner split sticks and dry branches, broke them up, and placed them under the small kettle. Her h

of a corner split sticks and dry branches, broke them up, and placed them under the small kettle. Her husband collected som

le. Her husband collected some pot-herbs in the garden, and she shred them from the stalks, and prepared them for the pot. H

herbs in the garden, and she shred them from the stalks, and prepared them for the pot. He reached down with a forked stick

en dishes, and an earthenware pitcher, with wooden cups, stood beside them . When all was ready, the stew, smoking hot, was s

they kept as the guardian of their humble cottage; and they bethought them to make this a sacrifice in honor of their guests

When Jupiter and his brothers had defeated the Titans and banished them to Tartarus, a new enemy rose up against the gods

They were the giants Typhon, Briareus, Enceladus, and others. Some of them had a hundred arms, others breathed out fire. The

thering lilies and violets, and filling her basket and her apron with them , when Pluto saw her, loved her, and carried her o

of her apron and let the flowers fall, childlike she felt the loss of them as an addition to her grief. The ravisher urged o

s an addition to her grief. The ravisher urged on his steeds, calling them each by name, and throwing loose over their heads

cannot resist that appeal!” So she rose from the stone and went with them . As they walked he told her that his only son, a

I suffer. The power of herbs I know as well as any one, for it is to them I owe my change of form. I love Scylla. I am asha

her rival, poor Scylla. She took plants of poisonous powers and mixed them together, with incantations and charms. Then she

could not imagine they were a part of herself, and tried to run from them , and to drive them away; but as she ran she carri

they were a part of herself, and tried to run from them, and to drive them away; but as she ran she carried them with her, a

to run from them, and to drive them away; but as she ran she carried them with her, and when she tried to touch her limbs,

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

lotus plant, full of purple flowers. Dryope gathered some and offered them to the baby, and Iole was about to do the same, w

perceived blood dropping from the places where her sister had broken them off the stem. The plant was no other than the nym

the spot, but found her feet rooted to the ground. She tried to pull them away, but moved nothing but her upper limbs. The

her father, approached; and when they asked for Dryope, Iole pointed them to the new-formed lotus. They embraced the trunk

l soon shoot over me. You need not close my eyes, the bark will close them without your aid.” Then the lips ceased to move,

heir terrible claws and prodigious strength! I hate the whole race of them . Do you ask me why?” Then she told him the story

r, he marked the petals with his sorrow, and inscribed “Ah! ah!” upon them , as we see to this day. The flower bears the name

g the god of the winds, and having as much as he could do to restrain them . “They rush together,” said she, “with such fury

its head. But indeed he did feel it, and by the pitying gods both of them were changed into birds. They mate and have their

sea. Then the way is safe to seamen. Æolus guards the winds and keeps them from disturbing the deep. The sea is given up, fo

favorites should not suffer from drought, and led streams of water by them , that the thirsty roots might drink. This occupat

itors, nor Penelope, the wife of shrewd Ulysses. Even while you spurn them , they court you, — rural deities and others of ev

Cupid filled two amber vases, one from each fountain, and suspending them from the top of his quiver, hastened to the chamb

with her husband’s commands, and he, promptly obedient, soon brought them across the mountain down to their sister’s valley

h whatever your sister has to offer.” Then taking their hands she led them into her golden palace, and committed them to the

taking their hands she led them into her golden palace, and committed them to the care of her numerous train of attendant vo

hem to the care of her numerous train of attendant voices, to refresh them in her baths and at her table, and to show them a

nt voices, to refresh them in her baths and at her table, and to show them all her treasures. The view of these celestial de

Take our advice. Provide yourself with a lamp and a sharp knife; put them in concealment that your husband may not discover

arp knife; put them in concealment that your husband may not discover them , and when he is sound asleep, slip out of bed, br

or her to resist. So she prepared her lamp and a sharp knife, and hid them out of sight of her husband. When he had fallen i

shoulder of the god, startled with which he opened his eyes and fixed them full upon her; then, without saying one word, he

from the city where her sisters dwelt. She repaired thither and told them the whole story of her misfortunes, at which, pre

us.” With this idea, without saying a word of her intentions, each of them rose early the next morning and ascended the moun

ught to neglect none of the gods, but endeavor by her piety to engage them all in her behalf. The holy Ceres, whose temple i

he cattle to the shade, and the serene spirit of the flood has lulled them to rest, you may then cross in safety, and you wi

at last united to Cupid, and in due time they had a daughter born to them whose name was Pleasure.   The fable of Cupid and

aving waited for the return of his men till midday, went in search of them . His covering was a lion’s hide, and besides his

eard it distinctly) commanding him to take the dragon’s teeth and sow them in the earth. He obeyed. He made a furrow in the

riors. Cadmus, alarmed, prepared to encounter a new enemy, but one of them said to him, “Meddle not with our civil war.” Wit

nhappily, and Cadmus and Harmonia quitted Thebes, now grown odious to them , and emigrated to the country of the Enchelians,

to them, and emigrated to the country of the Enchelians, who received them with honor and made Cadmus their king. But the mi

ks, he says, — “You have the letters Cadmus gave, Think you he meant them for a slave?” Milton, describing the serpent wh

The Myrmidons were the soldiers of Achilles, in the Trojan war. From them all zealous and unscrupulous followers of a polit

om I previously knew, that I look for now in vain. What has become of them ?” Æacus groaned, and replied with a voice of sadn

lay in the roads, the fields, and the woods; the air was poisoned by them , I tell you what is hardly credible, but neither

l you what is hardly credible, but neither dogs nor birds would touch them , nor starving wolves. Their decay spread the infe

but preferred to lie on the bare ground; and the ground did not cool them , but, on the contrary, they heated the spot where

ere they lay. Nor could the physicians help, for the disease attacked them also, and the contact of the sick gave them infec

for the disease attacked them also, and the contact of the sick gave them infection, so that the most faithful were the fir

, and turned their dying eyes around to take a last look, then closed them in death. “What heart had I left me, during all t

for funeral piles, men fought with one another for the possession of them . Finally there were none left to mourn; sons and

and gave a rustling sound with its branches, though no wind agitated them . I trembled in every limb, yet I kissed the earth

vacant city to the new-born race, and to parcel out the fields among them I called them Myrmidons, from the ant, (myrmex,)

o the new-born race, and to parcel out the fields among them I called them Myrmidons, from the ant, (myrmex,) from which the

industrious race, eager to gain, and tenacious of their gains. Among them you may recruit your forces. They will follow you

hat likest thy Narcissus are?             O, if thou have         Hid them in some flowery cave,             Tell me but whe

of the gods at such presumptuous mortals as had dared to contend with them . These were meant as warnings to her rival to giv

game of wrestling. As they stood breast to breast, one arrow pierced them both. They uttered a cry together, together cast

oth. They uttered a cry together, together cast a parting look around them , and together breathed their last. Alphenor, an e

and together breathed their last. Alphenor, an elder brother, seeing them fall, hastened to the spot to render assistance,

t Medusa, the Gorgon, whose story we shall next advert to. We mention them chiefly to introduce an ingenious theory of some

he wings of the hero are wet with it, and he dares no longer trust to them . Alighting on a rock which rose above the waves,

and Andromeda, repaired to the palace, where a banquet was spread for them , and all was joy and festivity. But suddenly a no

unequal contest; but the numbers of the assailants were too great for them , and destruction seemed inevitable, when a sudden

ounded. He called aloud to his friends, but got no answer; he touched them and found them stone. Falling on his knees and st

ed aloud to his friends, but got no answer; he touched them and found them stone. Falling on his knees and stretching out hi

ity, which they employed for the injury and annoyance of men. Some of them were supposed to combine the members of different

ze; and in this particular we must recognize a wide distinction among them . The human giants, if so they may be called, such

roportioned to human beings, for they mingled in love and strife with them . But the superhuman giants, who warred with the g

. While this war lasted the giants proved a formidable enemy. Some of them , like Briareus, had a hundred arms; others, like

of a rock, and arrested all travellers who came that way proposing to them a riddle, with the condition that those who could

ors by his unfriendly host, but by the aid of Pegasus he triumphed in them all, till at length Iobates, seeing that the hero

llowed his example, and a dreadful conflict arose in which several of them were slain. This is the celebrated battle of the

ut the hero, awaking, laughed at the little warriors, wrapped some of them up in his lion’s skin, and carried them to Euryst

tle warriors, wrapped some of them up in his lion’s skin, and carried them to Eurystheus.   Milton uses the Pygmies for a s

claws and talons of such a size that the people of that country make them into drinking-cups. India was assigned as the nat

ting to the hunters, and they were forced to keep vigilant guard over them . Their instinct led them to know where buried tre

they were forced to keep vigilant guard over them. Their instinct led them to know where buried treasures lay, and they did

dren from the influence of the step-mother, and took measures to send them out of her reach. Mercury assisted her, and gave

on which she set the two children, trusting that the ram would convey them to a place of safety. The ram vaulted into the ai

demigods of Greece. Hercules, Theseus, Orpheus, and Nestor were among them . They are called the Argonauts, from the name of

rushing and grinding to atoms any object that might be caught between them . They were called the Symplegades, or Clashing Is

with vigor, and passed safe through, though the islands closed behind them , and actually grazed their stern. They now rowed

oke like that of water upon quick-lime. Jason advanced boldly to meet them . His friends, the chosen heroes of Greece, trembl

ice, patted their necks with fearless hand, and adroitly slipped over them the yoke, and compelled them to drag the plough.

fearless hand, and adroitly slipped over them the yoke, and compelled them to drag the plough. The Colchians were amazed; th

ed for joy. Jason next proceeded to sow the dragon’s teeth and plough them in. And soon the crop of armed men sprang up, and

her, who was prevented by his age and infirmities from taking part in them . Jason said to Medea, “My spouse, would that your

could do me one further service, take some years from my life and add them to my father’s.” Medea replied, “Not at such a co

e moved round the altars, dipped flaming twigs in the blood, and laid them thereon to burn. Meanwhile the caldron with its c

“without a name” she boiled together for her purposed work, stirring them up with a dry olive branch; and behold! the branc

wound the juices of her caldron. As soon as he had completely imbibed them , his hair and beard laid by their whiteness and a

re for a good purpose, but not so in another instance, where she made them the instruments of revenge. Pelias, our readers w

and his guards slept soundly under the influence of a spell cast upon them by Medea. The daughters stood by the bedside with

, what are you doing? Will you kill your father?” Their hearts failed them and their weapons fell from their hands, but Mede

t while he tarried to collect the scattered fragments and bestow upon them an honorable interment, the Argonauts escaped.  

the Trojan war, — these and many more joined in the enterprise. With them came Atalanta, the daughter of Iasius, king of Ar

the reeds, heard the shouts of his pursuers, and rushed forth against them . One and another is thrown down and slain. Jason

mother, the unknown cause of his fate. The flames increase, and with them the pain of the hero. Now both subside; now both

ying the sorrows of the house that once had aroused her anger, turned them into birds. Atalanta. The innocent cause of

youths, I knew not the prize you were competing for.” As he surveyed them he wished them all to be beaten, and swelled with

not the prize you were competing for.” As he surveyed them he wished them all to be beaten, and swelled with envy of any on

e she gathered three golden apples, and, unseen by any one else, gave them to Hippomenes, and told him how to use them. The

een by any one else, gave them to Hippomenes, and told him how to use them . The signal is given; each starts from the goal a

Venus; and the goddess was provoked at their ingratitude. She caused them to give offence to Cybele. That powerful goddess

powerful goddess was not to be insulted with impunity. She took from them their human form and turned them into animals of

nsulted with impunity. She took from them their human form and turned them into animals of characters resembling their own:

ers, she made a lioness, and of her lord and master a lion, and yoked them to her car, where they are still to be seen in al

troy him as he lay in his cradle, but the precocious infant strangled them with his own hands. He was, however, by the arts

thirty years. Hercules brought the rivers Alpheus and Peneus through them , and cleansed them thoroughly in one day. His nex

ules brought the rivers Alpheus and Peneus through them, and cleansed them thoroughly in one day. His next labor was of a mo

den apples of the Hesperides, for Hercules did not know where to find them . These were the apples which Juno had received at

d Hercules thought might, if any one could, find the apples and bring them to him. But how to send Atlas away from his post,

is own shoulders, and sent Atlas to seek the apples. He returned with them , and though somewhat reluctantly, took his burden

prints might not serve to show where they had been driven, he dragged them backward by their tails to his cave; so their tra

ught to his end. But Jupiter with cheerful countenance thus addressed them : “I am pleased to see your concern, my princes, a

, every toil of earth Juno’s hatred on him could impose, Well he bore them , from his fated birth To life’s grandly mournful

n to him when he became strong enough to roll away the stone and take them from under it. When she thought the time had come

. If they were shorter than the bed, he stretched their limbs to make them fit it; if they were longer than the bed, he lopp

entures of Theseus is his expedition against the Amazons. He assailed them before they had recovered from the attack of Herc

into the city itself; and the final battle in which Theseus overcame them was fought in the very midst of the city. This ba

r professions, and they ever continued true brothers in arms. Each of them aspired to espouse a daughter of Jupiter. Theseus

ous lover in his descent to the under-world. But Pluto seized and set them on an enchanted rock at his palace gate, where th

al Cimon discovered the place where his remains were laid, and caused them to be removed to Athens, where they were deposite

celebrated at Olympia in Elis. Vast numbers of spectators flocked to them from every part of Greece, and from Asia, Africa,

low the damp will clog your wings, and if too high the heat will melt them . Keep near me and you will be safe.” While he gav

ed his work to gaze, and the shepherd leaned on his staff and watched them , astonished at the sight, and thinking they were

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

the story, Jupiter rewarded the attachment of the brothers by placing them among the stars as Gemini the Twins. They receive

een driven away by the Bacchanals, but had succeeded in taking one of them prisoner, whom, with his hands tied behind him, t

nted the hill to observe the wind; when my men returned bringing with them a prize, as they thought, a boy of delicate appea

him. I observed his dress, his walk, his face. There was something in them which I felt sure was more than mortal. I said to

the lust of gain! When they proceeded to put him on board I resisted them . ‘This ship shall not be profaned by such impiety

about? Who brought me here? Where are you going to carry me?’ One of them replied, ‘Fear nothing; tell us where you wish to

om any further agency in their wickedness. They cursed me, and one of them , exclaiming, ‘Don’t flatter yourself that we depe

s met his eyes. At the same moment the women saw him; and first among them his own mother, Agave, blinded by the god, cried

m from his mother. Autonoë seized one arm, Ino the other, and between them he was torn to pieces, while his mother shouted,

Centaurs made that bloody fray     With the fierce Lapiths which did them dismay;     Being now placed in the firmament,   

s who dwelt in forests, was dreaded by those whose occupations caused them to pass through the woods by night, for the gloom

cs are so nearly the same as those of Pan that we may safely consider them as the same personage under different names. The

artners in the dance, were but one class of nymphs. There were beside them the Naiads, who presided over brooks and fountain

ould spare it and he ordered his servants to cut it down. When he saw them hesitate he snatched an axe from one, and thus im

wed from the wound. All the bystanders were horror-struck, and one of them ventured to remonstrate and hold back the fatal a

ome other deities, principally nymphs of fountains. Egeria was one of them , whose fountain and grotto are still shown. It wa

birds the Harpies. Zephyrus was the lover of Flora. Milton alludes to them in Paradise Lost, where he describes Adam waking

annot in the course of nature live much longer, and who can feel like them the call to rescue the life they gave from an unt

ll their descendants were the victims of an unrelenting fate, dooming them to destruction. Œdipus in his madness had torn ou

hers, Eteocles and Polynices, had agreed to share the kingdom between them , and reign alternately year by year. The first ye

rous suitors, from whom there seemed no refuge but in choosing one of them for her husband. Penelope, however, employed ever

nding him insensible one day, excited by the rites of Bacchus, one of them exclaimed, “See yonder our despiser!” and threw a

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

rest. The sad voice of Aristæus interrupting their occupation, one of them put her head above the water and seeing him, retu

es of waters and was almost deafened with the roar, while he surveyed them hurrying off in various directions to water the f

ife, found means to inform her children of their rights and to summon them to her assistance. With a band of their fellow-he

a trial of skill, and being overcome in the contest, was deprived by them of his sight. Milton alludes to him with other bl

led by the servants, but Melampus took care of the young ones and fed them carefully. One day when he was asleep under the o

soon fall in. He told his captors and demanded to be let out, warning them also. They took his warning, and thus escaped des

of whose works yet remain, and their influence on poets who succeeded them is yet more important than their poetical remains

ore important than their poetical remains. The adventures recorded of them in the following stories rest on the same authori

narratives of the “Age of Fable,” that is, of the poets who have told them . In their present form, the first two are transla

