Greek and Roman Mythology Glossary

ACHILLES. Was known as the mightiest Greek warrior and was the Hero of Homer's Illiad. Achilles was proud, courageous, outspoken, and ambitious. He was born of Peleus, king of Phthia, and the sea goddess Thetis. He fathered Neoptolemus. His symbols were shining armor and a round shield with scenes of battle. He was slain three days after defeating Hectar by Hectar's brother Paris, who let loose an arrow and struck him in his heel.

AENEAS. Was the forefather of the Romans and the Hero of Virgil's Aeneid. Escaping from burning Troy, Aeneas was visited by the gods and told he would build a new empire (which eventually was Rome). He was noble, loyal, and dutiful. He was born of Anchises and the goddess Aphrodite. He fathered two children, Iulus and Silvius.

APHRODITE (VENUS). One of the Twelve Olympians, was the goddess of love and beauty, and patroness of lovers, beauty, marriage, sailors, and considered a war goddess by the Spartans. She was born from the foam of the sea, and was the Mother to Eros (Cupid), Deimos (Fear), Phobos (Panic), Harmonia, Hermaphroditus, Eryx, and Aeneas. Her symbols were the dove, the myrtle tree, the rose, the apple, and sometimes the sparrow and the swan.

APOLLO. One of the Twelve Olympians, god of light, purity, music, poetry, and prophecy. He was the patron to healers, archers, and musicians. He was wise, cheerful, and sometimes jealous. He was born of Zeus and Leto, and fathered Asclepius (the god of healing), Aristaios (the inventor of beekeeping), Linus, eleuther, Ion, and Philemon. His symbols were the mouse, sun disk, lyre, and laurel.

ARES (MARS). One of the Twelve Olympians, god of war, and god of agriculture to the Romans. He was the Patron of soldiers. Ares was boastful, loud, cruel, and angry. He was born of Zeus and Hera, and fathered Deimos (Fear), Phobos (Terror), Ascalaphus, Cycnus, diomedes, Harmonia, Thestius, and others. His symbolsw were the spear, burning torch, vulture, and dog.

ARTEMIS (DIANA). One of the Twelve Olympians, goddess of the hunt and moon, Patroness of unmarried women and youth, childbirth, and wild animals. She was aloof, nature-loving, majestic, and athletic. She was the twin sister to Apollo, born of Zeus and Leto. She was an eternal virgin. Her symbols were the cypress tree, all wild animals, but especially the deer.

ASCLEPIUS (AESCULAPIUS). Was the son of Apollo and Coronis, princess of epidaurus (or Apollo and Arsinoe, princess of Messenia). He was benign and earnest, and was so gifted at healing that eventually Zeus made him into a god, and some say the constellation Ophiuchus. His symbol is the serpent.

ATALANTA. Abandoned by her father because she was a girl, Atalanta was raised by a mother bear. She became the swiftest of runners and best hunter in ancient Greece. She promised to wed the man who could beat her in a foot race, all losers would die. No one could defeat her in a race, until Hippomenes, who had fallen in love with her, appealed for help to Aphrodite, who gave him three golden apples to toss aside during the race. He did this causing Atalanta to turn aside from the race and gather the apples. Thus she married Hippomenes, and together ahd Parthenopaeus.

ATHENA (MINERVA). One of the Twelve Olympians and goddess of wisdom, handicrafts (especially weaving), war, and agriculture. She was wise, even tempered, but fierce in battle, and she helped many a hero with their exploits. She was an eternal virgin, and was born of Zeus and Metis. Her symbols were the owl and the olive.

BELLEROPHON. A Corinthian hero who tamed the winged horse Pegasus. Was the son of Glaucus and Eurynome (grandson of Sisyphus), and himself married Princess Philonoe, with whome he had Isander, Hippolochus, Laodameia, and Deidameia. He slew the Chimera upon the back of the winged horse, but growing proud, dared to fly to Mount Olympus. For this impudence, Zeus sent a fly to sting Pegasus, who reared and sent Bellerophon plunging to earth.

CASTOR & POLLUX. Twin brothers born of different parents: Castor was born of Tyndareus and Leda, while Pollux was born of Zeus and Leda. Often called the Dioscuri (Sons of Zeus), they were always found together. Castor was a great wrestler and the best horse handler in the world; Pollux was a great boxer, who some say recieved fists of iron from Hephaestus. Some versions have Zeus making them into the stars of Gemni (though other sources claim they are the bright stars of Aires). Their symbol was Saint Elmos Fire.

