BeginReadingTableofContents

NewslettersCopyrightPage

InaccordancewiththeU.S.CopyrightActof1976,thescanning,uploading,andelectronicsharingofanypartofthisbookwithoutthepermissionofthepublisherconstituteunlawfulpiracyandtheftoftheauthor’sintellectualproperty.Ifyouwouldliketousematerialfromthebook(otherthanforreview

purposes),priorwrittenpermissionmustbeobtainedbycontactingthepublisheratpermissions@hbgusa.com.Thankyouforyoursupportoftheauthor’srights.

Preface

OceanofPDF.com

AbookonMythologymustdrawfromwidelydifferentsources.Twelvehundredyearsseparatethefirstwritersthroughwhomthemythshavecomedowntousfromthelast,andtherearestoriesasunlikeeachotheras“Cinderella”and“KingLear.”TobringthemalltogetherinonevolumeisreallysomewhatcomparabletodoingthesameforthestoriesofEnglishliteraturefromChaucertotheballads,throughShakespeareandMarloweandSwiftandDefoeandDrydenandPopeandsoon,endingwith,say,TennysonandBrowning,oreven,tomakethecomparisontruer,KiplingandGalsworthy.TheEnglishcollectionwouldbebigger,butitwouldnotcontainmoredissimilarmaterial.Inpointoffact,ChaucerismorelikeGalsworthyandtheballadslikeKiplingthanHomerislikeLucianorAeschyluslikeOvid.

Facedwiththisproblem,Ideterminedattheoutsettodismissanyideaofunifyingthetales.Thatwouldhavemeanteitherwriting“KingLear,”sotospeak,downtothelevelof“Cinderella”—theviceversaprocedurebeingobviouslynotpossible—orelsetellinginmyownwaystorieswhichwereinnosensemineandhadbeentoldbygreatwritersinwaystheythoughtsuitedtheirsubjects.Idonotmean,ofcourse,thatagreatwriter’sstylecanbereproducedorthatIshoulddreamofattemptingsuchafeat.Myaimhasbeennothingmoreambitiousthantokeepdistinctforthereadertheverydifferentwritersfromwhomourknowledgeofthemythscomes.Forexample,Hesiodisanotablysimplewriteranddevout;heisnaïve,evenchildish,sometimescrude,alwaysfullofpiety.Manyofthestoriesinthisbookaretoldonlybyhim.SidebysidewiththemarestoriestoldonlybyOvid,subtle,polished,artificial,self-conscious,andthecompleteskeptic.Myefforthasbeentomakethereaderseesomedifferencebetweenwriterswhoweresodifferent.Afterall,whenonetakesupabooklikethis,onedoesnotaskhowentertaininglytheauthorhasretoldthestories,buthowclosehehasbroughtthereadertotheoriginal.

Myhopeisthatthosewhodonotknowtheclassicswillgaininthiswaynotonlyaknowledgeofthemyths,butsomelittleideaofwhatthewriterswerelikewhotoldthem—whohavebeenproved,bytwothousandyearsand

more,tobeimmortal.

IntroductiontoClassicalMythology

OfoldtheHellenicracewasmarkedofffromthebarbarianasmorekeen-wittedandmorefreefromnonsense.

HERODOTUSI:60.

GREEKandRomanmythologyisquitegenerallysupposedtoshowusthewaythehumanracethoughtandfeltuntoldagesago.Throughit,accordingtothisview,wecanretracethepathfromcivilizedmanwholivessofarfromnature,tomanwholivedinclosecompanionshipwithnature;andtherealinterestofthemythsisthattheyleadusbacktoatimewhentheworldwasyoungandpeoplehadaconnectionwiththeearth,withtreesandseasandflowersandhills,unlikeanythingweourselvescanfeel.Whenthestorieswerebeingshaped,wearegiventounderstand,littledistinctionhadasyetbeenmadebetweentherealandtheunreal.Theimaginationwasvividlyaliveandnotcheckedbythereason,sothatanyoneinthewoodsmightseethroughthetreesafleeingnymph,orbendingoveraclearpooltodrink,beholdinthedepthsanaiad’sface.

Theprospectoftravelingbacktothisdelightfulstateofthingsisheldoutbynearlyeverywriterwhotouchesuponclassicalmythology,aboveallbythepoets.Inthatinfinitelyremotetimeprimitivemancould

HavesightofProteusrisingfromthesea;OrhearoldTritonblowhiswreathèdhorn.

Andweforamomentcancatch,throughthemythshemade,aglimpseofthatstrangelyandbeautifullyanimatedworld.

Butaverybriefconsiderationofthewaysofuncivilizedpeoples

everywhereandinallagesisenoughtoprickthatromanticbubble.Nothingisclearerthanthefactthatprimitiveman,whetherinNewGuineatodayoreonsagointheprehistoricwilderness,isnotandneverhasbeenacreaturewhopeopleshisworldwithbrightfanciesandlovelyvisions.Horrorslurkedintheprimevalforest,notnymphsandnaiads.Terrorlivedthere,withitscloseattendant,Magic,anditsmostcommondefense,HumanSacrifice.Mankind’schiefhopeofescapingthewrathofwhateverdivinitieswerethenabroadlayinsomemagicalrite,senselessbutpowerful,orinsomeofferingmadeatthecostofpainandgrief.

THEMYTHOLOGYOFTHEGREEKS

Thisdarkpictureisworldsapartfromthestoriesofclassicalmythology.ThestudyofthewayearlymanlookedathissurroundingsdoesnotgetmuchhelpfromtheGreeks.HowbrieflytheanthropologiststreattheGreekmythsisnoteworthy.

OfcoursetheGreekstoohadtheirrootsintheprimevalslime.Ofcoursetheytoooncelivedasavagelife,uglyandbrutal.Butwhatthemythsshowishowhightheyhadrisenabovetheancientfilthandfiercenessbythetimewehaveanyknowledgeofthem.Onlyafewtracesofthattimearetobefoundinthestories.

Wedonotknowwhenthesestorieswerefirsttoldintheirpresentshape;butwheneveritwas,primitivelifehadbeenleftfarbehind.Themythsaswehavethemarethecreationofgreatpoets.ThefirstwrittenrecordofGreeceistheIliad.GreekmythologybeginswithHomer,generallybelievedtobenotearlierthanathousandyearsbeforeChrist.TheIliadis,orcontains,theoldestGreekliterature;anditiswritteninarichandsubtleandbeautifullanguagewhichmusthavehadbehinditcenturieswhenmenwerestrivingtoexpressthemselveswithclarityandbeauty,anindisputableproofofcivilization.ThetalesofGreekmythologydonotthrowanyclearlightuponwhatearlymankindwaslike.TheydothrowanabundanceoflightuponwhatearlyGreekswerelike—amatter,itwouldseem,ofmoreimportancetous,whoaretheirdescendantsintellectually,artistically,andpolitically,too.Nothingwelearnaboutthemisalientoourselves.

Peopleoftenspeakof“theGreekmiracle.”WhatthephrasetriestoexpressisthenewbirthoftheworldwiththeawakeningofGreece.“Oldthingsarepassedaway;behold,allthingsarebecomenew.”SomethinglikethathappenedinGreece.

TheGreeks,unliketheEgyptians,madetheirgodsintheirownimage.

Whyithappened,orwhen,wehavenoideaatall.WeknowonlythatintheearliestGreekpoetsanewpointofviewdawned,neverdreamedofintheworldbeforethem,butnevertoleavetheworldafterthem.WiththecomingforwardofGreece,mankindbecamethecenteroftheuniverse,themostimportantthinginit.Thiswasarevolutioninthought.Humanbeingshadcountedforlittleheretofore.InGreecemanfirstrealizedwhatmankindwas.

TheGreeksmadetheirgodsintheirownimage.Thathadnotenteredthemindofmanbefore.Untilthen,godshadhadnosemblanceofreality.Theywereunlikealllivingthings.InEgypt,atoweringcolossus,immobile,beyondthepoweroftheimaginationtoendowwithmovement,asfixedinthestoneasthetremendoustemplecolumns,arepresentationofthehumanshapedeliberatelymadeunhuman.Orarigidfigure,awomanwithacat’sheadsuggestinginflexible,inhumancruelty.Oramonstrousmysterioussphinx,alooffromallthatlives.InMesopotamia,bas-reliefsofbestialshapesunlikeanybeasteverknown,menwithbirds’headsandlionswithbulls’headsandbothwitheagles’wings,creationsofartistswhowereintentuponproducingsomethingneverseenexceptintheirownminds,theveryconsummationofunreality.

Theseandtheirlikewerewhatthepre-Greekworldworshiped.OneneedonlyplacebesidetheminimaginationanyGreekstatueofagod,sonormalandnaturalwithallitsbeauty,toperceivewhatanewideahadcomeintotheworld.Withitscoming,theuniversebecamerational.

SaintPaulsaidtheinvisiblemustbeunderstoodbythevisible.ThatwasnotaHebrewidea,itwasGreek.InGreecealoneintheancientworldpeoplewerepreoccupiedwiththevisible;theywerefindingthesatisfactionoftheirdesiresinwhatwasactuallyintheworldaroundthem.Thesculptorwatchedtheathletescontendinginthegamesandhefeltthatnothinghecouldimaginewouldbeasbeautifulasthosestrongyoungbodies.SohemadehisstatueofApollo.ThestorytellerfoundHermesamongthepeoplehepassedinthestreet.Hesawthegod“likeayoungmanattheagewhenyouthisloveliest,”asHomersays.Greekartistsandpoetsrealizedhowsplendidamancouldbe,straightandswiftandstrong.Hewasthefulfillmentoftheirsearchforbeauty.Theyhadnowishtocreatesomefantasyshapedintheirownminds.AlltheartandallthethoughtofGreececenteredinhumanbeings.

Humangodsnaturallymadeheavenapleasantlyfamiliarplace.TheGreeksfeltathomeinit.Theyknewjustwhatthedivineinhabitantsdidthere,whattheyateanddrankandwheretheybanquetedandhowtheyamusedthemselves.Ofcoursetheyweretobefeared;theywereverypowerfulandverydangerouswhenangry.Still,withpropercareamancouldbequitefairlyateasewiththem.Hewasevenperfectlyfreetolaughatthem.

Zeus,tryingtohidehisloveaffairsfromhiswifeandinvariablyshownup,wasacapitalfigureoffun.TheGreeksenjoyedhimandlikedhimallthebetterforit.Herawasthatstockcharacterofcomedy,thetypicaljealouswife,andheringenioustrickstodiscomfitherhusbandandpunishherrival,farfromdispleasingtheGreeks,entertainedthemasmuchasHera’smoderncounterpartdoesustoday.Suchstoriesmadeforafriendlyfeeling.LaughterinthepresenceofanEgyptiansphinxoranAssyrianbird-beastwasinconceivable;butitwasperfectlynaturalinOlympus,anditmadethegodscompanionable.

Onearth,too,thedeitieswereexceedinglyandhumanlyattractive.Intheformoflovelyyouthsandmaidenstheypeopledthewoodland,theforest,therivers,thesea,inharmonywiththefairearthandthebrightwaters.

ThatisthemiracleofGreekmythology—ahumanizedworld,menfreedfromtheparalyzingfearofanomnipotentUnknown.Theterrifyingincomprehensibilitieswhichwereworshipedelsewhere,andthefearsomespiritswithwhichearth,air,andseaswarmed,werebannedfromGreece.Itmayseemoddtosaythatthemenwhomadethemythsdislikedtheirrationalandhadaloveforfacts;butitistrue,nomatterhowwildlyfantasticsomeofthestoriesare.Anyonewhoreadsthemwithattentiondiscoversthateventhemostnonsensicaltakeplaceinaworldwhichisessentiallyrationalandmatter-of-fact.Hercules,whoselifewasonelongcombatagainstpreposterousmonsters,isalwayssaidtohavehadhishomeinthecityofThebes.TheexactspotwhereAphroditewasbornofthefoamcouldbevisitedbyanyancienttourist;itwasjustoffshorefromtheislandofCythera.ThewingedsteedPegasus,afterskimmingtheairallday,wenteverynighttoacomfortablestableinCorinth.Afamiliarlocalhabitationgaverealitytoallthemythicalbeings.Ifthemixtureseemschildish,considerhowreassuringandhowsensiblethesolidbackgroundisascomparedwiththeGeniewhocomesfromnowherewhenAladdinrubsthelampand,histaskaccomplished,returnstonowhere.

Theterrifyingirrationalhasnoplaceinclassicalmythology.Magic,sopowerfulintheworldbeforeandafterGreece,isalmostnonexistent.Therearenomenandonlytwowomenwithdreadful,supernaturalpowers.ThedemoniacwizardsandthehideousoldwitcheswhohauntedEuropeandAmerica,too,uptoquiterecentyears,playnopartatallinthestories.CirceandMedeaaretheonlywitchesandtheyareyoungandofsurpassingbeauty—delightful,nothorrible.Astrology,whichhasflourishedfromthedaysofancientBabylondowntotoday,iscompletelyabsentfromclassicalGreece.Therearemanystoriesaboutthestars,butnotatraceoftheideathattheyinfluencemen’slives.AstronomyiswhattheGreekmindfinallymadeoutof

thestars.Notasinglestoryhasamagicalpriestwhoisterriblytobefearedbecauseheknowswaysofwinningoverthegodsoralienatingthem.Thepriestisrarelyseenandisneverofimportance.IntheOdysseywhenapriestandapoetfallontheirkneesbeforeOdysseus,prayinghimtosparetheirlives,theherokillsthepriestwithoutathought,butsavesthepoet.Homersaysthathefeltawetoslayamanwhohadbeentaughthisdivineartbythegods.Notthepriest,butthepoet,hadinfluencewithheaven—andnoonewaseverafraidofapoet.Ghosts,too,whichhaveplayedsolargeandsofearsomeapartinotherlands,neverappearonearthinanyGreekstory.TheGreekswerenotafraidofthedead—“thepiteousdead,”theOdysseycallsthem.

TheworldofGreekmythologywasnotaplaceofterrorforthehumanspirit.Itistruethatthegodsweredisconcertinglyincalculable.OnecouldnevertellwhereZeus’sthunderboltwouldstrike.Nevertheless,thewholedivinecompany,withaveryfewandforthemostpartnotimportantexceptions,wereentrancinglybeautifulwithahumanbeauty,andnothinghumanlybeautifulisreallyterrifying.TheearlyGreekmythologiststransformedaworldfulloffearintoaworldfullofbeauty.

Thisbrightpicturehasitsdarkspots.Thechangecameaboutslowlyandwasneverquitecompleted.Thegods-become-humanwereforalongtimeaveryslightimprovementupontheirworshipers.Theywereincomparablylovelierandmorepowerful,andtheywereofcourseimmortal;buttheyoftenactedinawaynodecentmanorwomanwould.IntheIliadHectorisnoblerbyfarthananyoftheheavenlybeings,andAndromacheinfinitelytobepreferredtoAthenaorAphrodite.Herafromfirsttolastisagoddessonaverylowlevelofhumanity.Almosteveryoneoftheradiantdivinitiescouldactcruellyorcontemptibly.AverylimitedsenseofrightandwrongprevailedinHomer’sheaven,andforalongtimeafter.

Otherdarkspotstoostandout.Therearetracesofatimewhentherewerebeast-gods.Thesatyrsaregoat-menandthecentaursarehalfman,halfhorse.Heraisoftencalled“cow-faced,”asiftheadjectivehadsomehowstucktoherthroughallherchangesfromadivinecowtotheveryhumanqueenofheaven.Therearealsostorieswhichpointbackclearlytoatimewhentherewashumansacrifice.Butwhatisastonishingisnotthatbitsofsavagebeliefwerelefthereandthere.Thestrangethingisthattheyaresofew.

Ofcoursethemythicalmonsterispresentinanynumberofshapes,

Gorgonsandhydrasandchimaerasdire,

buttheyarethereonlytogivetheherohismeedofglory.Whatcouldahero

doinaworldwithoutthem?Theyarealwaysovercomebyhim.Thegreatheroofmythology,Hercules,mightbeanallegoryofGreeceherself.HefoughtthemonstersandfreedtheearthfromthemjustasGreecefreedtheearthfromthemonstrousideaoftheunhumansupremeoverthehuman.

Greekmythologyislargelymadeupofstoriesaboutgodsandgoddesses,butitmustnotbereadasakindofGreekBible,anaccountoftheGreekreligion.Accordingtothemostmodernidea,arealmythhasnothingtodowithreligion.Itisanexplanationofsomethinginnature;how,forinstance,anyandeverythingintheuniversecameintoexistence:men,animals,thisorthattreeorflower,thesun,themoon,thestars,storms,eruptions,earthquakes,allthatisandallthathappens.ThunderandlightningarecausedwhenZeushurlshisthunderbolt.Avolcanoeruptsbecauseaterriblecreatureisimprisonedinthemountainandeverynowandthenstrugglestogetfree.TheDipper,theconstellationcalledalsotheGreatBear,doesnotsetbelowthehorizonbecauseagoddessoncewasangryatitanddecreedthatitshouldneversinkintothesea.Mythsareearlyscience,theresultofmen’sfirsttryingtoexplainwhattheysawaroundthem.Buttherearemanyso-calledmythswhichexplainnothingatall.Thesetalesarepureentertainment,thesortofthingpeoplewouldtelleachotheronalongwinter’sevening.ThestoryofPygmalionandGalateaisanexample;ithasnoconceivableconnectionwithanyeventinnature.NeitherhastheQuestoftheGoldenFleece,norOrpheusandEurydice,normanyanother.Thisfactisnowgenerallyaccepted;andwedonothavetotrytofindineverymythologicalheroinethemoonorthedawnandineveryhero’slifeasunmyth.Thestoriesareearlyliteratureaswellasearlyscience.

Butreligionisthere,too.Inthebackground,tobesure,butneverthelessplaintosee.FromHomerthroughthetragediansandevenlater,thereisadeepeningrealizationofwhathumanbeingsneedandwhattheymusthaveintheirgods.

ZeustheThundererwas,itseemscertain,oncearain-god.Hewassupremeevenoverthesun,becauserockyGreeceneededrainmorethansunshineandtheGodofGodswouldbetheonewhocouldgivethepreciouswateroflifetohisworshipers.ButHomer’sZeusisnotafactofnature.Heisapersonlivinginaworldwherecivilizationhasmadeanentry,andofcoursehehasastandardofrightandwrong.Itisnotveryhigh,certainly,andseemschieflyapplicabletoothers,nottohimself;buthedoespunishmenwholieandbreaktheiroaths;heisangeredbyanyilltreatmentofthedead;andhepitiesandhelpsoldPriamwhenhegoesasasupplianttoAchilles.IntheOdyssey,hehasreachedahigherlevel.TheswineherdtheresaysthattheneedyandthestrangerarefromZeusandhewhofailstohelpthemsins

againstZeushimself.Hesiod,notmuchlaterthantheOdysseyifatall,saysofamanwhodoeseviltothesuppliantandthestranger,orwhowrongsorphanchildren,“withthatmanZeusisangry.”

ThenJusticebecameZeus’scompanion.Thatwasanewidea.ThebuccaneeringchieftainsintheIliaddidnotwantjustice.Theywantedtobeabletotakewhatevertheychosebecausetheywerestrongandtheywantedagodwhowasonthesideofthestrong.ButHesiod,whowasapeasantlivinginapoorman’sworld,knewthatthepoormusthaveajustgod.Hewrote,“Fishesandbeastsandfowlsoftheairdevouroneanother.Buttoman,Zeushasgivenjustice.BesideZeusonhisthroneJusticehasherseat.”Thesepassagesshowthatthegreatandbitterneedsofthehelplesswerereachinguptoheavenandchangingthegodofthestrongintotheprotectoroftheweak.

So,backofthestoriesofanamorousZeusandacowardlyZeusandaridiculousZeus,wecancatchsightofanotherZeuscomingintobeing,asmengrowcontinuallymoreconsciousofwhatlifedemandedofthemandwhathumanbeingsneededinthegodtheyworshiped.GraduallythisZeusdisplacedtheothers,untilheoccupiedthewholescene.Atlasthebecame,inthewordsofDioChrysostom,whowroteduringthesecondcenturyA.D.:“OurZeus,thegiverofeverygoodgift,thecommonfatherandsaviourandguardianofmankind.”

TheOdysseyspeaksof“thedivineforwhichallmenlong,”andhundredsofyearslaterAristotlewrote,“Excellence,muchlaboredforbytheraceofmortals.”TheGreeksfromtheearliestmythologistsonhadaperceptionofthedivineandtheexcellent.Theirlongingforthemwasgreatenoughtomakethemnevergiveuplaboringtoseethemclearly,untilatlastthethunderandlightningwerechangedintotheUniversalFather.

THEGREEKANDROMANWRITERSOFMYTHOLOGY

MostofthebooksaboutthestoriesofclassicalmythologydependchieflyupontheLatinpoetOvid,whowroteduringthereignofAugustus.Ovidisacompendiumofmythology.Noancientwritercancomparewithhiminthisrespect.Hetoldalmostallthestoriesandhetoldthematgreatlength.Occasionallystoriesfamiliartousthroughliteratureandarthavecomedowntousonlyinhispages.InthisbookIhaveavoidedusinghimasfaraspossible.Undoubtedlyhewasagoodpoetandagoodstorytellerandabletoappreciatethemythsenoughtorealizewhatexcellentmaterialtheyofferedhim;buthewasreallyfartherawayfromtheminhispointofviewthanwearetoday.Theyweresheernonsensetohim.Hewrote,

Iprateofancientpoets’monstrouslies,Ne’erseenornoworthenbyhumaneyes.

Hesaysineffecttohisreader,“Nevermindhowsillytheyare.Iwilldressthemupsoprettilyforyouthatyouwilllikethem.”Andhedoes,oftenveryprettilyindeed,butinhishandsthestorieswhichwerefactualtruthandsolemntruthtotheearlyGreekpoetsHesiodandPindar,andvehiclesofdeepreligioustruthtotheGreektragedians,becomeidletales,sometimeswittyanddiverting,oftensentimentalanddistressinglyrhetorical.TheGreekmythologistsarenotrhetoriciansandarenotablyfreefromsentimentality.

Thelistofthechiefwritersthroughwhomthemythshavecomedowntousisnotlong.Homerheadsit,ofcourse.TheIliadandtheOdysseyare,orrathercontain,theoldestGreekwritingswehave.Thereisnowaytodateaccuratelyanypartofthem.Scholarsdifferwidely,andwillnodoubtcontinuetodoso.Asunobjectionableadateasanyis1000B.C.—atanyratefortheIliad,theolderofthetwopoems.

Inallthatfollows,hereandintherestofthebook,thedategivenistobeunderstoodasbeforeChrist,unlessitisotherwisestated.

Thesecondwriteronthelistissometimesplacedintheninthcentury,sometimesintheeighth.Hesiodwasapoorfarmerwhoselifewashardandbitter.Therecannotbeagreatercontrastthanthatbetweenhispoem,theWorksandDays,whichtriestoshowmenhowtoliveagoodlifeinaharshworld,andthecourtlysplendoroftheIliadandtheOdyssey.ButHesiodhasmuchtosayaboutthegods,andasecondpoem,usuallyascribedtohim,theTheogony,isentirelyconcernedwithmythology.IfHesioddidwriteit,thenahumblepeasant,livingonalonelyfarmfarfromcities,wasthefirstmaninGreecetowonderhoweverythinghadhappened,theworld,thesky,thegods,mankind,andtothinkoutanexplanation.Homerneverwonderedaboutanything.TheTheogonyisanaccountofthecreationoftheuniverseandthegenerationsofthegods,anditisveryimportantformythology.

NextinordercometheHomericHymns,poemswrittentohonorvariousgods.Theycannotbedefinitelydated,buttheearliestareconsideredbymostscholarstobelongtotheendoftheeighthcenturyorthebeginningoftheseventh.Thelastoneofimportance—therearethirty-threeinall—belongstofifth-centuryorpossiblyfourth-centuryAthens.

Pindar,thegreatestlyricpoetofGreece,begantowritetowardtheendofthesixthcentury.HewroteOdesinhonorofthevictorsinthegamesatthegreatnationalfestivalsofGreece,andineveryoneofhispoemsmythsaretoldoralludedto.PindarisquiteasimportantformythologyasHesiod.

Aeschylus,theoldestofthethreetragicpoets,wasacontemporaryof

Pindar’s.Theothertwo,SophoclesandEuripides,werealittleyounger.Euripides,theyoungest,diedattheendofthefifthcentury.ExceptforAeschylus’Persians,writtentocelebratethevictoryoftheGreeksoverthePersiansatSalamis,alltheplayshavemythologicalsubjects.WithHomer,theyarethemostimportantsourceofourknowledgeofthemyths.

Thegreatwriterofcomedy,Aristophanes,wholivedinthelastpartofthefifthcenturyandthebeginningofthefourth,refersoftentothemyths,asdoalsotwogreatprosewriters,Herodotus,thefirsthistorianofEurope,whowasacontemporaryofEuripides,andPlato,thephilosopher,wholivedlessthanagenerationlater.

TheAlexandrianpoetslivedaround250B.C.Theyweresocalledbecause,whentheywrote,thecenterofGreekliteraturehadmovedfromGreecetoAlexandriainEgypt.ApolloniusofRhodestoldatlengththeQuestoftheGoldenFleece,andinconnectionwiththestoryanumberofothermyths.HeandthreeotherAlexandrians,whoalsowroteaboutmythology,thepastoralpoetsTheocritus,Bion,andMoschus,havelostthesimplicityofHesiod’sandPindar’sbeliefinthegods,andarefarremovedfromthedepthandgravityofthetragicpoets’viewofreligion;buttheyarenotfrivolouslikeOvid.

Twolatewriters,Apuleius,aLatin,andLucian,aGreek,bothofthesecondcenturyA.D.,makeanimportantcontribution.ThefamousstoryofCupidandPsycheistoldonlybyApuleius,whowritesverymuchlikeOvid.Lucianwriteslikenooneexcepthimself.Hesatirizedthegods.Inhistimetheyhadbecomeajokingmatter.Nevertheless,hegivesbythewayagooddealofinformationaboutthem.

Apollodorus,alsoaGreek,is,nexttoOvid,themostvoluminousancientwriteronmythology,but,unlikeOvid,heisverymatter-of-factandverydull.HisdatehasbeendifferentlysetallthewayfromthefirstcenturyB.C.totheninthcenturyA.D.TheEnglishscholar,SirJ.G.Frazer,thinksheprobablywroteineitherthefirstorthesecondcenturyofourera.

TheGreekPausanias,anardenttraveler,theauthorofthefirstguidebookeverwritten,hasagooddealtosayaboutthemythologicaleventsreportedtohavehappenedintheplaceshevisited.HelivedaslateasthesecondcenturyA.D.,buthedoesnotquestionanyofthestories.Hewritesaboutthemwithcompleteseriousness.

OftheRomanwriters,Virgilstandsfarahead.HedidnotbelieveinthemythsanymorethanOviddid,whosecontemporaryhewas,buthefoundhumannatureinthemandhebroughtmythologicalpersonagestolifeasnoonehaddonesincetheGreektragedians.

OtherRomanpoetswroteofthemyths.Catullustellsseveralofthestories,andHoracealludestothemoften,butneitherisimportantfor

mythology.ToallRomansthestorieswereinfinitelyremote,mereshadows.ThebestguidestoaknowledgeofGreekmythologyaretheGreekwriters,whobelievedinwhattheywrote.

PARTONE

TheGods,theCreation,andtheEarliestHeroes

CHAPTERI

TheGods

Strangecloudedfragmentsofanancientglory,Latelingerersofthecompanydivine,Theybreatheofthatfarworldwherefromtheycome,LosthallsofheavenandOlympianair.

THEGreeksdidnotbelievethatthegodscreatedtheuniverse.Itwastheotherwayabout:theuniversecreatedthegods.Beforethereweregodsheavenandearthhadbeenformed.Theywerethefirstparents.TheTitansweretheirchildren,andthegodsweretheirgrandchildren.

THETITANSANDTHETWELVEGREATOLYMPIANS

TheTitans,oftencalledtheElderGods,wereforuntoldagessupremeintheuniverse.Theywereofenormoussizeandofincrediblestrength.Thereweremanyofthem,butonlyafewappearinthestoriesofmythology.ThemostimportantwasCRONUS,inLatinSATURN.HeruledovertheotherTitansuntilhissonZeusdethronedhimandseizedthepowerforhimself.TheRomanssaidthatwhenJupiter,theirnameforZeus,ascendedthethrone,SaturnfledtoItalyandbroughtintheGoldenAge,atimeofperfectpeaceandhappiness,whichlastedaslongashereigned.

TheothernotableTitanswereOCEAN,theriverthatwassupposedtoencircletheearth;hiswifeTETHYS;HYPERION,thefatherofthesun,themoon,andthedawn;MNEMOSYNE,whichmeansMemory;THEMIS,usuallytranslatedbyJustice;andIAPETUS,importantbecauseofhissons,ATLAS,whoboretheworldonhisshoulders,andPROMETHEUS,whowasthesaviorofmankind.ThesealoneamongtheoldergodswerenotbanishedwiththecomingofZeus,buttheytookalowerplace.

ThetwelvegreatOlympiansweresupremeamongthegodswhosucceededtotheTitans.TheywerecalledtheOlympiansbecauseOlympuswastheirhome.WhatOlympuswas,however,isnoteasytosay.Thereisnodoubtthatatfirstitwasheldtobeamountaintop,andgenerallyidentifiedwithGreece’shighestmountain,Mt.OlympusinThessaly,inthenortheastofGreece.ButevenintheearliestGreekpoem,theIliad,thisideaisbeginningtogivewaytotheideaofanOlympusinsomemysteriousregionfaraboveall

themountainsoftheearth.InonepassageoftheIliadZeustalkstothegodsfrom“thetopmostpeakofmany-ridgedOlympus,”clearlyamountain.ButonlyalittlefurtheronhesaysthatifhewilledhecouldhangearthandseafromapinnacleofOlympus,clearlynolongeramountain.Evenso,itisnotheaven.HomermakesPoseidonsaythatherulesthesea,Hadesthedead,Zeustheheavens,butOlympusiscommontoallthree.

Olympus

Whereveritwas,theentrancetoitwasagreatgateofcloudskeptbytheSeasons.Withinwerethegods’dwellings,wheretheylivedandsleptandfeastedonambrosiaandnectarandlistenedtoApollo’slyre.Itwasanabodeofperfectblessedness.Nowind,Homersays,evershakestheuntroubledpeaceofOlympus;noraineverfallsthereorsnow;butthecloudlessfirmamentstretchesarounditonallsidesandthewhitegloryofsunshineisdiffuseduponitswalls.

ThetwelveOlympiansmadeupadivinefamily:—(1)ZEUS(JUPITER),thechief;histwobrothersnext,(2)POSEIDON

(NEPTUNE),and(3)HADES,alsocalledPLUTO;(4)HESTIA(VESTA),theirsister;(5)HERA(JUNO),Zeus’swife,and(6)ARES(MARS),theirson;Zeus’schildren:(7)ATHENA(MINERVA),(8)APOLLO,(9)APHRODITE(VENUS),(10)HERMES(MERCURY),and(11)ARTEMIS(DIANA);andHera’sson(12)HEPHAESTUS(VULCAN),sometimessaidtobethesonofZeustoo.

ZEUS(JUPITER)

Zeusandhisbrothersdrewlotsfortheirshareoftheuniverse.TheseafelltoPoseidon,andtheunderworldtoHades.Zeusbecamethesupremeruler.HewasLordoftheSky,theRain-godandtheCloud-gatherer,whowieldedtheawfulthunderbolt.Hispowerwasgreaterthanthatofalltheotherdivinitiestogether.IntheIliadhetellshisfamily,“Iammightiestofall.Maketrialthatyoumayknow.Fastenaropeofgoldtoheavenandlayhold,everygodandgoddess.YoucouldnotdragdownZeus.ButifIwishedtodragyoudown,thenIwould.TheropeIwouldbindtoapinnacleofOlympusandallwouldhanginair,yes,theveryearthandtheseatoo.”

Neverthelesshewasnotomnipotentoromniscient,either.Hecouldbeopposedanddeceived.PoseidondupeshimintheIliadandsodoesHera.Sometimes,too,themysteriouspower,Fate,isspokenofasstrongerthanhe.HomermakesHeraaskhimscornfullyifheproposestodeliverfromdeathamanFatehasdoomed.

Heisrepresentedasfallinginlovewithonewomanafteranotheranddescendingtoallmanneroftrickstohidehisinfidelityfromhiswife.Theexplanationwhysuchactionswereascribedtothemostmajesticofthegodsis,thescholarssay,thattheZeusofsongandstoryhasbeenmadebycombiningmanygods.Whenhisworshipspreadtoatownwheretherewasalreadyadivinerulerthetwowereslowlyfusedintoone.ThewifeoftheearlygodwasthentransferredtoZeus.Theresult,however,wasunfortunateandthelaterGreeksdidnotliketheseendlessloveaffairs.

Still,evenintheearliestrecordZeushadgrandeur.IntheIliad

Agamemnonprays:“Zeus,mostglorious,mostgreat,Godofthestorm-cloud,thouthatdwellestintheheavens.”Hedemanded,too,notonlysacrificesfrommen,butrightaction.TheGreekArmyatTroyistold“FatherZeusneverhelpsliarsorthosewhobreaktheiroaths.”Thetwoideasofhim,thelowandthehigh,persistedsidebysideforalongtime.

Hisbreastplatewastheaegis,awfultobehold;hisbirdwastheeagle,histreetheoak.HisoraclewasDodonainthelandofoaktrees.Thegod’swillwasrevealedbytherustlingoftheoakleaveswhichthepriestsinterpreted.

HERA(JUNO)

ShewasZeus’swifeandsister.TheTitansOceanandTethysbroughtherup.Shewastheprotectorofmarriage,andmarriedwomenwereherpeculiarcare.Thereisverylittlethatisattractiveintheportraitthepoetsdrawofher.Sheiscalled,indeed,inanearlypoem,

Golden-thronedHera,amongimmortalsthequeen,Chiefamongtheminbeauty,thegloriousladyAlltheblessedinhighOlympusrevere,HonorevenasZeus,thelordofthethunder.

Butwhenanyaccountofhergetsdowntodetails,itshowsherchieflyengagedinpunishingthemanywomenZeusfellinlovewith,evenwhentheyyieldedonlybecausehecoercedortrickedthem.ItmadenodifferencetoHerahowreluctantanyofthemwereorhowinnocent;thegoddesstreatedthemallalike.Herimplacableangerfollowedthemandtheirchildrentoo.Sheneverforgotaninjury.TheTrojanWarwouldhaveendedinanhonorablepeace,leavingbothsidesunconquered,ifithadnotbeenforherhatredofaTrojanwhohadjudgedanothergoddesslovelierthanshe.ThewrongofherslightedbeautyremainedwithheruntilTroyfellinruins.

Inoneimportantstory,theQuestoftheGoldenFleece,sheisthegraciousprotectorofheroesandtheinspirerofheroicdeeds,butnotinanyother.Neverthelessshewasveneratedineveryhome.Shewasthegoddessmarriedwomenturnedtoforhelp.Ilithyia(orEileithyia),whohelpedwomeninchildbirth,washerdaughter.

Thecowandthepeacockweresacredtoher.Argoswasherfavoritecity.

POSEIDON(NEPTUNE)

Hewastherulerofthesea,Zeus’sbrotherandsecondonlytohimin

eminence.TheGreeksonbothsidesoftheAegeanwereseamenandtheGodoftheSeawasall-importanttothem.HiswifewasAmphitrite,agranddaughteroftheTitan,Ocean.Poseidonhadasplendidpalacebeneaththesea,buthewasoftenertobefoundinOlympus.

BesidesbeingLordoftheSeahegavethefirsthorsetoman,andhewashonoredasmuchfortheoneasfortheother.

LordPoseidon,fromyouthisprideisours,Thestronghorses,theyounghorses,andalsotheruleofthedeep.

Stormandcalmwereunderhiscontrol:—

HecommandedandthestormwindroseAndthesurgesofthesea.

Butwhenhedroveinhisgoldencaroverthewaters,thethunderofthewavessankintostillness,andtranquilpeacefollowedhissmooth-rollingwheels.

Hewascommonlycalled“Earth-shaker”andwasalwaysshowncarryinghistrident,athree-prongedspear,withwhichhewouldshakeandshatterwhateverhepleased.

Hehadsomeconnectionwithbullsaswellaswithhorses,butthebullwasconnectedwithmanyothergodstoo.

HADES(PLUTO)

HewasthethirdbrotheramongtheOlympians,whodrewforhissharetheunderworldandtheruleoverthedead.HewasalsocalledPluto,theGodofWealth,ofthepreciousmetalshiddenintheearth.TheRomansaswellastheGreekscalledhimbythisname,butoftentheytranslateditintoDis,theLatinwordforrich.Hehadafar-famedcaporhelmetwhichmadewhoeverworeitinvisible.ItwasrarethathelefthisdarkrealmtovisitOlympusortheearth,norwasheurgedtodoso.Hewasnotawelcomevisitor.Hewasunpitying,inexorable,butjust;aterrible,notanevilgod.

HiswifewasPersephone(Proserpine)whomhecarriedawayfromtheearthandmadeQueenoftheLowerWorld.

HewasKingoftheDead—notDeathhimself,whomtheGreekscalledThanatosandtheRomans,Orcus.

PALLASATHENA(MINERVA)

ShewasthedaughterofZeusalone.Nomotherboreher.Full-grownandinfullarmor,shesprangfromhishead.Intheearliestaccountofher,theIliad,sheisafierceandruthlessbattle-goddess,butelsewheresheiswarlikeonlytodefendtheStateandthehomefromoutsideenemies.Shewaspre-eminentlytheGoddessoftheCity,theprotectorofcivilizedlife,ofhandicraftsandagriculture;theinventorofthebridle,whofirsttamedhorsesformentouse.

ShewasZeus’sfavoritechild.Hetrustedhertocarrytheawfulaegis,hisbuckler,andhisdevastatingweapon,thethunderbolt.

Thewordoftenestusedtodescribeheris“gray-eyed,”or,asitissometimestranslated,“flashing-eyed.”OfthethreevirgingoddessesshewasthechiefandwascalledtheMaiden,Parthenos,andhertempletheParthenon.Inlaterpoetrysheistheembodimentofwisdom,reason,purity.

Athenswasherspecialcity;theolivecreatedbyherwashertree;theowlherbird.

PHOEBUSAPOLLO

ThesonofZeusandLeto(Latona),borninthelittleislandofDelos.Hehasbeencalled“themostGreekofallthegods.”HeisabeautifulfigureinGreekpoetry,themastermusicianwhodelightsOlympusasheplaysonhisgoldenlyre;thelordtooofthesilverbow,theArcher-god,far-shooting;theHealer,aswell,whofirsttaughtmenthehealingart.Evenmorethanofthesegoodandlovelyendowments,heistheGodofLight,inwhomisnodarknessatall,andsoheistheGodofTruth.Nofalsewordeverfallsfromhislips.

OPhoebus,fromyourthroneoftruth,Fromyourdwelling-placeattheheartoftheworld,Youspeaktomen.ByZeus’sdecreenoliecomesthere,Noshadowtodarkenthewordoftruth.ZeussealedbyaneverlastingrightApollo’shonour,thatallmaytrustWithunshakenfaithwhenhespeaks.

DelphiundertoweringParnassus,whereApollo’soraclewas,playsanimportantpartinmythology.Castaliawasitssacredspring;Cephissusitsriver.Itwasheldtobethecenteroftheworld,somanypilgrimscametoit,fromforeigncountriesaswellasGreece.Noothershrinerivaledit.TheanswerstothequestionsaskedbytheanxiousseekersforTruthwere

deliveredbyapriestesswhowentintoatrancebeforeshespoke.Thetrancewassupposedtobecausedbyavaporrisingfromadeepcleftintherockoverwhichherseatwasplaced,athree-leggedstool,thetripod.

ApollowascalledDelianfromDelos,theislandofhisbirth,andPythianfromhiskillingofaserpent,Python,whichoncelivedinthecavesofParnassus.Itwasafrightfulmonsterandthecontestwassevere,butintheendthegod’sunerringarrowswonthevictory.Anothernameoftengivenhimwas“theLycian,”variouslyexplainedasmeaningWolf-god,GodofLight,andGodofLycia.IntheIliadheiscalled“theSminthian,”theMouse-god,butwhetherbecauseheprotectedmiceordestroyedthemnooneknows.OftenhewastheSun-godtoo.HisnamePhoebusmeans“brilliant”or“shining.”Accurately,however,theSun-godwasHelios,childoftheTitanHyperion.

ApolloatDelphiwasapurelybeneficentpower,adirectlinkbetweengodsandmen,guidingmentoknowthedivinewill,showingthemhowtomakepeacewiththegods;thepurifier,too,abletocleanseeventhosestainedwiththebloodoftheirkindred.Nevertheless,thereareafewtalestoldofhimwhichshowhimpitilessandcruel.Twoideaswerefightinginhimasinallthegods;aprimitive,crudeideaandonethatwasbeautifulandpoetic.Inhimonlyalittleoftheprimitiveisleft.

Thelaurelwashistree.Manycreaturesweresacredtohim,chiefamongthemthedolphinandthecrow.

ARTEMIS(DIANA)

AlsocalledCynthia,fromherbirthplace,MountCynthusinDelos.

Apollo’stwinsister,daughterofZeusandLeto.ShewasoneofthethreemaidengoddessesofOlympus:—

GoldenAphroditewhostirswithloveallcreation,Cannotbendnorensnarethreehearts:thepuremaidenVesta,Gray-eyedAthenawhocaresbutforwarandtheartsofthecraftsmen,Artemis,loverofwoodsandthewildchaseoverthemountains.

ShewastheLadyofWildThings,Huntsman-in-chieftothegods,anoddofficeforawoman.Likeagoodhuntsman,shewascarefultopreservetheyoung;shewas“theprotectressofdewyyouth”everywhere.Nevertheless,withoneofthosestartlingcontradictionssocommoninmythology,shekept

theGreekFleetfromsailingtoTroyuntiltheysacrificedamaidentoher.Inmanyanotherstory,too,sheisfierceandrevengeful.Ontheotherhand,whenwomendiedaswiftandpainlessdeath,theywereheldtohavebeenslainbyhersilverarrows.

AsPhoebuswastheSun,shewastheMoon,calledPhoebeandSelene(LunainLatin).Neithernameoriginallybelongedtoher.PhoebewasaTitan,oneoftheoldergods.SotoowasSelene—amoon-goddess,indeed,butnotconnectedwithApollo.ShewasthesisterofHelios,thesun-godwithwhomApollowasconfused.

Inthelaterpoets,ArtemisisidentifiedwithHecate.Sheis“thegoddesswiththreeforms,”Seleneinthesky,Artemisonearth,Hecateinthelowerworldandintheworldabovewhenitiswrappedindarkness.HecatewastheGoddessoftheDarkoftheMoon,theblacknightswhenthemoonishidden.Shewasassociatedwithdeedsofdarkness,theGoddessoftheCrossways,whichwereheldtobeghostlyplacesofevilmagic.Anawfuldivinity,

Hecateofhell,Mightytoshattereverystubbornthing.Hark!Hark!herhoundsarebayingthroughthetown.Wherethreeroadsmeet,theresheisstanding.

ItisastrangetransformationfromthelovelyHuntressflashingthroughtheforest,fromtheMoonmakingallbeautifulwithherlight,fromthepureMaiden-Goddessforwhom

WhosoischasteofspiritutterlyMaygatherleavesandfruitsandflowers.Theunchastenever.

Inherisshownmostvividlytheuncertaintybetweengoodandevilwhichisapparentineveryoneofthedivinities.

Thecypresswassacredtoher;andallwildanimals,butespeciallythedeer.

APHRODITE(VENUS)

TheGoddessofLoveandBeauty,whobeguiledall,godsandmenalike;thelaughter-lovinggoddess,wholaughedsweetlyormockinglyatthoseherwileshadconquered;theirresistiblegoddesswhostoleawayeventhewitsofthewise.

SheisthedaughterofZeusandDioneintheIliad,butinthelaterpoemssheissaidtohavesprungfromthefoamofthesea,andhernamewasexplainedasmeaning“thefoam-risen.”AphrosisfoaminGreek.Thissea-birthtookplacenearCythera,fromwhereshewaswaftedtoCyprus.Bothislandswereeveraftersacredtoher,andshewascalledCythereaortheCyprianasoftenasbyherpropername.

OneoftheHomericHymns,callingher“Beautiful,goldengoddess,”saysofher:—

ThebreathofthewestwindboreherOverthesoundingsea,Upfromthedelicatefoam,Towave-ringedCyprus,herisle.AndtheHoursgolden-wreathedWelcomedherjoyously.Theycladherinraimentimmortal,Andbroughthertothegods.WonderseizedthemallastheysawViolet-crownedCytherea.

TheRomanswroteofherinthesameway.Withher,beautycomes.Thewindsfleebeforeherandthestormclouds;sweetflowersembroidertheearth;thewavesofthesealaugh;shemovesinradiantlight.Withoutherthereisnojoynorlovelinessanywhere.Thisisthepicturethepoetslikebesttopaintofher.

Butshehadanothersidetoo.ItwasnaturalthatsheshouldcutapoorfigureintheIliad,wherethebattleofheroesisthetheme.Sheisasoft,weakcreaturethere,whomamortalneednotfeartoattack.Inlaterpoemssheisusuallyshownastreacherousandmalicious,exertingadeadlyanddestructivepowerovermen.

InmostofthestoriessheisthewifeofHephaestus(Vulcan),thelameanduglygodoftheforge.

Themyrtlewashertree;thedoveherbird—sometimes,too,thesparrowandtheswan.

HERMES(MERCURY)

ZeuswashisfatherandMaia,daughterofAtlas,hismother.Becauseofaverypopularstatuehisappearanceismorefamiliartousthanthatofanyothergod.Hewasgracefulandswiftofmotion.Onhisfeetwerewingedsandals;wingswereonhislow-crownedhat,too,andonhismagicwand,theCaduceus.HewasZeus’sMessenger,who“fliesasfleetasthoughttodohis

bidding.”Ofallthegodshewastheshrewdestandmostcunning;infacthewasthe

MasterThief,whostarteduponhiscareerbeforehewasadayold.

Thebabewasbornatthebreakofday,AnderethenightfellhehadstolenawayApollo’sherds.

Zeusmadehimgivethemback,andhewonApollo’sforgivenessbypresentinghimwiththelyrewhichhehadjustinvented,makingitoutofatortoise’sshell.PerhapstherewassomeconnectionbetweenthatveryearlystoryofhimandthefactthathewasGodofCommerceandtheMarket,protectoroftraders.

Inoddcontrasttothisideaofhim,hewasalsothesolemnguideofthedead,theDivineHeraldwholedthesoulsdowntotheirlasthome.

Heappearsoftenerinthetalesofmythologythananyothergod.

ARES(MARS)

TheGodofWar,sonofZeusandHera,bothofwhom,Homersays,detestedhim.Indeed,heishatefulthroughouttheIliad,poemofwarthoughitis.Occasionallytheheroes“rejoiceinthedelightofAres’battle,”butfaroftenerinhavingescaped“thefuryoftheruthlessgod.”Homercallshimmurderous,bloodstained,theincarnatecurseofmortals;and,strangely,acoward,too,whobellowswithpainandrunsawaywhenheiswounded.Yethehasatrainofattendantsonthebattlefieldwhichshouldinspireanyonewithconfidence.Hissisteristhere,Eris,whichmeansDiscord,andStrife,herson.TheGoddessofWar,Enyo,—inLatinBellona,—walksbesidehim,andwithherareTerrorandTremblingandPanic.Astheymove,thevoiceofgroaningarisesbehindthemandtheearthstreamswithblood.

TheRomanslikedMarsbetterthantheGreekslikedAres.HeneverwastothemthemeanwhiningdeityoftheIliad,butmagnificentinshiningarmor,redoubtable,invincible.ThewarriorsofthegreatLatinheroicpoem,theAeneid,farfromrejoicingtoescapefromhim,rejoicewhentheyseethattheyaretofall“onMars’fieldofrenown.”They“rushongloriousdeath”andfindit“sweettodieinbattle.”

Aresfigureslittleinmythology.InonestoryheistheloverofAphroditeandhelduptothecontemptoftheOlympiansbyAphrodite’shusband,Hephaestus;butforthemostpartheislittlemorethanasymbolofwar.Heisnotadistinctpersonality,likeHermesorHeraorApollo.

Hehadnocitieswherehewasworshiped.TheGreekssaidvaguelythathecamefromThrace,homeofarude,fiercepeopleinthenortheastofGreece.

Appropriately,hisbirdwasthevulture.Thedogwaswrongedbybeingchosenashisanimal.

HEPHAESTUS(VULCANANDMULCIBER)

TheGodofFire,sometimessaidtobethesonofZeusandHera,sometimesofHeraalone,whoborehiminretaliationforZeus’shavingbroughtforthAthena.Amongtheperfectlybeautifulimmortalsheonlywasugly.Hewaslameaswell.InoneplaceintheIliadhesaysthathisshamelessmother,whenshesawthathewasborndeformed,casthimoutofheaven;inanotherplacehedeclaresthatZeusdidthis,angrywithhimfortryingtodefendHera.Thissecondstoryisthebetterknown,becauseofMilton’sfamiliarlines:Mulciberwas

ThrownbyangryJoveSheero’erthecrystalbattlements;frommornTonoonhefell,fromnoontodewyeve,Asummer’sday,andwiththesettingsunDroptfromthezenithlikeafallingstar,OnLemnos,theAegeanisle.

Theseevents,however,weresupposedtohavetakenplaceinthefar-distantpast.InHomerheisinnodangerofbeingdrivenfromOlympus;heishighlyhonoredthere,theworkmanoftheimmortals,theirarmorerandsmith,whomakestheirdwellingsandtheirfurnishingsaswellastheirweapons.Inhisworkshophehashandmaidenshehasforgedoutofgoldwhocanmoveandwhohelphiminhiswork.

Inthelaterpoetshisforgeisoftensaidtobeunderthisorthatvolcano,andtocauseeruptions.

HiswifeisoneofthethreeGracesintheIliad,calledAglaiainHesiod;intheOdysseysheisAphrodite.

Hewasakindly,peace-lovinggod,popularonearthasinheaven.WithAthena,hewasimportantinthelifeofthecity.Thetwowerethepatronsofhandicrafts,theartswhichalongwithagriculturearethesupportofcivilization;hetheprotectorofthesmithsassheoftheweavers.Whenchildrenwereformallyadmittedtothecityorganization,thegodoftheceremonywasHephaestus.

HESTIA(VESTA)

ShewasZeus’ssister,andlikeAthenaandArtemisavirgingoddess.Shehasnodistinctpersonalityandsheplaysnopartinthemyths.ShewastheGoddessoftheHearth,thesymbolofthehome,aroundwhichthenewbornchildmustbecarriedbeforeitcouldbereceivedintothefamily.Everymealbeganandendedwithanofferingtoher.

Hestia,inalldwellingsofmenandimmortalsYoursisthehighesthonor,thesweetwineofferedFirstandlastatthefeast,pouredouttoyouduly.Neverwithoutyoucangodsormortalsholdbanquet.

EachcitytoohadapublichearthsacredtoHestia,wherethefirewasneverallowedtogoout.Ifacolonywastobefounded,thecolonistscarriedwiththemcoalsfromthehearthofthemother-citywithwhichtokindlethefireonthenewcity’shearth.

InRomeherfirewascaredforbysixvirginpriestesses,calledVestals.

THELESSERGODSOFOLYMPUS

TherewereotherdivinitiesinheavenbesidesthetwelvegreatOlympians.ThemostimportantofthemwastheGodofLove,EROS(CupidinLatin).Homerknowsnothingofhim,buttoHesiodheis

Fairestofthedeathlessgods.

Intheearlystories,heisoftenestabeautifulseriousyouthwhogivesgoodgiftstomen.ThisideatheGreekshadofhimisbestsummedupnotbyapoet,butbyaphilosopher,Plato:“Love—Eros—makeshishomeinmen’shearts,butnotineveryheart,forwherethereishardnesshedeparts.Hisgreatestgloryisthathecannotdowrongnorallowit;forcenevercomesnearhim.Forallmenservehimoftheirownfreewill.AndhewhomLovetouchesnotwalksindarkness.”

IntheearlyaccountsEroswasnotAphrodite’sson,butmerelyheroccasionalcompanion.Inthelaterpoetshewashersonandalmostinvariablyamischievous,naughtyboy,orworse.

Evilhisheart,buthoney-sweethistongue,Notruthinhim,therogue.Heiscruelinhisplay.

Smallarehishands,yethisarrowsflyfarasdeath.Tinyhisshaft,butitcarriesheaven-high.Touchnothistreacherousgifts,theyaredippedinfire.

Hewasoftenrepresentedasblindfolded,becauseloveisoftenblind.InattendanceuponhimwasANTEROS,saidsometimestobetheavengerofslightedlove,sometimestheonewhoopposeslove;alsoHIMEROSorLonging,andHYMEN,theGodoftheWeddingFeast.

HEBEwastheGoddessofYouth,thedaughterofZeusandHera.Sometimessheappearsascupbearertothegods;sometimesthatofficeisheldbyGanymede,abeautifulyoungTrojanprincewhowasseizedandcarrieduptoOlympusbyZeus’seagle.TherearenostoriesaboutHebeexceptthatofhermarriagetoHercules.

IRISwastheGoddessoftheRainbowandamessengerofthegods,intheIliadtheonlymessenger.HermesappearsfirstinthatcapacityintheOdyssey,buthedoesnottakeIris’place.Nowtheone,nowtheotheriscalleduponbythegods.

TherewerealsoinOlympustwobandsoflovelysisters,theMusesandtheGraces.

THEGRACESwerethree:Aglaia(Splendor),Euphrosyne(Mirth),andThalia(GoodCheer).TheywerethedaughtersofZeusandEurynome,achildoftheTitan,Ocean.ExceptinastoryHomerandHesiodtell,thatAglaiamarriedHephaestus,theyarenottreatedasseparatepersonalities,butalwaystogether,atripleincarnationofgraceandbeauty.ThegodsdelightedinthemwhentheydancedenchantinglytoApollo’slyre,andthemantheyvisitedwashappy.They“givelifeitsbloom.”Togetherwiththeircompanions,theMuses,theywere“queensofsong,”andnobanquetwithoutthemcouldplease.

THEMUSESwerenineinnumber,thedaughtersofZeusandMnemosyne,Memory.Atfirst,liketheGraces,theywerenotdistinguishedfromeachother.“Theyareall,”Hesiodsays,“ofonemind,theirheartsaresetuponsongandtheirspiritisfreefromcare.HeishappywhomtheMuseslove.Forthoughamanhassorrowandgriefinhissoul,yetwhentheservantoftheMusessings,atonceheforgetshisdarkthoughtsandremembersnothistroubles.SuchistheholygiftoftheMusestomen.”

Inlatertimeseachhadherownspecialfield.CliowasMuseofhistory,Uraniaofastronomy,Melpomeneoftragedy,Thaliaofcomedy,Terpsichoreofthedance,Calliopeofepicpoetry,Eratooflove-poetry,Polyhymniaofsongstothegods,Euterpeoflyricpoetry.

HesiodlivednearHelicon,oneoftheMuses’mountains—theotherswerePierusinPieria,wheretheywereborn,Parnassus,and,ofcourse,Olympus.OnedaytheNineappearedtohimandtheytoldhim,“Weknowhowtospeakfalsethingsthatseemtrue,butweknow,whenwewill,touttertruethings.”TheywerecompanionsofApollo,theGodofTruth,aswellasoftheGraces.PindarcallsthelyretheirsaswellasApollo’s,“thegoldenlyretowhichthestep,thedancer’sstep,listens,ownedalikebyApolloandtheviolet-wreathedMuses.”Themantheyinspiredwassacredfarbeyondanypriest.

AstheideaofZeusbecameloftier,twoaugustformssatbesidehiminOlympus.THEMIS,whichmeanstheRight,orDivineJustice,andDIKE,whichisHumanJustice.Buttheyneverbecamerealpersonalities.ThesamewastrueoftwopersonifiedemotionsesteemedhighestofallfeelingsinHomerandHesiod:NEMESIS,usuallytranslatedasRighteousAnger,andAIDOS,adifficultwordtotranslate,butincommonuseamongtheGreeks.Itmeansreverenceandtheshamethatholdsmenbackfromwrongdoing,butitalsomeansthefeelingaprosperousmanshouldhaveinthepresenceoftheunfortunnate—notcompassion,butasensethatthedifferencebetweenhimandthosepoorwretchesisnotdeserved.

Itdoesnotseem,however,thateitherNemesisorAidoshadtheirhomewiththegods.HesiodsaysthatonlywhenmenhavefinallybecomecompletelywickedwillNemesisandAidos,theirbeautifulfacesveiledinwhiteraiment,leavethewide-wayedearthanddeparttothecompanyoftheimmortals.

FromtimetotimeafewmortalsweretranslatedtoOlympus,butoncetheyhadbeenbroughttoheaventheyvanishedfromliterature.Theirstorieswillbetoldlater.

THEGODSOFTHEWATERS

POSEIDON(Neptune)wastheLordandRuleroftheSea(theMediterranean)andtheFriendlySea(theEuxine,nowtheBlackSea).Undergroundrivers,too,werehis.

OCEAN,aTitan,wasLordoftheriverOcean,agreatriverencirclingtheearth.Hiswife,alsoaTitan,wasTethys.TheOceanids,thenymphsofthisgreatriver,weretheirdaughters.Thegodsofalltheriversonearthweretheirsons.

PONTUS,whichmeanstheDeepSea,wasasonofMotherEarthandthefatherofNEREUS,asea-godfarmoreimportantthanhehimselfwas.

NEREUSwascalledtheOldManoftheSea(theMediterranean)—“Atrustygodandgentle,”Hesiodsays,“whothinksjustandkindlythoughtsandneverlies.”HiswifewasDoris,adaughterofOcean.Theyhadfiftylovelydaughters,thenymphsoftheSea,calledNEREIDSfromtheirfather’sname,oneofwhom,THETIS,wasthemotherofAchilles.Poseidon’swife,AMPHITRITE,wasanother.

TRITONwasthetrumpeteroftheSea.Histrumpetwasagreatshell.HewasthesonofPoseidonandAmphitrite.

PROTEUSwassometimessaidtobePoseidon’sson,sometimeshisattendant.Hehadthepowerbothofforetellingthefutureandofchanginghisshapeatwill.

THENAIADSwerealsowaternymphs.Theydweltinbrooksandspringsandfountains.

LEUCOTHEAandhersonPALAEMON,oncemortals,becamedivinitiesofthesea,asdidalsoGLAUCUS,butallthreewereunimportant.

THEUNDERWORLD

ThekingdomofthedeadwasruledbyoneofthetwelvegreatOlympians,HadesorPluto,andhisQueen,Persephone.Itisoftencalledbyhisname,Hades.Itlies,theIliadsays,beneaththesecretplacesoftheearth.IntheOdyssey,thewaytoitleadsovertheedgeoftheworldacrossOcean.Inlaterpoetstherearevariousentrancestoitfromtheearththroughcavernsandbesidedeeplakes.

TartarusandErebusaresometimestwodivisionsoftheunderworld,Tartarusthedeeperofthetwo,theprisonoftheSonsofEarth;Erebuswherethedeadpassassoonastheydie.Often,however,thereisnodistinctionbetweenthetwo,andeitherisused,especiallyTartarus,asanameforthe

entirelowerregion.InHomertheunderworldisvague,ashadowyplaceinhabitedbyshadows.

Nothingisrealthere.Theghosts’existence,ifitcanbecalledthat,islikeamiserabledream.Thelaterpoetsdefinetheworldofthedeadmoreandmoreclearlyastheplacewherethewickedarepunishedandthegoodrewarded.IntheRomanpoetVirgilthisideaispresentedingreatdetailasinnoGreekpoet.Allthetormentsoftheoneclassandthejoysoftheotheraredescribedatlength.Virgiltooistheonlypoetwhogivesclearlythegeographyoftheunderworld.ThepathdowntoitleadstowhereAcheron,theriverofwoe,poursintoCocytus,theriveroflamentation.AnagedboatmannamedCharonferriesthesoulsofthedeadacrossthewatertothefartherbank,wherestandstheadamantinegatetoTartarus(thenameVirgilprefers).Charonwillreceiveintohisboatonlythesoulsofthoseuponwhoselipsthepassagemoneywasplacedwhentheydiedandwhoweredulyburied.

OnguardbeforethegatesitsCERBERUS,thethree-headed,dragon-taileddog,whopermitsallspiritstoenter,butnonetoreturn.Onhisarrivaleachoneisbroughtbeforethreejudges,Rhadamanthus,Minos,andAeacus,whopasssentenceandsendthewickedtoeverlastingtormentandthegoodtoaplaceofblessednesscalledtheElysianFields.

Threeotherrivers,besidesAcheronandCocytus,separatetheunderworldfromtheworldabove:Phlegethon,theriveroffire;Styx,theriveroftheunbreakableoathbywhichthegodsswear;andLethe,theriverofforgetfulness.

SomewhereinthisvastregionisPluto’spalace,butbeyondsayingthatitismany-gatedandcrowdedwithinnumerableguests,nowriterdescribesit.Arounditarewidewastes,wanandcold,andmeadowsofasphodel,presumablystrange,pallid,ghostlyflowers.Wedonotknowanythingmoreaboutit.Thepoetsdidnotcaretolingerinthatgloom-hiddenabode.

THEERINYES(theFURIES)areplacedbyVirgilintheunderworld,wheretheypunishevildoers.TheGreekpoetsthoughtofthemchieflyaspursuingsinnersontheearth.Theywereinexorable,butjust.Heraclitussays,“NoteventhesunwilltransgresshisorbitbuttheErinyes,theministersofjustice,overtakehim.”Theywereusuallyrepresentedasthree:Tisiphone,Megaera,andAlecto.

SLEEP,andDEATH,hisbrother,dweltinthelowerworld.Dreamstooascendedfromtheretomen.Theypassedthroughtwogates,oneofhornthroughwhich

truedreamswent,oneofivoryforfalsedreams.

THELESSERGODSOFEARTH

EarthherselfwascalledtheAll-Mother,butshewasnotreallyadivinity.Shewasneverseparatedfromtheactualearthandpersonified.TheGoddessoftheCorn,DEMETER(CERES),adaughterofCronusandRhea,andtheGodoftheVine,DIONYSUS,alsocalledBACCHUS,werethesupremedeitiesoftheearthandofgreatimportanceinGreekandRomanmythology.Theirstorieswillbefoundinthenextchapter.Theotherdivinitieswholivedintheworldwerecomparativelyunimportant.

PANwasthechief.HewasHermes’son;anoisy,merrygod,theHomericHymninhishonorcallshim;buthewaspartanimaltoo,withagoat’shorns,andgoat’shoofsinsteadoffeet.Hewasthegoatherds’god,andtheshepherds’god,andalsothegaycompanionofthewoodlandnymphswhentheydanced.Allwildplaceswerehishome,thicketsandforestsandmountains,butbestofallhelovedArcady,wherehewasborn.Hewasawonderfulmusician.Uponhispipesofreedheplayedmelodiesassweetasthenightingale’ssong.Hewasalwaysinlovewithonenymphoranother,butalwaysrejectedbecauseofhisugliness.

Soundsheardinawildernessatnightbythetremblingtravelerweresupposedtobemadebyhim,sothatitiseasytoseehowtheexpression“panic”feararose.

SILENUSwassometimessaidtobePan’sson;sometimeshisbrother,asonofHermes.Hewasajovialfatoldmanwhousuallyrodeanassbecausehewastoodrunktowalk.HeisassociatedwithBacchusaswellaswithPan;hetaughthimwhentheWine-godwasyoung,and,asisshownbyhisperpetualdrunkenness,afterbeinghistutorhebecamehisdevotedfollower.

Besidesthesegodsoftheearththerewasaveryfamousandverypopularpairofbrothers,CASTORandPOLLUX(Polydeuces),whoinmostoftheaccountsweresaidtolivehalfoftheirtimeonearthandhalfinheaven.

TheywerethesonsofLEDA,andareusuallyrepresentedasbeinggods,thespecialprotectorsofsailors,

Saviorsofswift-goingshipswhenthestormwindsrageOvertheruthlesssea.

Theywerealsopowerfultosaveinbattle.TheywereespeciallyhonoredinRome,wheretheywereworshipedas

ThegreatTwinBrethrentowhomallDorianspray.

Buttheaccountsofthemarecontradictory.SometimesPolluxaloneisheldtobedivine,andCastoramortalwhowonakindofhalf-and-halfimmortalitymerelybecauseofhisbrother’slove.

LEDAwasthewifeofKingTyndareusofSparta,andtheusualstoryisthatsheboretwomortalchildrentohim,CastorandClytemnestra,Agamemnon’swife;andtoZeus,whovisitedherintheformofaswan,twootherswhowereimmortal,PolluxandHelen,theheroineofTroy.Nevertheless,bothbrothers,CastorandPollux,wereoftencalled“sonsofZeus”;indeed,theGreeknametheyarebestknownby,theDioscouri,means“thestriplingsofZeus.”Ontheotherhand,theywerealsocalled“sonsofTyndareus,”theTyndaridae.

TheyarealwaysrepresentedaslivingjustbeforetheTrojanWar,atthesametimeasTheseusandJasonandAtalanta.TheytookpartintheCalydonianboar-hunt;theywentontheQuestoftheGoldenFleece;andtheyrescuedHelenwhenTheseuscarriedheroff.ButinallthestoriestheyplayanunimportantpartexceptintheaccountofCastor’sdeath,whenPolluxprovedhisbrotherlydevotion.

Thetwowent,wearenottoldwhy,tothelandofsomecattleowners,IdasandLynceus.There,Pindarsays,Idas,madeangryinsomewayabouthisoxen,stabbedandkilledCastor.Otherwriterssaythecauseofthedisputewasthetwodaughtersofthekingofthecountry,Leucippus.PolluxstabbedLynceus,andZeusstruckIdaswithhisthunderbolt.ButCastorwasdeadandPolluxwasinconsolable.Heprayedtodiealso,andZeusinpityallowedhimtosharehislifewithhisbrother,tolive,

HalfofthytimebeneaththeearthandhalfWithinthegoldenhomesofheaven.