Periander,” he exclaimed, “dismiss your fears! Soon shall you forget them in my embrace. With what lavish offerings will we

in Tarentum.” As they said these words, Arion stepped forth and faced them . His well-proportioned limbs were arrayed in gold

s. They fell prostrate at his feet, as if a lightning bolt had struck them . “We meant to murder him, and he has become a god

he murderers, pale with terror, betrayed their guilt. The people took them before the judge, they confessed their crime, and

arried to Polydectes, king of the country, who received and protected them . The child, Perseus, when grown up became a famou

r and Pollux will doubtless compensate thee for so much as relates to them .” The disconcerted poet returned to his seat amid

t, his fancy and his heart seeking in vain for that which can satisfy them , finding his favorite hour in the quiet moonlight

re daughters of Atlas, and nymphs of Diana’s train. One day Orion saw them and became enamoured and pursued them. In their d

iana’s train. One day Orion saw them and became enamoured and pursued them . In their distress they prayed to the gods to cha

y prayed to the gods to change their form, and Jupiter in pity turned them into pigeons, and then made them a constellation

eir form, and Jupiter in pity turned them into pigeons, and then made them a constellation in the sky. Though their number w

eir number was seven, only six stars are visible, for Electra, one of them , it is said left her place that she might not beh

ily, a favorite of the Sea-Nymphs. She had many suitors, but repelled them all, and would go to the grotto of Galatea, and t

ch in this famous war as the parties themselves. It was well known to them that fate had decreed that Troy should fall, at l

is, were hostile to the Trojans; Venus for the opposite cause favored them . Venus enlisted her admirer Mars on the same side

the rampart broken down, the enemy among the ships preparing to burn them , and thus to cut off all means of return to Greec

lready mine.” Then exhorting the troops to do their best he dismissed them full of ardor to the fight. Patroclus and his Myr

s men entangled in the fosse to escape as they could. Patroclus drove them before him, slaying many, none daring to make a s

all the chiefs to council. When they were all assembled he addressed them . Renouncing his displeasure against Agamemnon and

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

command to open wide the gates to receive the fugitives, and to shut them as soon as the Trojans should have passed, lest t

stripped the body of its armor, and fastening cords to the feet tied them behind his chariot, leaving the body to trail alo

ld king from rushing forth. He threw himself in the dust and besought them each by name to give him way. Hecuba’s distress w

way. Hecuba’s distress was not less violent. The citizens stood round them weeping. The sound of the mourning reached the ea

den cup of matchless workmanship. Then he called to his sons and bade them draw forth his litter and place in it the various

e, and he, mounting the carriage, assumed the reins and soon conveyed them to the tent of Achilles. Mercury’s wand put to sl

he lifeless body renewed their lamentations. The people all wept with them , and to the going down of the sun there was no pa

, they quenched the cinders with wine, collected the bones and placed them in a golden urn, which they buried in the earth,

of his returning true answers to the questions asked him. He informed them that he was a Greek, Sinon by name, and that in c

untrymen at their departure. With regard to the wooden horse, he told them that it was a propitiatory offering to Minerva, a

g its being carried within the city; for Calchas the prophet had told them that if the Trojans took possession of it they wo

pestilential breath in their faces. The father, attempting to rescue them , is next seized and involved in the serpents’ coi

next seized and involved in the serpents’ coils. He struggles to tear them away, but they overpower all his efforts and stra

bully Greeks, who, as the moderns do, Instead of paying chairmen, run them through;) Laocoon struck the outside with a spear

She saw and recognized Ulysses, but kept the secret and even assisted them in obtaining the image. Thus she became reconcile

ning from the prisoners who they were, Iphigenia disclosed herself to them , and the three made their escape with the statue

Thou who didst call the Furies from the abyss, And round Orestes bade them howl and hiss, For that unnatural retribution, — 

each ship. Sailing thence, they were overtaken by a storm which drove them for nine days along the sea till they reached the

These men on coming among the Lotus-eaters were kindly entertained by them , and were given some of their own food, the lotus

e that Ulysses dragged these men away, and he was even obliged to tie them under the benches of his ship.20 They next arriv

to explore for supplies. He landed with his companions, carrying with them a jar of wine for a present, and coming to a larg

g round his great eye, he discerned the strangers, and growled out to them , demanding who they were, and where from. Ulysses

side of the cave, and dashed out their brains. He proceeded to devour them with great relish, and having made a hearty meal,

sword into him as he slept, but recollected that it would only expose them all to certain destruction, as the rock with whic

Next morning the giant seized two more of the Greeks, and despatched them in the same manner as their companions, feasting

rolled away the stone and drove in his flock as usual. After milking them and making his arrangements as before, he seized

ompanions and dashed their brains out, and made his evening meal upon them as he had on the others. After he had supped, Uly

all as they went out, that Ulysses and his men should not escape with them . But Ulysses had made his men harness the rams of

ve a good part of the flock down to the shore to their boat. They put them aboard with all haste, then pushed off from the s

ill they had reached a safer distance than before. The giant answered them with curses, but Ulysses and his friends plied th

is monarch Jupiter had intrusted the government of the winds, to send them forth or retain them at his will. He treated Ulys

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

left. Æolus was so indignant at their folly that he refused to assist them further, and they were obliged to labor over thei

Læstrygonians found the ships completely in their power they attacked them , heaving huge stones which broke and overturned t

er they attacked them, heaving huge stones which broke and overturned them , and with their spears despatched the seamen as t

, for she was a powerful magician. These dreadful animals fawned upon them , wagging their tails and rising on their hinder f

nging. Eurylochus called aloud and the goddess came forth and invited them in; they all gladly entered except Eurylochus, wh

suspected danger. The goddess conducted her guests to a seat, and had them served with wine and other delicacies. When they

ine and other delicacies. When they had feasted heartily, she touched them one by one with her wand, and they became immedia

, voice, and bristles,” yet with their intellects as before. She shut them in her sties and supplied them with acorns and su

h their intellects as before. She shut them in her sties and supplied them with acorns and such other things as swine love.

ld release his companions and practise no further harm against him or them ; and she repeated it, at the same time promising

m or them; and she repeated it, at the same time promising to dismiss them all in safety after hospitably entertaining them.

promising to dismiss them all in safety after hospitably entertaining them . She was as good as her word. The men were restor

ir admonition gratefully. Circe aided their departure, and instructed them how to pass safely by the coast of the Sirens. Th

sea-nymphs who had the power of charming by their song all who heard them , so that the unhappy mariners were irresistibly i

e directions. He filled the ears of his people with wax, and suffered them to bind him with cords firmly to the mast. As the

rce, after their transformation. In his Endymion he represents one of them , a monarch in the guise of an elephant, addressin

ps of life, My children fair, my lovely girls and boys; I will forget them ; I will pass these joys, Ask nought so heavenward

he haunt of the dread monsters, Ulysses kept strict watch to discover them . The roar of the waters as Charybdis ingulphed th

watch to discover them. The roar of the waters as Charybdis ingulphed them , gave warning at a distance, but Scylla could now

nster, darting forth her snaky heads, caught six of his men, and bore them away, shrieking, to her den. It was the saddest s

ld his friends thus sacrificed and hear their cries, unable to afford them any assistance. Circe had warned him of another d

horing and passing the night on shore, that Ulysses yielded. He bound them , however, with an oath that they would not touch

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

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

attle, vainly attempting to make amends for the deed by offering from them a portion to the offended powers. Ulysses, on his

to pieces. The keel and mast floating side by side, Ulysses formed of them a raft, to which he clung, and, the wind changing

a people akin to the gods, who appeared manifestly and feasted among them when they offered sacrifices, and did not conceal

and did not conceal themselves from solitary wayfarers when they met them . They had abundance of wealth and lived in the en

ied thither. On awaking, the princess hastened to her parents to tell them what was on her mind; not alluding to her wedding

se and amused themselves with a game of ball, the princess singing to them while they played. But when they had refolded the

called back her scattered maidens, chiding their alarm, and reminding them that the Phæacians had no enemies to fear. This m

ng them that the Phæacians had no enemies to fear. This man, she told them , was an unhappy wanderer, whom it was a duty to c

a duty to cherish, for the poor and stranger are from Jove. She bade them bring food and clothing, for some of her brother’

and refreshed himself. The king then dismissed his guests, notifying them that the next day he would call them to council t

dismissed his guests, notifying them that the next day he would call them to council to consider what had best be done for

s and herself had made) from whom he received those garments. He told them of his residence in Calypso’s isle and his depart

hey were owners of both. That he might be able to take vengeance upon them , it was important that he should not be recognize

sel together how they should get the better of the suitors and punish them for their outrages. It was arranged that Telemach

o exhibit their insolence to him. When he mildly remonstrated, one of them , raised a stool and with it gave him a blow. Tele

heat of competition there was danger, in some rash moment, of putting them to an improper use. All things being prepared for

tring and sped the arrow unerring through the rings. Without allowing them time to express their astonishment, he said, “Now

here any way of escape, for Eumæus had secured the door. Ulysses left them not long in uncertainty; he announced himself as

, whose wife and son they had persecuted for ten long years; and told them he meant to have ample vengeance. All were slain,

at Crete and began to build their city, but sickness broke out among them , and the fields that they had planted failed to y

autic expedition, and took refuge in the island where Æneas now found them . When they entered the port the Trojans saw herds

n the air, and a flock of these odious harpies came rushing down upon them , seizing in their talons the meat from the dishes

o no purpose, for they were so nimble it was almost impossible to hit them , and their feathers were like armor impenetrable

hem, and their feathers were like armor impenetrable to steel. One of them , perched on a neighboring cliff, screamed out, “I

nd then make war on ourselves?” She then predicted dire sufferings to them in their future course, and having vented her wra

romache treated the exiles with the utmost hospitality, and dismissed them loaded with gifts. From hence Æneas coasted along

arments, tattered as they were, they perceived to be a Greek. He told them he was one of Ulysses’s companions, left behind b

elated the story of Ulysses’s adventure with Polyphemus, and besought them to take him off with them as he had no means of s

s’s adventure with Polyphemus, and besought them to take him off with them as he had no means of sustaining his existence wh

-socket in the waves. When he reached the water, he waded out towards them , and his immense height enabled him to advance fa

ars to get out of his way. Hearing the oars, Polyphemus shouted after them , so that the shores resounded, and at the noise t

a row of lofty pine trees. The Trojans plied their oars and soon left them out of sight. Æneas had been cautioned by Helenus

rosperously towards their destined shore, felt her old grudge against them revive, for she could not forget the slight that

this interference in his province. He called the winds and dismissed them with a severe reprimand. He then soothed the wave

ile Triton and a sea-nymph, putting their shoulders under others, set them afloat again. The Trojans, when the sea became ca

n effecting their escape from Tyre, in several vessels, carrying with them the treasures of Sichæus. On arriving at the spot

readily granted, she caused the hide to be cut into strips, and with them enclosed a spot on which she built a citadel, and

icily, where Acestes, a prince of Trojan lineage, bore sway, who gave them a hospitable reception, the Trojans re-embarked,

relaxed, and he made haste to turn his bark to the shore, and receive them on board. The boat, adapted only to the light fre

e were they who had perished under false charges. Minos presides over them as judge, and examines the deeds of each. The nex

hed away the viands from their lips as fast as they prepared to taste them . Others beheld suspended over their heads huge ro

d suspended over their heads huge rocks, threatening to fall, keeping them in a state of constant alarm. These were they who

others, or struck their parents, or defrauded the friends who trusted them , or who, having grown rich, kept their money to t

had sold his country for gold, another who perverted the laws, making them say one thing to-day and another to-morrow. Ixion

es, and luscious figs; but when with a sudden grasp he tried to seize them winds whirled them high above his reach. The Siby

gs; but when with a sudden grasp he tried to seize them winds whirled them high above his reach. The Sibyl now warned Æneas

or and generous steeds which the old heroes felt in life, accompanied them here. He saw another group feasting and listening

is done by ventilating the souls in the current of winds, or merging them in water, or burning out their impurities by fire

rushed in and dispersed the leaves the Sibyl gave no aid to restoring them again, and the oracle was irreparably lost. The f

man who offered him nine books for sale. The king refused to purchase them , whereupon the woman went away and burned three o

or the same price she had asked for the nine. The king again rejected them ; but when the woman, after burning three books mo

officers appointed for that duty, who, on great occasions, consulted them and interpreted their oracles to the people. Ther

maean Sibyl, of whom Ovid and Virgil write, is the most celebrated of them . Ovid’s story of her life protracted to one thous

themselves with hunting. She sharpened the scent of the dogs, and led them to rouse up from the thicket a tame stag, the fav

ng from the skies, smote the doors with irresistible force, and burst them open. Immediately the whole country was in a flam

ith yours.” Pallas, in amaze at the sound of so great a name, invited them to land, and when Æneas touched the shore he seiz

d his party and were most favorably received. Seats were provided for them at the tables, and the repast proceeded. Infan

lked between his son and Æneas, taking the arm of one or the other of them , and with much variety of pleasing talk shortenin

were they when Saturn, expelled from Olympus by his sons, came among them and drew together the fierce savages, formed them

is sons, came among them and drew together the fierce savages, formed them into society, and gave them laws. Such peace and

drew together the fierce savages, formed them into society, and gave them laws. Such peace and plenty ensued that men ever

anus, and there Saturnia, the town of Saturn.” Such discourse brought them to the cottage of poor Evander, whence they saw t

d the hero attended by his faithful Achates, and, Pallas soon joining them , the old king spoke thus: — “Illustrious Trojan,

ow have attempted to enforce their demand; but their priests restrain them , telling them that it is the will of heaven that

ted to enforce their demand; but their priests restrain them, telling them that it is the will of heaven that no native of t

that it is the will of heaven that no native of the land shall guide them to victory, and that their destined leader must c

intrenchments, and resisted all the efforts of the Rutulians to draw them into the field. Night coming on, the army of Turn

gh for me, and if they judge the service deserves any thing more, let them pay it to you.” Euryalus, all on fire with the lo

us lose no time.” They called the guard, and committing the watch to them , sought the general’s tent. They found the chief

ng discovered, but now suddenly appeared a troop directly in front of them , which, under Volscens, their leader, were approa

, while Æneas stood fenced with his shield, turning every way to meet them . At last, after Mezentius had three times made th

y hearers. “He [Pythagoras] said so,” (Ipse dixit,) was to be held by them as sufficient, without any proof. It was only the

numbers as the essence and principle of all things, and attributed to them a real and distinct existence; so that, in his vi

f the musical scale. The heavenly bodies, with the gods who inhabited them , were supposed to perform a choral dance round th

so as to move with it. As the spheres are transparent we look through them and see the heavenly bodies which they contain an

m and see the heavenly bodies which they contain and carry round with them . But as these spheres cannot move on one another

e earth to bestow gifts and blessings on its inhabitants. Isis showed them first the use of wheat and barley, and Osiris mad

Osiris made the instruments of agriculture and taught men the use of them , as well as how to harness the ox to the plough.

n laws, the institution of marriage, a civil organization, and taught them how to worship the gods. After he had thus made t

r: Having organized a conspiracy of seventy-two members, he went with them to the feast which was celebrated in honor of the

on discovered it, and cutting the body into fourteen pieces scattered them hither and thither. After a tedious search, Isis

supposed to be given by any of the divinities to those who consulted them respecting the future. The word was also used to

onius at Lebadea. They came thither, but could find no oracle. One of them , however, happening to see a swarm of bees, follo

cle. One of them, however, happening to see a swarm of bees, followed them to a chasm in the earth, which proved to be the p

eal human beings, and the legends and fabulous traditions relating to them are merely the additions and embellishments of la

ndence of Phidias. Its exterior was enriched with sculptures, many of them from the hand of Phidias. The Elgin marbles, now

Phidias. The Elgin marbles, now in the British Museum, are a part of them . Both the Jupiter and Minerva of Phidias are lost

t’s sorrows, his exquisite taste and fruitful invention have redeemed them from the charge of being tedious, and they are re

s he has narrated the fabulous traditions of early ages, and given to them that appearance of reality which only a master ha

rency seem to have been in more modern times. We seek our accounts of them not so much in the poetry of the ancients as in t

pright. He kills the shrubs, not only by contact, but by breathing on them , and splits the rocks, such power of evil is ther

aware that those who went to hunt the basilisk of this sort took with them a mirror, which reflected back the deadly glare u

istotle and Pliny, affirms this power of the salamander. According to them , the animal not only resists fire, but extinguish

of the fire as fast as its legs could carry it; indeed, too fast for them ever to make prize of one, except in one instance

a supreme being, who created two other mighty beings and imparted to them as much of his own nature as seemed good to him.

ems of Ormuzd, the source of all light and purity, but did not regard them as independent deities. The religious rites and c

a name derived from Pars, the ancient name of Persia. The Arabs call them Guebers, from an Arabic word signifying unbelieve

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

of a foreign race, who subdued the natives of the country and reduced them to an inferior caste. Others trace it to the fond

ing all the rules of their faith, and all that was necessary to guide them in their religious ceremonies. They were also com

the working classes of the community, it was found necessary to allow them to engage in productive employments. We need say

liged to surround with bones of animals, to warn others against using them . They dwell in miserable hovels, distant from cit

k of ignominy, as if they were so degraded that nothing could pollute them . The three higher castes are prohibited entirely

edit, and were propagated so rapidly that Buddha himself lived to see them spread all over India. He died at the age of eigh

e authority of the Vedas, and the religious observances prescribed in them and kept by the Hindus. They also reject the dist

seasons by placing in the heavens the sun and moon and appointing to them their respective courses. As soon as the sun bega

an elder, and called the man Aske and the woman Embla. Odin then gave them life and soul, Vili reason and motion, and Ve bes

gave them life and soul, Vili reason and motion, and Ve bestowed upon them the senses, expressive features, and speech. Midg

m the senses, expressive features, and speech. Midgard was then given them as their residence, and they became the progenito

l death are excluded. The flesh of the boar Schrimnir is served up to them , and is abundant for all. For although this boar

e Mountain giants know to their cost, when they see it hurled against them in the air, for it has split many a skull of thei

into the company of the gods, and seems to take pleasure in bringing them into difficulties, and in extricating them out of

take pleasure in bringing them into difficulties, and in extricating them out of the danger by his cunning, wit, and skill.

