Ο Δίας οι 7 αθάνατες σύζυγοί του και
οι θνητές ερωμένες του
E.M.
Berens
The
Myths and Legends of Ancient Greece and
Rome
Ελληνική Μυθολογία
Αρχαιογνωσία
Ο Δίας και οι 7 αθάνατες σύζυγοί του:
Μήτις
Θέμις
Ευρυνόμη
Δήμητρα
Μνημοσύνη
Λητώ
Ήρα
Zeus
and his seven immortal wives
Zeus had
seven immortal wives, whose names were Metis, Themis, Eurynome, Demeter,
Mnemosyne, Leto, and Hera.
Μήτις
METIS, his first wife, was one of the Oceanides (Ωκεανίδες) or sea
nymphs. She was the personification of prudence and wisdom, a convincing proof
of which she displayed in her successful administration of the potion which
caused Cronus to yield up his children. She was endowed with the gift of
prophecy, and foretold to Zeus that one of their children would gain ascendency
over him. In order, therefore, to avert the possibility of the prediction being
fulfilled he swallowed her before any children were born to them. Feeling
afterwards violent pains in his head, he sent for Hephaestus (Ήφαιστος), and ordered him
to open it with an axe. His command was obeyed, and out sprang, with a loud and
martial shout, a beautiful being, clad in armour from head to foot. This was
Athene (Αθηνά) (Minerva), goddess of Armed Resistance and Wisdom.
Θέμις
THEMIS was the goddess of Justice, Law, and Order.
Ευρυνόμη
EURYNOME was one of the Oceanides (Ωκεανίδες), and the mother of
the Charites (Χάριτες) or Graces.
Δήμητρα
DEMETER, the daughter of Cronus (Κρόνος) and Rhea (Ρέα), was the
goddess of Agriculture.
Demeter
(from Ge-meter, earth-mother) was the
daughter of Cronus and Rhea. She represented that portion of Gaea (the whole
solid earth) which we call the earth's crust, and which produces all
vegetation. As goddess of agriculture, field-fruits, plenty, and
productiveness, she was the sustainer of material life, and was therefore a
divinity of great importance.
It is
necessary to keep clearly in view the distinctive difference between the three
great earth-goddesses Gaeam Rhea, and Demeter.
Gaea (Γαία) rpresents
the earth as a whole, with its mighty subterranean forces;
Rhea (Ρέα) is that
productive power which causes vegetation to spring forth, thus sustaining men
and animals;
Demeter (Δήμητρα), by
presiding over agriculture, directs and utilizes Rhea's productive powers.
But in later
times, when Rhea, like other ancient divinities, loses her importance as a
ruling deity, Demeter assumes all her functions and attributes, and then
becomes the goddess of the life-producing and life-maintaining earth-crust.
Demeter, as
the wife of Zeus, became the mother of Persephone (Περσεφόνη) (Proserpine), to whom she was
so tenderly attached that her whole life was bound up in her, and she knew no
happiness except in her society.
Demeter is
usually represented as a woman of noble bearing and majestic appearance, tall,
matronly, and dignified, with beautiful golden hair, which falls in rippling
curls over her stately shoulders, the yellow locks being emblematical of the
ripened ears of corn. Sometimes she appears seated in a chariot drawn by winged
dragons, at others she stands erect, her figure drawn up to its full height,
and always fully draped; she bears a sheaf of wheat-ears in one hand and a
lighted torch in the other. The wheat-ears are not unfrequently replaced by a
bunch of poppies, with which her brows are also garlanded, though sometimes she
merely wears a simple riband in her hair.
Μνημοσύνη
MNEMOSYNE, the daughter of Uranus (Ουρανός) and Gaea (Γαία), was the
goddess of Memory and the mother of the nine Muses (Μούσαι).
Λητώ
LETO (Latona) was the daughter of Coeus (Κόιος)
and Phoebe (Φοίβη).