CERBERUS. A three headed dog (some stories say fifty heads) guarding the gate of the Underworld. Cerberus also had a snake tail and snake heads sprouting from his back. He was born from Typhon and Echidna. He allowed people to enter into the Underworld, but not to escape.

CRONOS (SATURN). Cronos was the ruler of the earth and heavens before the reign of Zeus. Cronos was a Titan and offspring of Uranus and Gaea. His wife was Rhea and together they had six of the Olympians: Zeus, Hera, Hestia, Demeter, Hades, and Poseidon. Cronos slew his father with a sickle, and to prevent the same happening to him, ate his children as they were born. Rhea replaced Zeus with a stone, which he consumed, and thus Zeus slew Cronos freeing his siblings from within his stomach. Banished and disembodied Cronos was sent with the other Titans to the far reaches of Tartarus. His symbol was the sickle.

DAEDALUS & ICARUS. Daedalus was the famed inventor and sculptor of ancient Greece. Daedalus was the son of Metion (or Eupalamus), descended from King Erechtheus of Athens. He built a mechanical bull in which Pasiphae, the wife of King Minos, hid, so she could make love to the magical white bull of Aphrodite. She bore a childe, the Minotaur. Daedalus was ordered to create the labyrinth to hide this hideous creature, and then was imprisoned inside the labyrinth with his only son, Icarus. Daedalus then invented wings by which both he and his son escaped the labyrinth. Icarus, however, emboldened by his new feat of flying, flew to close to the sun, where the wax in his wings melted and he plummeted to the sea.

DEMETER (CERES). One of the twelve Olympians, goddess of agriculture and patron of farmers. She was born of Cronus and Rhea and herself had one daughter, Persephone. Demeter gave the seasons to humankind (winter being caused by her mourning while Persephone dwells in the Underworld). When Persephone was kidnapped by Hades, Demeter left the earth barren during her mourning. Zeus decreed that if Persephone had not eaten anything in the Underworld she would be returned to Demeter. Unfortunately, Persephone had eaten a couple of pomegranate seeds, thus she had to stay in the Undeerworld for three months of the year (winter). Demeter's symbols are poppy, wheat, and cereals.

DEUCALION. The Greek Noah, only survivor (with his wife Pyrha) of the Great Flood in Greek myth. Deucalion was the son of Prometheus and Pronoea. Prometheus warned Deucalion that Zeus planned on destroying the earth because of its wickedness, so Deucalion built an ark in which to survive the Flood. When the flood waters subsided, Deucalion and his wife through stones over their shoulders, which when landing, turned to a mortal, and in this manner they repopulated the earth. Deucalion is therefore thought to be the father of the Greeks. He also had children through conventional means with his wife, those children were: Hellen, Amphictyon, Protogeneia, Pandora, and Thyia.

DIONYSUS (BACCHUS). Youngest of the twelve Olympians, god of wine and divine ecstasy, and patron of wine cultivation, revels, and religious mysteries. He was also known as the god of laws, peace, and civilization. Born of Zeus and Semele, his mother was consumed by flame when she asked to see Zeus in his full glory; plucking the infant Dionysus from her burning womb, Zeus gave him to Silenus and wood nymbphs to be raised. Thus, he was joyful, pleasure-loving, yet dangerous when opposed. He fell in love with Ariadne and made her crown into a constellation. His symbols are the grape, rose, ivy, the panther, goat, and dolphin.

ECHO & NARCISSUS. Echo was an immortal nymph of the forest and attendant to Artemis. She chattered incessantly and so Hera cursed her to always speak the last word of anyone who spoke to her. She fell in love with Narcissus, a mortal son of the river god Cephisus and the nymph Leiriope. However, Echo could not explain her love to Narcissus, only able to repeat his last words, and therefore she was rejected. Meanwhile, Narcissus rejected all such advances from other maids, eventually falling in love with his own image as reflected in a pool. So enamored was he with his own image, that he could not leave the side of the bank of water, and so there he wasted away and finally died. His body disappeared, however, replaced by the beautiful flower called after his name.