l upon gods and men. So Odin deemed it advisable to send one to bring them to him. When they came he threw the serpent into

nally the gods sent a messenger to the mountain spirits, who made for them the chain called Gleipnir. It is fashioned of six

d Midgard and Valhalla, a certain artificer came and offered to build them a residence so well fortified that they should be

ice and entered into consultation, inquiring of one another who among them could have advised to give Freya away, or to plun

erceived that it was in reality a mountain giant who had come amongst them . Feeling no longer bound by their oaths, they cal

ar him a huge giant, who slept and snored in the way that had alarmed them so. It is said that for once Thor was afraid to u

ons into one wallet, threw it over his shoulder, and strode on before them , taking such tremendous strides that they were ha

o they travelled the whole day, and at dusk Skrymir chose a place for them to pass the night in under a large oak tree. Skry

r them to pass the night in under a large oak tree. Skrymir then told them he would lie down to sleep. “But take ye the wall

tunity of striking a third blow, it should settle all matters between them . A little before daybreak he perceived that Skrym

Hereupon he threw his wallet over his shoulders and turned away from them into the forest, and Thor had no wish to stop him

. On arriving they entered the city, and seeing a large palace before them with the door wide open, they went in, and found

tgard-Loki, whom they saluted with great respect. The king, regarding them with a scornful smile, said, “If I do not mistake

r, Loki placed himself at one end, and Logi at the other, and each of them began to eat as fast as he could, until they met

ng, and was finally brought down upon one knee. Utgard-Loki then told them to desist, adding that Thor had now no occasion t

epared for their departure. Utgard-Loki ordered a table to be set for them , on which there was no lack of victuals or drink.

re was no lack of victuals or drink. After the repast Utgard-Loki led them to the gate of the city, and on parting asked Tho

blows fell on the mountain, where thou wilt find three glens, one of them remarkably deep. These are the dints made by thy

nted with terrible dreams indicating that his life was in peril, told them to the assembled gods, who resolved to conjure al

, diseases, beasts, birds, poisons, and creeping things, that none of them would do any harm to Baldur. Odin, not satisfied

im with their swords and battle-axes; for do what they would, none of them could harm him. And this became a favorite pastim

none of them could harm him. And this became a favorite pastime with them and was regarded as an honor shown to Baldur. But

ny thing else can hurt Baldur, for I have exacted an oath from all of them .” “What,” exclaimed the woman, “have all things s

amentations. When the gods came to themselves, Frigga asked who among them wished to gain all her love and good will. “For t

their most deadly enemy, because whenever his beams fell upon any of them they changed them immediately into stones. Their

enemy, because whenever his beams fell upon any of them they changed them immediately into stones. Their language was the e

re chiefly used for magical purposes. The noxious, or, as they called them , the bitter runes, were employed to bring various

rim of grassy country, where cattle can subsist, and men by means of them and of what the sea yields; and it seems they wer

and it seems they were poetic men these, men who had deep thoughts in them and uttered musically their thoughts. Much would

tic nations in Gaul, Britain, and Germany. Our information respecting them is borrowed from notices in the Greek and Roman w

l crimes against person or property, were at this time brought before them for adjudication. With these judicial acts were c

rds in animating the resistance of the people to his sway, persecuted them with great cruelty. This tradition has furnished

e labored diligently to procure for themselves and those dependent on them the comforts of life. Marriage also was allowed t

ose dependent on them the comforts of life. Marriage also was allowed them , and most of them seem to have entered into that

hem the comforts of life. Marriage also was allowed them, and most of them seem to have entered into that state. True, their

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

de with them at the institution, but they had a residence assigned to them in an adjacent locality. Near Iona there is an is

ban,” women’s island, where their husbands seem to have resided with them , except when duty required their presence in the

Norwegian and Danish rovers by whom those seas were infested, and by them it was repeatedly pillaged, its dwellings burned,

ained to correct principles, I had not acquired the habit of applying them with readiness and accuracy. Considering these re

st have been well aware of its defects, it is plain that they thought them to be more than compensated by its merits. Of the

erfully acknowledge. Should it chance to come under the eye of any of them , and should he happen to find his ideas anywhere

he leading scholars of the continent ; and as to my own, as I advance them without dogmatism, I can see them rejected withou

nt ; and as to my own, as I advance them without dogmatism, I can see them rejected without displeasure. I confess I wish to

t the public have a right, but it is only on giving the full value of them , and on the principle that private feelings and i

yright provided the author be empowered to transfer all his rights to them , and that any extension of the term of those copy

f the term of those copyrights which they have purchased should go to them also, and not to the author. Theirs indeed is but

ly gainers by a change in the law ; for most authors will transfer to them all their rights if they have the power to do it.

the publication of the present Edition of this work : I have printed them separately, with the intention of inserting them

ork : I have printed them separately, with the intention of inserting them in the remaining copies. T. K. Binfield, Berks, N

near those of Geryoneus in the isle of Erithyia, and (p. 363) we meet them in the under-world under the care of the same her

hich they are certainly not to be blamed, the poet himself having set them the example. To us however this appears to be an

and the earth, and the changes which appear to have taken place among them . These last are however, in the popular mode of v

ce among them. These last are however, in the popular mode of viewing them , as much events as the former, as they were propo

y, their belief in many gods may have thus commenced. They saw around them various changes brought about by human agency, an

and the lightning flamed along the sky, the terrified mortal regarded them as sent forth by a god who ruled the heavens ; wh

Chariots drawn by horses or other animals of celestial breed conveyed them over earth, sea, and air ; their clothing and arm

pression. We mean by these gods, deities presiding over and directing them , but totally distinct from them ; regents of them

deities presiding over and directing them, but totally distinct from them  ; regents of them, in the sense in which the arch

over and directing them, but totally distinct from them ; regents of them , in the sense in which the archangel Uriel is by

pestilence itself to be actual and real facts, all those who heard of them , and who had at the same time a firm belief in th

mythology is full of instances, and the subsequent pages will present them in abundance. We cannot however refrain from givi

, which are so completely shut in by mountains that the streams leave them by subterranean passages, called by the ancient A

tinually quarrelling ; a furious contest at length took place between them on the top of Mount Sactá, whose base was washed

solving to halt and give battle at the spot where the line he made of them should terminate. These instances may suffice to

aughters of the eye ; and dreams, daughters of night : an ass is with them the father of hanging ears 24. A similar mode of

istory of the personages of Sacred Scripture ; Rudbeck35, who regards them as being drawn from the history of the North of E

t approaches the confines of impiety, and at times seems even to pass them . The study and adoption of it can hardly fail to

to account for the whole body of the mythology of any people. Some of them , too, apply more to one system than another : the

, and were the product of other minds than those which afterwards set them in connexion, not unfrequently without fully unde

us in the favoured clime of Hellas, caught up the tales, and narrated them with all the embellishments a lively fancy could

ssing the same attributes as some of their own, they at once inferred them to be the same under different names ; but where

taken possession of the popular legends, adorned, amplified, added to them , and sought to reduce the whole to a somewhat har

lar faith, or were themselves too much affected by all that environed them to dream of anything which might shock the opinio

e earth, of nature, her laws and powers, advanced, the false views of them contained in the venerable mythes of antiquity be

ral of the mythes afforded the philosophers an opportunity of holding them forth as the husks in which important moral or ph

2, but perhaps not with sufficient evidence, the priests who directed them used, for the credit of the popular religion whos

ance with the truths established by the philosophers, by representing them as being involved in the ancient mythes, which th

recondite sense, another class of men, the artists, had laid hold of them . The gods of their forefathers were now presented

pecially the later dramatists, thought themselves at liberty to treat them in whatever manner they deemed best calculated to

Priests, philosophers, and poets combined to vary, change, and modify them . The imagination of these various classes produce

Ptolemies, those munificent patrons of learning, had assembled around them at Alexandria the scholars and the men of genius

investigation. Some worked up the mythes into poems ; others arranged them in prose narratives ; several occupied themselves

prose narratives ; several occupied themselves in the explication of them . At this time what is named Pragmatism, or the ef

act as judges and magistrates : a double share of everything fell to them . The task of the military class was to defend the

ety and their hospitality to strangers. The first king who ruled over them was named Uranos. He collected the people, who ha

people, who had previously dwelt dispersedly, into towns, and taught them agriculture, and thus reformed their manners. He

gods of Greece with such of their own deities as had a resemblance to them . Thus Hermes became Mercurius, Aphrodite Venus, a

The Fathers of the Church laid hold on the weapons thus presented to them , to defend the new and attack the old religion. B

ends. Ephorus and Theopompus were those who devoted most attention to them , as their fragments still remaining show. The sop

nd the remainder of the Pleias, as they were named, formed poems from them  ; while Apollodorus, following Pherecydes, and ad

st conceptions of the present day in geography and astronomy, give to them a degree of folly and inconsistency with which th

own country southern Italy and Sicily, though their ideas respecting them were probably vague and uncertain ; and the imagi

e Hyperboreans. They were named the Æthiopians105 : the gods favoured them so highly that they were wont to leave at times t

.’ At length Hell, which had meantime been created, Yawning received them whole and on them closed. The bottom of this pla

which had meantime been created, Yawning received them whole and on them closed. The bottom of this place of torment was

Scandinavia, excluding the idea of the death of a god) ; causes with them becoming parents, effects children, the productio

males, Oceanos, Coios, Crios, Hyperiôn, Iapetos, and the youngest of them Kronos ; and six females, Theia, Rheia (or Rhea),

en were hated by their father, who, as soon as they were born, thrust them out of sight into a cavern of Earth141 , who, gri

r children, the Titans, to rebellion against him : but fear seized on them all except Kronos, who lying in wait with the sic

counsel of Earth the Kronids released the Hundred-handed, and called them to their aid. The war was then resumed with renew

e darkness beneath, the other that above the earth, succeed, and from them spring Day the lower, and Æther the higher light

arth-born 153. The germs of all beings afterwards to be formed lie in them , but they are inclosed within the earth, and cann

imprisoned brethren ; but Kronos, to whom the kingdom is given, binds them again in Tartaros. Then follows the account of th

ry, and the three brothers divide the dominions of their father among them by lot159. The Titan-war, as this critic thinks,

springs of Night in the North, whilst Apollonius176 appears to place them within the earth. It was, as we shall see, the cu

to the Greek182, its derivation is not perhaps to be found in any of them . Ὠκϵανὸς καὶ Тηθύς. Oceanus et Tethys. Oce

d arrives in the West, Phosphoros unyokes the sweating steeds, washes them in the waves of ocean, and then leads them to the

he sweating steeds, washes them in the waves of ocean, and then leads them to their stall ; and when they are rested the god

n leads them to their stall ; and when they are rested the god drives them round the Ocean to the East. In two other passage

ning him of the dangers of the road, and instructing him how to avoid them . Phaëthôn grasps the reins, the flame-breathing s

that, when Zeus and the other Immortals were dividing the earth among them by lot, the Sun happening to be absent got no sha

Helios and Selene, names the steeds which drew that of Eôs. He calls them Lampos (Shining) and Phaëthôn (Gleaming)266. Æsch

he of the six male and six female Titans must have intended to employ them in pairs in the task of production ; and yet we f

ions in the eyes of those who are long and intimately acquainted with them . This is particularly the case with the beautiful

e in general familiar with its legends from an early age, but we view them detached and unconnected, ignorant of their place

d earth ; the nectar is handed round by Hebe (Youth), Apollo delights them with the tones of his lyre, and the Muses in resp

ghted them349. Their power was held to extend very far ; men regarded them as the authors of both good and evil ; all human

of both good and evil ; all human ability and success was ascribed to them . They were believed to have power over the though

tibly suggest such as they pleased350. They required of men to honour them with prayer, and the sacrifice of oxen, sheep, go

hariots were drawn by horses of celestial breed366, which could whirl them to and fro between heaven and earth through the y

d fro between heaven and earth through the yielding air, or skim with them along the surface of the sea without wetting the

ods noticed is Hellanicus, who says370 that Deucaliôn built altars to them after the flood. It was perhaps the number of the

mber of the Ionian race, for it seems probable that it was only among them , particularly at Athens372, that altars were erec

and his brothers, Poseidôn and Hades, divided the world by lot among them , and the portion which fell to him was the ‘exten

s, snow, and rainbows, are therefore ascribed to him376; and he sends them either as signs377 and warnings, or to punish the

d and affectionate to his children, he occasionally menaces or treats them with rigour384. In the Odyssey the character of t

detailed account when we come to speak of the heroes who sprang from them . The love of Zeus (and in this there lies a moral

ning ; they sought for hospitality, but every door was closed against them . At length they approached a humble cottage where

n aged man, named Philemôn, with Baucis his wife, of equal years : by them the wayfarers were gladly received. The poet plea

that it was their intention to destroy the godless town, and desired them to leave their house and ascend the adjacent hill

— he as Hippios, she as Hippia, — at Colonos near Athens442 ; we find them united in the legend of Bellerophontes443 ; they

r a combination of the worship of the deities who are the subjects of them , in the places where the scenes of the supposed c

is in fact surprising, that men who had such a dreary prospect before them should not have been more attached to life, and m

as represented similar to his brothers, but he was distinguished from them by his gloomy and rigid mien. He usually bears a

acrifice to pluck some hairs from the forehead of the victim and burn them on the altar, so Death is here represented as com

eracles Hera acts a prominent part as the persecutor of the heroes of them , who were the offspring of Zeus by mortal mothers

reed Of birds, the fair-form’d much-admired peafowl. Whole flocks of them were fed in the sacred grove of the goddess. They

ere gradually but slowly spread through Greece. The later poets yoked them to the chariot of Hera : thus514, The sea-gods g

da515 : He said ; and in his arms Kroniôn seized His spouse. Beneath them bounteous earth sent up Fresh-growing grass : the

wy lotus rose, Crocus and hyacinth, both thick and soft, Which raised them from the ground. On this they lay, And o’cr them

d soft, Which raised them from the ground. On this they lay, And o’cr them spread a golden cloud and fair, And glittering dr

some dressed meat before it, and watching the ravens, marked which of them took the meat, and on what tree he sat. They then

ean, where during nine years he employed himself in manufacturing for them various ornaments and trinkets568. We are not inf

es formed by Hephæstos ; we shall however notice some of the chief of them . One thing is remarkable concerning them, that th

notice some of the chief of them. One thing is remarkable concerning them , that they were all made of the various metals ;

what that place was to which they were come, he replies by informing them who he is, and what his purpose was in bringing t

ies by informing them who he is, and what his purpose was in bringing them thither. He invites them to land, and says, that

he is, and what his purpose was in bringing them thither. He invites them to land, and says, that as he had met them in the

g them thither. He invites them to land, and says, that as he had met them in the form of a porpoise (δελὶν) they should wor

ts name617. They now disembark : the god playing on his lyre precedes them , and leads them to his temple, where they become

now disembark : the god playing on his lyre precedes them, and leads them to his temple, where they become his priests and

ames Pytho and Delphi alone sufficed to give a foundation for some of them . The former, which evidently signifies the Place

was Asclepios, who became so famous for his healing powers. Extending them so far as to restore the dead to life, he drew on

or their beauty and swiftness, and it is added that Apollo had reared them in Pieria643. At the funeral-games, toward the cl

king of Troy, for a year ; at the end of which time he refused to pay them their wages, and threatened to cut off the cars o

re all. The Homerids have also sung the huntress-goddess : one of them in his hymn to her thus describes her occupations

ains his appetite. The Amnisiades then unyoke her stags, and bring to them from Hera’s mead some of the trefoil on which the

he practice of the Greeks to unite similar deities, or to make one of them principal, and the others companions or attendant

and her nymphs were celebrating a pannychis or wake, and mingled with them . But the goddess, suspecting his design, had daub

so well the wanderings of Odysseus, and the love of definiteness, led them to affix the names which he employs to various pl

cting the original nature of Leto and her children, the one regarding them as physical, the other as moral beings. Both howe

s sparing the isle of Delos on their account, and making offerings to them evidently as gods of the two great luminaries (Mi

luding to the Gardens of Adonis, as pots and boxes of flowers used in them were called, and the ill fortune of the Athenian

med their gods to be so little superior to men, may not have believed them to have been really and not metaphorically put to

in their city was of plain stone, but Praxiteles afterwards made for them one of Pcntelican marble of rare beauty774. Erôs

come the mode to exalt the characters of philosophers by ascribing to them all kinds of wonderful works, the sophist Eunapiu

nions having gone to the warm baths of Gadara in Lycia, and bathed in them , a conversation arose among them on the nature of

hs of Gadara in Lycia, and bathed in them, a conversation arose among them on the nature of the baths. The philosopher smile

t in me to do so, yet I will show you something new.” He then desired them to inquire of the inhabitants, what were the trad

e smaller but handsomer of the warm springs. They replied that one of them was called Erôs and the other Anterôs, but that t

bathed. All present were in amazement : the philosopher then leading them to the other spring did as he had done before ; a

the philosopher as if he had been their father ; and after caressing them for some time, he restored them to their native e

en their father ; and after caressing them for some time, he restored them to their native element. His companions, who had

at her sisters should come to the palace. The obedient zephyr conveys them thither. They grow envious of Psyche’s happiness,

the kingdom of her sisters ; and, by a false tale of Cupid’s love for them , causes them to cast themselves from the rock on

f her sisters ; and, by a false tale of Cupid’s love for them, causes them to cast themselves from the rock on which she had

e of a fidelity subjected to numerous temptations and victorious over them all. The interpretation of an allegory is always

tors and civilisers of mankind by means of the arts which they taught them , and we shall find them in intimate union in the

ankind by means of the arts which they taught them, and we shall find them in intimate union in the mythic system of Attica.