Accordingtothisversionthetwowereneverseparatedagain.OnedaytheydweltinHades,thenextinOlympus,alwaystogether.

ThelateGreekwriterLuciangivesanotherversion,inwhichtheirdwellingplacesareheavenandearth;andwhenPolluxgoestoone,Castorgoestotheother,sothattheyareneverwitheachother.InLucian’slittlesatire,ApolloasksHermes:“Isay,whydoweneverseeCastorandPolluxatthesametime?”

“Well,”Hermesreplies,“theyaresofondofeachotherthatwhenfatedecreedoneofthemmustdieandonlyonebeimmortal,theydecidedtoshareimmortalitybetweenthem.”

“Notverywise,Hermes.Whatproperemploymentcantheyengagein,thatway?Iforetellthefuture;Aesculapiuscuresdiseases;youareagoodmessenger—butthesetwo—aretheytoidleawaytheirwholetime?”

“No,surely.They’reinPoseidon’sservice.Theirbusinessistosaveanyshipindistress.”

“Ah,nowyousaysomething.I’mdelightedthey’reinsuchagoodbusiness.”

Twostarsweresupposedtobetheirs:theGemini,theTwins.Theywerealwaysrepresentedasridingsplendidsnow-whitehorses,but

HomerdistinguishesCastorabovePolluxforhorsemanship.Hecallsthetwo

Castor,tamerofhorses,Polydeuces,goodasaboxer.

THESILENIwerecreaturespartmanandparthorse.Theywalkedontwolegs,notfour,buttheyoftenhadhorses’hoofsinsteadoffeet,sometimeshorses’ears,andalwayshorses’tails.Therearenostoriesaboutthem,buttheyareoftenseenonGreekvases.

THESATYRS,likePan,weregoat-men,andlikehimtheyhadtheirhomeinthewildplacesoftheearth.

Incontrasttotheseunhuman,uglygodsthegoddessesofthewoodlandwerealllovelymaidenforms,theOREADS,nymphsofthemountains,andtheDRYADS,sometimescalledHAMADRYADS,nymphsoftrees,whoselifewasineachcaseboundupwiththatofhertree.

AEOLUS,KingoftheWinds,alsolivedontheearth.Anisland,Aeolia,washishome.AccuratelyhewasonlyregentoftheWinds,viceroyofthegods.ThefourchiefWindswereBOREAS,theNorthWind,inLatinAQUILO;ZEPHYR,theWestWind,whichhadasecondLatinname,FAVONIUS;NOTUS,theSouthWind,alsocalledinLatinAUSTER;andtheEastWind,EURUS,thesameinbothGreekandLatin.

Thereweresomebeings,neitherhumannordivine,whohadtheirhomeontheearth.Prominentamongthemwere:—

THECENTAURS.Theywerehalfman,halfhorse,andforthemostparttheyweresavagecreatures,morelikebeaststhanmen.Oneofthem,however,CHIRON,wasknowneverywhereforhisgoodnessandhiswisdom.

THEGORGONSwerealsoearth-dwellers.Therewerethree,andtwoofthemwereimmortal.Theyweredragonlikecreatureswithwings,whoselookturnedmentostone.Phorcys,sonoftheSeaandtheEarth,wastheirfather.

THEGRAIAEweretheirsisters,threegraywomenwhohadbutoneeyebetweenthem.TheylivedonthefartherbankofOcean.

THESIRENSlivedonanislandintheSea.Theyhadenchantingvoicesandtheirsingingluredsailorstotheirdeath.Itwasnotknownwhattheylookedlike,fornoonewhosawthemeverreturned.

VeryimportantbutassignedtonoabodewhetherinheavenorontheearthwereTHEFATES,MoiraeinGreek,ParcaeinLatin,who,Hesiodsays,givetomenatbirthevilandgoodtohave.Theywerethree,Clotho,theSpinner,whospunthethreadoflife;Lachesis,theDisposerofLots,whoassignedtoeachmanhisdestiny;Atropos,shewhocouldnotbeturned,whocarried“theabhorrèdshears”andcutthethreadatdeath.

THEROMANGODS

TheTwelvegreatOlympiansmentionedearlierwereturnedintoRomangodsalso.TheinfluenceofGreekartandliteraturebecamesopowerfulinRomethatancientRomandeitieswerechangedtoresemblethecorrespondingGreekgods,andwereconsideredtobethesame.Mostofthem,however,inRomehadRomannames.ThesewereJupiter(Zeus),Juno(Hera),Neptune(Poseidon),Vesta(Hestia),Mars(Ares),Minerva(Athena),Venus(Aphrodite),Mercury(Hermes),Diana(Artemis),VulcanorMulciber(Hephaestus),Ceres(Demeter).

TwokepttheirGreeknames:ApolloandPluto;butthelatterwasnevercalledHades,aswasusualinGreece.Bacchus,neverDionysus,wasthenameofthewine-god,whohadalsoaLatinname,Liber.

ItwasasimplemattertoadopttheGreekgodsbecausetheRomansdidnothavedefinitelypersonifiedgodsoftheirown.Theywereapeopleofdeepreligiousfeeling,buttheyhadlittleimagination.TheycouldneverhavecreatedtheOlympians,eachadistinct,vividpersonality.Theirgods,beforetheytookoverfromtheGreeks,werevague,hardlymorethana“thosethatareabove.”TheywereTHENUMINA,whichmeansthePowersortheWills—theWill-Powers,perhaps.

UntilGreekliteratureandartenteredItalytheRomansfeltnoneedfor

beautiful,poeticgods.Theywereapracticalpeopleandtheydidnotcareabout“Violet-tressedMuseswhoinspiresong,”or“LyricApollomakingsweetmelodiesuponhisgoldenlyre,”oranythingofthatsort.Theywantedusefulgods.AnimportantPower,forexample,wasOnewhoGuardstheCradle.AnotherwasOneWhoPresidesoverChildren’sFood.NostorieswereevertoldabouttheNumina.Forthemostparttheywerenotevendistinguishedasmaleorfemale.Thesimpleactsofeverydaylife,however,werecloselyconnectedwiththemandgaineddignityfromthemaswasnotthecasewithanyoftheGreekgodsexceptDemeterandDionysus.

ThemostprominentandreveredofthemallweretheLARESandPENATES.EveryRomanfamilyhadaLar,whowasthespiritofanancestor,andseveralPenates,godsofthehearthandguardiansofthestorehouse.Theywerethefamily’sowngods,belongingonlytoit,reallythemostimportantpartofit,theprotectorsanddefendersoftheentirehousehold.Theywereneverworshipedintemples,butonlyinthehome,wheresomeofthefoodateachmealwasofferedtothem.TherewerealsopublicLaresandPenates,whodidforthecitywhattheothersdidforthefamily.

TherewerealsomanyNuminaconnectedwiththelifeofthehousehold,suchasTERMINUS,GuardianofBoundaries;PRIAPUS,CauseofFertility;PALES,StrengthenerofCattle;SYLVANUS,HelperofPlowmenandWoodcutters.Alonglistcouldbemade.Everythingimportanttothefarmwasunderthecareofabeneficentpower,neverconceivedofashavingadefiniteshape.

SATURNwasoriginallyoneoftheNumina,theProtectoroftheSowersandtheSeed,ashiswifeOPSwasaHarvestHelper.Inlaterdays,hewassaidtobethesameastheGreekCronusandthefatherofJupiter,theRomanZeus.Inthiswayhebecameapersonalityandanumberofstoriesweretoldabouthim.InmemoryoftheGoldenAge,whenhereignedinItaly,thegreatfeastoftheSaturnaliawasheldeveryyearduringthewinter.TheideaofitwasthattheGoldenAgereturnedtotheearthduringthedaysitlasted.Nowarcouldbethendeclared;slavesandmastersateatthesametable;executionswerepostponed;itwasaseasonforgivingpresents;itkeptaliveinmen’smindstheideaofequality,ofatimewhenallwereonthesamelevel.

JANUS,too,wasoriginallyoneoftheNumina,“thegodofgoodbeginnings,”whicharesuretoresultingoodendings.Hebecamepersonifiedtoacertaindegree.HischieftempleinRomeraneastandwest,wherethedaybeginsandends,andhadtwodoors,betweenwhichstoodhisstatuewithtwofaces,oneyoungandoneold.ThesedoorswereclosedonlywhenRomewasatpeace.Inthefirstsevenhundredyearsofthecity’slifetheywereclosedthreetimes,

inthereignofthegoodking,Numa;afterthefirstPunicWarwhenCarthagewasdefeatedin241B.C.;andinthereignofAugustuswhen,Miltonsays,

Nowarorbattle’ssoundWasheardtheworldaround.

Naturallyhismonth,January,beganthenewyear.

FAUNUSwasSaturn’sgrandson.HewasasortofRomanPan,arusticgod.Hewasaprophettoo,andspoketomenintheirdreams.

THEFAUNSwereRomansatyrs.

QUIRINUSwasthenameofthedeifiedRomulus,thefounderofRome.

THEMANESwerethespiritsofthegooddeadinHades.Sometimestheywereregardedasdivineandworshiped.

THELEMURESorLARVAEwerethespiritsofthewickeddeadandweregreatlyfeared.

THECAMENAEbeganasusefulandpracticalgoddesseswhocaredforspringsandwellsandcureddiseaseandforetoldthefuture.ButwhentheGreekgodscametoRome,theCamenaewereidentifiedwiththoseimpracticaldeitiestheMuses,whocaredonlyforartandscience.EgeriawhotaughtKingNumawassaidtobeaCamena.

LUCINAwassometimesregardedasaRomanEILEITHYIA,thegoddessofchildbirth,butusuallythenameisusedasanepithetofbothJunoandDiana.

POMONAANDVERTUMNUSbeganasNumina,asPowersProtectingOrchardsandGardens.Buttheywerepersonifiedlaterandastorywastoldabouthowtheyfellinlovewitheachother.

CHAPTERII

TheTwoGreatGodsofEarth

FORthemostparttheimmortalgodswereoflittleusetohumanbeingsandoftentheywerequitethereverseofuseful:Zeusadangerousloverformortalmaidensandcompletelyincalculableinhisuseoftheterriblethunderbolt;Aresthemakerofwarandageneralpest;Herawithnoideaofjusticewhenshewasjealousassheperpetuallywas;Athenaalsoawarmaker,andwieldingthelightning’ssharplancequiteasirresponsiblyasZeusdid;Aphroditeusingherpowerchieflytoensnareandbetray.Theywereabeautiful,radiantcompany,tobesure,andtheiradventuresmadeexcellentstories;butwhentheywerenotpositivelyharmful,theywerecapriciousandundependable,andingeneralmortalsgotonbestwithoutthem.

Thereweretwo,however,whowerealtogetherdifferent—whowere,indeed,mankind’sbestfriends:Demeter,inLatinCeres,theGoddessoftheCorn,adaughterofCronusandRhea;andDionysus,alsocalledBacchus,theGodofWine.Demeterwastheolder,aswasnatural.Cornwassowedlongbeforevineswereplanted.Thefirstcornfieldwasthebeginningofsettledlifeonearth.Vineyardscamelater.Itwasnatural,too,thatthedivinepowerwhichbroughtforththegrainshouldbethoughtofasagoddess,notagod.Whenthebusinessofmenwashuntingandfighting,thecareofthefieldsbelongedtothewomen,andastheyplowedandscatteredtheseedandreapedtheharvest,theyfeltthatawomandivinitycouldbestunderstandandhelpwoman’swork.Theycouldbestunderstandher,too,whowasworshiped,notlikeothergodsbythebloodysacrificesmenliked,butineveryhumbleactthatmadethefarmfruitful.Throughherthefieldofgrainwashallowed.“Demeter’sholygrain.”Thethreshing-floor,too,wasunderherprotection.Bothwerehertempleswhereatanymomentshemightbepresent.“Atthesacredthreshing-floor,whentheyarewinnowing,sheherself,Demeterofthecorn-ripeyellowhair,dividesthegrainandthechaffintherushofthewind,andtheheapofchaffgrowswhite.”“Mayitbemine,”thereaperprays,“besideDemeter’saltartodigthegreatwinnowingfanthroughherheapsofcorn,whileshestandssmilingbywithsheavesandpoppiesinherhand.”

Herchieffestival,ofcourse,cameattheharvesttime.Inearlierdaysitmusthavebeenasimplereapers’thanksgivingdaywhenthefirstloafbakedfromthenewgrainwasbrokenandreverentlyeatenwithgratefulprayerstothegoddessfromwhomhadcomethisbestandmostnecessarygiftforhumanlife.Inlateryearsthehumblefeastgrewintoamysteriousworship,about

whichweknowlittle.Thegreatfestival,inSeptember,cameonlyeveryfiveyears,butitlastedforninedays.Theyweremostsacreddays,whenmuchoftheordinarybusinessoflifewassuspended.Processionstookplace,sacrificeswereheldwithdancesandsong,therewasgeneralrejoicing.Allthiswaspublicknowledgeandhasbeenrelatedbymanyawriter.Butthechiefpartoftheceremonywhichtookplaceintheprecinctsofthetemplehasneverbeendescribed.Thosewhobehelditwereboundbyavowofsilenceandtheykeptitsowellthatweknowonlystraybitsofwhatwasdone.

ThegreattemplewasatEleusis,alittletownnearAthens,andtheworshipwascalledtheEleusinianMysteries.ThroughouttheGreekworldandtheRoman,too,theywereheldinespecialveneration.Cicero,writinginthecenturybeforeChrist,says:“Nothingishigherthanthesemysteries.Theyhavesweetenedourcharactersandsoftenedourcustoms;theyhavemadeuspassfromtheconditionofsavagestotruehumanity.Theyhavenotonlyshownusthewaytolivejoyfully,buttheyhavetaughtushowtodiewithabetterhope.”

Andyetevenso,holyandawesomethoughtheywere,theykeptthemarkofwhattheyhadsprungfrom.Oneofthefewpiecesofinformationwehaveaboutthemisthatataverysolemnmomenttheworshiperswereshown“anearofcornwhichhadbeenreapedinsilence.”

Insomeway,nooneknowsclearlyhoworwhen,theGodoftheVine,Dionysus,cametotakehisplace,too,atEleusis,sidebysidewithDemeter.

BesideDemeterwhenthecymbalssoundEnthronedsitsDionysusoftheflowinghair.

Itwasnaturalthattheyshouldbeworshipedtogether,bothdivinitiesofthegoodgiftsofearth,bothpresentinthehomelydailyactsthatlifedependson,thebreakingofbreadandthedrinkingofwine.TheharvestwasDionysus’festival,too,whenthegrapeswerebroughttothewine-press.

Thejoy-godDionysus,thepurestarThatshinesamidthegatheringofthefruit.

Buthewasnotalwaysajoy-god,norwasDemeteralwaysthehappygoddessofthesummertime.Eachknewpainaswellasjoy.Inthatway,too,theywerecloselylinkedtogether;theywerebothsufferinggods.Theotherimmortalswereuntouchedbylastinggrief.“DwellinginOlympuswherethewindneverblowsandnorainfallsevernortheleastwhitestarofsnow,they

arehappyalltheirdays,feastinguponnectarandambrosia,rejoicinginallgloriousApolloashestrikeshissilverlyre,andthesweetvoicesoftheMusesanswerhim,whiletheGracesdancewithHebeandwithAphrodite,andaradianceshinesroundthemall.”ButthetwodivinitiesofEarthknewheart-rendinggrief.

Whathappenstothecornplantsandtheluxuriantbranchingvineswhenthegrainisharvested,thegrapesgathered,andtheblackfrostsetsin,killingthefreshgreenlifeofthefields?Thatiswhatmenaskedthemselveswhenthefirststoriesweretoldtoexplainwhatwassomysterious,thechangesalwayspassingbeforetheireyes,ofdayandnightandtheseasonsandthestarsintheircourses.ThoughDemeterandDionysuswerethehappygodsoftheharvest,duringthewinteritwasclearthattheywerealtogetherdifferent.Theysorrowed,andtheearthwassad.Themenoflongagowonderedwhythisshouldbe,andtheytoldstoriestoexplainthereason.

DEMETER(CERES)

Thisstoryistoldonlyinaveryearlypoem,oneoftheearliestoftheHomericHymns,datingfromtheeighthorthebeginningoftheseventhcentury.TheoriginalhasthemarksofearlyGreekpoetry,greatsimplicityanddirectnessanddelightinthebeautifulworld.

Demeterhadanonlydaughter,Persephone(inLatinProserpine),themaidenofthespring.Shelostherandinherterriblegriefshewithheldhergiftsfromtheearth,whichturnedintoafrozendesert.Thegreenandfloweringlandwasice-boundandlifelessbecausePersephonehaddisappeared.

Thelordofthedarkunderworld,thekingofthemultitudinousdead,carriedheroffwhen,enticedbythewondrousbloomofthenarcissus,shestrayedtoofarfromhercompanions.Inhischariotdrawnbycoal-blacksteedsheroseupthroughachasmintheearth,andgraspingthemaidenbythewristsetherbesidehim.Heboreherawayweeping,downtotheunderworld.Thehighhillsechoedhercryandthedepthsofthesea,andhermotherheardit.Shespedlikeabirdoverseaandlandseekingherdaughter.Butnoonewouldtellherthetruth,“nomannorgod,noranysuremessengerfromthebirds.”NinedaysDemeterwandered,andallthattimeshewouldnottasteofambrosiaorputsweetnectartoherlips.AtlastshecametotheSunandhetoldherallthestory:Persephonewasdownintheworldbeneaththeearth,amongtheshadowydead.

ThenastillgreatergriefenteredDemeter’sheart.SheleftOlympus;shedweltonearth,butsodisguisedthatnoneknewher,and,indeed,thegodsare

noteasilydiscernedbymortalmen.InherdesolatewanderingsshecametoEleusisandsatbythewaysidenearawell.Sheseemedanagedwoman,suchasingreathousescareforthechildrenorguardthestorerooms.Fourlovelymaidens,sisters,comingtodrawwaterfromthewell,sawherandaskedherpityinglywhatshedidthere.Sheansweredthatshehadfledfrompirateswhohadmeanttosellherasaslave,andthatsheknewnooneinthisstrangelandtogotoforhelp.Theytoldherthatanyhouseinthetownwouldwelcomeher,butthattheywouldlikebesttobringhertotheirownifshewouldwaittherewhiletheywenttoasktheirmother.Thegoddessbentherheadinassent,andthegirls,fillingtheirshiningpitcherswithwater,hurriedhome.Theirmother,Metaneira,badethemreturnatonceandinvitethestrangertocome,andspeedingbacktheyfoundthegloriousgoddessstillsittingthere,deeplyveiledandcoveredtoherslenderfeetbyherdarkrobe.Shefollowedthem,andasshecrossedthethresholdtothehallwherethemothersatholdingheryoungson,adivineradiancefilledthedoorwayandawefelluponMetaneira.

ShebadeDemeterbeseatedandherselfofferedherhoney-sweetwine,butthegoddesswouldnottasteit.Sheaskedinsteadforbarley-waterflavoredwithmint,thecoolingdraughtofthereaperatharvesttimeandalsothesacredcupgiventheworshipersatEleusis.Thusrefreshedshetookthechildandheldhimtoherfragrantbosomandhismother’sheartwasglad.SoDemeternursedDemophoön,thesonthatMetaneirahadbornetowiseCeleus.Andthechildgrewlikeayounggod,fordailyDemeteranointedhimwithambrosiaandatnightshewouldplacehimintheredheartofthefire.Herpurposewastogivehimimmortalyouth.

Something,however,madethemotheruneasy,sothatonenightshekeptwatchandscreamedinterrorwhenshesawthechildlaidinthefire.Thegoddesswasangered;sheseizedtheboyandcasthimontheground.Shehadmeanttosethimfreefromoldageandfromdeath,butthatwasnottobe.Still,hehadlainuponherkneesandsleptinherarmsandthereforeheshouldhavehonorthroughouthislife.

Thensheshowedherselfthegoddessmanifest.Beautybreathedaboutherandalovelyfragrance;lightshonefromhersothatthegreathousewasfilledwithbrightness.ShewasDemeter,shetoldtheawestruckwomen.Theymustbuildheragreattemplenearthetownandsowinbackthefavorofherheart.

TherapeofPersephone(Proserpine)

Thussheleftthem,andMetaneirafellspeechlesstotheearthandalltheretrembledwithfear.InthemorningtheytoldCeleuswhathadhappenedandhecalledthepeopletogetherandrevealedtothemthecommandofthegoddess.Theyworkedwillinglytobuildheratemple,andwhenitwasfinishedDemetercametoitandsatthere—apartfromthegodsinOlympus,alone,wastingawaywithlongingforherdaughter.

Thatyearwasmostdreadfulandcruelformankindoveralltheearth.Nothinggrew;noseedsprangup;invaintheoxendrewtheplowsharethroughthefurrows.Itseemedthewholeraceofmenwoulddieoffamine.AtlastZeussawthathemusttakethematterinhand.HesentthegodstoDemeter,oneafteranother,totrytoturnherfromheranger,butshelistenedtononeofthem.Neverwouldshelettheearthbearfruituntilshehadseenherdaughter.ThenZeusrealizedthathisbrothermustgiveway.HetoldHermestogodowntotheunderworldandtobidthelordofitlethisbridegobacktoDemeter.

Hermesfoundthetwosittingsidebyside,Persephoneshrinkingaway,reluctantbecauseshelongedforhermother.AtHermes’wordsshesprangupjoyfully,eagertogo.HerhusbandknewthathemustobeythewordofZeusandsendheruptoearthawayfromhim,butheprayedherasshelefthimtohavekindthoughtsofhimandnotbesosorrowfulthatshewasthewifeofonewhowasgreatamongtheimmortals.Andhemadehereatapomegranateseed,knowinginhisheartthatifshedidsoshemustreturntohim.

HegotreadyhisgoldencarandHermestookthereinsanddrovetheblackhorsesstraighttothetemplewhereDemeterwas.SheranouttomeetherdaughterasswiftlyasaMaenadrunsdownthemountainside.Persephonesprangintoherarmsandwasheldfastthere.Alldaytheytalkedofwhathadhappenedtothemboth,andDemetergrievedwhensheheardofthepomegranateseed,fearingthatshecouldnotkeepherdaughterwithher.

ThenZeussentanothermessengertoher,agreatpersonage,noneotherthanhisreveredmotherRhea,theoldestofthegods.SwiftlyshehasteneddownfromtheheightsofOlympustothebarren,leaflessearth,andstandingatthedoorofthetempleshespoketoDemeter.

Come,mydaughter,forZeus,far-seeing,loud-thundering,bidsyou.Comeonceagaintothehallsofthegodswhereyoushallhavehonor,Whereyouwillhaveyourdesire,yourdaughter,tocomfortyoursorrowAseachyearisaccomplishedandbitterwinterisended.Forathirdpartonlythekingdomofdarknessshallholdher.Fortherestyouwillkeepher,youandthehappyimmortals.Peacenow.Givemenlifewhichcomesalonefromyourgiving.

Demeterdidnotrefuse,poorcomfortthoughitwasthatshemustlosePersephoneforfourmonthseveryyearandseeheryounglovelinessgodowntotheworldofthedead.Butshewaskind;the“GoodGoddess,”menalwayscalledher.Shewassorryforthedesolationshehadbroughtabout.Shemadethefieldsoncemorerichwithabundantfruitandthewholeworldbrightwithflowersandgreenleaves.AlsoshewenttotheprincesofEleusiswhohadbuilthertempleandshechoseone,Triptolemus,tobeherambassadortomen,instructingthemhowtosowthecorn.ShetaughthimandCeleusandtheothershersacredrites,“mysterieswhichnoonemayutter,fordeepawechecksthetongue.Blessedishewhohasseenthem;hislotwillbegoodintheworldtocome.”

QueenoffragrantEleusis,Giverofearth’sgoodgifts,Givemeyourgrace,ODemeter.You,too,Persephone,fairest,Maidenalllovely,IofferSongforyourfavor.

Inthestoriesofbothgoddesses,DemeterandPersephone,theideaofsorrowwasforemost.Demeter,goddessoftheharvestwealth,wasstillmorethedivinesorrowingmotherwhosawherdaughterdieeachyear.Persephonewastheradiantmaidenofthespringandthesummertime,whoselightstepuponthedry,brownhillsidewasenoughtomakeitfreshandblooming,asSapphowrites,

Iheardthefootfalloftheflowerspring…

—Persephone’sfootfall.ButallthewhilePersephoneknewhowbriefthatbeautywas;fruits,flowers,leaves,allthefairgrowthofearth,mustendwiththecomingofthecoldandpasslikeherselfintothepowerofdeath.Afterthelordofthedarkworldbelowcarriedherawayshewasneveragainthegayyoungcreaturewhohadplayedintheflowerymeadowwithoutathoughtofcareortrouble.Shedidindeedrisefromthedeadeveryspring,butshebroughtwithherthememoryofwhereshehadcomefrom;withallherbrightbeautytherewassomethingstrangeandawesomeabouther.Shewasoften

saidtobe“themaidenwhosenamemaynotbespoken.”TheOlympianswere“thehappygods,”“thedeathlessgods,”farremoved

fromsufferingmortalsdestinedtodie.Butintheirgriefandatthehourofdeath,mencouldturnforcompassiontothegoddesswhosorrowedandthegoddesswhodied.

DIONYSUSORBACCHUS

ThisstoryisverydifferentlytoldfromthestoryofDemeter.DionysuswasthelastgodtoenterOlympus.Homerdidnotadmithim.TherearenoearlysourcesforhisstoryexceptafewbriefallusionsinHesiod,intheeighthorninthcentury.AlastHomericHymn,perhapsevenaslateasthefourthcentury,givestheonlyaccountofthepirates’ship,andthefateofPentheusisthesubjectofthelastplayofEuripides,inthefifthcentury,themostmodernofallGreekpoets.

ThebeswasDionysus’owncity,wherehewasborn,thesonofZeusandtheThebanprincessSemele.Hewastheonlygodwhoseparentswerenotbothdivine.

AtThebesalonedomortalwomenbearImmortalgods.

SemelewasthemostunfortunatewomanofallthoseZeusfellinlovewith,andinhercasetoothereasonwasHera.Zeuswasmadlyinlovewithherandtoldherthatanythingsheaskedofhimhewoulddo;hesworeitbytheriverStyx,theoathwhichnotevenhehimselfcouldbreak.ShetoldhimthatwhatshewantedaboveallelsewastoseehiminhisfullsplendorasKingofHeavenandLordoftheThunderbolt.ItwasHerawhohadputthatwishintoherheart.Zeusknewthatnomortalcouldbeholdhimthusandlive,buthecoulddonothing.HehadswornbytheStyx.Hecameasshehadasked,andbeforethatawfulgloryofburninglightshedied.ButZeussnatchedfromherherchildthatwasnearbirth,andhiditinhisownsideawayfromHerauntilthetimehadcomeforittobeborn.ThenHermescarriedittobecaredforbythenymphsofNysa—theloveliestofearth’svalleys,butnomanhaseverlookeduponNysaorknowswhereitlies.SomesaythenymphsweretheHyades,whomZeusafterwardsplacedintheskyasstars,thestarswhichbringrainwhentheynearthehorizon.

SotheGodoftheVinewasbornoffireandnursedbyrain,thehard

burningheatthatripensthegrapesandthewaterthatkeepstheplantalive.Growntomanhood,Dionysuswanderedfartostrangeplaces.

ThelandsofLydiarichingold,OfPhrygiatoo;thesun-struckplainsOfPersia;thegreatwallsofBactria.Thestorm-sweptcountryoftheMedes;AndArabytheBlest.

Everywherehetaughtmenthecultureofthevineandthemysteriesofhisworshipandeverywheretheyacceptedhimasagoduntilhedrewneartohisowncountry.

OnedayovertheseanearGreeceapirates’shipcamesailing.Onagreatheadlandbytheshoretheysawabeautifulyouth.Hisrichdarkhairfloweddownoverapurplecloakthatcoveredhisstrongshoulders.Helookedlikeasonofkings,onewhoseparentscouldpayagreatransom.Exulting,thesailorssprangashoreandseizedhim.Onboardtheshiptheyfetchedrudebondstofetterhimwith,buttotheiramazementtheywereunabletobindhim;theropeswouldnotholdtogether;theyfellapartwhentheytouchedhishandsorfeet.Andhesatlookingatthemwithasmileinhisdarkeyes.

Aloneamongthemthehelmsmanunderstoodandcriedoutthatthismustbeagodandshouldbesetfreeatonceordeadlyharmwouldcometothem.Butthecaptainmockedhimforasillyfoolandbadethecrewhastentohoistthesail.Thewindfilleditandthemendrewtautthesheets,buttheshipdidnotmove.Thenwonderuponwonderhappened.Fragrantwineraninstreamsdownthedeck;avinewithmanyclustersspreadoutoverthesail;adarkgreenivy-planttwinedaroundthemastlikeagarland,withflowersinitandlovelyfruits.Terror-stricken,thepiratesorderedthehelmsmantoputintoland.Toolate,forastheyspoketheircaptivebecamealion,roaringandglaringterribly.Atthat,theyleapedoverboardandinstantlywerechangedintodolphins,allexceptthegoodhelmsman.Onhimthegodhadmercy.Heheldhimbackandbadehimtakecourage,forhehadfoundfavorwithonewhowasindeedagod—Dionysus,whomSemeleboreinunionwithZeus.

WhenhepassedthroughThraceonhiswaytoGreece,thegodwasinsultedbyoneofthekingsthere,Lycurgus,whobitterlyopposedthisnewworship.Dionysusretreatedbeforehimandeventookrefugefromhiminthedepthsofthesea.Butlaterhecameback,overpoweredhim,andpunishedhimforhiswickedness,thoughmildly,by

Imprisoninghimwithinarockycave

UntilhisfirstfiercemaddeningragePassedslowlyandhelearnedtoknowThegodwhomhehadmocked.

Buttheothergodswerenotmild.ZeusstruckLycurgusblindandhediedsoonafter.Nonelivedlongwhostrovewithgods.

Sometimeduringhiswanderings,DionysuscameupontheprincessofCrete,Ariadne,whenshewasutterlydesolate,havingbeenabandonedontheshoreoftheislandofNaxosbytheAthenianprince,Theseus,whoselifeshehadsaved.Dionysushadcompassionuponher.Herescuedher,andintheendlovedher.WhenshediedDionysustookacrownhehadgivenherandplaceditamongthestars.

Themotherwhomhehadneverseenwasnotforgotten.Helongedforhersogreatlythatatlasthedaredtheterribledescenttothelowerworldtoseekher.Whenhefoundher,hedefiedthepowerofDeathtokeepherfromhim;andDeathyielded.Dionysusbroughtheraway,butnottoliveonearth.HetookheruptoOlympus,wherethegodsconsentedtoreceiveherasoneofthemselves,amortal,indeed,butthemotherofagodandthereforefittodwellwithimmortals.

TheGodofWinecouldbekindandbeneficent.Hecouldalsobecruelanddrivemenontofrightfuldeeds.Oftenhemadethemmad.TheMAENADS,ortheBACCHANTES,astheywerealsocalled,werewomenfrenziedwithwine.Theyrushedthroughwoodsandovermountainsutteringsharpcries,wavingpine-cone-tippedwands,sweptawayinafierceecstasy.Nothingcouldstopthem.Theywouldteartopiecesthewildcreaturestheymetanddevourthebloodyshredsofflesh.Theysang,

Oh,sweetuponthemountainThedancingandthesinging,Themaddeningrushingflight.Oh,sweettosinktoearthoutwornWhenthewildgoathasbeenhuntedandcaught,Oh,thejoyofthebloodandtherawredflesh!

ThegodsofOlympuslovedorderandbeautyintheirsacrificesandtheirtemples.Themadwomen,theMaenads,hadnotemples.Theywenttothewildernesstoworship,tothewildestmountains,thedeepestforests,asiftheykepttothecustomsofanancienttimebeforemenhadthoughtofbuildinghousesfortheirgods.Theywentoutofthedusty,crowdedcity,backtotheleanpurityoftheuntroddenhillsandwoodlands.ThereDionysusgavethem

foodanddrink:herbsandberriesandthemilkofthewildgoat.Theirbedswereonthesoftmeadowgrass;underthethick-leavedtrees;wherethepineneedlesfallyearafteryear.Theywoketoasenseofpeaceandheavenlyfreshness;theybathedinaclearbrook.Therewasmuchthatwaslovely,good,andfreeinginthisworshipundertheopenskyandtheecstasyofjoyitbroughtinthewildbeautyoftheworld.Andyetalwayspresent,too,wasthehorriblebloodyfeast.

TheworshipofDionysuswascenteredinthesetwoideassofarapart—offreedomandecstaticjoyandofsavagebrutality.TheGodofWinecouldgiveeithertohisworshipers.Throughoutthestoryofhislifeheissometimesman’sblessing,sometimeshisruin.OfalltheterribledeedslaidtohisaccounttheworstwasdoneinThebes,hismother’scity.

DionysuscametoThebestoestablishhisworshipthere.Hewasaccompanied,aswashiscustom,byatrainofwomendancingandsingingexultantsongs,wearingfawn-skinsovertheirrobes,wavingivy-wreathedwands.Theyseemedmadwithjoy.Theysang,

OBacchanals,come,Oh,come.SingDionysus,Singtothetimbrel,Thedeep-voicedtimbrel.Joyfullypraisehim,Himwhobringsjoy.Holy,allholyMusiciscalling.Tothehills,tothehills,Fly,OBacchanalSwiftoffoot.On,Ojoyful,befleet.

Pentheus,theKingofThebes,wasthesonofSemele’ssister,buthehadnoideathattheleaderofthisbandofexcited,strange-actingwomenwashisowncousin.HedidnotknowthatwhenSemelediedZeushadsavedherchild.Thewilddancingandtheloudjoyoussingingandthegenerallyqueerbehaviorofthesestrangersseemedtohimhighlyobjectionable,andtobestoppedatonce.Pentheusorderedhisguardstoseizeandimprisonthevisitors,especiallytheleader,“whosefaceisflushedwithwine,acheatingsorcererfromLydia.”Butashesaidthesewordsheheardbehindhimasolemnwarning:“Themanyourejectisanewgod.HeisSemele’schild,whomZeusrescued.He,withdivineDemeter,isgreatestuponearthformen.”ThespeakerwastheoldblindprophetTeiresias,theholymanof

Thebeswhoknewasnooneelsethewillofthegods.ButasPentheusturnedtoanswerhimhesawthathewastrickedoutlikethewildwomen:awreathofivyonhiswhitehair,hisoldshoulderscoveredbyafawn-skin,aqueerpine-tippedstickinhistremblinghand.Pentheuslaughedmockinglyashelookedhimoverandthenorderedhimwithcontemptoutofhissight.Thushebroughtuponhimselfhisdoom;hewouldnothearwhenthegodsspoketohim.

Dionysuswasledinbeforehimbyabandofhissoldiers.Theysaidhehadnottriedtofleeortoresist,buthaddoneallpossibletomakeiteasyforthemtoseizeandbringhimuntiltheyfeltashamedandtoldhimtheywereactingunderorders,notoftheirownfreewill.Theydeclared,too,thatthemaidenstheyhadimprisonedhadallescapedtothemountains.Thefetterswouldnotkeepfastened;thedoorsunbarredthemselves.“Thisman,”theysaid,“hascometoThebeswithmanywonders—”

Pentheusbynowwasblindtoeverythingexcepthisangerandhisscorn.HespokeroughlytoDionysus,whoansweredhimwithentiregentleness,seemingtotrytoreachhisrealselfandopenhiseyestoseethathewasfacetofacewithdivinity.Hewarnedhimthathecouldnotkeephiminprison,“forGodwillsetmefree.”

“God?”Pentheusaskedjeeringly.“Yes,”Dionysusanswered.“Heishereandseesmysuffering.”“Notwheremyeyescanseehim,”Pentheussaid.“HeiswhereIam,”answeredDionysus.“Youcannotseehimforyouare

notpure.”Pentheusangrilyorderedthesoldierstobindhimandtakehimtothe

prisonandDionysuswent,saying,“Thewrongsyoudotomearewrongsdonetothegods.”

ButtheprisoncouldnotholdDionysus.Hecameforth,andgoingtoPentheusagainhetriedtopersuadehimtoyieldtowhatthesewondersplainlyshowedwasdivine,andwelcomethisnewworshipofanewandgreatgod.When,however,Pentheusonlyheapedinsultsandthreatsuponhim,Dionysuslefthimtohisdoom.Itwasthemosthorriblethattherecouldbe.

Pentheuswenttopursuethegod’sfollowersamongthehillswherethemaidenshadfledwhentheyescapedfromprison.ManyoftheThebanwomenhadjoinedthem;Pentheus’motherandhersisterswerethere.AndthereDionysusshowedhimselfinhismostterribleaspect.Hemadethemallmad.ThewomenthoughtPentheusawildbeast,amountainlion,andtheyrushedtodestroyhim,hismotherfirst.Astheyfelluponhimheknewatlastthathehadfoughtagainstagodandmustpaywithhislife.Theytorehimlimbfromlimb,andthen,onlythen,thegodrestoredtheirsenses,andhis

mothersawwhatshehaddone.Lookingatherinheragonythemaidens,allsoberednow,thedancingoverandthesingingandthewildwand-waving,saidtooneanother,

Instrangewayshardtoknowgodscometomen.Manyathingpasthopetheyhadfulfilled,Andwhatwaslookedforwentanotherway.ApathweneverthoughttotreadGodfoundforus.Sohasthiscometopass.

TheideasaboutDionysusinthesevariousstoriesseematfirstsightcontradictory.Inoneheisthejoy-god—

Hewhoselocksareboundwithgold,RuddyBacchus,ComradeoftheMaenads,whoseBlithetorchblazes.

Inanotherheistheheartlessgod,savage,brutal—

HewhowithamockinglaughHuntshisprey,SnaresanddragshimtohisdeathWithhisBacchanals.

Thetruthis,however,thatbothideasarosequitesimplyandreasonablyfromthefactofhisbeingthegodofwine.Wineisbadaswellasgood.Itcheersandwarmsmen’shearts;italsomakesthemdrunk.TheGreekswereapeoplewhosawfactsveryclearly.Theycouldnotshuttheireyestotheuglyanddegradingsideofwine-drinkingandseeonlythedelightfulside.DionysuswastheGodoftheVine;thereforehewasapowerwhichsometimesmademencommitfrightfulandatrociouscrimes.Noonecoulddefendthem;noonewouldevertrytodefendthefatePentheussuffered.But,theGreekssaidtoeachother,suchthingsreallydohappenwhenpeoplearefrenziedwithdrink.Thistruthdidnotblindthemtotheothertruth,thatwinewas“themerry-maker,”lighteningmen’shearts,bringingcarelesseaseandfunandgaiety.

ThewineofDionysus,

WhenthewearycaresofmenLeaveeveryheart.Wetraveltoalandthatneverwas.Thepoorgrowrich,therichgrowgreatofheart.All-conqueringaretheshaftsmadefromtheVine.

ThereasonthatDionysuswassodifferentatonetimefromanotherwasbecauseofthisdoublenatureofwineandsoofthegodofwine.Hewasman’sbenefactorandhewasman’sdestroyer.

Onhisbeneficentsidehewasnotonlythegodthatmakesmenmerry.Hiscupwas

Life-giving,healingeveryill.

Underhisinfluencecouragewasquickenedandfearbanished,atanyrateforthemoment.Heupliftedhisworshipers;hemadethemfeelthattheycoulddowhattheyhadthoughttheycouldnot.Allthishappyfreedomandconfidencepassedaway,ofcourse,astheyeithergrewsoberorgotdrunk,butwhileitlasteditwaslikebeingpossessedbyapowergreaterthanthemselves.SopeoplefeltaboutDionysusasaboutnoothergod.Hewasnotonlyoutsideofthem,hewaswithinthem,too.Theycouldbetransformedbyhimintobeinglikehim.Themomentarysenseofexultantpowerwine-drinkingcangivewasonlyasigntoshowmenthattheyhadwithinthemmorethantheyknew;“theycouldthemselvesbecomedivine.”

Tothinkinthiswaywasfarremovedfromtheoldideaofworshipingthegodbydrinkingenoughtobegayortobefreedfromcareortogetdrunk.TherewerefollowersofDionysuswhoneverdrankwineatall.Itisnotknownwhenthegreatchangetookplace,liftingthegodwhofreedmenforamomentthroughdrunkennesstothegodwhofreedthemthroughinspiration,butoneveryremarkableresultofitmadeDionysusforallfutureagesthemostimportantofthegodsofGreece.

TheEleusinianMysteries,whichwerealwayschieflyDemeter’s,hadindeedgreatimportance.Forhundredsofyearstheyhelpedmen,asCicerosaid,“tolivewithjoyandtodiewithhope.”Buttheirinfluencedidnotlast,verylikelybecausenobodywasallowedtoteachtheirideasopenlyorwriteaboutthem.Intheendonlyadimmemoryofthemwasleft.ItwasquiteotherwisewithDionysus.Whatwasdoneathisgreatfestivalwasopentoalltheworldandisalivinginfluencetoday.NootherfestivalinGreececouldcomparewithit.Ittookplaceinthespringwhenthevinebeginstoputforthitsbranches,anditlastedforfivedays.Theyweredaysofperfectpeaceand

enjoyment.Alltheordinarybusinessoflifestopped.Noonecouldbeputinprison;prisonerswereevenreleasedsothattheycouldshareinthegeneralrejoicing.Buttheplacewherepeoplegatheredtodohonortothegodwasnotawildwildernessmadehorriblebysavagedeedsandabloodyfeast;itwasnotevenatempleprecinctwithorderedsacrificesandpriestlyceremonies.Itwasatheater;andtheceremonywastheperformanceofaplay.ThegreatestpoetryinGreece,andamongthegreatestintheworld,waswrittenforDionysus.Thepoetswhowrotetheplays,theactorsandsingerswhotookpartinthem,wereallregardedasservantsofthegod.Theperformancesweresacred;thespectators,too,alongwiththewritersandtheperformers,wereengagedinanactofworship.Dionysushimselfwassupposedtobepresent;hispriesthadtheseatofhonor.

Itisclear,therefore,thattheideaofthegodofholyinspirationwhocouldfillmenwithhisspirittowritegloriouslyandtoactgloriouslybecamefarmoreimportantthantheearlierideasofhim.Thefirsttragicplays,whichareamongthebestthereare,neverequaledexceptbyShakespeare,wereproducedinthetheaterofDionysus.Comedieswereproducedthere,too,buttragediesfaroutnumberedthem,andtherewasareasonwhy.

Thisstrangegod,thegayreveler,thecruelhunter,theloftyinspirer,wasalsothesufferer.He,likeDemeter,wasafflicted,notbecauseofgriefforanother,asshewas,butbecauseofhisownpain.Hewasthevine,whichisalwaysprunedasnothingelsethatbearsfruits;everybranchcutaway,onlythebarestockleft;throughthewinteradeadthingtolookat,anoldgnarledstumpseemingincapableofeverputtingforthleavesagain.LikePersephoneDionysusdiedwiththecomingofthecold.Unlikeher,hisdeathwasterrible:hewastorntopieces,insomestoriesbytheTitans,inothersbyHera’sorders.Hewasalwaysbroughtbacktolife;hediedandroseagain.Itwashisjoyfulresurrectiontheycelebratedinhistheater,buttheideaofterribledeedsdonetohimanddonebymenunderhisinfluencewastoocloselyassociatedwithhimevertobeforgotten.Hewasmorethanthesufferinggod.Hewasthetragicgod.Therewasnoneother.

Hehadstillanotherside.Hewastheassurancethatdeathdoesnotendall.Hisworshipersbelievedthathisdeathandresurrectionshowedthatthesoullivesonforeverafterthebodydies.ThisfaithwaspartofthemysteriesofEleusis.AtfirstitcenteredinPersephonewhoalsorosefromthedeadeveryspring.Butasqueenoftheblackunderworldshekepteveninthebrightworldaboveasuggestionofsomethingstrangeandawful:howcouldshewhocarriedalwaysaboutherthereminderofdeathstandfortheresurrection,theconquestofdeath?Dionysus,onthecontrary,wasneverthoughtofasapowerinthekingdomofthedead.TherearemanystoriesaboutPersephone

inthelowerworld;onlyoneaboutDionysus—herescuedhismotherfromit.Inhisresurrectionhewastheembodimentofthelifethatisstrongerthandeath.HeandnotPersephonebecamethecenterofthebeliefinimmortality.

Aroundtheyear80A.D.,agreatGreekwriter,Plutarch,receivednews,whenhewasfarfromhome,thatalittledaughterofhishaddied—achildofmostgentlenature,hesays.Inhislettertohiswifehewrites:“Aboutthatwhichyouhaveheard,dearheart,thatthesouloncedepartedfromthebodyvanishesandfeelsnothing,IknowthatyougivenobelieftosuchassertionsbecauseofthosesacredandfaithfulpromisesgiveninthemysteriesofBacchuswhichwewhoareofthatreligiousbrotherhoodknow.Weholditfirmlyforanundoubtedtruththatoursoulisincorruptibleandimmortal.Wearetothink(ofthedead)thattheypassintoabetterplaceandahappiercondition.Letusbehaveourselvesaccordingly,outwardlyorderingourlives,whilewithinallshouldbepurer,wiser,incorruptible.”

CHAPTERIII

HowtheWorldandMankindWereCreated

WiththeexceptionofthestoryofPrometheus’punishment,toldbyAeschylusinthefifthcentury,IhavetakenthematerialofthischapterchieflyfromHesiod,wholivedatleastthreehundredyearsearlier.Heistheprincipalauthorityforthemythsaboutthebeginningofeverything.BoththecrudityofthestoryofCronusandthenaïvetéofthestoryofPandoraarecharacteristicofhim.

FirsttherewasChaos,thevastimmeasurableabyss,Outrageousasasea,dark,wasteful,wild.

THESEwordsareMilton’s,buttheyexpresswithprecisionwhattheGreeksthoughtlaybackoftheveryfirstbeginningofthings.Longbeforethegodsappeared,inthedimpast,uncountedagesago,therewasonlytheformlessconfusionofChaosbroodedoverbyunbrokendarkness.Atlast,buthownooneevertriedtoexplain,twochildrenwereborntothisshapelessnothingness.NightwasthechildofChaosandsowasErebus,whichistheunfathomabledepthwheredeathdwells.Inthewholeuniversetherewasnothingelse;allwasblack,empty,silent,endless.

Andthenamarvelofmarvelscametopass.Insomemysteriousway,fromthishorrorofblankboundlessvacancythebestofallthingscameintobeing.Agreatplaywright,thecomicpoetAristophanes,describesitscominginwordsoftenquoted:—

…Black-wingedNightIntothebosomofErebusdarkanddeepLaidawind-bornegg,andastheseasonsrolledForthsprangLove,thelonged-for,shining,withwingsofgold.

FromdarknessandfromdeathLovewasborn,andwithitsbirth,orderandbeautybegantobanishblindconfusion.LovecreatedLightwithitscompanion,radiantDay.

Whattookplacenextwasthecreationoftheearth,butthis,too,nooneevertriedtoexplain.Itjusthappened.Withthecomingofloveandlightitseemednaturalthattheearthalsoshouldappear.ThepoetHesiod,thefirst

Greekwhotriedtoexplainhowthingsbegan,wrote,

Earth,thebeautiful,roseup,Broad-bosomed,shethatisthesteadfastbaseOfallthings.AndfairEarthfirstboreThestarryHeaven,equaltoherself,TocoverheronallsidesandtobeAhomeforeverfortheblessedgods.

Inallthisthoughtaboutthepastnodistinctionhadasyetbeenmadebetweenplacesandpersons.Earthwasthesolidground,yetvaguelyapersonality,too.Heavenwasthebluevaultonhigh,butitactedinsomewaysasahumanbeingwould.Tothepeoplewhotoldthesestoriesalltheuniversewasalivewiththesamekindoflifetheyknewinthemselves.Theywereindividualpersons,sotheypersonifiedeverythingwhichhadtheobviousmarksoflife,everythingwhichmovedandchanged:earthinwinterandsummer;theskywithitsshiftingstars;therestlesssea,andsoon.Itwasonlyadimpersonification:somethingvagueandimmensewhichwithitsmotionbroughtaboutchangeandthereforewasalive.

Butwhentheytoldofthecomingofloveandlighttheearlystorytellersweresettingthescenefortheappearanceofmankind,andtheybegantopersonifymoreprecisely.Theygavenaturalforcesdistinctshapes.Theythoughtofthemastheprecursorsofmenandtheydefinedthemfarmoreclearlyasindividualsthantheyhadearthandheaven.Theyshowedthemactingineverywayashumanbeingsdid;walking,forinstance,andeating,asEarthandHeavenobviouslydidnot.Thesetwoweresetapart.Iftheywerealive,itwasinawaypeculiartothemalone.

ThefirstcreatureswhohadtheappearanceoflifewerethechildrenofMotherEarthandFatherHeaven(GaeaandOuranos).Theyweremonsters.Justaswebelievethattheearthwasonceinhabitedbystrangegiganticcreatures,sodidtheGreeks.Theydidnot,however,thinkofthemashugelizardsandmammoths,butassomewhatlikemenandyetunhuman.Theyhadtheshattering,overwhelmingstrengthofearthquakeandhurricaneandvolcano.Inthetalesaboutthemtheydonotseemreallyalive,butrathertobelongtoaworldwhereasyettherewasnolife,onlytremendousmovementsofirresistibleforcesliftingupthemountainsandscoopingouttheseas.TheGreeksapparentlyhadsomesuchfeelingbecauseintheirstories,althoughtheyrepresentthesecreaturesaslivingbeings,theymakethemunlikeanyformoflifeknowntoman.

Threeofthem,monstrouslyhugeandstrong,hadeachahundredhandsandfiftyheads.TothreeotherswasgiventhenameofCyclops(theWheel-

eyed),becauseeachhadonlyoneenormouseye,asroundandasbigasawheel,inthemiddleoftheforehead.TheCyclopes,too,weregigantic,toweringuplikemightymountaincragsanddevastatingintheirpower.LastcametheTitans.Therewereanumberoftheseandtheywereinnowayinferiortotheothersinsizeandstrength,buttheywerenotpurelydestructive.Severalofthemwereevenbeneficent.One,indeed,aftermenhadbeencreated,savedthemfromdestruction.

ItwasnaturaltothinkofthesefearfulcreationsasthechildrenofMotherEarth,broughtforthfromherdarkdepthswhentheworldwasyoung.ButitisextremelyoddthattheywerealsothechildrenofHeaven.However,thatwaswhattheGreekssaid,andtheymadeHeavenouttobeaverypoorfather.Hehatedthethingswithahundredhandsandfiftyheads,eventhoughtheywerehissons,andaseachwasbornheimprisoneditinasecretplacewithintheearth.TheCyclopesandtheTitansheleftatlarge;andEarth,enragedatthemaltreatmentofherotherchildren,appealedtothemtohelpher.Onlyonewasboldenough,theTitanCronus.Helayinwaitforhisfatherandwoundedhimterribly.TheGiants,thefourthraceofmonsters,sprangupfromhisblood.Fromthissameblood,too,theErinyes(theFuries)wereborn.Theirofficewastopursueandpunishsinners.Theywerecalled“thosewhowalkinthedarkness,”andtheywereterribleofaspect,withwrithingsnakesforhairandeyesthatwepttearsofblood.Theothermonsterswerefinallydrivenfromtheearth,butnottheErinyes.Aslongastherewassinintheworldtheycouldnotbebanished.

Fromthattimeonforuntoldages,Cronus,hewhomaswehaveseentheRomanscalledSaturn,waslordoftheuniverse,withhissister-queen,Rhea(OpsinLatin).Finallyoneoftheirsons,thefuturerulerofheavenandearth,whosenameinGreekisZeusandinLatinJupiter,rebelledagainsthim.Hehadgoodcausetodoso,forCronushadlearnedthatoneofhischildrenwasdestinedsomedaytodethronehimandhethoughttogoagainstfatebyswallowingthemassoonastheywereborn.ButwhenRheaboreZeus,hersixthchild,shesucceededinhavinghimsecretlycarriedofftoCrete,whileshegaveherhusbandagreatstonewrappedinswaddlingclotheswhichhesupposedwasthebabyandswalloweddownaccordingly.Later,whenZeuswasgrown,heforcedhisfatherwiththehelpofhisgrandmother,theEarth,todisgorgeitalongwiththefiveearlierchildren,anditwassetupatDelphiwhereeonslateragreattraveler,Pausaniasbyname,reportsthathesawitabout180A.D.:“AstoneofnogreatsizewhichthepriestsofDelphianointeverydaywithoil.”

TherefollowedaterriblewarbetweenCronus,helpedbyhisbrotherTitans,againstZeuswithhisfivebrothersandsisters—awarthatalmost

wreckedtheuniverse.

Adreadfulsoundtroubledtheboundlesssea.Thewholeearthutteredagreatcry.Wideheaven,shaken,groaned.FromitsfoundationfarOlympusreeledBeneaththeonrushofthedeathlessgods,AndtremblingseizeduponblackTartarus.

TheTitanswereconquered,partlybecauseZeusreleasedfromtheirprisonthehundred-handedmonsterswhofoughtforhimwiththeirirresistibleweapons—thunder,lightning,andearthquake—andalsobecauseoneofthesonsoftheTitanIapetus,whosenamewasPrometheusandwhowasverywise,tooksideswithZeus.

Zeuspunishedhisconqueredenemiesterribly.Theywere

Boundinbitterchainsbeneaththewide-wayedearth,AsfarbelowtheearthasoverearthIsheaven,forevensofardownliesTartarus.NinedaysandnightswouldabronzeanvilfallAndonthetenthreachearthfromheaven.Andthenagainfallingninedaysandnights,WouldcometoTartarus,thebrazen-fenced.

Prometheus’brotherAtlassufferedastillworsefate.Hewascondemned

TobearonhisbackforeverThecruelstrengthofthecrushingworldAndthevaultofthesky.UponhisshouldersthegreatpillarThatholdsaparttheearthandheaven,Aloadnoteasytobeborne.

Bearingthisburdenhestandsforeverbeforetheplacethatiswrappedincloudsanddarkness,whereNightandDaydrawnearandgreetoneanother.ThehousewithinneverholdsbothNightandDay,butalwaysone,departing,visitstheearth,andtheotherinthehouseawaitsthehourforherjourneyinghence,onewithfar-seeinglightforthoseonearth,theotherholdinginherhandsSleep,thebrotherofDeath.

EvenaftertheTitanswereconqueredandcrushed,Zeuswasnotcompletelyvictorious.Earthgavebirthtoherlastandmostfrightfuloffspring,acreaturemoreterriblethananythathadgonebefore.Hisname

wasTyphon.

Aflamingmonsterwithahundredheads,Whoroseupagainstallthegods.Deathwhistledfromhisfearfuljaws,Hiseyesflashedglaringfire.

ButZeushadnowgotthethunderandlightningunderhisowncontrol.Theyhadbecomehisweapons,usedbynooneelse.HestruckTyphondownwith

Theboltthatneversleeps,Thunderwithbreathofflame.Intohisveryheartthefireburned.Hisstrengthwasturnedtoashes.AndnowheliesauselessthingByAetna,whencesometimesthereburstRiversred-hot,consumingwithfiercejawsThelevelfieldsofSicily,Lovelywithfruits.AndthatisTyphon’sangerboilingup,Hisfire-breathingdarts.

Stilllater,onemoreattemptwasmadetounseatZeus:theGiantsrebelled.Butbythistimethegodswereverystrongandtheywerehelped,too,bymightyHercules,asonofZeus.TheGiantsweredefeatedandhurleddowntoTartarus;andthevictoryoftheradiantpowersofHeavenoverthebrutalforcesofEarthwascomplete.Fromthenon,Zeusandhisbrothersandsistersruled,undisputedlordsofall.

Asyettherewerenohumanbeings;buttheworld,nowclearedofthemonsters,wasreadyformankind.Itwasaplacewherepeoplecouldliveinsomecomfortandsecurity,withouthavingtofearthesuddenappearanceofaTitanoraGiant.Theearthwasbelievedtobearounddisk,dividedintotwoequalpartsbytheSea,astheGreekscalledit,—whichweknowastheMediterranean,—andbywhatwecalltheBlackSea.(TheGreekscalledthisfirsttheAxine,whichmeanstheUnfriendlySea,andthen,perhapsaspeoplebecamefamiliarwithit,theEuxine,theFriendlySea.Itissometimessuggestedthattheygaveitthispleasantnametomakeitfeelpleasantlydisposedtowardthem.)Aroundtheearthflowedthegreatriver,Ocean,nevertroubledbywindorstorm.OnthefartherbankofOceanweremysterious

people,whomfewoneartheverfoundtheirwayto.TheCimmerianslivedthere,butwhethereast,west,north,orsouth,nooneknew.Itwasalandcloud-wrappedandmisty,wherethelightofdaywasneverseen;uponwhichtheshiningsunneverlookedwithhissplendor,notwhenheclimbedthroughthestarryskyatdawn,norwhenateveningheturnedtowardtheearthfromthesky.Endlessnightwasspreadoveritsmelancholypeople.

Exceptinthisonecountry,allthosewholivedacrossOceanwereexceedinglyfortunate.IntheremotestNorth,sofarawayitwasatthebackoftheNorthWind,wasablissfullandwheretheHyperboreanslived.Onlyafewstrangers,greatheroes,hadevervisitedit.NotbyshipnoryetonfootmightonefindtheroadtothemarvelousmeetingplaceoftheHyperboreans.ButtheMuseslivednotfarfromthem,suchweretheirways.Foreverywherethedanceofmaidensswayedandtheclearcallofthelyresoundedandtheringingnotesofflutes.Withgoldenlaureltheyboundtheirhairandtheyfeastedmerrily.Inthatholyrace,sicknessanddeathlyoldagehadnopart.FartothesouthwasthecountryoftheEthiopians,ofwhomweknowonlythatthegodsheldtheminsuchfavortheywouldsitatjoyfulbanquetswiththemintheirhalls.

OnOcean’sbank,too,wastheabodeoftheblesseddead.Inthatland,therewasnosnowfallnormuchwinternoranystormofrain;butfromOceantheWestWindsangsoftandthrillinglytorefreshthesoulsofmen.Herethosewhokeptthemselvespurefromallwrongcamewhentheylefttheearth.

Theirboonislifeforeverfreedfromtoil.NomoretotroubleearthortheseawatersWiththeirstronghands,Laboringforthefoodthatdoesnotsatisfy.ButwiththehonoredofthegodstheyliveAlifewheretherearenomoretears.Aroundthoseblessedislessoftseawindsbreathe,Andflowersofgoldareblazingonthetrees,Uponthewaters,too.

Bynowallwasreadyfortheappearanceofmankind.Eventheplacesthegoodandbadshouldgotoafterdeathhadbeenarranged.Itwastimeformentobecreated.Thereismorethanoneaccountofhowthatcametopass.SomesayitwasdelegatedbythegodstoPrometheus,theTitanwhohadsidedwithZeusinthewarwiththeTitans,andtohisbrother,Epimetheus.Prometheus,whosenamemeansforethought,wasverywise,wisereventhanthegods,butEpimetheus,whichmeansafterthought,wasascatterbrainedpersonwhoinvariablyfollowedhisfirstimpulseandthenchangedhismind.Sohedidin

thiscase.Beforemakingmenhegaveallthebestgiftstotheanimals,strengthandswiftnessandcourageandshrewdcunning,furandfeathersandwingsandshellsandthelike—untilnogoodwasleftformen,noprotectivecoveringandnoqualitytomakethemamatchforthebeasts.Toolate,asalways,hewassorryandaskedhisbrother’shelp.Prometheus,then,tookoverthetaskofcreationandthoughtoutawaytomakemankindsuperior.Hefashionedtheminanoblershapethantheanimals,uprightlikethegods;andthenhewenttoheaven,tothesun,wherehelitatorchandbroughtdownfire,aprotectiontomenfarbetterthananythingelse,whetherfurorfeathersorstrengthorswiftness.

Andnow,thoughfeebleandshort-lived,MankindhasflamingfireandtherefromLearnsmanycrafts.

Accordingtoanotherstory,thegodsthemselvescreatedmen.Theymadefirstagoldenrace.These,althoughmortal,livedlikegodswithoutsorrowofheart,farfromtoilandpain.Thecornlandofitselfborefruitabundantly.Theywererichalsoinflocksandbelovedofthegods.Whenthegravecoveredthemtheybecamepurespirits,beneficent,theguardiansofmankind.

Inthisaccountofthecreationthegodsseemedbentonexperimentingwiththevariousmetals,and,oddlyenough,proceedingdownwardfromtheexcellenttothegoodtotheworseandsoon.Whentheyhadtriedgoldtheywenttosilver.Thissecondraceofsilverwasveryinferiortothefirst.Theyhadsolittleintelligencethattheycouldnotkeepfrominjuringeachother.Theytoopassedaway,but,unlikethegoldrace,theirspiritsdidnotliveonafterthem.Thenextracewasofbrass.Theywereterriblemen,immenselystrong,andsuchloversofwarandviolencethattheywerecompletelydestroyedbytheirownhands.This,however,wasalltothegood,fortheywerefollowedbyasplendidraceofgodlikeheroeswhofoughtgloriouswarsandwentongreatadventureswhichmenhavetalkedandsungofthroughalltheagessince.Theydepartedfinallytotheislesoftheblessed,wheretheylivedinperfectblissforever.

Thefifthraceisthatwhichisnowupontheearth:theironrace.Theyliveineviltimesandtheirnaturetoohasmuchofevil,sothattheyneverhaverestfromtoilandsorrow.Asthegenerationspass,theygrowworse;sonsarealwaysinferiortotheirfathers.Atimewillcomewhentheyhavegrownsowickedthattheywillworshippower,mightwillberighttothem,andreverenceforthegoodwillceasetobe.Atlastwhennomanisangryanymoreatwrongdoingorfeelsshameinthepresenceofthemiserable,Zeuswill

destroythemtoo.Andyeteventhensomethingmightbedone,ifonlythecommonpeoplewouldariseandputdownrulersthatoppressthem.

Thesetwostoriesofthecreation,—thestoryofthefiveages,andthestoryofPrometheusandEpimetheus,—differentastheyare,agreeinonepoint.Foralongtime,certainlythroughoutthehappyGoldenAge,onlymenwereupontheearth;therewerenowomen.Zeuscreatedtheselater,inhisangeratPrometheusforcaringsomuchformen.Prometheushadnotonlystolenfireformen;hehadalsoarrangedthattheyshouldgetthebestpartofanyanimalsacrificedandthegodstheworst.Hecutupagreatoxandwrappedthegoodeatablepartsinthehide,disguisingthemfurtherbypilingentrailsontop.Besidethisheapheputanotherofallthebones,dressedupwithcunningandcoveredwithshiningfat,andbadeZeuschoosebetweenthem.Zeustookupthewhitefatandwasangrywhenhesawthebonescraftilytrickedout.Buthehadmadehischoiceandhehadtoabidebyit.Thereafteronlyfatandboneswereburnedtothegodsupontheiraltars.Menkeptthegoodmeatforthemselves.

Pandoraliftedthelidandoutflewplaguesandsorrowsformankind.

ButtheFatherofMenandofGodswasnotonetoputupwiththissortoftreatment.Hesworetoberevenged,onmankindfirstandthenonmankind’sfriend.Hemadeagreatevilformen,asweetandlovelythingtolookupon,inthelikenessofashymaiden,andallthegodsgavehergifts,silveryraimentandabroideredveil,awondertobehold,andbrightgarlandsofbloomingflowersandacrownofgold—greatbeautyshoneoutfromit.BecauseofwhattheygavehertheycalledherPandora,whichmeans“thegiftofall.”Whenthisbeautifuldisasterhadbeenmade,Zeusbroughtheroutandwondertookholdofgodsandmenwhentheybeheldher.Fromher,thefirstwoman,comestheraceofwomen,whoareaneviltomen,withanaturetodoevil.

AnotherstoryaboutPandoraisthatthesourceofallmisfortunewasnotherwickednature,butonlyhercuriosity.Thegodspresentedherwithaboxintowhicheachhadputsomethingharmful,andforbadeherevertoopenit.ThentheysenthertoEpimetheus,whotookhergladlyalthoughPrometheushadwarnedhimnevertoacceptanythingfromZeus.Hetookher,andafterwardwhenthatdangerousthing,awoman,washis,heunderstoodhowgoodhisbrother’sadvicehadbeen.ForPandora,likeallwomen,waspossessedofalivelycuriosity.Shehadtoknowwhatwasinthebox.Onedaysheliftedthelid—andoutflewplaguesinnumerable,sorrowandmischiefformankind.InterrorPandoraclappedtheliddown,buttoolate.Onegoodthing,however,wasthere—Hope.Itwastheonlygoodthecaskethadheldamongthemanyevils,anditremainstothisdaymankind’ssolecomfortinmisfortune.SomortalslearnedthatitisnotpossibletogetthebetterofZeusoreverdeceivehim.ThewiseandcompassionatePrometheus,too,foundthatout.

WhenZeushadpunishedmenbygivingthemwomenheturnedhisattentiontothearch-sinnerhimself.ThenewrulerofthegodsowedPrometheusmuchforhelpinghimconquertheotherTitans,butheforgothisdebt.Zeushadhisservants,ForceandViolence,seizehimandtakehimtotheCaucasus,wheretheyboundhim

Toahigh-piercing,headlongrockInadamantinechainsthatnonecanbreak,

andtheytoldhim,

Forevershalltheintolerablepresentgrindyoudown.Andhewhowillreleaseyouisnotborn.Suchfruityoureapforyourman-lovingways.Agodyourself,youdidnotdreadGod’sanger,

Butgavetomortalshonornottheirdue.Andthereforeyoumustguardthisjoylessrock—Norest,nosleep,nomoment’srespite.Groansshallyourspeechbe,lamentationyouronlywords.