She was gifted with wonderful beauty, and was tenderly loved by Zeus, but her
lot was far from being a happy one, for Hera (Ήρα), being extremely jealous of her,
persecuted her with inveterate cruelty, and sent the dreadful serpent Python (Πύθων)
[:the frightful monster that had sprung from the slimy and stagnant waters
which remained on the surface of the earth after the deluge of Deucalion (μετά τον κατακλυσμό του Δευκαλίωνος)] to
terrify and torment her wherever she went. But Zeus, who had observed with the
deepest compassion her weary wanderings and agonized fears, resolved to create
for her some place of refuge, however humble, where she might feel herself safe
from the venomous attacks of the serpent. He therefore brought her to Delos (Δήλος),
a floating island in the Aegean Sea, which he made stationary by attaching it
with chains of adamant to the bottom of the sea. Here she gave birth to her
twin-children, Apollo (Απόλλων) and Artemis (Άρτεμις) (Diana), two of the most beautiful of the
immortals.
According to
some versions of the story of Leto, Zeus transformed her into a quail, in order
that she might thus elude the vigilance of Hera, and she is said to have resumed
her true form when she arrived at the island of Delos (Δήλος).
Ήρα
HERA, being the principal wife of Zeus and queen of
heaven.
Hera, the eldest daughter of Cronus (Κρόνος)
and Rhea (Ρέα),
was born at Samos, or, according to some accounts, at Argos, and was reared by
the sea-divinities Oceanus (Ωκεανός) and Tethys (Τηθύς), who were models of conjugal fidelity.
She was the
principal wife of Zeus, and, as queen of heaven, participated in the honours
paid to him, but her dominion only extended over the air (the lower aerial
regions).
Hera appears
to be the sublime embodiment of strict matronly virtue, and is on that account
the protectress of purity and married women. Faultless herself in her fidelity
as a wife, she is essentially the type of the sanctity of the marriage tie, and
holds in abhorrence any violation of its obligations. So strongly was she
imbued with this hatred of any immorality, that, finding herself so often
called upon to punish the failings of both gods and men in this respect, she
became jealous, harsh, and vindictive.
Her exalted
position as the wife of the supreme deity, combined with her extreme beauty,
caused her to become exceedingly vain, and she consequently resented with great
severity any infringement on her rights as queen of heaven, or any apparent
slight on her personal appearance.
Hera was the
mother of Ares (Άρης)
(Mars), Hephaestus (Ήφαιστος),
Hebe (Ήβη),
and Eileithyia (Ειλείθυια).
Ares was the god of War; Hephaestus, of Fire; Hebe, of Youth; and Eileithyia
presided over the birth of mortals.
Hera dearly
loved Greece, and indeed always watched over and protected Greek interests, her
beloved and favourite cities being Argos, Samos, Sparta, and Mycenae. Her
principal temples were at Argos and Samos.
From a remote
period she was greatly venerated at Olympia, and her temple there, which stood
in the Altis or sacred grove, was five hundred years older than that of Zeus on
the same spot. Some interesting excavations which are now going on there have
brought to light the remains of the ancient edifice, which contains among other
treasures of antiquity several beautiful statues, the work of the famous
sculptors of ancient Greece. At first this temple was built of wood, then of
stone, and the one lately discovered was formed of conglomerate of shells.
In the Altis (Άλτις) races were run by young maidens in honour of Hera, and the fleetest of foot
received in token of her victory an olive-wreath and a piece of the flesh of
the sacrifices. These races, like the Olympic Games, were celebrated at
intervals of four years, and were called Herae. A beautiful robe, woven by
sixteen women chosen from the sixteen cities of Elis, was always offered to
Hera on these occasions, and choral songs and sacred dances formed part of the
ceremonies.
Hera is
usually represented seated on a throne, holding a pomegranate in one hand and a
sceptre surmounted by a cuckoo in the other. She appears as a calm, dignified
matron of majestic beauty, robed in a tunic and mantle, her forehead is broad
and intellectual, her eyes large and fully opened, and her arms dazzlingly
white and finely moulded.