death. The snakes which formed their ringlets mourned in concert with them , and Athena hearing the sound was pleased with it

s sought to appropriate the Tritôn to themselves820, the choice among them might seem difficult. The contest, however, has l

of Apollo. He forthwith separated fifty cows from the herd and drove them away, contriving to make them go backwards ; and

ated fifty cows from the herd and drove them away, contriving to make them go backwards ; and throwing away his sandals, bou

and stalled the kine, made a fire, killed, cut up, and dressed two of them , and even made black-puddings of their blood, and

gods. In the morning Apollo missed his kine : he set out in search of them , met the old man, who informed him of his having

s him where the cows are : but Hermes stoutly denies all knowledge of them , and even very innocently asks what cows are. Apo

, and Hermes drives the cattle out of the cave : Apollo misses two of them  ; to his amazement he sees their skins upon the r

the lowing of the kine, Battos ran out to look, and immediately knew them to be stolen, but agreed for a certain reward not

ed for a certain reward not to give information to any one respecting them . Hermes having arranged this matter drove on, and

s when they went to bathe, he stole their clothes, and did not return them till he had amused himself well with laughing at

more than wooden posts with a rude head and a pointed beard carved on them . They were what is termed ithyphallic, and were s

r the adventures of Hermes above related, it will appear that most of them refer to his character as a rural deity865. Such

quired who she was and why she did not go into the town. Demeter told them her name was Dôs, and that she had been carried o

contrived to make her escape, and had wandered thither. She entreats them to tell her where she is ; and wishing them young

red thither. She entreats them to tell her where she is ; and wishing them young husbands and as many children as they may d

ng wide, Like unto yellow flowers. The goddess rose and accompanied them home. As she entered the house a divine splendour

grassy dales, Nor hills retard the immortal coursers’ speed, But o’er them going they cut the air profound. Hermes conducte

ne, and henceforward becomes her attendant. Zeus sends Rhea to invite them back to heaven. Demeter now complies, And instan

ur months. The vanity of the people of the hungry soil of Attica made them pretend that corn was first known and agriculture

ead of going into all the mysticism which has been written respecting them , both in ancient and modern times, we will conten

s of more splendid and abundant sacrifices and offerings were made to them , their virtue might not be adequate to resisting

ites, and such like were preserved as national palladia, the sight of them was restricted to the magistrates and principal p

worship of these deities ; which however remained so long confined to them as to have given origin to a proverb (Ἀττικοὶ τὰ

of the advantage of being initiated, i. e. admitted to participate in them , and of the favour of the gods in life, and the c

system of religion little inferior to pure Christianity was taught in them . But these hopes, and this tranquillity of mind a

athers of the Church, that this arose entirely from their confounding them with the Bacchic, Isiac, Mithraic, and other priv

the daughters of Heaven and Earth933. The more received opinion makes them , as in the proœmium to the Theogony934, nine, the

ssigned a particular department to each of the Muses, and represented them in various postures and with various attributes93

o have been the birth-place of the Muses ; and everything relating to them proves the antiquity of the tradition of the know

m which they have derived their appellations, or which were sacred to them , are, we may observe, in Macedonia, Thessaly, or

as he was returning from Œchalia. He had boasted that he could excel them in singing ; and enraged at his presumption they

the nine daughters, it is said, of Pierios king of Æmathia challenged them to a contest of singing. The place of trial was M

he Mænades. The Muses collected the fragments of his body, and buried them , and at their prayer Zeus placed his lyre in the

aid they were three in number, the daughters of Apollo, and he called them Cephiso, Apollonis, and Borysthenis952, two of wh

the daughters of Pieros and Pimpleia (Fattener and Filler), and named them after seven rivers953. They probably figured in t

n some way with the water the poet would hardly have thus represented them , as the humour would not have been fully apprecia

ar, connected their Camenæ with the fountains ; for Egeria was one of them , and her fount long continued to be an object of

arge is to open and close the dense cloud, creak spontaneously to let them pass. On the return of these goddesses, at the ma

sses, at the mandate of Zeus, the Seasons unyoke their steeds, fasten them in their stalls, and lay up the chariot. They are

that the Seasons were the daughters of Zeus and Themis, and he names them Eunomia (Order), Dike (Justice), and Eirene (Peac

n of the year, and their number was increased to twelve962. Some made them seven or ten in number963. The Horæ seem to have

d two Horæ, named Thallo Bloom-giver, and Carpo (Fructifier), viewing them as physical beings968. By the poets they were fre

rodite972 ; the beauty of the two attendants of Nausicaa973 was given them by the Charites ; and the ringlets of the beautif

ence, if Artemis was originally a moon-goddess, the identification of them was easy. The moon was believed by the ancients t

d limits the Fates, like so many other goddesses, to three, and gives them Zeus and Themis for their parents998. In an inter

999 they are classed among the children of Night1000, and Plato makes them the daughters of Necessity1001. Their names in He

ey are according to Empedocles1018, while Æschylus and Sophocles call them the children of Night1019, and the Orphie Hymns a

cles call them the children of Night1019, and the Orphie Hymns assign them the rulers of Erebos for parents1020. In the time

impious violation of our sacred rights by those most bound to respect them .” This perfectly accords with the origin of the E

ylus, may be discerned ideas of this nature1029. The epithet given to them by Empedocles would seem to confirm a view of the

e epithet given to them by Empedocles would seem to confirm a view of them already noticed1030. Chapter XIII. THEMIS,

has injured : but Ate is strong and firm-footed, and gets far before them , afflicting men whom they afterwards heal. Elsewh

uides those poets who sing from inspiration and not from art, leading them to ascribe to the personages whom they introduce

signs of divinity, called to the crew that he was a god, and exhorted them to set him on shore, lest he should cause a tempe

were endowed with immortality. But all the halfcaste, as we may call them , Heracles, Achilleus, Sarpedôn, Æneias, have no a

ians — a people, by the way, without ships, or materials for building them , who had no ports, and who held the sea in abhorr

ast-eating savages that roamed its uncultivated wilds, and instructed them in the nature and worship of the gods. The deitie

Cithærôn. Pentheus, the ruler of Thebes, however, set himself against them  ; but Dionysos caused him to be torn to pieces by

d from the roof ; but their obstinacy was unsubdued. He finally drove them mad ; they tore to pieces the son of Leucippe, an

ppe, and then went roaming through the mountains, till Hermes touched them with his wand, and turned them into a bat, an owl

ugh the mountains, till Hermes touched them with his wand, and turned them into a bat, an owl, and a crow1109. Dionysos next

odern mystics endeavour to extract profound and solemn mysteries from them . The women, who bore a chief part in these franti

The captives are chained and placed on wagons or elephants, and among them is carried a large cratêr full of wine ; Dionysos

e meet upwards of forty of his appellations. Some of the principal of them are, Bacchos 1120 and Bromios, from the noise wit

ees of the gods, and equal punishments threatened to the despisers of them . What ! is not the religion of the subterrane dei

e poet is equally silent with respect to anything of thé kind between them and the Phrygians, whose religion we know to have

y distinct from the Artemis of the Greeks. Yet in after times we find them so completely identified, that the Ephesians in t

live-tree which still existed, brought forth these deities, were with them .” In like manner the people of Tegyra in Bœotia a

ed and were plundering. Calling to mind the oracle, he sent to invite them to enter his service : they consented, and with t

nted, and with their aid he made himself master of Egypt. He assigned them a settlement near the Pelusiac mouth of the Nile,

the Delta. Amasis, who was a great favourer of the Greeks, permitted them to erect altars and consecrate pieces of land (τϵ

stranger ; and they named him Pan (i. e. All), because he had charmed them all. Others fabled that Pan was the son of Herme

to him, who was always, and still would be, friendly and assisting to them . After the battle the Athenians consecrated a cav

sound. The god took the hint, cut seven of the reeds, and formed from them his syrinx (σύριγξ) or pastoral pipe1181. Another

onysos, and they formed the chorus of the species of drama named from them . It is not unlikely that they are indebted for th

re originally merely the rustics who formed the chorus, and danced at them in their goat-skin dresses1194. Their name may be

erous. The charge of rearing various gods and heroes was committed to them  : they were, for instance, the nurses of Dionysos

mæos prays to the Nymphs to speed the return of his master, reminding them of the numerous sacrifices which Odysseus had off

minding them of the numerous sacrifices which Odysseus had offered to them . In another part of the poem1233 their sacred cav

to Aphrodite, we find the following full and accurate description of them . Aphrodite, when she informs Anchises that she is

mbrosial food, and with the Deathless frame The beauteous dance. With them , in the recess Of lovely caves, well-spying Argos

he Sileni mix in love. Straight pines Or oaks high-headed spring with them upon The earth man-feeding, soon as they are born

he high hills Lofty they stand ; the Deathless’ sacred grove Men call them , and with iron never cut. But when the Fate of de

near, First wither on the earth the beauteous trees, The bark around them wastes, the branches fall, And the Nymph’s soul a

ocks in Messapia. The young shepherds quitted their flocks to gaze on them  ; and, ignorant of their quality, declared that t

ffended, and after a long dispute the shepherds began to contend with them . The motions of the rustics were of course awkwar

e goddesses. The former were vanquished ; and the nymphs cried out to them , “O youths, you have been contending with the Epi

r to dance and sing hymns to the gods. Apollo beheld her dancing with them , and fell in love with her. He changed himself in

own nature to Dryope ; and her son Amphissos out of gratitude raised them a temple, and instituted games, at which no woman

ere present informed the people of it, and the nymphs incensed turned them both into fir-trees1243. Terambos, who dwelt at t

f the Spercheios, and that Poseidôn had once when in love with one of them turned the rest into poplars, and kept them in th

when in love with one of them turned the rest into poplars, and kept them in that form as long as he thought proper. Soon h

tly in the names which they put into the catalogue. The best known of them are, Amphitrite the wife of Poseidôn, Thetis the

her gods, robbed the sea-nymphs also of their charms, by bestowing on them green hair, and turning their lower parts into th

air, and turning their lower parts into those of a fish ; thus giving them a form exactly corresponding with the modern idea

; till the Tanagrians placing bowls of wine on the shore, he drank of them , and becoming intoxicated threw himself down on t

of one hair to another, so that no difference can be perceived among them  : the rest of their body is rough with small scal

skins directed him to disguise himself and three of his companions in them  ; and when Proteus at noon should come up out of

d him appearing to the Argonauts1266 and to Menelaos1267, and telling them what had happened, or what was to happen. In late

ds had their houses and children ; and the love-adventures of some of them , such as Alpheios and Acheloös, are recorded by t

or of their influence on agriculture1280. A bull was the sacrifice to them , as to Poseidôn1281. Chapter XVIII. DEITIE

4. One of the tasks imposed on Heracles was that of procuring some of them for Eurystheus. Hesiod says that the Hesperides w

e daughters of Night without a father. Others, however, to assimilate them to their neighbours, the Grææ and Gorgons, gave t

r, to assimilate them to their neighbours, the Grææ and Gorgons, gave them Phor-cys and Keto for parents1285. Their names ar

Pephredo (Horrifier), and ‘yellow-robed’ Enyo (Shaker) 1290. We find them always united with the Gorgons, whose guards they

e guards they were according to Æschylus1291. This poet1292 describes them as ‘three long-lived maids, swan-formed, having o

mity toward night, where the clear-voiced Hesperides abide.’ It names them Stheino, Euryale and Medusa, which last alone was

d of Heracles the Gorgons are girt with serpents1303. Others describe them as having their heads environed with scaly snakes

nds and golden wings. Their looks, it is added, turned all who beheld them to stone1304. The Gorgons and the Grææ are always

been appropriated to the mythe of Perseus. We might therefore suppose them to have been a pure poetic fiction, were it not t

e few who are well versed in the cosmology of those times will assign them that gloomy region ; most certainly they are not

short, with the exception of Hesiod, every writer of antiquity places them somewhere in Libya. This however is not to be won

The former says nothing of their form or parentage ; the latter terms them well-haired, (a usual mark of beauty,) and says t

The winds are represented in the Ilias as gods1314 : Iris goes to them as they are feasting in the dwelling of Zephyros,

s to them as they are feasting in the dwelling of Zephyros, to inform them of the prayer of Achilleus that they would inflam

rse out of love to the mares of Erichthonios, and to have begotten on them twelve foals. Zephyros (Ζέϕυρς) is described by H

took possession of the cosmogonie Cyclopes and Giants and transformed them  ; he adopted the tales of Phœnician mariners, and

eiros1332, in which case nothing definite results from the mention of them . Sicania is also spoken of1333, but it is in the

in which he was at liberty to place what isles he pleased, and people them as his fancy prompted. On this principle we now w

These men on coming among the Lotus-eaters were kindly entertained by them , and given some of their own food, the Lotus-plan

that Odysseus dragged these men away, and he was even obliged to tie them under the benches of his ship. As the coast of Cy

nor sowed, but whose land was so fertile as spontaneously to produce them wheat, barley, and vines. They had no social inst

re powerful than they : he then seized two of the Greeks, and dashing them to the ground like young whelps killed and devour

and dashing them to the ground like young whelps killed and devoured them . When he fell asleep Odysseus was going to kill h

Cyclopes came to inquire what had befallen him ; but on his informing them that Nobody (Οὔτις) — the name which Odysseus had

in the neighbourhood of volcanoes it was a simple process to convert them into smiths, the assistants of Hephæstos1340. As

40. As they were now artists in one line, it gave no surprise to find them engaged in a task adapted to their huge strength,

ntly the same with Typhoeus, though Hesiod makes a difference between them . Their names come from τύϕω, to smoke, and they a

im treasure in the bag, opened it : the winds rushed out, and hurried them back to Æolia. Judging from what had befallen the

d out, and hurried them back to Æolia. Judging from what had befallen them that they were hated by the gods, the director of

hem that they were hated by the gods, the director of the winds drove them with reproaches from his isle. As Æolia was a flo

instantly called her husband from the market-place, who seized one of them and killed and dressed him for dinner. The other

rygonians, most of the localisers of the Homeric fables place both of them in Sicily1359. Others regarded Formiæ on the west

course that the land of the Læstrygonians which lay somewhere between them must be on the coast of Italy. Κίρκη ἐν Αἰαίῃ.

her residence, had tasted of the drugged draught which she set before them , she struck them with her wand, and immediately t

d tasted of the drugged draught which she set before them, she struck them with her wand, and immediately they underwent the

hen Odysseus himself, hearing of their misfortune, set out to release them or share their fate, he was met by Hermes, who ga

e Ocean was northwards ; the north-wind (βορέας) is required to carry them over (the House of Aïdes lying probably south-wes

uth-west of Ææa), and the current and the breeze of its surface bring them back. It would also appear that, as soon as the s

we shall see, unwittingly slew his own father. The Theogony1364 gives them for offspring Agrios and Latinos, ‘who afar in th

it is impossible not to be struck with the resemblance which many of them bear to those of the Thousand and One Nights. Ody

cape of Odysseus1379. But the author of the Orphic Argonautics places them on a rock near the shore of Ætna, and makes the s

Ætna, and makes the song of Orpheus end their enchantment, and cause them to fling themselves into the sea, where they were

from him when his horn was torn off by Heracles1382. Sophocles calls them the daughters of Phorcys1383 ; and Euripides term

phocles calls them the daughters of Phorcys1383 ; and Euripides terms them the children of Earth1384. Their number was also

y were called Leucosia, Ligeia and Parthenope1385, while others named them Thelxiope or Thelxinoe, Molpe, Aglaophonos1386 ;

with entrancing voices. Hence Plato in his Republic1389 places one of them on each of the eight celestial spheres, where the

entually, however, the artists laid hold on the Sirens, and furnished them with the feathers, feet, wings, and tails of bird

Shîr (שּﬧ), song, seems more likely to be the true root, and we regard them as one of the wonders told of by the Phœnician ma

wards a strong south-east wind (Euros and Notos) blew, which confined them to the island. When their provisions were exhaust

atch. At length, while Odysseus was sleeping, Eurylochos prevailed on them to slaughter some of the sacred oxen in sacrifice

to pieces, fastened the mast and keel together, and placed himself on them . The wind changing to the south-east (νότος) carr

ople akin to the gods1414, who appeared manifestly, and feasted among them when they offered sacrifices1415, and did not con

he people grow old, ‘silver-bowed Apollo comes with Artemis and kills them with his gentle darts.’ It contained two towns ;