EROS (CUPID). Eros was the archer of love and patron of the loving arts. He was the son of Zeus and Aphrodites (according to many versions). He was known for being capricious and mischievous. Whoever he struck with one of his golden arrows, that person would fall in love (generally with the first being seen). For this reason even the gods feared Eros. His symbols were the bow and arrow.

FATES (MOIRAI Gk, PARCAE Rmn). The Fates were the three goddesses of destiny. Clotho, the youngest, sat at a spinning wheel spinning out the thread of life. Lachesis, the middle-aged, measured out the spun thread. Atropos, the oldest, sat at the end with shears to cut the thread. Some poets said the Fates knew the destiny of all creatures on Earth, and even the end of the gods. They were born of Themis (or Nyx) and a sky god. Their symbols were the spinning wheel, thread, and shears.

GRACES (CHARITIES Gk, GRATIAE Rmn). The Graces were the beautiful divinities of joy and gratitude and were known to bring beauty to young girls. They were names Thalia (Prosperity), Aglaia (Splendor), and Euphrosyne (Joy). Usually they are depicted together, and always nude (a symbol of innocence and beauty). They taught women how to be gentle and cultured. Their parents were Zeus and Eurynome (or Lethe in some versions). Their sisters were the Horai (Hours), their half-sisters were the Muses. Their symbols were apples, myrtle, and roses.

HEBE (JUVENTAS). Hebe was the goddess of eternal youth and the cupbearer of the gods. She never grew old and also had the power to make others grow young. Some myths say that Hebe was replaced as cupbearer by Ganymede at Zeus's orders. Other myths declare that she eventually married Heracles who was made immortal by Zeus. She was the daughter of Zeus and Hera and had two children: Alexiares and Anicetus.

HEPHAESTUS (VULCAN). One of the twelve Olympians, the god of the forge and master of fire, patron of metalworkers, blacksmiths, and jewelers. He had a throne on Mount Olympus but generally lived in a cave at one of his underground forges. He was born of Zeus and Hera, and was born lame and ugly. So disgusted with his appearance was Hera that she through him from Olympus into the sea. The sea goddess Thetis took pity on him and raised him in a sea cave. He would later take revenge on Hera by trapping her into a golden throne. Likewise, he would trap his wife Aphrodite in golden chains whilst having an affair with Ares. He had some children: Erichtonius, the half-snake king of Athens, Paleamon, Periphetes, and Ardalus, the inventor of the flute. His symbols were fire and the quail.

HERA (JUNO). Here was queen of the gods, wife and sister of Zeus, daughter of Cronos and Rhea, one of the Twelve Olympians, and protectress of married women, child birth, and the home. As the goddess of marriage she was often pictured with a pomegranate in her hand. She had several children, including Ares, Ilithyia, Hebe, and Hephaestus. Hera was both of loving protector and a jealous, even cruel goddess against those who offended her; particularly against those women Zeus had affairs with. Her symbols were the peacock, cow, and pomegranate.

HERACLES (HERCULES). Son of Zeus and a mortal princess of Thebes, Alcmene. He was famed throughout Greece and Rome as the strongest man and protector of the week, and Teiresias, a blind prophecied he would be the "hero of all mankind." Hercules is famous for his twelve labors, which included slaying the fierce Nemean lion, killing the Hydra, removing flesh-eating horses from Thrace, and bringing Cerberus out of the Underworld. In all his labors Hercules was successful. Hercules married twice and had many children (including the Heraclids, who conquered southern Greece). Finally, his second wife Deineira, gave him a cloak which, when put on, consumed his flesh. Dying, Hercules ordered a funeral pyre, but at the moment of his death Zeus made him immortal. His symbols were the club and lion skin.

HERMES (MERCURY). Hermes was the god of shphers, travelers, theives, and merchants. One of the Twelve Olympians, he was born of Zeus and Maia, daughter of Atlas. Hermes was the chief messenger of the gods and the guide of souls to the Underworld. He appears to be named after the herm, a guidepost planted between forked roads. He had many children, including Pan, Erytus (the Argonaut), Echion, Aethalides, Pharis, Abderus, Hermaphroditus (with Aphrodite), Eudorus, and Myrtilus. His symbols were the caduceus (staff with entwined serpents), winged sandals, and cap.