The finest
statue of this divinity was that by Polycletus at Argos.
Her
attributes are the diadem, veil, sceptre, and peacock.
The first day
of every month a ewe-lamb and sow were sacrificed to Hera. The hawk, goose, and
more particularly the peacock (παγώνι)
were sacred to her. Flocks of these beautiful birds generally surround her
throne and draw her chariot, Iris (Ίρις),
the Rainbow, being seated behind her.
Her favourite
flowers were the dittany, poppy, and Iily.
In the union
of Zeus with most of his immortal wives we shall find that an allegorical
meaning is conveyed.
His marriage
with Metis, who is said to have surpassed both gods and men in knowledge,
represents supreme power allied to wisdom and prudence.
His union
with Themis typifies the bond which exists between divine majesty and justice,
law, and order.
Eurynome, as
the mother of the Charites or Graces, supplied the refining and harmonizing
influences of grace and beauty.
The marriage
of Zeus with Mnemosyne typifies the union of genius with memory.
Ο Δίας και οι θνητές ερωμένες του:
Αντιόπη
Λήδα
Ευρώπη
Καλλιστώ
Αλκμήνη
Σεμέλη
Ιώ
Δανάη
Zeus
and his mortal maidens
In addition
to the seven immortal wives of Zeus, he was also allied to a number of mortal
maidens whom he visited under various disguises, as it was supposed that if he
revealed himself in his true form as king of heaven the splendour of his glory
would cause instant destruction to mortals.
The mortal
consorts of Zeus have been such a favourite theme with poets, painters, and
sculptors, that it is necessary to give some account of their individual
history. Those best known are Antiope, Leda, Europa, Callisto, Alcmene, Semele,
lo, and Danae.
Αντιόπη
ANTIOPE, to whom Zeus appeared under the form of a
satyr, was the daughter of Nicteus (Νυκτεύς),
king of Thebes. To escape the anger of her father she fled to Sicyon, where
king Epopeus (Εποπεύς),
enraptured with her wonderful beauty, made her his wife without asking her
father's consent. This so enraged Nicteus that he declared war against Epopeus,
in order to compel him to restore Antiope. At his death, which took place
before he could succeed in his purpose, Nicteus left his kingdom to his brother
Lycus (Λύκος),
commanding him, at the same time, to carry on the war, and execute his
vengeance.
Lycus invaded
Sicyon (Σικυών),
defeated and killed Epopeus, and brought back Antiope as a prisoner. On the way
to Thebes she gave birth to her twin-sons, Amphion (Αμφίων)
and Zethus (Ζήθος),
who, by the orders of Lycus, were at once exposed on Mount Cithaeron (Κιθαιρών),
and would have perished but for the kindness of a shepherd, who took pity on
them and preserved their lives.
Antiope was,
for many years, held captive by her uncle Lycus, and compelled to suffer the
utmost cruelty at the hands of his wife Dirce (Δίρκη).
But one day her bonds were miraculously loosened, and she flew for shelter and
protection to the humble dwelling of her sons on Mount Cithaeron. During the
long period of their mother's captivity the babes had grown into sturdy youths,
and, as they listened angrily to the story of her wrongs, they became all
impatience to avenge them. Setting off at once to Thebes they succeeded in
possessing themselves of the town, and after slaying the cruel Lycus they bound
Dirce by the hair to the horns of a wild bull, which dragged her hither and
thither until she expired. Her mangled body was cast into the fount near
Thebes, which still bears her name.
Amphion (Αμφίων)
became king of Thebes in his uncle's stead. He was a friend of the Muses, and
devoted to music and poetry. His brother, Zethus (Ζήθος),
was famous for his skill in archery, and was passionately fond of the chase. It
is said that when Amphion wished to inclose the town of Thebes with walls and
towers, he had but to play a sweet melody on the lyre, given to him by Hermes,
and the huge stones began to move, and obediently fitted themselves together.