Artemis ; and we must marvel at those ancients and moderns who place them in the Ægæan, making the one the same as Delos143

days : on the seventh Eumæos’ nurse died, and wind and water carried them on to Ithaca, where they sold him to Laërtes. The

of the Mediterranean. While presenting our own hypothesis respecting them , we wish not to conceal those of others, or dogma

t was natural to transfer these ideas to the race of man ; to suppose them also to have commenced in blissful infancy, amid

or of the ages of the world. Hesiod, who is the first that treats of them , gives in his didactic poem the following venerab

ven. They lived like gods, free from toils and care, and death was to them a sinking into gentle slumber ; and when earth ha

ent down to the ‘mouldy house of cold Aïdes,’ and left no fame behind them . A fourth and better race was next placed on the

sailed to Troy for ‘well-haired Helena.’ When they died, Zeus removed them to the ends of the earth, where they dwell, away

, in the Islands of the Blest, and live in bliss, earth producing for them ‘honey-sweet fruit’ thrice in each revolving year

ll never cease day or night from toil and misery ; the gods will give them grievous cares, yet good will still be mixed with

. Justice (Δίκη), he says, dwelt familiarly among the first, teaching them what was right and good. When the silver race suc

came down in the evening-time, and approaching their abodes upbraided them with their evil doings. Unable to endure the thir

a perpetual spring, the earth producing everything spontaneously for them  : in the time of the second the division of the s

species of vice and crime, Astræa left the earth, and Zeus destroyed them by a deluge of water. In all these accounts it is

only two parts. The heroes who correspond to the golden race are like them rewarded after death, but in an inferior degree :

they therefore needed not fire, which Zeus in kindness withheld from them . But the inquisitive, inventive genius of man (i.

heus and his brother the task of distributing powers and qualities to them . Epimetheus prayed to be allowed to make the dist

e images of clay, on which he caused the winds to blow, and thus gave them life1473. A third said that Prometheus had formed

selves, they put it on the back of an ass, and let him trot on before them . It was summer time, and the ass quite overcome b

ed those ancient bards, and if a mythe contained a moral that pleased them , they were indifferent about its harmonising with

e held to be gods. From the remote period in which the legends placed them they could only be regarded as Titans, and accord

ith men. By the direction of Zeus he and his wife flung stones behind them  ; and those which Deucaliôn cast became men, thos

Latin writers1498 take a much nobler view of the Deluge. According to them , it overspread the whole earth, and all animal li

 ; while others make Ætna1499 or Athôs1500 the mountain which yielded them a refuge. According to this poet, they consulted

were at first horror-struck at such an act of impiety being enjoined them , but at length Deucaliôn penetrated the sense of

of its surface, till the action of subterranean fire opened a way for them . We are not by any means to assert that this inun

lsewhere, and which are alluded to in the Homeric poems, also seem to them to indicate a state of society resembling that of

sgians or Pelargians, a name which was probably given to a portion of them by more warlike tribes, from their favourite occu

oems record, were this Pelasgian race1514, or one which had conquered them , is what we have no means of determining. The poe

ecture will yield but little that is satisfactory. No traces occur in them of previous invasions and conquests, and it is no

that diversity of character and manners among the various portions of them which will be produced by local situation and oth

changed, and offices dissimilar to their original ones were assigned them . The original meaning also of many mythes may hav

ngs have been esteemed actual personages, and the legends relating to them have been treated as genuine history ; and hence

nd hence have arisen many of the mythic persons, whose names indicate them to have been personifications of natural objects,

ore him in the distance, but fade into mist when he attempts to grasp them . It is a region of sunshine and fragrance, in whi

e mythes according to the regions which are assigned as the scenes of them . Without venturing to assert that it is the best,

they feasted and enjoyed themselves : on the sixth Iasôn disclosed to them his wishes, and went accompanied by them to the d

the sixth Iasôn disclosed to them his wishes, and went accompanied by them to the dwelling of Pelias, who at once proposed t

d putting him into a pot whence issued a bleating lamb, she persuaded them to treat their father in the same manner1541. Pel

ortal1555, — a thing she had vainly attempted to do herself by hiding them in the temple of the goddess1556, whose priestess

ast having been slain by his brothers out of jealousy, Æacos banished them from the island. Peleus fled to Phthia, and was t

Peleus cut out the tongues of all the beasts which he killed and put them into his pouch. The companions of Acastos getting

not keep his engagement, and Deïoneus seized his horses and detained them as a pledge. Ixiôn then sent to say that the gift

then sent to say that the gifts were ready if he would come to fetch them . Deïoneus accordingly came, but his treacherous s

ion. There is no ground for supposing that Homer and Hesiod conceived them to be of a mingled form, as they were subsequentl

ield pine-clubs1585. Pindar is the earliest poet extant who describes them as semi-ferine. According to him1586 the offsprin

lowed his example, and a dreadful conflict arose, in which several of them were slain. The Centaurs were finally driven from

that he came from Pylos at the invitation of the Lapith chiefs to aid them against the Wild-men, whom they routed with great

by her styled Zeus in return. Zeus indignant at their impiety turned them both into birds, making him a sea-gull (κήϋξ), an

strand cast herself into the sea. The gods out of compassion changed them both into the birds called Halcyôns. During seven

sent the priests of the gods to entreat him to come forth and defend them  : they offered him a piece of land (τέμϵνος), at

rth, and repelled the enemy ; but not having done it out of regard to them , the Ætolians did not give him the proffered reco

In aftertimes, when the vanity of the different states of Greece made them send their national heroes to every war and exped

with a maiden ; but Meleagros, who was in love with Atalanta, obliged them to give over their opposition. The hunt began : A

preference of a woman, took the skin from her, saying that it fell to them of right, on account of their family, if Meleagro

ly, if Meleagros resigned his claim to it. Meleagros in a rage killed them , and restored the skin to Atalanta. When Meleagro

ut the fount was guarded by a serpent, who killed the greater part of them . Cadmos then engaged with and destroyed the serpe

uarrelling or through ignorance : for it is said that when Cadmos saw them rising he flung stones at them ; and thinking it

 : for it is said that when Cadmos saw them rising he flung stones at them  ; and thinking it was done by some of themselves,

eir children, Cadmos and his wife quitted Thebes, now grown odious to them , and migrated to the country of the Enchelians ;

bya afterwards named from her, and ‘silver-footed Aphrodite’ received them on their arrival, and spread the bridal couch1643

ed by the priest ascended clad in fresh-stript sheep-skins to protect them from the cold, and there sacrificed to the god to

r ; but Nephele snatched away both her son and her daughter, and gave them a gold-fleeced ram she had obtained from Hermes,

e them a gold-fleeced ram she had obtained from Hermes, which carried them through the air over sea and land. They proceeded

their hands than the present one, for it was a favourite subject with them . Thus Euripides in his Ino said that Athamas thin

to destroy Ino's children, and directed her for that purpose to dress them in black and her own in white, that she might be

in black and her own in white, that she might be able to distinguish them . Ino however reversed the orders, and Themisto un

s the son of Ares ; and as they were related to Pentheus, he enrolled them among the citizens of Thebes. Lycos on the death

appy babes were exposed on the mountain ; but a neatherd having found them , reared them, calling the one Zethos, the other A

re exposed on the mountain ; but a neatherd having found them, reared them , calling the one Zethos, the other Amphiôn. The f

s sister. Nine days they lay in blood, and there was none To bury them , for Kronides had made The people stones ; but on

d made The people stones ; but on the tenth the gods Celestial buried them  : she then of food Thought, being tired out with

al state of Thebes. It is observed that there is no connexion between them and the Cadmic line ; that given above being plai

of Delphi ; and Zeus, on account of their impiety, finally destroyed them with lightning and pestilence. A few only escaped

ns at the feast of Poseidôn at Onchestos, his son Erginos made war on them , and reduced them to an annual tribute, which the

Poseidôn at Onchestos, his son Erginos made war on them, and reduced them to an annual tribute, which they paid till reliev

family, Ascalaphos and Ialmenos, were at the siege of Troy, and with them ends the mythic history of Orchomenos. The Argona

d Minyans, according to the mythologists, because the greater part of them were descended from Minyas on the female side1706

eir dock-yard Pagasæ. The Argonautic expedition was one undertaken by them  ; and the assemblage of the heroes from all parts

 ; and nothing but superior wealth and naval power could have induced them to admit the distant Orchomenos into their associ

his affairs fell into such a reduced state, that in order to retrieve them he abstained from matrimony. As he grew rich and

eward of the god. He promised to give it on the seventh day, desiring them meanwhile to live cheerful and happy. On the seve

ios in Lebadeia. They came thither, but could find no oracle : one of them however happening to see a swarm of bees, they fo

: one of them however happening to see a swarm of bees, they followed them to a chasm in the earth, which proved to be the p

ympos and Pelion on Ossa, in order to scale heaven, but Apollo killed them before the down had grown on their cheeks1720. Th

fining of the war-god and the worship of the Muses would seem to give them a rural character ; while their descent from Pose

as the more ancient form of the mythe, and the original conception of them may have been similar to that of the Molionids. I

ths old, when Hera sent two huge serpents into the chamber to destroy them . Alcmena in terror called to her husband to save

mber to destroy them. Alcmena in terror called to her husband to save them , but Heracles raised himself up on his feet, caug

equence led an army against the Thebans, and having slain a number of them concluded peace on condition of their paying him

ears and noses, and tying their hands to their necks with cords, bade them take that tribute to Erginos and the Minyans. Inc

age the country. This hydra had a huge body with nine heads, eight of them mortal, and one in the middle immortal. Heracles

oe, Nessos to the river Euenos ; Poseidôn took the rest and sheltered them in Mount Eleusis. When Heracles returned to Pholœ

everal others ; for, having drawn the arrow out of the body of one of them , while he was wondering how so small a thing coul

court, and turning in the rivers Peneios and Alpheios by a canal, let them run out at the other side. Augeas, on learning th

town Stymphalos. While Heracles was deliberating how he should scare them , Athena brought him from Hephæstos brazen clapper

stos brazen clappers. He stood under a neighbouring hill, and rattled them  : the birds terrified rose in the air, and he the

rattled them : the birds terrified rose in the air, and he then shot them with his arrows1747. His seventh task was to fetc

, his favourite, the son of Hermes, a Locrian of Opûs, went to engage them . Meantime the mares tore their keeper to pieces ;

nd named it after him. He brought the mares to Eurystheus, who turned them loose ; and they strayed on to Mount Olympos, whe

s alone. They cut off their right breasts, that they might not impede them in drawing the bow. Hippolyta was mistress of the

ns of Minôs dwelt. Two of the ship's company happening to be slain by them , Heracles killed several of the Parians, and besi

completed, Laomedôn refused to pay the wages agreed on, and dismissed them , threatening to cut off their ears. He even menac

in by his arrows ; and Heracles, placing the oxen in the cup, brought them over to the continent, where he returned his vess

where Alebiôn and Dercinos, the sons of Poseidôn, attempted to carry them off1755. These he slew, and then went on through

ad, and they ran raging through the hills of Thrace. Heracles pursued them  ; and having overtaken a part of them at the Hell

lls of Thrace. Heracles pursued them ; and having overtaken a part of them at the Hellespont, he drove them toward the Pelop

hem ; and having overtaken a part of them at the Hellespont, he drove them toward the Peloponnese, leaving the others to run

igable1757. He finally brought the oxen to Eurystheus, who sacrificed them to Hera. The preceding tasks had been performed i

on of Poseidôn reigned, who was wont to kill all strangers by forcing them to wrestle with him, and to hang their skulls on

im not to go himself to take the golden apples, but to send Atlas for them , and in the mean time to support the heaven in hi

obtained three apples from the Hesperides ; but he said he would take them himself to Eurystheus, and that Heracles might co

ew down the apples, and resumed his burden ; and Heracles then picked them up, and went away1763. He brought the apples to E

and went away1763. He brought the apples to Eurystheus, who returned them to him ; and he then gave them to Athena. The god

the apples to Eurystheus, who returned them to him ; and he then gave them to Athena. The goddess carried them back to the g

ed them to him ; and he then gave them to Athena. The goddess carried them back to the garden of the Hesperides whence they

sle of Côs. The inhabitants taking the strangers for pirates assailed them with stones, and endeavoured to prevent their lan

ent the Molionids to Cleonæ to offer sacrifice, he waylaid and killed them . He then led an army into Elis, took the city, sl

his sons now joined Heracles ; but they all fell in battle, and with them Iphicles the brother of the hero. Hippocoön himse

man named Theiodamas driving a wain with two oxen, he unyoked one of them , and killed, dressed, and ate it. He took with hi

rred to the Greek colonists of the places which are made the scene of them . We have thus given a sketch of the theory of thi

n Lower Egypt to Attica, where he civilised the rude aborigines, gave them religion, marriage, and other social institutions

ve them religion, marriage, and other social institutions, and taught them to cultivate corn for their subsistence. This rem

ic Cecrops without giving the slightest hint of any connexion between them . Plato is, in fact, the first who intimates it ;

ntries within the Pillars of Heracles, the Athenians bravely repelled them  ; and in the war Cecrops, Erechtheus, Erichthonio

en it. Pandrosos was obedient ; but the curiosity of her sisters made them unclose the coffer, in which they beheld the babe

ld the babe, who terminated in a snake. As a punishment Athena struck them with madness, and they precipitated themselves fr

he two sisters fled away ; and Tereus, discovering the truth, pursued them with an axe. Finding themselves nearly overtaken

themselves nearly overtaken by him, they prayed to the gods to change them into birds ; Procne immediately became a Nighting

of Pandiôn his sons Erechtheus and Butes divided his offices between them , the former taking the kingdom, the latter the pr

seeing the wonderful virtues of the dog and dart he sought to obtain them . The terms were those he had himself proposed to

dog Lælaps ran it down ; but just as he was catching it, Zeus turned them both to stone1820. Cephalos then aided Amphitryôn

ons, Ægeus, Pallas, Nisos, and Lycos, who conquered and divided among them the Attic territory, Ægeus, as the eldest, having

send his son to him when he was able to roll away the stone and take them from under it. Ægeus returned to Athens ; and whe

d deposited his sword and shoes, and he removed it with ease and took them out. He was now to proceed to Athens and present

ine-trees with which the Isthmus was at that time overgrown, and bend them to the ground ; and hence he was called Pine-bend

f to the people over whom he was likely to reign, resolved to deliver them from the ferocious animal. He went in quest of hi

ere forced to pay to Minôs king of Crete. Theseus resolved to deliver them from this calamity, or to die in the attempt. Acc

independent. The consequence was, frequent and sanguinary wars among them . Nothing but pressing external danger forced them

nguinary wars among them. Nothing but pressing external danger forced them to union, which was again dissolved as soon as th

s ; but the choice of the persons from the body of the nobles to fill them was left to the people. The result of these judic

er to the region of shadows ; but Aïdes, knowing their design, seized them , and placed them on an enchanted rock at the gate

of shadows ; but Aïdes, knowing their design, seized them, and placed them on an enchanted rock at the gate of his realms ;

of the legend may be referred to the imagination of those who took on them to embellish and extend it, and to the freaks of

d to have emulated, we are struck by the absence of the marvellous in them . If we except the descent to Erebos, they are har

dly more wonderful than those of Aristomenes. The poem which recorded them was apparently of no great merit, and the history

spirit of casting splendour on actual political relations by throwing them back to the mythic ages, the dramatists and orato

ed off in such a manner as to render it nearly impossible to identify them . Among others he drove off those of Sisyphos, and

nd he defaced the marks as usual ; but when Sisyphos came in quest of them , he, to the great surprise of the thief, selected

men of Lycia ; of whom not one returned home, for Bellerophontes slew them all. The king now perceiving him to be of the rac

another makes him collect the rude inhabitants into society and give them fire and social institutions1891. He also decided

was founded, there were Argives among the colonists, who carried with them their domestic legends, and in honour of Io they

Danaos sent forth his daughters in quest of some. As Amymone, one of them , was engaged in the search, she saw a deer, at wh

ated their uncle to agree to bury in oblivion all enmity, and to give them their cousins in marriage. Danaos, retaining a pe

d distrustful of their promises, consented to bestow his daughters on them , whom he divided among them by lot. But on the we

ses, consented to bestow his daughters on them, whom he divided among them by lot. But on the wedding-day he armed the hands

dding-day he armed the hands of the brides with daggers, and enjoined them to slay in the night their unsuspecting bridegroo

heir father ; and cutting off the heads of their husbands, they flung them into Lerna, and buried their bodies with all due

tside of the town. At the command of Zeus, Hermes and Athena purified them from the guilt of their deed. But Hypermnestra ha

a legendary mode of accounting for the origin of founts is to ascribe them to the welling forth of the blood of some person

and the first who exercised the art of medicine, promised to restore them to their senses, if Prœtos would agree to give hi

cure. He took a number of the ablest young men of the place, and made them with shouts and a certain inspired kind of dance

ides, died ; but the others were restored to sanity ; and Prœtos gave them in marriage to Melampûs and his brother Bias. He

s for their contempt of his rites, and he would appear to have struck them with leprosy and with inordinate lust1930. Pherec

o her protestations. Inclosing her and her child in a coffer, he cast them into the sea to the mercy of the winds and waves1

out in his nets (δίкτυα) ; and delivering Danae and Perseus, treated them with the kindest attention1936. Polydectes the br

a, the daughter of Œnomaos, he called together his vassals, and among them Perseus, to a banquet, and requested of them to c

r his vassals, and among them Perseus, to a banquet, and requested of them to contribute toward his bride-gift. Perseus inqu

ng offended the Nereïdes by her presumption in setting herself before them in point of beauty, Poseidôn sympathized with the

funeral games in honour of his father lately dead, Perseus engaged in them . As he was throwing the discus it fell on the foo

orgon’s blood which fell on the sand-wastes of Libya, as he flew over them , gave origin to the numerous broods of serpents b

y, in the charge of Polyxenes king of the Eleians. Amphitryôn pursued them to Elis, and redeemed them ; for Electryôn, desir

es king of the Eleians. Amphitryôn pursued them to Elis, and redeemed them  ; for Electryôn, desirous to avenge the death of

ding for his nephews Atreus and Thyestes, the sons of Pelops, settled them at Mideia. Amphitryôn, accompanied by his wife Al

rd over it. The herdsman, missing his dog and goat, went in search of them . He thus discovered the babe, and on approaching

in the woods, till the herdsmen caught both her and him, and brought them to Lycaôn. Some time afterwards she went into the

nstructed its inhabitants in the mode of making bread. He also showed them how to manufacture wool, — an art which he learne