HESTIA (VESTA). Hestia was the goddess of the hearth and home. One of the Twelve Olympians, she was protector of all her cities, women, orphans, and lost children. She was the oldest born of Cronus and Rhea, and was good-natured and loving; all the gods respected her. Both Apollo and Poseidon wanted to marry her, but she decided to remain an eternal virgin. As Greece and Rome became more civilized, every city maintained a communal public fire where Hestia was worshiped. In the center of Rome her temple kept an eternal flame, and was watched over by six unmarried priestesses called the Vestal Virgins. If one of these virgins allowed the flame to die out she was buried alive. Hesita's symbol was the hearth fire.

IRIS. Goddess of the rainbow, Iris flew through the sky so fast that mortals only saw the trail of her shining, multi-colored robe--the rainbow in the sky. Isis was the messenger of the gods, sharing this duty with Hermes. In fact, she served as messenger before Hermes, and too carried the caduceus. Iris was always Hera's messenger, and attended Hera with many services. Iris appears in myth always as a helper or helping others avert disaster. She was born of the Titan Thaumas and the nymph Electra. Her symbol was the rainbow.

JANUS. Janus was the Roman god of beginnings and the guardian of passageways. His name is connected with the Latin word janua, which means "passage" or "door," and the basis for our word "January." He was usually depicted with two faces, a young face looking forward, and an old face looking backwards--to the future and the past. Janus was apparently married to Jana, and some mythologists say he was the son of Apollo. In Rome, his worship took over that of Sol, the sun, as Janus was a solar diety who opened and closed the year. He was invoked every time a Roman began a venture, at the beginning of every day, month, and year. His symbol was the double face.

JASON. Jason was the son of Aeson and Polymede (or Alcimede), but was raised by the centaur Chiron. Dethroned, his evil uncle Pelias promised Jason he would deliver up the throne if Jason obtained the famed golden fleece. This fleece was of a flying ram which was nailed to a tree and guarded by a dragon that never slept. Jason agreed to this impossible task, calling upon Greek heroes to join him aboard his might ship, the Argo. Jason was helped with this task by Medea, a beautiful sorceress of great renown. Later, Jason would marry this woman, having children with her, Mermerus and Pheres, according to some stories, and Euneus and Deipylus according to others. These children would be slain by their mother after Jason betrayed her as he fell in love with another woman. Deserted at the end of his life, some say he died when a beam from the Argo fell upon him.

MEDUSA. One of the three sisters called the Gorgons, Medusa had once been a beautiful, mortal woman, daughter of Phorcys and Ceto. Indeed, one of the most striking aspects of Medusa's beauty was her long, flowing hair. According to some versions of myth, Athena, aroused by jealously over this fair woman, turned her into a hideous creature, replacing her long, flowing hair with a nest of snakes. So hideous was Medusa, that anyone who looked upon her was turned to stone. Perseus slew Medusa in order to use her head to defeat the Kraken and save Andromeda. Once beheaded, the blood spouting from her head transformed into the winged horse Pegasus and a great warrior Chrysaor.

MUSES. The nine Muses were goddesses of song, poetry, and the arts and sciences; they were also the attendants of Apollo. They were all female, the daughters of Zeus and Mnemosyne, and according to legend were born after the victory Zeus and the gods had over the Titans. The nine Muses were: Calliope, the principal Muse and Muse of Epic Poetry--her symbol was the tablet and stylus; Clio was the Muse of History--her symbol was the laurel wreath and scroll; Euterpe was the Muse of Lyric Peotry--her symbol was the flute; Melpomene was the Muse of Tragedy--her symbol was the tragic mask and sword; Terpischore was the Muse of Choral Dance and Song--her symbol was the lyre; Erato was the Muse of Love Poetry--her sybol was also the lyre; Polyhymnia was the Muse of Sacred Song--her symbol was the veil; Urania was the Muse of Astronomy--her symbol was the globe; and Thalia was the Muse of Comedy--her symbol was the comic mask and shepherd's staff. Some Muses had children, such as Clio who bore Hyacinth, Calliope who had Orpheus and Linus, Euterpe who bore Rhesus, king of Thrace, Melpomene who had the Sirens, and Thalia who bore Corybantes. All Greeks believed the Muses were the author of inspiration.