ThereasonforinflictingthistorturewasnotonlytopunishPrometheus,butalsotoforcehimtodiscloseasecretveryimportanttothelordofOlympus.Zeusknewthatfate,whichbringsallthingstopass,haddecreedthatasonshouldsomedaybeborntohimwhowoulddethronehimanddrivethegodsfromtheirhomeinheaven,butonlyPrometheusknewwhowouldbethemotherofthisson.Ashelayboundupontherockinagony,Zeussenthismessenger,Hermes,tobidhimdisclosethesecret.Prometheustoldhim:—

Goandpersuadetheseawavenottobreak.Youwillpersuademenomoreeasily.

Hermeswarnedhimthatifhepersistedinhisstubbornsilence,heshouldsufferstillmoreterriblethings.

AneagleredwithbloodShallcome,aguestunbiddentoyourbanquet.Alldaylonghewillteartoragsyourbody,Feastinginfuryontheblackenedliver.

Butnothing,nothreat,nortorture,couldbreakPrometheus.Hisbodywasboundbuthisspiritwasfree.Herefusedtosubmittocrueltyandtyranny.HeknewthathehadservedZeuswellandthathehaddonerighttopitymortalsintheirhelplessness.Hissufferingwasutterlyunjust,andhewouldnotgiveintobrutalpowernomatteratwhatcost.HetoldHermes:—

Thereisnoforcewhichcancompelmyspeech.SoletZeushurlhisblazingbolts,Andwiththewhitewingsofthesnow,Withthunderandwithearthquake,Confoundthereelingworld.Noneofallthiswillbendmywill.

Hermes,cryingout,

Why,theseareravingsyoumayhearfrommadmen,

lefthimtosufferwhathemust.Generationslaterweknowhewasreleased,butwhyandhowisnottoldclearlyanywhere.ThereisastrangestorythattheCentaur,Chiron,thoughimmortal,waswillingtodieforhimandthathewasallowedtodoso.WhenHermeswasurgingPrometheustogiveintoZeushespokeofthis,butinsuchawayastomakeitseemanincrediblesacrifice:—

LookfornoendingtothisagonyUntilagodwillfreelysufferforyou,Willtakeonhimyourpain,andinyoursteadDescendtowherethesunisturnedtodarkness,Theblackdepthsofdeath.

ButChirondiddothisandZeusseemstohaveacceptedhimasasubstitute.Wearetold,too,thatHerculesslewtheeagleanddeliveredPrometheusfromhisbonds,andthatZeuswaswillingtohavethisdone.ButwhyZeuschangedhismindandwhetherPrometheusrevealedthesecretwhenhewasfreed,wedonotknow.Onething,however,iscertain:inwhateverwaythetwowerereconciled,itwasnotPrometheuswhoyielded.Hisnamehasstoodthroughallthecenturies,fromGreekdaystoourown,asthatofthegreatrebelagainstinjusticeandtheauthorityofpower.

Thereisstillanotheraccountofthecreationofmankind.Inthestoryofthefiveagesmenaredescendedfromtheironrace.InthestoryofPrometheus,itisuncertainwhetherthemenhesavedfromdestructionbelongedtothatraceorthebronzerace.Firewouldhavebeenasnecessarytotheoneastotheother.Inthethirdstory,menaredescendedfromaraceofstone.ThisstorybeginswiththeDeluge.

AllovertheearthmengrewsowickedthatfinallyZeusdeterminedtodestroythem.Hedecided

TominglestormandtempestoverboundlessearthAndmakeanutterendofmortalman.

Hesenttheflood.Hecalleduponhisbrother,theGodoftheSea,tohelphim,andtogether,withtorrentsofrainfromheavenandriversloosedupontheearth,thetwodrownedtheland.

Themightofwateroverwhelmeddarkearth,

overthesummitsofthehighestmountains.OnlytoweringParnassuswasnotquitecovered,andthebitofdrylandonitsverytopmostpeakwasthemeansbywhichmankindescapeddestruction.Afterithadrainedthrough,ninedaysandninenights,therecamedriftingtothatspotwhatlookedtobeagreatwoodenchest,butsafewithinitweretwolivinghumanbeings,amanandawoman.TheywereDeucalionandPyrrha—hePrometheus’son,andshehisniece,thedaughterofEpimetheusandPandora.Thewisestpersoninalltheuniverse,Prometheushadwellbeenabletoprotecthisownfamily.Heknewthefloodwouldcome,andhehadbiddenhissonbuildthechest,storeitwithprovisions,andembarkinitwithhiswife.

FortunatelyZeuswasnotoffended,becausethetwowerepious,faithfulworshipersofthegods.Whenthechestcametolandandtheygotout,toseenosignoflifeanywhere,onlyawildwasteofwaters,Zeuspitiedthemanddrainedofftheflood.Slowlyliketheebbingtidetheseaandtheriversdrewbackandtheearthwasdryagain.PyrrhaandDeucalioncamedownfromParnassus,theonlylivingcreaturesinadeadworld.Theyfoundatempleallslimyandmoss-grown,butnotquiteinruins,andtheretheygavethanksfortheirescapeandprayedforhelpintheirdreadfulloneliness.Theyheardavoice.“Veilyourheadsandcastbehindyouthebonesofyourmother.”Thecommandsstruckthemwithhorror.Pyrrhasaid,“Wedarenotdosuchathing.”Deucalionwasforcedtoagreethatshewasright,buthetriedtothinkoutwhatmightliebehindthewordsandsuddenlyhesawtheirmeaning.“Earthisthemotherofall,”hetoldhiswife.“Herbonesarethestones.Thesewemaycastbehinduswithoutdoingwrong.”Sotheydid,andasthestonesfelltheytookhumanshape.TheywerecalledtheStonePeople,andtheywereahard,enduringrace,aswastobeexpectedand,indeed,astheyhadneedtobe,torescuetheearthfromthedesolationleftbytheflood.

CHAPTERIV

TheEarliestHeroes

PROMETHEUSANDIO

Thematerialsforthisstoryaretakenfromtwopoets,theGreekAeschylusandtheRomanOvid,separatedfromeachotherbyfourhundredandfiftyyearsandstillmorebytheirgiftsandtemperaments.Theyarethebestsourcesforthetale.Itiseasytodistinguishthepartstoldbyeach,Aeschylusgraveanddirect,Ovidlightandamusing.Thetouchaboutlovers’liesischaracteristicofOvid,asalsothelittlestoryaboutSyrinx.

INthosedayswhenPrometheushadjustgivenfiretomenandwhenhewasfirstboundtotherockypeakonCaucasus,hehadastrangevisitor.Adistractedfleeingcreaturecameclamberingawkwardlyupoverthecliffsandcragstowherehelay.Itlookedlikeaheifer,buttalkedlikeagirlwhoseemedmadwithmisery.ThesightofPrometheusstoppedhershort.Shecried,

ThisthatIsee—Aformstorm-beaten,Boundtotherock.Didyoudowrong?Isthisyourpunishment?WhereamI?Speaktoawretchedwanderer.Enough—Ihavebeentriedenough—Mywandering—longwandering.YetIhavefoundnowhereToleavemymisery.Iamagirlwhospeaktoyou,Buthornsareonmyhead.

Prometheusrecognizedher.Heknewherstoryandhespokehername.

Iknowyou,girl,Inachus’daughter,Io.Youmadethegod’shearthotwithloveAndHerahatesyou.SheitisWhodrivesyouonthisflightthatneverends.

WondercheckedIo’sfrenzy.Shestoodstill,allamazed.Hername—

spokenbythisstrangebeinginthisstrange,lonelyplace!Shebegged,

Whoareyou,sufferer,thatspeakthetruthToonewhosuffers?

Andheanswered,

YouseePrometheuswhogavemortalsfire.

Sheknewhim,then,andhisstory.

You—hewhosuccoredthewholeraceofmen?You,thatPrometheus,thedaring,theenduring?

Theytalkedfreelytoeachother.HetoldherhowZeushadtreatedhim,andshetoldhimthatZeuswasthereasonwhyshe,onceaprincessandahappygirl,hadbeenchangedinto

Abeast,astarvingbeast,Thatfrenziedrunswithclumsyleapsandbounds.Oh,shame…

Zeus’sjealouswife,Hera,wasthedirectcauseofhermisfortunes,butbackofthemallwasZeushimself.Hefellinlovewithher,andsent

EvertomymaidenchamberVisionsofthenightPersuadingmewithgentlewords:“Ohappy,happygirl,Whyareyoualltoolongamaid?ThearrowofdesirehaspiercedZeus.Foryouheisonfire.Withyouitishiswilltocapturelove.”Always,eachnight,suchdreamspossessedme.

ButstillgreaterthanZeus’slovewashisfearofHera’sjealousy.Heacted,however,withverylittlewisdomfortheFatherofGodsandMenwhenhetriedtohideIoandhimselfbywrappingtheearthinacloudsothickanddarkthatasuddennightseemedtodrivethecleardaylightaway.Heraknewperfectlywellthattherewasareasonforthisoddoccurrence,andinstantly

suspectedherhusband.Whenshecouldnotfindhimanywhereinheavensheglidedswiftlydowntotheearthandorderedthecloudoff.ButZeustoohadbeenquick.Asshecaughtsightofhimhewasstandingbesideamostlovelywhiteheifer—Io,ofcourse.Hesworethathehadneverseenheruntiljustnowwhenshehadsprungforth,newborn,fromtheearth.Andthis,Ovidsays,showsthattheliesloverstelldonotangerthegods.However,italsoshowsthattheyarenotveryuseful,forHeradidnotbelieveawordofit.ShesaidtheheiferwasveryprettyandwouldZeuspleasemakeherapresentofit.Sorryashewas,hesawatoncethattorefusewouldgivethewholethingaway.Whatexcusecouldhemake?Aninsignificantlittlecow…HeturnedIoreluctantlyovertohiswifeandHeraknewverywellhowtokeepherawayfromhim.

ShegaveherintothechargeofArgus,anexcellentarrangementforHera’spurpose,sinceArgushadahundredeyes.Beforesuchawatchman,whocouldsleepwithsomeoftheeyesandkeeponguardwiththerest,Zeusseemedhelpless.HewatchedIo’smisery,turnedintoabeast,drivenfromherhome;hedarednotcometoherhelp.Atlast,however,hewenttohissonHermes,themessengerofthegods,andtoldhimhemustfindawaytokillArgus.TherewasnogodclevererthanHermes.AssoonashehadsprungtoearthfromheavenhelaidasideeverythingthatmarkedhimasagodandapproachedArguslikeacountryfellow,playingverysweetlyuponapipeofreeds.Arguswaspleasedatthesoundandcalledtothemusiciantocomenearer.“Youmightaswellsitbymeonthisrock,”hesaid,“youseeit’sshady—justrightforshepherds.”NothingcouldhavebeenbetterforHermes’plan,andyetnothinghappened.Heplayedandthenhetalkedonandon,asdrowsilyandmonotonouslyashecould;someofthehundredeyeswouldgotosleep,butsomewerealwaysawake.Atlast,however,onestorywassuccessful—aboutthegodPan,howhelovedanymphnamedSyrinxwhofledfromhimandjustashewasabouttoseizeherwasturnedintoatuftofreedsbyhersisternymphs.Pansaid,“Stillyoushallbemine,”andhemadefromwhatshehadbecome

Ashepherd’spipeOfreedswithbeeswaxjoined.

Thelittlestorydoesnotseemespeciallytiresome,assuchstoriesgo,butArgusfounditso.Allofhiseyeswenttosleep.Hermeskilledhimatonce,ofcourse,butHeratooktheeyesandsettheminthetailofthepeacock,herfavoritebird.

ItseemedthenthatIowasfree,butno;Heraatonceturnedonheragain.

Shesentagad-flytoplagueher,whichstunghertomadness.IotoldPrometheus,

Hedrivesmeallalongthelongseastrand.Imaynotstopforfoodordrink.Hewillnotletmesleep.

Prometheustriedtocomforther,buthecouldpointheronlytothedistantfuture.Whatlayimmediatelybeforeherwasstillmorewanderingandinfearsomelands.Tobesure,thepartoftheseashefirstranalonginherfrenzywouldbecalledIonianafterher,andtheBosphorus,whichmeanstheFordoftheCow,wouldpreservethememoryofwhenshewentthroughit,butherrealconsolationmustbethatatlonglastshewouldreachtheNile,whereZeuswouldrestorehertoherhumanform.ShewouldbearhimasonnamedEpaphus,andliveforeverafterhappyandhonored.And

Knowthis,thatfromyourracewillspringOnegloriouswiththebow,bold-hearted,Andheshallsetmefree.

Io’sdescendantwouldbeHercules,greatestofheroes,thanwhomhardlythegodsweregreater,andtowhomPrometheuswouldowehisfreedom.

EUROPA

Thisstory,soliketheRenaissanceideaoftheclassical—fantastic,delicatelydecorated,bright-colored—istakenentirelyfromapoemofthethird-centuryAlexandrianpoetMoschus,byfarthebestaccountofit.

IowasnottheonlygirlwhogainedgeographicalfamebecauseZeusfellinlovewithher.Therewasanother,knownfarmorewidely—Europa,thedaughteroftheKingofSidon.ButwhereasthewretchedIohadtopaydearlyforthedistinction,Europawasexceedinglyfortunate.Exceptforafewmomentsofterrorwhenshefoundherselfcrossingthedeepseaonthebackofabullshedidnotsufferatall.ThestorydoesnotsaywhatHerawasaboutatthetime,butitisclearthatshewasoffguardandherhusbandfreetodoashepleased.

Upinheavenonespringmorningasheidlywatchedtheearth,Zeussuddenlysawacharmingspectacle.Europahadwakedearly,troubledjustas

Iohadbeenbyadream,onlythistimenotofagodwholovedherbutoftwoContinentswhoeachintheshapeofawomantriedtopossessher,Asiasayingthatshehadgivenherbirthandthereforeownedher,andtheother,asyetnameless,declaringthatZeuswouldgivethemaidentoher.

Onceawakefromthisstrangevisionwhichhadcomeatdawn,thetimewhentruedreamsoftenestvisitmortals,Europadecidednottotrytogotosleepagain,buttosummonhercompanions,girlsborninthesameyearasherselfandallofnoblebirth,togooutwithhertothelovelybloomingmeadowsnearthesea.Herewastheirfavoritemeetingplace,whethertheywantedtodanceorbathetheirfairbodiesattherivermouthorgatherflowers.

Thistimeallhadbroughtbaskets,knowingthattheflowerswerenowattheirperfection.Europa’swasofgold,exquisitelychasedwithfigureswhichshowed,oddlyenough,thestoryofIo,herjourneysintheshapeofacow,thedeathofArgus,andZeuslightlytouchingherwithhisdivinehandandchangingherbackintoawoman.Itwas,asmaybeperceived,amarvelworthgazingupon,andhadbeenmadebynolessapersonagethanHephaestus,thecelestialworkmanofOlympus.

Lovelyasthebasketwas,therewereflowersaslovelytofillitwith,sweet-smellingnarcissusandhyacinthsandvioletsandyellowcrocus,andmostradiantofall,thecrimsonsplendorofthewildrose.Thegirlsgatheredthemdelightedly,wanderinghereandthereoverthemeadow,eachoneamaidenfairestamongthefair;yetevenso,EuropashoneoutamongthemastheGoddessofLoveoutshinesthesisterGraces.AnditwasthatveryGoddessofLovewhobroughtaboutwhatnexthappened.AsZeusinheavenwatchedtheprettyscene,shewhoalonecanconquerZeus—alongwithherson,themischievousboyCupid—shotoneofhershaftsintohisheart,andthatveryinstanthefellmadlyinlovewithEuropa.EventhoughHerawasaway,hethoughtitwelltobecautious,andbeforeappearingtoEuropahechangedhimselfintoabull.Notsuchaoneasyoumightseeinastallorgrazinginafield,butonebeautifulbeyondallbullsthateverwere,brightchestnutincolor,withasilvercircleonhisbrowandhornslikethecrescentoftheyoungmoon.Heseemedsogentleaswellassolovelythatthegirlswerenotfrightenedathiscoming,butgatheredaroundtocaresshimandtobreathetheheavenlyfragrancethatcamefromhim,sweetereventhanthatoftheflowerymeadow.ItwasEuropahedrewtoward,andasshegentlytouchedhim,helowedsomusically,noflutecouldgiveforthamoremelodioussound.

TherapeofEuropa

Thenhelaydownbeforeherfeetandseemedtoshowherhisbroadback,andshecriedtotheotherstocomewithherandmounthim.

Forsurelyhewillbearusonhisback,Heissomildanddearandgentletobehold.Heisnotlikeabull,butlikeagood,trueman,Excepthecannotspeak.

Smilingshesatdownonhisback,buttheothers,quickthoughtheyweretofollowher,hadnochance.Thebullleapedupandatfullspeedrushedtotheseashoreandthennotinto,butover,thewidewater.Ashewentthewavesgrewsmoothbeforehimandawholeprocessionroseupfromthedeepandaccompaniedhim—thestrangesea-gods,Nereidsridingupondolphins,andTritonsblowingtheirhorns,andthemightyMasteroftheSeahimself,Zeus’sownbrother.

Europa,frightenedequallybythewondrouscreaturesshesawandthemovingwatersallaround,clungwithonehandtothebull’sgreathornandwiththeothercaughtupherpurpledresstokeepitdry,andthewinds

SwelledoutthedeepfoldsevenasasailSwellsonaship,andevergentlythusTheywaftedher.

Nobullcouldthisbe,thoughtEuropa,butmostcertainlyagod;andshespokepleadinglytohim,begginghimtopityherandnotleaveherinsomestrangeplaceallalone.Hespoketoherinanswerandshowedhershehadguessedrightlywhathewas.Shehadnocausetofear,hetoldher.HewasZeus,greatestofgods,andallhewasdoingwasfromloveofher.HewastakinghertoCrete,hisownisland,wherehismotherhadhiddenhimfromCronuswhenhewasborn,andthereshewouldbearhim

GlorioussonswhosesceptresshallholdswayOverallmenonearth.

Everythinghappened,ofcourse,asZeushadsaid.Cretecameintosight;theylanded,andtheSeasons,thegatekeepersofOlympus,arrayedherforherbridal.Hersonswerefamousmen,notonlyinthisworldbutinthenext—wheretwoofthem,MinosandRhadamanthus,wererewardedfortheirjusticeupontheearthbybeingmadethejudgesofthedead.Butherownnameremainsthebestknownofall.

THECYCLOPSPOLYPHEMUS

ThefirstpartofthisstorygoesbacktotheOdyssey;thesecondpartistoldonlybythethird-centuryAlexandrianpoetTheocritus;thelastpartcouldhavebeenwrittenbynooneexceptthesatiristLucian,inthesecondcenturyA.D.Atleastathousandyearsseparatethebeginningfromtheend.Homer’svigorandpowerofstorytelling,theprettyfanciesofTheocritus,thesmartcynicismofLucian,illustrateintheirdegreethecourseofGreekliterature.

Allthemonstrousformsoflifewhichwerefirstcreated,thehundred-handedcreatures,theGiants,andsoon,werepermanentlybanishedfromtheearthwhentheyhadbeenconquered,withthesingleexceptionoftheCyclopes.Theywereallowedtocomeback,andtheybecamefinallygreatfavoritesofZeus.Theywerewonderfulworkmenandtheyforgedhisthunderbolts.Atfirsttherehadbeenonlythree,butlaterthereweremany.Zeusgavethemahomeinafortunatecountrywherethevineyardsandcornlands,unplowedandunsown,borefruitsplenteously.Theyhadgreatflocksofsheepandgoatsaswell,andtheylivedattheirease.Theirfiercenessandsavagetemper,however,didnotgrowless;theyhadnolawsorcourtsofjustice,buteachonedidashepleased.Itwasnotagoodcountryforstrangers.

AgesafterPrometheuswaspunished,whenthedescendantsofthemenhehelpedhadgrowncivilizedandhadlearnedtobuildfar-sailingships,aGreekprincebeachedhisboatontheshoreofthisdangerousland.HisnamewasOdysseus(UlyssesinLatin)andhewasonhiswayhomeafterthedestructionofTroy.InthehardestbattlehehadfoughtwiththeTrojans,hehadnevercomeasneartodeathashedidthen.

Notfarfromthespotwherehiscrewhadmadethevesselfastwasacave,opentowardtheseaandverylofty.Itlookedinhabited;therewasastrongfencebeforetheentrance.Odysseusstartedofftoexploreitwithtwelveofhismen.Theywereinneedoffoodandhetookwithhimagoatskinfullofverypotentandmellowwinetogivewhoeverlivedthereinreturnforhospitality.Thegateinthefencewasnotclosedandtheymadetheirwayintothecave.Noonewasthere,butitwasclearlythedwellingofsomeveryprosperousperson.Alongthesidesofthecaveweremanycrowdedpensoflambsandkids.Alsotherewereracksfullofcheesesandpailsbrimmingwithmilk,delightfultothesea-worntravelerswhoateanddrankastheywaitedforthemaster.

Atlasthecame,hideousandhuge,tallasagreatmountaincrag.Drivinghisflockbeforehimheenteredandclosedthecave’smouthwithaponderous

slabofstone.Thenlookingaroundhecaughtsightofthestrangers,andcriedoutinadreadfulboomingvoice,“WhoareyouwhoenterunbiddenthehouseofPolyphemus?Tradersorthievingpirates?”Theywereterror-strickenatthesightandsoundofhim,butOdysseusmadeswifttoanswer,andfirmly,too:“ShipwreckedwarriorsfromTroyarewe,andyoursuppliants,undertheprotectionofZeus,thesuppliants’god.”ButPolyphemusroaredoutthathecarednotforZeus.Hewasbiggerthananygodandfearednoneofthem.Withthat,hestretchedouthismightyarmsandineachgreathandheseizedoneofthemenanddashedhisbrainsoutontheground.Slowlyhefeastedoffthemtothelastshred,andthen,satisfied,stretchedhimselfoutacrossthecavernandslept.Hewassafefromattack.Noonebuthecouldrollbackthehugestonebeforethedoor,andifthehorrifiedmenhadbeenabletosummoncourageandstrengthenoughtokillhimtheywouldhavebeenimprisonedthereforever.

DuringthatlongterriblenightOdysseusfacedtheawfulthingthathadhappenedandwouldhappentoeveryoneofthemifhecouldnotthinkoutsomewayofescape.ButbythetimedayhaddawnedandtheflockgatheringattheentrancewoketheCyclopsup,noideaatallhadcometohim.Hehadtowatchtwomoreofhiscompanydie,forPolyphemusbreakfastedashehadsupped.Thenhedroveouthisflock,movingbackthebigblockatthedoorandpushingitintoplaceagainaseasilyasamanopensandshutsthelidtohisquiver.Throughouttheday,shutinthecave,Odysseusthoughtandthought.Fourofhismenhadperishedhideously.Musttheyallgothesamedreadfulway?Atlastaplanshapeditselfinhismind.Anenormoustimberlaynearthepens,aslongandasthickasthemastofatwenty-oaredship.Fromthishecutoffagoodpiece,andthenheandhismensharpeneditandhardenedthepointbyturningitroundandroundinthefire.TheyhadfinishedandhiddenitbythetimetheCyclopscameback.Therefollowedthesamehorriblefeastasbefore.WhenitwasoverOdysseusfilledacupwithhisownwinethathehadbroughtwithhimandofferedittotheCyclops.Heemptieditwithdelightanddemandedmore,andOdysseuspouredforhimuntilfinallyadrunkensleepovercamehim.ThenOdysseusandhismendrewoutthegreatstakefromitshiding-placeandheatedthepointinthefireuntilitalmostburstintoflame.Somepowerfromonhighbreathedamadcourageintothemandtheydrovethered-hotspikerightintotheCyclops’eye.Withanawfulscreamhesprangupandwrenchedthepointout.Thiswayandthatheflungaroundthecavernsearchingforhistormentors,but,blindashewas,theywereabletoslipawayfromhim.

Atlasthepushedasidethestoneattheentranceandsatdownthere,stretchinghisarmsacross,thinkingthustocatchthemwhentheytriedtoget

away.ButOdysseushadmadeaplanforthis,too.Hebadeeachmanchooseoutthreethick-fleecedramsandbindthemtogetherwithstrong,pliantstripsofbark;thentowaitforday,whentheflockwouldbesentouttopasture.AtlastthedawncameandasthebeastscrowdingthroughtheentrancepassedoutPolyphemusfeltthemovertobesurenoonecarriedamanonhisback.Heneverthoughttofeelunderneath,butthatwaswherethemenwere,eachtuckedunderthemiddleram,holdingontothegreatfleece.Onceoutofthatfearfulplacetheydroppedtothegroundand,hurryingtotheship,innotimelauncheditandwereaboard.ButOdysseuswastooangrytoleaveinprudentsilence.Hesentagreatshoutoverthewatertotheblindgiantatthecave’smouth.“So,Cyclops,youwerenotquitestrongenoughtoeatallofthepunymen?Youarerightlypunishedforwhatyoudidtothosewhowereguestsinyourhouse.”

ThewordsstungPolyphemustotheheart.Uphesprangandtoreagreatcragfromthemountainandflungitattheship.Itcamewithinahair’sbreadthofcrushingtheprow,andwiththebackwashtheboatwasbornelandward.Thecrewputalltheirstrengthintotheiroarsandjustsucceededinpullingouttosea.WhenOdysseussawthattheyweresafelyaway,hecriedagaintauntingly,“Cyclops,Odysseus,wreckerofcities,putoutyoureye,anddoyousotellanyonewhoasks.”Buttheyweretoofaroffbythen;thegiantcoulddonothing.Hesatblindedontheshore.

ThiswastheonlystorytoldaboutPolyphemusformanyyears.Centuriespassedandhewasstillthesame,afrightfulmonster,shapeless,huge,hiseyeputout.Butfinallyhechanged,aswhatisuglyandevilisapttochangeandgrowmilderwithtime.Perhapssomestorytellersawthehelpless,sufferingcreatureOdysseusleftbehindasathingtobepitied.Atallevents,thenextstoryabouthimshowshiminaverypleasinglight,notterrifyingatall,butamostpoorcredulousmonster,amostridiculousmonster,quiteawareofhowhideousanduncouthandrepulsivehewas,andthereforewretched,becausehewasmadlyinlovewiththecharming,mockingseanymph,Galatea.BythistimetheplacewherehelivedwasSicilyandhehadsomehowgothiseyeback,perhapsbysomemiracleofhisfatherwhointhisstoryisPoseidon,thegreatGodoftheSea.ThelovelorngiantknewGalateawouldneverhavehim;hiscasewashopeless.Andyet,wheneverhispainmadehimhardenhisheartagainstherandbidhimself,“Milktheeweyouhave;whypursuewhatshunsyou?,”theminxwouldcomesoftlystealingnearhim;thensuddenlyashowerofappleswouldpelthisflockandhervoicewouldringinhisearscallinghimalaggardinlove.Butnosoonerwasheupandafterherthanshewouldbeoff,laughingathisslowclumsinessashetriedtofollowher.Allhecoulddowasagaintositwretchedandhelplessontheshore,butthistimenottryingin

furytokillpeople,onlysingingmournfullovesongstosoftentheseanymph’sheart.

Inamuchlaterstory,Galateaturnedkind,notbecausetheexquisite,delicate,milk-whitemaid,asPolyphemuscalledherinhissongs,fellinlovewiththehideousone-eyedcreature(inthistale,too,hehasgotbackhiseye),butbecausesheprudentlyreflectedthathewasthefavoredsonoftheLordoftheSeaandbynomeanstobedespised.Soshetoldhersisternymph,Doris,whohadratherhopedtoattracttheCyclopsherself,andwhobeganthetalkbysayingscornfully,“Afineloveryou’vegot—thatSicilianshepherd.Everybody’stalkingaboutit.”

GALATEA:Noneofyourairs,please.He’sthesonofPoseidon.There!DORIS:Zeus’s,forallIcare.Onething’scertain—he’sanugly,ill-manneredbrute.

GALATEA:Justletmetellyou,Doris,there’ssomethingverymanlyabouthim.Ofcourseit’struehe’sgotonlyoneeye,butheseesaswellwithitasifhehadtwo.

DORIS:Itsoundsasifyouwereinloveyourself.GALATEA:Iinlove—withPolyphemus!NotI—butofcourseIcanguesswhyyou’retalkinglikethis.Youknowperfectlywellhehasnevernoticedyou—onlyme.

DORIS:Ashepherdwithonlyoneeyethinksyouhandsome!That’ssomethingtobeproudof.Anyway,youwon’thavetocookforhim.Hecanmakeaverygoodmealoffatraveler,Iunderstand.

ButPolyphemusneverwonGalatea.ShefellinlovewithabeautifulyoungprincenamedAcis,whomPolyphemus,furiouslyjealous,killed.However,Aciswaschangedintoariver-god,sothatstoryendedwell.ButwearenottoldthatPolyphemuseverlovedanymaidenexceptGalatea,orthatanymaideneverlovedPolyphemus.

FLOWER-MYTHS:NARCISSUS,HYACINTH,ADONIS

ThefirststoryaboutthecreationofthenarcissusistoldonlyinanearlyHomericHymnoftheseventhoreighthcentury,thesecondIhavetakenfromOvid.Thereisanimmensedifferencebetweenthetwopoets,whoareseparatedfromeachothernotonlybysixorsevenhundredyears,butalsobythefundamentaldifferencebetweentheGreekandtheRoman.TheHymniswrittenobjectively,simply,without

atouchofaffectation.Thepoetisthinkingofhissubject.Ovidisasalwaysthinkingofhisaudience.Buthetellsthisstorywell.ThebitabouttheghosttryingtolookatitselfintheriverofdeathisasubtletouchwhichisquitecharacteristicofhimandquiteunlikeanyGreekwriter.EuripidesgivesthebestaccountofthefestivalofHyacinthus;ApollodorusandOvidbothtellhisstory.WheneverthereisanyvividnessinmynarrativeitmaybeascribedsecurelytoOvid.Apollodorusneverdeviatesintoanythinglikethat.AdonisIhavetakenfromtwothird-centurypoets,TheocritusandBion.ThetaleistypicaloftheAlexandrianpoets,tender,alittlesoft,butalwaysinexquisitetaste.

InGreecetherearemostlovelywildflowers.Theywouldbebeautifulanywhere,butGreeceisnotarichandfertilecountryofwidemeadowsandfruitfulfieldswhereflowersseemathome.Itisalandofrockywaysandstonyhillsandruggedmountains,andinsuchplacestheexquisitevividbloomofthewildflowers,

Aprofusionofdelight,Gay,bewilderinglybright,

comesasastartlingsurprise.Bleakheightsarecarpetedinradiantcolors;everycrackandcreviceofafrowningcragblossoms.Thecontrastofthislaughing,luxuriantbeautywiththeclear-cut,austeregrandeurallaroundarreststheattentionsharply.Elsewherewildflowersmaybelittlenoticed—butneverinGreece.

Thatwasastrueinthedaysofoldasitisnow.InthefarawayageswhenthetalesofGreekmythologyweretakingshapemenfoundthebrilliantblossomsoftheGreekspringawonderandadelight.Thosepeopleseparatedfromusbythousandsofyears,andalmostcompletelyunknowntous,feltaswedobeforethatmiracleofloveliness,eachflowersodelicate,yetalltogethercoveringthelandlikearainbowmantleflungoverthehills.ThefirststorytellersinGreecetoldstoryafterstoryaboutthem,howtheyhadbeencreatedandwhytheyweresobeautiful.

Itwasthemostnaturalthingpossibletoconnectthemwiththegods.Allthingsinheavenandearthweremysteriouslylinkedwiththedivinepowers,butbeautifulthingsmostofall.Oftenanespeciallyexquisiteflowerwasheldtobethedirectcreationofagodforhisownpurpose.Thatwastrueofthenarcissus,whichwasnotlikeoursofthatname,butalovelybloomof

glowingpurpleandsilver.Zeuscalleditintobeingtohelphisbrother,thelordofthedarkunderworld,whenhewantedtocarryawaythemaidenhehadfalleninlovewith,Demeter’sdaughter,Persephone.ShewasgatheringflowerswithhercompanionsinthevaleofEnna,inameadowofsoftgrassandrosesandcrocusandlovelyvioletsandirisandhyacinths.Suddenlyshecaughtsightofsomethingquitenewtoher,abloommorebeautifulbyfarthananyshehadeverseen,astrangegloryofaflower,amarveltoall,immortalgodsandmortalmen.Ahundredblossomsgrewupfromtheroots,andthefragrancewasverysweet.Thebroadskyaboveandthewholeearthlaughedtoseeit,andthesaltwaveofthesea.

OnlyPersephoneamongthemaidenshadspiedit.Therestwereattheotherendofthemeadow.Shestoletowardit,halffearfulatbeingalone,butunabletoresistthedesiretofillherbasketwithit,exactlyasZeushadsupposedshewouldfeel.Wonderingshestretchedoutherhandstotakethelovelyplaything,butbeforeshetoucheditachasmopenedintheearthandoutofitcoal-blackhorsessprang,drawingachariotanddrivenbyonewhohadalookofdarksplendor,majesticandbeautifulandterrible.Hecaughthertohimandheldherclose.Thenextmomentshewasbeingborneawayfromtheradianceofearthinspringtimetotheworldofthedeadbythekingwhorulesit.

Thiswasnottheonlystoryaboutthenarcissus.Therewasanother,asmagical,butquitedifferent.Theheroofitwasabeautifullad,whosenamewasNarcissus.Hisbeautywassogreat,allthegirlswhosawhimlongedtobehis,buthewouldhavenoneofthem.Hewouldpasstheloveliestcarelesslyby,nomatterhowmuchshetriedtomakehimlookather.Heartbrokenmaidenswerenothingtohim.Eventhesadcaseofthefairestofthenymphs,Echo,didnotmovehim.ShewasafavoriteofArtemis,thegoddessofwoodsandwildcreatures,butshecameunderthedispleasureofastillmightiergoddess,Heraherself,whowasatherusualoccupationoftryingtodiscoverwhatZeuswasabout.Shesuspectedthathewasinlovewithoneofthenymphsandshewenttolookthemovertotrytodiscoverwhich.However,shewasimmediatelydivertedfromherinvestigationbyEcho’sgaychatter.Asshelistenedamused,theotherssilentlystoleawayandHeracouldcometonoconclusionastowhereZeus’swanderingfancyhadalighted.WithherusualinjusticesheturnedagainstEcho.ThatnymphbecameanotherunhappygirlwhomHerapunished.Thegoddesscondemnedhernevertousehertongueagainexcepttorepeatwhatwassaidtoher.“Youwillalwayshavethelastword,”Herasaid,“butnopowertospeakfirst.”

Thiswasveryhard,buthardestofallwhenEcho,too,withalltheother

lovelornmaidens,lovedNarcissus.Shecouldfollowhim,butshecouldnotspeaktohim.Howthencouldshemakeayouthwhoneverlookedatagirlpayattentiontoher?Oneday,however,itseemedherchancehadcome.Hewascallingtohiscompanions.“Isanyonehere?”andshecalledbackinrapture,“Here—Here.”Shewasstillhiddenbythetreessothathedidnotseeher,andheshouted,“Come!”—justwhatshelongedtosaytohim.Sheansweredjoyfully,“Come!”andsteppedforthfromthewoodswithherarmsoutstretched.Butheturnedawayinangrydisgust.“Notso,”hesaid;“IwilldiebeforeIgiveyoupoweroverme.”Allshecouldsaywas,humbly,entreatingly,“Igiveyoupoweroverme,”buthewasgone.Shehidherblushesandhershameinalonelycave,andnevercouldbecomforted.Stillshelivesinplaceslikethat,andtheysayshehassowastedawaywithlongingthatonlyhervoicenowislefttoher.

SoNarcissuswentonhiscruelway,ascorneroflove.Butatlastoneofthosehewoundedprayedaprayeranditwasansweredbythegods:“Mayhewholovesnototherslovehimself.”ThegreatgoddessNemesis,whichmeansrighteousanger,undertooktobringthisabout.AsNarcissusbentoveraclearpoolforadrinkandsawtherehisownreflection,onthemomenthefellinlovewithit.“NowIknow,”hecried,“whatothershavesufferedfromme,forIburnwithloveofmyownself—andyethowcanIreachthatlovelinessIseemirroredinthewater?ButIcannotleaveit.Onlydeathcansetmefree.”Andsoithappened.Hepinedaway,leaningperpetuallyoverthepool,fixedinonelonggaze.Echowasnearhim,butshecoulddonothing;onlywhen,dying,hecalledtohisimage,“Farewell—farewell,”shecouldrepeatthewordsasalastgood-byetohim.

Theysaythatwhenhisspiritcrossedtheriverthatencirclestheworldofthedead,itleanedovertheboattocatchafinalglimpseofitselfinthewater.

Thenymphshehadscornedwerekindtohimindeathandsoughthisbodytogiveitburial,buttheycouldnotfindit.Whereithadlaintherewasbloominganewandlovelyflower,andtheycalleditbyhisname,Narcissus.

Anotherflowerthatcameintobeingthroughthedeathofabeautifulyouthwasthehyacinth,againnotliketheflowerwecallbythatname,butlily-shapedandofadeeppurple,or,somesay,asplendidcrimson.Thatwasatragicdeath,andeachyearitwascommemoratedby

ThefestivalofHyacinthusThatlaststhroughoutthetranquilnight.InacontestwithApolloHewasslain.Discusthrowingtheycompeted,

Andthegod’sswiftcastSpedbeyondthegoalheaimedat

andstruckHyacinthusfullintheforeheadaterriblewound.HehadbeenApollo’sdearestcompanion.Therewasnorivalrybetweenthemwhentheytriedwhichcouldthrowthediscusfarthest;theywereonlyplayingagame.Thegodwashorror-strucktoseethebloodgushforthandthelad,deathlypale,falltotheground.Heturnedaspalehimselfashecaughthimupinhisarmsandtriedtostanchthewound.Butitwastoolate.Whileheheldhimtheboy’sheadfellbackasaflowerdoeswhenitsstemisbroken.HewasdeadandApollokneelingbesidehimweptforhim,dyingsoyoung,sobeautiful.Hehadkilledhim,althoughthroughnofaultofhis,andhecried,“Oh,ifIcouldgivemylifeforyours,ordiewithyou.”Evenashespoke,thebloodstainedgrassturnedgreenagainandtherebloomedforththewondrousflowerthatwastomakethelad’snameknownforever.Apollohimselfinscribedthepetals—somesaywithHyacinth’sinitial,andotherswiththetwolettersoftheGreekwordthatmeans“Alas”;eitherway,amemorialofthegod’sgreatsorrow.

Thereisastory,too,thatZephyr,theWestWind,notApollo,wasthedirectcauseofthedeath,thathealsolovedthisfairestofyouthsandinhisjealousangeratseeingthegodpreferredtohimheblewuponthediscusandmadeitstrikeHyacinth.

Suchcharmingtalesoflovelyyoungpeoplewho,dyinginthespringtimeoflife,werefittinglychangedintospringflowers,haveprobablyadarkbackground.Theygiveahintofblackdeedsthatweredoneinthefar-distantpast.LongbeforetherewereanystoriestoldinGreeceoranypoemssungwhichhavecomedowntous,perhapsevenbeforetherewerestorytellersandpoets,itmighthappen,ifthefieldsaroundavillagewerenotfruitful,ifthecorndidnotspringupasitshould,thatoneofthevillagerswouldbekilledandhis—orher—bloodsprinkledoverthebarrenland.TherewasnoideaasyetoftheradiantgodsofOlympuswhowouldhaveloathedthehatefulsacrifice.Mankindhadonlyadimfeelingthatastheirownlifedependedutterlyonseedtimeandharvest,theremustbeadeepconnectionbetweenthemselvesandtheearthandthattheirblood,whichwasnourishedbythecorn,couldinturnnourishitatneed.Whatmorenaturalthen,ifabeautifulboyhadthusbeenkilled,thantothinkwhenlaterthegroundbloomedwithnarcissusorhyacinthsthattheflowerswerehisveryself,changedandyet

livingagain?Sotheywouldtelleachotherithadhappened,alovelymiraclewhichmadethecrueldeathseemlesscruel.Thenastheagespassedandpeoplenolongerbelievedthattheearthneededbloodtobefruitful,allthatwascruelinthestorywouldbedroppedandintheendforgotten.Noonewouldrememberthatterriblethingshadoncebeendone.Hyacinthus,theywouldsay,diednotslaughteredbyhiskinsfolktogetfoodforthem,butonlybecauseofasorrowfulmistake.

OfthesedeathsandfloweryresurrectionsthemostfamouswasthatofAdonis.EveryyeartheGreekgirlsmournedforhimandeveryyeartheyrejoicedwhenhisflower,thebloodredanemone,thewindflower,wasseenbloomingagain.Aphroditelovedhim;theGoddessofLove,whopierceswithhershaftstheheartsofgodsandmenalike,wasfatedherselftosufferthatsamepiercingpain.

Shesawhimwhenhewasbornandeventhenlovedhimanddecidedheshouldbehers.ShecarriedhimtoPersephonetotakechargeofhimforher,butPersephonelovedhimtooandwouldnotgivehimbacktoAphrodite,notevenwhenthegoddesswentdowntotheunderworldtogethim.Neithergoddesswouldyield,andfinallyZeushimselfhadtojudgebetweenthem.HedecidedthatAdonisshouldspendhalftheyearwitheach,theautumnandwinterwiththeQueenoftheDead;thespringandsummerwiththeGoddessofLoveandBeauty.

AllthetimehewaswithAphroditeshesoughtonlytopleasehim.Hewaskeenforthechase,andoftenshewouldleaveherswan-drawncar,inwhichshewasusedtoglideathereasethroughtheair,andfollowhimalongroughwoodlandwaysdressedlikeahuntress.Butonesaddayshehappenednottobewithhimandhetrackeddownamightyboar.Withhishuntingdogshebroughtthebeasttobay.Hehurledhisspearatit,butheonlywoundedit,andbeforehecouldspringaway,theboarmadwithpainrushedathimandgoredhimwithitsgreattusks.Aphroditeinherwingedcarhighovertheearthheardherlover’sgroanandflewtohim.

Hewassoftlybreathinghislifeaway,thedarkbloodflowingdownhisskinofsnowandhiseyesgrowingheavyanddim.Shekissedhim,butAdonisknewnotthatshekissedhimashedied.Cruelashiswoundwas,thewoundinherheartwasdeeper.Shespoketohim,althoughsheknewhecouldnothearher:—

“Youdie,Othricedesired,

Andmydesirehasflownlikeadream.Gonewithyouisthegirdleofmybeauty,ButImyselfmustlivewhoamagoddessAndmaynotfollowyou.Kissmeyetonceagain,thelast,longkiss,UntilIdrawyoursoulwithinmylipsAnddrinkdownallyourlove.”

Themountainsallwerecallingandtheoaktreesanswering,Oh,woe,woeforAdonis.Heisdead.AndEchocriedinanswer,Oh,woe,woeforAdonis.AndalltheLovesweptforhimandalltheMusestoo.

ButdownintheblackunderworldAdoniscouldnothearthem,norseethecrimsonflowerthatsprangupwhereeachdropofhisbloodhadstainedtheearth.

PARTTWO

StoriesofLoveandAdventure

CHAPTERI

CupidandPsyche

ThisstoryistoldonlybyApuleius,aLatinwriterofthesecondcenturyA.D.TheLatinnamesofthegodsarethereforeused.Itisaprettilytoldtale,afterthemannerofOvid.Thewriterisentertainedbywhathewrites;hebelievesnoneofit.

THEREwasonceakingwhohadthreedaughters,alllovelymaidens,buttheyoungest,Psyche,excelledhersisterssogreatlythatbesidethemsheseemedaverygoddessconsortingwithmeremortals.Thefameofhersurpassingbeautyspreadovertheearth,andeverywheremenjourneyedtogazeuponherwithwonderandadorationandtodoherhomageasthoughshewereintruthoneoftheimmortals.TheywouldevensaythatVenusherselfcouldnotequalthismortal.Astheythrongedinever-growingnumberstoworshipherlovelinessnooneanymoregaveathoughttoVenusherself.Hertempleswereneglected;heraltarsfoulwithcoldashes;herfavoritetownsdesertedandfallinginruins.Allthehonorsonceherswerenowgiventoameregirldestinedsomedaytodie.

Itmaywellbebelievedthatthegoddesswouldnotputupwiththistreatment.Asalwayswhenshewasintroublesheturnedforhelptoherson,thatbeautifulwingedyouthwhomsomecallCupidandothersLove,againstwhosearrowsthereisnodefense,neitherinheavennorontheearth.Shetoldhimherwrongsandasalwayshewasreadytodoherbidding.“Useyourpower,”shesaid,“andmakethehussyfallmadlyinlovewiththevilestandmostdespicablecreaturethereisinthewholeworld.”Andsonodoubthewouldhavedone,ifVenushadnotfirstshownhimPsyche,neverthinkinginherjealousragewhatsuchbeautymightdoeventotheGodofLovehimself.Ashelookeduponheritwasasifhehadshotoneofhisarrowsintohisownheart.Hesaidnothingtohismother,indeedhehadnopowertoutteraword,andVenuslefthimwiththehappyconfidencethathewouldswiftlybringaboutPsyche’sruin.

Whathappened,however,wasnotwhatshehadcountedon.Psychedidnotfallinlovewithahorriblewretch,shedidnotfallinloveatall.Stillmorestrange,noonefellinlovewithher.Menwerecontenttolookandwonderandworship—andthenpassontomarrysomeoneelse.Bothhersisters,inexpressiblyinferiortoher,weresplendidlymarried,eachtoaking.Psyche,

theall-beautiful,satsadandsolitary,onlyadmired,neverloved.Itseemedthatnomanwantedher.

Thiswas,ofcourse,mostdisturbingtoherparents.HerfatherfinallytraveledtoanoracleofApollotoaskhisadviceonhowtogetheragoodhusband.Thegodansweredhim,buthiswordswereterrible.Cupidhadtoldhimthewholestoryandhadbeggedforhishelp.AccordinglyApollosaidthatPsyche,dressedindeepestmourning,mustbesetonthesummitofarockyhillandleftalone,andthatthereherdestinedhusband,afearfulwingedserpent,strongerthanthegodsthemselves,wouldcometoherandmakeherhiswife.

ThemiseryofallwhenPsyche’sfatherbroughtbackthislamentablenewscanbeimagined.Theydressedthemaidenasthoughforherdeathandcarriedhertothehillwithgreatersorrowingthanifithadbeentohertomb.ButPsycheherselfkepthercourage.“Youshouldhaveweptformebefore,”shetoldthem,“becauseofthebeautythathasdrawndownuponmethejealousyofHeaven.Nowgo,knowingthatIamgladtheendhascome.”Theywentindespairinggrief,leavingthelovelyhelplesscreaturetomeetherdoomalone,andtheyshutthemselvesintheirpalacetomournalltheirdaysforher.

OnthehighhilltopinthedarknessPsychesat,waitingforsheknewnotwhatterror.There,assheweptandtrembled,asoftbreathofaircamethroughthestillnesstoher,thegentlebreathingofZephyr,sweetestandmildestofwinds.Shefeltitliftherup.Shewasfloatingawayfromtherockyhillanddownuntilshelayuponagrassymeadowsoftasabedandfragrantwithflowers.Itwassopeacefulthere,allhertroubleleftherandsheslept.Shewokebesideabrightriver;andonitsbankwasamansionstatelyandbeautifulasthoughbuiltforagod,withpillarsofgoldandwallsofsilverandfloorsinlaidwithpreciousstones.Nosoundwastobeheard;theplaceseemeddesertedandPsychedrewnear,awestruckatthesightofsuchsplendor.Asshehesitatedonthethreshold,voicessoundedinherear.Shecouldseenoone,butthewordstheyspokecameclearlytoher.Thehousewasforher,theytoldher.Shemustenterwithoutfearandbatheandrefreshherself.Thenabanquettablewouldbespreadforher.“Weareyourservants,”thevoicessaid,“readytodowhateveryoudesire.”

Thebathwasthemostdelightful,thefoodthemostdelicious,shehadeverenjoyed.Whileshedined,sweetmusicbreathedaroundher:agreatchoirseemedtosingtoaharp,butshecouldonlyhear,notsee,them.Throughouttheday,exceptforthestrangecompanionshipofthevoices,shewasalone,butinsomeinexplicablewayshefeltsurethatwiththecomingofthenightherhusbandwouldbewithher.Andsoithappened.Whenshefelthimbesideherandheardhisvoicesoftlymurmuringinherear,allherfearslefther.She

knewwithoutseeinghimthatherewasnomonsterorshapeofterror,buttheloverandhusbandshehadlongedandwaitedfor.

Thishalf-and-halfcompanionshipcouldnotfullycontenther;stillshewashappyandthetimepassedswiftly.Onenight,however,herdearthoughunseenhusbandspokegravelytoherandwarnedherthatdangerintheshapeofhertwosisterswasapproaching.“Theyarecomingtothehillwhereyoudisappeared,toweepforyou,”hesaid;“butyoumustnotletthemseeyouoryouwillbringgreatsorrowuponmeandruintoyourself.”Shepromisedhimshewouldnot,butallthenextdayshepassedinweeping,thinkingofhersistersandherselfunabletocomfortthem.Shewasstillintearswhenherhusbandcameandevenhiscaressescouldnotcheckthem.Atlastheyieldedsorrowfullytohergreatdesire.“Dowhatyouwill,”hesaid,“butyouareseekingyourowndestruction.”Thenhewarnedhersolemnlynottobepersuadedbyanyonetotrytoseehim,onpainofbeingseparatedfromhimforever.Psychecriedoutthatshewouldneverdoso.Shewoulddieahundredtimesoverratherthanlivewithouthim.“Butgivemethisjoy,”shesaid:“toseemysisters.”Sadlyhepromisedherthatitshouldbeso.

Thenextmorningthetwocame,broughtdownfromthemountainbyZephyr.Happyandexcited,Psychewaswaitingforthem.Itwaslongbeforethethreecouldspeaktoeachother;theirjoywastoogreattobeexpressedexceptbytearsandembraces.Butwhenatlasttheyenteredthepalaceandtheeldersisterssawitssurpassingtreasures;whentheysatattherichbanquetandheardthemarvelousmusic,bitterenvytookpossessionofthemandadevouringcuriosityastowhowasthelordofallthismagnificenceandtheirsister’shusband.ButPsychekeptfaith;shetoldthemonlythathewasayoungman,awaynowonahuntingexpedition.Thenfillingtheirhandswithgoldandjewels,shehadZephyrbearthembacktothehill.Theywentwillinglyenough,buttheirheartswereonfirewithjealousy.AlltheirownwealthandgoodfortuneseemedtothemasnothingcomparedwithPsyche’s,andtheirenviousangersoworkedinthemthattheycamefinallytoplottinghowtoruinher.

ThatverynightPsyche’shusbandwarnedheroncemore.Shewouldnotlistenwhenhebeggedhernottoletthemcomeagain.Shenevercouldseehim,sheremindedhim.Wasshealsotobeforbiddentoseeallothers,evenhersisterssodeartoher?Heyieldedasbefore,andverysoonthetwowickedwomenarrived,withtheirplotcarefullyworkedout.

Already,becauseofPsyche’sstumblingandcontradictoryanswerswhentheyaskedherwhatherhusbandlookedlike,theyhadbecomeconvincedthatshehadneverseteyesonhimanddidnotreallyknowwhathewas.Theydidnottellherthis,buttheyreproachedherforhidingherterriblestatefrom

them,herownsisters.Theyhadlearned,theysaid,andknewforafact,thatherhusbandwasnotaman,butthefearfulserpentApollo’soraclehaddeclaredhewouldbe.Hewaskindnow,nodoubt,buthewouldcertainlyturnuponhersomenightanddevourher.

Psyche,aghast,feltterrorfloodingherheartinsteadoflove.Shehadwonderedsooftenwhyhewouldneverletherseehim.Theremustbesomedreadfulreason.Whatdidshereallyknowabouthim?Ifhewasnothorribletolookat,thenhewascrueltoforbidherevertobeholdhim.Inextrememisery,falteringandstammering,shegavehersisterstounderstandthatshecouldnotdenywhattheysaid,becauseshehadbeenwithhimonlyinthedark.“Theremustbesomethingverywrong,”shesobbed,“forhimsotoshunthelightofday.”Andshebeggedthemtoadviseher.

Theyhadtheiradviceallpreparedbeforehand.Thatnightshemusthideasharpknifeandalampnearherbed.Whenherhusbandwasfastasleepshemustleavethebed,lightthelamp,andgettheknife.Shemuststeelherselftoplungeitswiftlyintothebodyofthefrightfulbeingthelightwouldcertainlyshowher.“Wewillbenear,”theysaid,“andcarryyouawaywithuswhenheisdead.”

Thentheylefthertornbydoubtanddistractedwhattodo.Shelovedhim;hewasherdearhusband.No;hewasahorribleserpentandsheloathedhim.Shewouldkillhim—Shewouldnot.Shemusthavecertainty—Shedidnotwantcertainty.Soalldaylongherthoughtsfoughtwitheachother.Wheneveningcame,however,shehadgiventhestruggleup.Onethingshewasdeterminedtodo:shewouldseehim.

Whenatlasthelaysleepingquietly,shesummonedallhercourageandlitthelamp.Shetiptoedtothebedandholdingthelighthighabovehershegazedatwhatlaythere.Oh,thereliefandtherapturethatfilledherheart.Nomonsterwasrevealed,butthesweetestandfairestofallcreatures,atwhosesighttheverylampseemedtoshinebrighter.Inherfirstshameatherfollyandlackoffaith,Psychefellonherkneesandwouldhaveplungedtheknifeintoherownbreastifithadnotfallenfromhertremblinghands.Butthosesameunsteadyhandsthatsavedherbetrayedher,too,forasshehungoverhim,ravishedatthesightofhimandunabletodenyherselftheblissoffillinghereyeswithhisbeauty,somehotoilfellfromthelampuponhisshoulder.Hestartedawake:hesawthelightandknewherfaithlessness,andwithoutawordhefledfromher.

Sherushedoutafterhimintothenight.Shecouldnotseehim,butsheheardhisvoicespeakingtoher.Hetoldherwhohewas,andsadlybadeherfarewell.“Lovecannotlivewherethereisnotrust,”hesaid,andflewaway.“TheGodofLove!”shethought.“Hewasmyhusband,andI,wretchthatI

am,couldnotkeepfaithwithhim.Ishegonefrommeforever?…Atanyrate,”shetoldherselfwithrisingcourage,“Icanspendtherestofmylifesearchingforhim.Ifhehasnomoreloveleftforme,atleastIcanshowhimhowmuchIlovehim.”Andshestartedonherjourney.Shehadnoideawheretogo;sheknewonlythatshewouldnevergiveuplookingforhim.

Hemeanwhilehadgonetohismother’schambertohavehiswoundcaredfor,butwhenVenusheardhisstoryandlearnedthatitwasPsychewhomhehadchosen,shelefthimangrilyaloneinhispain,andwentforthtofindthegirlofwhomhehadmadeherstillmorejealous.VenuswasdeterminedtoshowPsychewhatitmeanttodrawdownthedispleasureofagoddess.

PoorPsycheinherdespairingwanderingswastryingtowinthegodsovertoherside.Sheofferedardentprayerstothemperpetually,butnotoneofthemwoulddoanythingtomakeVenustheirenemy.Atlastsheperceivedthattherewasnohopeforher,eitherinheavenoronearth,andshetookadesperateresolve.ShewouldgostraighttoVenus;shewouldofferherselfhumblytoherasherservant,andtrytosoftenheranger.“Andwhoknows,”shethought,“ifhehimselfisnotthereinhismother’shouse.”Soshesetforthtofindthegoddesswhowaslookingeverywhereforher.

PsychegazedatthesleepingCupid.

WhenshecameintoVenus’presencethegoddesslaughedaloudandaskedherscornfullyifshewasseekingahusbandsincetheoneshehadhadwouldhavenothingtodowithherbecausehehadalmostdiedoftheburningwoundshehadgivenhim.“Butreally,”shesaid,“youaresoplainandill-favoredagirlthatyouwillneverbeabletogetyoualoverexceptbythemostdiligentandpainfulservice.Iwillthereforeshowmygoodwilltoyoubytrainingyouinsuchways.”Withthatshetookagreatquantityofthesmallestoftheseeds,wheatandpoppyandmilletandsoon,andmixedthemalltogetherinaheap.“Bynightfallthesemustallbesorted,”shesaid.“Seetoitforyourownsake.”Andwiththatshedeparted.

Psyche,leftalone,satstillandstaredattheheap.Hermindwasallinamazebecauseofthecrueltyofthecommand;and,indeed,itwasofnousetostartatasksomanifestlyimpossible.Butatthisdirefulmomentshewhohadawakenednocompassioninmortalsorimmortalswaspitiedbythetiniestcreaturesofthefield,thelittleants,theswift-runners.Theycriedtoeachother,“Come,havemercyonthispoormaidandhelpherdiligently.”Atoncetheycame,wavesofthem,oneafteranother,andtheylaboredseparatinganddividing,untilwhathadbeenaconfusedmasslayallordered,everyseedwithitskind.ThiswaswhatVenusfoundwhenshecameback,andveryangryshewastoseeit.“Yourworkisbynomeansover,”shesaid.ThenshegavePsycheacrustofbreadandbadehersleeponthegroundwhilesheherselfwentofftohersoft,fragrantcouch.Surelyifshecouldkeepthegirlathardlaborandhalfstarveher,too,thathatefulbeautyofherswouldsoonbelost.Untilthenshemustseethathersonwassecurelyguardedinhischamberwherehewasstillsufferingfromhiswound.Venuswaspleasedatthewaymatterswereshaping.

ThenextmorningshedevisedanothertaskforPsyche,thistimeadangerousone.“Downthereneartheriverbank,”shesaid,“wherethebushesgrowthick,aresheepwithfleecesofgold.Gofetchmesomeoftheirshiningwool.”Whentheworngirlreachedthegentlyflowingstream,agreatlongingseizedhertothrowherselfintoitandendallherpainanddespair.Butasshewasbendingoverthewatersheheardalittlevoicefromnearherfeet,andlookingdownsawthatitcamefromagreenreed.Shemustnotdrownherself,itsaid.Thingswerenotasbadasthat.Thesheepwereindeedveryfierce,butifPsychewouldwaituntiltheycameoutofthebushestowardeveningtorestbesidetheriver,shecouldgointothethicketandfindplentyofthegoldenwoolhangingonthesharpbriars.

Sospokethekindandgentlereed,andPsyche,followingthedirections,wasabletocarrybacktohercruelmistressaquantityoftheshiningfleece.Venusreceiveditwithanevilsmile.“Someonehelpedyou,”shesaidsharply.

“Neverdidyoudothisbyyourself.However,Iwillgiveyouanopportunitytoprovethatyoureallyhavethestoutheartandthesingularprudenceyoumakesuchashowof.Doyouseethatblackwaterwhichfallsfromthehillyonder?Itisthesourceoftheterribleriverwhichiscalledhateful,theriverStyx.Youaretofillthisflaskfromit.”Thatwastheworsttaskyet,asPsychesawwhensheapproachedthewaterfall.Onlyawingedcreaturecouldreachit,sosteepandslimyweretherocksonallsides,andsofearfultheonrushofthedescendingwaters.Butbythistimeitmustbeevidenttoallthereadersofthisstory(as,perhaps,deepinherheartithadbecomeevidenttoPsycheherself)thatalthougheachofhertrialsseemedimpossiblyhard,anexcellentwayoutwouldalwaysbeprovidedforher.Thistimehersaviorwasaneagle,whopoisedonhisgreatwingsbesideher,seizedtheflaskfromherwithhisbeakandbroughtitbacktoherfulloftheblackwater.

ButVenuskepton.Onecannotbutaccuseherofsomestupidity.Theonlyeffectofallthathadhappenedwastomakehertryagain.ShegavePsycheaboxwhichshewastocarrytotheunderworldandaskProserpinetofillwithsomeofherbeauty.ShewastotellherthatVenusreallyneededit,shewassoworn-outfromnursinghersickson.ObedientlyasalwaysPsychewentforthtolookfortheroadtoHades.Shefoundherguideinatowershepassed.ItgavehercarefuldirectionshowtogettoProserpine’spalace,firstthroughagreatholeintheearth,thendowntotheriverofdeath,whereshemustgivetheferryman,Charon,apennytotakeheracross.Fromtheretheroadledstraighttothepalace.Cerberus,thethree-headeddog,guardedthedoors,butifshegavehimacakehewouldbefriendlyandletherpass.

Allhappened,ofcourse,asthetowerhadforetold.ProserpinewaswillingtodoVenusaservice,andPsyche,greatlyencouraged,borebackthebox,returningfarmorequicklythanshehadgonedown.

Hernexttrialshebroughtuponherselfthroughhercuriosityand,stillmore,hervanity.Shefeltthatshemustseewhatthatbeauty-charmintheboxwas;and,perhaps,usealittleofitherself.SheknewquiteaswellasVenusdidthatherlookswerenotimprovedbywhatshehadgonethrough,andalwaysinhermindwasthethoughtthatshemightsuddenlymeetCupid.Ifonlyshecouldmakeherselfmorelovelyforhim!Shewasunabletoresistthetemptation;sheopenedthebox.Tohersharpdisappointmentshesawnothingthere;itseemedempty.Immediately,however,adeadlylanguortookpossessionofherandshefellintoaheavysleep.

AtthisjuncturetheGodofLovehimselfsteppedforward.CupidwashealedofhiswoundbynowandlongingforPsyche.ItisadifficultmattertokeepLoveimprisoned.Venushadlockedthedoor,buttherewerethewindows.AllCupidhadtodowastoflyoutandstartlookingforhiswife.

Shewaslyingalmostbesidethepalace,andhefoundheratonce.Inamomenthehadwipedthesleepfromhereyesandputitbackintothebox.Thenwakingherwithjustaprickfromoneofhisarrows,andscoldingheralittleforhercuriosity,hebadehertakeProserpine’sboxtohismotherandheassuredherthatallthereafterwouldbewell.

WhilethejoyfulPsychehastenedonhererrand,thegodflewuptoOlympus.HewantedtomakecertainthatVenuswouldgivethemnomoretrouble,sohewentstraighttoJupiterhimself.TheFatherofGodsandMenconsentedatoncetoallthatCupidasked—“Eventhough,”hesaid,“youhavedonemegreatharminthepast—seriouslyinjuredmygoodnameandmydignitybymakingmechangemyselfintoabullandaswanandsoon….However,Icannotrefuseyou.”

Thenhecalledafullassemblyofthegods,andannouncedtoall,includingVenus,thatCupidandPsychewereformallymarried,andthatheproposedtobestowimmortalityuponthebride.MercurybroughtPsycheintothepalaceofthegods,andJupiterhimselfgavehertheambrosiatotastewhichmadeherimmortal.This,ofcourse,completelychangedthesituation.Venuscouldnotobjecttoagoddessforherdaughter-in-law;thealliancehadbecomeeminentlysuitable.NodoubtshereflectedalsothatPsyche,livingupinheavenwithahusbandandchildrentocarefor,couldnotbemuchontheearthtoturnmen’sheadsandinterferewithherownworship.

Soallcametoamosthappyend.LoveandtheSoul(forthatiswhatPsychemeans)hadsoughtand,aftersoretrials,foundeachother;andthatunioncouldneverbebroken.

CHAPTERII

EightBriefTalesofLovers

PYRAMUSANDTHISBE

ThisstoryisfoundonlyinOvid.Itisquitecharacteristicofhimathisbest:well-told;severalrhetoricalmonologues;alittleessayonLovebytheway.

ONCEuponatimethedeepredberriesofthemulberrytreewerewhiteassnow.Thechangeincolorcameaboutstrangelyandsadly.Thedeathoftwoyoungloverswasthecause.

PyramusandThisbe,hethemostbeautifulyouthandshetheloveliestmaidenofalltheEast,livedinBabylon,thecityofQueenSemiramis,inhousessoclosetogetherthatonewallwascommontoboth.Growingupthussidebysidetheylearnedtoloveeachother.Theylongedtomarry,buttheirparentsforbade.Love,however,cannotbeforbidden.Themorethatflameiscoveredup,thehotteritburns.Alsolovecanalwaysfindaway.Itwasimpossiblethatthesetwowhoseheartswereonfireshouldbekeptapart.

Inthewallbothhousessharedtherewasalittlechink.Noonebeforehadnoticedit,butthereisnothingaloverdoesnotnotice.Ourtwoyoungpeoplediscovereditandthroughittheywereabletowhispersweetlybackandforth.Thisbeononeside,Pyramusontheother.Thehatefulwallthatseparatedthemhadbecometheirmeansofreachingeachother.“Butforyouwecouldtouch,kiss,”theywouldsay.“Butatleastyouletusspeaktogether.Yougiveapassageforlovingwordstoreachlovingears.Wearenotungrateful.”Sotheywouldtalk,andasnightcameonandtheymustpart,eachwouldpressonthewallkissesthatcouldnotgothroughtothelipsontheotherside.

Everymorningwhenthedawnhadputoutthestars,andthesun’srayshaddriedthehoarfrostonthegrass,theywouldstealtothecrackand,standingthere,nowutterwordsofburningloveandnowlamenttheirhardfate,butalwaysinsoftestwhispers.Finallyadaycamewhentheycouldendurenolonger.Theydecidedthatthatverynighttheywouldtrytoslipawayandstealoutthroughthecityintotheopencountrywhereatlasttheycouldbetogetherinfreedom.Theyagreedtomeetatawell-knownplace,theTombofNinus,underatreethere,atallmulberryfullofsnow-whiteberries,nearwhichacoolspringbubbledup.Theplanpleasedthemanditseemedtothemthedaywouldneverend.

Atlastthesunsankintotheseaandnightarose.InthedarknessThisbe

creptoutandmadeherwayinallsecrecytothetomb.Pyramushadnotcome;stillshewaitedforhim,herlovemakingherbold.Butofasuddenshesawbythelightofthemoonalioness.Thefiercebeasthadmadeakill;herjawswerebloodyandshewascomingtoslakeherthirstinthespring.ShewasstillfarawayforThisbetoescape,butasshefledshedroppedhercloak.Thelionesscameuponitonherwaybacktoherlairandshemoutheditandtoreitbeforedisappearingintothewoods.ThatiswhatPyramussawwhenheappearedafewminuteslater.Beforehimlaythebloodstainedshredsofthecloakandclearinthedustwerethetracksofthelioness.Theconclusionwasinevitable.Heneverdoubtedthatheknewall.Thisbewasdead.Hehadlethislove,atendermaiden,comealonetoaplacefullofdanger,andnotbeentherefirsttoprotecther.“ItisIwhokilledyou,”hesaid.Heliftedupfromthetrampleddustwhatwasleftofthecloakandkissingitagainandagaincarriedittothemulberrytree.“Now,”hesaid,“youshalldrinkmybloodtoo.”Hedrewhisswordandplungeditintohisside.Thebloodspurtedupovertheberriesanddyedthemadarkred.