 ; these he threw as he ran ; Atalanta went out of the course to pick them up, and Meilaniôn won the race. Atalanta became h

st, Castôr the most expert charioteer, of his day. Hermes bestowed on them the fleet steeds Phlogios and Harpagos, the child

Phlogios and Harpagos, the children of the Harpy Podarge : Hera gave, them the swift Xanthos and Cyllaros. The brothers them

ghters of Leucippos, they became enamoured of the brides, and carried them off. Idas and his brother pursued the ravishers.

scended the top of Taÿgeton, and looking over all the Peloponnese saw them there ; and he and his brother hastened to attack

eloponnese saw them there ; and he and his brother hastened to attack them . Castôr fell by the spear of Idas ; Polydeukes pu

he spear of Idas ; Polydeukes pursued the slayers, and coming up with them at the tomb of their father Aphareus, was struck

ming up with them at the tomb of their father Aphareus, was struck by them in the breast with the pillar belonging to it. Un

o Olympos, and sharing the honours of Ares and Athena, or of dividing them with his brother, and for them to live day and da

urs of Ares and Athena, or of dividing them with his brother, and for them to live day and day about in heaven and under the

rs of ships in tempests2020 ; and the St. Elmo's fire was ascribed to them . They were also said to be the constellation of t

was thunder ; and flinging lighted torches against the sky, he called them his lightnings. Zeus, incensed at his impiety, st

braced her at the mouth of the stream, whose bright waves arched over them , concealing the god and the mortal maid. The god

cows of his mother Tyro, which Iphiclos of Phylace detained, and had them guarded by a dog whom neither man nor beast could

dôn, we may observe, is placed at the head of the genealogies of both them and the Melampids ; and we are to recollect the s

ions (᾿Ακτορίωνϵ) and Molions (Μολίονϵ). The poet elsewhere2042 names them Cteatos and Eurytos. Hesiod2043 said that their b

ous figs and olives green and ripe ; But when the old man would grasp them in his hands, The winds straight tossed them to t

the old man would grasp them in his hands, The winds straight tossed them to the shady clouds. Pindar says that if ever mo

illed and dressed his son Pelops, and to have set him for food before them . Demeter had eaten one of the shoulders before th

r father, and at the same time, it is added, he pronounced a curse on them that they and their posterity should perish by me

ld not exhibit it as he promised, the people thinking he had deceived them deprived him of the kingdom. Sometime after howev

however Atreus returned and said that to prove his right he would let them see the Sun and the Pleiades moving from west to

t is utterly irreconcilable with the account of the Pelopids given in them . Of Agamemnôn’s sceptre it is said that Hephæstos

ity similar to intoxication fell on the Calydonians, of which many of them perished. In their distress, they had recourse to

of Zeus. The youth testifying most esteem for Sarpedôn, Minôs chased them out of Crete. Miletos going to Caria, built a tow

in each day to prevent the landing of enemies. His mode of destroying them was to make himself red-hot in the fire and then

troying them was to make himself red-hot in the fire and then embrace them . When the Argo approached Crete, Medeia persuaded

ets that one cannot help being suspicious of all passages relating to them . The passage of the Ilias in which Ariadne is men

es of these Cretan legends, and the names of the persons who occur in them , it is difficult to avoid recognising a worship o

carried her off, and struck with a thunderbolt Asopos when he pursued them , and forced him to go home again ; and hence it w

aled his body in a wood : but the murder coming to light, Æacos drove them both from the island2113. Æacos was distinguished

Seeing the wayfarers, Hyrieus, who was standing at his door, invited them to enter and pass the night in his humble abode.

hs led a single life, and hunted with Artemis. Oriôn happening to see them became enamoured, and pursued them ; in their dis

th Artemis. Oriôn happening to see them became enamoured, and pursued them  ; in their distress they prayed to the gods to ch

they prayed to the gods to change their form, and Zeus in pity turned them to pigeons, and then made them a constellation in

ge their form, and Zeus in pity turned them to pigeons, and then made them a constellation in the sky2131. Though their numb

œotia with their mother when they were met by Oriôn, and his chase of them lasted for five years2133. The Hyades are by some

g chased with him into the sea by Lycurgos, Zeus in compassion raised them to the skies2136. The Hyades are in the head, the

all the Pleiades the ‘Seven She-goats’2141 ; our own popular name for them is the ‘Hen and Chickens’ ; and the Germans term

opular name for them is the ‘Hen and Chickens’ ; and the Germans term them the ‘Clucking Hen’ (Gluckhenne). These last simil

y are sometimes named, and with which supposition the legends told of them will accord. Their clustering together (whence th

f the Hyades lies in their Latin name Suculæ, or ‘Little Pigs,’ given them for a similar reason2144. The Latin name of the P

at this first of ships, and Cheirôn leaving his mountain-cave cheered them , and prayed for their happy return2154. At the cl

the Lemnian women having, it was said, offended Aphrodite, she caused them to have an ill smell ; so that their husbands, un

them to have an ill smell ; so that their husbands, unable to endure them , took to their beds the captives whom they had br

urred about a twelvemonth before. The women seeing the Argonauts took them for their enemies the Thracians, and came down in

e advice of Hypsipyle's nurse, it was decided that they should invite them to land, and take this occasion of having childre

ds. It was in the night that they returned, and the Dolionians taking them to be their enemies, the Pelasgians, attacked the

Dolionians taking them to be their enemies, the Pelasgians, attacked them  ; and several of the Dolionians, and among them C

Pelasgians, attacked them ; and several of the Dolionians, and among them Cyzicos, lost their lives. With day-light discern

olemn magnificence. They then sailed to Mysia, where they left behind them Heracles and Polyphemos ; for Hylas, a youth belo

oceeded in quest of the youth. Meantime the Argo put to sea, and left them behind. Polyphemos settled in Mysia, and built th

the daughter of Dardanos. Jealous of her stepchildren, Idæa maligned them to their father, who, believing the slander, depr

a maligned them to their father, who, believing the slander, deprived them of sight. The gods, to punish him, struck him bli

g to consult Phineus about their future course, he promised to direct them on condition of their delivering him from the Har

d Calaïs the winged sons of Boreas then drew their swords and pursued them through the air2158. The Harpies flew along the P

some islets beyond the Peloponnese, where their pursuers came up with them , and were about to slay them, when Iris appearing

nnese, where their pursuers came up with them, and were about to slay them , when Iris appearing forbade the deed, and the Ha

times driven together by the winds, and crushed whatever came between them . Mist enveloped them, and loud was the crash when

by the winds, and crushed whatever came between them. Mist enveloped them , and loud was the crash when they met. Even to th

e fixed ; for so it was in the fates, since a ship had passed through them uninjured. Having escaped the Symplegades, they c

y came to the country of the Mariandynians, whose king Lycos received them kindly. Here died Idmôn the seer, wounded by the

me from their throats. When he had yoked these, he was to plough with them a piece of land, and sow the serpent’s teeth whic

to fling stones, and while they were fighting with one another about them , to fall on and slay them. The hero followed the

e they were fighting with one another about them, to fall on and slay them . The hero followed the advice of the princess : h

on shipboard and pursued the fugitives. Medeia seeing him gaining on them cut her brother to pieces, and scattered his limb

d his limbs on the stream2161 : while Æetes was engaged in collecting them the Argo escaped2162. He then dispatched a number

go, threatening if they did not bring back his daughter to inflict on them the punishment designed for her. At length, by a

flame and smoke ascending, but Thetis and her sister Nereïdes guided them through by the command of Hera. Passing Thrinakia

here, seized on the Argo, and requested Alcinoös to give Medeia up to them . He assented, provided she was yet a maid. His wi

of the Laphystian Zeus2165; that they belonged to the Minyans and to them alone ; that Heracles, Theseus, and the other her

he same route in it with Odysseus. The only question was how to bring them thither from Colchis. The first course was that t

was followed by Pindar, Hecatæus and Antimachus2168. This was to make them go up the Phasis, which in accordance with the ea

ch they then entered and proceeded along it southwards. Hecatæus made them then sail down the Nile and so home, but accordin

he only poet who adopted this view is the pseudo-Orpheus, who assigns them the following course. They sailed up the Phasis t

r, Tydeus the son of Œneus, also a fugitive : a quarrel arose between them  : at the clamour Adrastos came forth and put an e

who was now nurse to the infant child of Lycurgos, undertook to guide them to a spring. She left the child Opheltes lying on

the halls of Eteocles ; and, after delivering his embassy, challenged them to a trial of skill and strength, and easily vanq

cy ; and Theseus leading an Athenian army against the Thebans, forced them to give the dead bodies to their friends. As Capa

o avenge the fate of their sires2184. The god when consulted promised them victory if led by Alcmæôn the son of Amphiaraos.

d refused to admit the embraces of her husband until she had obtained them . Alcmæôn returned to Psophis, and telling Phegeus

ever end till he had deposited the collar and robe at Delphi2188, got them from him ; but his servant betraying his secret,

r of their father lay in wait for and slew him. Arsinoe on upbraiding them with the murder was put by them into a chest and

r and slew him. Arsinoe on upbraiding them with the murder was put by them into a chest and brought to Agapenôr the son of A

t the house of Agapenôr : here they met the sons of Alcmæôn, who slew them , and then went to Psophis and killed Phegeus and

ent to Psophis and killed Phegeus and his wife. The Psophites pursued them to Tegea ; the Tegeans and some Argives aided the

Psophites pursued them to Tegea ; the Tegeans and some Argives aided them , and the Psophites were forced to retire. The you

es and their foals fed in the marsh ; and Boreas falling in love with them , changed himself into a horse, and by them had tw

oreas falling in love with them, changed himself into a horse, and by them had twelve foals, which like the celestial steeds

ra, Athena and Aphrodite claiming it, Zeus directed Hermes to conduct them to Mount Ida to be judged by Alexandros the son o

rty of Menelaos they embark and depart. A tempest sent by Hera drives them to Sidôn, which city Alexandros takes and plunder

the tree, where was a sparrow's nest with eight young ones, devoured them all, and then the mother herself ; after which Ze

d and ravaged it. Telephos2212 the king of the country came to oppose them  ; he killed Thersandros the son of Polyneices, bu

to the isle of Lemnos and left him there2215. Achilleus having joined them at Tenedos, a quarrel took place between him and

the army passed over to the isle of Tenedos. Odysseus however quitted them , and returned to Agamemnôn ; and the others, with

were obliged to pass the day in endeavouring to catch fish to support them  ; when the sea-nymph Eidothea the daughter of Pro

e sacrifices to the immortal gods. A favourable wind was then sent by them , which speedily carried him homewards ; and he ar

he army which left Agamemnôn as far as Tenedos ; but he there quitted them and returned to the king2235. On again setting ou

ubling Cape Maleia, when a violent north-east wind arose, and carried them to the country of the Lotus-eaters. The wandering

he body of his father with him to his mother's isle. Circe there made them immortal, and she herself married Telemachos, and

nts of Grecian mythology gradually dissolve into air as we approached them , at times however showing a slight substratum of

m, at times however showing a slight substratum of reality which gave them support. Such was the voyage of the Argonauts ; s

increased as colonists from other parts of Hellas came to partake in them  ; the artificial mounds which lie scattered over

their natural character ; even the invasion of Xerxes failed to unite them . The length of the war too is incredible ; no vol

and insipid than the manner in which the pragmatisers seek to convert them into real history. Yet in the carlier and better

he confines of these three nations : her population was formed out of them  : she derived from them all her institutions ; an

ee nations : her population was formed out of them : she derived from them all her institutions ; and among others her relig

istinguished her, to appropriate the gods of Greece. Her knowledge of them was, it is probable, chiefly derived from the Gre

o, Gellius, Macrobius, and the Latin Fathers of the Church. In all of them we discern the influence of the principles of Euh

obable, that the Umbrians to the north and the Oscans to the south of them were of the same race with the Sabellians. The ri

nerations of its deities, like that of Greece, it usually represented them in pairs, each consisting of a male and a female

, Juno, Luna, Diana, Minerva, Venus and Vesta. We shall here treat of them , but in a different order. Jovis, Juppiter, Ju

at he must employ both art and violence to extract the knowledge from them . Accordingly by her advice he placed bowls of win

afterwards fell asleep, and Numa quitting his retreat came and bound them . On awaking, they struggled, but in vain, to get

er was to be appeased. They yielded to his prayer, and on his loosing them drew down (“eliciunt”) Jupiter by their charms. H

t Mamurius, to deceive those who might attempt to steal it, committed them to the care of the priests named Salians. As Lati

e2295. She was the deity of schools : her statue was always placed in them , and school-boys got as holydays the five days of

Quinquatrus, celebrated in the month of March : at the expiration of them they presented their master with a gift called Mi

n the fifth day after the Ides2300 : the ignorance of the Romans made them extend the festival to five days ; it was followe

ῆλου, sheep, or apple, pomum (Völcker, ut sup.). Others understand by them Ash-nymphs, from μϵλία. In this last case they mi

with the current of authorities ; in another (Buc. vi. 62.) he calls them alders. 230. Ovid, Met. i. 750. seq. ; ii. 1. s

ers it Sejugus, from κρίνω, to separate. 290. Hermann however makes them both natural beings, rendering Themis Statina, an

1204.), «dwell fishermen who are subjects of the Franks, but they pay them no tribute, on account, as they say, of their fer

a little time they hear a knocking at the doors, and a voice calling them to their work. They get up and go to the shore, n

the need is ; they see boats there, but not their own, with no one in them  ; they get in, row away, and perceive that they a

ese soles having a magic power, and that the gods were transported by them , be correct (See Heyne on Il. v. 768.) ; another

ever, certainly later than the time of Pindar, who (Nem. i. 4.) calls them sisters. (See below, chap. viii.) The whole legen

ds of Milton, ……that sober race of men, whose lives Religious titled them the Sons of God. See Heyne on Apollod. i. 7. 5.

ope, the latter those from Asia. If any case proves too difficult for them , it is reserved for the decision of Minôs. 477.

rst clothes the events of history in a fabulous garb, and then refers them to an early and unknown time.” 1098. Müller, Dor

ul in hunting, smear their gods with fat ; if unsuccessful, they beat them and throw them in the dung. Voss. Myth. Br. i. 84

smear their gods with fat ; if unsuccessful, they beat them and throw them in the dung. Voss. Myth. Br. i. 84. Compare Sueto

11. seq. See above, p. 79. note c. 1195. Euripides (Cyc. 620.) calls them ϴῆρϵς; the Ionians named them ϕῆρϵς. See Voss, My

e c. 1195. Euripides (Cyc. 620.) calls them ϴῆρϵς; the Ionians named them ϕῆρϵς. See Voss, Myth. Br. ii. 291. 1196. Hymn i

, they are all adjectives, as ν[ATTcaratere]σος is always joined with them . 1362. Od. x. 135. 1363. Od. i. 52. This term i

r soft alluring locks. — Comus, 877. We may observe how he confounds them with the Teutonic mermaids. 1386. Sch. Apoll. R

riter says that Ares gave the teeth to Cadmos, and desired him to sow them . Hellanicus (ap. Sch. eund.) says that only the f

th. ix. 1644. Aristotle (ap. Sch. Theocr. v. 53.) said he was taught them by the nymphs who had reared him. 1645. Apoll. R

sos, and Asteriôn were his assessors ; and Poseidôn in revenge caused them all to fail in dry weather. 1893. From ϕέρω, ϕέρ

(Starry), and Polydeukes the same as Polyleukes (Lightful), and views them as sun and moon. Ib. 271. 2012. Eurip. Hel. 639.

the Theogony, are but two in number. Virgil seems to make a flock of them . 2159. Apoll. Rh. ii. 281. seq. Apollodorus rela

ia made the Greeks stop at Delos, where Anios the son of Apollo urged them to remain for the nine years, assuring them that

s the son of Apollo urged them to remain for the nine years, assuring them that his three daughters would support them. Thes

the nine years, assuring them that his three daughters would support them . These maidens were named Œno (Wine-giver), Sperm

0. 2242. See Ritter, Vorhalle, &c. p. 248. seq. There are six of them marked on Gell’s map of the Troas. 2243. Payne K

he inventors of the mythic legends however could hardly have believed them to be true. Anaxagoras and other early philosophe

iginal lines are so fine, that we cannot refrain from quoting some of them . Que as nymphas do Oceano tâo formosas, Tethys,