NIOBE. Niobe was the daughter of Tantalus and a Titan or Pleiad. She was proud, complacent, and often rash. She married the talented Amphion, a king of Thebes who was the son of Zeus himself. Their marriage was blissful, and they had together seven beautiful daughters and sons. So proud of her fourteen children, so boastful was she of her own beauty, that she asked people to make sacrifices to her in Leto's temple. Leto, outraged at this terrible pride, called her children, Apollo and Artemis, to take vengeance upon the woman. Apollow slew all her sons, and seeing this, Niobe's husband Amphion killed himself. Niobe declared that she still had seven daughters left, but Artemis soon dispatched these, shooting an arrow into the last who was in Niobe's arms. So distraught was Niobe that to stop her wailing Zeus turned her into a stone on Mount Sipylus, which in summer still seeps water--the tears of Niobe.

ODYSSEUS (ULYSSES). Odysseus was the hero of Homer's epic The Odyssey. He was the king of the Greek island Ithica. Son of Laertes and Anticlea, Odysseus was clever, ingenious, tricky, and bound in mind and heart to his home. Resisting at first to go to war with the Greeks against the Trojans, Odysseus finally relented and became the Greek's most stalwart commander. In fact, it was Odysseus that thought of the "Trojan Horse" scheme which won the Greeks the war. It took Odysseus ten years to return to Ithica after the Trojan War, mainly because Poseidon cursed him and filled his life with troubles. Odysseus lost all his men and ships on the return voyage, battling many enemies and obstacles (including a Cyclops, a Sorceress, the Sirens, and even the wrath of Helios). But finally, he returned home, witht the help of Athena, and reclaimed his throne and his wife. He had one son, Telemachus.

ORPHEUS. Orpheus was the son of Apollo (some myths say his father was King Oeagrus of Thrace) and the Muse Calliope. Orpheus was a gifted musician and poet. So strong were his talents that with his lyre he could calm the sea, command animals, and even make complacent Cerberus, the guardian of the Underworld. In his youth he was one of the Argonauts, and he saved Jason and his crew on multiple occassions with the power of his music. Orpheus fell passionately in love with a nymph named Eurydice, who unfortunately was bitten by a poisonous serpent and died. Determined to get her back, Orpheus descended into the Underworld as a mortal, playing his lyre, and pacifying both the three headed dog as well as Hades himself. Hades agreed to let Orpheus have Eurydice back on the condition that in leading her out of the Underworld he not look back at her. Orpheus agreed, and right at the moment that both were about to leave the darkness behind, Orpheus peeked back just to make sure she was following. At that instant Eurydice sighed and descended back into the Underworld. Brokenhearted Orpheus returned to Thrace, still in love with his beloved Eurydice. When a group of women wanted to marry him, he refused, and these women ripped him apart. His head was thrown in a cave where it gave oracles like unto Apollo. His lyre was thrown into the heavens where it became the constellation Lyra. His symbol was the lyre.

PAN. Pan was the god of woods, fields, and mountains, and patron of shepherds, beekeepers, farmers, and hunters. Pan had goat legs and goat horns attached to a humanoid body; he is always depicted with a long, shaggy beard. He lived in a cave and delighted in frolicking with the nymphs of the woods; he was a laughing, frisky, mischevous god. Pan's parentage is in question: he was the offspring of Hermes and either King Dryop's daughter or Penelope; or Zeus and Hybris; or others. Pan could frighten travelers in the woods with a mysterious cry, and to this day we call unreasoning fear "panic." In fact, in some myths it is said that Pan caused the Titans to freeze in fear during the war with the gods. Pan invented the Pan-pipe, or double flute, with reeds by a stream, and to this day the Pan-pipe is his symbol.

PANDORA. Pandora was the first mortal woman, created by order of Zeus by Hephaestus out of clay and water. All the gods gave her something, for her name means "all gifts." Apollo gaver her a wonderful voice and the power to heal. Aphrodite gave her great beauty. Athena gaver her intelligence and courage. She was also give a vase by the gods and instructed never to open it. She was married to a Titan, Epimetheus, brother of Prometheus who had made the first men. Pandora's curiosity over the vase outgrew her forbodings, and she opened it: there was a rushing sound and out poured all the evils of the world--envy, anger, sickness, despair, sadness, and cruelty. Horrified at its contents, Pandora quickly resealed the vase catching in it one quality--"hope." Thus Pandora let loose the evils of the world, but also preserved the hope to endure them.