Thisbe,althoughterrifiedofthelioness,wasstillmoreafraidtofailherlover.Sheventuredtogobacktothetreeofthetryst,themulberrywiththeshiningwhitefruit.Shecouldnotfindit.Atreewasthere,butnotonegleamofwhitewasonthebranches.Asshestaredatit,somethingmovedonthegroundbeneath.Shestartedbackshuddering.Butinamoment,peeringthroughtheshadows,shesawwhatwasthere.ItwasPyramus,bathedinbloodanddying.Sheflewtohimandthrewherarmsaroundhim.Shekissedhiscoldlipsandbeggedhimtolookather,tospeaktoher.“ItisI,yourThisbe,yourdearest,”shecriedtohim.Atthesoundofhernameheopenedhisheavyeyesforonelook.Thendeathclosedthem.

Shesawhisswordfallenfromhishandandbesideithercloakstainedandtorn.Sheunderstoodall.“Yourownhandkilledyou,”shesaid,“andyourloveforme.Itoocanbebrave.Itoocanlove.Onlydeathwouldhavehadthepowertoseparateus.Itshallnothavethatpowernow.”Sheplungedintoherhearttheswordthatwasstillwetwithhislife’sblood.

Thegodswerepitifulattheend,andthelovers’parentstoo.Thedeepredfruitofthemulberryistheeverlastingmemorialofthesetruelovers,andoneurnholdstheashesofthetwowhomnotevendeathcouldpart.

ORPHEUSANDEURYDICE

TheaccountofOrpheuswiththeArgonautsistoldonlybyApolloniusofRhodes,athird-centuryGreekpoet.TherestofthestoryistoldbestbytwoRomanpoets,VirgilandOvid,inverymuchthesamestyle.The

Latinnamesofthegodsarethereforeusedhere.ApolloniusinfluencedVirgilagooddeal.Indeed,anyoneofthethreemighthavewrittentheentirestoryasitstands.

Theveryearliestmusicianswerethegods.Athenawasnotdistinguishedinthatline,butsheinventedtheflutealthoughsheneverplayeduponit.HermesmadethelyreandgaveittoApollowhodrewfromitsoundssomelodiousthatwhenheplayedinOlympusthegodsforgotallelse.Hermesalsomadetheshepherd-pipeforhimselfanddrewenchantingmusicfromit.Panmadethepipeofreedswhichcansingassweetlyasthenightingaleinspring.TheMuseshadnoinstrumentpeculiartothem,buttheirvoiceswerelovelybeyondcompare.

Nextinordercameafewmortalssoexcellentintheirartthattheyalmostequaledthedivineperformers.OfthesebyfarthegreatestwasOrpheus.Onhismother’ssidehewasmorethanmortal.HewasthesonofoneoftheMusesandaThracianprince.HismothergavehimthegiftofmusicandThracewherehegrewupfosteredit.TheThracianswerethemostmusicalofthepeoplesofGreece.ButOrpheushadnorivalthereoranywhereexceptthegodsalone.Therewasnolimittohispowerwhenheplayedandsang.Nooneandnothingcouldresisthim.

InthedeepstillwoodsupontheThracianmountainsOrpheuswithhissinginglyreledthetrees,Ledthewildbeastsofthewilderness.

Everythinganimateandinanimatefollowedhim.Hemovedtherocksonthehillsideandturnedthecourseoftherivers.

Littleistoldabouthislifebeforehisill-fatedmarriage,forwhichheisevenbetterknownthanforhismusic,buthewentononefamousexpeditionandprovedhimselfamostusefulmemberofit.HesailedwithJasonontheArgo,andwhentheheroeswerewearyortherowingwasespeciallydifficulthewouldstrikehislyreandtheywouldbearousedtofreshzealandtheiroarswouldsmitetheseatogetherintimetothemelody.Orifaquarrelthreatenedhewouldplaysotenderlyandsoothinglythatthefiercestspiritswouldgrowcalmandforgettheiranger.Hesavedtheheroes,too,fromtheSirens.Whentheyheardfarovertheseasingingsoenchantinglysweetthatitdroveoutallotherthoughtsexceptadesperatelongingtohearmore,andtheyturnedtheshiptotheshorewheretheSirenssat,Orpheussnatcheduphislyreandplayedatunesoclearandringingthatitdrownedthesoundofthoselovely

fatalvoices.Theshipwasputbackonhercourseandthewindsspedherawayfromthedangerousplace.IfOrpheushadnotbeentheretheArgonauts,too,wouldhavelefttheirbonesontheSirens’island.

Wherehefirstmetandhowhewooedthemaidenheloved,Eurydice,wearenottold,butitisclearthatnomaidenhewantedcouldhaveresistedthepowerofhissong.Theyweremarried,buttheirjoywasbrief.Directlyafterthewedding,asthebridewalkedinameadowwithherbridesmaids,aviperstungherandshedied.Orpheus’griefwasoverwhelming.Hecouldnotendureit.HedeterminedtogodowntotheworldofdeathandtrytobringEurydiceback.Hesaidtohimself,

WithmysongIwillcharmDemeter’sdaughter,IwillcharmtheLordoftheDead,Movingtheirheartswithmymelody.IwillbearherawayfromHades.

Hedaredmorethananyothermaneverdaredforhislove.Hetookthefearsomejourneytotheunderworld.Therehestruckhislyre,andatthesoundallthatvastmultitudewerecharmedtostillness.ThedogCerberusrelaxedhisguard;thewheelofIxionstoodmotionless;Sisiphussatatrestuponhisstone;Tantalusforgothisthirst;forthefirsttimethefacesofthedreadgoddesses,theFuries,werewetwithtears.TherulerofHadesdrewneartolistenwithhisqueen.Orpheussang,

OGodswhorulethedarkandsilentworld,Toyouallbornofawomanneedsmustcome.Alllovelythingsatlastgodowntoyou.Youarethedebtorwhoisalwayspaid.Alittlewhilewetarryuponearth.Thenweareyoursforeverandforever.ButIseekonewhocametoyoutoosoon.Thebudwaspluckedbeforetheflowerbloomed.Itriedtobearmyloss.Icouldnotbearit.Lovewastoostrongagod.OKing,youknowIfthatoldtalementellistrue,howonceTheflowerssawtherapeofProserpine.ThenweaveagainforsweetEurydiceLife’spatternthatwastakenfromtheloomTooquickly.See,Iaskalittlething,Onlythatyouwilllend,notgive,hertome.Sheshallbeyourswhenheryears’spanisfull.

Nooneunderthespellofhisvoicecouldrefusehimanything.He

DrewirontearsdownPluto’scheek,AndmadeHellgrantwhatLovedidseek.

TheysummonedEurydiceandgavehertohim,butupononecondition:thathewouldnotlookbackatherasshefollowedhim,untiltheyhadreachedtheupperworld.SothetwopassedthroughthegreatdoorsofHadestothepathwhichwouldtakethemoutofthedarkness,climbingupandup.Heknewthatshemustbejustbehindhim,buthelongedunutterablytogiveoneglancetomakesure.Butnowtheywerealmostthere,theblacknesswasturninggray;nowhehadsteppedoutjoyfullyintothedaylight.Thenheturnedtoher.Itwastoosoon;shewasstillinthecavern.Hesawherinthedimlight,andheheldouthisarmstoclaspher;butontheinstantshewasgone.Shehadslippedbackintothedarkness.Allheheardwasonefaintword,“Farewell.”

Desperatelyhetriedtorushafterherandfollowherdown,buthewasnotallowed.Thegodswouldnotconsenttohisenteringtheworldofthedeadasecondtime,whilehewasstillalive.Hewasforcedtoreturntotheearthalone,inutterdesolation.Thenheforsookthecompanyofmen.HewanderedthroughthewildsolitudesofThrace,comfortlessexceptforhislyre,playing,alwaysplaying,andtherocksandtheriversandthetreesheardhimgladly,hisonlycompanions.ButatlastabandofMaenadscameuponhim.TheywereasfrenziedasthosewhokilledPentheussohorribly.Theyslewthegentlemusician,tearinghimlimbfromlimb,andflungtheseveredheadintotheswiftriverHebrus.Itwasbornealongpasttheriver’smouthontotheLesbianshore,norhaditsufferedanychangefromtheseawhentheMusesfounditandburieditinthesanctuaryoftheisland.HislimbstheygatheredandplacedinatombatthefootofMountOlympus,andtheretothisdaythenightingalessingmoresweetlythananywhereelse.

CEYXANDALCYONE

Ovidisthebestsourceforthisstory.TheexaggerationofthestormistypicallyRoman.Sleep’sabodewithitscharmingdetailsshowsOvid’spowerofdescription.Thenamesofthegods,ofcourse,areLatin.

Ceyx,akinginThessaly,wasthesonofLucifer,thelight-bearer,thestarthatbringsintheday,andallhisfather’sbrightgladnesswasinhisface.HiswifeAlcyonewasalsoofhighdescent;shewasthedaughterofAeolus,KingoftheWinds.Thetwolovedeachotherdevotedlyandwereneverwillinglyapart.Nevertheless,atimecamewhenhedecidedhemustleaveherandmake

alongjourneyacrossthesea.Variousmattershadhappenedtodisturbhimandhewishedtoconsulttheoracle,men’srefugeintrouble.WhenAlcyonelearnedwhathewasplanningshewasoverwhelmedwithgriefandterror.Shetoldhimwithstreamingtearsandinavoicebrokenwithsobs,thatsheknewasfewotherscouldthepowerofthewindsuponthesea.Inherfather’spalaceshehadwatchedthemfromherchildhood,theirstormymeetings,theblackcloudstheysummonedandthewildredlightning.“Andmanyatimeuponthebeach,”shesaid,“Ihaveseenthebrokenplanksofshipstossedup.Oh,donotgo.ButifIcannotpersuadeyou,atleasttakemewithyou.Icanendurewhatevercomestoustogether.”

Ceyxwasdeeplymoved,forshelovedhimnobetterthanhelovedher,buthispurposeheldfast.Hefeltthathemustgetcounselfromtheoracleandhewouldnothearofhersharingtheperilsofthevoyage.Shehadtoyieldandlethimgoalone.Herheartwassoheavywhenshebadehimfarewellitwasasifsheforesawwhatwastocome.Shewaitedontheshorewatchingtheshipuntilitsailedoutofsight.

Thatverynightafiercestormbrokeoverthesea.Thewindsallmetinamadhurricane,andthewavesroseupmountain-high.Rainfellinsuchsheetsthatthewholeheavenseemedfallingintotheseaandtheseaseemedleapingupintothesky.Themenonthequivering,batteredboatweremadwithterror,allexceptonewhothoughtonlyofAlcyoneandrejoicedthatshewasinsafety.Hernamewasonhislipswhentheshipsankandthewatersclosedoverhim.

Alcyonewascountingoffthedays.Shekeptherselfbusy,weavingarobeforhimagainsthisreturnandanotherforherselftobelovelyinwhenhefirstsawher.Andmanytimeseachdaysheprayedtothegodsforhim,toJunomostofall.Thegoddesswastouchedbythoseprayersforonewhohadlongbeendead.ShesummonedhermessengerIrisandorderedhertogotothehouseofSomnus,GodofSleep,andbidhimsendadreamtoAlcyonetotellherthetruthaboutCeyx.

TheabodeofSleepisneartheblackcountryoftheCimmerians,inadeepvalleywherethesunnevershinesandduskytwilightwrapsallthingsinshadows.Nocockcrowsthere;nowatchdogbreaksthesilence;nobranchesrustleinthebreeze;noclamoroftonguesdisturbsthepeace.TheonlysoundcomesfromthegentlyflowingstreamofLethe,theriverofforgetfulness,wherethewatersmurmuringenticetosleep.Beforethedoorpoppiesbloom,andotherdrowsyherbs.Within,theGodofSlumberliesuponacouchdowny-softandblackofhue.TherecameIrisinhercloakofmanycolors,trailingacrosstheskyinarainbowcurve,andthedarkhousewaslitupwiththeshiningofhergarments.Evenso,itwashardforhertomakethegodopen

hisheavyeyesandunderstandwhathewasrequiredtodo.Assoonasshewassurehewasreallyawakeandhererranddone,Irisspedaway,fearfulthatshetoomightsinkforeverintoslumber.

TheoldGodofSleeparousedhisson,Morpheus,skilledinassumingtheformofanyandeveryhumanbeing,andhegavehimJuno’sorders.OnnoiselesswingsMorpheusflewthroughthedarknessandstoodbyAlcyone’sbed.HehadtakenonthefaceandformofCeyxdrowned.Nakedanddrippingwethebentoverhercouch.“Poorwife,”hesaid,“look,yourhusbandishere.Doyouknowmeorismyfacechangedindeath?Iamdead,Alcyone.Yournamewasonmylipswhenthewatersoverwhelmedme.Thereisnohopeformeanymore.Butgivemeyourtears.Letmenotgodowntotheshadowylandunwept.”InhersleepAlcyonemoanedandstretchedherarmsouttoclasphim.Shecriedaloud,“Waitforme.Iwillgowithyou,”andhercryawakenedher.Shewoketotheconvictionthatherhusbandwasdead,thatwhatshehadseenwasnodream,buthimself.“Isawhim,onthatveryspot,”shetoldherself.“Sopiteoushelooked.HeisdeadandsoonIshalldie.CouldIstayherewhenhisdearbodyistossedaboutinthewaves?Iwillnotleaveyou,myhusband;Iwillnottrytolive.”

Withthefirstdaylightshewenttotheshore,totheheadlandwhereshehadstoodtowatchhimsailaway.Asshegazedseaward,faroffonthewatershesawsomethingfloating.Thetidewassettinginandthethingcamenearerandneareruntilsheknewitwasadeadbody.Shewatcheditwithpityandhorrorinherheartasitdriftedslowlytowardher.Andnowitwasclosetotheheadland,almostbesideher.Itwashe,Ceyx,herhusband.Sheranandleapedintothewater,crying,“Husband,dearest!”—andthenoh,wonder,insteadofsinkingintothewavesshewasflyingoverthem.Shehadwings;herbodywascoveredwithfeathers.Shehadbeenchangedintoabird.Thegodswerekind.TheydidthesametoCeyx.Assheflewtothebodyitwasgone,andhe,changedintoabirdlikeherself,joinedher.Buttheirlovewasunchanged.Theyarealwaysseentogether,flyingorridingthewaves.

Everyyeartherearesevendaysonendwhenthesealiesstillandcalm;nobreathofwindstirsthewaters.ThesearethedayswhenAlcyonebroodsoverhernestfloatingonthesea.Aftertheyoungbirdsarehatchedthecharmisbroken;buteachwinterthesedaysofperfectpeacecome,andtheyarecalledafterher,Alcyone,or,morecommonly,Halcyondays.

Whilebirdsofcalmsitbroodingonthecharmedwave.

PYGMALIONANDGALATEA

ThisstoryistoldonlybyOvidandtheGoddessofLoveisthereforeVenus.ItisanexcellentexampleofOvid’swayofdressingupamyth,forwhichseetheIntroduction.

AgiftedyoungsculptorofCyprus,namedPygmalion,wasawoman-hater.

Detestingthefaultsbeyondmeasurewhichnaturehasgiventowomen,

heresolvednevertomarry.Hisart,hetoldhimself,wasenoughforhim.Nevertheless,thestatuehemadeanddevotedallhisgeniustowasthatofawoman.Eitherhecouldnotdismisswhathesodisapprovedoffromhismindaseasilyasfromhislife,orelsehewasbentonformingaperfectwomanandshowingmenthedeficienciesofthekindtheyhadtoputupwith.

Howeverthatwas,helaboredlonganddevotedlyonthestatueandproducedamostexquisiteworkofart.Butlovelyasitwashecouldnotrestcontent.Hekeptonworkingatitanddailyunderhisskillfulfingersitgrewmorebeautiful.Nowomaneverborn,nostatueevermade,couldapproachit.Whennothingcouldbeaddedtoitsperfections,astrangefatehadbefallenitscreator:hehadfalleninlove,deeply,passionatelyinlove,withthethinghehadmade.Itmustbesaidinexplanationthatthestatuedidnotlooklikeastatue;noonewouldhavethoughtitwasivoryorstone,butwarmhumanflesh,motionlessforamomentonly.Suchwasthewondrouspowerofthisdisdainfulyoungman.Thesupremeachievementofartwashis,theartofconcealingart.

Butfromthattimeon,thesexhescornedhadtheirrevenge.NohopelessloverofalivingmaidenwaseversodesperatelyunhappyasPygmalion.Hekissedthoseenticinglips—theycouldnotkisshimback;hecaressedherhands,herface—theywereunresponsive;hetookherinhisarms—sheremainedacoldandpassiveform.Foratimehetriedtopretend,aschildrendowiththeirtoys.Hewoulddressherinrichrobes,tryingtheeffectofonedelicateorglowingcolorafteranother,andimagineshewaspleased.Hewouldbringherthegiftsrealmaidenslove,littlebirdsandgayflowersandtheshiningtearsofamberPhaëthon’ssistersweep,andthendreamthatshethankedhimwitheageraffection.Heputhertobedatnight,andtuckedherinallsoftandwarm,aslittlegirlsdotheirdolls.Buthewasnotachild;hecouldnotkeeponpretending.Intheendhegaveup.Helovedalifelessthingandhewasutterlyandhopelesslywretched.

PygmalionandGalatea

ThissingularpassiondidnotlongremainconcealedfromtheGoddessofPassionateLove.Venuswasinterestedinsomethingthatseldomcameherway,anewkindoflover,andshedeterminedtohelpayoungmanwhocouldbeenamoredandyetoriginal.

ThefeastdayofVenuswas,ofcourse,especiallyhonoredinCyprus,theislandwhichfirstreceivedthegoddessaftersherosefromthefoam.Snow-whiteheiferswhosehornshadbeengildedwereofferedinnumberstoher;theheavenlyodorofincensewasspreadthroughtheislandfromhermanyaltars;crowdsthrongedhertemples;notanunhappyloverbutwastherewithhisgift,prayingthathislovemightturnkind.Theretoo,ofcourse,wasPygmalion.Hedaredtoaskthegoddessonlythathemightfindamaidenlikehisstatue,butVenusknewwhathereallywantedandasasignthatshefavoredhisprayertheflameonthealtarhestoodbeforeleapedupthreetimes,blazingintotheair.

VerythoughtfulatthisgoodomenPygmalionsoughthishouseandhislove,thethinghehadcreatedandgivenhisheartto.Thereshestoodonherpedestal,entrancinglybeautiful.Hecaressedherandthenhestartedback.Wasitself-deceptionordidshereallyfeelwarmtohistouch?Hekissedherlips,alonglingeringkiss,andfeltthemgrowsoftbeneathhis.Hetouchedherarms,hershoulders;theirhardnessvanished.Itwaslikewatchingwaxsofteninthesun.Heclaspedherwrist;bloodwaspulsingthere.Venus,hethought.Thisisthegoddess’sdoing.Andwithunutterablegratitudeandjoyheputhisarmsaroundhisloveandsawhersmileintohiseyesandblush.

Venusherselfgracedtheirmarriagewithherpresence,butwhathappenedafterthatwedonotknow,exceptthatPygmalionnamedthemaidenGalatea,andthattheirson,Paphos,gavehisnametoVenus’favoritecity.

BAUCISANDPHILEMON

Ovidistheonlysourceforthisstory.Itshowsespeciallywellhisloveofdetailsandtheskillfulwayheusesthemtomakeafairytaleseemrealistic.TheLatinnamesofthegodsareused.

InthePhrygianhill-countrytherewereoncetwotreeswhichallthepeasantsnearandfarpointedoutasagreatmarvel,andnowonder,foronewasanoakandtheotheralinden,yettheygrewfromasingletrunk.Thestoryofhowthiscameaboutisaproofoftheimmeasurablepowerofthegods,andalsoofthewaytheyrewardthehumbleandthepious.

SometimeswhenJupiterwastiredofeatingambrosiaanddrinkingnectarupinOlympusandevenalittlewearyoflisteningtoApollo’slyreand

watchingtheGracesdance,hewouldcomedowntotheearth,disguisehimselfasamortalandgolookingforadventures.HisfavoritecompaniononthesetourswasMercury,themostentertainingofallthegods,theshrewdestandthemostresourceful.OnthisparticulartripJupiterhaddeterminedtofindouthowhospitablethepeopleofPhrygiawere.Hospitalitywas,ofcourse,veryimportanttohim,sinceallguests,allwhoseekshelterinastrangeland,wereunderhisespecialprotection.

Thetwogods,accordingly,tookontheappearanceofpoorwayfarersandwanderedthroughtheland,knockingateachlowlyhutorgreathousetheycametoandaskingforfoodandaplacetorestin.Notonewouldadmitthem;everytimetheyweredismissedinsolentlyandthedoorbarredagainstthem.Theymadetrialofhundreds;alltreatedtheminthesameway.Atlasttheycameuponalittlehovelofthehumblestsort,poorerthananytheyhadyetfound,witharoofmadeonlyofreeds.Buthere,whentheyknocked,thedoorwasopenedwideandacheerfulvoicebadethementer.Theyhadtostooptopassthroughthelowentrance,butonceinsidetheyfoundthemselvesinasnugandverycleanroom,whereakindly-facedoldmanandwomanwelcomedtheminthefriendliestfashionandbustledabouttomakethemcomfortable.

Theoldmansetabenchnearthefireandtoldthemtostretchoutonitandresttheirtiredlimbs,andtheoldwomanthrewasoftcoveringoverit.HernamewasBaucis,shetoldthestrangers,andherhusbandwascalledPhilemon.Theyhadlivedinthatcottagealltheirmarriedlifeandhadalwaysbeenhappy.“Wearepoorfolk,”shesaid,“butpovertyisn’tsobadwhenyou’rewillingtoownuptoit,andacontentedspiritisagreathelp,too.”Allthewhileshewastalking,shewasbusydoingthingsforthem.Thecoalsundertheashesonthedarkhearthshefannedtolifeuntilacheerfulfirewasburning.Overthisshehungalittlekettlefullofwaterandjustasitbegantoboilherhusbandcameinwithafinecabbagehehadgotfromthegarden.Intothekettleitwent,withapieceoftheporkwhichwashangingfromoneofthebeams.WhilethiscookedBaucissetthetablewithhertremblingoldhands.Onetable-legwastooshort,butsheproppeditupwithabitofbrokendish.Ontheboardsheplacedolivesandradishesandseveraleggswhichshehadroastedintheashes.Bythistimethecabbageandbaconweredone,andtheoldmanpushedtworicketycouchesuptothetableandbadehisguestsreclineandeat.

Presentlyhebroughtthemcupsofbeechwoodandanearth-enwaremixingbowlwhichheldsomewineverylikevinegar,plentifullydilutedwithwater.Philemon,however,wasclearlyproudandhappyatbeingabletoaddsuchcheertothesupperandhekeptonthewatchtorefilleachcupassoonasit

wasemptied.Thetwooldfolksweresopleasedandexcitedbythesuccessoftheirhospitalitythatonlyveryslowlyastrangethingdawneduponthem.Themixingbowlkeptfull.Nomatterhowmanycupswerepouredoutfromit,thelevelofthewinestayedthesame,uptothebrim.Astheysawthiswondereachlookedinterrorattheother,anddroppingtheireyestheyprayedsilently.Theninquaveringvoicesandtremblingallovertheybeggedtheirgueststopardonthepoorrefreshmentstheyhadoffered.“Wehaveagoose,”theoldmansaid,“whichweoughttohavegivenyourlordships.Butifyouwillonlywait,itshallbedoneatonce.”Tocatchthegoose,however,provedbeyondtheirpowers.Theytriedinvainuntiltheywerewornout,whileJupiterandMercurywatchedthemgreatlyentertained.

ButwhenbothPhilemonandBaucishadhadtogiveupthechasepantingandexhausted,thegodsfeltthatthetimehadcomeforthemtotakeaction.Theywerereallyverykind.“Youhavebeenhoststogods,”theysaid,“andyoushallhaveyourreward.Thiswickedcountrywhichdespisesthepoorstrangerwillbebitterlypunished,butnotyou.”Theythenescortedthetwooutofthehutandtoldthemtolookaroundthem.Totheiramazementalltheysawwaswater.Thewholecountrysidehaddisappeared.Agreatlakesurroundedthem.Theirneighborshadnotbeengoodtotheoldcouple;neverthelessstandingtheretheyweptforthem.Butofasuddentheirtearsweredriedbyanoverwhelmingwonder.Beforetheireyesthetiny,lowlyhutwhichhadbeentheirhomeforsolongwasturnedintoastatelypillaredtempleofwhitestmarblewithagoldenroof.

“Goodpeople,”Jupitersaid,“askwhateveryouwantandyoushallhaveyourwish.”Theoldpeopleexchangedahurriedwhisper,thenPhilemonspoke.“Letusbeyourpriests,guardingthistempleforyou—andoh,sincewehavelivedsolongtogether,letneitherofuseverhavetolivealone.Grantthatwemaydietogether.”

Thegodsassented,wellpleasedwiththetwo.Alongtimetheyservedinthatgrandbuilding,andthestorydoesnotsaywhethertheyevermissedtheirlittlecozyroomwithitscheerfulhearth.Butonedaystandingbeforethemarbleandgoldenmagnificencetheyfelltotalkingabouttheformerlife,whichhadbeensohardandyetsohappy.Bynowbothwereinextremeoldage.Suddenlyastheyexchangedmemorieseachsawtheotherputtingforthleaves.Thenbarkwasgrowingaroundthem.Theyhadtimeonlytocry,“Farewell,dearcompanion.”Asthewordspassedtheirlipstheybecametrees,butstilltheyweretogether.Thelindenandtheoakgrewfromonetrunk.

Fromfarandwidepeoplecametoadmirethewonder,andalwayswreathsofflowershungonthebranchesinhonorofthepiousandfaithfulpair.

ENDYMION

Ihavetakenthisstoryfromthethird-centurypoetTheocritus.HetellsitinthetrueGreekmanner,simplyandwithrestraint.

Thisyouth,whosenameissofamous,hasaveryshorthistory.Someofthepoetssayhewasaking,someahunter,butmostofthemsayhewasashepherd.Allagreethathewasayouthofsurpassingbeautyandthatthiswasthecauseofhissingularfate.

Endymiontheshepherd,Ashisflockheguarded,She,theMoon,Selene,Sawhim,lovedhim,soughthim,ComingdownfromheavenTothegladeonLatmus,Kissedhim,laybesidehim.Blessedishisfortune.Evermoreheslumbers,Tossingnotnorturning,Endymiontheshepherd.

Heneverwoketoseetheshiningsilveryformbendingoverhim.Inallthestoriesabouthimhesleepsforever,immortal,butneverconscious.Wondrouslybeautifulheliesonthemountainside,motionlessandremoteasifindeath,butwarmandliving,andnightafternighttheMoonvisitshimandcovershimwithherkisses.Itissaidthatthismagicslumberwasherdoing.Shelulledhimtosleepsothatshemightalwaysfindhimandcaresshimasshepleased.Butitissaid,too,thatherpassionbringsheronlyaburdenofpain,fraughtwithmanysighs.

DAPHNE

Ovidalonetellsthisstory.OnlyaRomancouldhavewrittenit.AGreekpoetwouldneverhavethoughtofanelegantdressandcoiffureforthewoodnymph.

Daphnewasanotherofthoseindependent,love-and-marriage-hatingyounghuntresseswhoaremetwithsoofteninthemythologicalstories.SheissaidtohavebeenApollo’sfirstlove.Itisnotstrangethatshefledfromhim.Oneunfortunatemaidenafteranotherbelovedofthegodshadhadtokillherchildsecretlyorbekilledherself.Thebestsuchaonecouldexpectwasexile,and

manywomenthoughtthatworsethandeath.TheoceannymphswhovisitedPrometheusonthecragintheCaucasusspokeonlythemostordinarycommonsensewhentheysaidtohim:—

Mayyounever,oh,neverbeholdmeSharingthecouchofagod.MaynoneofthedwellersinheavenDrawneartomeever.Suchloveasthehighgodsknow,Fromwhoseeyesnonecanhide,Maythatneverbemine.Towarwithagod-loverisnotwar,Itisdespair.

Daphnewouldhaveagreedcompletely.Butindeedshedidnotwantanymortalloverseither.Herfather,theriver-godPeneus,wasgreatlytriedbecausesherefusedallthehandsomeandeligibleyoungmenwhowooedher.Hewouldscoldhergentlyandlament,“AmInevertohaveagrandson?”Butwhenshethrewherarmsaroundhimandcoaxedhim,“Father,dearest,letmebelikeDiana,”hewouldyieldandshewouldbeofftothedeepwoods,blissfulinherfreedom.

ButatlastApollosawher,andeverythingendedforher.Shewashunting,herdressshorttotheknee,herarmsbare,herhairinwilddisarray.Neverthelessshewasenchantinglybeautiful.Apollothought,“Whatwouldshenotlooklikeproperlydressedandwithherhairnicelyarranged?”Theideamadethefirethatwasdevouringhisheartblazeupevenmorefiercelyandhestartedoffinpursuit.Daphnefled,andshewasanexcellentrunner.EvenApolloforafewminuteswashardputtoittoovertakeher;still,ofcourse,hesoongained.Asheran,hesenthisvoiceaheadofhim,entreatingher,persuadingher,reassuringher.“Donotfear,”hecalled.“StopandfindoutwhoIam,noruderusticorshepherd.IamtheLordofDelphi,andIloveyou.”

ButDaphneflewon,evenmorefrightenedthanbefore.IfApollowasindeedfollowingher,thecasewashopeless,butshewasdeterminedtostruggletotheveryend.Ithadallbutcome;shefelthisbreathuponherneck,butthereinfrontofherthetreesopenedandshesawherfather’sriver.Shescreamedtohim,“Helpme!Father,helpme!”Atthewordsadraggingnumbnesscameuponher,herfeetseemedrootedintheearthshehadbeensoswiftlyspeedingover.Barkwasenclosingher;leavesweresproutingforth.Shehadbeenchangedintoatree,alaurel.

Apollowatchedthetransformationwithdismayandgrief.“Ofairestof

maidens,youarelosttome,”hemourned.“Butatleastyoushallbemytree.Withyourleavesmyvictorsshallwreathetheirbrows.Youshallhaveyourpartinallmytriumphs.Apolloandhislaurelshallbejoinedtogetherwhereversongsaresungandstoriestold.”

Thebeautifulshining-leavedtreeseemedtonoditswavingheadasifinhappyconsent.

ALPHEUSANDARETHUSA

ThisstoryistoldinfullonlybyOvid.Thereisnothingnoteworthyinhistreatmentofit.TheverseattheendistakenfromtheAlexandrianpoetMoschus.

InOrtygia,anislandwhichformedpartofSyracuse,thegreatestcityofSicily,thereisasacredspringcalledArethusa.Once,however,Arethusawasnotwaterorevenawaternymph,butafairyounghuntressandafollowerofArtemis.Likehermistressshewouldhavenothingtodowithmen;likehershelovedhuntingandthefreedomoftheforest.

Oneday,tiredandhotfromthechase,shecameuponacrystal-clearriverdeeplyshadedbysilverywillows.Nomoredelightfulplaceforabathcouldbeimagined.Arethusaundressedandslippedintothecooldeliciouswater.Forawhilesheswamidlytoandfroinutterpeace;thensheseemedtofeelsomethingstirinthedepthsbeneathher.Frightened,shesprangtothebank—andasshedidsosheheardavoice:“Whysuchhaste,fairestmaiden?”Withoutlookingbackshefledawayfromthestreamtothewoodsandranwithallthespeedherfeargaveher.Shewashotlypursuedandbyonestrongerifnotswifterthanshe.Theunknowncalledtohertostop.Hetoldherhewasthegodoftheriver,Alpheus,andthathewasfollowingheronlybecausehelovedher.Butshewantednoneofhim;shehadbutonethought,toescape.Itwasalongrace,buttheissuewasneverindoubt;hecouldkeeponrunninglongerthanshe.Wornoutatlast,Arethusacalledtohergoddess,andnotinvain.Artemischangedherintoaspringofwater,andclefttheearthsothatatunnelwasmadeundertheseafromGreecetoSicily.ArethusaplungeddownandemergedinOrtygia,wheretheplaceinwhichherspringbubblesupisholyground,sacredtoArtemis.

ButitissaidthatevensoshewasnotfreeofAlpheus.Thestoryisthatthegod,changingbackintoariver,followedherthroughthetunnelandthatnowhiswatermingleswithhersinthefountain.TheysaythatoftenGreekflowersareseencomingupfromthebottom,andthatifawoodencupisthrownintotheAlpheusinGreece,itwillreappearinArethusa’swellinSicily.

Alpheusmakeshiswayfarunderthedeepwithhiswaters,TravelstoArethusawithbridalgifts,fairleavesandflowers.TeacherofstrangewaysisLove,thatknavishboy,makerofmischief.Withhismagicalspellhetaughtarivertodive.

ChapterIII

TheQuestoftheGoldenFleece

Thisisthetitleofalongpoem,verypopularinclassicaldays,bythethird-centurypoetApolloniusofRhodes.HetellsthewholestoryoftheQuestexceptthepartaboutJasonandPeliaswhichIhavetakenfromPindar.Itisthesubjectofoneofhismostfamousodes,writteninthefirsthalfofthefifthcentury.ApolloniusendshispoemwiththereturnoftheheroestoGreece.IhaveaddedtheaccountofwhatJasonandMedeadidthere,takingitfromthefifth-centurytragicpoetEuripides,whomadeitthesubjectofoneofhisbestplays.

Thesethreewritersareveryunlikeeachother.NoproseparaphrasecangiveanyideaofPindar,except,perhaps,somethingofhissingularpowerforvividandminutelydetaileddescription.ReadersoftheAeneidwillberemindedofVirgilbyApollonius.ThedifferencebetweenEuripides’MedeaandApollonius’heroineandalsoVirgil’sDidoisinitsdegreeameasureofwhatGreektragedywas.

THEfirstheroinEuropewhoundertookagreatjourneywastheleaderoftheQuestoftheGoldenFleece.HewassupposedtohavelivedagenerationearlierthanthemostfamousGreektraveler,theherooftheOdyssey.Itwasofcourseajourneybywater.Rivers,lakes,andseasweretheonlyhighways;therewerenoroads.Allthesame,avoyagerhadtofaceperilsnotonlyonthedeep,butonthelandaswell.Shipsdidnotsailbynight,andanyplacewheresailorsputinmightharboramonsteroramagicianwhocouldworkmoredeadlyharmthanstormandshipwreck.Highcouragewasnecessarytotravel,especiallyoutsideofGreece.

NostoryprovedthisfactbetterthantheaccountofwhattheheroessufferedwhosailedintheshipArgotofindtheGoldenFleece.Itmaybedoubted,indeed,ifthereeverwasavoyageonwhichsailorshadtofacesomanyandsuchvarieddangers.However,theywereallheroesofrenown,someofthemthegreatestinGreece,andtheywerequiteequaltotheiradventures.

ThetaleoftheGoldenFleecebeginswithaGreekkingnamedAthamas,whogottiredofhiswife,putheraway,andmarriedanother,thePrincessIno.Nephele,thefirstwife,wasafraidforhertwochildren,especiallytheboy,Phrixus.Shethoughtthesecondwifewouldtrytokillhimsothatherown

soncouldinheritthekingdom,andshewasright.Thissecondwifecamefromagreatfamily.HerfatherwasCadmus,theexcellentKingofThebes;hermotherandherthreesisterswerewomenofblamelesslives.Butsheherself,Ino,determinedtobringaboutthelittleboy’sdeath,andshemadeanelaborateplanhowthiswastobedone.Somehowshegotpossessionofalltheseed-cornandparcheditbeforethemenwentoutforthesowing,sothat,ofcourse,therewasnoharvestatall.WhentheKingsentamantoasktheoraclewhatheshoulddointhisfearfuldistress,shepersuadedor,moreprobably,bribedthemessengertosaythattheoraclehaddeclaredthecornwouldnotgrowagainunlesstheyoffereduptheyoungPrinceasasacrifice.

Thepeople,threatenedwithstarvation,forcedtheKingtoyieldandpermittheboy’sdeath.TothelaterGreekstheideaofsuchasacrificewasashorribleasitistous,andwhenitplayedapartinastorytheyalmostalwayschangeditintosomethinglessshocking.Asthistalehascomedowntous,whentheboyhadbeentakentothealtarawondrousram,withafleeceofpuregold,snatchedhimandhissisterupandborethemawaythroughtheair.Hermeshadsenthiminanswertotheirmother’sprayer.

WhiletheywerecrossingthestraitwhichseparatesEuropeandAsia,thegirl,whosenamewasHelle,slippedandfellintothewater.Shewasdrowned;andthestraitwasnamedforher:theSeaofHelle,theHellespont.Theboycamesafelytoland,tothecountryofColchisontheUnfriendlySea(theBlackSea,whichhadnotyetbecomefriendly).TheColchianswereafiercepeople.Nevertheless,theywerekindtoPhrixus;andtheirKing,Æetes,lethimmarryoneofhisdaughters.ItseemsoddthatPhrixussacrificedtoZeustheramthathadsavedhim,ingratitudeforhavingbeensaved;buthedidso,andhegavethepreciousGoldenFleecetoKingÆetes.

PhrixushadanunclewhowasbyrightsakinginGreece,buthadhadhiskingdomtakenawayfromhimbyhisnephew,amannamedPelias.TheKing’syoungson,Jason,therightfulheirtothekingdom,hadbeensentsecretlyawaytoaplaceofsafety,andwhenhewasgrownhecameboldlybacktoclaimthekingdomfromhiswickedcousin.

TheusurperPeliashadbeentoldbyanoraclethathewoulddieatthehandsofkinsmen,andthatheshouldbewareofanyonewhomhesawshodwithonlyasinglesandal.Induetimesuchamancametothetown.Onefootwasbare,althoughinallotherwayshewaswell-clad—agarmentfittingclosetohissplendidlimbs,andaroundhisshouldersaleopard’sskintoturntheshowers.Hehadnotshornthebrightlocksofhishair;theyranripplingdownhisback.Hewentstraightintothetownandenteredthemarketplacefearlessly,atthetimewhenthemultitudefilledit.

Noneknewhim,butoneandanotherwonderedathimandsaid,“Canhe

beApollo?OrAphrodite’slord?NotoneofPoseidon’sboldsons,fortheyaredead.”Sotheyquestionedeachother.ButPeliascameinhothasteatthetidingsandwhenhesawthesinglesandalhewasafraid.Hehidhisterrorinhisheart,however,andaddressedthestranger:“Whatcountryisyourfatherland?Nohatefulanddefilinglies,Ibegyou.Tellmethetruth.”Withgentlewordstheotheranswered:“Ihavecometomyhometorecovertheancienthonorofmyhouse,thislandnolongerruledaright,whichZeusgavetomyfather.Iamyourcousin,andtheycallmebythenameofJason.YouandImustruleourselvesbythelawofright—notappealtobrazenswordsorspears.Keepallthewealthyouhavetaken,theflocksandthetawnyherdsofcattleandthefields,butthesovereignscepterandthethronereleasetome,sothatnoevilquarrelwillarisefromthem.”

Peliasgavehimasoftanswer.“Soshallitbe.Butonethingmustfirstbedone.ThedeadPhrixusbidsusbringbacktheGoldenFleeceandthusbringbackhisspirittohishome.Theoraclehasspoken.Butforme,alreadyoldageismycompanion,whiletheflowerofyouryouthisonlynowcomingintofullbloom.Doyougouponthisquest,andIswearwithZeusaswitnessthatIwillgiveupthekingdomandthesovereignruletoyou.”Sohespoke,believinginhisheartthatnoonecouldmaketheattemptandcomebackalive.

TheideaofthegreatadventurewasdelightfultoJason.Heagreed,andletitbeknowneverywherethatthiswouldbeavoyageindeed.TheyoungmenofGreecejoyfullymetthechallenge.Theycame,allthebestandnoblest,tojointhecompany.Hercules,thegreatestofallheroes,wasthere;Orpheus,themastermusician;CastorwithhisbrotherPollux;Achilles’father,Peleus;andmanyanother.HerawashelpingJason,anditwasshewhokindledineachonethedesirenottobeleftbehindnursingalifewithoutperilbyhismother’sside,butevenatthepriceofdeathtodrinkwithhiscomradesthepeerlesselixirofvalor.TheysetsailintheshipArgo.Jasontookinhishandsagoldengobletand,pouringalibationofwineintothesea,calleduponZeuswhoselanceisthelightningtospeedthemontheirway.

Greatperilslaybeforethem,andsomeofthempaidwiththeirlivesfordrinkingthatpeerlesselixir.TheyputinfirstatLemnos,astrangeislandwhereonlywomenlived.Theyhadrisenupagainstthemenandhadkilledthemall,exceptone,theoldking.Hisdaughter,Hypsipyle,aleaderamongthewomen,hadsparedherfatherandsethimafloatontheseainahollowchest,whichfinallycarriedhimtosafety.Thesefiercecreatures,however,welcomedtheArgonauts,andhelpedthemwithgoodgiftsoffoodandwineandgarmentsbeforetheysailedaway.

SoonaftertheyleftLemnostheArgonautslostHerculesfromthe

company.AladnamedHylas,hisarmor-bearer,verydeartohim,wasdrawnunderthewaterashedippedhispitcherinaspring,byawaternymphwhosawtherosyflushofhisbeautyandwishedtokisshim.Shethrewherarmsaroundhisneckanddrewhimdownintothedepthsandhewasseennomore.Herculessoughthimmadlyeverywhere,shoutinghisnameandplungingdeeperanddeeperintotheforestawayfromthesea.HehadforgottentheFleeceandtheArgoandhiscomrades:everythingexceptHylas.Hedidnotcomeback,andfinallytheshiphadtosailwithouthim.

TheirnextadventurewaswiththeHarpies,frightfulflyingcreatureswithhookedbeaksandclawswhoalwaysleftbehindthemaloathsomestench,sickeningtoalllivingcreatures.WheretheArgonautshadbeachedtheirboatforthenightlivedalonelyandwretchedoldman,towhomApollo,thetruth-teller,hadgiventhegiftofprophecy.Heforetoldunerringlywhatwouldhappen,andthishaddispleasedZeus,whoalwayslikedtowrapinmysterywhathewoulddo—andverysensibly,too,intheopinionofallwhoknewHera.Soheinflictedaterriblepunishmentupontheoldman.Wheneverhewasabouttodine,theHarpieswhowerecalled“thehoundsofZeus”swoopeddownanddefiledthefood,leavingitsofoulthatnoonecouldbeartobenearit,muchlesseatit.WhentheArgonautssawthepooroldcreature—hisnamewasPhineus—hewaslikealifelessdream,creepingonwitheredfeet,tremblingforweakness,andonlytheskinonhisbodyheldhisbonestogether.Hewelcomedthemgladlyandbeggedthemtohelphim.HeknewthroughhisgiftofprophecythathecouldbedefendedfromtheHarpiesbytwomenalone,whowereamongthecompanyontheArgo—thesonsofBoreas,thegreatNorthWind.Alllistenedtohimwithpityandthetwogavehimeagerlytheirpromisetohelp.

TheHarpiesandtheArgonauts

Whiletheotherssetforthfoodforhim,Boreas’sonstooktheirstandbesidehimwithdrawnswords.Hehadhardlyputamorseltohislipswhenthehatefulmonstersdarteddownfromtheskyandinamomenthaddevouredeverythingandwereflyingoff,leavingtheintolerableodorbehindthem.Butthewind-swiftsonsoftheNorthWindfollowedthem;theycaughtupwiththemandstruckatthemwiththeirswords.TheywouldassuredlyhavecutthemtopiecesifIris,therainbowmessengerofthegods,glidingdownfromheaven,hadnotcheckedthem.TheymustforbeartokillthehoundsofZeus,shesaid,butshesworebythewatersoftheStyx,theoaththatnonecanbreak,thattheywouldneveragaintroublePhineus.Sothetworeturnedgladlyandcomfortedtheoldman,whoinhisjoysatfeastingwiththeheroesallthroughthenight.

Hegavethemwiseadvice,too,aboutthedangersbeforethem,inespecialabouttheClashingRocks,theSymplegades,thatrolledperpetuallyagainstoneanotherwhiletheseaboileduparoundthem.Thewaytopassbetweenthem,hesaid,wasfirsttomaketrialwithadove.Ifshepassedthroughsafely,thenthechanceswerethattheytoowouldgetthrough.Butifthedovewerecrushed,theymustturnbackandgiveupallhopeoftheGoldenFleece.

Thenextmorningtheystarted,withadove,ofcourse,andweresooninsightofthegreatrollingrocks.Itseemedimpossiblethattherecouldbeawaybetweenthem,buttheyfreedthedoveandwatchedher.Sheflewthroughandcameoutsafe.Onlythetipsofhertail-featherswerecaughtbetweentherocksastheyrolledbacktogether;andthoseweretornaway.Theheroeswentafterherasswiftlyastheycould.Therocksparted,therowersputforthalltheirstrength,andtheytoocamethroughsafely.Justintime,however,forastherocksclashedtogetheragaintheextremeendofthesternornamentwasshornoff.Bysolittletheyescapeddestruction.Buteversincetheypassedthemtherockshavebeenrootedfasttoeachotherandhaveneveranymorebroughtdisastertosailors.

Notfarfromtherewasthecountryofthewarriorwomen,theAmazons—thedaughters,strangelyenough,ofthatmostpeace-lovingnymph,sweetHarmony.ButtheirfatherwasAres,theterriblegodofwar,whosewaystheyfollowedandnottheirmother’s.Theheroeswouldgladlyhavehaltedandclosedinbattlewiththem,anditwouldnothavebeenabattlewithoutbloodshed,fortheAmazonswerenotgentlefoes.Butthewindwasfavorableandtheyhurriedon.TheycaughtaglimpseoftheCaucasusastheyspedpast,andofPrometheusonhisrockhighabovethem,andtheyheardthefanningoftheeagle’shugewingsasitdarteddowntoitsbloodyfeast.Theystoppedfornothing,andthatsamedayatsunsettheyreachedColchis,thecountryoftheGoldenFleece.

Theyspentthenightfacingtheyknewnotwhatandfeelingthattherewasnohelpforthemanywhereexceptintheirownvalor.UpinOlympus,however,aconsultationwasbeingheldaboutthem.Hera,troubledatthedangertheywerein,wenttoaskAphrodite’shelp.TheGoddessofLovewassurprisedatthevisit,forHerawasnofriendofhers.Still,whenthegreatQueenofOlympusbeggedforheraid,shewasawedandpromisedtodoallshecould.TogethertheyplannedthatAphrodite’ssonCupidshouldmakethedaughteroftheColchianKingfallinlovewithJason.Thatwasanexcellentplan—forJason.Themaiden,whowasnamedMedea,knewhowtoworkverypowerfulmagic,andcouldundoubtedlysavetheArgonautsifshewoulduseherdarkknowledgeforthem.SoAphroditewenttoCupidandtoldhimshewouldgivehimalovelyplaything,aballofshininggoldanddeepblueenamel,ifhewoulddowhatshewanted.Hewasdelighted,seizedhisbowandquiver,andsweptdownfromOlympusthroughthevastexpanseofairtoColchis.

MeantimetheheroeshadstartedforthecitytoasktheKingfortheGoldenFleece.Theyweresafefromanytroubleontheway,forHerawrappedtheminathickmist,sothattheyreachedthepalaceunseen.Itdissolvedwhentheyapproachedtheentrance,andthewarders,quicktonoticethebandofsplendidyoungstrangers,ledthemcourteouslywithinandsentwordtotheKingoftheirarrival.

Hecameatonceandbadethemwelcome.Hisservantshastenedtomakeallready,buildfiresandheatwaterforthebaths,andpreparefood.IntothisbusyscenestolethePrincessMedea,curioustoseethevisitors.AshereyesfelluponJason,Cupidswiftlydrewhisbowandshotashaftdeepintothemaiden’sheart.Itburnedtherelikeaflameandhersoulmeltedwithsweetpain,andherfacewentnowwhite,nowred.Amazedandabashedshestolebacktoherchamber.

OnlyaftertheheroeshadbathedandrefreshedthemselveswithmeatanddrinkcouldKingÆetesaskthemwhotheywereandwhytheyhadcome.Itwasaccountedgreatdiscourtesytoputanyquestiontoaguestbeforehiswantshadbeensatisfied.Jasonansweredthattheywereallmenofnoblestbirth,sonsorgrandsonsofthegods,whohadsailedfromGreeceinthehopethathewouldgivethemtheGoldenFleeceinreturnforwhateverservicehewouldaskofthem.Theywouldconquerhisenemiesforhim,ordoanythinghewished.

AgreatangerfilledKingÆetes’heartashelistened.Hedidnotlikeforeigners,anymorethantheGreeksdid;hewantedthemtokeepawayfromhiscountry,andhesaidtohimself,“IfthesestrangershadnoteatenatmytableIwouldkillthem.”Insilenceheponderedwhatheshoulddo,andaplan

cametohim.HetoldJasonthatheborenogrudgeagainstbravemenandthatifthey

provedthemselvessuchhewouldgivetheFleecetothem.“Andthetrialofyourcourage,”hesaid,“shallbeonlywhatImyselfhavedone.”Thiswastoyoketwobullshehad,whosefeetwereofbronzeandwhosebreathwasflamingfire,andwiththemtoplowafield.Thentheteethofadragonmustbecastintothefurrows,likeseed-corn—whichwouldspringupatonceintoacropofarmedmen.Thesemustbecutdownastheyadvancedtotheattack—afearfulharvesting.“Ihavedoneallthismyself,”hesaid;“andIwillgivetheFleecetonomanlessbravethanI.”ForatimeJasonsatspeechless.Thecontestseemedimpossible,beyondthestrengthofanyone.Finallyheanswered,“Iwillmakethetrial,monstrousthoughitis,evenifitismydoomtodie.”Withthatheroseupandledhiscomradesbacktotheshipforthenight,butMedea’sthoughtsfollowedafterhim.Allthroughthelongnightwhenhehadleftthepalacesheseemedtoseehim,hisbeautyandhisgrace,andtohearthewordshehaduttered.Herheartwastormentedwithfearforhim.Sheguessedwhatherfatherwasplanning.

Returnedtotheship,theheroesheldacouncilandoneandanotherurgedJasontolethimtakethetrialuponhimself;butinvain,Jasonwouldyieldtononeofthem.AstheytalkedtherecametothemoneoftheKing’sgrandsonswhoselifeJasononcehadsaved,andhetoldthemofMedea’smagicpower.Therewasnothingshecouldnotdo,hesaid,checkthestars,even,andthemoon.Ifshewerepersuadedtohelp,shecouldmakeJasonabletoconquerthebullsandthedragon-teethmen.ItseemedtheonlyplanthatofferedanyhopeandtheyurgedtheprincetogobackandtrytowinMedeaover,notknowingthattheGodofLovehadalreadydonethat.

Shesataloneinherroom,weepingandtellingherselfshewasshamedforeverbecauseshecaredsomuchforastrangerthatshewantedtoyieldtoamadpassionandgoagainstherfather.“Farbetterdie,”shesaid.Shetookinherhandacasketwhichheldherbsforkilling,butasshesattherewithit,shethoughtoflifeandthedelightfulthingsthatareintheworld;andthesunseemedsweeterthaneverbefore.Sheputthecasketaway;andnolongerwaveringshedeterminedtouseherpowerforthemansheloved.Shehadamagicointmentwhichwouldmakehimwhorubbeditonhisbodysafeforthatday;hecouldnotbeharmedbyanything.TheplantitwasmadefromsprangupfirstwhenPrometheus’blooddrippeddownupontheearth.Sheputitinherbosomandwenttofindhernephew,theprincewhomJasonhadhelped.Shemethimashewaslookingforhertobeghertodojustwhatshehadalreadydecidedon.SheagreedatoncetoallhesaidandsenthimtotheshiptotellJasontomeetherwithoutdelayinacertainplace.Assoonashe

heardthemessageJasonstarted,andashewentHerashedradiantgraceuponhim,sothatallwhosawhimmarveledathim.WhenhereachedMedeaitseemedtoherasifherheartlefthertogotohim;adarkmistcloudedhereyesandshehadnostrengthtomove.Thetwostoodfacetofacewithoutaword,asloftypinetreeswhenthewindisstill.Thenagainwhenthewindstirstheymurmur;sothesetwoalso,stirredbythebreathoflove,werefatedtotelloutalltheirtaletoeachother.

Hespokefirstandimploredhertobekindtohim.Hecouldnotbuthavehope,hesaid,becauseherlovelinessmustsurelymeanthatsheexcelledingentlecourtesy.Shedidnotknowhowtospeaktohim;shewantedtopouroutallshefeltatonce.Silentlyshedrewtheboxofointmentfromherbosomandgaveittohim.Shewouldhavegivenhersoultohimifhehadaskedher.Andnowbothwerefixingtheireyesontheground,abashed,andagainwerethrowingglancesateachother,smilingwithlove’sdesire.

AtlastMedeaspokeandtoldhimhowtousethecharmandthatwhenitwassprinkledonhisweaponsitwouldmakethemaswellashimselfinvincibleforaday.Iftoomanyofthedragon-teethmenrushedtoattackhim,hemustthrowastoneintotheirmidst,whichwouldmakethemturnagainsteachotherandfightuntilallwerekilled.“Imustgobacktothepalacenow,”shesaid.“ButwhenyouareoncemoresafeathomerememberMedea,asIwillrememberyouforever.”Heansweredpassionately,“NeverbynightandneverbydaywillIforgetyou.IfyouwillcometoGreece,youshallbeworshipedforwhatyouhavedoneforus,andnothingexceptdeathwillcomebetweenus.”

Theyparted,shetothepalacetoweepoverhertreacherytoherfather,hetotheshiptosendtwoofhiscomradesforthedragon’steeth.Meantimehemadetrialoftheointmentandatthetouchofitaterrible,irresistiblepowerenteredintohimandtheheroesallexulted.Yet,evenso,whentheyreachedthefieldwheretheKingandtheColchianswerewaiting,andthebullsrushedoutfromtheirlairbreathingforthflamesoffire,terrorovercamethem.ButJasonwithstoodthefearfulcreaturesasagreatrockintheseawithstandsthewaves.Heforcedfirstoneandthentheotherdownonitskneesandfastenedtheyokeuponthem,whileallwonderedathismightyprowess.Overthefieldhedrovethem,pressingtheplowdownfirmlyandcastingthedragon’steethintothefurrows.Bythetimetheplowingwasdonethecropwasspringingup,menbristlingwitharmswhocamerushingtoattackhim.JasonrememberedMedea’swordsandflungahugestoneintotheirmidst.Withthat,thewarriorsturneduponeachotherandfellbeneaththeirownspearswhilethefurrowsranwithblood.SoJason’scontestwasendedinvictory,bittertoKingÆetes.

TheKingwentbacktothepalaceplanningtreacheryagainsttheheroesandvowingtheyshouldneverhavetheGoldenFleece.ButHerawasworkingforthem.ShemadeMedea,allbewilderedwithloveandmisery,determinetoflywithJason.Thatnightshestoleoutofthehouseandspedalongthedarkpathtotheship,wheretheywererejoicingintheirgoodfortunewithnothoughtofevil.Shefellonherkneesbeforethemandbeggedthemtotakeherwiththem.TheymustgettheFleeceatonce,shetoldthem,andthenmakeallhasteawayortheywouldbekilled.AterribleserpentguardedtheFleece,butshewouldlullittosleepsothatitwoulddothemnoharm.Shespokeinanguish,butJasonrejoicedandraisedhergentlyandembracedher,andpromisedhershewouldbehisownweddedwifewhenoncetheywerebackinGreece.ThentakingheronboardtheywentwhereshedirectedandreachedthesacredgrovewheretheFleecehung.Theguardianserpentwasveryterrible,butMedeaapproacheditfearlesslyandsingingasweetmagicalsongshecharmedittosleep.SwiftlyJasonliftedthegoldenwonderfromthetreeithungon,andhurryingbacktheyreachedtheshipasdawnwasbreaking.Thestrongestwereputattheoarsandtheyrowedwithalltheirmightdowntherivertothesea.

BynowwhathadhappenedwasknowntotheKing,andhesenthissoninpursuit—Medea’sbrother,Apsyrtus.Heledanarmysogreatthatitseemedimpossibleforthelittlebandofheroeseithertoconqueritortoescape,butMedeasavedthemagain,thistimebyahorribledeed.Shekilledherbrother.SomesayshesenthimwordthatshewaslongingtogobacktoherhomeandthatshehadtheFleeceforhimifhewouldmeetherthatnightatacertainspot.HecameallunsuspectingandJasonstruckhimdownandhisdarkblooddyedhissister’ssilveryrobeassheshrankaway.Withitsleaderdead,thearmyscatteredindisorderandthewaytothesealayopentotheheroes.

OtherssaythatApsyrtussetsailonArgowithMedea,althoughwhyhedidsoisnotexplained,andthatitwastheKingwhopursuedthem.Ashisshipgainedonthem,Medeaherselfstruckherbrotherdownandcuttinghimlimbfromlimbcastthepiecesintothesea.TheKingstoppedtogatherthem,andtheArgowassaved.

BythentheadventuresoftheArgonautswerealmostover.Oneterribletrialtheyhadwhilepassingbetweenthesmooth,sheerrockofScyllaandthewhirlpoolofCharybdis,wheretheseaforeverspoutedandroaredandthefuriouswavesmountinguptouchedtheverysky.ButHerahadseentoitthatseanymphsshouldbeathandtoguidethemandsendtheshipontosafety.

NextcameCrete—wheretheywouldhavelandedbutforMedea.ShetoldthemthatTaluslivedthere,thelastmanleftoftheancientbronzerace,acreaturemadeallofbronzeexceptoneanklewherealonehewasvulnerable.

Evenasshespoke,heappeared,terribletobehold,andthreatenedtocrushtheshipwithrocksiftheydrewnearer.Theyrestedontheiroars,andMedeakneelingprayedtothehoundsofHadestocomeanddestroyhim.Thedreadpowersofevilheardher.AsthebronzemanliftedapointedcragtohurlitattheArgohegrazedhisankleandthebloodgushedforthuntilhesankanddied.Thentheheroescouldlandandrefreshthemselvesforthevoyagestillbeforethem.

UponreachingGreecetheydisbanded,eachherogoingtohishome,andJasonwithMedeatooktheGoldenFleecetoPelias.Buttheyfoundthatterribledeedshadbeendonethere.PeliashadforcedJason’sfathertokillhimselfandhismotherhaddiedofgrief.Jason,bentuponpunishingthiswickedness,turnedtoMedeaforthehelpwhichhadneverfailedhim.ShebroughtaboutthedeathofPeliasbyacunningtrick.Tohisdaughtersshesaidthatsheknewasecret,howtomaketheoldyoungagain;andtoproveherwordsshecutupbeforethemaramwornoutwithmanyyears,andputthepiecesintoapotofboilingwater.Thensheutteredacharmandinamomentoutfromthewatersprangalambandranfriskingaway.Themaidenswereconvinced.MedeagavePeliasapotentsleeping-draughtandcalleduponhisdaughterstocuthimintobits.Withalltheirlongingtomakehimyoungagaintheycouldhardlyforcethemselvestodoso,butatlastthedreadfultaskwasdone,thepiecesinthewater,andtheylookedtoMedeatospeakthemagicwordsthatwouldbringhimbacktothemandtohisyouth.Butshewasgone—gonefromthepalaceandfromthecity,andhorrifiedtheyrealizedthattheyweretheirfather’smurderers.Jasonwasrevenged,indeed.

Thereisastory,too,thatMedearestoredJason’sfathertolifeandmadehimyoungagain,andthatshegavetoJasonthesecretofperpetualyouth.Allthatshedidofevilandofgoodwasdoneforhimalone,andintheend,alltherewardshegotwasthatheturnedtraitortoher.

TheycametoCorinthafterPelias’death.Twosonswereborntothemandallseemedwell,eventoMedeainherexile,lonelyasexilemustalwaysbe.ButhergreatloveforJasonmadethelossofherfamilyandhercountryseemtoheralittlething.AndthenJasonshowedthemeannessthatwasinhim,brilliantherothoughhehadseemedtobe:heengagedhimselftomarrythedaughteroftheKingofCorinth.Itwasasplendidmarriageandhethoughtofambitiononly,neverofloveorofgratitude.Inthefirstamazementathistreacheryandinthepassionofheranguish,MedealetfallwordswhichmadetheKingofCorinthfearshewoulddoharmtohisdaughter,—hemusthavebeenasingularlyunsuspiciousmannottohavethoughtofthatbefore,—andhesentherwordthatsheandhersonsmustleavethecountryatonce.Thatwasadoomalmostasbadasdeath.Awomaninexilewithlittlehelpless

childrenhadnoprotectionforherselforthem.Asshesatbroodingoverwhatsheshoulddoandthinkingofherwrongs

andherwretchedness,—wishingfordeathtoendthelifeshecouldnolongerbear,sometimesrememberingwithtearsherfatherandherhome;sometimesshudderingatthestainnothingcouldwashoutofherbrother’sblood,ofPelias’,too;consciousaboveallofthewildpassionatedevotionthathadbroughthertothisevilandthismisery,—asshesatthus,Jasonappearedbeforeher.Shelookedathim;shedidnotspeak.Hewastherebesideher,yetshewasfarawayfromhim,alonewithheroutragedloveandherruinedlife.Hisfeelingshadnothinginthemtomakehimsilent.Hetoldhercoldlythathehadalwaysknownhowuncontrolledherspiritwas.Ifithadnotbeenforherfoolish,mischievoustalkabouthisbrideshemighthavestayedoncomfortablyinCorinth.However,hehaddonehisbestforher.Itwasentirelythroughhiseffortsthatshewasonlytobeexiled,notkilled.HehadhadaveryhardtimeindeedtopersuadetheKing,buthehadsparednopains.Hehadcometohernowbecausehewasnotamantofailafriend,andhewouldseethatshehadplentyofgoldandeverythingnecessaryforherjourney.

Thiswastoomuch.ThetorrentofMedea’swrongsburstforth.“Youcometome?”shesaid—

Tome,ofalltheraceofmen?Yetitiswellyoucame.ForIshalleasetheburdenofmyheartIfIcanmakeyourbasenessmanifest.Isavedyou.EverymaninGreeceknowsthat.Thebulls,thedragon-men,theserpentwarderoftheFleece,Iconqueredthem.Imadeyouvictor.Iheldthelightthatsavedyou.Fatherandhome—IleftthemForastrangecountry.Ioverthrewyourfoes,ContrivedforPeliastheworstofdeaths.Nowyouforsakeme.WhereshallIgo?Backtomyfather’shouse?ToPelias’daughters?IhavebecomeforyouTheenemyofall.Myself,Ihadnoquarrelwiththem.Oh,IhavehadinyouAloyalhusband,tobeadmiredofmen.Anexilenow,OGod,OGod.Noonetohelp.Iamalone.

Hisanswerwasthathehadbeensavednotbyher,butbyAphrodite,whohadmadeherfallinlovewithhim,andthatsheowedhimagreatdealfor

bringinghertoGreece,acivilizedcountry.AlsothathehaddoneverywellforherinlettingitbeknownhowshehadhelpedtheArgonauts,sothatpeoplepraisedher.Ifonlyshecouldhavehadsomecommonsense,shewouldhavebeengladofhismarriage,assuchaconnectionwouldhavebeenprofitableforherandthechildren,too.Herexilewasherownfaultonly.

WhateverelseshelackedMedeahadplentyofintelligence.Shewastednomorewordsuponhimexcepttorefusehisgold.Shewouldtakenothing,nohelpfromhim.Jasonflungawayangrilyfromher.“Yourstubbornpride,”hetoldher—

Itdrivesawayallthosewhowouldbekind.Butyouwillgrievethemoreforit.

FromthatmomentMedeasetherselftoberevenged,aswellsheknewhow.

Bydeath,oh,bydeath,shalltheconflictoflifebedecided,Life’slittledayended.

ShedeterminedtokillJason’sbride,andthen—then?Butshewouldnotthinkofwhatelseshesawbeforeher.“Herdeathfirst,”shesaid.

Shetookfromachestamostlovelyrobe.Thissheanointedwithdeadlydrugsandplacingitinacasketshesenthersonswithittothenewbride.Theymustaskher,shetoldthem,toshowthatsheacceptedthegiftbywearingitatonce.ThePrincessreceivedthemgraciously,andagreed.Butnosoonerhadsheputitonthanafearful,devouringfireenvelopedher.Shedroppeddead;herveryfleshhadmeltedaway.

WhenMedeaknewthedeedwasdonesheturnedhermindtoonestillmoredreadful.Therewasnoprotectionforherchildren,nohelpforthemanywhere.Aslave’slifemightbetheirs,nothingmore.“Iwillnotletthemliveforstrangerstoill-use,”shethought—

Todiebyotherhandsmoremercilessthanmine.No;Iwhogavethemlifewillgivethemdeath.Oh,nownocowardice,nothoughthowyoungtheyare,Howdeartheyare,howwhentheyfirstwereborn—Notthat—IwillforgettheyaremysonsOnemoment,oneshortmoment—thenforeversorrow.

WhenJasoncamefulloffuryforwhatshehaddonetohisbrideanddeterminedtokillher,thetwoboysweredead,andMedeaontheroofofthe

housewassteppingintoachariotdrawnbydragons.Theycarriedherawaythroughtheairoutofhissightashecursedher,neverhimself,forwhathadcometopass.

CHAPTERIV

FourGreatAdventures

PHAËTHON

ThisisoneofOvid’sbeststories,vividlytold,detailsusednotformeredecoration,buttoheightentheeffect.