. i. In Plautus (Rud. ii. 1. 16.) the fishermen pray to Venus to give them success. 2316. Quæst. Rom. 23. Dion. Hal. iv. 15

about themselves and of the things which they saw in the world around them , they fancied that everything had the same kind o

slaying his children, or that someone else, who knew not how to guide them , was driving the horses of his chariot through th

king of the things which they saw, heard, or felt in the world around them .” Cox. “The study of mythology is a benefit be

real persons, but their philosophers explained the legends concerning them as allegorical representations of general physica

as the Hyperboreans. They were named the Æthiopians. The gods favored them so highly, that they were wont to leave at times

but of far greater beauty, strength, and dignity. They also regarded them as being of much larger size than men, for in tho

to permit the passage of the Celestials to the earth, and to receive them on their return. The gods had their separate dwel

nd, as they quaffed their nectar, Apollo, the god of music, delighted them with the tones of his lyre, to which the Muses su

Cowper . “Such were the abodes of the gods as the Greeks conceived them . The Romans, before they knew the Greek poetry, s

; while, at the same time, their fervid and poetical imaginations led them to see in this, as in all manifestations of the p

he Hecatoncheires and Cyclopes, might one day seize his power, buried them in Tartarus directly after their birth. This disp

gainst their father, and induced Chronos, the youngest and bravest of them , to lay violent hands on Uranus. Uranus was mutil

ning him of the dangers of the road, and instructing him how to avoid them . Phaethon grasped the reins, the flame-breathing

steeds sprung forward, but, soon aware of the feeble hand that guided them , they ran out of their course, the world was set

nd, the clouds, the snow, and the rainbow, are ascribed, and he sends them either as signs and warnings, or to punish the tr

ugh some of his shrines had a special importance. The most ancient of them was that of Dodona*, where the Pelasgian* Zeus wa

sed on the mountains, where they were found by a shepherd, who reared them , and named one Zethus*, the other Amphion*. Antio

rother Pollux, unwilling to part from him, prevailed on Zeus to allow them to remain together, on condition of their spendin

l her, when Zeus, transporting both mother and son to the skies, made them the constellations of the two bears, Ursa Major a

Ursa Major and Ursa Minor. Hera induced Oceanus and Tethys to forbid them from coming into their waters, and consequently t

ing recognized by the Arcadians as king of heaven, he was received by them with becoming respect and veneration; but Lycaon*

n old man and his wife, called Philemon* and Baucis*, who entertained them as well as their humble means would allow. The go

he gods revealed their rank, and desired the aged couple to accompany them to the summit of a neighboring hill. On looking d

n*, when this impious project was frustrated by Apollo, who destroyed them with his arrows. Arion* was a horse, the offsprin

he most detested,’ being in their eyes the grim robber who stole from them their nearest and dearest, and eventually deprive

from them their nearest and dearest, and eventually deprived each of them of his share in the terrestrial existence. “This

lived a virtuous life were sent to the Elysian Fields. Homer locates them in the “Isles of the Blessed” in the ocean. Later

odies had received funereal4 rites on earth, and who had brought with them the indispensable toll, which was a small coin (o

us. The wretched sinners were then seized by the Furies, who scourged them with their whips, and dragged them along to the g

seized by the Furies, who scourged them with their whips, and dragged them along to the great gate which closed the opening

he gods, until he put their omniscience to the test by setting before them the flesh of his son Pelops*. This crime he was c

suspended the most beautiful fruits, but when he attempted to snatch them , a gust of wind blew them beyond his reach. At hi

ful fruits, but when he attempted to snatch them, a gust of wind blew them beyond his reach. At his feet gushed a fountain o

the sense of allotting to every man his share. Some mythologists call them the daughters of Nyx, others of Zeus and Themis.

mis. They were three in number — Clotho*, Lachesis*, and Atropos*. To them was intrusted the management of the thread of lif

pindle, the third a pair of scissors. Painters and sculptors depicted them as beautiful maidens of a grave but kindly aspect

or in the respect due to old age. The early representations depicted them as beings of terrific appearance, with snakes ins

hreatened the land with barrenness, but Athene succeeded in pacifying them by promising that a shrine should be erected to t

ded in pacifying them by promising that a shrine should be erected to them on the hill of the Areopagus. After they had take

ep); it being popularly believed by the Romans that he marched before them to battle, and acted as their invisible protector

he goddess. As it was a law of the Celestials that whoever saw one of them without permission should never look upon another

d by fire obtained by rubbing pieces of wood together, or by kindling them with a burning glass. The fire of Hestia was a sy

initiated in their religious duties, during the second they performed them , and during the third they instructed novices. Th

amity of ominous import. Great honors and privileges were accorded to them . The best seats were reserved for their use at al

r nine years in a deep grotto of the sea, in return for which he made them many ornaments. Another story is that on the occa

ade the golden shoes with which they trod the air or water, built for them their wonderful chariots, and shod with brass the

oyed people by making himself red-hot in the fire, and then embracing them . Hephæstus also made the armor of Achilles*, that

d causing fruits and flowers to spring forth when they pour down upon them their refreshing and life-giving streams. They ap

and at every banquet they were invoked, and a libation poured out to them . Charitesia* were festivals in honor of the Chari

riests trained in the office listened to her utterances and expressed them in ambiguous verse. Soon after his victory over t

f their own accord, adjusting themselves into the places assigned for them . Marsyas* was a satyr*, who, having found the flu

med the lyre.12 Arriving in Pieria, he drove off fifty cows, and took them to Arcadia unseen by any but a man named Battus*.

oner Unclasp the winged sandals from my feet, Than I again must clasp them , and depart Upon some foolish errand.” Longfell

ny; but at a later period a separate function was assigned to each of them .” Seemann . “The Muses were honored alike by

social gathering was celebrated without libations being poured out to them . No task involving intellectual effort was undert

ey received appellations from hills and fountains that were sacred to them . They were called Pierides* from Mount Pieria, Li

ed their rivals by plucking the feathers from their wings and wearing them on their own heads as a sign of superiority. P

ountains or districts which they inhabited. The most celebrated among them was the Bœotian nymph Echo. She loved the beautif

up-bearer to the gods. In consequence of having slipped while serving them , she was deprived of her office, which was then a

comfort. Offerings of wine, cake, incense, and garlands were made to them , particularly on birthdays. Janus*. Amon

the selection of certain deities as special patrons. Small images of them were placed around the hearth, and honors similar

earth, and honors similar to those paid to the Lares were accorded to them . Nereus*. Nereus* was a personification of

hey bestowed upon him the name of Pan (all), because he had delighted them all. Pan was regarded as the protector of shepher

y swayed the reeds and produced a low musical sound. Pan cut seven of them of unequal length, joined them together, and succ

a low musical sound. Pan cut seven of them of unequal length, joined them together, and succeeded in producing the instrume

unsparingly on their erection and decoration. So massive were some of them that they have, to a great extent, withstood the

eing dug for the reception of the blood of the sacrifices ofi’ered to them . Priests. The priests were recognized as a

oly water, after which he also sprinkled the worshipers, and exhorted them to join with him in prayer. After tasting the lib

the gods, their clemency and beneficence, and the gifts conferred by them on mankind. In conclusion, the gods were invoked

s were called augurs. No enterprise was undertaken without consulting them with regard to its ultimate success. Festivals

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

ct one portion which in all future sacrifices should be set apart for them . In order to secure for man the portion suitable

ympus. He stole some sparks from the chariot of the sun, and conveyed them to earth hidden in a hollow tube. Furious at havi

the different gods, and priests were appointed to offer sacrifices to them , and to conduct their worship. These priests were

ed free from care and sorrow, while the earth spontaneously furnished them with all that was necessary to support life. Subj

and body. They refused to pay the gods due honors, and Zeus destroyed them . The next was the Brazen race. They were of giant

oned mankind, no influence sufficiently powerful remained to preserve them from every kind of wickedness. Zeus, in his anger

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

d a herald, driving in a chariot, and when he refused to make way for them , the herald killed one of his horses, which so ex

e killed both the strangers, and fled without discovering that one of them was Laius, king of Thebes. On his arrival at Theb

ple afflicted by the Sphinx,13 which had been sent by Hera to torment them . This monster had the face of a woman, the body o

tion. She accepted the bribe, and Amphiaraus was compelled to go with them . Before leaving his home, he extorted a promise f

heard of the robe and collar of Harmonia, and she desired to possess them . Alcmæon returned to Arcadia, and telling Phegeus

ed the robe and collar in the temple of Apollo at Delphi, he obtained them from Arsinoe. Alcmæon’s servant betrayed his secr

ree sisters who dwelt by the ocean-stream. Medusa was the only one of them that was mortal. They turned to stone all who beh

only one of them that was mortal. They turned to stone all who beheld them . While Perseus was bemoaning his hard fate, Herme

ible. Hermes contrived to take the eye and tooth as they were handing them from one to another, but promised to restore them

s they were handing them from one to another, but promised to restore them if they would give him the desired information. T

, and, fearing to gaze on their petrifying visages, he turned towards them the polished shield which he bore, and looking on

with that of the Nereides*, who thereupon besought Poseidon to avenge them . He granted their request, and not only overwhelm

ribe with whom he was at enmity. Bellerophon succeeded in vanquishing them , and was then sent to make war upon the Amazons,

e purpose of destroying him, but he bravely defended himself and slew them all. The king then gave him his daughter in marri

les, however, gave the first proof of his divine origin by strangling them with his hands. Zeus then acknowledged his son. F

his arrows in her poisonous blood, thus rendering wounds inflicted by them incurable. 3. The Stag of Diana. — The third tas

of Centaurs, all armed with huge rocks and fir-trees. Heracles drove them back with arrows and firebrands, and pursued them

ees. Heracles drove them back with arrows and firebrands, and pursued them to Malea, where they took refuge with the good Ce

by Hephæstus. He ascended a neighboring hill and commenced to rattle them violently. The birds rose into the air in terror,

e them violently. The birds rose into the air in terror, when he shot them with his arrows. 7. The Cretan Bull. — The seven

made prisoners by Diomedes and flung before the horses, who devoured them . Heracles overpowered Diomedes and threw him to t

the carnivorous beasts. He delivered the mares to Eurystheus, who set them loose on Mount Olympus, where they became the pre

This king had refused Poseidon and Apollo the rewards he had promised them for their assistance in building the walls of Tro

up the apples and went away. Eurystheus, having seen the apples, gave them back, and Heracles presented them to Athene. 12.

theus, having seen the apples, gave them back, and Heracles presented them to Athene. 12. Cerberus*. — The twelfth and last

lent struggle would have ensued had not Zeus interfered by separating them with his lightning. The Pythian priestess now com

ed Sciron*, who compelled travelers to wash his feet, and then kicked them into the sea. Theseus overcame him and threw his

e size of the bed. The short ones he took to the long bed, and pulled them to fit it; thus he left his victims to expire. Th

ed under black sails, as usual. Theseus promised his father to change them for white in case of his returning victorious. Wh

violable fidelity. They ever continued true brothers in arms. Each of them aspired to espouse a daughter of Zeus. Theseus fi

ake his friend, and together they entered the gloomy realm. Aides set them on an enchanted rock at his palace gate, where th

e Athenians obtained his bones from the island of Scyros and interred them . In his honor a temple was erected, which is stil

te (Venus), who gave him three golden apples, and told him how to use them . In the race he threw them on the ground at diffe

ree golden apples, and told him how to use them. In the race he threw them on the ground at different times. Atalanta, who w

pay due honor to Aphrodite. Provoked at their ingratitude, she caused them to give offence to Cybele. That goddess changed t

tude, she caused them to give offence to Cybele. That goddess changed them into lions and yoked them to her car, where they

ive offence to Cybele. That goddess changed them into lions and yoked them to her car, where they are still to be seen in al

mus, and she, being jealous of her step-children, resolved to destroy them . She persuaded the women to parch the seed-corn w

watchful Nephele apprised her children of their danger, and, placing them on a golden-fleeced ram which had been given her

h, like the celestial steeds, could run through the air, she directed them to flee to Colchis. On the way, Helle fell into t

racles and Telamon were searching for him, the Argo departed, leaving them behind. The Argonauts next arrived in Bebrycia, w

hineus to consult him as to their further course. He promised to give them ample directions if they would deliver him from t

he monsters to the islands named Strophades. Here the Boreades seized them , but, on their swearing never to molest Phineus a

their swearing never to molest Phineus again, their captors released them and they rejoined their companions. In gratitude

Phineus instructed the Argonauts how to overcome the dangers awaiting them . They once more set sail, but they had not procee

d constantly met and separated, crushing everything that came between them . Phineus had told the heroes to let loose a dove,

ire-breathing bulls which Æetes had received from Hephæstus, and with them to till an uncultivated field. The second was to

, but the powerful charm with which Medea had armed him suddenly made them tame and obedient. Without resistance, they bent

stance, they bent their necks under the yoke, permitting Jason to put them to the plough, and quietly made the furrows into

g up, but Jason, remembering the instructions of Medea, hurled amidst them the stone she had given him, and they immediately

ver-wakeful watch, lay the dreadful sleepless dragon, who at sight of them bounded forward. Medea, quietly approaching the m

unt to Medea. By her they were purified, but she severely reprimanded them for the horrible murder of which they had been gu

t she possessed the power of making the old young again, she directed them to slay their father, cut him in pieces, and boil

have ended in bloodshed but for the appearance of Cassandra, who told them that the young shepherd was their brother Paris.

no longer kept within the walls. Zeus, at the request of Thetis, gave them the victory in their first engagement with the Gr

ks. Hector drove the latter back to their ships, and was about to set them on fire, when Achilles consented to allow his fri

without delay. In vain did Laocoon*, priest of Apollo, seek to divert them from their folly. None would listen to his warnin

ere carried off, the former being destined to a lot of slavery. Among them was the aged queen Hecuba, with all her daughters

partook of it lost all thought of home. Odysseus was obliged to drag them away and fasten them to the benches of the ship.

ll thought of home. Odysseus was obliged to drag them away and fasten them to the benches of the ship. They next arrived at

welve chosen companions set out to explore the country, carrying with them a jar of wine. Near the shore they found a vast c

e seized two of the Greeks, dashed out their brains and then devoured them with great relish. He then stretched himself on t

olled away the stone, and drove in his flocks as usual. After milking them and making his arrangements as before, he seized

e, he seized two more of his prisoners and made his evening meal upon them . Odysseus then approached and handed him a bowl o

ll as they went out, that Odysseus and his men should not escape with them . But the subtlety of the hero proved more than a

sheep were very large, and Odysseus, with bands of willow, had linked them together three abreast, and under each centre one

the last one. As the sheep passed out the giant felt carefully among them for his victims, but not finding them on the back

the giant felt carefully among them for his victims, but not finding them on the backs of the animals he let them pass, and

his victims, but not finding them on the backs of the animals he let them pass, and thus they escaped. The Grreeks now hast

ow hastened aboard their vessel, taking a good part of the flock with them . Thinking himself at a safe distance, Odysseus sh

on for themselves. Immediately the adverse winds rushed out and drove them back to the Æolian island. Æolus refused to assis

out and drove them back to the Æolian island. Æolus refused to assist them further, and they were obliged to labor over thei

Læstrygonians found the ships completely in their power they attacked them , hurling huge rocks, which sunk eleven of the shi

in. Eurylochus called aloud, and the goddess came forward and invited them to enter. They all gladly entered except Euryloch

with wine and delicacies. When they had feasted heartily, she touched them one by one with her wand, and they became changed

had befallen his companions, he resolved to make an effort to rescue them . As he strode onward alone, he met a youth who ad

lease his companions and practise no further sorceries against him or them . She promised to dismiss them all in safety after

ise no further sorceries against him or them. She promised to dismiss them all in safety after hospitably entertaining them.

promised to dismiss them all in safety after hospitably entertaining them . The men were restored to their shapes, the rest

ons induced him to pursue their homeward voyage, and Circe instructed them how to pass safely by the coast of the Sirens. Sh

ulf, eager to quaff the blood of the sacrifice which would restore to them for a time their mental vigor. Remembering the in

ge, but also on his return to Ithaca, and instructed him how to avoid them . Tiresias having retired, Odysseus allowed the ot

having retired, Odysseus allowed the other shades to approach. Among them he recognized his mother. From her he learned tha

and his men were endeavoring to avoid Charybdis, Scylla seized six of them . At length they reached the island of Trinacria (

ainly attempting to make amends for the deed by offering a portion of them to the offended powers. Odysseus was horrified at

by the king and queen, and in return for their kindness he related to them the history of his long and eventful voyage. When

. In order to gain time, Penelope had promised to make a choice among them as soon as she had finished weaving a burial-robe

round for arms, but, in obedience to Odysseus, Telemachus had removed them . He, with his father and Eumæus, slew the suitors

steered. They began to build a city, but a pestilence broke out among them , and the fields that they had planted yielded no

ey seated themselves at the table, than the Harpies came rushing upon them , and seized and defiled all the meats, Æneas and

defiled all the meats, Æneas and his companions drew their swords on them in vain, their feathers were impenetrable. Celæno

they would not be able to found a city till famine should have forced them to eat the tables off which they fed. The adventu

the exiles with the utmost hospitality, and when they departed loaded them with gifts. After a short voyage, they landed at

aced their food on biscuits, and when all else was consumed, they ate them also. Iulus cried out in sport, “See; we are eati

panions hunting. She inspired the dogs with a sudden madness, and led them to rouse up from the thicket a tame stag belongin

ypt, but fancied that their names, as well as the actions ascribed to them , were derived from Egypt. The mystical system of

a Supreme Being, who created two other mighty beings, and imparted to them so much of his own nature as seemed proper to him

ems of Ormuzd, the source of all light and purity, but did not regard them as independent deities. The rites and ceremonies

a*, and Saranyu* are names for the morning light. The Greeks regarded them as separate beings, whom they knew as Argynnis*,