The
punishment of Dirce at the hands of Amphion and Zethus forms the subject of the
world-renowned marble group in the museum at Naples, known by the name of the
Farnese Bull.
In sculpture
Amphion is always represented with a lyre; Zethus with a club.
Λήδα
LEDA, whose affections Zeus won under the form of a
swan, was the daughter of Thestius (Θέστιος),
king of Aetolia (Αιτωλία). Her twin-sons, Castor and (Polydeuces or) Pollux, [:Castor and
Pollux were known by the name of the Dioscuri, from dios, gods, and kuroi,
youths] were renowned for their tender attachment to each other. They were also
famous for their physical accomplishments,
Castor (Κάστωρ)
being the most expert charioteer of his day, and Pollux (Πολυδεύκης)
the first of pugilists; Their names appear both among the hunters of the
Calydonian boarhunt and the heroes of the Argonautic expedition.
The brothers
became attached to the daughters of Leucippus, prince of the Messenians, who
had been betrothed by their father to Idas and Lynceus, sons of Aphareus.
Having persuaded Leucippus to break his promise, the twins carried off the
maidens as their brides. Idas and Lynceus, naturally furious at this
proceeding, challenged the Dioscuri to mortal combat, in which Castor perished
by the hand of Idas, and Lynceus by that of Pollux.
Zeus wished
to confer the gift of immortality upon Pollux, but he refused to accept it
unless allowed to share it with Castor. Zeus gave the desired permission, and
the faithful brothers were both allowed to live, but only on alternate days.
The Dioscuri (Διόσκουροι) received divine honours throughout Greece, and were worshipped
with special reverence at Sparta.
Ευρώπη
EUROPA was the beautiful daughter of Agenor (Αγήνωρ),
king of Phoenicia. She was one day gathering flowers with her companions in a
meadow near the sea-shore, when Zeus, charmed with her great beauty, and
wishing to win her love, transformed himself into a beautiful white bull, and
trotted quietly up to the princess, so as not to alarm her. Surprised at the
gentleness of the animal, and admiring its beauty, as it lay placidly on the
grass, she caressed it, crowned it with flowers, and, at last, playfully seated
herself on its back Hardly had she done so than the disguised god bounded away
with his lovely burden, and swam across the sea with her to the island of
Crete.
Europa was
the mother of Minos (Mίνως),
Aeacus (Αιακός),
and Rhadamanthus (Ραδάμανθυς).
Minos, who became king of Crete, was celebrated for his justice and moderation,
and after death he was created one of the judges of the lower world, which
office he held in conjunction with his brothers.
Καλλιστώ
CALLISTO, the daughter of Lycaon (Λυκάων),
king of Arcadia, was a huntress in the train of Artemis, devoted to the
pleasures of the chase, who had made a vow never to marry; but Zeus, under the
form of the huntress-goddess, succeeded in obtaining her affections.
Hera, being
extremely jealous of her, changed her into a bear, and caused Artemis (who
failed to recognize her attendant under this form) to hunt her in the chase,
and put an end to her existence. After her death she was placed by Zeus among
the stars as a constellation, under the name of Arctos, or the bear.
Αλκμήνη
ALCMENE, the daughter of Electryon (Ηλετρύων),
king of Mycenae, was betrothed to her cousin Amphytrion (Αμφιτρύων);
but, during his absence on a perilous undertaking, Zeus assumed his form, and
obtained her affections. Heracles (Ηρακλής)
was the son of Alcmene and Zeus.
Σεμέλη
SEMELE, a beautiful princess, the daughter of Cadmus (Κάδμος),
king of Phoenicia, was greatly beloved by Zeus. Like the unfortunate Callisto,
she was hated by Hera with jealous malignity, and the haughty queen of heaven
determined to effect her destruction. Disguising herself, therefore, as Berce,
Semele's faithful old nurse, she artfully persuaded her to insist upon Zeus
visiting her, as he appeared to Hera, in all his power and glory, well knowing
that this would cause her instant death.