THEpalaceoftheSunwasaradiantplace.Itshonewithgoldandgleamedwithivoryandsparkledwithjewels.Everythingwithoutandwithinflashedandglowedandglittered.Itwasalwayshighnoonthere.Shadowytwilightneverdimmedthebrightness.Darknessandnightwereunknown.Fewamongmortalscouldhavelongenduredthatunchangingbrilliancyoflight,butfewhadeverfoundtheirwaythither.

Nevertheless,onedayayouth,mortalonhismother’sside,daredtoapproach.Oftenhehadtopauseandclearhisdazzledeyes,buttheerrandwhichhadbroughthimwassourgentthathispurposeheldfastandhepressedon,uptothepalace,throughtheburnisheddoors,andintothethrone-roomwheresurroundedbyablinding,blazingsplendortheSun-godsat.Theretheladwasforcedtohalt.Hecouldbearnomore.

NothingescapestheeyesoftheSun.Hesawtheboyinstantlyandhelookedathimverykindly.“Whatbroughtyouhere?”heasked.“Ihavecome,”theotheransweredboldly,“tofindoutifyouaremyfatherornot.Mymothersaidyouwere,buttheboysatschoollaughwhenItellthemIamyourson.Theywillnotbelieveme.ItoldmymotherandshesaidIhadbettergoandaskyou.”Smiling,theSuntookoffhiscrownofburninglightsothattheladcouldlookathimwithoutdistress.“Comehere,Phaëthon,”hesaid.“Youaremyson.Clymenetoldyouthetruth.Iexpectyouwillnotdoubtmywordtoo?ButIwillgiveyouaproof.Askanythingyouwantofmeandyoushallhaveit.IcalltheStyxtobewitnesstomypromise,theriveroftheoathofthegods.”

NodoubtPhaëthonhadoftenwatchedtheSunridingthroughtheheavensandhadtoldhimselfwithafeeling,halfawe,halfexcitement,“Itismyfatherupthere.”Andthenhewouldwonderwhatitwouldbeliketobeinthatchariot,guidingthesteedsalongthatdizzycourse,givinglighttotheworld.Nowathisfather’swordsthiswilddreamhadbecomepossible.Instantlyhecried,“Ichoosetotakeyourplace,Father.ThatistheonlythingIwant.Justforaday,asingleday,letmehaveyourcartodrive.”

TheSunrealizedhisownfolly.Whyhadhetakenthatfataloathand

boundhimselftogiveintoanythingthathappenedtoenteraboy’srashyounghead?“Dearlad,”hesaid,“thisistheonlythingIwouldhaverefusedyou.IknowIcannotrefuse.IhaveswornbytheStyx.Imustyieldifyoupersist.ButIdonotbelieveyouwill.ListenwhileItellyouwhatthisisyouwant.YouareClymene’ssonaswellasmine.Youaremortalandnomortalcoulddrivemychariot.Indeed,nogodexceptmyselfcandothat.Therulerofthegodscannot.Considertheroad.Itrisesupfromtheseasosteeplythatthehorsescanhardlyclimbit,freshthoughtheyareintheearlymorning.InmidheavenitissohighthatevenIdonotliketolookdown.Worstofallisthedescent,soprecipitousthattheSea-godswaitingtoreceivemewonderhowIcanavoidfallingheadlong.Toguidethehorses,too,isaperpetualstruggle.Theirfieryspiritsgrowhotterastheyclimbandtheyscarcelysuffermycontrol.Whatwouldtheydowithyou?

“Areyoufancyingthatthereareallsortsofwondersupthere,citiesofthegodsfullofbeautifulthings?Nothingofthekind.Youwillhavetopassbeasts,fiercebeastsofprey,andtheyareallthatyouwillsee.TheBull,theLion,theScorpion,thegreatCrab,eachwilltrytoharmyou.Bepersuaded.Lookaroundyou.Seeallthegoodstherichworldholds.Choosefromthemyourheart’sdesireanditshallbeyours.Ifwhatyouwantistobeprovedmyson,myfearsforyouareproofenoughthatIamyourfather.”

Butnoneofallthiswisetalkmeantanythingtotheboy.Agloriousprospectopenedbeforehim.Hesawhimselfproudlystandinginthatwondrouscar,hishandstriumphantlyguidingthosesteedswhichJovehimselfcouldnotmaster.Hedidnotgiveathoughttothedangershisfatherdetailed.Hefeltnotaquiveroffear,notadoubtofhisownpowers.AtlasttheSungaveuptryingtodissuadehim.Itwashopeless,ashesaw.Besides,therewasnotime.Themomentforstartingwasathand.Alreadythegatesoftheeastglowedpurple,andDawnhadopenedhercourtsfullofrosylight.Thestarswereleavingthesky;eventhelingeringmorningstarwasdim.

Therewasneedforhaste,butallwasready.Theseasons,thegatekeepersofOlympus,stoodwaitingtoflingthedoorswide.Thehorseshadbeenbridledandyokedtothecar.ProudlyandjoyouslyPhaëthonmounteditandtheywereoff.Hehadmadehischoice.Whatevercameofithecouldnotchangenow.Notthathewantedtointhatfirstexhilaratingrushthroughtheair,soswiftthattheEastWindwasout-strippedandleftfarbehind.Thehorses’flyingfeetwentthroughthelow-bankedcloudsneartheoceanasthroughathinseamistandthenupandupintheclearair,climbingtheheightofheaven.ForafewecstaticmomentsPhaëthonfelthimselftheLordoftheSky.Butsuddenlytherewasachange.Thechariotwasswingingwildlytoandfro;thepacewasfaster;hehadlostcontrol.Nothe,butthehorseswere

directingthecourse.Thatlightweightinthecar,thosefeeblehandsclutchingthereins,hadtoldthemtheirowndriverwasnotthere.Theywerethemastersthen.Nooneelsecouldcommandthem.Theylefttheroadandrushedwheretheychose,up,down,totheright,totheleft.TheynearlywreckedthechariotagainsttheScorpion;theybroughtupshortandalmostranintotheCrab.Bythistimethepoorcharioteerwashalffaintingwithterror,andheletthereinsfall.

Thatwasthesignalforstillmoremadandrecklessrunning.Thehorsessoareduptotheverytopoftheskyandthen,plungingheadlongdown,theysettheworldonfire.Thehighestmountainswerethefirsttoburn,IdaandHelicon,wheretheMusesdwell,Parnassus,andheaven-piercingOlympus.Downtheirslopestheflamerantothelow-lyingvalleysandthedarkforestlands,untilallthingseverywherewereablaze.Thespringsturnedintosteam;theriversshrank.ItissaidthatitwasthentheNilefledandhidhishead,whichstillishidden.

InthecarPhaëthon,hardlykeepinghisplacethere,waswrappedinthicksmokeandheatasiffromafieryfurnace.Hewantednothingexcepttohavethistormentandterrorended.Hewouldhavewelcomeddeath.MotherEarth,too,couldbearnomore.Sheutteredagreatcrywhichreacheduptothegods.LookingdownfromOlympustheysawthattheymustactquicklyiftheworldwastobesaved.Joveseizedhisthunderboltandhurleditattherash,repentantdriver.Itstruckhimdead,shatteredthechariot,andmadethemaddenedhorsesrushdownintothesea.

Phaëthonallonfirefellfromthecarthroughtheairtotheearth.ThemysteriousriverEridanus,whichnomortaleyeshaveeverseen,receivedhimandputouttheflamesandcooledthebody.Thenaiads,inpityforhim,soboldandsoyoungtodie,buriedhimandcarveduponthetomb:—

HerePhaëthonlieswhodrovetheSun-god’scar.Greatlyhefailed,buthehadgreatlydared.

Hissisters,theHeliades,thedaughtersofHelios,theSun,cametohisgravetomournforhim.Theretheywereturnedintopoplartrees,onthebankoftheEridanus,

Wheresorrowingtheyweepintothestreamforever.AndeachtearasitfallsshinesinthewaterAglisteningdropofamber.

PEGASUSANDBELLEROPHON

Twooftheepisodesinthisstoryaretakenfromtheearliestpoets.HesiodintheeighthorninthcenturytellsabouttheChimaera,andAnteia’sloveandthesadendofBellerophonareintheIliad.TherestofthestoryistoldfirstandbestbyPindarinthefirsthalfofthefifthcentury.

InEphyre,thecitylatercalledCorinth,GlaucuswasKing.HewasthesonofSisyphuswhoinHadesmustforevertrytorollastoneuphillbecauseheoncebetrayedasecretofZeus.Glaucus,too,drewdownonhimselfthedispleasureofheaven.Hewasagreathorsemanandhefedhishorseshumanfleshtomakethemfierceinbattle.Suchmonstrousdeedsalwaysangeredthegodsandtheyservedhimashehadservedothers.Hewasthrownfromhischariotandhishorsestorehimtopiecesanddevouredhim.

InthecityaboldandbeautifulyoungmannamedBellerophonwasgenerallyheldtobehisson.Itwasrumored,however,thatBellerophonhadamightierfather,Poseidonhimself,theRuleroftheSea,andtheyouth’ssurpassinggiftsofspiritandbodymadethisaccountofhisbirthseemlikely.Moreoverhismother,Eurynome,althoughamortal,hadbeentaughtbyAthenauntilinwitandwisdomshewasthepeerofthegods.ItwasonlytobeexpectedonallscoresthatBellerophonshouldseemlessmortalthandivine.Greatadventureswouldcalltosuchaoneasheandnoperilwouldeverholdhimback.Andyetthedeedforwhichheisbestknownneedednocourageatall,noeffort,even.Indeed,itprovedthat

Whatmanwouldswearcannotbedone,—Mustnotbehopedfor,—thegreatPoweronhighCangiveintohishand,ineasymastery.

MorethananythingonearthBellerophonwantedPegasus,amarveloushorsewhichhadsprungfromtheGorgon’sbloodwhenPerseuskilledher.*Hewas

Awingedsteed,unwearyingofflight,Sweepingthroughairswiftasagaleofwind.

Wondersattendedhim.Thespringbelovedofpoets,Hippocrene,onHelicon,theMuses’mountain,hadsprungupwherehishoofhadstrucktheearth.Whocouldcatchandtamesuchacreature?Bellerophonsufferedfromhopelesslonging.

ThewiseseerofEphyre(Corinth),Polyidus,towhomhetoldhisdesperatedesire,advisedhimtogotoAthena’stempleandsleepthere.Thegodsoftenspoketomenintheirdreams.SoBellerophonwenttotheholyplaceandwhenhewaslyingdeepinslumberbesidethealtarheseemedtoseethegoddessstandingbeforehimwithsomegoldenthinginherhand.Shesaidtohim,“Asleep?Nay,wake.Hereiswhatwillcharmthesteedyoucovet.”Hesprangtohisfeet.Nogoddesswasthere,butamarvelousobjectlayinfrontofhim,abridleallofgold,suchasneverhadbeenseenbefore.Hopefulatlastwithitinhishand,hehurriedouttothefieldstofindPegasus.Hecaughtsightofhim,drinkingfromthefar-famedspringofCorinth,Pirene;andhedrewgentlynear.Thehorselookedathimtranquilly,neitherstartlednorafraid,andsufferedhimselftobebridledwithouttheleasttrouble.Athena’scharmhadworked.Bellerophonwasmasterofthegloriouscreature.

Inhisfullsuitofbronzearmorheleapeduponhisbackandputhimthroughhispaces,thehorseseemingtodelightinthesportasmuchashehimself.Nowhewaslordoftheair,flyingwhereverhewould,enviedofall.Asmattersturnedout,Pegasuswasnotonlyajoy,butahelpintimeofneedaswell,forhardtrialslaybeforeBellerophon.

Insomeway,wearenottoldhowexceptthatitwaspurelythroughaccident,hekilledhisbrother;andhewenttoArgoswheretheKing,Proteus,purifiedhim.Therehistrialsbeganandhisgreatdeedsaswell.Anteia,thewifeofProteus,fellinlovewithhim,andwhenheturnedfromherandwouldhavenothingtodowithher,inherbitterangershetoldherhusbandthathisguesthadwrongedherandmustdie.Enragedthoughhewas,Proteuswouldnotkillhim.Bellerophonhadeatenathistable;hecouldnotbringhimselftouseviolenceagainsthim.However,hemadeaplanwhichseemedcertaintohavethesameresult.HeaskedtheyouthtotakealettertotheKingofLyciainAsiaandBellerophoneasilyagreed.LongjourneysmeantnothingtohimonPegasus’back.TheLyciankingreceivedhimwithantiquehospitalityandentertainedhimsplendidlyforninedaysbeforeheaskedtoseetheletter.ThenhereadthatProteuswantedtheyoungmankilled.

BellerophononPegasuskillingtheChimaera

Hedidnotcaretodoso,forthesamereasonthathadmadeProteusunwilling:Zeus’swell-knownhostilitytothosewhobrokethebondbetweenhostandguest.Therecouldbenoobjection,however,tosendingthestrangeronanadventure,himandhiswingedhorse.SoheaskedhimtogoandslaytheChimaera,feelingquiteassuredthathewouldnevercomeback.TheChimaerawasheldtobeunconquerable.Shewasamostsingularportent,alioninfront,aserpentbehind,agoatinbetween—

Afearfulcreature,greatandswiftoffootandstrong,Whosebreathwasflameunquenchable.

ButforBellerophonridingPegasustherewasnoneedtocomeanywhereneartheflamingmonster.Hesoaredupoverherandshotherwithhisarrowsatnorisktohimself.

WhenhewentbacktoProteus,thelatterhadtothinkoutotherwaysofdisposingofhim.Hegothimtogoonanexpedition,againsttheSolymi,mightywarriors;andthenwhenBellerophonhadsucceededinconqueringthese,onanotheragainsttheAmazons,wherehedidequallywell.FinallyProteuswaswonoverbyhiscourageandhisgoodfortune,too;hebecamefriendswithhimandgavehimhisdaughtertomarry.

Helivedhappilythusforalongtime;thenhemadethegodsangry.Hiseagerambitionalongwithhisgreatsuccessledhimtothink“thoughtstoogreatforman,”thethingofallothersthegodsobjectedto.HetriedtoridePegasusuptoOlympus.Hebelievedhecouldtakehisplacetherewiththeimmortals.Thehorsewaswiser.Hewouldnottrytheflight,andhethrewhisrider.ThereafterBellerophon,hatedofthegods,wanderedalone,devouringhisownsoulandavoidingthepathsofmenuntilhedied.

PegasusfoundshelterintheheavenlystallsofOlympuswherethesteedsofZeuswerecaredfor.Ofthemallhewasforemost,aswasprovedbytheextraordinaryfactthatpoetsreport,thatwhenZeuswishedtousehisthunderbolt,itwasPegasuswhobroughtthethunderandlightningtohim.

OTUSANDEPHIALTES

ThisstoryisalludedtointheOdysseyandtheAeneid,butonlyApollodorustellsitinfull.Hewrote,probably,inthefirstorsecondcenturyA.D.Adullwriter,butlessdullthanusualinthistale.

ThesetwinbrotherswereGiants,buttheydidnotlooklikethemonstersof

old.Theywerestraightofformandnobleofface.Homersaystheywere

Tallestofallthatthelife-givingearthwithherbreadevernourished,Handsomesttoo,afterpeerlessOrionalone.

Virgilspeakschieflyoftheirmadambition.Hesaystheywere

Twins,huge-bodied,whostrovewiththeirhandstodestroythehighheavens,StrovetopushJupiterdownfromhiskingdomsupernal.

TheywerethesonsofIphimedia,somesay,others,ofCanace.Atallevents,whoevertheirmotherwas,theirfatherwascertainlyPoseidon,althoughtheywentgenerallybythenameoftheAloadae,thesonsofAloeus,theirmother’shusband.

Theywerestillveryyoungwhentheysetaboutprovingthattheywerethegods’superiors.TheyimprisonedAres,boundhimwithchainsofbrass,andshuthimup.TheOlympianswerereluctanttotrytofreehimbyforce.TheysentthecunningHermestohisassistance,whocontrivedstealthilybynighttogethimoutofhisprison.Thenthetwoarrogantyouthsdaredstillmore.TheythreatenedthattheywouldpileMountPeliononMountOssaandscaletheheightsofheaven,astheGiantsofoldhadpiledOssaonPelion.Thispassedtheenduranceoftheimmortals,andZeusgotreadyhisthunderbolttostrikethem.ButbeforehehurleditPoseidoncamebegginghimtosparethemandpromisingtokeeptheminorder.ZeusagreedandPoseidonwasasgoodashisword.ThetwinsstoppedwarringagainstheavenandPoseidonfeltpleasedwithhimself,butthefactwasthatthetwohadturnedtootherplanswhichinterestedthemmore.

OtusthoughtitwouldbeanexcellentadventuretocarryHeraoff,andEphialteswasinlovewithArtemis,orthoughthewas.Intruththetwobrotherscaredonlyforeachother.Theirswasagreatdevotion.Theydrewlotstodecidewhichshouldfirstseizehislady,andfortunefavoredEphialtes.TheysoughtArtemiseverywhereoverthehillsandinthewoods,butwhenatlasttheycaughtsightofhershewasontheseashore,makingdirectlyforthesea.Sheknewtheirevilpurposeandsheknewtoohowshewouldpunishthem.Theysprangafterher,butshekeptstraightonoverthesea.AllofPoseidon’ssonshadthesamepower:theycouldrundry-shodontheseaasontheland,sothetwofollowedherwithnotrouble.SheledthemtothewoodedislandofNaxos,andthere,whentheyhadallbutcaughtupwithher,shedisappeared.Theysawinsteadamostlovelymilk-whitehindspringinginto

theforest.Atthesighttheyforgotthegoddessandturnedinpursuitofthebeautifulcreature.Theylostherinthethickwoodsandtheyseparatedinordertodoublethechanceoffindingher.Atthesamemomenteachsuddenlysawherstandingwithearsprickedinanopenglade,butneithersawthatbackinthetreesjustbeyondherwashisbrother.Theythrewtheirjavelinsandthehindvanished.Theweaponsspedonacrosstheemptygladeintothewoodandtherefoundtheirmark.Thetoweringformsoftheyounghunterscrashedtotheground,eachpiercedbythespearoftheother,eachslayingandbeingslainbytheonlycreatureheloved.

SuchwasthevengeanceofArtemis.

DAEDALUS

BothOvidandApollodorustellthisstory.ApollodoruslivedprobablymorethanahundredyearsafterOvid.HeisaverypedestrianwriterandOvidisfarfromthat.ButinthiscaseIhavefollowedApollodorus.Ovid’saccountshowshimathisworst,sentimentalandexclamatory.

DaedaluswasthearchitectwhohadcontrivedtheLabyrinthfortheMinotaurinCrete,andwhoshowedAriadnehowTheseuscouldescapefromit.*WhenKingMinoslearnedthattheAthenianshadfoundtheirwayout,hewasconvincedthattheycouldhavedonesoonlyifDaedalushadhelpedthem.AccordinglyheimprisonedhimandhissonIcarusintheLabyrinth,certainlyaproofthatitwasexcellentlydevisedsincenoteventhemakerofitcoulddiscovertheexitwithoutaclue.Butthegreatinventorwasnotataloss.Hetoldhisson,

Escapemaybecheckedbywaterandland,buttheairandtheskyarefree,

andhemadetwopairsofwingsforthem.TheyputthemonandjustbeforetheytookflightDaedaluswarnedIcarustokeepamiddlecourseoverthesea.Ifheflewtoohighthesunmightmelttheglueandthewingsdropoff.However,asstoriessooftenshow,whatelderssayyouthdisregards.AsthetwoflewlightlyandwithouteffortawayfromCretethedelightofthisnewandwonderfulpowerwenttotheboy’shead.Hesoaredexultinglyupandup,payingnoheedtohisfather’sanguishedcommands.Thenhefell.Thewingshadcomeoff.Hedroppedintotheseaandthewatersclosedoverhim.TheafflictedfatherflewsafelytoSicily,wherehewasreceivedkindlybytheKing.

Minoswasenragedathisescapeanddeterminedtofindhim.Hemadeacunningplan.Hehaditproclaimedeverywherethatagreatrewardwouldbegiventowhoevercouldpassathreadthroughanintricatelyspiraledshell.DaedalustoldtheSiciliankingthathecoulddoit.Heboredasmallholeintheclosedendoftheshell,fastenedathreadtoanant,introducedtheantintothehole,andthenclosedit.Whentheantfinallycameoutattheotherend,thethread,ofcourse,wasrunningclearthroughallthetwistsandturns.“OnlyDaedaluswouldthinkofthat,”Minossaid,andhecametoSicilytoseizehim.ButtheKingrefusedtosurrenderhim,andinthecontestMinoswasslain.

PARTTHREE

TheGreatHeroesbeforetheTrojanWar

CHAPTERI

Perseus

Thisisastoryonthelevelofthefairystory.HermesandAthenaactlikethefairygodmotherinCinderella.Themagicalwalletandcapbelongtothepropertiesfairytalesaboundineverywhere.Itistheonlymythinwhichmagicplaysadecisivepart,anditseemstohavebeenagreatfavoriteinGreece.Manypoetsalludetoit.ThedescriptionofDanaëinthewoodenchestwasthemostfamouspassageofafamouspoembySimonidesofCeos,agreatlyricpoetwholivedinthesixthcentury.TheentirestoryistoldbybothOvidandApollodorus.Thelatter,probablyahundredyearslaterthanOvid,isherethesuperiorofthetwo.Hisaccountissimpleandstraightforward;Ovid’sextremelyverbose—forinstance,hetakesahundredlinestokilltheseaserpent.IhavefollowedApollodorus,butIhaveaddedthefragmentfromSimonides,andshortquotationsfromotherpoets,notablyHesiodandPindar.

KINGAcrisiusofArgoshadonlyonechild,adaughter,Danaë.Shewasbeautifulabovealltheotherwomenoftheland,butthiswassmallcomforttotheKingfornothavingason.HejourneyedtoDelphitoaskthegodiftherewasanyhopethatsomedayhewouldbethefatherofaboy.Thepriestesstoldhimno,andaddedwhatwasfarworse:thathisdaughterwouldhaveasonwhowouldkillhim.

TheonlysurewaytoescapethatfatewasfortheKingtohaveDanaëinstantlyputtodeath—takingnochances,butseeingtoithimself.ThisAcrisiuswouldnotdo.Hisfatherlyaffectionwasnotstrong,aseventsproved,buthisfearofthegodswas.Theyvisitedwithterriblepunishmentthosewhoshedthebloodofkindred.Acrisiusdidnotdareslayhisdaughter.Instead,hehadahousebuiltallofbronzeandsunkunderground,butwithpartoftheroofopentotheskysothatlightandaircouldcomethrough.Hereheshutherupandguardedher.

SoDanaëendured,thebeautiful,Tochangethegladdaylightforbrass-boundwalls,AndinthatchambersecretasthegraveShelivedaprisoner.YettohercameZeusinthegoldenrain.

Asshesattherethroughthelongdaysandhourswithnothingtodo,nothingtoseeexceptthecloudsmovingbyoverhead,amysteriousthinghappened,ashowerofgoldfellfromtheskyandfilledherchamber.HowitwasrevealedtoherthatitwasZeuswhohadvisitedherinthisshapewearenottold,butsheknewthatthechildsheborewashisson.

Foratimeshekepthisbirthsecretfromherfather,butitbecameincreasinglydifficulttodosointhenarrowlimitsofthatbronzehouseandfinallyonedaythelittleboy—hisnamewasPerseus—wasdiscoveredbyhisgrandfather.“Yourchild!”Acrisiuscriedingreatanger.“Whoishisfather?”ButwhenDanaëansweredproudly,“Zeus,”hewouldnotbelieveher.Onethingonlyhewassureof,thattheboy’slifewasaterribledangertohisown.Hewasafraidtokillhimforthesamereasonthathadkepthimfromkillingher,fearofZeusandtheFurieswhopursuesuchmurderers.Butifhecouldnotkillthemoutright,hecouldputtheminthewayoftolerablycertaindeath.Hehadagreatchestmade,andthetwoplacedinit.Thenitwastakenouttoseaandcastintothewater.

InthatstrangeboatDanaësatwithherlittleson.Thedaylightfadedandshewasaloneonthesea.

WheninthecarvenchestthewindsandwavesStruckfearintoherheartsheputherarms,Notwithouttears,roundPerseustenderlyShesaid,“Oson,whatgriefismine.Butyousleepsoftly,littlechild,Sunkdeepinrestwithinyourcheerlesshome,Onlyabox,brass-bound.Thenight,thisdarknessvisible,Thescuddingwavessoneartoyoursoftcurls,Theshrillvoiceofthewind,youdonotheed,Nestledinyourredcloak,fairlittleface.”

Throughthenightinthetossingchestshelistenedtothewatersthatseemedalwaysabouttowashoverthem.Thedawncame,butwithnocomforttoherforshecouldnotseeit.Neithercouldsheseethataroundthemtherewereislandsrisinghighabovethesea,manyislands.Allsheknewwasthatpresentlyawaveseemedtoliftthemandcarrythemswiftlyonandthen,retreating,leavethemonsomethingsolidandmotionless.Theyhadmadeland;theyweresafefromthesea,buttheywerestillinthechest,withnowaytogetout.

Fatewilledit—orperhapsZeus,whouptonowhaddonelittleforhisloveandhischild—thattheyshouldbediscoveredbyagoodman,afishermannamedDictys.Hecameuponthegreatboxandbrokeitopenandtookthepitifulcargohometohiswifewhowasaskindashe.Theyhadnochildren

andtheycaredforDanaëandPerseusasiftheyweretheirown.Thetwolivedtheremanyyears,Danaëcontenttolethersonfollowthefisherman’shumbletrade,outofharm’sway.Butintheendmoretroublecame.Polydectes,therulerofthelittleisland,wasthebrotherofDictys,buthewasacruelandruthlessman.Heseemstohavetakennonoticeofthemotherandsonforalongtime,butatlastDanaëattractedhisattention.ShewasstillradiantlybeautifuleventhoughPerseusbynowwasfullgrown,andPolydectesfellinlovewithher.Hewantedher,buthedidnotwantherson,andhesethimselftothinkoutawayofgettingridofhim.

ThereweresomefearsomemonsterscalledGorgonswholivedonanislandandwereknownfarandwidebecauseoftheirdeadlypower.PolydectesevidentlytalkedtoPerseusaboutthem;heprobablytoldhimthathewouldratherhavetheheadofoneofthemthananythingelseintheworld.ThisseemspracticallycertainfromtheplanhedevisedforkillingPerseus.Heannouncedthathewasabouttobemarriedandhecalledhisfriendstogetherforacelebration,includingPerseusintheinvitation.Eachguest,aswascustomary,broughtagiftforthebride-to-be,exceptPerseusalone.Hehadnothinghecouldgive.Hewasyoungandproudandkeenlymortified.HestoodupbeforethemallanddidexactlywhattheKinghadhopedhewoulddo,declaredthathewouldgivehimapresentbetterthananythere.HewouldgooffandkillMedusaandbringbackherheadashisgift.NothingcouldhavesuitedtheKingbetter.Nooneinhissenseswouldhavemadesuchaproposal.MedusawasoneoftheGorgons.

Andtheyarethree,theGorgons,eachwithwingsAndsnakyhair,mosthorribletomortals.WhomnomanshallbeholdanddrawagainThebreathoflife,

forthereasonthatwhoeverlookedatthemwasturnedinstantlyintostone.ItseemedthatPerseushadbeenledbyhisangryprideintomakinganemptyboast.NomanunaidedcouldkillMedusa.

ButPerseuswassavedfromhisfolly.Twogreatgodswerewatchingoverhim.HetookshipassoonashelefttheKing’shall,notdaringtoseehismotherfirstandtellherwhatheintended,andhesailedtoGreecetolearnwherethethreemonsterswerefound.HewenttoDelphi,butallthepriestesswouldsaywastobidhimseekthelandwheremeneatnotDemeter’sgoldengrain,butonlyacorns.SohewenttoDodona,inthelandofoaktrees,wherethetalkingoakswerewhichdeclaredZeus’swillandwheretheSellilivedwhomadetheirbreadfromacorns.Theycouldtellhim,however,nomore

thanthis,thathewasundertheprotectionofthegods.TheydidnotknowwheretheGorgonslived.

WhenandhowHermesandAthenacametohishelpisnottoldinanystory,buthemusthaveknowndespairbeforetheydidso.Atlast,however,ashewanderedon,hemetastrangeandbeautifulperson.Weknowwhathelookedlikefrommanyapoem,ayoungmanwiththefirstdownuponhischeekwhenyouthisloveliest,carrying,asnootheryoungmaneverdid,awandofgoldwithwingsatoneend,wearingawingedhat,too,andwingedsandals.AtsightofhimhopemusthaveenteredPerseus’heart,forhewouldknowthatthiscouldbenoneotherthanHermes,theguideandthegiverofgood.

ThisradiantpersonagetoldhimthatbeforeheattackedMedusahemustfirstbeproperlyequipped,andthatwhatheneededwasinthepossessionofthenymphsoftheNorth.Tofindthenymphs’abode,theymustgototheGrayWomenwhoalonecouldtellthemtheway.Thesewomendweltinalandwhereallwasdimandshroudedintwilight.Norayofsunlookedeveronthatcountry,northemoonbynight.Inthatgrayplacethethreewomenlived,allgraythemselvesandwitheredasinextremeoldage.Theywerestrangecreatures,indeed,mostofallbecausetheyhadbutoneeyeforthethree,whichitwastheircustomtotaketurnswith,eachremovingitfromherforeheadwhenshehadhaditforatimeandhandingittoanother.

AllthisHermestoldPerseusandthenheunfoldedhisplan.HewouldhimselfguidePerseustothem.OncetherePerseusmustkeephiddenuntilhesawoneofthemtaketheeyeoutofherforeheadtopassiton.Atthatmoment,whennoneofthethreecouldsee,hemustrushforwardandseizetheeyeandrefusetogiveitbackuntiltheytoldhimhowtoreachthenymphsoftheNorth.

Hehimself,Hermessaid,wouldgivehimaswordtoattackMedusawith—whichcouldnotbebentorbrokenbytheGorgon’sscales,nomatterhowhardtheywere.Thiswasawonderfulgift,nodoubt,andyetofwhatusewasaswordwhenthecreaturetobestruckbyitcouldturntheswordsmanintostonebeforehewaswithinstrikingdistance?Butanothergreatdeitywasathandtohelp.PallasAthenastoodbesidePerseus.Shetookofftheshieldofpolishedbronzewhichcoveredherbreastandhelditouttohim.“LookintothiswhenyouattacktheGorgon,”shesaid.“Youwillbeabletoseeherinitasinamirror,andsoavoidherdeadlypower.”

Now,indeed,Perseushadgoodreasontohope.Thejourneytothetwilightlandwaslong,overthestreamofOceanandontotheveryborderoftheblackcountrywheretheCimmeriansdwell,butHermeswashisguideandhecouldnotgoastray.TheyfoundtheGrayWomenatlast,lookinginthe

waveringlightlikegraybirds,fortheyhadtheshapeofswans.Buttheirheadswerehumanandbeneaththeirwingstheyhadarmsandhands.PerseusdidjustasHermeshadsaid,heheldbackuntilhesawoneofthemtaketheeyeoutofherforehead.Thenbeforeshecouldgiveittohersister,hesnatcheditoutofherhand.Itwasamomentortwobeforethethreerealizedtheyhadlostit.Eachthoughtoneoftheothershadit.ButPerseusspokeoutandtoldthemhehadtakenitandthatitwouldbetheirsagainonlywhentheyshowedhimhowtofindthenymphsoftheNorth.Theygavehimfulldirectionsatonce;theywouldhavedoneanythingtogettheireyeback.Hereturnedittothemandwentonthewaytheyhadpointedouttohim.Hewasbound,althoughhedidnotknowit,totheblessedcountryoftheHyperboreans,atthebackoftheNorthWind,ofwhichitissaid:“NeitherbyshipnoryetbylandshallonefindthewondrousroadtothegatheringplaceoftheHyperboreans.”ButPerseushadHermeswithhim,sothattheroadlayopentohim,andhereachedthathostofhappypeoplewhoarealwaysbanquetingandholdingjoyfulrevelry.Theyshowedhimgreatkindness:theywelcomedhimtotheirfeast,andthemaidensdancingtothesoundoffluteandlyrepausedtogetforhimthegiftshesought.Thesewerethree:wingedsandals,amagicwalletwhichwouldalwaysbecometherightsizeforwhateverwastobecarriedinit,and,mostimportantofall,acapwhichmadethewearerinvisible.WiththeseandAthena’sshieldandHermes’swordPerseuswasreadyfortheGorgons.Hermesknewwheretheylived,andleavingthehappylandthetwoflewbackacrossOceanandovertheseatotheTerribleSisters’island.

BygreatgoodfortunetheywereallasleepwhenPerseusfoundthem.Inthemirrorofthebrightshieldhecouldseethemclearly,creatureswithgreatwingsandbodiescoveredwithgoldenscalesandhairamassoftwistingsnakes.AthenawasbesidehimnowaswellasHermes.TheytoldhimwhichonewasMedusaandthatwasimportant,forshealoneofthethreecouldbekilled;theothertwowereimmortal.Perseusonhiswingedsandalshoveredabovethem,looking,however,onlyattheshield.ThenheaimedastrokedownatMedusa’sthroatandAthenaguidedhishand.Withasinglesweepofhisswordhecutthroughherneckand,hiseyesstillfixedontheshieldwithneveraglanceather,heswoopedlowenoughtoseizethehead.Hedroppeditintothewalletwhichclosedaroundit.Hehadnothingtofearfromitnow.ButthetwootherGorgonshadawakenedand,horrifiedatthesightoftheirsisterslain,triedtopursuetheslayer.Perseuswassafe;hehadonthecapofdarknessandtheycouldnotfindhim.

Sooverthesearich-hairedDanaë’sson,

Perseus,onhiswingedsandalssped,Flyingswiftasthought.Inawalletofsilver,Awondertobehold,Heboretheheadofthemonster,WhileHermes,thesonofMaia,ThemessengerofZeus,Kepteverathisside.

OnhiswaybackhecametoEthiopiaandalightedthere.BythistimeHermeshadlefthim.Perseusfound,asHerculeswaslatertofind,thatalovelymaidenhadbeengivenuptobedevouredbyahorribleseaserpent.HernamewasAndromedaandshewasthedaughterofasillyvainwoman,

ThatstarredEthiopqueenwhostroveTosetherbeauty’spraiseaboveThesea-nymphs,andtheirpoweroffended.

ShehadboastedthatshewasmorebeautifulthanthedaughtersofNereus,theSea-god.Anabsolutelycertainwayinthosedaystodrawdownononeawretchedfatewastoclaimsuperiorityinanythingoveranydeity;neverthelesspeoplewereperpetuallydoingso.InthiscasethepunishmentforthearrogancethegodsdetestedfellnotonQueenCassiopeia,Andromeda’smother,butonherdaughter.TheEthiopianswerebeingdevouredinnumbersbytheserpent;and,learningfromtheoraclethattheycouldbefreedfromthepestonlyifAndromedawereoffereduptoit,theyforcedCepheus,herfather,toconsent.WhenPerseusarrivedthemaidenwasonarockyledgebythesea,chainedtheretowaitforthecomingofthemonster.Perseussawherandontheinstantlovedher.Hewaitedbesideheruntilthegreatsnakecameforitsprey;thenhecutitsheadoffjustashehadtheGorgon’s.Theheadlessbodydroppedbackintothewater;PerseustookAndromedatoherparentsandaskedforherhand,whichtheygladlygavehim.

PerseusholdingMedusa’shead

Withherhesailedbacktotheislandandhismother,butinthehousewherehehadlivedsolonghefoundnoone.ThefishermanDictys’wifewaslongsincedead,andthetwoothers,DanaëandthemanwhohadbeenlikeafathertoPerseus,hadhadtoflyandhidethemselvesfromPolydectes,whowasfuriousatDanaë’srefusaltomarryhim.Theyhadtakenrefugeinatemple,Perseuswastold.HelearnedalsothattheKingwasholdingabanquetinthepalaceandallthemenwhofavoredhimweregatheredthere.Perseusinstantlysawhisopportunity.Hewentstraighttothepalaceandenteredthehall.Ashestoodattheentrance,Athena’sshiningbuckleronhisbreast,thesilverwalletathisside,hedrewtheeyesofeverymanthere.ThenbeforeanycouldlookawayhehelduptheGorgon’shead;andatthesightoneandall,thecruelKingandhisservilecourtiers,wereturnedintostone.Theretheysat,arowofstatues,each,asitwere,frozenstiffintheattitudehehadstruckwhenhefirstsawPerseus.

WhentheislandersknewthemselvesfreedfromthetyrantitwaseasyforPerseustofindDanaëandDictys.HemadeDictyskingoftheisland,butheandhismotherdecidedthattheywouldgobackwithAndromedatoGreeceandtrytobereconciledtoAcrisius,toseeifthemanyyearsthathadpassedsincehehadputtheminthechesthadnotsoftenedhimsothathewouldbegladtoreceivehisdaughterandgrandson.WhentheyreachedArgos,however,theyfoundthatAcrisiushadbeendrivenawayfromthecity,andwherehewasnoonecouldsay.IthappenedthatsoonaftertheirarrivalPerseusheardthattheKingofLarissa,intheNorth,washoldingagreatathleticcontest,andhejourneyedtheretotakepart.Inthediscus-throwingwhenhisturncameandhehurledtheheavymissile,itswervedandfellamongthespectators.AcrisiuswasthereonavisittotheKing,andthediscusstruckhim.Theblowwasfatalandhediedatonce.

SoApollo’soraclewasagainprovedtrue.IfPerseusfeltanygrief,atleastheknewthathisgrandfatherhaddonehisbesttokillhimandhismother.Withhisdeaththeirtroublescametoanend.PerseusandAndromedalivedhappilyeverafter.Theirson,Electryon,wasthegrandfatherofHercules.

Medusa’sheadwasgiventoAthena,whoboreitalwaysupontheaegis,Zeus’sshield,whichshecarriedforhim.

CHAPTERII

Theseus

ThisdearestofheroestotheAtheniansengagedtheattentionofmanywriters.Ovid,wholivedintheAugustanAge,tellshislifeindetailandsodoesApollodorus,inthefirstorsecondcenturyA.D.Plutarch,too,towardtheendofthefirstcenturyA.D.HeisaprominentcharacterinthreeofEuripides’playsandinoneofSophocles.Therearemanyallusionstohiminprosewritersaswellaspoets.IhavefollowedApollodorusonthewhole,butIhaveaddedfromEuripidesthestoriesoftheappealofAdrastus,themadnessofHercules,andthefateofHippolytus;fromSophocleshiskindnesstoOedipus;fromPlutarchthestoryofhisdeath,towhichApollodorusgivesonlyasentence.

THEgreatAthenianherowasTheseus.HehadsomanyadventuresandtookpartinsomanygreatenterprisesthattheregrewupasayinginAthens,“NothingwithoutTheseus.”

HewasthesonoftheAthenianKing,Aegeus.Hespenthisyouth,however,inhismother’shome,acityinsouthernGreece.AegeuswentbacktoAthensbeforethechildwasborn,butfirstheplacedinahollowaswordandapairofshoesandcoveredthemwithagreatstone.Hedidthiswiththeknowledgeofhiswifeandtoldherthatwhenevertheboy—ifitwasaboy—grewstrongenoughtorollawaythestoneandgetthethingsbeneathit,shecouldsendhimtoAthenstoclaimhimashisfather.Thechildwasaboyandhegrewupstrongfarbeyondothers,sothatwhenhismotherfinallytookhimtothestonehelifteditwithnotroubleatall.Shetoldhimthenthatthetimehadcomeforhimtoseekhisfather,andashipwasplacedathisdisposalbyhisgrandfather.ButTheseusrefusedtogobywater,becausethevoyagewassafeandeasy.Hisideawastobecomeagreatheroasquicklyaspossible,andeasysafetywascertainlynotthewaytodothat.Hercules,*whowasthemostmagnificentofalltheheroesofGreece,wasalwaysinhismind,andthedeterminationtobejustasmagnificenthimself.Thiswasquitenaturalsincethetwowerecousins.

Hesteadfastlyrefused,therefore,theshiphismotherandgrandfatherurgedonhim,tellingthemthattosailonitwouldbeacontemptibleflightfromdanger,andhesetforthtogotoAthensbyland.Thejourneywaslongandveryhazardousbecauseofthebanditsthatbesettheroad.Hekilledthem

all,however;heleftnotonealivetotroublefuturetravelers.Hisideaofdealingjusticewassimple,buteffective:whateachhaddonetoothers,Theseusdidtohim.Sciron,forinstance,whohadmadethosehecapturedkneeltowashhisfeetandthenkickedthemdownintothesea,Theseushurledoveraprecipice.Sinis,whokilledpeoplebyfasteningthemtotwopinetreesbentdowntothegroundandlettingthetreesgo,diedinthatwayhimself.Procrusteswasplacedupontheironbedwhichheusedforhisvictims,tyingthemtoitandthenmakingthemtherightlengthforitbystretchingthosewhoweretooshortandcuttingoffasmuchaswasnecessaryfromthosewhoweretoolong.Thestorydoesnotsaywhichofthetwomethodswasusedinhiscase,buttherewasnotmuchtochoosebetweenthemandinonewayortheotherProcrustes’careerended.

ItcanbeimaginedhowGreecerangwiththepraisesoftheyoungmanwhohadclearedthelandofthesebanestotravelers.WhenhereachedAthenshewasanacknowledgedheroandhewasinvitedtoabanquetbytheKing,whoofcoursewasunawarethatTheseuswashisson.Infacthewasafraidoftheyoungman’sgreatpopularity,thinkingthathemightwinthepeopleovertomakehimking,andheinvitedhimwiththeideaofpoisoninghim.Theplanwasnothis,butMedea’s,theheroineoftheQuestoftheGoldenFleecewhoknewthroughhersorcerywhoTheseuswas.ShehadfledtoAthenswhensheleftCorinthinherwingedcar,andshehadacquiredgreatinfluenceoverAegeus,whichshedidnotwantdisturbedbytheappearanceofason.ButasshehandedhimthepoisonedcupTheseus,wishingtomakehimselfknownatoncetohisfather,drewhissword.TheKinginstantlyrecognizeditanddashedthecuptotheground.MedeaescapedasshealwaysdidandgotsafelyawaytoAsia.

AegeusthenproclaimedtothecountrythatTheseuswashissonandheir.ThenewheirapparentsoonhadanopportunitytoendearhimselftotheAthenians.

YearsbeforehisarrivalinAthens,aterriblemisfortunehadhappenedtothecity.Minos,thepowerfulrulerofCrete,hadlosthisonlyson,Androgeus,whiletheyoungmanwasvisitingtheAthenianKing.KingAegeushaddonewhatnohostshoulddo,hehadsenthisguestonanexpeditionfullofperil—tokilladangerousbull.Instead,thebullhadkilledtheyouth.Minosinvadedthecountry,capturedAthens,anddeclaredthathewouldrazeittothegroundunlesseverynineyearsthepeoplesenthimatributeofsevenmaidensandsevenyouths.Ahorriblefateawaitedtheseyoungcreatures.WhentheyreachedCretetheyweregiventotheMinotaurtodevour.

TheMinotaurwasamonster,halfbull,halfhuman,theoffspringofMinos’wifePasiphaëandawonderfullybeautifulbull.Poseidonhadgiven

thisbulltoMinosinorderthatheshouldsacrificeittohim,butMinoscouldnotbeartoslayitandhadkeptitforhimself.Topunishhim,PoseidonhadmadePasiphaëfallmadlyinlovewithit.

WhentheMinotaurwasbornMinosdidnotkillhim.HehadDaedalus,agreatarchitectandinventor,constructaplaceofconfinementforhimfromwhichescapewasimpossible.DaedalusbuilttheLabyrinth,famousthroughouttheworld.Onceinside,onewouldgoendlesslyalongitstwistingpathswithouteverfindingtheexit.TothisplacetheyoungAthenianswereeachtimetakenandlefttotheMinotaur.Therewasnopossiblewaytoescape.Inwhateverdirectiontheyrantheymightberunningstraighttothemonster;iftheystoodstillhemightatanymomentemergefromthemaze.SuchwasthedoomwhichawaitedfourteenyouthsandmaidensafewdaysafterTheseusreachedAthens.Thetimehadcomeforthenextinstallmentofthetribute.

AtonceTheseuscameforwardandofferedtobeoneofthevictims.Alllovedhimforhisgoodnessandadmiredhimforhisnobility,buttheyhadnoideathatheintendedtotrytokilltheMinotaur.Hetoldhisfather,however,andpromisedhimthatifhesucceeded,hewouldhavetheblacksailwhichtheshipwithitscargoofmiseryalwayscarriedchangedtoawhiteone,sothatAegeuscouldknowlongbeforeitcametolandthathissonwassafe.

WhentheyoungvictimsarrivedinCretetheywereparadedbeforetheinhabitantsontheirwaytotheLabyrinth.Minos’daughterAriadnewasamongthespectatorsandshefellinlovewithTheseusatfirstsightashemarchedpasther.ShesentforDaedalusandtoldhimhemustshowherawaytogetoutoftheLabyrinth,andshesentforTheseusandtoldhimshewouldbringabouthisescapeifhewouldpromisetotakeherbacktoAthensandmarryher.Asmaybeimagined,hemadenodifficultyaboutthat,andshegavehimtheclueshehadgotfromDaedalus,aballofthreadwhichhewastofastenatoneendtotheinsideofthedoorandunwindashewenton.Thishedidand,certainthathecouldretracehisstepswheneverhechose,hewalkedboldlyintothemazelookingfortheMinotaur.Hecameuponhimasleepandfelluponhim,pinninghimtotheground;andwithhisfists—hehadnootherweapon—hebatteredthemonstertodeath.

AsanoaktreefallsonthehillsideCrushingallthatliesbeneath,SoTheseus.Hepressesoutthelife,Thebrute’ssavagelife,andnowitliesdead.Onlytheheadswaysslowly,butthehornsareuselessnow.

WhenTheseusliftedhimselfupfromthatterrificstruggle,theballofthreadlaywherehehaddroppedit.Withitinhishands,thewayoutwasclear.TheothersfollowedandtakingAriadnewiththemtheyfledtotheshipandovertheseatowardAthens.

OnthewaytheretheyputinattheislandofNaxosandwhathappenedthenisdifferentlyreported.OnestorysaysthatTheseusdesertedAriadne.Shewasasleepandhesailedawaywithouther,butDionysusfoundherandcomfortedher.TheotherstoryismuchmorefavorabletoTheseus.Shewasextremelyseasick,andhesetherashoretorecoverwhilehereturnedtotheshiptodosomenecessarywork.Aviolentwindcarriedhimouttoseaandkepthimtherealongtime.OnhisreturnhefoundthatAriadnehaddied,andhewasdeeplyafflicted.

BothstoriesagreethatwhentheydrewneartoAthensheforgottohoistthewhitesail.Eitherhisjoyatthesuccessofhisvoyageputeveryotherthoughtoutofhishead,orhisgriefforAriadne.Theblacksailwasseenbyhisfather,KingAegeus,fromtheAcropolis,wherefordayshehadwatchedtheseawithstrainingeyes.Itwastohimthesignofhisson’sdeathandhethrewhimselfdownfromarockyheightintothesea,andwaskilled.TheseaintowhichhefellwascalledtheAegeaneverafter.

SoTheseusbecameKingofAthens,amostwiseanddisinterestedking.Hedeclaredtothepeoplethathedidnotwishtoruleoverthem;hewantedapeople’sgovernmentwhereallwouldbeequal.Heresignedhisroyalpowerandorganizedacommonwealth,buildingacouncilhallwherethecitizensshouldgatherandvote.TheonlyofficehekeptforhimselfwasthatofCommanderinChief.ThusAthensbecame,ofallearth’scities,thehappiestandmostprosperous,theonlytruehomeofliberty,theoneplaceintheworldwherethepeoplegovernedthemselves.ItwasforthisreasonthatinthegreatWaroftheSevenagainstThebes,*whenthevictoriousThebansrefusedburialtothoseoftheenemywhohaddied,thevanquishedturnedtoTheseusandAthensforhelp,believingthatfreemenundersuchaleaderwouldneverconsenttohavingthehelplessdeadwronged.Theydidnotturninvain.TheseusledhisarmyagainstThebes,conqueredher,andforcedhertoallowthemtobeburied.ButwhenhewasvictorhedidnotreturneviltotheThebansfortheeviltheyhaddone.Heshowedhimselftheperfectknight.Herefusedtolethisarmyenterandlootthecity.HehadcomenottoharmThebes,buttoburytheArgivedead,andthedutydoneheledhissoldiersbacktoAthens.

TheMinotaurintheLabyrinth

Inmanyotherstoriesheshowsthesamequalities.HereceivedtheagedOedipuswhomeveryoneelsehadcastout.Hewaswithhimwhenhedied,sustainingandcomfortinghim.Heprotectedhistwohelplessdaughtersandsentthemsafelyhomeaftertheirfather’sdeath.WhenHercules*inhismadnesskilledhiswifeandchildrenanduponhisreturntosanitydeterminedtokillhimself,Theseusalonestoodbyhim.Hercules’otherfriendsfled,fearingtobepollutedbythepresenceofonewhohaddonesohorribleadeed,butTheseusgavehimhishand,rousedhiscourage,toldhimtodiewouldbeacoward’sact,andtookhimtoAthens.

Allthecaresofstate,however,andallthedeedsofknight-errantrytodefendthewrongedandhelpless,couldnotrestrainTheseus’loveofdangerforthesakeofdanger.HewenttothecountryoftheAmazons,thewomenwarriors,somesaywithHercules,somesayalone,andbroughtawayoneofthem,whosenameisgivensometimesasAntiope,sometimesasHippolyta.ItiscertainthatthesonsheboreTheseuswasnamedHippolytus,andalsothatafterhisbirththeAmazonscametorescueherandinvadedAttica,thecountryaroundAthens,evenmakingtheirwayintothecity.TheywerefinallydefeatedandnootherenemyenteredAtticaaslongasTheseuslived.

Buthehadmanyotheradventures.HewasoneofthemenwhosailedontheArgotofindtheGoldenFleece.HetookpartinthegreatCalydonianHunt,whentheKingofCalydoncalleduponthenoblestinGreecetohelphimkilltheterribleboarwhichwaslayingwastehiscountry.DuringthehuntTheseussavedthelifeofhisrashfriendPirithoüs,ashedid,indeed,anumberoftimes.PirithoüswasquiteasadventurousasTheseus,butbynomeansassuccessful,sothathewasperpetuallyintrouble.Theseuswasdevotedtohimandalwayshelpedhimout.ThefriendshipbetweenthemcameaboutthroughanespeciallyrashactonPirithoüs’part.ItoccurredtohimthathewouldliketoseeforhimselfifTheseuswasasgreataheroashewassaidtobe,andheforthwithwentintoAtticaandstolesomeofTheseus’cattle.WhenheheardthatTheseuswaspursuinghim,insteadofhurryingawayheturnedaroundandwenttomeethim,withtheintention,ofcourse,ofdecidingthenandtherewhichwasthebetterman.ButasthetwofacedeachotherPirithoüs,impulsiveasalways,suddenlyforgoteverythinginhisadmirationoftheother.Heheldouthishandtohimandcried,“Iwillsubmittoanypenaltyyouimpose.Youbethejudge.”Theseus,delightedatthiswarm-heartedaction,answered,“AllIwantisforyoutobemyfriendandbrother-in-arms.”Andtheytookasolemnoathoffriendship.

WhenPirithoüs,whowasKingoftheLapithae,married,Theseuswas,ofcourse,oneoftheguests,andwasexceedinglyusefulthere.Themarriagefeastwasperhapsthemostunfortunatethatevertookplace.TheCentaurs,

creatureswhoeachhadthebodyofahorseandthechestandfaceofaman,wererelatedtothebrideandcametothewedding.Theyproceededtogetdrunkandtoseizethewomen.TheseusleapedtothedefenseofthebrideandstruckdowntheCentaurwhowastryingtocarryheroff.Aterriblebattlefollowed,buttheLapithaeconqueredandfinallydrovethewholeraceofCentaursoutofthecountry,Theseushelpingthemtotheend.

Butinthelastadventurethetwoundertookhecouldnotsavehisfriend.Quitecharacteristically,Pirithoüs,afterthebrideofthedisastrousweddingfeastwasdead,decidedthatforhissecondwifehewouldtrytogetthemostcarefullyguardedladyinalltheuniverse,noneotherthanPersephoneherself.Theseusagreed,ofcourse,tohelphim,but,stimulatedprobablybytheideaofthismagnificentlydangerousundertaking,declaredthatfirsthewouldhimselfcarryoffHelen,thefutureheroineofTroy,*thenachild,andwhenshewasgrownmarryher.This,thoughlesshazardousthantherapeofPersephone,wasperilousenoughtosatisfythemostambitious.Helen’sbrotherswereCastorandPollux,morethanamatchforanymortalhero.Theseussucceededinkidnapingthelittlegirl,justhowwearenottold,butthetwobrothersmarchedagainstthetownshehadbeentakento,andgotherback.LuckilyforhimtheydidnotfindTheseusthere.HewasonhiswaytotheunderworldwithPirithoüs.

ThedetailsoftheirjourneyandarrivaltherearenotknownbeyondthefactthattheLordofHadeswasperfectlyawareoftheirintentionandamusedhimselfbyfrustratingitinanovelway.Hedidnotkillthem,ofcourse,astheywerealreadyintherealmofdeath,butheinvitedthemasafriendlygesturetositinhispresence.Theydidsoontheseathepointedthemto—andtheretheystayed.Theycouldnotarisefromit.ItwascalledtheChairofForgetfulness.Whoeversatonitforgoteverything.Hismindbecameablankandhedidnotmove.TherePirithoüssitsforever,butTheseuswasfreedbyhiscousin.WhenHerculescametotheunderworldheliftedTheseusfromtheseatandbroughthimbacktoearth.HetriedtodothesameforPirithoüs,butcouldnot.TheKingoftheDeadknewthatitwashewhohadplannedtocarryoffPersephone,andheheldhimfast.

InthelateryearsofhislifeTheseusmarriedAriadne’ssisterPhaedra,andtherebydrewdownterriblemisfortunesonherandonhimselfandonhissonHippolytus,thesontheAmazonhadbornehim.HehadsentHippolytusawaywhilestillayoungchildtobebroughtupinthesoutherncitywhereTheseushadspenthisownyouth.Theboygrewtosplendidmanhood,agreatathleteandhunter,despisingthosewholivedinluxuriouseaseandstillmorethosewhoweresoftenoughandsillyenoughtofallinlove.HescornedAphrodite,heworshipedonlyArtemis,thehuntresschasteandfair.Somattersstood

whenTheseuscametohisoldhomebringingPhaedrawithhim.Astrongaffectiongrewupatoncebetweenfatherandson.Theydelightedineachother’scompany.AsforPhaedra,herstepsonHippolytustooknonoticeofher;henevernoticedwomen.Butitwasfarotherwisewithher.Shefellinlovewithhim,madlyandmiserably,overwhelmedwithshameatsuchalove,bututterlyunabletoconquerit.Aphroditewasbackofthiswretchedandominousstateofaffairs.ShewasangryatHippolytusanddeterminedtopunishhimtotheutmost.

Phaedra,inheranguish,desperate,seeingnohelpforheranywhere,resolvedtodieandletnooneknowwhy.Theseusatthetimewasawayfromhome,butheroldnurse—completelydevotedtoherandunabletothinkanythingbadthatPhaedrawanted—discoveredall,hersecretpassion,herdespair,andherdeterminationtokillherself.Withonlyonethoughtinhermind,tosavehermistress,shewentstraighttoHippolytus.

“Sheisdyingforloveofyou,”shesaid.“Giveherlife.Giveherloveforlove.”

Hippolytusdrewawayfromherwithloathing.Theloveofanywomanwouldhavedisgustedhim,butthisguiltylovesickenedandhorrifiedhim.Herushedoutintothecourtyard,shefollowinghimandbeseechinghim.Phaedrawassittingthere,butheneversawher.Heturnedinfuriousindignationontheoldwoman.

“Youpitiablewretch,”hesaid,“tryingtomakemebetraymyfather.Ifeelpollutedbymerelyhearingsuchwords.Oh,women,vilewomen—everyoneofthemvile.Iwillneverenterthishouseagainexceptwhenmyfatherisinit.”

Heflungawayandthenurse,turning,facedPhaedra.Shehadrisenandtherewasalookonherfacewhichfrightenedtheoldwoman.

“I’llhelpyoustill,”shestammered.“Hush,”Phaedrasaid.“Iwillsettlemyownaffairs.”Withthatsheentered

thehouseandthenursetremblingcreptafterher.Afewminuteslaterthevoicesofmenwereheardgreetingthemasterof

thehouseonhisreturnandTheseusenteredthecourtyard.Weepingwomenmethimthere.TheytoldhimthatPhaedrawasdead.Shehadkilledherself.Theyhadjustfoundher,quitedead,butinherhandalettertoherhusband.

“Odearestandbest,”Theseussaid.“Areyourlastdesireswrittenhere?Thisisyourseal—yourswhowillnevermoresmileupatme.”

Heopenedandreaditandreaditagain.Thenheturnedtotheservantsfillingthecourtyard.

“Thislettercriesaloud,”hesaid.“Thewordsspeak—theyhaveatongue.Knowallofyouthatmysonlaidviolenthandsuponmywife.OPoseidon,

God,hearmewhileIcursehim,andfulfillmycurse.”Thesilencethatfollowedwasbrokenbyhurryingfootsteps.Hippolytus

entered.“Whathappened?”hecried.“Howdidshedie?Father,tellmeyourself.

Donothideyourgrieffromme.”“Thereoughttobeatrueyardsticktomeasureaffectionby,”saidTheseus,

“somemeanstoknowwhoistobetrustedandwhoisnot.Youhere,lookatmyson—provedbasebythehandofherwhoisdead.Heofferedherviolence.Herletteroutweighsanywordshecouldspeak.Go.Youareanexilefromthisland.Gotoyourruinandatonce.”

“Father,”Hippolytusanswered,“Ihavenoskillinspeakingandthereisnowitnesstomyinnocence.Theonlyoneisdead.AllIcandoistoswearbyZeusabovethatInevertouchedyourwife,neverdesiredto,nevergaveherathought.MayIdieinwretchednessifIamguilty.”

“Deadsheproveshertruth,”Theseussaid.“Go.Youarebanishedfromtheland.”

Hippolytuswent,butnotintoexile;deathwaswaitingcloseathandforhimtoo.Ashedrovealongthesea-roadawayfromthehomehewasleavingforever,hisfather’scursewasfulfilled.Amonstercameupfromthewaterandhishorses,terrifiedbeyondevenhisfirmcontrol,ranaway.Thechariotwasshatteredandhewasmortallyhurt.

Theseuswasnotspared.Artemisappearedtohimandtoldhimthetruth.

Idonotcometobringyouhelp,butonlypain,Toshowyouthatyoursonwashonorable.Yourwifewasguilty,madwithloveforhim,Andyetshefoughtherpassionandshedied.Butwhatshewrotewasfalse.

AsTheseuslistened,overwhelmedbythissumofterribleevents,Hippolytusstillbreathingwascarriedin.

Hegaspedout,“Iwasinnocent.Artemis,you?Mygoddess,yourhuntsmanisdying.”

“Andnoothercantakeyourplace,dearestofmentome,”shetoldhim.HippolytusturnedhiseyesfromherradiancetoTheseusbrokenhearted.“Father,dearFather,”hesaid.“Itwasnotyourfault.”“IfonlyIcoulddieforyou,”Theseuscried.Thecalmsweetvoiceofthegoddessbrokeinontheiranguish.“Takeyour

soninyourarms,Theseus,”shesaid.“Itwasnotyouthatkilledhim.ItwasAphrodite.Knowthis,thathewillneverbeforgotten.Insongandstorymen

willrememberhim.”Shevanishedfromsight,butHippolytus,too,wasgone.Hehadstartedon

theroadthatleadsdowntotherealmofdeath.Theseus’death,also,waswretched.Hewasatthecourtofafriend,King

Lycomedes,whereafewyearslaterAchilleswastohidedisguisedasagirl.SomesaythatTheseushadgonetherebecauseAthenshadbanishedhim.Atallevents,theKing,hisfriendandhishost,killedhim,wearenottoldwhy.

EveniftheAtheniansdidbanishhim,verysoonafterhisdeaththeyhonoredhimasnoothermortal.Theybuiltagreattombforhimanddecreedthatitshouldbeforeverasanctuaryforslavesandforallpoorandhelplesspeople,inmemoryofonewhothroughhislifehadbeentheprotectorofthedefenseless.

CHAPTERIII

Hercules

OvidgivesanaccountofHercules’life,butverybriefly,quiteunlikehisusualextremelydetailedmethod.Henevercarestodwellonheroicexploits;helovesbestapatheticstory.AtfirstsightitseemsoddthathepassesoverHercules’slayingofhiswifeandchildren,butthattalehadbeentoldbyamaster,thefifth-centurypoetEuripides,andOvid’sreticencewasprobablyduetohisintelligence.HehasverylittletosayaboutanyofthemythstheGreektragedianswriteof.HepassesoveralsooneofthemostfamoustalesaboutHercules,howhefreedAlcestisfromdeath,whichwasthesubjectofanotherofEuripides’plays.Sophocles,Euripides’contemporary,describeshowtheherodied.HisadventurewiththesnakeswhenhewasababyistoldbyPindarinthefifthcenturyandbyTheocritusinthethird.InmyaccountIhavefollowedthestoriesgivenbythetwotragicpoetsandbyTheocritus,ratherthanPindar,oneofthemostdifficultofpoetstotranslateoreventoparaphrase.FortherestIhavefollowedApollodorus,aprosewriterofthefirstorsecondcenturyA.D.whoistheonlywriterexceptOvidtotellHercules’lifeinfull.IhavepreferredhistreatmenttoOvid’sbecause,inthisinstanceonly,itismoredetailed.

THEgreatestheroofGreecewasHercules.HewasapersonageofquiteanotherorderfromthegreatheroofAthens,Theseus.HewaswhatallGreeceexceptAthensmostadmired.TheAtheniansweredifferentfromtheotherGreeksandtheirherothereforewasdifferent.Theseuswas,ofcourse,bravestofthebraveasallheroesare,butunlikeotherheroeshewasascompassionateashewasbraveandamanofgreatintellectaswellasgreatbodilystrength.ItwasnaturalthattheAtheniansshouldhavesuchaherobecausetheyvaluedthoughtandideasasnootherpartofthecountrydid.InTheseustheiridealwasembodied.ButHerculesembodiedwhattherestofGreecemostvalued.HisqualitieswerethosetheGreeksingeneralhonoredandadmired.Exceptforunflinchingcourage,theywerenotthosethatdistinguishedTheseus.

Herculeswasthestrongestmanonearthandhehadthesupremeself-confidencemagnificentphysicalstrengthgives.Heconsideredhimselfonanequalitywiththegods—andwithsomereason.TheyneededhishelptoconquertheGiants.InthefinalvictoryoftheOlympiansoverthebrutishsons

ofEarth,Hercules’arrowsplayedanimportantpart.Hetreatedthegodsaccordingly.OncewhenthepriestessatDelphigavenoresponsetothequestionheasked,heseizedthetripodshesatonanddeclaredthathewouldcarryitoffandhaveanoracleofhisown.Apollo,ofcourse,wouldnotputupwiththis,butHerculeswasperfectlywillingtofighthimandZeushadtointervene.Thequarrelwaseasilysettled,however.Herculeswasquitegood-naturedaboutit.HedidnotwanttoquarrelwithApollo,heonlywantedananswerfromhisoracle.IfApollowouldgiveitthematterwassettledasfarashewasconcerned.Apolloonhisside,facingthisundauntedperson,feltanadmirationforhisboldnessandmadehispriestessdelivertheresponse.

ThroughouthislifeHerculeshadthisperfectconfidencethatnomatterwhowasagainsthimhecouldneverbedefeated,andfactsborehimout.Wheneverhefoughtwithanyonetheissuewascertainbeforehand.Hecouldbeovercomeonlybyasupernaturalforce.Herausedhersagainsthimwithterribleeffectandintheendhewaskilledbymagic,butnothingthatlivedintheair,sea,oronlandeverdefeatedhim.

Intelligencedidnotfigurelargelyinanythinghedidandwasoftenconspicuouslyabsent.Oncewhenhewastoohothepointedanarrowatthesunandthreatenedtoshoothim.Anothertimewhentheboathewasinwastossedaboutbythewaveshetoldthewatersthathewouldpunishthemiftheydidnotgrowcalm.Hisintellectwasnotstrong.Hisemotionswere.Theywerequicklyarousedandapttogetoutofcontrol,aswhenhedesertedtheArgoandforgotallabouthiscomradesandtheQuestoftheGoldenFleeceinhisdespairinggriefatlosinghisyoungarmor-bearer,Hylas.Thispowerofdeepfeelinginamanofhistremendousstrengthwasoddlyendearing,butitworkedimmenseharm,too.Hehadsuddenoutburstsoffuriousangerwhichwerealwaysfataltotheofteninnocentobjects.Whentheragehadpassedandhehadcometohimselfhewouldshowamostdisarmingpenitenceandagreehumblytoanypunishmentitwasproposedtoinflictonhim.Withouthisconsenthecouldnothavebeenpunishedbyanyone—yetnobodyeverenduredsomanypunishments.Hespentalargepartofhislifeexpiatingoneunfortunatedeedafteranotherandneverrebellingagainstthealmostimpossibledemandsmadeuponhim.Sometimeshepunishedhimselfwhenotherswereinclinedtoexoneratehim.

ItwouldhavebeenludicroustoputhimincommandofakingdomasTheseuswasput;hehadmorethanenoughtodotocommandhimself.HecouldneverhavethoughtoutanyneworgreatideaastheAthenianherowasheldtohavedone.Histhinkingwaslimitedtodevisingawaytokillamonsterwhichwasthreateningtokillhim.Neverthelesshehadtruegreatness.Notbecausehehadcompletecouragebaseduponoverwhelming

strength,whichismerelyamatterofcourse,butbecause,byhissorrowforwrongdoingandhiswillingnesstodoanythingtoexpiateit,heshowedgreatnessofsoul.Ifonlyhehadhadsomegreatnessofmindaswell,atleastenoughtoleadhimalongthewaysofreason,hewouldhavebeentheperfecthero.