. His doctrines were received with so much favor that he lived to see them spread over all India. Buddha died at the age of

and seasons by placing the sun and moon in the heavens and appointing them their respective courses. When the sun shed its r

y day, and became whole again every night. The goat Heidrun* supplied them with never-failing draughts of mead, which they d

seen except at night, because the sun’s rays had the power to change them into stones. They dwelt in mountain caverns and t

a rim of grassy country where cattle can subsist, and men by means of them and of what the sea yields; and it seems they wer

and it seems they were poetic men these, men who had deep thoughts in them and uttered musically their thoughts. Much would

crimes against persons or property, were at this time brought before them for adjudication. With these judicial acts were c

arrows into the soil; they became tree trunks, and he then transfixed them with other arrows, which became branches. It was

s invoked him, and offered to him tobacco and other dainties, placing them in the clefts of the rocks. Though called the Gre

s which are fit for food, and which are of value as medicine; he gave them fire, and recommended them never to allow it to b

nd which are of value as medicine; he gave them fire, and recommended them never to allow it to become wholly extinguished i

out for his brother’s country, for they had divided the earth between them . He soon came to the gigantic frog, which he pier

of the character of utility than its predecessors; but the object of them all, humble and merely elementary as they are, is

lties of the young upon what is necessary to be known, but to elevate them to the love and enjoyment of the beautiful, in na

pire a taste for the luxuries. and refinements of intellect — to make them understand prose, and take delight in poetry — to

fictions are unfit to meet the eye of innocence, but so far as any of them convey a moral, so far as they throw light upon t

ar of other gods besides that true and only God who is represented to them as the father of all intelligent beings, and the

ys, worshipped that pure and holy Spirit, who has been represented to them as the only proper object of trust and praise: an

ask, what nations have worshipped idols, and why they have worshipped them . This question is answered by the fact, that when

od manifested, or made himself known to some good men, and instructed them concerning the worship and conduct which he requi

same time with themselves, love and serve him also; and many believed them , and walked with God, as the scripture says, whic

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

ul pictures of the gods and goddesses, and sculptors have represented them in admirable forms. It is impossible to understan

he made war upon Saturn; conquered both him and Cybele, and confined them . They were released by their son Jupiter, who dep

turn taught his subjects agriculture, and other useful arts, and made them so happy that the time of his reign was called th

hey were instructed in the duties of their profession, they practised them during the second ten, and in the last ten years,

e his subjects wiser and better, and who devoted himself to improving them ; therefore, he gladly admitted Saturn to a share

vens, are said to have piled mount Pelion upon Ossa. Jupiter defeated them all. Jupiter had several oracles; that of Dodona,

hat Jupiter often love J mortal ladies; however, he did not appear to them in his own awful character, but assumed the shape

s and favourites of Jupiter, so he was angry at Apollo for destroying them , and expelled him from heaven as a punishment.

tter, unskilled in the management of the celestial coursers, suffered them to run wild, and they would have set the world on

f men, seem to have been brought to much higher utility and beauty by them than by any other people. The Hermes of Egypt was

orses of Mars, and with dishevelled hair, and frantic gestures, drove them through the field of battle. Victory was also an

at metals were capable of fusion, and taught the art of manufacturing them to mankind; but Vulcan, according to the mytholog

gs, whose sense of smelling was said to be so exquisite, as to enable them to discern whether persons who came there were vi

ho came there were virtuous or vicious, and who fawned upon, or drove them away accordingly. The Romans, in their most solem

from the mighty arm of Jupiter, and which carried destruction before them . The ancients sometimes marked the spot where the

formed statues, into whom he transfused fire from heaven, which gave them life. Jupiter, not having succeeded in making the

gift upon the citizens, should give a name to the city. Neptune gave them a horse, and Minerva an olive tree. The latter gi

e towns in Attica, resorted to Athens on this occasion, bringing with them numerous victims for the sacrifices. Horse races,

ollowed by those of middle age, clothed in polished armour, and after them proceeded youths under twenty years of age. The y

ding seat for the young girls to rest upon, and an umbrella to screen them from the sun; they also carried water and honey f

ver the use of vegetable substances, and acquire the art of procuring them from the fields, they have advanced one step in c

cultivating the earth. The Egyptians worshipped a goddess, called by them Isis; who, like the Ceres of the Greeks, conferre

come to carry her off with him. The young virgins saw him, and one of them , says a modern poet, in terror exclaimed,     ’T

a, and when she set her feet upon the land, flowers sprung up beneath them . The rosy Hours, who were intrusted with her educ

r-loving goddess. That she was intrusted to the Hours and conveyed by them to heaven, only signifies that she passed her tim

one of the town officers, a friend of the old superstition, appeased them , saying, “ Ye men of Ephesus, what man is there t

esemble that of man; the lower part that of the dolphin. The first of them was the son of Neptune and Amphitrite. This Trito

mariners, whom they detained from prosecuting their voyage, to visit them . Circe metamorphosed men to brutes. Milton, the

sea. The gods, pitying the unhappy fate of Ceyx and Halcyone, changed them into the birds called Halcyones, and imparted to

lcyone, changed them into the birds called Halcyones, and imparted to them the power of stilling the waves. The Halcyon of t

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

poraries, by frequently foretelling the approach of storms, seemed to them to be something more than mortal. By attentively

hen agitated by the wind, emitted a pleasing sound, connected some of them together, formed of them a rural pipe, and named

emitted a pleasing sound, connected some of them together, formed of them a rural pipe, and named it Syrinx. Pithys was fav

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

f them who had faithfully served the state; and families placed among them the spirits of their departed friends and relatio

of the edifices. Lamps, the symbols of vigilance, were consecrated to them , and that faithful domestic animal, the dog, was

o them, and that faithful domestic animal, the dog, was sacrificed to them When infants quitted one of their first ornaments

g the public feasts of these Lares and Penates, small waxen images of them were suspended in the streets. The Lares and Pena

ivals they were crowned with garlands, and sacrifices were offered to them . The other household gods, the Penates, were wors

th-days. The ground was strewed with flowers, and wine was offered to them in cups. The opinion prevailed, that the universe

irits were conveyed by Mercury to the care of Charon, who transported them across the river Acheron, to the shore of eternit

ch integrity and wisdom, that it pleased the supreme deity to appoint them judges of the dead. The probable history of Minos

ght; their names signify rage, slaughter, and envy. The Greeks called them Diræ, and sometimes Erinnes, disturbers of the mi

of wisdom to say, The guilty who are punished suffer enough; comfort them , give them opportunity to reform. The pain which

to say, The guilty who are punished suffer enough; comfort them, give them opportunity to reform. The pain which their guilt

reform. The pain which their guilt has caused is sufficient to induce them to be virtuous hereafter. Besides the Furies, Nem

s, the priest lowered his hands towards the earth, instead of raising them towards heaven. Being regarded as implacable, the

hymns were composed to their honour, and no temples were dedicated to them . Who were the Fates? Who was Nox? Who was Mors?

Briareus, Gyges, Iapetus, Hyperion, and Oceanus. Some poets speak of them as whelmed beneath Sicily; and pretend that the d

ig quivered before him, which, whenever he extended his hand to seize them , were snatched by the winds into clouds and obscu

d are laid in the cold ground,” we naturally ask, is this the last of them — is there no better world to which they are remo

ether in another world, so they conceived that the gods would appoint them separate abodes — one a happy and glorious place

ty of each other, and by those occupations that had been agreeable to them during their lives. Whence is the notion of immo

for. To be cheerful, modest, and moderate in our recreations, and in them to regard the improvement and happiness of others

he slight enclosure where the flocks and herds are confined, and bear them off, an easy prey, sometimes attacking and destro

self with a strong club; invents snares to entrap the invaders; kills them when they come near the habitations of men: seeks

e for their security; he has endangered himself, but he has preserved them . They delight to remember his extraordinary explo

r dreadful stings, the fearless babe, with his little hands, squeezed them to death, while his elder brother, Iphiclus, who

omedes, who preyed upon men. Hercules secured these animals, and gave them Diomedes for a repast. The ninth labour was to ge

ly, Cacus, a formidable robber, stole some of the cows, and concealed them in a cave; but the cows replied to the lowing of

tory of the Amazons is probably a fiction but the frequent mention of them in various books makes it necessary to understand

people, when they first behold a man and horse thus coupled, imagine them to be one being. From a misconception of this sor

s. Phryxus and Helle, to escape from Ino, who had determined to offer them as sacrifices to some god, resolved to put themse

ey were about to be offered, a winged ram, with a golden fleece, took them upon his back, and flew away to Colchis through t

f Etes. Etes then required of him to tame two ferocious bulls, to tie them to a plough, and with them to plough a field, nev

of him to tame two ferocious bulls, to tie them to a plough, and with them to plough a field, never before cultivated. He wa

ain; armed men were to spring from these teeth, and Jason was to kill them all. These conditions appeared to be so many impo

to contend with, ravaged Peloponnesus, and Theseus resolved to expel them . Æthra, during his youth, had never informed Thes

e bed; or, if they were too short, by dreadful tortures, he stretched them to its extent. This bed of Procrustes, is now oft

but in this they did not succeed. Theseus knew their malice, and put them to death. Some years before the appearance of The

ed the Athenians of having killed his son, Androgeus, and demanded of them , as a satisfaction, a certain number of Athenian

ents who were about to give up their children, by offering to go with them to Crete, and promising to restore them in safety

ldren, by offering to go with them to Crete, and promising to restore them in safety. The fable says, that Theseus went with

he travelled all over Attica, and told his people he was sorry to see them always quarrelling, and that if they would cultiv

hey did very little work, and ravaged each other’s territory. He told them he was King of Athens, and would be general of an

and the people of all Greece heard of these regulations, and some of them adopted the same institutions. Before the time of

they went to her father’s court to seize her; but Aidoneus suspected them , and drove off Peritheus by means of some furious

out four centuries before Christ, took up the remains of Theseus, had them removed to Athens, and there buried. Over the pla

her of Laius. Laius was married to Jocasta, and an oracle foretold to them that the former should be killed by his son. As s

roy, perhaps persuading the people to raise the walls, or encouraging them during their labours in erecting them. ——— Arion

raise the walls, or encouraging them during their labours in erecting them . ——— Arion was also a famous poet and musician,

As soon as the brothers saw the brides, they fell a desire to possess them , and laid a plan to carry them off, but Lynceus a

brides, they fell a desire to possess them, and laid a plan to carry them off, but Lynceus and Has, perceiving their purpos

ing. Venus, Minerva, and Juno were there, and Discord came also among them : that is, the goddesses contended with each other

e most beautiful. Discord, says the fable, threw a golden apple among them , on which was written “To the fairest.” Each clai

jured Menelaus remembered the promise of the princes, and demanded of them to assist him in punishing the Trojans, who had e

armament was encountered by a force sufficiently prepared to receive them . Hector, the valiant son of Priam, was the chief

ojans, and the neighbouring states sent large supplies of soldiers to them . The siege was begun, and a long conflict of ten

wound became so offensive to those about him, that Ulysses persuaded them to land on the island of Lemnos, and abandon Phil

ing commanded the Greek armies against Troy and what prophet attended them ? What detained the host at Aulis, and what remedy

at Tauros, they were carried before Thoas the king, and he commanded them to be sacrificed to Diana. Iphigenia was the prie

ar off country, and longed to see the strangers, and to converse with them . Iphigenia was touched with pity at the sight of

of Pylades and Orestes, and she resolved to spare the life of one of them , though she could not so far disobey the king as

hough she could not so far disobey the king as to save both. She told them as she was a Greek, that she had friends in Greec

was a Greek, that she had friends in Greece, and that one or other of them should be permitted to return to their country, i

brother and his friend to Greece, and that they would take along with them the statue of Diana. Thoas soon discovered the fl

he intended victims of Diana, and he would have followed, and brought them back to Scythia, but Minerva informed him that al

pleasure of the gods on account of some neglect in the worship due to them . Long on the Egyptian coast by calms confined He

ocæ, or seals, which animals belonged to her father’s sea-herds, laid them in the sands, and instructed them to take her fat

ged to her father’s sea-herds, laid them in the sands, and instructed them to take her father by surprise, and hold him till

s, Ajax went mad. In his phrensy, he slew a flock of sheep, supposing them to be sons of Atreus, who had bestowed the armour

Ulysses were curious to know what the bags contained; so they opened them , and out rushed the blasts, carrying all before t

; so they opened them, and out rushed the blasts, carrying all before them , and the whole fleet was destroyed, except the sh

eighbouring princes had severally importuned Penelope to marry one of them ; but the queen, tenderly attached to the memory o

to the memory of her husband, and hoping that he still lived, denied them all. The suitors, as the princes were called, too

ere properly punished for their audacity and violence. Ulysses killed them all, and restored order and quiet in his dominion

arms for sale to the maidens of Lycomedes’ court. Achilles was among them ; and, in despite of his habiliment, chose the arm

, King of Thrace, one of the allies of the Trojans, and bringing with them the famous horses of Rhesus, “Swift as the wind,

to the field, and renewed his attack upon the Trojans. Fear fell upon them as this mighty barbarian, instigated by his terri

body of Hector, Achilles for a moment was melted. The meeting between them was solemn and affecting. Old age in affliction t

way of distinction, are called the Seven Wise Men of Greece — and to them is also added the tradition of certain monuments

who felt the desire of improvement meditated upon what they saw about them , and sometimes travelled in search of knowledge f

. Bias was contemporary with the wise men previously mentioned — like them he was a moral philosopher, though little more th

of Mytilene chose him for their king, and adopted laws which he gave them . Pittacus died 579 B. C. Cleobulus of Lindus,

hip; and to be kind to their enemies, that they might make friends of them . Cleobulina, the daughter of Cleobulus, was celeb

etain their ancient mythology, though Europeans have introduced among them the doctrines of Christianity. The mythology of t

ce is gorgeous and brilliant. He has a thousand heads; and on each of them is a crown set with resplendent gems. His neck, t

n completely armed, who, having killed two elephants, are seated upon them . In front of that gate is an octagonal pillar of

cted of stone, upon which are carved the sun and the stars; and round them is a border on which is a variety of human figure

o antelopes, and holding in the right hand a rabbit. Fountains are by them dedicated to this divinity. Vishnu. See pl

a long time sustained by others infatuated like themselves, who bring them food. Do the Hindus adore the Sun and Moon, and

ht, of exact symmetry; but though round and prominent, yet not one of them is detached from the main rock. Some of these sta

display only large, bushy ringlets of curled or flowing hair. Many of them have four hands, and many six; grasping sceptres

and shields; symbols of justice and religion; or war-weapons. Amongst them are conspicuous, the triform representation of Br

the purifying stream. At the entrance of all the most considerable of them , is a portico, supported by rows of lofty columns

hat the average annual amount of a tax of half-a-crown on each one of them , exacted by a Mohammedan prince of the country, w

e Christian doctrines. Besides the authority of their priests forbids them to receive new doctrines, and their political reg

to receive new doctrines, and their political regulations also hinder them from learning from each other. Among the Hindus a

subdued some of the barbarous tribes of northern Europe, he governed them wisely and improved their condition; so that afte

ouls of heroes slain to Valhalla, his hall; and there to pour out for them the beverage of the gods. On steeds that seemed

ch veneration that the people under their influence dared not disobey them in any thing. The Druids had no letters nor any c

asions, the Druids constructed colossal images of wicker work; filled them with human beings, and consumed them, together, b

al images of wicker work; filled them with human beings, and consumed them , together, by fire. Criminals were deemed the off

many centuries, the Hebrews had but one place of worship, and most of them being far distant from that, they adopted the wor

their laws, and the perfection of their arts, they equally surpassed them in all degrading idolatries. The inhabitants of t

reme God, who formed all things by his power, and continually governs them by his providence; in pious reverence, fear, and

Persians worshipped the moon and the stars. Temples were dedicated to them ; images of them were invented, and magnificent fe

ped the moon and the stars. Temples were dedicated to them; images of them were invented, and magnificent festivals and proc

eavouring to make men wicked and miserable, and that Orosmades willed them to be virtuous and happy. Zoroaster described Oro

mades, or to erect temples to his honour, with the idea of him making them his dwelling-place. They venerated fire as his sa

st white The Magi ranged before the unfolded tent. Fire blazed beside them . Towards the sacred flame They turned, and sent t

loy their hands skilfully, they will meditate upon the objects around them . They will admire the sun, and moon, the earth, a

inquire who made and takes care of the world they inhabit — who gave them every comfort — who made man, and gave him the po

there are gods who live in the sun, moon, and ocean, to take care of them , and to make them useful to man; so that ignorant

o live in the sun, moon, and ocean, to take care of them, and to make them useful to man; so that ignorant men worship the t

norant men worship the things which are made, instead of him who made them . In time they give names to these false gods, add

onour the gods properly, it is necessary to have priests to celebrate them , temples to worship them in, and particular days

it is necessary to have priests to celebrate them, temples to worship them in, and particular days on which people shall lea