PERSEPHONE (PROSERPINA). Persephone was the dauther of Zeus and Demeter and the bond between the mother and daughter was tremendously strong. As the myth goes, while playing in the fields, gathering flowers, Persephone was taken by Hades, Lord of the Underworld, who had seen her and had fallen madly in love with her. Persephone was indeed beautiful and joyous, and Zeus gave his permission to Hades to marry her. So distraught was Demeter at the loss of her daughter that the earth began to dry up and famine soaked into the ground. Zeus promised Demeter that Persephone could be released from the Underworld as long as she had not parten of any food there. Unfortunately, she had eaten a few pomegranate seeds, and so was thus forced to spend three months of every year (winter) in the Underworld. Thus, she was the maiden of winter but also of spring. Her symbol is the pomegranate.

PHAETHON. The son of the sun god (Apollo or Helios) and of Clymene, daughter of Oceanus. Clymene, however, was married to the Egyptian king Merops, but repeatedly told her son that he was the true offspring of the sun god. His friends scolded him at such a tale, telling him it was all made up, thus on his Mother's instructions, Phaethon traveled to the palace of the sun god to hear from His lips the truth. Arriving, the sun god confirmed the truth and granted Phaeton any wish as a promise of this truth. Phaethon answered he wished to drive the chariot of the sun, the sun god begged him to choose another wish, but kept his oath and let Phaethon drive the chariot of the sun. The sun chariot proved to difficult for the poor boy, and he could not control the horses, who flew to far away from the earth causing it to freeze, and then to close to the earth causing it to burn. Mother Earth cried out in pain and Zeus, hearing the cry, shot a thunderbolt and slew Phaethon, his burning body falling into the river Eridanus. His lamenting sisters wept so bitterly that they turned into poplar trees near the bank of the river, and Cycnus, a friend of Phaethon, wept until he turned into a swan.

POSEIDON (NEPTUNE). God of the sea and one of the Twelve Olympians, Poseidon was born of Cronos and Rhea. He was considered god of the sea, god of earthquakes, god of fresh waters, and god of horses. Poseidon carried a might trident, which is his symbol, and he would use this three pronged spear to swirl the sea and cause storms. Posedon was a mighty god that was quick to anger but also quick to pity. Offended at not being selected King of the Gods, he once tried to entrap Zeus (his brother) and claim the heavenly throne. He disputed with Athena over the possession of Athens by sending a large water spout to gush out of the ground. Not to be outdone, Athena caused a beautiful olive tree, lush with fruit, to appear in the city. The Athenian judges chose Athena's gift as more useful to the city. Angry, Poseidon flooded the area all about Athens, and the Athenian judges quickly also paid homage to Poseidon, and for many years both Athena and Poseidon were worshiped on the high Acropolis of Athens. Poseidon had many children, including Triton, Orion (according to some myths), the Argonauts Euphemus, Ancaeus, and Erginus, Theseus, Chrysaor, and the winged horse Pegasus from his union with Medusa, as well as others.

PROMETHEUS. Prometheus was a titan born of before the Greek gods were even conceived. (In some myths his parentage is actually Themis or Iapetus and the nymph Clymene or Asia.) He was a wise and powerful titan that joined the side of the gods against his own kind in the long war for supremecy which the gods eventually won. Prometheus was said to have created mankind out of clay. Prometheus tricked Zeus in allowing mortals to keep the best meat of animal sacrifices for themselves, delivering up only the fat, bones, and inedible organs. In addition, Prometheus stole fire from heaven and brought it down to earth so that men could cook and warm themselves. So furious was Zeus over this theft, that he commanded Hephaestus to to nail and chain Prometheus to a boulder in the Caucasus Mountains. There an eagle flew down every day and ate Prometheus' liver, which regrew every day to be eaten again the next day. Prometheus endured this terrible punishment for 30,000 years until Heracles broke the chains and set Prometheus free. In addition to creating the human race, he was known to sire Deucalion, the survivor of the Great Flood. His symbol was the torch.

SILENUS. Silenus was the offspring of Hermes and Gaea, though some stories say he was the son of Uranus, or Pan, or others still. He was a wise old man who could see far into the past as well as predict the future. He raised Dionysus, teaching that god all he knew. Silenus was a jolly old man often depicted as rotund with horses ears and tail; he loved jaunting through the forests, and after Dionysus discovered wine, loved imbibing great quantities of liquor. Silenus had offspring known as the Sileni, half human-half horse creatures much like centaurs. Some stories say Silenus also had Pholus.