HewasborninThebesandforalongtimewasheldtobethesonofAmphitryon,adistinguishedgeneral.InthoseearlieryearshewascalledAlcides,ordescendantofAlcaeuswhowasAmphitryon’sfather.ButinrealityhewasthesonofZeus,whohadvisitedAmphitryon’swifeAlcmenaintheshapeofherhusbandwhenthegeneralwasawayfighting.Sheboretwochildren,HerculestoZeusandIphiclestoAmphitryon.Thedifferenceintheboys’descentwasclearlyshowninthewayeachactedinfaceofagreatdangerwhichcametothembeforetheywereayearold.Hera,asalways,wasfuriouslyjealousandshedeterminedtokillHercules.

OneeveningAlcmenagaveboththechildrentheirbathsandtheirfillofmilkandlaidthemintheircrib,caressingthemandsaying,“Sleep,mylittleones,soulofmysoul.Happybeyourslumberandhappyyourawakening.”Sherockedthecradleandinamomentthebabieswereasleep.Butatdarkestmidnightwhenallwassilentinthehousetwogreatsnakescamecrawlingintothenursery.Therewasalightintheroomandasthetworearedupabovethecrib,withweavingheadsandflickeringtongues,thechildrenwoke.Iphiclesscreamedandtriedtogetoutofbed,butHerculessatupandgraspedthedeadlycreaturesbythethroat.Theyturnedandtwistedandwoundtheircoilsaroundhisbody,butheheldthemfast.ThemotherheardIphicles’screamsand,callingtoherhusband,rushedtothenursery.TheresatHerculeslaughing,ineachhandalonglimpbody.HegavethemgleefullytoAmphitryon.Theyweredead.Allknewthenthatthechildwasdestinedtogreatthings.Teiresias,theblindprophetofThebes,toldAlcmena:“IswearthatmanyaGreekwomanasshecardsthewoolateventideshallsingofthisyoursonandyouwhoborehim.Heshallbetheheroofallmankind.”

Greatcarewastakenwithhiseducation,butteachinghimwhathedidnotwishtolearnwasadangerousbusiness.Heseemsnottohavelikedmusic,whichwasamostimportantpartofaGreekboy’straining,orelsehedislikedhismusicmaster.Heflewintoaragewithhimandbrainedhimwithhislute.Thiswasthefirsttimehedealtafatalblowwithoutintendingit.Hedidnotmeantokillthepoormusician;hejuststruckoutontheimpulseofthemomentwithoutthinking,hardlyawareofhisstrength.Hewassorry,verysorry,butthatdidnotkeephimfromdoingthesamethingagainandagain.Theothersubjectshewastaught,fencing,wrestling,anddriving,hetooktomorekindly,andhisteachersinthesebranchesallsurvived.Bythetimehe

waseighteenhewasfull-grownandhekilled,alonebyhimself,agreatlionwhichlivedinthewoodsofCithaeron,theThespianlion.Everafterheworeitsskinasacloakwiththeheadformingakindofhoodoverhisownhead.

HisnextexploitwastofightandconquertheMinyans,whohadbeenexactingaburdensometributefromtheThebans.ThegratefulcitizensgavehimasarewardthehandofthePrincessMegara.Hewasdevotedtoherandtotheirchildrenandyetthismarriagebroughtuponhimthegreatestsorrowofhislifeaswellastrialsanddangerssuchasnooneeverwentthrough,beforeorafter.WhenMegarahadbornehimthreesonshewentmad.Herawhoneverforgotawrongsentthemadnessuponhim.HekilledhischildrenandMegara,too,asshetriedtoprotecttheyoungest.Thenhissanityreturned.Hefoundhimselfinhisbloodstainedhall,thedeadbodiesofhissonsandhiswifebesidehim.Hehadnoideawhathadhappened,howtheyhadbeenkilled.Onlyamomentsince,asitseemedtohim,theyhadallbeentalkingtogether.Ashestoodthereinutterbewildermenttheterrifiedpeoplewhowerewatchinghimfromadistancesawthatthemadfitwasover,andAmphitryondaredtoapproachhim.TherewasnokeepingthetruthfromHercules.HehadtoknowhowthishorrorhadcometopassandAmphitryontoldhim.Herculesheardhimout;thenhesaid,“AndImyselfamthemurdererofmydearest.”

“Yes,”Amphitryonansweredtrembling.“Butyouwereoutofyourmind.”Herculespaidnoattentiontotheimpliedexcuse.“ShallIsparemyownlifethen?”hesaid.“Iwillavengeuponmyself

thesedeaths.”Butbeforehecouldrushoutandkillhimself,evenashestartedtodoso,

hisdesperatepurposewaschangedandhislifewasspared.Thismiracle—itwasnothingless—ofrecallingHercules,fromfrenziedfeelingandviolentactiontosoberreasonandsorrowfulacceptance,wasnotwroughtbyagoddescendingfromthesky.Itwasamiraclecausedbyhumanfriendship.HisfriendTheseusstoodbeforehimandstretchedouthishandstoclaspthosebloodstainedhands.ThusaccordingtothecommonGreekideahewouldhimselfbecomedefiledandhaveapartinHercules’guilt.

“Donotstartback,”hetoldHercules.“Donotkeepmefromsharingallwithyou.EvilIsharewithyouisnoteviltome.Andhearme.Mengreatofsoulcanbeartheblowsofheavenandnotflinch.”

Herculessaid,“DoyouknowwhatIhavedone?”“Iknowthis,”Theseusanswered.“Yoursorrowsreachfromearthto

heaven.”“SoIwilldie,”saidHercules.“Noherospokethosewords,”Theseussaid.

“WhatcanIdobutdie?”Herculescried.“Live?Abrandedman,foralltosay,‘Look.Thereishewhokilledhiswifeandsons!’Everywheremyjailers,thesharpscorpionsofthetongue!”

“Evenso,sufferandbestrong,”Theseusanswered.“YoushallcometoAthenswithme,sharemyhomeandallthingswithme.Andyouwillgivetomeandtothecityagreatreturn,thegloryofhavinghelpedyou.”

Alongsilencefollowed.AtlastHerculesspoke,slow,heavywords.“Soletitbe,”hesaid,“Iwillbestrongandwaitfordeath.”

ThetwowenttoAthens,butHerculesdidnotstaytherelong.Theseus,thethinker,rejectedtheideathatamancouldbeguiltyofmurderwhenhehadnotknownwhathewasdoingandthatthosewhohelpedsuchaonecouldbereckoneddefiled.TheAtheniansagreedandwelcomedthepoorhero.Buthehimselfcouldnotunderstandsuchideas.Hecouldnotthinkthethingoutatall;hecouldonlyfeel.Hehadkilledhisfamily.Thereforehewasdefiledandadefilerofothers.Hedeservedthatallshouldturnfromhimwithloathing.AtDelphiwherehewenttoconsulttheoracle,thepriestesslookedatthematterjustashedid.Heneededtobepurified,shetoldhim,andonlyaterriblepenancecoulddothat.ShebadehimgotohiscousinEurystheus,KingofMycenae(ofTirynsinsomestories)andsubmittowhateverhedemandedofhim.Hewentwillingly,readytodoanythingthatcouldmakehimcleanagain.ItisplainfromtherestofthestorythatthepriestessknewwhatEurystheuswaslikeandthathewouldbeyondquestionpurgeHerculesthoroughly.

Eurystheuswasbynomeansstupid,butofaveryingeniousturnofmind,andwhenthestrongestmanonearthcametohimhumblypreparedtobehisslave,hedevisedaseriesofpenanceswhichfromthepointofviewofdifficultyanddangercouldnothavebeenimprovedupon.Itmustbesaid,however,thathewashelpedandurgedonbyHera.TotheendofHercules’lifesheneverforgavehimforbeingZeus’sson.ThetasksEurystheusgavehimtodoarecalled“theLaborsofHercules.”Thereweretwelveofthemandeachonewasallbutimpossible.

ThefirstwastokillthelionofNemea,abeastnoweaponscouldwound.ThatdifficultyHerculessolvedbychokingthelifeoutofhim.ThenheheavedthehugecarcassuponhisbackandcarrieditintoMycenae.Afterthat,Eurystheus,acautiousman,wouldnotlethiminsidethecity.Hegavehimhisordersfromafar.

ThesecondlaborwastogotoLernaandkillacreaturewithnineheadscalledtheHydrawhichlivedinaswampthere.Thiswasexceedinglyhardtodo,becauseoneoftheheadswasimmortalandtheothersalmostasbad,inasmuchaswhenHerculeschoppedoffone,twogrewupinstead.However,

hewashelpedbyhisnephewIolauswhobroughthimaburningbrandwithwhichhesearedtheneckashecuteachheadoffsothatitcouldnotsproutagain.Whenallhadbeenchoppedoffhedisposedoftheonethatwasimmortalbyburyingitsecurelyunderagreatrock.

Thethirdlaborwastobringbackaliveastagwithhornsofgold,sacredtoArtemis,whichlivedintheforestsofCerynitia.Hecouldhavekillediteasily,buttotakeitalivewasanothermatterandhehunteditawholeyearbeforehesucceeded.

ThefourthlaborwastocaptureagreatboarwhichhaditslaironMountErymanthus.Hechasedthebeastfromoneplacetoanotheruntilitwasexhausted;thenhedroveitintodeepsnowandtrappedit.

ThefifthlaborwastocleantheAugeanstablesinasingleday.Augeashadthousandsofcattleandtheirstallshadnotbeenclearedoutforyears.Herculesdivertedthecoursesoftworiversandmadethemflowthroughthestablesinagreatfloodthatwashedoutthefilthinnotimeatall.

ThesixthlaborwastodriveawaytheStymphalianbirds,whichwereaplaguetothepeopleofStymphalusbecauseoftheirenormousnumbers.HewashelpedbyAthenatodrivethemoutoftheircoverts,andastheyflewupheshotthem.

TheseventhlaborwastogotoCreteandfetchfromtherethebeautifulsavagebullthatPoseidonhadgivenMinos.Herculesmasteredhim,puthiminaboat,andbroughthimtoEurystheus.

Theeighthlaborwastogettheman-eatingmaresofKingDiomedesofThrace.HerculesslewDiomedesfirstandthendroveoffthemaresunopposed.

TheninthlaborwastobringbackthegirdleofHippolyta,theQueenoftheAmazons.WhenHerculesarrivedshemethimkindlyandtoldhimshewouldgivehimthegirdle,butHerastirreduptrouble.ShemadetheAmazonsthinkthatHerculeswasgoingtocarryofftheirqueen,andtheychargeddownonhisship.Hercules,withoutathoughtofhowkindHippolytahadbeen,withoutanythoughtatall,instantlykilledher,takingitforgrantedthatshewasresponsiblefortheattack.Hewasabletofightofftheothersandgetawaywiththegirdle.

ThetenthlaborwastobringbackthecattleofGeryon,whowasamonsterwiththreebodieslivingonErythia,awesternisland.OnhiswaythereHerculesreachedthelandattheendoftheMediterraneanandhesetupasamemorialofhisjourneytwogreatrocks,calledthepillarsofHercules(nowGibraltarandCeuta).ThenhegottheoxenandtookthemtoMycenae.

Theeleventhlaborwasthemostdifficultofallsofar.ItwastobringbacktheGoldenApplesoftheHesperides,andhedidnotknowwheretheywereto

befound.Atlas,whoborethevaultofheavenuponhisshoulders,wasthefatheroftheHesperides,soHerculeswenttohimandaskedhimtogettheapplesforhim.HeofferedtotakeuponhimselftheburdenoftheskywhileAtlaswasaway.Atlas,seeingachanceofbeingrelievedforeverfromhisheavytask,gladlyagreed.Hecamebackwiththeapples,buthedidnotgivethemtoHercules.HetoldHerculeshecouldkeeponholdingupthesky,forAtlashimselfwouldtaketheapplestoEurystheus.OnthisoccasionHerculeshadonlyhiswitstotrustto;hehadtogiveallhisstrengthtosupportingthatmightyload.Hewassuccessful,butbecauseofAtlas’stupidityratherthanhisowncleverness.HeagreedtoAtlas’plan,butaskedhimtotaketheskybackforjustamomentsothatHerculescouldputapadonhisshoulderstoeasethepressure.Atlasdidso,andHerculespickeduptheapplesandwentoff.

Thetwelfthlaborwastheworstofall.Ittookhimdowntothelowerworld,anditwasthenthathefreedTheseusfromtheChairofForgetfulness.HistaskwastobringCerberus,thethree-headeddog,upfromHades.PlutogavehimpermissionprovidedHerculesusednoweaponstoovercomehim.Hecouldusehishandsonly.Evenso,heforcedtheterriblemonstertosubmittohim.HeliftedhimandcarriedhimallthewayuptotheearthandontoMycenae.EurystheusverysensiblydidnotwanttokeephimandmadeHerculescarryhimback.Thiswashislastlabor.

HerculescarryingCerberus

Whenallwerecompletedandfullexpiationmadeforthedeathofhiswifeandchildren,hewouldseemtohaveearnedeaseandtranquillityfortherestofhislife.Butitwasnotso.Hewasnevertranquilandatease.AnexploitquiteasdifficultasmostofthelaborswastheconquestofAntaeus,aGiantandamightywrestlerwhoforcedstrangerstowrestlewithhimonconditionthatifhewasvictorheshouldkillthem.Hewasroofingatemplewiththeskullsofhisvictims.Aslongashecouldtouchtheearthhewasinvincible.Ifthrowntothegroundhesprangupwithrenewedstrengthfromthecontact.Herculesliftedhimupandholdinghimintheairstrangledhim.

Storyafterstoryistoldofhisadventures.Hefoughttheriver-godAchelousbecauseAchelouswasinlovewiththegirlHerculesnowwantedtomarry.Likeeveryoneelsebythistime,Acheloushadnodesiretofighthimandhetriedtoreasonwithhim.ButthatneverworkedwithHercules.Itonlymadehimmoreangry.Hesaid,“Myhandisbetterthanmytongue.Letmewinfightingandyoumaywintalking.”Acheloustooktheformofabullandattackedhimfiercely,butHerculeswasusedtosubduingbulls.Heconqueredhimandbrokeoffoneofhishorns.Thecauseofthecontest,ayoungprincessnamedDeianira,becamehiswife.

Hetraveledtomanylandsanddidmanyothergreatdeeds.AtTroyherescuedamaidenwhowasinthesameplightasAndromeda,waitingontheshoretobedevouredbyaseamonsterwhichcouldbeappeasedinnootherway.ShewasthedaughterofKingLaomedon,whohadcheatedApolloandPoseidonoftheirwagesafteratZeus’scommandtheyhadbuiltfortheKingthewallsofTroy.InreturnApollosentapestilence,andPoseidontheseaserpent.HerculesagreedtorescuethegirlifherfatherwouldgivehimthehorsesZeushadgivenhisgrandfather.Laomedonpromised,butwhenHerculeshadslainthemonstertheKingrefusedtopay.Herculescapturedthecity,killedtheKing,andgavethemaidentohisfriend,TelamonofSalamis,whohadhelpedhim.

OnhiswaytoAtlastoaskhimabouttheGoldenApples,HerculescametotheCaucasus,wherehefreedPrometheus,slayingtheeaglethatpreyedonhim.

Alongwiththesegloriousdeedstherewereothersnotglorious.Hekilledwithacarelessthrustofhisarmaladwhowasservinghimbypouringwateronhishandsbeforeafeast.Itwasanaccidentandtheboy’sfatherforgaveHercules,butHerculescouldnotforgivehimselfandhewentintoexileforatime.Farworsewashisdeliberatelyslayingagoodfriendinordertoavengeaninsultofferedhimbytheyoungman’sfather,KingEurytus.ForthisbaseactionZeushimselfpunishedhim:hesenthimtoLydiatobeaslavetotheQueen,Omphale,somesayforayear,someforthreeyears.Sheamused

herselfwithhim,makinghimattimesdressupasawomananddowoman’swork,weaveorspin.Hesubmittedpatiently,asalways,buthefelthimselfdegradedbythisservitudeandwithcompleteunreasonblamedEurytusforitandsworehewouldpunishhimtotheutmostwhenhewasfreed.

Allthestoriestoldabouthimarecharacteristic,buttheonewhichgivestheclearestpictureofhimistheaccountofavisithemadewhenhewasonhiswaytogettheman-eatingmaresofDiomedes,oneofthetwelvelabors.Thehousehehadplannedtospendanightin,thatofhisfriendAdmetus,akinginThessaly,wasaplaceofdeepmourningwhenhecametoitalthoughhedidnotknow.Admetushadjustlosthiswifeinaverystrangeway.

Thecauseofherdeathwentbackintothepast,tothetimewhenApolloinangeratZeusforkillinghissonAesculapiuskilledZeus’sworkmen,theCyclopes.HewaspunishedbybeingforcedtoserveonearthasaslaveforayearandAdmetuswasthemasterhechoseorZeuschoseforhim.DuringhisservitudeApollomadefriendswiththehousehold,especiallywiththeheadofitandhiswifeAlcestis.Whenhehadanopportunitytoprovehowstronghisfriendshipwashetookit.HelearnedthatthethreeFateshadspunallofAdmetus’threadoflife,andwereonthepointofcuttingit.Heobtainedfromthemarespite.IfsomeonewoulddieinAdmetus’stead,hecouldlive.ThisnewshetooktoAdmetus,whoatoncesetaboutfindingasubstituteforhimself.Hewentfirstquiteconfidentlytohisfatherandmother.Theywereoldandtheyweredevotedtohim.Certainlyoneortheotherwouldconsenttotakehisplaceintheworldofthedead.Buttohisastonishmenthefoundtheywouldnot.Theytoldhim,“God’sdaylightissweeteventotheold.Wedonotaskyoutodieforus.Wewillnotdieforyou.”Andtheywerecompletelyunmovedbyhisangrycontempt:“You,standingpalsiedatthegateofdeathandyetafraidtodie!”

Hewouldnotgiveup,however.Hewenttohisfriendsbeggingoneafteranotherofthemtodieandlethimlive.Heevidentlythoughthislifewassovaluablethatsomeonewouldsurelysaveitevenatthecostofthesupremesacrifice.Buthemetwithaninvariablerefusal.Atlastindespairhewentbacktohishouseandtherehefoundasubstitute.HiswifeAlcestisofferedtodieforhim.Noonewhohasreadsofarwillneedtobetoldthatheacceptedtheoffer.Hefeltexceedinglysorryforherandstillmoreforhimselfinhavingtolosesogoodawife,andhestoodweepingbesideherasshedied.Whenshewasgonehewasoverwhelmedwithgriefanddecreedthatsheshouldhavethemostmagnificentoffunerals.

ItwasatthispointthatHerculesarrived,torestandenjoyhimselfunderafriend’sroofonhisjourneynorthtoDiomedes.ThewayAdmetustreatedhimshowsmoreplainlythananyotherstorywehavehowhighthestandardsof

hospitalitywere,howmuchwasexpectedfromahosttoaguest.AssoonasAdmetuswastoldofHercules’arrival,hecametomeethim

withnoappearanceofmourningexceptinhisdress.Hismannerwasthatofonegladlywelcomingafriend.ToHercules’questionwhowasdeadheansweredquietlythatawomanofhishousehold,butnorelativeofhis,wastobeburiedthatday.Herculesinstantlydeclaredthathewouldnottroublehimwithhispresenceatsuchatime,butAdmetussteadilyrefusedtolethimgoelsewhere.“Iwillnothaveyousleepunderanother’sroof,”hetoldhim.Tohisservantshesaidthattheguestwastobetakentoadistantroomwherehecouldhearnosoundsofgrief,andgivendinnerandlodgingthere.Noonemustlethimknowwhathadhappened.

Herculesdinedalone,butheunderstoodthatAdmetusmustasamatterofformattendthefuneralandthefactdidnotstandinthewayofhisenjoyinghimself.Theservantsleftathometoattendtohimwerekeptbusysatisfyinghisenormousappetiteand,stillmore,refillinghiswine-jug.Herculesbecameveryhappyandverydrunkandverynoisy.Heroaredoutsongsatthetopofhisvoice,someofthemhighlyobjectionablesongs,andbehavedhimselfinawaythatwasnothinglessthanindecentatthetimeofafuneral.Whentheservantslookedtheirdisapprovalheshoutedatthemnottobesosolemn.Couldn’ttheygivehimasmilenowandthenlikegoodfellows?Theirgloomyfacestookawayhisappetite.“Haveadrinkwithme,”hecried,“manydrinks.”

Oneofthemansweredtimidlythatitwasnotatimeforlaughteranddrinking.

“Whynot?”thunderedHercules.“Becauseastrangerwomanisdead?”“Astranger—”falteredtheservant.“Well,that’swhatAdmetustoldme,”Herculessaidangrily.“Isuppose

youwon’tsayheliedtome.”“Oh,no,”theservantanswered.“Only—he’stoohospitable.Butplease

havesomemorewine.Ourtroubleisonlyourown.”HeturnedtofillthewinecupbutHerculesseizedhim—andnooneever

disregardedthatgrasp.“There’ssomethingstrangehere,”hesaidtothefrightenedman.“Whatis

wrong?”“Youseeforyourselfweareinmourning,”theotheranswered.“Butwhy,man,why?”Herculescried.“Hasmyhostmadeafoolofme?

Whoisdead?”“Alcestis,”theservantwhispered.“OurQueen.”Therewasalongsilence.ThenHerculesthrewdownhiscup.“Imighthaveknown,”hesaid.“Isawhehadbeenweeping.Hiseyes

werered.Buthesworeitwasastranger.Hemademecomein.Oh,goodfriendandgoodhost.AndI—gotdrunk,mademerry,inthishouseofsorrow.Oh,heshouldhavetoldme.”

Thenhedidasalways,heheapedblameuponhimself.Hehadbeenafool,adrunkenfool,whenthemanhecaredforwascrushedwithgrief.Asalways,too,histhoughtsturnedquicklytofindsomewayofatoning.Whatcouldhedotomakeamends?Therewasnothinghecouldnotdo.Hewasperfectlysureofthat,butwhatwastherewhichwouldhelphisfriend?Thenlightdawnedonhim.“Ofcourse,”hesaidtohimself.“Thatistheway.ImustbringAlcestisbackfromthedead.Ofcourse.Nothingcouldbeclearer.I’llfindthatoldfellow,Death.HeissuretobenearhertombandI’llwrestlewithhim.Iwillcrackhisbodybetweenmyarmsuntilhegiveshertome.IfheisnotbythegraveIwillgodowntoHadesafterhim.Oh,Iwillreturngoodtomyfriendwhohasbeensogoodtome.”Hehurriedoutexceedinglypleasedwithhimselfandenjoyingtheprospectofwhatpromisedtobeaverygoodwrestlingmatch.

WhenAdmetusreturnedtohisemptyanddesolatehouseHerculeswastheretogreethim,andbyhissidewasawoman.“Lookather,Admetus,”hesaid.“Isshelikeanyoneyouknow?”AndwhenAdmetuscriedout,“Aghost!Isitatrick—somemockeryofthegods?”Herculesanswered,“Itisyourwife.IfoughtDeathforherandImadehimgiveherback.”

ThereisnootherstoryaboutHerculeswhichshowssoclearlyhischaracterastheGreekssawit:hissimplicityandblunderingstupidity;hisinabilitynottogetroaringdrunkinahousewheresomeonewasdead;hisquickpenitenceanddesiretomakeamendsatnomatterwhatcost;hisperfectconfidencethatnotevenDeathwashismatch.ThatistheportraitofHercules.Tobesure,itwouldhavebeenstillmoreaccurateifithadshownhiminafitofragekillingoneoftheservantswhowereannoyinghimwiththeirgloomyfaces,butthepoetEuripidesfromwhomwegetthestorykeptitclearofeverythingthatdidnotbeardirectlyonAlcestis’deathandreturntolife.Anotherdeathortwo,howevernaturalwhenHerculeswaspresent,wouldhaveblurredthepicturehewantedtopaint.

AsHerculeshadsworntodowhilehewasOmphale’sslave,nosoonerwashefreethanhestartedtopunishKingEurytusbecausehehimselfhadbeenpunishedbyZeusforkillingEurytus’son.Hecollectedanarmy,capturedtheKing’scityandputhimtodeath.ButEurytus,too,wasavenged,forindirectlythisvictorywasthecauseofHercules’owndeath.

Beforehehadquitecompletedthedestructionofthecity,hesenthome—whereDeianira,hisdevotedwife,waswaitingforhimtocomebackfromOmphaleinLydia—abandofcaptivemaidens,oneofthemespecially

beautiful,Iole,theKing’sdaughter.ThemanwhobroughtthemtoDeianiratoldherthatHerculeswasmadlyinlovewiththisPrincess.ThisnewswasnotsohardforDeianiraasmightbeexpected,becauseshebelievedshehadapowerfullove-charmwhichshehadkeptforyearsagainstjustsuchanevil,awomaninherownhousepreferredbeforeher.Directlyafterhermarriage,whenHerculeswastakingherhome,theyhadreachedariverwheretheCentaurNessusactedasferryman,carryingtravelersoverthewater.HetookDeianiraonhisbackandinmidstreaminsultedher.SheshriekedandHerculesshotthebeastashereachedtheotherbank.BeforehediedhetoldDeianiratotakesomeofhisbloodanduseitasacharmforHerculesifeverhelovedanotherwomanmorethanher.WhensheheardaboutIole,itseemedtoherthetimehadcome,andsheanointedasplendidrobewiththebloodandsentittoHerculesbythemessenger.

Astheheroputiton,theeffectwasthesameasthatoftherobeMedeahadsentherrivalwhomJasonwasabouttomarry.Afearfulpainseizedhim,asthoughhewereinaburningfire.InhisfirstagonyheturnedonDeianira’smessenger,whowas,ofcourse,completelyinnocent,seizedhim,andhurledhimdownintothesea.Hecouldstillslayothers,butitseemedthathehimselfcouldnotdie.Theanguishhefelthardlyweakenedhim.WhathadinstantlykilledtheyoungPrincessofCorinthcouldnotkillHercules.Hewasintorture,buthelivedandtheybroughthimhome.Longbefore,Deianirahadheardwhathergifthaddonetohimandhadkilledherself.Intheendhedidthesame.Sincedeathwouldnotcometohim,hewouldgotodeath.HeorderedthosearoundhimtobuildagreatpyreonMountOetaandcarryhimtoit.Whenatlasthereacheditheknewthatnowhecoulddieandhewasglad.“Thisisrest,”hesaid.“Thisistheend.”Andastheyliftedhimtothepyrehelaydownonitasonewhoatabanquettableliesdownuponhiscouch.

Heaskedhisyouthfulfollower,Philoctetes,toholdthetorchtosetthewoodonfire;andhegavehimhisbowandarrows,whichweretobefar-famedintheyoungman’shands,too,atTroy.ThentheflamesrushedupandHerculeswasseennomoreonearth.Hewastakentoheaven,wherehewasreconciledtoHeraandmarriedherdaughterHebe,andwhere

Afterhismightylaborshehasrest.Hischoicestprizeeternalpeace.Withinthehomesofblessedness.

Butitisnoteasytoimaginehimcontentedlyenjoyingrestandpeace,orallowingtheblessedgodstodoso,either.

CHAPTERIV

Atalanta

HerstoryistoldinfullonlybythelatewritersOvidandApollodorus,butitisanoldtale.OneofthepoemsascribedtoHesiod,butprobablyofasomewhatlaterdate,say,theearlyseventhcentury,describestheraceandthegoldenapples,andtheIliadgivesanaccountoftheCalydonianboarhunt.IhavefollowedinmyaccountApollodorus,whoprobablywroteinthefirstorsecondcenturyA.D.Ovid’staleisgoodonlyoccasionally.HegivesacharmingpictureofAtalantaamongthehunterswhichIhaveputintomyaccount,butoften,asinthedescriptionoftheboar,heissoexaggerated,hevergesontheridiculous.Apollodorusisnotpicturesque,butheisneverabsurd.

SOMETIMEStherearesaidtohavebeentwoheroinesofthatname.Certainlytwomen,IasusandSchoenius,areeachcalledthefatherofAtalanta,butthenitoftenhappensinoldstoriesthatdifferentnamesaregiventounimportantpersons.IfthereweretwoAtalantasitiscertainlyremarkablethatbothwantedtosailontheArgo,bothtookpartintheCalydonianboarhunt,bothmarriedamanwhobeattheminafootrace,andbothwereultimatelychangedintolionesses.Sincethestoryofeachispracticallythesameasthatoftheotheritissimplertotakeitforgrantedthattherewasonlyone.Indeeditwouldseempassingtheboundsoftheprobableeveninmythologicalstoriestosupposethatthereweretwomaidenslivingatthesametimewholovedadventureasmuchasthemostdauntlesshero,andwhocouldoutshootandoutrunandoutwrestle,too,themenofoneofthetwogreatagesofheroism.

Atalanta’sfather,whateverhisnamewas,whenadaughterandnotasonwasborntohim,was,ofcourse,bitterlydisappointed.Hedecidedthatshewasnotworthybringingupandhadthetinycreatureleftonawildmountainsidetodieofcoldandhunger.But,assooftenhappensinstories,animalsprovedkinderthanhumans.Ashe-beartookchargeofher,nursedherandkeptherwarm,andthebabygrewupthusintoanactive,daringlittlegirl.Kindhuntersthenfoundherandtookhertolivewiththem.Shebecameintheendmorethantheirequalinallthearduousfeatsofahunter’slife.OncetwoCentaurs,swifterandstrongerbyfarthananymortal,caughtsightofherwhenshewasaloneandpursuedher.Shedidnotrunfromthem;thatwould

havebeenfolly.Shestoodstillandfittedanarrowtoherbowandshot.Asecondarrowfollowed.BothCentaursfell,mortallywounded.

ThencamethefamoushuntoftheCalydonianboar.ThiswasaterriblecreaturesenttoravagethecountryofCalydonbyArtemisinordertopunishtheKing,Oeneus,becauseheforgotherwhenhewassacrificingthefirstfruitstothegodsattheharvest-time.Thebrutedevastatedtheland,destroyedthecattle,killedthemenwhotriedtokillit.FinallyOeneuscalledforhelpuponthebravestmenofGreece,andasplendidbandofyoungheroesassembled,manyofwhomsailedlaterontheArgo.WiththemcameasamatterofcourseAtalanta,“TheprideofthewoodsofArcady.”Wehaveadescriptionofhowshelookedwhenshewalkedinonthatmasculinegathering:“Ashiningbuckleclaspedherrobeattheneck;herhairwassimplydressed,caughtupinaknotbehind.Anivoryquiverhunguponherleftshoulderandinherhandwasabow.Thuswassheattired.Asforherface,itseemedtoomaidenlytobethatofaboy,andtooboyishtobethatofamaiden.”Toonemanthere,however,shelookedlovelierandmoredesirablethananymaidenhehadeverseen.Oeneus’son,Meleager,fellinlovewithheratfirstsight.But,wemaybesure,Atalantatreatedhimasagoodcomrade,notasapossiblelover.Shehadnolikingformenexceptascompanionsinthehuntandshewasdeterminednevertomarry.

Someoftheheroesresentedherpresenceandfeltitbeneaththemtogohuntingwithawoman,butMeleagerinsistedandtheyfinallygaveintohim.Itprovedwellforthemthattheydid,becausewhentheysurroundedtheboar,thebruterusheduponthemsoswiftlythatitkilledtwomenbeforetheotherscouldcometotheirhelp,and,whatwasequallyominous,athirdmanfellpiercedbyamisdirectedjavelin.InthisconfusionofdyingmenandwildlyflyingweaponsAtalantakeptherheadandwoundedtheboar.Herarrowwasthefirsttostrikeit.Meleagerthenrushedonthewoundedcreatureandstabbedittotheheart.Technicallyspeakingitwashewhokilledit,butthehonorsofthehuntwenttoAtalantaandMeleagerinsistedthattheyshouldgivehertheskin.

Strangelyenoughthiswasthecauseofhisowndeath.WhenhewasjustaweekoldtheFateshadappearedtohismother,Althea,andthrownalogofwoodintothefireburninginherchamber.Thenspinningastheyeverdid,twirlingthedistaffandtwistingthethreadofdestiny,theysang,

Toyou,Onew-bornchild,wegrantagift,Toliveuntilthiswoodturnsintoash.

Altheasnatchedthebrandfromthefire,quenchedtheflame,andhiditin

achest.Herbrotherswereamongthosewhowenttohunttheboar.Theyfeltthemselvesinsultedandwerefuriouslyangryathavingtheprizegotoagirl—as,nodoubt,wasthecasewithothers,buttheywereMeleager’sunclesanddidnotneedtostandonanyceremonywithhim.TheydeclaredthatAtalantashouldnothavetheskinandtoldMeleagerhehadnomorerighttogiveitawaythananyoneelsehad.WhereuponMeleagerkilledthemboth,takingthemcompletelyofftheirguard.

ThisnewswasbroughttoAlthea.Herbelovedbrothershadbeenslainbyhersonbecausehehadmadeafoolofhimselfoverashamelesshussywhowenthuntingwithmen.Apassionofragetookpossessionofher.Sherushedtothechestforthebrandandthrewitintothefire.Asitblazedup,Meleagerfelltothegrounddying,andbythetimeitwasconsumedhisspirithadslippedawayfromhisbody.ItissaidthatAlthea,horror-strickenatwhatshehaddone,hangedherself.SotheCalydonianboarhuntendedintragedy.

ToAtalanta,however,itwasonlythebeginningofheradventures.SomesaythatshesailedwiththeArgonauts;othersthatJasonpersuadedhernottodoso.Sheisnevermentionedinthestoryoftheirexploitsandshewascertainlynotonetoholdbackwhendeedsofdaringweretobedone,sothatitseemsprobablethatshedidnotgo.ThenexttimewehearofherisaftertheArgonautsreturned,whenMedeahadkilledJason’sunclePeliasunderthepretextofrestoringhimtoyouth.AtthefuneralgamesheldinhishonorAtalantaappearedamongthecontestants,andinthewrestlingmatchconqueredtheyoungmanwhowastobethefatherofAchilles,thegreatheroPeleus.

Itwasafterthisachievementthatshediscoveredwhoherparentswereandwenttolivewiththem,herfatherapparentlybeingreconciledtohavingadaughterwhoreallyseemedalmostifnotquiteasgoodasason.Itseemsoddthatanumberofmenwantedtomarryherbecauseshecouldhuntandshootandwrestle,butitwasso;shehadagreatmanysuitors.Asawayofdisposingofthemeasilyandagreeablyshedeclaredthatshewouldmarrywhoevercouldbeatherinafootrace,knowingwellthattherewasnosuchmanalive.Shehadadelightfultime.Fleet-footedyoungmenwerealwaysarrivingtoracewithherandshealwaysoutranthem.

Butatlastonecamewhousedhisheadaswellashisheels.Heknewhewasnotasgoodasrunnerasshe,buthehadaplan.BythefavorofAphrodite,alwaysonthelookouttosubduewildyoungmaidenswhodespisedlove,thisingeniousyoungman,whosenamewaseitherMelanion(Milanion)orHippomenes,gotpossessionofthreewondrousapples,allofpuregold,beautifulasthosethatgrewinthegardenoftheHesperides.Noonealivecouldseethemandnotwantthem.

OntheracecourseasAtalanta—poisedforthestartingsignal,andahundredfoldmorelovelydisrobedthanwithhergarmentson—lookedfiercelyaroundher,wonderatherbeautytookholdofallwhosawher,butmostofallthemanwhowaswaitingtorunagainsther.Hekepthishead,however,andheldfasttohisgoldenapples.Theystarted,sheflyingswiftasanarrow,herhairtossedbackoverherwhiteshoulders,arosyflushtingingherfairbody.Shewasout-strippinghimwhenherolledoneoftheapplesdirectlyinfrontofher.Itneededbutamomentforhertostoopandpickthelovelythingup,butthatbriefpausebroughthimabreastofher.Amomentmoreandhethrewthesecond,thistimealittletotheside.Shehadtoswervetoreachitandhegotaheadofher.Almostatonce,however,shehadcaughtupwithhimandthegoalwasnowverynear.Butthenthethirdgoldensphereflashedacrossherpathandrolledfarintothegrassbesidethecourse.Shesawthegleamthroughthegreen,shecouldnotresistit.Asshepickedtheappleup,herloverpantingandalmostwindedtouchedthegoal.Shewashis.Herfreedaysaloneintheforestandherathleticvictorieswereover.

Atalantaandthegoldenapples

ThetwoaresaidtohavebeenturnedintolionsbecauseofsomeaffrontofferedeithertoZeusortoAphrodite.ButbeforethatAtalantahadborneason,Parthenopaeus,whowasoneoftheSevenagainstThebes.

PARTFOUR

TheHeroesoftheTrojanWar

CHAPTERI

TheTrojanWar

Thisstory,ofcourse,istakenalmostentirelyfromHomer.TheIliad,however,beginsaftertheGreekshavereachedTroy,whenApollosendsthepestilenceuponthem.ItdoesnotmentionthesacrificeofIphigenia,andmakesonlyadubiousallusiontotheJudgmentofParis.IhavetakenIphigenia’sstoryfromaplaybythefifth-centurytragicpoetAeschylus,theAgamemnon,andtheJudgmentofParisfromtheTrojanWoman,aplaybyhiscontemporary,Euripides,addingafewdetails,suchasthetaleofOenone,fromtheprose-writerApollodorus,whowroteprobablyinthefirstorsecondcenturyA.D.Heisusuallyveryuninteresting,butintreatingtheeventsleadinguptotheIliadhewasapparentlyinspiredbytouchingsogreatasubjectandheislessdullthaninalmostanyotherpartofhisbook.

MOREthanathousandyearsbeforeChrist,neartheeasternendoftheMediterraneanwasagreatcityveryrichandpowerful,secondtononeonearth.ThenameofitwasTroyandeventodaynocityismorefamous.Thecauseofthislong-lastingfamewasawartoldofinoneoftheworld’sgreatestpoems,theIliad,andthecauseofthewarwentbacktoadisputebetweenthreejealousgoddesses.

Prologue:THEJUDGMENTOFPARIS

TheevilgoddessofDiscord,Eris,wasnaturallynotpopularinOlympus,andwhenthegodsgaveabanquettheywereapttoleaveherout.Resentingthisdeeply,shedeterminedtomaketrouble—andshesucceededverywellindeed.Atanimportantmarriage,thatofKingPeleusandtheseanymphThetis,towhichshealoneofallthedivinitieswasnotinvited,shethrewintothebanquetinghallagoldenapplemarkedFortheFairest.Ofcourseallthegoddesseswantedit,butintheendthechoicewasnarroweddowntothree:Aphrodite,Hera,andPallasAthena.TheyaskedZeustojudgebetweenthem,butverywiselyherefusedtohaveanythingtodowiththematter.HetoldthemtogotoMountIda,nearTroy,wheretheyoungprinceParis,alsocalledAlexander,waskeepinghisfather’ssheep.Hewasanexcellentjudgeofbeauty,Zeustoldthem.Paris,thougharoyalprince,wasdoingshepherd’s

workbecausehisfatherPriam,theKingofTroy,hadbeenwarnedthatthisprincewouldsomedaybetheruinofhiscountry,andsohadsenthimaway.AtthemomentPariswaslivingwithalovelynymphnamedOenone.

Hisamazementcanbeimaginedwhenthereappearedbeforehimthewondrousformsofthethreegreatgoddesses.Hewasnotasked,however,togazeattheradiantdivinitiesandchoosewhichofthemseemedtohimthefairest,butonlytoconsiderthebribeseachofferedandchoosewhichseemedtohimbestworthtaking.Nevertheless,thechoicewasnoteasy.Whatmencareformostwassetbeforehim.HerapromisedtomakehimLordofEuropeandAsia;Athena,thathewouldleadtheTrojanstovictoryagainsttheGreeksandlayGreeceinruins;Aphrodite,thatthefairestwomaninalltheworldshouldbehis.Paris,aweaklingandsomethingofacoward,too,aslatereventsshowed,chosethelast.HegaveAphroditethegoldenapple.

ThatwastheJudgmentofParis,famedeverywhereastherealreasonwhytheTrojanWarwasfought.

THETROJANWAR

ThefairestwomanintheworldwasHelen,thedaughterofZeusandLedaandthesisterofCastorandPollux.SuchwasthereportofherbeautythatnotayoungprinceinGreecebutwantedtomarryher.Whenhersuitorsassembledinherhometomakeaformalproposalforherhandtheyweresomanyandfromsuchpowerfulfamiliesthatherreputedfather,KingTyndareus,hermother’shusband,wasafraidtoselectoneamongthem,fearingthattheotherswoulduniteagainsthim.HethereforeexactedfirstasolemnoathfromallthattheywouldchampionthecauseofHelen’shusband,whoeverhemightbe,ifanywrongwasdonetohimthroughhismarriage.Itwas,afterall,toeachman’sadvantagetotaketheoath,sinceeachwashopinghewouldbethepersonchosen,sotheyallboundthemselvestopunishtotheuttermostanyonewhocarriedortriedtocarryHelenaway.ThenTyndareuschoseMenelaus,thebrotherofAgamemnon,andmadehimKingofSpartaaswell.

TheJudgmentofParis

SomattersstoodwhenParisgavethegoldenappletoAphrodite.TheGoddessofLoveandBeautyknewverywellwherethemostbeautifulwomanonearthwastobefound.Sheledtheyoungshepherd,withneverathoughtofOenoneleftforlorn,straighttoSparta,whereMenelausandHelenreceivedhimgraciouslyastheirguest.Thetiesbetweenguestandhostwerestrong.Eachwasboundtohelpandneverharmtheother.ButParisbrokethatsacredbond.MenelaustrustingcompletelytoitleftParisinhishomeandwentofftoCrete.Then,

PariswhocomingEnteredafriend’skinddwelling,Shamedthehandtherethatgavehimfood,Stealingawayawoman.

MenelausgotbacktofindHelengone,andhecalleduponallGreecetohelphim.Thechieftainsresponded,astheywereboundtodo.Theycameeagerforthegreatenterprise,tocrosstheseaandlaymightyTroyinashes.Two,however,ofthefirstrank,weremissing:Odysseus,KingoftheIslandofIthaca,andAchilles,thesonofPeleusandtheseanymphThetis.Odysseus,whowasoneoftheshrewdestandmostsensiblemeninGreece,didnotwanttoleavehishouseandfamilytoembarkonaromanticadventureoverseasforthesakeofafaithlesswoman.Hepretended,therefore,thathehadgonemad,andwhenamessengerfromtheGreekArmyarrived,theKingwasplowingafieldandsowingitwithsaltinsteadofseed.Butthemessengerwasshrewdtoo.HeseizedOdysseus’littlesonandputhimdirectlyinthewayoftheplow.Instantlythefatherturnedtheplowaside,thusprovingthathehadallhiswitsabouthim.Howeverreluctant,hehadtojointheArmy.

Achilleswaskeptbackbyhismother.TheseanymphknewthatifhewenttoTroyhewasfatedtodiethere.ShesenthimtothecourtofLycomedes,thekingwhohadtreacherouslykilledTheseus,andmadehimwearwomen’sclothesandhideamongthemaidens.Odysseuswasdispatchedbythechieftainstofindhimout.Disguisedasapeddlerhewenttothecourtwheretheladwassaidtobe,withgayornamentsinhispacksuchaswomenlove,andalsosomefineweapons.Whilethegirlsflockedaroundthetrinkets,Achillesfingeredtheswordsanddaggers.Odysseusknewhimthen,andhehadnotroubleatallinmakinghimdisregardwhathismotherhadsaidandgototheGreekcampwithhim.

Sothegreatfleetmadeready.AthousandshipscarriedtheGreekhost.TheymetatAulis,aplaceofstrongwindsanddangeroustides,impossibletosailfromaslongasthenorthwindblew.Anditkeptonblowing,dayafter

day.

Itbrokemen’sheart,Sparednotshipnorcable.Thetimedragged.Doublingitselfinpassing.

TheArmywasdesperate.Atlastthesoothsayer,Calchas,declaredthatthegodshadspokentohim:Artemiswasangry.Oneofherbelovedwildcreatures,ahare,hadbeenslainbytheGreeks,togetherwithheryoung,andtheonlywaytocalmthewindandensureasafevoyagetoTroywastoappeaseherbysacrificingtoheraroyalmaiden,Iphigenia,theeldestdaughteroftheCommanderinChief,Agamemnon.Thiswasterribletoall,buttoherfatherhardlybearable.

IfImustslayThejoyofmyhouse,mydaughter.Afather’shandsStainedwithdarkstreamsflowingFrombloodofagirlSlaughteredbeforethealtar.

Neverthelessheyielded.HisreputationwiththeArmywasatstake,andhisambitiontoconquerTroyandexaltGreece.

Hedaredthedeed,Slayinghischildtohelpawar.

Hesenthomeforher,writinghiswifethathehadarrangedagreatmarriageforher,toAchilles,whohadalreadyshownhimselfthebestandgreatestofallchieftains.Butwhenshecametoherweddingshewascarriedtothealtartobekilled.

Andallherprayers—criesofFather,Father,Hermaidenlife,Thesetheyheldasnothing,Thesavagewarriors,battle-mad.

ShediedandthenorthwindceasedtoblowandtheGreekshipssailedoutoveraquietsea,buttheevilpricetheyhadpaidwasboundsomedaytobringevildownuponthem.

WhentheyreachedthemouthoftheSimois,oneoftheriversofTroy,thefirstmantoleapashorewasProtesilaus.Itwasabravedeed,fortheoraclehadsaidthathewholandedfirstwouldbethefirsttodie.ThereforewhenhehadfallenbyaTrojanspeartheGreekspaidhimhonorsasthoughheweredivineandthegods,too,greatlydistinguishedhim.TheyhadHermesbringhimupfromthedeadtoseeonceagainhisdeeplymourningwife,Laodamia.Shewouldnotgivehimupasecondtime,however.Whenhewentbacktotheunderworldshewentwithhim;shekilledherself.

ThethousandshipscarriedagreathostoffightingmenandtheGreekArmywasverystrong,buttheTrojanCitywasstrong,too.Priam,theKing,andhisQueen,Hecuba,hadmanybravesonstoleadtheattackandtodefendthewalls,oneaboveall,Hector,thanwhomnomananywherewasnoblerormorebrave,andonlyoneagreaterwarrior,thechampionoftheGreeks,Achilles.EachknewthathewoulddiebeforeTroywastaken.Achilleshadbeentoldbyhismother:“Verybriefisyourlot.Wouldthatyoucouldbefreenowfromtearsandtroubles,foryoushallnotlongendure,mychild,short-livedbeyondallmenandtobepitied.”NodivinityhadtoldHector,buthewasequallysure.“Iknowwellinmyheartandinmysoul,”hesaidtohiswifeAndromache,“thedayshallcomewhenholyTroywillbelaidlowandPriamandPriam’speople.”Bothheroesfoughtundertheshadowofcertaindeath.

Fornineyearsvictorywavered,nowtothisside,nowtothat.Neitherwaseverabletogainanydecidedadvantage.ThenaquarrelflaredupbetweentwoGreeks,AchillesandAgamemnon,andforatimeitturnedthetideinfavoroftheTrojans.Againawomanwasthereason,Chryseis,daughterofApollo’spriest,whomtheGreekshadcarriedoffandgiventoAgamemnon.Herfathercametobegforherrelease,butAgamemnonwouldnotlethergo.ThenthepriestprayedtothemightygodheservedandPhoebusApolloheardhim.Fromhissun-chariotheshotfieryarrowsdownupontheGreekArmy,andmensickenedanddiedsothatthefuneralpyreswereburningcontinually.

AtlastAchillescalledanassemblyofthechieftains.HetoldthemthattheycouldnotholdoutagainstboththepestilenceandtheTrojans,andthattheymusteitherfindawaytoappeaseApolloorelsesailhome.ThentheprophetCalchasstoodupandsaidheknewwhythegodwasangry,butthathewasafraidtospeakunlessAchilleswouldguaranteehissafety.“Idoso,”Achillesanswered,“evenifyouaccuseAgamemnonhimself.”Everymanthereunderstoodwhatthatmeant;theyknewhowApollo’spriesthadbeentreated.WhenCalchasdeclaredthatChryseismustbegivenbacktoherfather,hehadallthechiefsbehindhimandAgamemnon,greatlyangered,wasobligedtoagree.“ButifIloseherwhowasmyprizeofhonor,”hetold

Achilles,“Iwillhaveanotherinherstead.”ThereforewhenChryseishadbeenreturnedtoherfather,Agamemnon

senttwoofhissquirestoAchilles’tenttotakehisprizeofhonorawayfromhim,themaidenBriseis.Mostunwillinglytheywentandstoodbeforetheheroinheavysilence.Butheknowingtheirerrandtoldthemitwasnottheywhowerewronginghim.Letthemtakethegirlwithoutfearforthemselves,buthearhimfirstwhilehesworebeforegodsandmenthatAgamemnonwouldpaydearlyforthedeed.

ThatnightAchilles’mother,silver-footedThetistheseanymph,cametohim.Shewasasangryashe.ShetoldhimtohavenothingmoretodowiththeGreeks,andwiththatshewentuptoheavenandaskedZeustogivesuccesstotheTrojans.Zeuswasveryreluctant.ThewarbynowhadreachedOlympus—thegodswererangedagainsteachother.Aphrodite,ofcourse,wasonthesideofParis.Equally,ofcourse,HeraandAthenawereagainsthim.Ares,GodofWar,alwaystooksideswithAphrodite;whilePoseidon,LordoftheSea,favoredtheGreeks,aseapeople,alwaysgreatsailors.ApollocaredforHectorandforhissakehelpedtheTrojans,andArtemis,ashissister,didsotoo.ZeuslikedtheTrojansbest,onthewhole,buthewantedtobeneutralbecauseHerawassodisagreeablewheneverheopposedheropenly.However,hecouldnotresistThetis.HehadahardtimewithHera,whoguessed,assheusuallydid,whathewasabout.Hewasdrivenfinallyintotellingherthathewouldlayhandsuponherifshedidnotstoptalking.Herakeptsilencethen,butherthoughtswerebusyastohowshemighthelptheGreeksandcircumventZeus.

TheplanZeusmadewassimple.HeknewthattheGreekswithoutAchilleswereinferiortotheTrojans,andhesentalyingdreamtoAgamemnonpromisinghimvictoryifheattacked.WhileAchillesstayedinhistentafiercebattlefollowed,thehardestyetfought.UponthewallofTroytheoldKingPriamandtheotheroldmen,wiseinthewaysofwar,satwatchingthecontest.TothemcameHelen,thecauseofallthatagonyanddeath,yetastheylookedather,theycouldnotfeelanyblame.“Menmustfightforsuchasshe,”theysaidtoeachother.“Forherfacewasliketothatofanimmortalspirit.”Shestayedbythem,tellingthemthenamesofthisandthatGreekhero,untiltotheirastonishmentthebattleceased.Thearmiesdrewbackoneithersideandinthespacebetween,ParisandMenelausfacedeachother.Itwasevidentthatthesensibledecisionhadbeenreachedtoletthetwomostconcernedfightitoutalone.

Parisstruckfirst,butMenelauscaughttheswiftspearonhisshield,thenhurledhisown.ItrentParis’tunic,butdidnotwoundhim.Menelausdrewhissword,hisonlyweaponnow,butashedidsoitfellfromhishandbroken.

UndauntedthoughunarmedheleapeduponParisandseizinghimbyhishelmet’screstswunghimoffhisfeet.HewouldhavedraggedhimtotheGreeksvictoriouslyifithadnotbeenforAphrodite.ShetoreawaythestrapthatkeptthehelmetonsothatitcameawayinMenelaus’hand.Parishimself,whohadnotfoughtatallexcepttothrowhisspear,shecaughtupinacloudandtookbacktoTroy.

FuriouslyMenelauswentthroughtheTrojanranksseekingParis,andnotamantherebutwouldhavehelpedhimfortheyallhatedParis,buthewasgone,nooneknewhoworwhere.SoAgamemnonspoketobotharmies,declaringthatMenelauswasvictorandbiddingtheTrojansgiveHelenback.Thiswasjust,andtheTrojanswouldhaveagreedifAthena,atHera’sprompting,hadnotinterfered.HerawasdeterminedthatthewarshouldnotenduntilTroywasruined.Athena,sweepingdowntothebattlefield,persuadedthefoolishheartofPandarus,aTrojan,tobreakthetruceandshootanarrowatMenelaus.Hedidsoandwoundedhim,onlyslightly,buttheGreeksinrageatthetreacheryturnedupontheTrojansandthebattlewasonagain.TerrorandDestructionandStrife,whosefuryneverslackens,allfriendsofthemurderousWar-god,weretheretourgemenontoslaughtereachother.Thenthevoiceofgroaningwasheardandthevoiceoftriumphfromslayerandfromslainandtheearthsteamedwithblood.

OntheGreekside,withAchillesgone,thetwogreatestchampionswereAjaxandDiomedes.TheyfoughtgloriouslythatdayandmanyaTrojanlayonhisfaceinthedustbeforethem.ThebestandbravestnexttoHector,thePrinceAeneas,cameneartodeathatDiomedes’hands.Hewasofmorethanroyalblood;hismotherwasAphroditeherself,andwhenDiomedeswoundedhimshehasteneddowntothebattlefieldtosavehim.Sheliftedhiminhersoftarms,butDiomedes,knowingshewasacowardgoddess,notoneofthosewholikeAthenaaremasterswherewarriorsfight,leapedtowardherandwoundedherhand.CryingoutsheletAeneasfall,andweepingforpainmadeherwaytoOlympus,whereZeussmilingtoseethelaughter-lovinggoddessintearsbadeherstayawayfrombattleandrememberhersweretheworksofloveandnotofwar.ButalthoughhismotherfailedhimAeneaswasnotkilled.ApolloenvelopedhiminacloudandcarriedhimtosacredPergamos,theholyplaceofTroy,whereArtemishealedhimofhiswound.

ButDiomedesragedon,workinghavocintheTrojanranksuntilhecamefacetofacewithHector.TheretohisdismayhesawArestoo.ThebloodstainedmurderousgodofwarwasfightingforHector.AtthesightDiomedesshudderedandcriedtotheGreekstofallback,slowly,however,andwiththeirfacestowardtheTrojans.ThenHerawasangry.SheurgedherhorsestoOlympusandaskedZeusifshemightdrivethatbaneofmen,Ares,

fromthebattlefield.Zeus,wholovedhimnomorethanHeradideventhoughhewastheirson,willinglygaveherleave.ShehasteneddowntostandbesideDiomedesandurgehimtosmitetheterriblegodandhavenofear.Atthat,joyfilledthehero’sheart.HerushedatAresandhurledhisspearathim.Athenadroveithome,anditenteredAres’body.TheWar-godbellowedasloudastenthousandcryinbattle,andattheawfulsoundtremblingseizedthewholehost,GreeksandTrojansalike.

Ares,reallyabullyatheartandunabletobearwhathebroughtuponunnumberedmultitudesofmen,fleduptoZeusinOlympusandcomplainedbitterlyofAthena’sviolence.ButZeuslookedathimsternlyandtoldhimhewasasintolerableashismother,andbadehimceasehiswhining.WithAresgone,however,theTrojanswereforcedtofallback.AtthiscrisisabrotherofHector’s,wiseindiscerningthewillofthegods,urgedHectortogowithallspeedtothecityandtelltheQueen,hismother,tooffertoAthenathemostbeautifulrobesheownedandprayhertohavemercy.Hectorfeltthewisdomoftheadviceandspedthroughthegatestothepalace,wherehismotherdidallashesaid.Shetookarobesopreciousthatitshonelikeastar,andlayingitonthegoddess’skneesshebesoughther:“LadyAthena,sparethecityandthewivesoftheTrojansandthelittlechildren.”ButPallasAthenadeniedtheprayer.

AsHectorwentbacktothebattleheturnedasidetoseeoncemore,perhapsforthelasttime,thewifehetenderlyloved,Andromache,andhissonAstyanax.HemetheronthewallwhereshehadgoneinterrortowatchthefightingwhensheheardtheTrojanswereinretreat.Withherwasahandmaidcarryingthelittleboy.Hectorsmiledandlookedatthemsilently,butAndromachetookhishandinhersandwept.“Mydearlord,”shesaid,“youwhoarefatherandmotherandbrotheruntomeaswellashusband,stayherewithus.Donotmakemeawidowandyourchildanorphan.”Herefusedhergently.Hecouldnotbeacoward,hesaid.Itwasforhimtofightalwaysintheforefrontofthebattle.Yetshecouldknowthatheneverforgotwhatheranguishwouldbewhenhedied.Thatwasthethoughtthattroubledhimaboveallelse,morethanhismanyothercares.Heturnedtoleaveher,butfirstheheldouthisarmstohisson.Terrifiedthelittleboyshrankback,afraidofthehelmetanditsfiercenoddingcrest.Hectorlaughedandtooktheshininghelmetfromhishead.Thenholdingthechildinhisarmshecaressedhimandprayed,“OZeus,inafteryearsmaymensayofthismysonwhenhereturnsfrombattle,‘Fargreaterishethanhisfatherwas.’”

Sohelaidtheboyinhiswife’sarmsandshetookhim,smiling,yetwithtears.AndHectorpitiedherandtouchedhertenderlywithhishandandspoketoher:“Dearone,benotsosorrowful.Thatwhichisfatedmustcometopass,

butagainstmyfatenomancankillme.”Thentakinguphishelmetheleftherandshewenttoherhouse,oftenlookingbackathimandweepingbitterly.

Onceagainonthebattlefieldhewaseagerforthefight,andbetterfortuneforatimelaybeforehim.ZeushadbynowrememberedhispromisetoThetistoavengeAchilles’wrong.HeorderedalltheotherimmortalstostayinOlympus;hehimselfwentdowntoearthtohelptheTrojans.ThenitwenthardwiththeGreeks.Theirgreatchampionwasfaraway.Achillessataloneinhistent,broodingoverhiswrongs.ThegreatTrojanchampionhadneverbeforeshownhimselfsobrilliantandsobrave.Hectorseemedirresistible.Tamerofhorses,theTrojansalwayscalledhim,andhedrovehiscarthroughtheGreekranksasifthesamespiritanimatedsteedsanddriver.Hisglancinghelmwaseverywhereandonegallantwarriorafteranotherfellbeneathhisterriblebronzespear.Wheneveningendedthebattle,theTrojanshaddriventheGreeksbackalmosttotheirships.

TherewasrejoicinginTroythatnight,butgriefanddespairintheGreekcamp.AgamemnonhimselfwasallforgivingupandsailingbacktoGreece.Nestor,however,whowastheoldestamongthechieftainsandthereforethewisest,wisereventhantheshrewdOdysseus,spokeoutboldlyandtoldAgamemnonthatifhehadnotangeredAchillestheywouldnothavebeendefeated.“Trytofindsomewayofappeasinghim,”hesaid,“insteadofgoinghomedisgraced.”AllapplaudedtheadviceandAgamemnonconfessedthathehadactedlikeafool.HewouldsendBriseisback,hepromisedthem,andwithhermanyothersplendidgifts,andhebeggedOdysseustotakehisoffertoAchilles.

OdysseusandthetwochieftainschosentoaccompanyhimfoundtheherowithhisfriendPatroclus,whoofallmenonearthwasdearesttohim.Achilleswelcomedthemcourteouslyandsetfoodanddrinkbeforethem,butwhentheytoldhimwhytheyhadcomeandalltherichgiftsthatwouldbehisifhewouldyield,andbeggedhimtohavepityonhishard-pressedcountrymen,theyreceivedanabsoluterefusal.NotallthetreasuresofEgyptcouldbuyhim,hetoldthem.Hewassailinghomeandtheywouldbewisetodothesame.

ButallrejectedthatcounselwhenOdysseusbroughtbacktheanswer.Thenextdaytheywentintobattlewiththedesperatecourageofbravemencornered.Againtheyweredrivenback,untiltheystoodfightingonthebeachwheretheirshipsweredrawnup.Buthelpwasathand.Herahadlaidherplans.ShesawZeussittingonMountIdawatchingtheTrojansconquer,andshethoughthowshedetestedhim.Butsheknewwellthatshecouldgetthebetterofhimonlyinoneway.Shemustgotohimlookingsolovelythathecouldnotresisther.Whenhetookherinhisarmsshewouldpoursweetsleep

uponhimandhewouldforgettheTrojans.Soshedid.Shewenttoherchamberandusedeveryartsheknewtomakeherselfbeautifulbeyondcompare.LastofallsheborrowedAphrodite’sgirdlewhereinwereallherenchantments,andwiththisaddedcharmsheappearedbeforeZeus.Ashesawher,loveovercamehisheartsothathethoughtnomoreofhispromisetoThetis.

AtoncethebattleturnedinfavoroftheGreeks.AjaxhurledHectortotheground,althoughbeforehecouldwoundhimAeneasliftedhimandborehimaway.WithHectorgone,theGreekswereabletodrivetheTrojansfarbackfromtheshipsandTroymighthavebeensackedthatverydayifZeushadnotawakened.HeleapedupandsawtheTrojansinflightandHectorlyinggaspingontheplain.AllwascleartohimandheturnedfiercelytoHera.Thiswasherdoing,hesaid,hercrafty,crookedways.Hewashalf-mindedtogiveherthenandthereabeating.WhenitcametothatkindoffightingHeraknewshewashelpless.ShepromptlydeniedthatshehadhadanythingtodowiththeTrojans’defeat.ItwasallPoseidon,shesaid,andindeedtheSea-godhadbeenhelpingtheGreekscontrarytoZeus’sorders,butonlybecauseshehadbeggedhim.However,Zeuswasgladenoughofanexcusenottolayhandsonher.HesentherbacktoOlympusandsummonedIris,therainbowmessenger,tocarryhiscommandtoPoseidontowithdrawfromthefield.SullenlytheSea-godobeyedandoncemorethetideofbattleturnedagainsttheGreeks.

ApollohadrevivedthefaintingHectorandbreathedintohimsurpassingpower.Beforethetwo,thegodandthehero,theGreekswerelikeaflockoffrightenedsheepdrivenbymountainlions.Theyfledinconfusiontotheships,andthewalltheyhadbuilttodefendthemwentdownlikeasandwallchildrenheapupontheshoreandthenscatterintheirplay.TheTrojanswerealmostnearenoughtosettheshipsonfire.TheGreeks,hopeless,thoughtonlyofdyingbravely.

Patroclus,Achilles’belovedfriend,sawtheroutwithhorror.NotevenforAchilles’sakecouldhestaylongerawayfromthebattle.“Youcankeepyourwrathwhileyourcountrymengodowninruin,”hecriedtoAchilles.“Icannot.Givemeyourarmor.IftheythinkIamyou,theTrojansmaypauseandtheworn-outGreekshaveabreathingspace.YouandIarefresh.Wemightyetdrivebacktheenemy.Butifyouwillsitnursingyouranger,atleastletmehavethearmor.”AshespokeoneoftheGreekshipsburstintoflame.“ThatwaytheycancutofftheArmy’sretreat,”Achillessaid.“Go.Takemyarmor,mymentoo,anddefendtheships.Icannotgo.Iamamandishonored.Formyownships,ifthebattlecomesnearthem,Iwillfight.Iwillnotfightformenwhohavedisgracedme.”

SoPatroclusputonthesplendidarmoralltheTrojansknewandfeared,

andledtheMyrmidons,Achilles’men,tothebattle.AtthefirstonsetofthisnewbandofwarriorstheTrojanswavered;theythoughtAchillesledthemon.AndindeedforatimePatroclusfoughtasgloriouslyasthatgreatherohimselfcouldhavedone.ButatlasthemetHectorfacetofaceandhisdoomwassealedassurelyasaboarisdoomedwhenhefacesalion.Hector’sspeargavehimamortalwoundandhissoulfledfromhisbodydowntothehouseofHades.ThenHectorstrippedhisarmorfromhimandcastinghisownaside,putiton.Itseemedasthoughhehadtakenon,too,Achilles’strength,andnomanoftheGreekscouldstandbeforehim.

Eveningcamethatputsanendtobattle.AchillessatbyhistentwaitingforPatroclustoreturn.ButinsteadhesawoldNestor’ssonrunningtowardhim,fleet-footedAntilochus.Hewasweepinghottearsasheran.“Bittertidings,”hecriedout.“PatroclusisfallenandHectorhashisarmor.”GrieftookholdofAchilles,soblackthatthosearoundhimfearedforhislife.Downintheseacaveshismotherknewhissorrowandcameuptotrytocomforthim.“Iwillnolongerliveamongmen,”hetoldher,“ifIdonotmakeHectorpaywithhisdeathforPatroclusdead.”ThenThetisweepingbadehimrememberthathehimselfwasfatedtodiestraightwayafterHector.“SomayIdo,”Achillesanswered,“Iwhodidnothelpmycomradeinhissoreneed.IwillkillthedestroyerofhimIloved;thenIwillacceptdeathwhenitcomes.”

Thetisdidnotattempttoholdhimback.“Onlywaituntilmorning,”shesaid,“andyouwillnotgounarmedtobattle.Iwillbringyouarmsfashionedbythedivinearmorer,thegodHephaestushimself.”

MarvelousarmstheywerewhenThetisbroughtthem,worthyoftheirmaker,suchasnomanonearthhadeverborne.TheMyrmidonsgazedatthemwithaweandaflameoffiercejoyblazedinAchilles’eyesasheputthemon.Thenatlastheleftthetentinwhichhehadsatsolong,andwentdowntowheretheGreeksweregathered,awretchedcompany,Diomedesgrievouslywounded,Odysseus,Agamemnon,andmanyanother.Hefeltshamebeforethemandhetoldthemhesawhisownexceedingfollyinallowingthelossofameregirltomakehimforgeteverythingelse.Butthatwasover;hewasreadytoleadthemasbefore.Letthemprepareatonceforthebattle.Thechieftainsapplaudedjoyfully,butOdysseusspokeforallwhenhesaidtheymustfirsttaketheirfilloffoodandwine,forfastingmenmadepoorfighters.“Ourcomradesliedeadonthefieldandyoucalltofood,”Achillesansweredscornfully.“Downmythroatshallgoneitherbitenorsupuntilmydearcomradeisavenged.”Andtohimselfhesaid,“Odearestoffriends,forwantofyouIcannoteat,Icannotdrink.”