Semele,
suspecting no treachery, followed the advice of her supposed nurse; and the
next time Zeus came to her, she earnestly entreated him to grant the favour she
was about to ask Zeus swore by the Styx (which was to the gods an irrevocable
oath) to accede to her request whatsoever it might be.
Semele,
therefore, secure of gaining her petition, begged of Zeus to appear to her in
all the glory of his divine power and majesty. As he had sworn to grant
whatever she asked of him, he was compelled to comply with her wish; he
therefore revealed himself as the mighty lord of the universe, accompanied by
thunder and lightning, and she was instantly consumed in the flames.
Ιώ
IO, daughter of Inachus (Ίναχος),
king of Argos, was a priestess of Hera. She was very beautiful, and Zeus, who
was much attached to her, transformed her into a white cow, in order to defeat
the jealous intrigues of Hera, who, however, was not to be deceived.
Aware of the
stratagem, Hera contrived to obtain the animal from Zeus, and placed her under
the watchful care of a man called Argus-Panoptes (πανόπτης-Άργος),
who fastened her to an olive-tree in the grove of Hera. He had a hundred eyes,
of which, when asleep, he never closed more than two at a time; being thus
always on the watch, Hera found him extremely useful in keeping guard over lo.
Hermes (Ερμής),
however, by the command of Zeus, succeeded in putting all his eyes to sleep
with the sound of his magic lyre, and then, taking advantage of his helpless
condition, slew him.
The story
goes, that in commemoration of the services which Argus had rendered her, Hera
placed his eyes on the tail of a peacock, as a lasting memorial of her
gratitude. Ever fertile in resource, Hera now sent a gadfly (οίστρος,
βοϊδόμυγα)
to worry and torment the unfortunate lo incessantly, and she wandered all over
the world in hopes of escaping from her tormentor. At length she reached Egypt,
where she found rest and freedom from the persecutions of her enemy. On the
banks of the Nile she resumed her original form and gave birth to a son called
Epaphus (Έπαφος),
who afterwards became king of Egypt, and built the famous city of Memphis.
Δανάη
DANAE. Was daughter of Acrisius (Ακρίσιος).
An oracle
having foretold to Acrisius that a son of Danae would be the cause of his
death, he imprisoned her in a tower of brass in order to keep her secluded from
the world. Zeus, however, descended through the roof of the tower in the form
of a shower of gold, and the lovely Danae became his bride. Danae from her
union with Zeus gave birth to Perseus (Περσεύς).
For four
years Acrisius remained in ignorance of this union, but one evening as he
chanced to pass by the brazen chamber, he heard the cry of a young child
proceeding from within, which led to the discovery of his daughter's marriage
with Zeus. Enraged at finding all his precautions unavailing, Acrisius
commanded the mother and child to be placed in a chest and thrown into the sea.
But it was
not the will of Zeus that they should perish. He directed Poseidon to calm the
troubled waters, and caused the chest to float safely to the island of Seriphus
(Σέριφος).
Dictys, brother of Polydectes, king of the island, was fishing on the sea-shore
when he saw the chest stranded on the beach; and pitying the helpless condition
of its unhappy occupants, he conducted them to the palace of the king, where
they were treated with the greatest kindness.
E.M. Berens “The Myths and Legends of Ancient Greece
and Rome”, New York, 1886 (?)
ΕΛΕΥΘΕΡΟΓΡΑΦΟΣ
[ ανάρτηση 17 Ιανουαρίου 2025 :
Ο Δίας οι 7 αθάνατες σύζυγοί του και οι θνητές ερωμένες του
E.M. Berens
The Myths and Legends of Ancient Greece and Rome
Ελληνική Μυθολογία
Αρχαιογνωσία ]
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