PREFACE.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 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. CONTENTS. PART I.—MYTHS. Introduction, 7 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 Phoebus-Apollo, 68 Hecate, 85 Selene (Luna), 86 Artemis (Diana), 87 HephÆstus (Vulcan), 97 Poseidon (Neptune), 101 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 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 Augurs, 196 Festivals, 196 GREEK FESTIVALS— Eleusinian Mysteries, 196 Thesmophoria, 197 Dionysia, 197 PanathenÆa, 199 Daphnephoria, 200 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 |