Whentheothershadsatisfiedtheirhungerheledtheattack.Thiswasthelastfightbetweenthetwogreatchampions,asalltheimmortalsknew.They

alsoknewhowitwouldturnout.FatherZeushunghisgoldenbalancesandsetinonethelotofHector’sdeathandintheotherthatofAchilles.Hector’slotsankdown.Itwasappointedthatheshoulddie.

Nevertheless,thevictorywaslongindoubt.TheTrojansunderHectorfoughtasbravemenfightbeforethewallsoftheirhome.EventhegreatriverofTroy,whichthegodscallXanthusandmenScamander,tookpartandstrovetodrownAchillesashecrosseditswaters.Invain,fornothingcouldcheckhimasherushedonslaughteringallinhispathandseekingeverywhereforHector.Thegodsbynowwerefighting,too,ashotlyasthemen,andZeussittingapartinOlympuslaughedpleasantlytohimselfwhenhesawgodmatchedagainstgod:AthenafellingArestotheground;HeraseizingthebowofArtemisfromhershouldersandboxingherearswithitthiswayandthat;PoseidonprovokingApollowithtauntingwordstostrikehimfirst.TheSun-godrefusedthechallenge.HeknewitwasofnousenowtofightforHector.

Bythistimethegates,thegreatScaeangatesofTroy,hadbeenflungwide,fortheTrojansatlastwereinfullflightandwerecrowdingintothetown.OnlyHectorstoodimmovablebeforethewall.FromthegatesoldPriam,hisfather,andhismotherHecubacriedtohimtocomewithinandsavehimself,buthedidnotheed.Hewasthinking,“IledtheTrojans.Theirdefeatismyfault.ThenamItosparemyself?Andyet—whatifIweretolaydownshieldandspearandgotellAchillesthatwewillgiveHelenbackandhalfofTroy’streasureswithher?Useless.HewouldbutkillmeunarmedasifIwereawoman.BettertojoinbattlewithhimnowevenifIdie.”

OncameAchilles,gloriousasthesunwhenherises.BesidehimwasAthena,butHectorwasalone.Apollohadlefthimtohisfate.Asthepairdrewnearheturnedandfled.ThreetimesaroundthewallofTroypursuedandpursuerranwithflyingfeet.ItwasAthenawhomadeHectorhalt.Sheappearedbesidehimintheshapeofhisbrother,Deiphobus,andwiththisallyashethought,HectorfacedAchilles.Hecriedouttohim,“IfIkillyouIwillgivebackyourbodytoyourfriendsanddoyoudothesametome.”ButAchillesanswered,“Madman.Therearenocovenantsbetweensheepandwolves,norbetweenyouandme.”Sosayinghehurledhisspear.Itmisseditsaim,butAthenabroughtitback.ThenHectorstruckwithatrueaim;thespearhitthecenterofAchilles’shield.Buttowhatgood?Thatarmorwasmagicalandcouldnotbepierced.HeturnedquicklytoDeiphobustogethisspear,buthewasnotthere.ThenHectorknewthetruth.Athenahadtrickedhimandtherewasnowayofescape.“Thegodshavesummonedmetodeath,”hethought.“AtleastIwillnotdiewithoutastruggle,butinsomegreatdeedofarmswhichmenyettobebornwilltelleachother.”Hedrewhissword,hisonlyweaponnow,andrusheduponhisenemy.ButAchilleshadaspear,the

oneAthenahadrecoveredforhim.BeforeHectorcouldapproach,hewhoknewwellthatarmortakenbyHectorfromthedeadPatroclusaimedatanopeninginitnearthethroat,anddrovethespearpointin.Hectorfell,dyingatlast.Withhislastbreathheprayed,“Givebackmybodytomyfatherandmymother.”“Noprayersfromyoutome,youdog,”Achillesanswered.“IwouldthatIcouldmakemyselfdevourrawyourfleshfortheevilyouhavebroughtuponme.”ThenHector’ssoulflewforthfromhisbodyandwasgonetoHades,bewailinghisfate,leavingvigorandyouthbehind.

AchillesstrippedthebloodyarmorfromthecorpsewhiletheGreeksranuptowonderhowtallhewasashelaythereandhownobletolookupon.ButAchilles’mindwasonothermatters.Hepiercedthefeetofthedeadmanandfastenedthemwiththongstothebackofhischariot,lettingtheheadtrail.ThenhelashedhishorsesandroundandroundthewallsofTroyhedraggedallthatwasleftofgloriousHector.

AtlastwhenhisfiercesoulwassatisfiedwithvengeancehestoodbesidethebodyofPatroclusandsaid,“HearmeeveninthehouseofHades.IhavedraggedHectorbehindmychariotandIwillgivehimtothedogstodevourbesideyourfuneralpyre.”

UpinOlympustherewasdissension.ThisabuseofthedeaddispleasedalltheimmortalsexceptHeraandAthenaandPoseidon.EspeciallyitdispleasedZeus.HesentIristoPriam,toorderhimtogowithoutfeartoAchillestoredeemHector’sbody,bearingarichransom.ShewastotellhimthatviolentasAchilleswas,hewasnotreallyevil,butonewhowouldtreatproperlyasuppliant.

ThentheagedKingheapedacarwithsplendidtreasures,thebestinTroy,andwentovertheplaintotheGreekcamp.Hermesmethim,lookinglikeaGreekyouthandofferinghimselfasaguidetoAchilles’tent.Soaccompaniedtheoldmanpassedtheguardsandcameintothepresenceofthemanwhohadkilledandmaltreatedhisson.HeclaspedhiskneesandkissedhishandsandashedidsoAchillesfeltaweandsodidalltheothersthere,lookingstrangelyupononeanother.“Remember,Achilles,”Priamsaid,“yourownfather,oflikeyearswithmeandlikemewretchedforwantofason.YetIambyfarmoretobepitiedwhohavebravedwhatnomanoneartheverdidbefore,tostretchoutmyhandtotheslayerofmyson.”

GriefstirredwithinAchilles’heartashelistened.Gentlyheraisedtheoldman.“Sitbymehere,”hesaid,“andletoursorrowliequietinourhearts.Evilisallmen’slot,butyetwemustkeepcourage.”ThenhebadehisservantswashandanointHector’sbodyandcoveritwithasoftrobe,sothatPriamshouldnotseeit,frightfullymangledasitwas,andbeunabletokeepbackhiswrath.Hefearedforhisownself-controlifPriamvexedhim.“How

manydaysdoyoudesiretomakehisfuneral?”heasked.“ForsolongIwillkeeptheGreeksbackfrombattle.”ThenPriambroughtHectorhome,mournedinTroyasneveranother.EvenHelenwept.“TheotherTrojansupbraidme,”shesaid,“butalwaysIhadcomfortfromyouthroughthegentlenessofyourspiritandyourgentlewords.Youonlyweremyfriend.”

Ninedaystheylamentedhim;thentheylaidhimonaloftypyreandsetfiretoit.Whenallwasburnedtheyquenchedtheflamewithwineandgatheredthebonesintoagoldenurn,shroudingtheminsoftpurple.Theysettheurninahollowgraveandpiledgreatstonesoverit.

ThiswasthefuneralofHector,tamerofhorses.AndwithittheIliadends.

CHAPTERII

TheFallofTroy

ThegreaterpartofthisstorycomesfromVirgil.ThecaptureofTroyisthesubjectofthesecondbookoftheAeneid,anditisoneofthebest,ifnotthebest,storyVirgilevertold—concise,pointed,vivid.ThebeginningandtheendofmyaccountarenotinVirgil.IhavetakenthestoryofPhiloctetesandthedeathofAjaxfromtwoplaysofthefifth-centurytragicpoetSophocles.Theend,thetaleofwhathappenedtotheTrojanwomenwhenTroyfell,comesfromaplaybySophocles’fellowplaywright,Euripides.ItisacuriouscontrasttothemartialspiritoftheAeneid.ToVirgilastoallRomanpoets,warwasthenoblestandmostgloriousofhumanactivities.FourhundredyearsbeforeVirgilaGreekpoetlookedatitdifferently.Whatwastheendofthatfar-famedwar?Euripidesseemstoask.Justthis,aruinedtown,adeadbaby,afewwretchedwomen.

WITHHectordead,Achillesknew,ashismotherhadtoldhim,thathisowndeathwasnear.Onemoregreatfeatofarmshedidbeforehisfightingendedforever.PrinceMemnonofEthiopia,thesonoftheGoddessoftheDawn,cametotheassistanceofTroywithalargearmyandforatime,eventhoughHectorwasgone,theGreekswerehard-pressedandlostmanyagallantwarrior,includingswift-footedAntilochus,oldNestor’sson.Finally,AchilleskilledMemnoninagloriouscombat,theGreekhero’slastbattle.ThenhehimselffellbesidetheScaeangates.HehaddriventheTrojansbeforehimuptothewallofTroy.ThereParisshotanarrowathimandApolloguideditsothatitstruckhisfootintheonespotwherehecouldbewounded,hisheel.HismotherThetiswhenhewasbornhadintendedtomakehiminvulnerablebydippinghimintotheRiverStyx,butshewascarelessanddidnotseetoitthatthewatercoveredthepartofthefootbywhichshewasholdinghim.Hedied,andAjaxcarriedhisbodyoutofthebattlewhileOdysseusheldtheTrojansback.ItissaidthatafterhehadbeenburnedonthefuneralpyrehisboneswereplacedinthesameurnthatheldthoseofhisfriendPatroclus.

Hisarms,thosemarvelousarmsThetishadbroughthimfromHephaestus,causedthedeathofAjax.ItwasdecidedinfullassemblythattheheroeswhobestdeservedthemwereAjaxandOdysseus.Asecretvotewasthentakenbetweenthetwo,andOdysseusgotthearms.Suchadecisionwasavery

seriousmatterinthosedays.Itwasnotonlythatthemanwhowonwashonored;themanwhowasdefeatedwasheldtobedishonored.AjaxsawhimselfdisgracedandinafitoffuriousangerhedeterminedtokillAgamemnonandMenelaus.Hebelievedandwithreasonthattheyhadturnedthevoteagainsthim.AtnightfallhewenttofindthemandhehadreachedtheirquarterswhenAthenastruckhimwithmadness.HethoughttheflocksandherdsoftheGreeksweretheArmy,andrushedtokillthem,believingthathewasslayingnowthischieftain,nowthat.FinallyhedraggedtohistentahugeramwhichtohisdistractedmindwasOdysseus,boundhimtothetent-poleandbeathimsavagely.Thenhisfrenzylefthim.Heregainedhisreasonandsawthathisdisgraceinnotwinningthearmshadbeenbutashadowascomparedwiththesamehisowndeedshaddrawndownuponhim.Hisrage,hisfolly,hismadness,wouldbeapparenttoeveryone.Theslaughteredanimalswerelyingalloverthefield.“Thepoorcattle,”hesaidtohimself,“killedtonopurposebymyhand!AndIstandherealone,hatefultomenandtogods.Insuchastateonlyacowardclingstolife.Amanifhecannotlivenoblycandienobly.”Hedrewhisswordandkilledhimself.TheGreekswouldnotburnhisbody;theyburiedhim.Theyheldthatasuicideshouldnotbehonoredwithafuneralpyreandurn-burial.

HisdeathfollowingsosoonuponAchilles’dismayedtheGreeks.Victoryseemedasfaroffasever.TheirprophetCalchastoldthemthathehadnomessagefromthegodsforthem,butthattherewasamanamongtheTrojanswhoknewthefuture,theprophetHelenus.Iftheycapturedhimtheycouldlearnfromhimwhattheyshoulddo.Odysseussucceededinmakinghimaprisoner,andhetoldtheGreeksTroywouldnotfalluntilsomeonefoughtagainsttheTrojanswiththebowandarrowsofHercules.ThesehadbeengivenwhenHerculesdiedtothePrincePhiloctetes,themanwhohadfiredhisfuneralpyreandwholaterhadjoinedtheGreekhostwhentheysailedtoTroy.OnthevoyagetheGreeksstoppedatanislandtoofferasacrificeandPhilocteteswasbittenbyaserpent,amostfrightfulwound.Itwouldnotheal;itwasimpossibletocarryhimtoTroyashewas;theArmycouldnotwait.TheylefthimfinallyatLemnos,thenanuninhabitedislandalthoughoncetheheroesoftheQuestoftheGoldenFleecehadfoundplentyofwomenthere.

Itwascrueltodesertthehelplesssufferer,buttheyweredesperatetogetontoTroy,andwithhisbowandarrowshewouldatleastneverlackforfood.WhenHelenusspoke,however,theGreeksknewwellthatitwouldbehardtopersuadehimwhomtheyhadsowronged,togivehispreciousweaponstothem.SotheysentOdysseus,themasterofcraftycunning,togetthembytrickery.SomesaythatDiomedeswentwithhimandothersNeoptolemus,alsocalledPyrrhus,theyoungsonofAchilles.Theysucceededinstealingthe

bowandarrows,butwhenitcametoleavingthepoorwretchalonetheredeprivedofthem,theycouldnotdoit.Intheendtheypersuadedhimtogowiththem.BackatTroythewisephysicianoftheGreekshealedhim,andwhenatlasthewentjoyfullyonceagainintobattlethefirstmanhewoundedwithhisarrowswasParis.AshefellParisbeggedtobecarriedtoOenone,thenymphhehadlivedwithonMountIdabeforethethreegoddessescametohim.Shehadtoldhimthatsheknewamagicdrugtocureanyailment.Theytookhimtoherandheaskedherforhislife,butsherefused.Hisdesertionofher,hislongforgetfulness,couldnotbeforgiveninamomentbecauseofhisneed.Shewatchedhimdie;thenshewentawayandkilledherself.

TroydidnotfallbecausePariswasdead.Hewas,indeed,nogreatloss.AtlasttheGreekslearnedthattherewasamostsacredimageofPallasAthenainthecity,calledthePalladium,andthataslongastheTrojanshaditTroycouldnotbetaken.Accordingly,thetwogreatestofthechieftainsleftalivebythen,OdysseusandDiomedes,determinedtotrytostealit.Diomedeswastheonewhoboretheimageoff.InadarknightheclimbedthewallwithOdysseus’help,foundthePalladiumandtookittothecamp.WiththisgreatencouragementtheGreeksdeterminedtowaitnolonger,butdevisesomewaytoputanendtotheendlesswar.

TheysawclearlybynowthatunlesstheycouldgettheirArmyintothecityandtaketheTrojansbysurprise,theywouldneverconquer.Almosttenyearshadpassedsincetheyhadfirstlaidsiegetothetown,anditseemedasstrongasever.Thewallsstooduninjured.Theyhadneversufferedarealattack.Thefightinghadtakenplace,forthemostpart,atadistancefromthem.TheGreeksmustfindasecretwayofenteringthecity,oracceptdefeat.Theresultofthisnewdeterminationandnewvisionwasthestratagemofthewoodenhorse.Itwas,asanyonewouldguess,thecreationofOdysseus’wilymind.

Hehadaskillfulworkerinwoodmakeahugewoodenhorsewhichwashollowandsobigthatitcouldholdanumberofmen.Thenhepersuaded—andhadagreatdifficultyindoingso—certainofthechieftainstohideinsideit,alongwithhimself,ofcourse.Theywereallterror-strickenexceptAchilles’sonNeoptolemus,andindeedwhattheyfacedwasnoslightdanger.TheideawasthatalltheotherGreeksshouldstrikecamp,andapparentlyputouttosea,buttheywouldreallyhidebeyondthenearestislandwheretheycouldnotbeseenbytheTrojans.Whateverhappenedtheywouldbesafe;theycouldsailhomeifanythingwentwrong.Butinthatcasethemeninsidethewoodenhorsewouldsurelydie.

Odysseus,ascanbereadilybelieved,hadnotoverlookedthisfact.HisplanwastoleaveasingleGreekbehindinthedesertedcamp,primedwitha

talecalculatedtomaketheTrojansdrawthehorseintothecity—andwithoutinvestigatingit.Then,whennightwasdarkest,theGreeksinsideweretoleavetheirwoodenprisonandopenthecitygatestotheArmy,whichbythattimewouldhavesailedback,andbewaitingbeforethewall.

Thewoodenhorse

Anightcamewhentheplanwascarriedout.ThenthelastdayofTroydawned.OnthewallstheTrojanwatcherssawwithastonishmenttwosights,eachasstartlingastheother.InfrontoftheScaeangatesstoodanenormousfigureofahorse,suchathingasnoonehadeverseen,anapparitionsostrangethatitwasvaguelyterrifying,eventhoughtherewasnosoundormovementcomingfromit.Nosoundormovementanywhere,indeed.ThenoisyGreekcampwashushed;nothingwasstirringthere.Andtheshipsweregone.Onlyoneconclusionseemedpossible:TheGreekshadgivenup.TheyhadsailedforGreece;theyhadaccepteddefeat.AllTroyexulted.Herlongwarfarewasover;hersufferingslaybehindher.

ThepeopleflockedtotheabandonedGreekcamptoseethesights:hereAchilleshadsulkedsolong;thereAgamemnon’stenthadstood;thiswasthequartersofthetrickster,Odysseus.Whatrapturetoseetheplacesempty,nothinginthemnowtofear.Atlasttheydriftedbacktowherethatmonstrosity,thewoodenhorse,stood,andtheygatheredaroundit,puzzledwhattodowithit.ThentheGreekwhohadbeenleftbehindinthecampdiscoveredhimselftothem.HisnamewasSinon,andhewasamostplausiblespeaker.HewasseizedanddraggedtoPriam,weepingandprotestingthathenolongerwishedtobeaGreek.ThestoryhetoldwasoneofOdysseus’masterpieces.PallasAthenahadbeenexceedinglyangry,Sinonsaid,atthetheftofthePalladium,andtheGreeksinterrorhadsenttotheoracletoaskhowtheycouldappeaseher.Theoracleanswered:“WithbloodandwithamaidenslainyoucalmedthewindswhenfirstyoucametoTroy.Withbloodmustyourreturnbesought.WithaGreeklifemakeexpiation.”Hehimself,SinontoldPriam,wasthewretchedvictimchosentobesacrificed.Allwasreadyfortheawfulrite,whichwastobecarriedoutjustbeforetheGreeks’departure,butinthenighthehadmanagedtoescapeandhiddeninaswamphadwatchedtheshipssailaway.

ItwasagoodtaleandtheTrojansneverquestionedit.TheypitiedSinonandassuredhimthatheshouldhenceforthliveasoneofthemselves.SoitbefellthatbyfalsecunningandpretendedtearsthosewereconqueredwhomgreatDiomedeshadneverovercome,norsavageAchilles,nortenyearsofwarfare,norathousandships.ForSinondidnotforgetthesecondpartofhisstory.Thewoodenhorsehadbeenmade,hesaid,asavotiveofferingtoAthena,andthereasonforitsimmensesizewastodiscouragetheTrojansfromtakingitintothecity.WhattheGreekshopedforwasthattheTrojanswoulddestroyitandsodrawdownuponthemAthena’sanger.Placedinthecity,itwouldturnherfavortothemandawayfromtheGreeks.Thestorywascleverenoughtohavehadbyitself,inallprobability,thedesiredeffect;butPoseidon,themostbitterofallthegodsagainstTroy,contrivedanaddition

whichmadetheissuecertain.ThepriestLaocoön,whenthehorsewasfirstdiscovered,hadbeenurgentwiththeTrojanstodestroyit.“IfeartheGreeksevenwhentheybeargifts,”hesaid.Cassandra,Priam’sdaughter,hadechoedhiswarning,butnooneeverlistenedtoherandshehadgonebacktothepalacebeforeSinonappeared.Laocoönandhistwosonsheardhisstorywithsuspicion,theonlydoubtersthere.AsSinonfinished,suddenlyovertheseacametwofearfulserpentsswimmingtotheland.Oncethere,theyglidedstraighttoLaocoön.Theywrappedtheirhugecoilsaroundhimandthetwoladsandtheycrushedthelifeoutofthem.ThentheydisappearedwithinAthena’stemple.

Therecouldbenofurtherhesitation.TothehorrifiedspectatorsLaocoönhadbeenpunishedforopposingtheentryofthehorsewhichmostcertainlynooneelsewouldnowdo.Allthepeoplecried,

“Bringthecarvenimagein.BearittoAthena,FitgiftforthechildofZeus.”Whooftheyoungbuthurriedforth?Whooftheoldwouldstayathome?Withsongandrejoicingtheybroughtdeathin,Treacheryanddestruction.

TheydraggedthehorsethroughthegateanduptothetempleofAthena.Then,rejoicingintheirgoodfortune,believingthewarendedandAthena’sfavorrestoredtothem,theywenttotheirhousesinpeaceastheyhadnotfortenyears.

Inthemiddleofthenightthedoorinthehorseopened.Onebyonethechieftainsletthemselvesdown.Theystoletothegatesandthrewthemwide,andintothesleepingtownmarchedtheGreekArmy.Whattheyhadfirsttodocouldbecarriedoutsilently.Fireswerestartedinbuildingsthroughoutthecity.BythetimetheTrojanswereawake,beforetheyrealizedwhathadhappened,whiletheywerestrugglingintotheirarmor,Troywasburning.Theyrushedouttothestreetonebyoneinconfusion.Bandsofsoldierswerewaitingtheretostrikeeachmandownbeforehecouldjoinhimselftoothers.Itwasnotfighting,itwasbutchery.Verymanydiedwithouteverachanceofdealingablowinreturn.InthemoredistantpartsofthetowntheTrojanswereabletogathertogetherhereandthereandthenitwastheGreekswhosuffered.Theywerebornedownbydesperatemenwhowantedonlytokillbeforetheywerekilled.Theyknewthattheonesafetyfortheconqueredwastohopefornosafety.Thisspiritoftenturnedthevictorsintothevanquished.Thequickest-wittedTrojanstoreofftheirownarmorandputonthatofthe

deadGreeks,andmanyandmanyaGreekthinkinghewasjoiningfriendsdiscoveredtoolatethattheywereenemiesandpaidforhiserrorwithhislife.

OntopofthehousestheytoreuptheroofsandhurledthebeamsdownupontheGreeks.AnentiretowerstandingontheroofofPriam’spalacewasliftedfromitsfoundationsandtoppledover.Exultingthedefenderssawitfallandannihilateagreatbandwhowereforcingthepalacedoors.Butthesuccessbroughtonlyashortrespite.Othersrushedupcarryingahugebeam.Overthedebrisofthetowerandthecrushedbodiestheybatteredthedoorswithit.ItcrashedthroughandtheGreekswereinthepalacebeforetheTrojanscouldleavetheroof.Intheinnercourtyardaroundthealtarwerethewomenandchildrenandoneman,theoldKing.AchilleshadsparedPriam,butAchilles’sonstruckhimdownbeforetheeyesofhiswifeanddaughters.

Bynowtheendwasnear.Thecontestfromthefirsthadbeenunequal.ToomanyTrojanshadbeenslaughteredinthefirstsurprise.TheGreekscouldnotbebeatenbackanywhere.Slowlythedefenseceased.Beforemorningalltheleadersweredead,exceptone.Aphrodite’ssonAeneasaloneamongtheTrojanchiefsescaped.HefoughttheGreeksaslongashecouldfindalivingTrojantostandwithhim,butastheslaughterspreadanddeathcamenearhethoughtofhishome,thehelplesspeoplehehadleftthere.HecoulddonothingmoreforTroy,butperhapssomethingcouldbedoneforthem.Hehurriedtothem,hisoldfather,hislittleson,hiswife,andashewenthismotherAphroditeappearedtohim,urginghimonandkeepinghimsafefromtheflamesandfromtheGreeks.Evenwiththegoddess’shelphecouldnotsavehiswife.Whentheyleftthehouseshegotseparatedfromhimandwaskilled.Buttheothertwohebroughtaway,throughtheenemy,pastthecitygates,outintothecountry,hisfatheronhisshoulders,hissonclingingtohishand.Noonebutadivinitycouldhavesavedthem,andAphroditewastheonlyoneofthegodsthatdaywhohelpedaTrojan.

ShehelpedHelentoo.ShegotheroutofthecityandtookhertoMenelaus.Hereceivedhergladly,andashesailedforGreeceshewaswithhim.

WhenmorningcamewhathadbeentheproudestcityinAsiawasafieryruin.AllthatwasleftofTroywasabandofhelplesscaptivewomen,whosehusbandsweredead,whosechildrenhadbeentakenfromthem.Theywerewaitingfortheirmasterstocarrythemoverseastoslavery.

ChiefamongthecaptiveswastheoldQueen,Hecuba,andherdaughter-in-law,Hector’swifeAndromache.ForHecubaallwasended.Crouchedontheground,shesawtheGreekshipsgettingreadyandshewatchedthecityburn.Troyisnolonger,shetoldherself,andI—whoamI?Aslavemendrivelikecattle.Anoldgraywomanthathasnohome.

Whatsorrowistherethatisnotmine?Countrylostandhusbandandchildren.Gloryofallmyhousebroughtlow.

Andthewomenaroundheranswered:—

Westandatthesamepointofpain.Wearetooslaves.Ourchildrenarecrying,calltouswithtears,“Mother,Iamallalone.Tothedarkshipsnowtheydriveme,AndIcannotseeyou,Mother.”

Onewomanstillhadherchild.AndromacheheldinherarmshersonAstyanax,thelittleboywhohadonceshrunkbackfromhisfather’shigh-crestedhelmet.“Heissoyoung,”shethought.“Theywillletmetakehimwithme.”ButfromtheGreekcampaheraldcametoherandspokefalteringwords.Hetoldherthatshemustnothatehimforthenewshebroughttoheragainsthiswill.Herson…Shebrokein,

Notthathedoesnotgowithme?

Heanswered,

Theboymustdie—bethrownDownfromthetoweringwallofTroy.Now—now—letitbedone.EndureLikeabravewoman.Think.Youarealone.Onewomanandaslaveandnohelpanywhere.

Sheknewwhathesaidwastrue.Therewasnohelp.Shesaidgood-byetoherchild.

Weeping,mylittleone?There,there.Youcannotknowwhatwaitsforyou.—Howwillitbe?Fallingdown—down—allbroken—Andnonetopity.Kissme.Neveragain.Comecloser,closer.Yourmotherwhoboreyou—putyourarmsaroundmyneck.Nowkissme,lipstolips.

Thesoldierscarriedhimaway.Justbeforetheythrewhimfromthewall

theyhadkilledonAchilles’graveayounggirl,Hecuba’sdaughterPolyxena.WiththedeathofHector’sson,Troy’slastsacrificewasaccomplished.Thewomenwaitingfortheshipswatchedtheend.

Troyhasperished,thegreatcity.Onlytheredflamenowlivesthere.

Thedustisrising,spreadingoutlikeagreatwingofsmoke,Andallishidden.Wenowaregone,onehere,onethere.AndTroyisgoneforever.

Farewell,dearcity.Farewell,mycountry,wheremychildrenlived.

Therebelow,theGreekshipswait.

CHAPTERIII

TheAdventuresofOdysseus

TheonlyauthorityforthisstoryistheOdyssey,exceptfortheaccountofAthena’sagreementwithPoseidontodestroytheGreekFleet,whichisnotintheOdysseyandwhichIhavetakenfromEuripides’TrojanWomen.PartoftheinterestoftheOdyssey,asdistinguishedfromtheIliad,liesinthedetails,suchasaregiveninthestoryofNausicaäandthevisitofTelemachustoMenelaus.Theyareusedwithadmirableskilltoenliventhestoryandmakeitseemreal,nevertoholditupordivertthereader’sattentionfromthemainissue.

WHENthevictoriousGreekFleetputouttoseaafterthefallofTroy,manyacaptain,allunknowing,facedtroublesasblackasthosehehadbroughtdownontheTrojans.AthenaandPoseidonhadbeentheGreeks’greatestalliesamongthegods,butwhenTroyfellallthathadchanged.Theybecametheirbitterestenemies.TheGreekswentmadwithvictorythenighttheyenteredthecity;theyforgotwhatwasduetothegods;andontheirvoyagehometheywereterriblypunished.

Cassandra,oneofPriam’sdaughters,wasaprophetess.Apollohadlovedherandgivenherthepowertoforetellthefuture.Laterheturnedagainstherbecausesherefusedhislove,andalthoughhecouldnottakebackhisgift—divinefavorsoncebestowedmightnotberevoked—hemadeitofnoaccount:nooneeverbelievedher.ShetoldtheTrojanseachtimewhatwouldhappen;theywouldneverlistentoher.ShedeclaredthatGreekswerehiddeninthewoodenhorse;noonegaveherwordsathought.Itwasherfatealwaystoknowthedisasterthatwascomingandbeunabletoavertit.WhentheGreekssackedthecityshewasinAthena’stempleclingingtoherimage,underthegoddess’sprotection.TheGreeksfoundherthereandtheydaredtolayviolenthandsonher.Ajax—notthegreatAjax,ofcourse,whowasdead,butalesserchieftainofthesamename—toreherfromthealtaranddraggedheroutofthesanctuary.NotoneGreekprotestedagainstthesacrilege.Athena’swrathwasdeep.ShewenttoPoseidonandlaidherwrongsbeforehim.“Helpmetovengeance,”shesaid.“GivetheGreeksabitterhomecoming.Stirupyourwaterswithwildwhirlwindswhentheysail.Letdeadmenchokethebaysandlinetheshoresandreefs.”

Poseidonagreed.Troywasaheapofashesbynow.Hecouldaffordtolay

asidehisangeragainsttheTrojans.InthefearfultempestwhichstrucktheGreeksaftertheyleftforGreece,Agamemnoncameneartolosingallhisships;MenelauswasblowntoEgypt;andthearch-sinner,sacrilegiousAjax,wasdrowned.Attheheightofthestormhisboatwasshatteredandsank,buthesucceededinswimmingtoshore.Hewouldhavebeensavedifinhismadfollyhehadnotcriedoutthathewasonethattheseacouldnotdrown.Sucharrogancealwaysarousedtheangerofthegods.Poseidonbrokeoffthejaggedbitofrocktowhichhewasclinging.Ajaxfellandthewavesswepthimawaytohisdeath.

Odysseusdidnotlosehislife,butifhedidnotsufferasmuchassomeoftheGreeks,hesufferedlongerthanthemall.Hewanderedfortenyearsbeforehesawhishome.Whenhereachedit,thelittlesonhehadlefttherewasgrowntomanhood.TwentyyearshadpassedsinceOdysseussailedforTroy.

OnIthaca,theislandwherehishomewas,thingshadgonefrombadtoworse.Everyonebynowtookitforgrantedthathewasdead,exceptPenelope,hiswife,andhissonTelemachus.Theyalmostdespaired,butnotquite.AllthepeopleassumedthatPenelopewasawidowandcouldandshouldmarryagain.Fromtheislandsroundaboutand,ofcourse,fromIthaca,mencameswarmingtoOdysseus’housetowoohiswife.Shewouldhavenoneofthem;thehopethatherhusbandwouldreturnwasfaint,butitneverdied.MoreovershedetestedeveryoneofthemandsodidTelemachus,andwithgoodreason.Theywererude,greedy,overbearingmen,whospenttheirdayssittinginthegreathallofthehousedevouringOdysseus’storeofprovisions,slaughteringhiscattle,hissheep,hisswine,drinkinghiswine,burninghiswood,givingorderstohisservants.Theywouldneverleave,theydeclared,untilPenelopeconsentedtomarryoneofthem.Telemachustheytreatedwithamusedcontemptasifhewereamereboyandquitebeneaththeirnotice.Itwasanintolerablestateofthingstobothmotherandson,andyettheywerehelpless,onlytwoandoneofthemawomanagainstagreatcompany.

Penelopehadatfirsthopedtotirethemout.ShetoldthemthatshecouldnotmarryuntilshehadwovenaveryfineandexquisitelywroughtshroudforOdysseus’father,theagedLaertes,againstthedayofhisdeath.Theyhadtogiveintosopiousapurpose,andtheyagreedtowaituntiltheworkwasfinished.Butitneverwas,inasmuchasPenelopeunwoveeachnightwhatshehadwovenduringtheday.Butfinallythetrickfailed.Oneofherhandmaidenstoldthesuitorsandtheydiscoveredherintheveryact.Ofcourseafterthattheyweremoreinsistentandunmanageablethanever.SomattersstoodwhenthetenthyearofOdysseus’wanderingsneareditsclose.

BecauseofthewickedwaytheyhadtreatedCassandra,AthenahadbeenangryatalltheGreeksindiscriminately,butbeforethat,duringtheTrojanWar,shehadespeciallyfavoredOdysseus.Shedelightedinhiswilymind,hisshrewdnessandhiscunning;shewasalwaysforwardtohelphim.AfterTroyfellsheincludedhimwiththeothersinherwrathfuldispleasureandhetoowascaughtbythestormwhenhesetsailanddrivensocompletelyoffhiscoursethatheneverfounditagain.Yearafteryearhevoyaged,hurriedfromoneperilousadventuretoanother.

Tenyears,however,isalongtimeforangertolast.ThegodshadbynowgrownsorryforOdysseus,withthesingleexceptionofPoseidon,andAthenawassorriestofall.Heroldfeelingforhimhadreturned;shewasdeterminedtoputanendtohissufferingsandbringhimhome.Withthesethoughtsinhermind,shewasdelightedtofindonedaythatPoseidonwasabsentfromthegatheringinOlympus.HehadgonetovisittheEthiopians,wholivedonthefartherbankofOcean,tothesouth,anditwascertainhewouldstaytheresometime,feastingmerrilywiththem.InstantlyshebroughtthesadcaseofOdysseusbeforetheothers.Hewasatthemoment,shetoldthem,avirtualprisoneronanislandruledoverbythenymphCalypso,wholovedhimandplannednevertolethimgo.Ineveryotherwayexceptingivinghimhisfreedomsheoverwhelmedhimwithkindness;allthatshehadwasathisdisposal.ButOdysseuswasutterlywretched.Helongedforhishome,hiswife,hisson.Hespenthisdaysontheseashore,searchingthehorizonforasailthatnevercame,sickwithlongingtoseeeventhesmokecurlingupfromhishouse.

TheOlympiansweremovedbyherwords.TheyfeltthatOdysseushaddeservedbetterattheirhandsandZeusspokeforthemallwhenhesaidtheymustputtheirheadstogetherandcontriveawayforhimtoreturn.IftheywereagreedPoseidoncouldnotstandaloneagainstthem.Forhispart,Zeussaid,hewouldsendHermestoCalypsototellherthatshemuststartOdysseusonhisvoyageback.Athenawell-pleasedleftOlympusandglideddowntoIthaca.Shehadalreadymadeherplans.

ShewasexceedinglyfondofTelemachus,notonlybecausehewasherdearOdysseus’son,butbecausehewasasober,discreetyoungman,steadyandprudentanddependable.ShethoughtitwoulddohimgoodtotakeajourneywhileOdysseuswassailinghome,insteadofperpetuallywatchinginsilentfurytheoutrageousbehaviorofthesuitors.Alsoitwouldadvancehimintheopinionofmeneverywhereiftheobjectofhisjourneywastoseekforsomenewsofhisfather.Theywouldthinkhim,asindeed,hewas,apiousyouthwiththemostadmirablefilialsentiments.Accordingly,shedisguisedherselftolooklikeaseafaringmanandwenttothehouse.Telemachussaw

herwaitingbythethresholdandwasvexedtotheheartthataguestshouldnotfindinstantwelcome.Hehastenedtogreetthestranger,takehisspear,andseathimonachairofhonor.Theattendantsalsohurriedtoshowthehospitalityofthegreathouse,settingfoodandwinebeforehimandstintinghiminnothing.Thenthetwotalkedtogether.Athenabeganbyaskinggentlywasthissomesortofdrinking-boutshehadhappenedupon?Shedidnotwishtooffend,butawell-manneredmanmightbeexcusedforshowingdisgustatthewaythepeoplearoundthemwereacting.ThenTelemachustoldherall,thefearthatOdysseusmustsurelybynowbedead;howeverymanfromfarandnearhadcomewooinghismotherwhocouldnotrejecttheiroffersout-and-out,butwouldnotacceptanyofthem,andhowthesuitorswereruiningthem,eatinguptheirsubstanceandmakinghavocofthehouse.Athenashowedgreatindignation.Itwasashamefultale,shesaid.IfonceOdysseusgothomethoseevilmenwouldhaveashortshriftandabitterend.Thensheadvisedhimstronglytotrytofindoutsomethingabouthisfather’sfate.Themenmostlikelytobeabletogivethenews,shesaid,wereNestorandMenelaus.Withthatshedeparted,leavingtheyoungmanfullofardoranddecision,allhisformeruncertaintyandhesitationgone.Hefeltthechangewithamazementandthebelieftookholdofhimthathisvisitorhadbeendivine.

Thenextdayhesummonedtheassemblyandtoldthemwhathepurposedtodoandaskedthemforawell-builtshipandtwentyrowerstomanher,buthegotnoanswerexceptjeersandtaunts.Lethimsitathomeandgethisnewsthere,thesuitorsbadehim.Theywouldseetoitthathewentonnovoyage.WithmockinglaughtertheyswaggeredofftoOdysseus’palace.TelemachusindespairwentfarawayalongtheseashoreandashewalkedheprayedtoAthena.Sheheardhimandcame.ShehadputontheappearanceofMentor,whomofalltheIthacansOdysseushadmosttrusted,andshespokegoodwordsofcomfortandcouragetohim.Shepromisedhimthatafastshipshouldbemadereadyforhim,andthatsheherselfwouldsailwithhim.TelemachusofcoursehadnoideaexceptthatitwasMentorhimselfspeakingtohim,butwiththishelphewasreadytodefythesuitorsandhehurriedhometogetallreadyforthevoyage.Hewaitedprudentlyuntilnighttoleave.Then,whenallinthehousewereasleep,hewentdowntotheshipwhereMentor(Athena)waswaiting,embarked,andputouttoseatowardPylos,oldNestor’shome.

TheyfoundhimandhissonsontheshoreofferingasacrificetoPoseidon.Nestormadethemheartilywelcome,butabouttheobjectoftheircominghecouldgivethemlittlehelp.HeknewnothingofOdysseus;theyhadnotleftTroytogetherandnowordofhimhadreachedNestorsince.Inhisopinion

themanmostlikelytohavenewswouldbeMenelaus,whohadvoyagedallthewaytoEgyptbeforecominghome.IfTelemachuswishedhewouldsendhimtoSpartainachariotwithoneofhissonswhoknewtheway,whichwouldbemuchquickerthanbysea.TelemachusacceptedgratefullyandleavingMentorinchargeoftheshiphestartedthenextdayforMenelaus’palacewithNestor’sson.

TheydrewreininSpartabeforethelordlydwelling,ahousefarmoresplendidthaneitheryoungmanhadeverseen.Aprincelywelcomeawaitedthem.Thehouse-maidensledthemtothebathplacewheretheybathedtheminsilverbathtubsandrubbedthemwithsweet-smellingoil.Thentheywrappedtheminwarmpurplemantlesoverfinetunics,andconductedthemtothebanquethall.Thereaservanthastenedtothemwithwaterinagoldenewerwhichshepouredovertheirfingersintoasilverbowl.Ashiningtablewassetbesidethemandcoveredwithrichfoodinprofusion,andagoldengobletfullofwinewasplacedforeach.Menelausgavethemacourteousgreetingandbadethemeattheirfill.Theyoungmenwerehappy,butalittleabashedbyallthemagnificence.Telemachuswhisperedtohisfriend,verysoftlyforfearsomeonemighthear,“Zeus’shallinOlympusmustbelikethis.Ittakesmybreathaway.”Butamomentlaterhehadforgottenhisshyness,forMenelausbegantospeakofOdysseus—ofhisgreatnessandhislongsorrows.Astheyoungmanlistenedtearsgatheredinhiseyesandheheldhiscloakbeforehisfacetohidehisagitation.ButMenelaushadremarkeditandheguessedwhohemustbe.

Justthen,however,cameaninterruptionwhichdistractedthethoughtsofeverymanthere.Helenthebeautifulcamedownfromherfragrantchamberattendedbyherwomen,onecarryingherchair,anotherasoftcarpetforherfeet,andathirdhersilverwork-basketfilledwithvioletwool.SherecognizedTelemachusinstantlyfromhislikenesstohisfatherandshecalledhimbyname.Nestor’ssonansweredandsaidthatshewasright.HisfriendwasOdysseus’sonandhehadcometothemforhelpandadvice.ThenTelemachusspokeandtoldthemofthewretchednessathomefromwhichonlyhisfather’sreturncoulddeliverthem,andaskedMenelausifhecouldgivehimanynewsabouthim,whethergoodorbad.

“Itisalongstory,”answeredMenelaus,“butIdidlearnsomethingabouthimandinaverystrangeway.ItwasinEgypt.Iwasweather-boundformanydaysonanislandtherecalledPharos.OurprovisionsweregivingoutandIwasindespairwhenasea-goddesshadpityonme.Sheletmeknowthatherfather,thesea-godProteus,couldtellmehowtoleavethehatefulislandandgetsafelyhomeifonlyIcouldmakehimdoso.ForthatImustmanageto

catchhimandholdhimuntilIlearnedfromhimwhatIwanted.Theplanshemadewasanexcellentone.EachdayProteuscameupfromtheseawithanumberofsealsandlaydownwiththemonthesand,alwaysinthesameplace.ThereIdugfourholesinwhichIandthreeofmymenhid,eachunderasealskinthegoddessgaveus.Whentheoldgodlaydownnotfarfrommeitwasnotaskatallforustospringupoutofourholesandseizehim.Buttoholdhim—thatwasanothermatter.Hehadthepowerofchanginghisshapeatwill,andthereinourhandshebecamealionandadragonandmanyotheranimals,andfinallyevenahigh-branchedtree.Butweheldhimfirmlythroughout,andatlasthegaveinandtoldmeallIwishedtoknow.Ofyourfatherhesaidthathewasonanisland,piningawayfromhomesickness,kepttherebyanymph,Calypso.Exceptforthat,IknownothingofhimsinceweleftTroy,tenyearsago.”Whenhefinishedspeaking,silencefelluponthecompany.TheyallthoughtofTroyandwhathadhappenedsince,andtheywept—Telemachusforhisfather;Nestor’ssonforhisbrother,swift-footedAntilochus,deadbeforethewallsofTroy;MenelausformanyabravecomradefallenontheTrojanplain,andHelen—butwhocouldsayforwhomHelen’stearsfell?WasshethinkingofParisasshesatinherhusband’ssplendidhall?

ThatnighttheyoungmenspentinSparta.Helenorderedherhouse-maidenstoarrangebedsforthemintheentryporch,softandwarmwiththickpurpleblanketscoveredbysmoothlywovenrugsandontopofallwoolencloaks.Aservant,torchinhand,showedthemoutandtheysleptthereincomfortuntilthedawnappeared.

MeantimeHermeshadgonetocarryZeus’scommandtoCalypso.Helacedtohisfeetthesandalsofimperishablegoldwhichborehimswiftasabreathofairoverseaandearth.Hetookhiswandwithwhichhecouldcharmmen’seyestoslumber,andspringingintotheairheflewdowntosea-level.Skimmingthewave-crestshereachedatlastthelovelyislandwhichhadbecomeforOdysseusahatefulprison.Hefoundthedivinenymphalone;Odysseusasusualwasonthesandyshorelettinghissalttearsflowwhilehegazedattheemptysea.CalypsotookZeus’sordersinveryillpart.Shehadsavedtheman’slife,shesaid,whenhisshipwaswreckedneartheisland,andcaredforhimeversince.OfcourseeveryonemustgiveintoZeus,butitwasveryunfair.Andhowwasshetomanagethevoyageback?Shehadnoshipsandcrewsatcommand.ButHermesfeltthiswasnothisaffair.“JusttakecarenottomakeZeusangry,”hesaidandwentgailyoff.

Calypsogloomilysetaboutthenecessarypreparations.ShetoldOdysseus,whowasatfirstinclinedtothinkitallatrickonherparttodosomethingdetestabletohim,—drownhim,verylikely,—butshefinallyconvincedhim.

Shewouldhelphimbuildasplendidlystrongraft,shepromisedhim,andsendhimawayonitequippedwitheverythingnecessary.NeverdidanymandoworkmorejoyfullythanOdysseusmadehisraft.Twentygreattreesfurnishedthewood,allverydrysothattheywouldfloathigh.OntheraftCalypsoputfoodanddrinkinabundance,evenasackofthedaintiesOdysseusspeciallyliked.ThefifthmorningafterHermes’visitfoundOdysseusputtingouttoseabeforeafairwindoverquietwaters.

Seventeendayshejourneyedwithoutchangeofweather,alwayssteering,neverlettingsleepclosehiseyes.Ontheeighteenthdayacloudymountaintoparoseupacrossthesea.Hebelievedthathewassaved.

Atthatverymoment,however,Poseidon,onhiswaybackfromEthiopia,caughtsightofhim.Heknewatoncewhatthegodshaddone.“But,”hemutteredtohimself,“IthinkIcangivehimevenyetalongjourneyintosorrowbeforehereachesland.”Withthathesummonedalltheviolentwindsandletthemloose,blindingseaandlandwithstorm-clouds.TheEastWindfoughtwiththeSouth,andtheill-blowingWestwiththeNorth,andthewavesroseupmightily.Odysseussawdeathbeforehim.“Oh,happythemenwhofellgloriouslyontheplainofTroy!”hethought.“Formetodiethusignobly!”Itseemedindeedthathecouldnotescape.Theraftwastossedasadriedthistlegoesrollingoverafieldinautumndays.

Butakindlygoddesswasathand,Inooftheslimankles,whohadoncebeenaThebanprincess.Shepitiedhimandrisinglightlyfromthewaterlikeasea-gullshetoldhimhisonechancewastoabandontheraftandswimtoshore.Shegavehimherveil,whichwouldkeephimfromharmaslongashewasinthesea.Thenshedisappearedbeneaththebillows.

Odysseushadnochoicebuttofollowheradvice.Poseidonsentawaveofwavestohim,aterrorofthesea.Ittorethelogsoftheraftapartasagreatwindscattersaheapofdriedchaff;itflungOdysseusintothewildwaters.But,ifhehadonlyknownit,badasthingsseemedtheworstwasover.Poseidonfeltsatisfiedandwentoffcontentedlytoplansomeotherstormsomewhere,andAthena,leftfreetoact,calmedthewaves.Evenso,Odysseushadtoswimfortwodaysandnightsbeforehereachedlandandcouldfindasafelanding-place.Hecameoutofthesurfexhaustedandstarvingandnaked.Itwasevening;notahouse,notalivingcreature,wastobeseen.ButOdysseuswasnotonlyahero,hewasamanofgreatresourcefulness.Hefoundaplacewhereafewtreesgrewsothickandclosetotheground,nomoisturecouldpenetratethem.Beneathwereheapsofdryleaves,enoughtocovermanymen.Hescoopedoutahollowandlyingdownpiledtheleavesoverhimlikeathickcoverlet.Then,warmandstillatlast,withthesweetlandodorsblowingtohim,hesleptinpeace.

Hehadofcoursenoideawherehewas,butAthenahadarrangedmatterswellforhim.ThecountrybelongedtothePhaeacians,akindpeopleandsplendidsailors.Theirking,Alcinoüs,wasagood,sensiblemanwhoknewthathiswifeAcretewasagreatdealwiserthanheandalwaysletherdecideanythingimportantforhim.Theyhadafairdaughterasyetunmarried.

Nausicaä,forsothegirlwascalled,neverimaginedthenextmorningthatshewastoplaythepartofrescuertoahero.Whenshewokeupshethoughtonlyaboutdoingthefamilywashing.Shewasaprincess,indeed,butinthosedayshigh-bornladieswereexpectedtobeuseful,andthehouseholdlinenwasinNausicaä’scharge.Washingclotheswasthenaveryagreeableoccupation.Shehadtheservantsmakereadyaneasy-runningmule-cartandpackitwiththesoiledclothes.Hermotherfilledaboxforherwithallsortsofgoodthingstoeatanddrink;shegavehertooagoldenflaskoflimpidoliveoiltouseifsheandhermaidswentbathing.Thentheystarted,Nausicaädriving.TheywereboundfortheveryplacewhereOdysseushadlanded.Alovelyriverflowedintotheseatherewhichhadexcellentwashingpoolswithanabundanceofclearbubblingwater.Whatthegirlsdidwastolaytheclothesinthewateranddanceonthemuntilallthedirtwasworkedout.Thepoolswerecoolandshadowy;itwasverypleasantwork.Afterwardstheystretchedthelinensmoothtodryontheshorewheretheseahadwasheditclean.

Thentheycouldtaketheirease.Theybathedandanointedthemselveswiththesleekoil,andhadtheirlunch,andamusedthemselveswithaballwhichtheythrewtooneanother,dancingallthewhile.Butatlastthesettingsunwarnedthemthedelightfuldaywasover.Theygatheredupthelinen,yokedinthemules,andwereabouttostarthomewhentheysawawild-lookingnakedmansuddenlystepoutofthebushes.Odysseushadbeenawakenedbythegirls’voices.Interrortheyranaway,allexceptNausicaä.Shefacedhimfearlesslyandhespoketoheraspersuasivelyashiseloquenttonguecould.“Iamasuppliantatyourknees,OQueen,”hesaid.“ButwhetheryouaremortalordivineIcannottell.NeveranywherehaveIseteyesonsuchaone.IwonderasIlookatyou.Begracioustoyoursuppliant,ashipwreckedman,friendlessandhelpless,withoutaragtocoverhim.”

Nausicaäansweredhimkindly.Shetoldhimwherehewasandthatthepeopleofthecountrywerekindtolucklesswanderers.TheKing,herfather,wouldreceivehimwithallcourteoushospitality.Shesummonedthefrightenedmaidsandbadethemgivethestrangertheoilsothathecouldcleansehimselfandfindforhimamantleandatunic.Theywaitedwhilehebathedanddressed,thenallsetforthforthecity.BeforetheyreachedNausicaä’shome,however,thatdiscreetmaidendirectedOdysseustofallbackandletherandthegirlsgoonalone.“People’stonguesaresoill-

natured,”shesaid.“Iftheysawahandsomemanlikeyouwithme,theywouldbehintingatallsortsofthings.Andyoucaneasilyfindmyfather’shouse,itissomuchthemostsplendid.Enterboldlyandgostraighttomymother,whowillbespinningatthehearth.Whatmymothersaysmyfatherwilldo.”

Odysseusagreedatonce.Headmiredhergoodsense,andhefollowedherdirectionsexactly.EnteringthehousehestrodethroughthehalltothehearthandsankdownbeforetheQueen,claspingherkneesandprayingforherhelp.TheKingquicklyraisedhimandbadehimsitattableandtakehisfilloffoodanddrinkwithoutfear.Whoeverhewasandwhereverhishome,hecouldrestassuredthattheywouldarrangetosendhimthereinoneoftheirships.Itwasnowthetimeforsleep,butinthemorninghecouldtellthemhisnameandhowhehadmadehiswaytothem.Sotheysleptthroughthenight,Odysseusblissfully,onacouchsoftandwarmashehadnotknownsinceheleftCalypso’sisle.

ThenextdayinthepresenceofallthePhaeacianchiefshetoldthestoryofhistenyears’wandering.HebeganwiththedeparturefromTroyandthestormthatstrucktheFleet.Heandhisshipsweredrivenacrosstheseaforninedays.OnthetenththeymadethelandoftheLotus-eatersandputinthere.Butwearythoughtheywereandinneedofrefreshmenttheywereforcedtoleavequickly.Theinhabitantsmetthemwithkindnessandgavethemtheirflower-foodtoeat,butthosewhotastedit,onlyafewfortunately,losttheirlongingforhome.TheywantedonlytodwellintheLotusLand,andletthememoryofallthathadbeenfadefromtheirminds.Odysseushadtodragthemonshipboardandchainthemthere.Theywept,sogreatwastheirdesiretostay,tastingforeverthehoney-sweetflowers.

TheirnextadventurewaswiththeCyclopsPolyphemus,afullaccountofwhichisgiveninPartOne,ChapterIV.Theylostanumberoftheircomradesathishands,andwhatwasevenworse,madePoseidon,whowasPolyphemus’father,soangrythathesworeOdysseusshouldreachhisowncountryagainonlyafterlongmiseryandwhenhehadlostallhismen.Forthesetenyearshisangerhadfollowedhimoverthesea.

FromtheCyclops’islandtheycametothecountryoftheWinds,ruledoverbyKingAeolus.ZeushadmadehimkeeperoftheWinds,tostillthemorarousethemathiswill.AeolusreceivedthemhospitablyandwhentheyleftgaveOdysseusasapartinggiftaleathersack,intowhichhehadputalltheStormWinds.ItwassotightlyfastenedthatnottheveryleastpuffofanyWindthatspellsdangerforashipcouldleakout.InthisexcellentsituationforsailorsOdysseus’crewmanagedtobringthemallneartodeath.They

thoughtthecarefullystoredbagwasprobablyfullofgold;atanyrate,theywantedtoseewhatwasinit.Theyopenedit,withtheresult,ofcourse,thatalltheWindsrushedoutatonceandsweptthemawayinaterrifictempest.Finally,afterdaysofdanger,theysawland,buttheyhadbetterhavestayedonthestormyseaforitwasthecountryoftheLaestrygons,apeopleofgiganticsizeandcannibalstoo.ThesehorriblefolkdestroyedallOdysseus’shipsexcepttheonehehimselfwasin—whichhadnotyetenteredtheharborwhentheattackwasmade.

Thiswasbyfartheworstdisasteryet,anditwaswithdespairingheartsthattheyputinatthenextislandtheyreached.Neverwouldtheyhavelandediftheyhadknownwhatlaybeforethem.TheyhadcometoAeaea,therealmofCirce,amostbeautifulandmostdangerouswitch.Everymanwhoapproachedhersheturnedintoabeast.Onlyhisreasonremainedasbefore:heknewwhathadhappenedtohim.SheenticedintoherhousethepartyOdysseusdispatchedtospyouttheland,andthereshechangedthemintoswine.Shepennedtheminastyandgavethemacornstoeat.Theyatethem;theywereswine.Yetinsidetheyweremen,awareoftheirvilestate,butcompletelyinherpower.

LuckilyforOdysseus,oneofthepartyhadbeentoocautioustoenterthehouse.Hewatchedwhathappenedandfledinhorrorbacktotheship.ThenewsdroveanythoughtofcautionoutofOdysseus.Hestartedoff,allalone—notoneofthecrewwouldgowithhim—totrytodosomething,bringsomehelptohismen.OnhiswayHermesmethim.Heseemedayoungman,ofthatagewhenyouthlooksitsloveliest.HetoldOdysseusheknewaherbwhichcouldsavehimfromCirce’sdeadlyart.Withithecouldtasteanythingshegavehimandsuffernoharm.Whenhehaddrunkthecupsheofferedhim,Hermessaid,hemustthreatentorunherthroughwithhisswordunlessshefreedhisfollowers.Odysseustooktheherbandwentthankfullyonhisway.AllturnedoutevenbetterthanHermeshadpredicted.WhenCircehadusedonOdysseusthemagicwhichhadalwayshithertobeensuccessfulandtoheramazementsawhimstandunchangedbeforeher,shesomarveledatthemanwhocouldresistherenchantmentthatshelovedhim.Shewasreadytodowhateverheaskedandsheturnedhiscompanionsatoncebackintomenagain.Shetreatedthemallwithsuchkindness,feastingthemsumptuouslyinherhouse,thatforawholeyeartheystayedhappilywithher.

OdysseusandCirce

Whenatlasttheyfeltthatthetimehadcometodepartsheusedhermagicalknowledgeforthem.Shefoundoutwhattheymustdonextinordertoreachhomesafely.Itwasafearfulundertakingsheputbeforethem.TheymustcrosstheriverOceanandbeachtheshiponPersephone’sshorewheretherewasanentrancetothedarkrealmofHades.OdysseusthenmustgodownandfindthespiritoftheprophetTeiresiaswhohadbeentheholymanofThebes.HewouldtellOdysseushowtogetbackhome.Therewasonlyonewaytoinducehisghosttocometohim,bykillingsheepandfillingapitwiththeirblood.Allghostshadanirresistiblecravingtodrinkblood.Everyoneofthemwouldcomerushingtothepit,butOdysseusmustdrawhisswordandkeepthemawayuntilTeiresiasspoketohim.

Thiswasbadnews,indeed,andallwereweepingwhentheyleftCirce’sisleandturnedtheirprowtowardErebuswhereHadesruleswithawesomePersephone.Itwasterribleindeedwhenthetrenchwasdugandfilledwithbloodandthespiritsofthedeadflockedtoit.ButOdysseuskepthiscourage.HeheldthemoffwithhissharpweaponuntilhesawtheghostofTeiresias.Helethimapproachanddrinkoftheblackblood,thenputhisquestiontohim.Theseerwasreadywithhisanswer.Thechiefdangerthatthreatenedthem,hesaid,wasthattheymightdosomeinjurytotheoxenoftheSunwhentheyreachedtheislandwheretheylived.Thedoomofallwhoharmedthemwascertain.TheywerethemostbeautifuloxenintheworldandverymuchprizedbytheSun.ButinanyeventOdysseushimselfwouldreachhomeandalthoughhewouldfindtroublewaitingforhim,intheendhewouldprevail.

Aftertheprophetceasedspeaking,alongprocessionofthedeadcameuptodrinkthebloodandspeaktoOdysseusandpasson,greatheroesandfairwomenofold;warriors,too,whohadfallenatTroy.AchillescameandAjax,stillwrathfulbecauseofthearmorofAchilleswhichtheGreekcaptainshadgiventoOdysseusandnottohim.Manyotherscame,alleagertospeaktohim.Toomany,intheend.TerroratthethrongingmemberstookholdofOdysseus.Hehastenedbacktotheshipandbadehiscrewsetsail.

FromCircehehadlearnedthattheymustpasstheislandoftheSirens.Theseweremarveloussingerswhosevoiceswouldmakeamanforgetallelse,andatlasttheirsongwouldstealhislifeaway.Molderingskeletonsofthosetheyhadluredtotheirdeathlaybankedhighuparoundthemwheretheysatsingingontheshore.Odysseustoldhismenaboutthemandthattheonlywaytopassthemsafelywasforeachmantostophisearswithwax.Hehimself,however,wasdeterminedtohearthem,andheproposedthatthecrewshouldtiehimtothemastsostronglythathecouldnotgetawayhowevermuchhetried.Thistheydidanddrewneartheisland,allexcept

Odysseusdeaftotheenchantingsong.Hehearditandthewordswereevenmoreenticingthanthemelody,atleasttoaGreek.Theywouldgiveknowledgetoeachmanwhocametothem,theysaid,ripewisdomandaquickeningofthespirit.“Weknowallthingswhichshallbehereafterupontheearth.”Sorangtheirsonginlovelycadences,andOdysseus’heartachedwithlonging.

Buttheropesheldhimandthatdangerwassafelypassed.Aseaperilnextawaitedthem—thepassagebetweenScyllaandCharybdis.TheArgonautshadgotthroughit;Aeneas,whojustaboutthattimehadsailedforItaly,hadbeenabletoavoiditbecauseofaprophet’swarning;ofcourseOdysseuswithAthenalookingafterhimsucceededinpassingit.Butitwasafrightfulordealandsixofthecrewlosttheirlivesthere.However,theywouldnotinanycasehavelivedmuchlonger,forattheirnextstoppingplace,theIslandoftheSun,themenactedwithincrediblefolly.Theywerehungryandtheykilledthesacredoxen.Odysseuswasaway.Hehadgoneintotheislandalonebyhimselftopray.Hewasindespairwhenhereturned,butthebeastshadbeenroastedandeatenandnothingcouldbedone.ThevengeanceoftheSunwasswift.Assoonasthemenlefttheislandathunderboltshatteredtheship.AllweredrownedexceptOdysseus.Heclungtothekeelandwasabletorideoutthestorm.Thenhedriftedfordays,untilfinallyhewascastashoreonCalypso’sisland,wherehehadtostayformanyyears.Atlasthestartedhome,butatempestshipwreckedhimandonlyaftermanyandgreatdangershadhesucceededinreachingthePhaeacianland,ahelpless,destituteman.

Thelongstorywasended,buttheaudiencesatsilent,entrancedbythetale.AtlasttheKingspoke.Histroubleswereover,heassuredOdysseus.Theywouldsendhimhomethatverydayandeverymanpresentwouldgivehimapartinggifttoenrichhim.Allagreed.Theshipwasmadeready,thepresentswerestowedwithin,andOdysseusembarkedaftertakingagratefulleaveofhiskindhosts.Hestretchedhimselfonthedeckandasweetsleepclosedhiseyes.Whenhewokehewasondryland,lyingonabeach.Thesailorshadsethimashorejustashewas,rangedhisbelongingsbesidehim,anddeparted.Hestartedupandstoodstaringaroundhim.Hedidnotrecognizehisowncountry.Ayoungmanapproachedhim,seeminglyashepherdlad,butfineandwell-manneredlikethesonsofkingswhentheytendsheep.SoheseemedtoOdysseus,butreallyitwasAthenainhissemblance.SheansweredhiseagerquestionandtoldhimhewasinIthaca.EveninhisjoyatthenewsOdysseuskepthiscaution.Hespunheralongtaleaboutwhohewasandwhyhehadcome,withnotawordoftruthinit,attheendofwhichthegoddesssmiledandpattedhim.Thensheappearedinherownform,divinelytalland

beautiful.“Youcrooked,shiftyrogue!”shelaughed.“Anyonewhowouldkeeppacewithyourcraftinessmustbeacannydealer.”Odysseusgreetedherwithrapture,butshebadehimrememberhowmuchtherewastodoandthetwosettleddowntoworkoutaplan.Athenatoldhimhowthingswereinhishouseandpromisedshewouldhelphimclearitofthesuitors.Forthepresentshewouldchangehimintoanoldbeggarsothathecouldgoeverywhereunrecognized.Thatnighthemustspendwithhisswineherd,Eumaeus,amanfaithfulandtrustworthybeyondpraise.Whentheyhadhiddenthetreasuresinanearbycavetheyseparated,shetosummonTelemachushome,he,whomherarthadturnedintoashamblingraggedoldman,toseektheswineherd.Eumaeuswelcomedthepoorstranger,fedhimwellandlodgedhimforthenight,givinghimhisownthickmantletocoverhim.

Meanwhile,atPallasAthena’sprompting,TelemachustookleaveofHelenandMenelaus,andassoonashereachedhisshipembarked,eagertogethomewithallspeed.Heplanned—andagainAthenahadputthethoughtinhismind—nottogodirectlytothehouseonlanding,butfirsttotheswineherdtolearnifanythinghadhappenedinhisabsence.Odysseuswashelpingpreparebreakfastwhentheyoungmanappearedatthedoor.Eumaeusgreetedhimwithtearsofjoyandbeggedhimtositandeat.Beforehewoulddoso,however,hedispatchedtheswineherdtoinformPenelopeofhisreturn.Thenfatherandsonwerealonetogether.AtthatmomentOdysseusperceivedAthenajustbeyondthedoorbeckoningtohim.HewentouttoherandinaflashsheturnedhimbackintohisownformandbadehimtellTelemachuswhohewas.Thatyoungmanhadnoticednothinguntilinsteadoftheoldbeggaramajestic-lookingpersonreturnedtohim.Hestartedupamazed,believinghesawagod.“Iamyourfather,”Odysseussaid,andthetwoembracedeachotherandwept.Butthetimewasshortandtherewasmuchtoplan.Ananxioustalkfollowed.Odysseuswasdeterminedtodrivethesuitorsawaybyforce,buthowcouldtwomentakeonawholecompany?Atlastitwasdecidedthatthenextmorningtheyshouldgotothehouse,Odysseusdisguised,ofcourse,andthatTelemachusshouldhidealltheweaponsofwar,leavingonlyenoughforthetwoofthemwheretheycouldeasilygetatthem.Athenawasquicktoaid.WhenEumaeuscamebackhefoundtheoldbeggarhehadleft.

NextdayTelemachuswentonalone,leavingtheothertwotofollow.Theyreachedthetown,theycametothepalace,andatlastaftertwentyyearsOdysseusenteredhisdeardwelling.Ashedidsoanolddoglyingthereliftedhisheadandprickedhisears.ItwasArgos,whomOdysseushadbredbeforehewenttoTroy.Yetthemomenthismasterappearedheknewhimandwaggedhistail,buthehadnostrengthtodraghimselfevenalittletoward

him.Odysseusknewhimtooandbrushedawayatear.Hedarednotgotohimforfearofarousingsuspicionintheswineherd,andasheturnedawaythatmomenttheolddogdied.

Withinthehallthesuitors,idlyloafingaftertheirmeal,wereinamoodtomakefunofthemiserableoldbeggarwhoentered,andOdysseuslistenedtoalltheirmockingwordswithsubmissivepatience.Atlastoneofthem,anevil-temperedman,becameirritatedandgavehimablow.Hedaredtostrikeastrangerwhowasaskingforhospitality.Penelopeheardoftheoutrageanddeclaredthatshewouldherselfspeakwiththeill-treatedman,butshedecidedfirsttopayavisittothebanquetinghall.ShewantedtoseeTelemachusandalsoitseemedwisetohertoshowherselftothesuitors.Shewasasprudentasherson.IfOdysseuswasdead,itwouldcertainlybewellforhertomarrytherichestofthesemenandthemostliberal.Shemustnotdiscouragethemtoomuch.Besides,shehadanideawhichseemedtopromiseverywell.Soshewentdownfromherroomintothehall,attendedbytwomaidsandholdingaveilbeforeherface,lookingsolovelyhercourtierstrembledtoseeher.Oneandanotherarosetocomplimenther,butthediscreetladyansweredsheknewverywellthatshehadlostallherlooksbynow,whatwithhergrievingandhermanycares.Herpurposeincomingtospeaktothemwasaseriousone.Nodoubtherhusbandwouldnevercomeback.Whythendidtheynotcourtherintheproperwayforaladyoffamilyandfortunebygivinghercostlygifts?Thesuggestionwasacteduponatonce.Allhadtheirpagesbringandpresentherwithmostlovelythings,robesandjewelsandgoldenchains.HermaidscarriedthemupstairsanddemurePeneloperetiredwithgreatcontentmentinherheart.

