The Myths and Legends of Ancient Greece and Rome

A HAND-BOOK OF MYTHOLOGY.

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THE

Myths and Legends

OF

ANCIENT GREECE AND ROME.

BY

E. M. BERENS.

ILLUSTRATED FROM ANTIQUE SCULPTURES.

NEW YORK:

Maynard, Merrill, & Co.,

43, 45 and 47 East Tenth Street.

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[i]

PREFACE.

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

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

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

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

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

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

E. M. BERENS.

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[iii]

CONTENTS.

PART I.—MYTHS.

Introduction, 7

FIRST DYNASTY.

Origin of the World—

Uranus and Gæa (Cœlus and Terra), 11

SECOND DYNASTY.

Cronus (Saturn), 14

Rhea (Ops), 18

Division of the World, 19

Theories as to the Origin of Man, 21

THIRD DYNASTY.

OLYMPIAN DIVINITIES—

Zeus (Jupiter), 26

Hera (Juno), 38

Pallas-Athene (Minerva), 43

Themis, 48

Hestia (Vesta), 48

Demeter (Ceres), 50

Aphrodite (Venus), 58

Helios (Sol), 61

Eos (Aurora), 67

Phœbus-Apollo, 68

Hecate, 85

Selene (Luna), 86

Artemis (Diana), 87

Hephæstus (Vulcan), 97

Poseidon (Neptune), 101[iv]

SEA DIVINITIES—

Oceanus, 107

Nereus, 108

Proteus, 108

Triton and the Tritons, 109

Glaucus, 109

Thetis, 110

Thaumas, Phorcys, and Ceto, 111

Leucothea, 111

The Sirens, 112

Ares (Mars), 112

Nike (Victoria), 117

Hermes (Mercury), 117

Dionysus (Bacchus or Liber), 124

Aïdes (Pluto), 130

Plutus, 137

MINOR DIVINITIES—

The Harpies, 137

Erinyes, Eumenides (Furiæ, Diræ), 138

Moiræ or Fates (Parcæ), 139

Nemesis, 141

Night and Her Children—

Nyx (Nox), 142

Thanatos (Mors), Hypnus (Somnus), 142

Morpheus, 143

The Gorgons, 144

Grææ, 145

Sphinx, 146

Tyche (Fortuna) and Ananke (Necessitas), 147

Ker, 149

Ate, 149

Momus, 149

Eros (Cupid, Amor) and Psyche, 150

Hymen, 154

Iris, 155

Hebe (Juventas), 156

Ganymedes, 157[v]

The Muses, 157

Pegasus, 162

The Hesperides, 162

Charites or Graces, 163

Horæ (Seasons), 164

The Nymphs, 165

The Winds, 170

Pan (Faunus), 171

The Satyrs, 174

Priapus, 175

Asclepias (Æsculapius), 176

ROMAN DIVINITIES—

Janus, 178

Flora, 180

Robigus, 180

Pomona, 180

Vertumnus, 181

Pales, 181

Picus, 182

Picumnus and Pilumnus, 182

Silvanus, 182

Terminus, 182

Consus, 183

Libitina, 183

Laverna, 184

Comus, 184

Camenæ, 184

Genii, 185

Manes, 185

Penates, 187

PUBLIC WORSHIP OF THE ANCIENT GREEKS AND ROMANS—

Temples, 188

Statues, 190

Altars, 191

Priests, 191

Sacrifices, 192

Oracles, 194

Soothsayers, 195[vi]

Augurs, 196

Festivals, 196

GREEK FESTIVALS—

Eleusinian Mysteries, 196

Thesmophoria, 197

Dionysia, 197

Panathenæa, 199

Daphnephoria, 200

ROMAN FESTIVALS—

Saturnalia, 200

Cerealia, 201

Vestalia, 201

PART II.—LEGENDS.

Cadmus, 203

Perseus, 205

Ion, 210

Dædalus and Icarus, 211

The Argonauts, 213

Pelops, 232

Heracles, 234

Bellerophon, 256

Theseus, 259

Œdipus, 269

The Seven against Thebes, 272

The Epigoni, 276

Alcmæon and the Necklace, 277

The Heraclidæ, 280

The Siege of Troy, 283

Return of the Greeks from Troy, 304