SISYPHUS. Offspring of Aeolus, god of the winds, and Enarete, Sisyphus was a proud prince of Thessaly in Greece and founder of the city Corinth. He was a man of sheer cunning, if not selfishness. Asopus, a river god, went looking for his dauther Aegina (who had been abducted by Zeus). Asopus asked Sisyphus if he knew her whereabouts, Sisyphus bargained that if Asopus caused a spring of water to appear in Corinth he would divulge what he knew about Aegina. Enraged at Sisyphus' brashness, Zeus ordered Hades to conduct Sisyphus to the Underworld. But Sisyphus entraped Hades in his own handcuffs, keeping Hades prisoner in his house for several days. Ares freed Hades and escorted clever Sisyphus to the Underworld, but instruction his wife not to bury his body, Sisyphus complained in the Underworld that he had not had a proper burial. Persephone, taking pity, temporarily released Sisyphus to order his affairs, but Sisyphus refused to return to the Underworld (all part of his plan). Finally, Hermes conducted Sisyphus to the Underworld, and there the gods of the Underworld condemned Sisyphus to eternally push a stone block up a hill, the block sliding back down just feet from the top; so Sisyphus is eternally punished for his cleverness. Sisyphus had four children, Glaucus, Ornytion, Thersander, and Almus.

TANTALUS. Tantalus was a mortal king of Sipylus in Lydia. He was the offspring of Zeus and Pluto (a daughter of Cronos) and was highly favored of the gods. The gods even invited Tantalus numerous times to Mount Olympus where he dined upon ambrosia and was told many secrets no mortal knew. But Tantalus was not satisfied, and stole nectar and ambrosia from Olympus and told other mortals the secrets he knew. His most terrible offense was when he tested the gods themselves, choppin up his own son Pelops in a stew and serving it to the gods to see if they were wise enough to know this trick or would they consume human flesh? Demeter, without paying attention, ate a portion of Pelop's shoulder. The gods, enraged, ressurected Pelops and condemned Tantalus to a terrible fate: he would reside forever in Tartarus, starving and thirsty, in a pool of clear water surrounded by ripe fruit trees. Whenever Tantalus bent to take a drink the pool would dry up; whenever Tantalus reached to pluck a fruit the wind would bend the trees away. Thus forever this cursed man would be "tantalized" by the justice of his fate.Tantalus bore the cursed Niobe as a daughter, and Pelops and Broteas as well.

THESEUS. Son of king Aegeus of Athens and princess Aethra of Troezen, Theseus was a great Greek hero. At age sixteen he lifted a boulder which had concealed a sword and sandals that his father had buried there with the instructions that his son should retrieve them and come to Athens bearing these tokens and proof of his lineage. Theseus arrived with the tokens and was warmly welcomed. Athens, however, was under a curse. Every nine years seven young men and women were forced to sail to Minos as a sacrifice to the Minotaur. Theseus volunteered to go. Once arriving, Theseus caught the eye of Ariadne, King Minos' daughter, who gave him a ball of golden thread as a key to escape the labirynth. Theseus slew the Minotaur and helped all his countrymen escape, taking with him Ariadne. Theseus, however, deserted Ariadne upon an island, and sailing home forgot to raise a white sail upon his ship as a sign of his success. Aegeus, seeing a black sail, thought his son slain and thus threw himself off a cliff and into the sea. Eventually, even Thesesu was banned from Athens, though years later he would be celebrated as the Athenian savior for slaying the Minotaur. He bore Hippolytus and some say Iphigeneia.

ZEUS (JUPITER). Zeus was the ruler and king of the gods and sovereign of the heavens and universe. He was the god of thunder, justice, and human interaction. He was born of Cronos and Rhea and was the son who overthrew his father in combat to replace Cronos as ruler of the heavens. Zeus's exploits and adventures are too numerous to be listed, and his offspring and sexual relations are equally prolific. Zeus was the father to Athena, Persephone, Apollo, Artemis, Eros, Aphrodite, Ares, Hephaestus, Hebe, Heracles, Argus, Minos, Perseus, Helen, Pollux, the Muses, the Graces, and many, many others. He was worshiped as the supreme deity, revered for his lawfulness and decrees of justice, feared for his power over all things, and even for his capriciousness.

Posted by john at August 14, 2005 08:28 PM