Thenshesentforthestrangerwhohadbeenill-used.ShespokegraciouslytohimandOdysseustoldherataleofmeetingherhusbandonhiswaytoTroywhichmadeherweepuntilhepitiedher.Stillhedidnotrevealhimself,butkepthisfacehardasiron.ByandbyPeneloperememberedherdutiesashostess.Shesummonedanoldnurse,Eurycleia,whohadcaredforOdysseusfrombabyhood,andbadeherwashthestranger’sfeet.Odysseuswasfrightened,forononefootwasascarmadeinboyhooddaysbyawildboarhehadhunted,andhethoughtshewouldrecognizeit.Shedid,andsheletthefootfallsothatthetubwasupset.Odysseuscaughtherhandandmuttered,“Dearnurse,youknow.Butnotawordtoanothersoul.”Shewhisperedherpromise,andOdysseustookhisleave.Hefoundabedintheentrancehall,buthecouldnotsleepforwonderinghowhecouldovercomesomanyshamelessfellows.AtlastheremindedhimselfthathisstateintheCyclops’cavehadbeenstillworseandthatwithAthena’shelphecouldhopeheretootobesuccessful,andthenheslept.

Morningbroughtthesuitorsback,moreinsolenteventhanbefore.Carelesslyandateasetheysatdowntotherichfeastspreadforthem,notknowingthatthegoddessandthemuch-enduringOdysseuswerepreparingaghastlybanquetforthem.

Penelopeallunknowingforwardedtheirplan.Duringthenightshehadmadeoneofherown.Whenmorningcameshewenttoherstore-chamberwhereamongmanytreasureswasagreatbowandaquiverfullofarrows.TheybelongedtoOdysseusandnohandbuthishadeverstrungtheboworusedit.Carryingthemherselfshedescendedtowherethesuitorsweregathered.“Hearme,mylords,”shesaid.“IsetbeforeyouthebowofgodlikeOdysseus.Hewhostringsthebowandshootsanarrowstraightthroughtwelveringsinaline,Iwilltakeasmyhusband.”Telemachusinstantlysawhowthiscouldbeturnedtotheiradvantageandhewasquicktoplayuptoher.“Comeon,suitorsall,”hecried.“Noholdingbackorexcuses.Butstay.IwilltryfirstandseeifIammanenoughtobearmyfather’sarms.”Withthishesettheringsinorder,placingthemexactlyinline.Thenhetookthebowanddidhisutmosttostringit.PerhapshemightintheendhavesucceededifOdysseushadnotsignedtohimtogiveup.Afterhimtheothers,onebyone,tooktheirturn,butthebowwastoostiff;thestrongestcouldnotbenditevenalittle.

CertainthatnoonewouldbesuccessfulOdysseusleftthecontestandsteppedoutintothecourtyardwheretheswineherdwastalkingtothekeeperofthecattle,afellowastrustworthyashimself.Heneededtheirhelpandhetoldthemwhohewas.Asproofheshowedthemthescaronhisfootwhichinotheryearstheyhadbothseenmanyatime.Theyrecognizeditandburstoutweepingforjoy.ButOdysseushushedthemquickly.“Noneofthatnow,”hesaid.“ListentowhatIwantofyou.Doyou,Eumaeus,findsomewaytoputthebowandarrowsintomyhands;thenseethatthewomen’squartersareclosedsothatnoonecanenter.Andyou,Oherderofcattle,mustshutandbarthegatesofthecourthere.”Heturnedbacktothehall,thetwofollowinghim.Whentheyenteredthelastsuitortomakethetrialhadjustfailed.Odysseussaid,“PassmethebowandletmeseeifthestrengthIoncehadisstillmine.”Anangryclamorbrokeoutatthewords.Abeggarlyforeignershouldnevertouchthebow,theycried.ButTelemachusspokesternlytothem.Itwasforhim,notthem,tosaywhoshouldhandlethebow,andhebadeEumaeusgiveittoOdysseus.

Allwatchedintentlyashetookitandexaminedit.Then,witheffortlessease,asaskilledmusicianfitsabitofcatguttohislyre,hebentthebowandstrungit.Henotchedanarrowtothestringanddrew,andnotmovingfromhisseathesentitstraightthroughthetwelverings.Thenextinstantwithone

leaphewasatthedoorandTelemachuswasbesidehim.“Atlast,atlast,”hecriedinagreatvoiceandheshotanarrow.Itfounditsmark;oneofthesuitorsfelldyingtothefloor.Theotherssprangupinhorror.Theirweapons—wherewerethey?Noneweretobeseen.AndOdysseuswasshootingsteadily.Aseacharrowwhistledthroughthehallamanfelldead.TelemachusonguardwithhislongspearkeptthecrowdbacksothattheycouldnotrushoutthroughthedooreithertoescapeortoattackOdysseusfromtherear.Theymadeaneasytarget,gatheredtheretogether,andaslongasthesupplyofarrowsheldouttheywereslaughteredwithoutachancetodefendthemselves.Evenwiththearrowsgonetheyfaredlittlebetter,forAthenahadnowcometotakeapartinthegreatdeedsbeingdoneandshemadeeachattempttoreachOdysseusmiscarry.Buthisflashingspearnevermisseditsstrokeandthedreadfulsoundofcrackingskullswasheardandthefloorflowedwithblood.

Atlastonlytwoofthatroistering,impudentbandwereleft,thepriestofthesuitorsandtheirbard.Bothofthemcriedformercy,butthepriest,claspingOdysseus’kneesinhisagonyofsupplication,metwithnone.Thehero’sswordranhimthroughandhediedinthemidstofhisprayer.Thebardwasfortunate.Odysseusshrankfromkillingsuchaman,taughtbythegodstosingdivinely,andhesparedhimforfurthersong.

Thebattle—slaughter,rather—wasended.TheoldnurseEurycleiaandhermaidsweresummonedtocleansetheplaceandrestorealltoorder.TheysurroundedOdysseus,weepingandlaughingandwelcominghimhomeuntiltheystirredwithinhisownheartthedesiretoweep.Atlasttheysettowork,butEurycleiaclimbedthestairstohermistress’schamber.Shestoodbyherbed.“Awake,mydear,”shesaid,“forOdysseushascomehomeandallthesuitorsaredead.”“Ocrazyoldwoman,”Penelopecomplained.“AndIwassleepingsosweetly.Offwithyouandbegladyouarenotsmartlyslappedasanyoneelsewouldhavebeenwhowakedme.”ButEurycleiapersisted,“Indeed,indeedOdysseusishere.Heshowedmethescar.Itishisveryself.”StillPenelopecouldnotbelieveher.Shehurrieddowntothehalltoseewithherowneyes.

Amantallandprincely-lookingwassittingbythehearthwherethefirelightfellfullonhim.Shesatdownoppositehimandlookedathiminsilence.Shewasbewildered.Atonemomentsheseemedtorecognizehim,thenext,hewasastrangertoher.Telemachuscriedoutather:“Mother,Mother,oh,cruel!Whatotherwomanwouldholdherselfaloofwhenhermancamehomeaftertwentyyears?”“Myson,”sheanswered,“Ihavenostrengthtomove.IfthisisintruthOdysseus,thenwetwohavewaysofknowingeachother.”AtthisOdysseussmiledandbadeTelemachusleaveheralone.“We

willfindeachotherbutpresently,”hesaid.Thenthewell-orderedhallwasfilledwithrejoicing.Theminstreldrew

sweetsoundsfromhislyreandwakedinallthelongingforthedance.Gailytheytrodameasure,menandfair-robedwomen,tillthegreathousearoundthemrangwiththeirfootfalls.ForOdysseusatlastafterlongwanderinghadcomehomeandeveryheartwasglad.

CHAPTERIV

TheAdventuresofAeneas

TheAeneid,thegreatestofLatinpoems,isthechiefauthorityforthisstory.ItwaswrittenwhenAugustushadtakenoverthebankruptRomanworldafterthechaosthatfollowedCaesar’sassassination.HisstronghandendedthefuriouscivilwarsandbroughtaboutthePaxAugusta,whichlastedfornearlyhalfacentury.Virgilandallhisgenerationwerefiredwithenthusiasmfortheneworder,andtheAeneidwaswrittentoexalttheEmpire,toprovideagreatnationalheroandafounderfor“theracedestinedtoholdtheworldbeneathitsrule.”Virgil’spatrioticpurposeisprobablyresponsibleforthechangefromthehumanAeneasofthefirstbookstotheunhumanprodigyofthelast.ThepoetwasfinallycarriedawayintothepurelyfantasticbyhisdeterminationtocreateaheroforRomethatwouldmakeallotherheroesseeminsignificant.AtendencytoexaggerationwasaRomantrait.TheLatinnamesofthegodsare,ofcourse,used;andtheLatinformsinthecaseofanypersonagewhohasaLatinaswellasaGreekname.Ulysses,forinstance,isLatinforOdysseus.

PartOne:FROMTROYTOITALY

Aeneas,thesonofVenus,wasamongthemostfamousoftheheroeswhofoughttheTrojanWar.OntheTrojansidehewassecondonlytoHector.WhentheGreekscapturedTroy,hewasablewithhismother’shelptoescapefromthecitywithhisfatherandhislittleson,andtosailawaytoanewhome.

AfterlongwanderingsandmanytrialsonlandandseahereachedItaly,wherehedefeatedthosewhoopposedhisenteringthecountry,marriedthedaughterofapowerfulking,andfoundedacity.HewasalwaysheldtobetherealfounderofRomebecauseRomulusandRemus,theactualfounders,wereborninthecityhissonbuilt,inAlbaLonga.

WhenhesetsailfromTroymanyTrojanshadjoinedhim.Allwereeagertofindsomewheretosettle,butnoonehadanyclearideawherethatshouldbe.Severaltimestheystartedtobuildacity,buttheywerealwaysdrivenawaybymisfortunesorbadomens.AtlastAeneaswastoldinadreamthattheplacedestinedforthemwasacountryfarawaytothewest,Italy—inthosedayscalledHesperia,theWesternCountry.TheywerethenontheislandofCrete,andalthoughthepromisedlandwasdistantbyalongvoyageoverunknownseastheywerethankfulfortheassurancethattheywouldsomedayhavetheirownhomeandtheystartedatonceonthejourney.Beforetheyreachedtheirdesiredhaven,however,alongtimepassed,andmuchhappenedwhichiftheyhadknownbeforehandmighthavecheckedtheireagerness.

AlthoughtheArgonautshadsailedeastfromGreeceandAeneas’companywerewestwardboundfromCrete,theTrojanscameupontheHarpiesjustasJasonandhismenhaddone.TheGreekheroeshadbeenbolder,however,orelsebetterswordsmen.TheywereonthepointofkillingthehorridcreatureswhenIrisintervened,buttheTrojansweredrivenawaybythem,andforcedtoputouttoseatoescapethem.

AttheirnextlandingplacetheymettotheiramazementHector’swifeAndromache.WhenTroyfellshehadbeengiventoNeoptolemus,sometimescalledPyrrhus,Achilles’son,themanwhohadkilledoldPriamatthealtar.HesoonabandonedherforHermione,Helen’sdaughter,buthedidnotlongsurvivethismarriageandafterhisdeathAndromachemarriedtheTrojanprophetHelenus.TheywerenowrulingthecountryandofcoursewererejoicedtowelcomeAeneasandhismen.TheyentertainedthemwiththeutmosthospitalityandbeforetheybadethemfarewellHelenusgavethemusefuladviceabouttheirjourney.TheymustnotlandonthenearestcoastofItaly,theeastcoast,hetoldthem,becauseitwasfullofGreeks.Theirdestinedhomewasonthewestcoast,somewhattothenorth,buttheymustbynomeanstaketheshortestwayandgoupbetweenSicilyandItaly.Inthose

waterswasthatmostperilousstraitguardedbyScyllaandCharybdis,whichtheArgonautshadsucceededinpassingonlybecauseThetishelpedthemandwhereUlysseshadlostsixofhismen.ItisnotclearhowtheArgonautsontheirwayfromAsiatoGreecegottothewestcoastofItaly,norforthatmatterhowUlyssesdid,either,butatanyratetherewasnodoubtinHelenus’mindexactlywherethestraitwasandhegaveAeneascarefuldirectionshowtoavoidthosepeststomariners—bymakingalongcircuitsouthwardaroundSicily,andreachingItalyfartothenorthofthewhirlpoolofimplacableCharybdisandtheblackcavernintowhichScyllasuckedwholeships.

WhentheTrojanshadtakenleaveoftheirkindhostsandhadsuccessfullyroundedtheeasterntipofItaly,theykeptonsailingsouthwestwardaroundSicilywithallconfidenceintheirpropheticguide.Apparently,however,forallhismysteriouspowersHelenuswasnotawarethatSicily,atleastthesouthernpart,wasnowoccupiedbytheCyclopes,forhedidnotwarntheTrojansagainstlandingthere.Theyreachedtheislandaftersunsetandmadecampontheshorewithnohesitationatall.Probablytheywouldallhavebeencapturedandeatenifveryearlythenextmorning,beforeanyofthemonsterswereastir,apoorwretchofamanhadnotcomerunningtowhereAeneaswaslying.Hethrewhimselfuponhisknees,butindeedhisobviousmiserywasenoughofanappeal,hispallorlikethatofonehalfdeadfromstarvation,hisclothesheldtogetheronlybythorns,hisfacesqualidintheextremewithathickgrowthofhair.HewasoneofUlysses’sailors,hetoldthem,whohadbeenleftbehindunintentionallyinPolyphemus’caveandhadeversincelivedinthewoodsonwhateverhecouldfindthere,terrifiedperpetuallylestoneoftheCyclopesshouldcomeuponhim.Therewereahundredofthem,hesaid,allasbigandasfrightfulasPolyphemus.“Fly,”heurgedthem.“Upandawaywithallspeed.Breaktheropesthatholdtheboatstotheshore.”Theydidashesaid,cuttingthecables,makingbreathlesshaste,allassilentlyaspossible.Buttheyhadonlylaunchedtheshipswhentheblindgiantwasseenslowlymakinghiswaydowntotheshoretowashthecavitywherehiseyehadbeen,whichstillflowedwithblood.Heheardthesplashingoftheoarsandherushedtowardthesoundoutintothesea.TheTrojans,however,hadgotenoughofastart.Beforehecouldreachthemthewaterhaddeepenedtoomuchevenforhistoweringheight.

Theyescapedthatperil,butonlytomeetanotherasgreat.WhileroundingSicilytheywerestruckbyastormsuchasthereneverwasbeforeorsince:thewavesweresohighthattheircrestslickedthestars,andthegulfsbetweenthemsodeepthattheflooroftheoceanwasdisclosed.ItwasclearlysomethingmorethanameremortalstormandinpointoffactJunowasbackofit.

ShehatedallTrojans,ofcourse;sheneverforgotthejudgmentofParisandshehadbeenTroy’sbitterestenemyduringthewar,butshefeltanespecialhatredforAeneas.SheknewthatRome,whichwastobefoundedbymenofTrojanblood,althoughgenerationsafterAeneas,wasdestinedbytheFatestoconquerCarthagesomeday,andCarthagewasherpetcity,belovedbyherbeyondallotherplacesonearth.ItisnotknownwhethershereallythoughtshecouldgoagainstthedecreesoftheFates,whichJupiterhimselfcouldnotdo,butcertainlyshedidherbesttodrownAeneas.ShewenttoAeolus,theKingoftheWinds,whohadtriedtohelpUlysses,andaskedhimtosinktheTrojanships,promisinghiminreturnherloveliestnymphforhiswife.Thestupendousstormwastheresult.ItwouldundoubtedlyhavedoneallthatJunowishedifithadnotbeenforNeptune.AsJuno’sbrotherhewasquiteawareofherwayofdoingthingsanditdidnotsuithimtohaveherinterferewithhissea.Hewasascautious,however,indealingwithherasJupiteralwayswas.Hesaidnotawordtoher,butcontentedhimselfwithsendingasternreprimandtoAeolus.Thenhecalmedthesea,andmadeitpossiblefortheTrojanstogettoland.ThenorthcoastofAfricawaswheretheyfinallybeachedtheirships.TheyhadbeenblownallthewaydowntherefromSicily.Asithappened,theplacetheycameashorewasquiteneartoCarthageandJunobeganatoncetoconsiderhowshecouldturnthisarrivaltotheirdisadvantageandtheadvantageoftheCarthaginians.

Carthagehadbeenfoundedbyawoman,Dido,whowasstillitsrulerandunderwhomitwasgrowingintoagreatandsplendidcity.Shewasbeautifulandawidow;AeneashadlosthiswifeonthenightheleftTroy.Juno’splanwastohavethetwofallinlovewitheachotherandsodivertAeneasfromItalyandinducehimtosettledownwithDido.ItwouldhavebeenagoodplanifithadnotbeenforVenus.ShesuspectedwhatwasinJuno’smind,andwasdeterminedtoblockit.Shehadherownplan.ShewasquitewillingtohaveDidofallinlovewithAeneas,sothatnoharmcouldcometohiminCarthage;butsheintendedtoseetoitthathisfeelingforDidoshouldbenomorethananentirewillingnesstotakeanythingshewantedtogive;bynomeanssuchastointerfereintheleastwithhissailingawaytoItalywheneverthatseemedbest.AtthisjunctureshewentuptoOlympustotalktoJupiter.Shereproachedhimandherlovelyeyesfilledwithtears.HerdearsonAeneaswasallbutruined,shesaid.Andhe,theKingofGodsandMen,hadsworntoherthatAeneasshouldbetheancestorofaracewhowouldsomedayruletheworld.Jupiterlaughedandkissedawayhertears.Hetoldherthatwhathehadpromisedwouldsurelycometopass.Aeneas’descendantswouldbetheRomans,towhomtheFateshaddecreedaboundlessandendlessempire.

Venustookherleavegreatlycomforted,buttomakemattersstillmore

suresheturnedforhelptohersonCupid.Dido,shethought,couldbetrustedtomakeunaidedthenecessaryimpressionuponAeneas,butshewasnotatallcertainthatAeneasbyhimselfcouldgetDidotofallinlovewithhim.Shewasknowntobenotsusceptible.Allthekingsofthecountryroundabouthadtriedtopersuadehertomarrythemwithnosuccess.SoVenussummonedCupid,whopromisedthathewouldsetDido’sheartonfirewithloveassoonasshelaideyesonAeneas.ItwasasimplematterforVenustobringaboutameetingbetweenthetwo.

Themorningaftertheylanded,Aeneaswithhisfriend,thefaithfulAchates,lefthiswretchedshipwreckedfollowerstotrytofindoutwhatpartoftheworldtheywerein.Hespokecheeringwordstothembeforehestarted.

Comrades,youandIhavehadlongacquaintancewithsorrow.Evilsstillworsewehaveknown.Thesealsowillend.Callbackcourage.Sendawaygloomyfear.PerhapssomedaytorememberThistroubletoowillbringpleasure….

Asthetwoheroesexploredthestrangecountry,Venusdisguisedasahuntressappearedtothem.ShetoldthemwheretheywereandadvisedthemtogostraighttoCarthagewhoseQueenwouldsurelyhelpthem.GreatlyreassuredtheytookthepathVenuspointedout,protected,althoughtheydidnotknowit,byathickmistshewrappedaroundthem.Sotheyreachedthecitywithoutinterferenceandwalkedunnoticedthroughthebusystreets.BeforeagreattempletheypausedwonderinghowtheycouldgettotheQueen,andtherenewhopecametothem.AstheygazedatthesplendidbuildingtheysawmarvelouslycarveduponthewallsthebattlesaroundTroyinwhichtheythemselveshadtakenpart.Theysawthelikenessesoftheirfoesandtheirfriends:thesonsofAtreus,oldPriamstretchingouthishandtoAchilles,thedeadHector.“Itakecourage,”Aeneassaid.“Heretootherearetearsforthings,andheartsaretouchedbythefateofallthatismortal.”

AtthatmomentDido,lovelyasDianaherself,approachedwithagreattrainofattendants.ForthwiththemistaroundAeneasdissolvedandhestoodforthbeautifulasApollo.WhenhetoldherwhohewastheQueenreceivedhimwiththeutmostgraciousnessandwelcomedhimandhiscompanytohercity.Sheknewhowthesedesolatehomelessmenfelt,forsheherselfhadcometoAfricawithafewfriendsfleeingfromherbrotherwhowantedtomurderher.“Notignorantofsuffering,Ihavelearnedhowtohelptheunfortunate,”shesaid.

ShegaveasplendidbanquetforthestrangersthatnightatwhichAeneastoldtheirstory,thefallofTroyfirstandthentheirlongjourneying.Hespoke

admirablyandeloquently,andperhapsDidowouldhavesuccumbedtosuchheroismandsuchbeautifullanguageeveniftherehadbeennogodinthecase,butasitwas,Cupidwasthereandshehadnochoice.

Foratimeshewashappy.Aeneasseemeddevotedtoher,andsheforherpartlavishedeverythingshehadonhim.Shegavehimtounderstandthathercitywashisaswellassheherself.He,apoorshipwreckedman,hadequalhonorwithher.ShemadetheCarthaginianstreathimasifhetooweretheirruler.Hiscompanionsaswellweredistinguishedbyherfavor.Shecouldnotdoenoughforthem.Inallthisshewantedonlytogive;sheaskednothingforherselfexceptAeneas’love.Onhissidehereceivedwhathergenerositybestowedwithgreatcontentment.HelivedathiseasewithabeautifulwomanandapowerfulQueentolovehimandprovideeverythingforhimandarrangehuntingpartiesforhisamusementandnotonlypermithim,butbeghim,totelloverandoveragainthetaleofhisadventures.

Itissmallwonderthattheideaofsettingsailforanunknownlandgrewlessandlessattractivetohim.Junowasverywellsatisfiedwiththewaythingsweregoing,butevensoVenuswasquiteundisturbed.SheunderstoodJupiterbetterthanhiswifedid.ShewassurethathewouldmakeAeneasintheendgotoItalyandthatthislittleinterludewithDidowouldnotbeintheleasttoherson’sdiscredit.Shewasquiteright.Jupiterwasveryeffectivewhenheoncerousedhimself.HedispatchedMercurytoCarthagewithastingingmessageforAeneas.Thegodfoundtheherowalkingaboutdressedtoadmiration,withasuperbswordathissidestuddedwithjasperandoverhisshouldersabeautifulcloakofpurpleinwroughtwiththreadofgold,bothDido’spresents,ofcourse,thelatter,indeed,theworkofherownhands.Suddenlythiselegantgentlemanwasstartledoutofhisstateofindolentcontentment.Sternwordssoundedinhisear.“Howlongareyougoingtowastetimehereinidleluxury?”aseverevoiceasked.HeturnedandMercury,visiblythegod,stoodbeforehim.“Therulerofheavenhimselfhassentmetoyou,”hesaid.“Hebidsyoudepartandseekthekingdomwhichisyourdestiny.”Withthathevanishedasawreathofmistdissolvesintotheair,leavingAeneasawedandexcited,indeed,anddeterminedtoobey,butchieflywretchedlyconscioushowverydifficultitwasgoingtobewithDido.

Hecalledhismentogetherandorderedthemtofitoutafleetandprepareforimmediatedeparture,buttodoallsecretly.NeverthelessDidolearnedandshesentforhim.Shewasverygentlewithhimatfirst.Shecouldnotbelievethathereallymeanttoleaveher.“Isitfrommeyouwouldfly?”sheasked.“Letthesetearspleadforme,thishandIgavetoyou.IfIhaveinanywaydeservedwellofyou,ifanythingofminewaseversweettoyou—”

Heansweredthathewasnotthemantodenythatshehaddonewellby

himandthathewouldneverforgether.Butsheonhersidemustrememberthathehadnotmarriedherandwasfreetoleaveherwheneverhechose.Jupiterhadorderedhimtogoandhemustobey.“Ceasethesecomplaints,”hebeggedher,“whichonlytroubleusboth.”

Thenshetoldhimwhatshethought.Howhehadcometohercastaway,starving,inneedofeverything,andhowshehadgivenherselfandherkingdomtohim.Butbeforehiscompleteimpassivityherpassionwashelpless.Inthemidstofherburningwordshervoicebroke.Shefledfromhimandhidherselfwherenoonecouldseeher.

TheTrojanssailedthatsamenight,verywisely.OnewordfromtheQueenandtheirdeparturewouldhavebeenforeverimpossible.OnshipboardlookingbackatthewallsofCarthageAeneassawthemilluminedbyagreatfire.Hewatchedtheflamesleapupandslowlydiedownandhewonderedwhatwasthecause.AllunknowinghewaslookingattheglowofDido’sfuneralpyre.Whenshesawthathewasgoneshekilledherself.

PartTwo:THEDESCENTINTOTHELOWERWORLD

ThejourneyfromCarthagetothewestcoastofItalywaseasyascomparedwithwhathadgonebefore.Agreatloss,however,wasthedeathofthetrustypilotPalinuruswhowasdrownedastheynearedtheendoftheirperilsbysea.

AeneashadbeentoldbytheprophetHelenusassoonashereachedtheItalianlandtoseekthecaveoftheSibylofCumae,awomanofdeepwisdom,whocouldforetellthefutureandwouldadvisehimwhattodo.HefoundherandshetoldhimshewouldguidehimtotheunderworldwherehewouldlearnallheneededtoknowfromhisfatherAnchises,whohaddiedjustbeforethegreatstorm.Shewarnedhim,however,thatitwasnolightundertaking:—

Trojan,Anchises’son,thedescentofAvernusiseasy.Allnightlong,allday,thedoorsofdarkHadesstandopen.Buttoretracethepath,tocomeuptothesweetairofheaven,Thatislaborindeed.

Nevertheless,ifhewasdeterminedshewouldgowithhim.Firsthemustfindintheforestagoldenboughgrowingonatree,whichhemustbreakoffandtakewithhim.OnlywiththisinhishandwouldhebeadmittedtoHades.Hestartedatoncetolookforit,accompaniedbytheever-faithfulAchates.Theywentalmosthopelesslyintothegreatwildernessoftreeswhereitseemedimpossibletofindanything.Butsuddenlytheycaughtsightoftwodoves,thebirdsofVenus.ThemenfollowedastheyflewslowlyonuntiltheywereclosetoLakeAvernus,adarkfoul-smellingsheetofwaterwheretheSibylhadtoldAeneaswasthecavernfromwhichtheroadleddowntotheunderworld.Herethedovessoareduptoatreethroughwhosefoliagecameabrightyellowgleam.Itwasthegoldenbough.AeneaspluckeditjoyfullyandtookittotheSibyl.Then,together,prophetessandherostartedontheirjourney.

OtherheroeshadtakenitbeforeAeneasandnotfounditespeciallyterrifying.Thecrowdingghostshad,tobesure,finallyfrightenedUlysses,butTheseus,Hercules,Orpheus,Pollux,hadapparentlyencounterednogreatdifficultyontheway.Indeed,thetimidPsychehadgonethereallalonetogetthebeautycharmforVenusfromProserpineandhadseennothingworsethanthethree-headeddogCerberus,whohadbeeneasilymollifiedbyabitofcake.ButtheRomanherofoundhorrorspileduponhorrors.ThewaytheSibylthoughtitnecessarytostartwascalculatedtofrightenanybutthe

boldest.Atdeadofnightinfrontofthedarkcavernonthebankofthesomberlakesheslaughteredfourcoal-blackbullockstoHecate,thedreadGoddessofNight.Assheplacedthesacrificialpartsuponablazingaltar,theearthrumbledandquakedbeneaththeirfeetandfromafardogshowledthroughthedarkness.WithacrytoAeneas,“Nowwillyouneedallyourcourage,”sherushedintothecave,andundauntedhefollowedher.Theyfoundthemselvessoononaroadwrappedinshadowswhichyetpermittedthemtoseefrightfulformsoneitherside,paleDiseaseandavengingCare,andHungerthatpersuadestocrime,andsoon,agreatcompanyofterrors.Death-dealingWarwasthereandmadDiscordwithsnaky,bloodstainedhair,andmanyanothercursetomortals.Theypassedunmolestedthroughthemandfinallyreachedaplacewhereanoldmanwasrowingaboatoverastretchofwater.Theretheysawapitifulsight,spiritsontheshoreinnumerableastheleaveswhichfallintheforestatthefirstcoldofwinter,allstretchingouttheirhandsandprayingtheferrymantocarrythemacrosstothefartherbank.Butthegloomyoldmanmadehisownchoiceamongthem;someheadmittedtohisskiff,othershepushedaway.AsAeneasstaredinwondertheSibyltoldhimtheyhadreachedthejunctionoftwogreatriversoftheunderworld,theCocytus,namedoflamentationloud,andtheAcheron.TheferrymanwasCharonandthosehewouldnotadmittohisboatweretheunfortunateswhohadnotbeendulyburied.Theyweredoomedtowanderaimlesslyforahundredyears,withneveraplacetorestin.

CharonwasinclinedtorefuseAeneasandhisguidewhentheycamedowntotheboat.Hebadethemhaltandtoldthemhedidnotferrytheliving,onlythedead.Atsightofthegoldenbough,however,heyieldedandtookthemacross.ThedogCerberuswasthereontheotherbanktodisputetheway,buttheyfollowedPsyche’sexample.TheSibyl,too,hadsomecakeforhimandhegavethemnotrouble.AstheywentontheycametothesolemnplaceinwhichMinos,Europa’sson,theinflexiblejudgeofthedead,waspassingthefinalsentenceonthesoulsbeforehim.TheyhastenedawayfromthatinexorablepresenceandfoundthemselvesintheFieldsofMourning,wheretheunhappyloversdweltwhohadbeendrivenbytheirmiserytokillthemselves.Inthatsorrowfulbutlovelyspot,shadedwithgrovesofmyrtle,AeneascaughtsightofDido.Heweptashegreetedher.“WasIthecauseofyourdeath?”heaskedher.“IswearIleftyouagainstmywill.”Sheneitherlookedathimnoransweredhim.Apieceofmarblecouldnothaveseemedlessmoved.Hehimself,however,wasagooddealshaken,andhecontinuedtoshedtearsforsometimeafterhelostsightofher.

Atlasttheyreachedaspotwheretheroaddivided.Fromtheleftbranchcamehorridsounds,groansandsavageblowsandtheclankingofchains.

Aeneashaltedinterror.TheSibyl,however,badehimhavenofear,butfastenboldlythegoldenboughonthewallthatfacedthecrossroads.Theregionstotheleft,shesaid,wereruledoverbysternRhadamanthus,alsoasonofEuropa,whopunishedthewickedfortheirmisdeeds.ButtheroadtotherightledtotheElysianFieldswhereAeneaswouldfindhisfather.Therewhentheyarrivedeverythingwasdelightful,softgreenmeadows,lovelygroves,adeliciouslife-givingair,sunlightthatglowedsoftlypurple,anabodeofpeaceandblessedness.Heredweltthegreatandgooddead,heroes,poets,priests,andallwhohadmademenrememberthembyhelpingothers.AmongthemAeneassooncameuponAnchises,whogreetedhimwithincredulousjoy.Fatherandsonalikeshedhappytearsatthisstrangemeetingbetweenthedeadandthelivingwhoselovehadbeenstrongenoughtobringhimdowntotheworldofdeath.

Theyhadmuch,ofcourse,tosaytoeachother.AnchisesledAeneastoLethe,theriverofforgetfulness,ofwhichthesoulsontheirwaytoliveagainintheworldabovemustalldrink.“Adraughtoflongoblivion,”Anchisessaid.Andheshowedhissonthosewhoweretobetheirdescendants,hisownandAeneas’,nowwaitingbytheriverfortheirtimetodrinkandlosethememoryofwhatinformerlivestheyhaddoneandsuffered.Amagnificentcompanytheywere—thefutureRomans,themastersoftheworld.OnebyoneAnchisespointedthemout,andtoldofthedeedstheywoulddowhichmenwouldneverthroughalltimeforget.Finally,hegavehissoninstructionshowhewouldbestestablishhishomeinItalyandhowhecouldavoidorendureallthehardshipsthatlaybeforehim.

AeneasandtheSibylenterCharon’sboat.

Thentheytookleaveofeachother,butcalmly,knowingthattheywerepartingonlyforatime.AeneasandtheSibylmadetheirwaybacktotheearthandAeneasreturnedtohisships.NextdaytheTrojanssailedupthecoastofItalylookingfortheirpromisedhome.

PartThree:THEWARINITALY

Terribletrialsawaitedthelittlebandofadventurers.Junowasagainthecauseofthetrouble.Shemadethemostpowerfulpeoplesofthecountry,theLatinsandtheRutulians,fiercelyopposedtotheTrojanssettlingthere.Ifithadnotbeenforher,matterswouldhavegonewell.TheagedLatinus,agreat-grandsonofSaturnandKingoftheCityofLatium,hadbeenwarnedbythespiritofhisfather,Faunus,nottomarryhisdaughterLavinia,hisonlychild,toanymanofthecountry,buttoastrangerwhowassoontoarrive.Fromthatunionwouldbebornaracedestinedtoholdtheentireworldundertheirsway.Therefore,whenanembassyarrivedfromAeneasaskingforanarrowrestingplaceuponthecoastandthecommonlibertyofairandwater,Latinusreceivedthemwithgreatgoodwill.HefeltconvincedthatAeneaswastheson-in-lawFaunushadpredicted,andhesaidasmuchtotheenvoys.Theywouldneverlackafriendwhilehelived,hetoldthem.ToAeneashesentthismessage,thathehadadaughterforbiddenbyheaventowedwithanyexceptaforeigner,andthathebelievedtheTrojanchiefwasthismanofdestiny.

ButhereJunosteppedin.ShesummonedAlecto,oneoftheFuries,fromHadesandbadeherloosebitterwarovertheland.Sheobeyedgladly.FirstsheinflamedtheheartofQueenAmata,wifeofLatinus,toopposeviolentlyamarriagebetweenherdaughterandAeneas.ThensheflewtotheKingoftheRutulians,Turnus,whouptonowhadbeenthemostfavoredamongthemanysuitorsforLavinia’shand.HervisittoarousehimagainsttheTrojanswashardlynecessary.TheideaofanyoneexcepthimselfmarryingLaviniawasenoughtodriveTurnustofrenzy.AssoonasheheardoftheTrojanembassytotheKinghestartedwithhisarmytomarchtoLatiumandpreventbyforceanytreatybetweentheLatinsandthestrangers.

Alecto’sthirdeffortwascleverlydevised.TherewasapetstagbelongingtoaLatinfarmer,abeautifulcreature,sotamethatitwouldrunfreebyday,butatnightfallalwayscometothewell-knowndoor.Thefarmer’sdaughtertendeditwithlovingcare;shewouldcombitscoatandwreatheitshornswithgarlands.Allthefarmersfarandnearknewitandprotectedit.Anyone,evenoftheirownnumber,whohadharmeditwouldhavebeenseverelypunished.Butforaforeignertodaresuchadeedwastoenragethewholecountryside.AndthatiswhatAeneas’syoungsondidundertheguidinghandofAlecto.AscaniuswasouthuntingandheandhishoundsweredirectedbytheFurytowherethestagwaslyingintheforest.Heshotatitandwoundeditmortally,butitsucceededinreachingitshomeanditsmistressbeforeitdied.Alectotookcarethatthenewsshouldspreadquickly,andfightingstartedatonce,the

furiousfarmersbentuponkillingAscaniusandtheTrojansdefendinghim.ThisnewsreachedLatiumjustafterTurnushadarrived.Thefactthathis

peoplewerealreadyinarmsandthestillmoreominousfactthattheRutulianArmyhadencampedbeforehisgatesweretoomuchforKingLatinus.HisfuriousQueen,too,undoubtedlyplayedapartinhisfinaldecision.Heshuthimselfupinhispalaceandletmattersgoastheywould.IfLaviniawastobewonAeneascouldnotcountonanyhelpfromhisfuturefather-in-law.

Therewasacustominthecitythatwhenwarwasdeterminedupon,thetwofolding-gatesofthetempleofthegodJanus,alwayskeptclosedintimeofpeace,shouldbeunbarredbytheKingwhiletrumpetsblaredandwarriorsshouted.ButLatinus,lockedinhispalace,wasnotavailableforthesacredrite.Asthecitizenshesitatedastowhattodo,Junoherselfsweptdownfromheaven,smotewithherownhandthebarsandflungwidethedoors.Joyfilledthecity,joyinthebattle-array,theshiningarmorandspiritedchargersandproudstandards,joyatfacingawartothedeath.

Aformidablearmy,LatinsandRutulianstogether,werenowopposedtothelittlebandofTrojans.Theirleader,Turnus,wasabraveandskilledwarrior;anotherableallywasMezentius,anexcellentsoldier,butsocruelthathissubjects,thegreatEtruscanpeople,hadrebelledagainsthimandhehadfledtoTurnus.Athirdallywasawoman,themaidenCamilla,whohadbeenrearedbyherfatherinaremotewilderness,andasababy,withaslingorabowinhertinyhand,hadlearnedtobringdowntheswift-flyingcraneorthewildswan,herselfhardlylessswiftoffootthantheyofwing.Shewasmistressofallthewaysofwarfare,unexcelledwiththejavelinandthetwo-edgedaxaswellaswiththebow.Marriageshedisdained.Shelovedthechaseandthebattleandherfreedom.Abandofwarriorsfollowedher,amongthemanumberofmaidens.

InthisperiloussituationfortheTrojans,FatherTiber,thegodofthegreatrivertheywereencampednear,visitedAeneasinadream.HebadehimgoswiftlyupstreamtowhereEvanderdwelt,aKingofapoorlittletownwhichwasdestinedtobecomeinfutureagestheproudestofearth’scities,whencethetowersofRomeshouldsoaruptotheskies.Here,theriver-godpromised,Aeneaswouldgetthehelpheneeded.AtdawnhestartedwithachosenfewandforthefirsttimeaboatfilledwitharmedmenfloatedontheTiber.WhentheyreachedEvander’shomeawarmwelcomewasgiventhembytheKingandhisyoungson,Pallas.Astheyledtheirgueststotherudebuildingwhichservedaspalacetheypointedoutthesights:thegreatTarpeianrock;nearitahillsacredtoJove,nowroughwithbrambles,wheresomedaythegolden,glitteringCapitolwouldrise;ameadowfilledwithlowingcattle,whichwouldbethegatheringplaceoftheworld,theRomanForum.“Oncefauns

andnymphslivedhere,”theKingsaid,“andasavageraceofmen.ButSaturncametothecountry,ahomelessexilefleeingfromhissonJupiter.Everythingthenwaschanged.Menforsooktheirrudeandlawlessways.Heruledwithsuchjusticeandinsuchpeacethateversincehisreignhasbeencalled‘theGoldenAge.’Butinlatertimesothercustomsprevailed;peaceandjusticefledbeforethegreedforgoldandthefrenzyforwar.Tyrantsruledthelanduntilfatebroughtmehere,anexilefromGreece,frommydearhomeinArcady.”

AstheoldmanendedhisstorytheyreachedthesimplehutwherehelivedandthereAeneasspentthenightonacouchofleaveswithabear’sskintocoverhim.Nextmorning,awakenedbythedawnandthecallofbirds,theyallarose.TheKingwentforthwithtwogreatdogsfollowinghim,hissoleretinueandbodyguard.AftertheyhadbrokentheirfasthegaveAeneastheadvicehehadcometoseek.Arcady—hehadcalledhisnewcountryafterhisold—wasafeeblestate,hesaid,andcoulddolittletohelptheTrojans.ButonthefartherbankoftheriverlivedtherichandpowerfulEtruscans,whosefugitiveking,Mezentius,washelpingTurnus.ThisfactalonewouldmakethenationchooseAeneas’sideinthewar,sointensewasthehatredfeltfortheirformerruler.Hehadshownhimselfamonsterofcruelty;hedelightedininflictingsuffering.Hehaddevisedawayofkillingpeoplemorehorriblethananyotherknowntoman:hewouldlinkdeadandlivingtogether,couplinghandwithhandandfacewithface,andleavetheslowpoisonofthatsickeningembracetobringaboutalingeringdeath.

AllEtruriahadfinallyrisenagainsthim,buthehadsucceededinescaping.Theyweredetermined,however,togethimbackandpunishhimashedeserved.Aeneaswouldfindthemwillingandpowerfulallies.Forhimself,theoldkingsaid,hewouldsentPallaswhowashisonlyson,toentertheserviceoftheWar-godundertheTrojanhero’sguidance,andwithhimabandofyouths,thefloweroftheArcadianchivalry.Alsohegaveeachofhisguestsagallantsteed,toenablethemtoreachquicklytheEtruscanArmyandenlisttheirhelp.

MeantimetheTrojancamp,fortifiedonlybyearthworksanddeprivedofitsleaderanditsbestwarriors,washard-pressed.Turnusattackeditinforce.ThroughoutthefirstdaytheTrojansdefendedthemselvessuccessfully,followingthestrictorderswhichAeneasathisdeparturehadgiventhemonnoaccounttoundertakeanoffensive.Buttheyweregreatlyoutnumbered;theprospectwasdarkunlesstheycouldgetwordtoAeneaswhatwashappening.Thequestionwaswhetherthiswaspossible,withtheRutulianscompletelysurroundingthefort.However,thereweretwomeninthatlittlebandwhoscornedtoweighthechancesofsuccessorfailure,towhomtheextremeperil

oftheattemptwasareasonformakingit.ThesetworesolvedtotrytopassthroughtheenemyunderthecoverofthenightandreachAeneas.

NisusandEuryalusweretheirnames,thefirstavaliantandexperiencedsoldier,theotheronlyastripling,butequallybraveandfullofgenerousardorforheroicdeeds.Itwastheirhabittofightsidebyside.Whereveronewas,whetheronguardorinthefield,theretheotherwouldalwaysbefound.TheideaofthegreatenterprisecamefirsttoNisusashelookedovertherampartsattheenemyandobservedhowfewanddimthelightswereandhowdeepasilencereignedasofmenfastasleep.Hetoldhisplantohisfriend,butwithnothoughtofhisgoingtoo.Whentheladcriedoutthathewouldneverbeleftbehind,thathescornedlifeincomparisonwithdeathinsogloriousanattempt,Nisusfeltonlygriefanddismay.“Letmegoalone,”hebegged.“Ifbychancesomethinggoesamiss—andinsuchaventureasthisthereareathousandchances—youwillbeheretoransommeortogivemetheritesofburial.Remembertoothatyouareyoung;lifeisallbeforeyou.”“Idlewords,”Euryalusanswered.“Letusstartandwithnodelay.”Nisussawtheimpossibilityofpersuadinghimandsorrowfullyyielded.

TheyfoundtheTrojanleadersholdingacouncil,andtheyputtheirplanbeforethem.Itwasinstantlyacceptedandtheprinceswithchokedvoicesandfallingtearsthankedthemandpromisedthemrichrewards.“Iwantonlyone,”saidEuryalus.“Mymotherishereinthecamp.Shewouldnotstaybehindwiththeotherwomen.Shewouldfollowme.Iamallshehas.IfIdie—”“Shewillbemymother,”Ascaniusbrokein.“SheshallhavetheplaceofthemotherIlostthatlastnightinTroy.Iswearittoyou.Andtakethiswithyou,myownsword.Itwillnotfailyou.”

Thenthetwostarted,throughthetrenchandontotheenemy’scamp.Allaroundlaysleepingmen.Nisuswhispered,“Iamgoingtoclearapathforus.Doyoukeepwatch.”Withthathekilledmanafterman,soskillfullythatnotoneutteredasoundashedied.Notagroangavethealarm.Euryalussoonjoinedinthebloodywork.Whentheyreachedtheendofthecamptheyhadclearedasitwereagreathighwaythroughit,whereonlydeadmenwerelying.Buttheyhadbeenwrongtodelay.Daylightwasdawning;atroopofhorsescomingfromLatiumcaughtsightoftheshininghelmetofEuryalusandchallengedhim.Whenhepushedonthroughthetreeswithoutansweringtheyknewhewasanenemyandtheysurroundedthewood.IntheirhastethetwofriendsgotseparatedandEuryalustookthewrongpath.Nisuswildwithanxietyturnedbacktofindhim.Unseenhimselfhesawhiminthehandsofthetroopers.Howcouldherescuehim?Hewasallalone.Itwashopelessandyetheknewitwasbettertomaketheattemptanddiethanleavehim.Hefoughtthem,onemanagainstawholecompany,andhisflyingspearstruck

downwarriorafterwarrior.Theleader,notknowingfromwhatquarterthisdeadlyattackwascoming,turneduponEuryalusshouting,“Youshallpayforthis!”Beforehisliftedswordcouldstrikehim,Nisusrushedforward.“Killme,me,”hecried.“Thedeedisallmine.Heonlyfollowedme.”Butwiththewordsstillonhislips,theswordwasthrustintothelad’sbreast.Ashefelldying,Nisuscutdownthemanwhohadkilledhim;thenpiercedwithmanydartshetoofelldeadbesidehisfriend.

TherestoftheTrojans’adventureswereallonthebattlefield.AeneascamebackwithalargearmyofEtruscansintimetosavethecamp,andfuriouswarraged.Fromthenon,thestoryturnsintolittlemorethananaccountofmenslaughteringeachother.Battlefollowsbattle,buttheyareallalike.Countlessheroesarealwaysslain,riversofblooddrenchtheearth,thebrazenthroatsoftrumpetsblare,arrowsplenteousashailflyfromsharp-springingbows,hoofsoffierysteedsspurtinggorydewtrampleonthedead.Longbeforetheend,thehorrorshaveceasedtohorrify.AlltheTrojans’enemiesarekilled,ofcourse.Camillafallsaftergivingaverygoodaccountofherself;thewickedMezentiusmeetsthefatehesorichlydeserves,butonlyafterhisbraveyoungsoniskilleddefendinghim.Manygoodalliesdie,too,Evander’ssonPallasamongthem.

FinallyTurnusandAeneasmeetinsinglecombat.BythistimeAeneas,whointheearlierpartofthestoryseemedashumanasHectororAchilles,haschangedintosomethingstrangeandportentous;heisnotahumanbeing.OncehecarriedtenderlyhisoldfatheroutofburningTroyandencouragedhislittlesontorunbesidehim;whenhecametoCarthagehefeltwhatitmeanttomeetwithcompassion,toreachaplacewhere“Therearetearsforthings”;hewasveryhumantoowhenhestruttedaboutDido’spalaceinhisfineclothes.ButontheLatinbattlefieldsheisnotaman,butafearfulprodigy.Heis“vastasMountAthos,vastasFatherApenninehimselfwhenheshakeshismightyoaksandliftshissnow-toppedpeacetothesky”;like“Aegaeonwhohadahundredarmsandahundredhandsandflashedfirethroughfiftymouths,thunderingonfiftystrongshieldsanddrawingfiftysharpswords—evensoAeneasslakeshisvictoriousfurythewholefieldover.”WhenhefacesTurnusinthelastcombatthereisnointerestintheoutcome.ItisasfutileforTurnustofightAeneasastofightthelightningoranearthquake.

Virgil’spoemendswithTurnus’death.Aeneas,wearegiventounderstand,marriedLaviniaandfoundedtheRomanrace—who,Virgilsaid,“lefttoothernationssuchthingsasartandscience,andeverrememberedthattheyweredestinedtobringundertheirempirethepeoplesofearth,toimposetheruleofsubmissivenonresistance,tosparethehumbledandtocrushthe

proud.”

PARTFIVE

TheGreatFamiliesofMythology

CHAPTERI

TheHouseofAtreus

ThechiefimportanceofthestoryofAtreusandhisdescendantsisthatthefifth-centurytragicpoetAeschylustookitforthesubjectofhisgreatdrama,theOresteia,whichismadeupofthreeplays,theAgamemnon,theLibationBearers,theEumenides.IthasnorivalinGreektragedyexceptthefourplaysofSophoclesaboutOedipusandhischildren.PindarintheearlyfifthcenturytellsthecurrenttaleaboutthefeastTantalusmadethegodsandproteststhatitisnottrue.ThepunishmentofTantalusisdescribedoften,firstintheOdyssey,fromwhichIhavetakenit.Amphion’sstory,andNiobe’s,IhavetakenfromOvid,whoalonetellstheminfull.ForPelops’winningthechariotraceIhavepreferredApollodorus,ofthefirstorsecondcenturyA.D.,whogivesthefullestaccountthathascomedowntous.ThestoryofAtreus’andThyestes’crimesandallthatfollowedthemistakenfromAeschylus’Oresteia.

THEHouseofAtreusisoneofthemostfamousfamiliesinmythology.Agamemnon,wholedtheGreeksagainstTroy,belongedtoit.Allofhisimmediatefamily,hiswifeClytemnestra,hischildren,Iphigenia,Orestes,andElectra,wereaswellknownashewas.HisbrotherMenelauswasthehusbandofHelen,forwhosesaketheTrojanWarwasfought.

Itwasanill-fatedhouse.Thecauseofallthemisfortuneswasheldtobeanancestor,aKingofLydianamedTantalus,whobroughtuponhimselfamostterriblepunishmentbyamostwickeddeed.Thatwasnottheendofthematter.Theevilhestartedwentonafterhisdeath.Hisdescendantsalsodidwickedlyandwerepunished.Acurseseemedtohangoverthefamily,makingmensininspiteofthemselvesandbringingsufferinganddeathdownupontheinnocentaswellastheguilty.

TANTALUSANDNIOBE

TantaluswasthesonofZeusandhonoredbythegodsbeyondallthemortalchildrenofZeus.Theyallowedhimtoeatattheirtable,totastethenectarandambrosiawhichexceptforhimalonenonebuttheimmortalscouldpartakeof.Theydidmore;theycametoabanquetinhispalace;theycondescendedto

dinewithhim.Inreturnfortheirfavorheactedsoatrociouslythatnopoetevertriedtoexplainhisconduct.HehadhisonlysonPelopskilled,boiledinagreatcauldron,andservedtothegods.Apparentlyhewasdrivenbyapassionofhatredagainstthemwhichmadehimwillingtosacrificehissoninordertobringuponthemthehorrorofbeingcannibals.Itmaybe,too,thathewantedtoshowinthemoststartlingandshockingwaypossiblehoweasyitwastodeceivetheawful,venerated,humblyadoreddivinities.Inhisscornofthegodsandhismeasurelessself-confidenceheneverdreamedthathisguestswouldrealizewhatmanneroffoodhehadsetbeforethem.

Hewasafool.TheOlympiansknew.Theydrewbackfromthehorriblebanquetandtheyturneduponthecriminalwhohadcontrivedit.Heshouldbesopunished,theydeclared,thatnomantocome,hearingwhatthismanhadsuffered,woulddareeveragaintoinsultthem.Theysetthearch-sinnerinapoolinHades,butwheneverinhistormentingthirsthestoopedtodrinkhecouldnotreachthewater.Itdisappeared,drainedintothegroundashebentdown.Whenhestoodupitwasthereagain.Overthepoolfruittreeshungheavyladenwithpears,pomegranates,rosyapples,sweetfigs.Eachtimehestretchedouthishandtograspthemthewindtossedthemhighawayoutofreach.Thushestoodforever,hisundyingthroatalwaysathirst,hishungerinthemidstofplentyneversatisfied.

HissonPelopswasrestoredtolifebythegods,buttheyhadtofashionashoulderforhimoutofivory.Oneofthegoddesses,somesayDemeter,someThetis,inadvertentlyhadeatenoftheloathsomedishandwhentheboy’slimbswerereassembledoneshoulderwaswanting.Thisuglystoryseemstohavecomedowninitsearlybrutalformquiteunsoftened.ThelatterGreeksdidnotlikeitandprotestedagainstit.ThepoetPindarcalledit

Ataledeckedoutwithglitteringliesagainstthewordoftruth.Letamannotspeakofcannibaldeedsamongtheblessedgods.

Howeverthatmightbe,therestofPelops’lifewassuccessful.HewastheonlyoneofTantalus’descendantsnotmarkedoutbymisfortune.Hewashappyinhismarriage,althoughhewooedadangerousladywhohadbeenthecauseofmanydeaths,thePrincessHippodamia.Thereasonmendiedforherwasnotherownfault,butherfather’s.ThisKinghadawonderfulpairofhorsesAreshadgivenhim—superior,ofcourse,toallmortalhorses.Hedidnotwanthisdaughtertomarry,andwheneverasuitorcameforherhandtheyouthwastoldhecouldracewithherfatherforher.Ifthesuitor’shorseswon,shewouldbehis;ifherfather’swon,thesuitormustpaywithhislifeforhisdefeat.Inthiswayanumberofrashyoungmenmettheirdeath.Even

so,Pelopsdared.Hehadhorseshecouldtrust,apresentfromPoseidon.Hewontherace;butthereisastorythatHippodamiahadmoretodowiththevictorythanPoseidon’shorses.EithershefellinlovewithPelopsorshefeltthetimehadcometoputastoptothatsortofracing.Shebribedherfather’scharioteer,amannamedMyrtilus,tohelpher.HepulledouttheboltsthatheldthewheelsoftheKing’schariot,andthevictorywasPelops’withnotroubleatall.Later,MyrtiluswaskilledbyPelops,cursinghimashedied,andsomesaidthatthiswasthecauseofthemisfortunesthatafterwardfollowedthefamily.Butmostwriterssaid,andcertainlywithbetterreason,thatitwasthewickednessofTantaluswhichdoomedhisdescendants.

NoneofthemsufferedaworsedoomthanhisdaughterNiobe.AndyetitseemedatfirstthatthegodshadchosenheroutforgoodfortuneastheyhadherbrotherPelops.Shewashappyinhermarriage.HerhusbandwasAmphion,asonofZeusandanincomparablemusician.HeandhistwinbrotherZethusundertookoncetofortifyThebes,buildingaloftywallaroundit.Zethuswasamanofgreatphysicalstrengthwhodespisedhisbrother’sneglectofmanlysportsandhisdevotiontohisart.Yetwhenitcametotheheavytaskofgettingenoughrocksforthewall,thegentlemusicianoutdidthestrongathlete:hedrewsuchentrancingsoundsfromhislyrethattheverystonesweremovedandfollowedhimtoThebes.

ThereheandNioberuledinentirecontentuntilsheshowedthatthemadarroganceofTantaluslivedoninher.Sheheldherselfraisedbyhergreatprosperityaboveallthatordinarymortalsfearandreverence.Shewasrichandnoblybornandpowerful.Sevensonshadbeenborntoher,braveandbeautifulyoungmen,andsevendaughters,thefairestofthefair.Shethoughtherselfstrongenoughnotonlytodeceivethegodsasherfatherhadtriedtodo,buttodefythemopenly.

ShecalleduponthepeopleofThebestoworshipher.“YouburnincensetoLeto,”shesaid,“andwhatissheascomparedwithme?Shehadbuttwochildren,ApolloandArtemis.Ihaveseventimesasmany.Iamqueen.ShewasahomelesswandereruntiltinyDelosaloneofallplacesonearthconsentedtoreceiveher.Iamhappy,strong,great—toogreatforany,menorgods,todomeharm.MakeyoursacrificestomeinLeto’stemple,minenow,nothers.”

Insolentwordsutteredinthearrogantconsciousnessofpowerwerealwaysheardinheavenandalwayspunished.ApolloandArtemisglidedswiftlytoThebesfromOlympus,thearchergodandthedivinehuntress,andshootingwithdeadlyaimtheystruckdownallofNiobe’ssonsanddaughters.Shesawthemdiewithanguishtoogreatforexpression.Besidethosebodiessolately

youngandstrong,shesankdownmotionlessinstonygrief,dumbasastoneandherheartlikeastonewithinher.Onlyhertearsflowedandcouldnotstop.Shewaschangedintoastonewhichforever,nightandday,waswetwithtears.

ToPelopstwosonswereborn,AtreusandThyestes.Theinheritanceofevildescendedtotheminfullforce.Thyestesfellinlovewithhisbrother’swifeandsucceededinmakingherfalsetohermarriagevows.AtreusfoundoutandsworethatThyestesshouldpayasnomaneverhad.Hekilledhisbrother’stwolittlechildren,hadthemcutlimbfromlimb,boiled,andserveduptotheirfather.Whenhehadeaten—

Poorwretch,whenhehadlearnedthedeedabhorrent,Hecriedagreatcry,fallingback—spewedoutThatflesh,calleddownuponthathouseadoomIntolerable,thebanquetboardsentcrashing.

AtreuswasKing.Thyesteshadnopower.TheatrociouscrimewasnotavengedinAtreus’lifetime,buthischildrenandhischildren’schildrensuffered.

AGAMEMNONANDHISCHILDREN

OnOlympusthegodsweremetinfullassembly.ThefatherofGodsandMenbeganfirsttospeak.Zeuswassorelyvexedatthemeanwaymenperpetuallyactedtowardthegods,blamingthedivinepowersforwhattheirownwickednessbroughtabout,andthattooevenwhentheOlympianshadtriedtoholdthemback.“YouallknowaboutAegisthus,whomAgamemnon’ssonOresteshasslain,”Zeussaid,“howhelovedthewifeofAgamemnonandkilledhimonhisreturnfromTroy.Certainlynoblameattachestousfromthat.WewarnedhimbythemouthofHermes.‘ThedeathofthesonofAtreuswillbeavengedbyOrestes.’ThosewereHermes’verywords,butnotevensuchfriendlyadvicecouldrestrainAegisthus,whonowpaysthefinalpenalty.”

ThispassageintheIlliadisthefirstmentionoftheHouseofAtreus.IntheOdysseywhenOdysseusreachedthelandofthePhaeaciansandwastellingthemabouthisdescenttoHadesandtheghostsheencountered,hesaidthat,ofthemall,thespiritofAgamemnonhadmostmovedhimtopity.Hehadbeggedhimtosayhowhediedandthechieftoldhimthathewaskilledingloriouslyashesatattable,struckdownasonebutchersanox.“Itwas

Aegisthus,”hesaid,“withtheaidofmyaccursedwife.HeinvitedmetohishouseandasIfeastedhekilledme.Mymentoo.Youhaveseenmanydieinsinglecombatorinbattle,butneveronewhodiedaswedid,bythewinebowlandtheloadedtablesinahallwherethefloorflowedwithblood.Cassandra’sdeath-shriekranginmyearsasshefell.Clytemnestraslewherovermybody.Itriedtoliftupmyhandsforher,buttheyfellback.Iwasdyingthen.”

Thatwasthewaythestorywasfirsttold:Agamemnonhadbeenkilledbyhiswife’slover.Itwasasordidtale.Howlongitheldthestagewedonotknow,butthenextaccountwehave,centurieslater,writtenbyAeschylusabout450B.C.,isverydifferent.Itisagreatstorynowofimplacablevengeanceandtragicpassionsandinevitabledoom.ThemotiveforAgamemnon’sdeathisnolongertheguiltyloveofamanandawoman,butamother’sloveforadaughterkilledbyherownfather,andawife’sdeterminationtoavengethatdeathbykillingherhusband.Aegisthusfades;heishardlyinthepicture.ThewifeofAgamemnon,Clytemnestra,hasalltheforegroundtoherself.

ThetwosonsofAtreus,Agamemnon,thecommanderoftheGreekforcesatTroy,andMenelaus,thehusbandofHelen,endedtheirlivesverydifferently.Menelaus,atfirstthelesssuccessful,wasnotablyprosperousinhislateryears.Helosthiswifeforatime,butafterthefallofTroyhegotherback.HisshipwasdrivenallthewaytoEgyptbythestormAthenasenttotheGreekFleet,butfinallyhereachedhomesafelyandlivedhappilywithHeleneverafter.Itwasfarotherwisewithhisbrother.

WhenTroyfell,Agamemnonwasthemostfortunateofthevictoriouschieftains.Hisshipcamesafelythroughthestormwhichwreckedordrovetodistantcountriessomanyothers.Heenteredhiscitynotonlysafeafterperilbylandandsea,buttriumphant,theproudconquerorofTroy.Hishomewasexpectinghim.Wordhadbeensentthathehadlanded,andthetownspeoplejoinedinagreatwelcometohim.Itseemedthathewasofallmenthemostgloriouslysuccessful,afterabrilliantvictorybackwithhisownagain,peaceandprosperitybeforehim.

Butinthecrowdthatgreetedhimwiththanksgivingforhisreturntherewereanxiousfaces,andwordsofdarkforebodingpassedfromonemantoanother.“Hewillfindevilhappenings,”theymuttered.“Thingsoncewererightthereinthepalace,butnomore.Thathousecouldtellataleifitcouldspeak.”

Beforethepalacetheeldersofthecityweregatheredtodotheirkinghonor,buttheytoowereindistress,withastillheavieranxiety,adarkerforeboding,thanthatwhichweigheduponthedoubtfulcrowd.Astheywaited

theytalkedinlowtonesofthepast.Theywereoldanditwasalmostmorerealtothemthanthepresent.TheyrecalledthesacrificeofIphigenia,lovely,innocentyoungthing,trustingherfatherutterly,andthenconfrontedwiththealtar,thecruelknives,andonlypitilessfacesaroundher.Astheoldmenspoke,itwaslikeavividmemorytothem,asiftheythemselveshadbeenthere,asiftheyhadheardwithherthefathershelovedtellingmentoliftherandholdheroverthealtartoslayher.Hehadkilledher,notwillingly,butdrivenbytheArmyimpatientforgoodwindstosailtoTroy.Andyetthematterwasnotassimpleasthat.HeyieldedtotheArmybecausetheoldwickednessingenerationaftergenerationofhisracewasboundtoworkoutinevilforhimtoo.Theeldersknewthecursethathungoverthehouse.

…Thethirstforblood—Itisintheirflesh.BeforetheoldwoundCanbehealed,thereisfreshbloodflowing.

TenyearshadpassedsinceIphigeniadied,buttheresultsofherdeathreachedthroughtothepresent.Theelderswerewise.Theyhadlearnedthateverysincausesfreshsin;everywrongbringsanotherinitstrain.Amenacefromthedeadgirlhungoverherfatherinthishouroftriumph.Andyetperhaps,theysaidtoeachother,perhapsitwouldnottakeactualshapeforatime.Sotheytriedtofindsomebitofhope,butatthebottomoftheirheartstheyknewanddarednotsayaloudthatvengeancewasalreadythereinthepalacewaitingforAgamemnon.

IthadwaitedeversincetheQueen,Clytemnestra,hadcomebackfromAulis,whereshehadseenherdaughterdie.Shedidnotkeepfaithwithherhusbandwhohadkilledherchildandhis;shetookaloverandallthepeopleknewit.TheyknewtoothatshehadnotsenthimawaywhenthenewsofAgamemnon’sreturnreachedher.Hewasstilltherewithher.Whatwasbeingplannedbehindthepalacedoors?Astheywonderedandfeared,atumultofnoisereachedthem,chariotsrolling,voicesshouting.IntothecourtyardswepttheroyalcarwiththeKingandbesidehimagirl,verybeautiful,butverystrange-looking.AttendantsandtownspeoplewerefollowingthemandastheycametoahaltthedoorsofthegreathouseswungopenandtheQueenappeared.

TheKingdismounted,prayingaloud,“OVictorynowmine,bemineforever.”Hiswifeadvancedtomeethim.Herfacewasradiant,herheadhigh.SheknewthateverymanthereexceptAgamemnonwasawareofherinfidelity,butshefacedthemallandtoldthemwithsmilinglipsthatevenintheirpresenceshemustatsuchamomentspeakoutthegreatloveshebore

herhusbandandtheagonizinggriefshehadsufferedinhisabsence.Theninwordsofexultantjoyshebadehimwelcome.“Youareoursafety,”shetoldhim,“oursuredefense.Thesightofyouisdearaslandafterstormtothesailor,asagushingstreamtoathirstywayfarer.”

Heansweredher,butwithreserve,andheturnedtogointothepalace.Firsthepointedtothegirlinthechariot.ShewasCassandra,Priam’sdaughter,hetoldhiswife—theArmy’sgifttohim,theflowerofallthecaptivewomen.LetClytemnestraseetoherandtreatherwell.Withthatheenteredthehouseandthedoorsclosedbehindthehusbandandthewife.Theywouldneveropenagainforbothofthem.

Thecrowdhadgone.Onlytheoldmenstillwaiteduneasilybeforethesilentbuildingandtheblankdoors.Thecaptiveprincesscaughttheirattentionandtheylookedcuriouslyather.Theyhadheardofherstrangefameasaprophetesswhomnooneeverbelievedandyetwhoseprophecieswerealwaysprovedtruebytheevent.Sheturnedaterrifiedfacetothem.Wherehadshebeenbrought,sheaskedthemwildly—Whathousewasthis?TheyansweredsoothinglythatitwaswherethesonofAtreuslived.Shecriedout,“No!ItisahouseGodhates,wheremenarekilledandthefloorisredwithblood.”Theoldmenstolefrightenedglancesateachother.Blood,menkilled,thatwaswhattheytoowerethinkingof,thedarkpastwithitspromiseofmoredarkness.Howcouldshe,astrangerandaforeigner,knowthatpast?“Ihearchildrencrying,”saidwailed,

…Cryingforwoundsthatbleed.Afatherfeasted—andthefleshhischildren.

Thyestesandhissons…Wherehadsheheardofthat?Morewildwordspouredfromherlips.Itseemedasifshehadseenwhathadhappenedinthathousethroughtheyears,asifshehadstoodbywhiledeathfolloweddeath,eachacrimeandallworkingtogethertoproducemorecrime.Thenfromthepastsheturnedtothefuture.Shecriedoutthatonthatverydaytwomoredeathswouldbeaddedtothelist,oneherown.“Iwillenduretodie,”shesaid,assheturnedawayandmovedtowardthepalace.Theytriedtoholdherbackfromthatominoushouse,butshewouldnothaveit;sheenteredandthedoorsclosedforeveronher,too.Thesilencethatfollowedwhenshehadgonewassuddenlyandterriblybroken.Acryrangout,thevoiceofamaninagony:“God!Iamstruck!Mydeathblow—”andsilenceagain.Theoldmen,terrified,bewildered,huddledtogether.ThatwastheKing’svoice.Whatshouldtheydo?“Breakintothepalace?Quick,bequick,”theyurgedeachother.“Wemustknow.”Buttherewasnoneednowofanyviolence.The

doorsopenedandonthethresholdstoodtheQueen.Darkredstainswereonherdress,herhands,herface,yetsheherself

lookedunshaken,stronglysureofherself.Sheproclaimedforalltohearwhathadbeendone.“Hereliesmyhusbanddead,struckdownjustlybymyhand,”shesaid.Itwashisbloodthatstainedherdressandfaceandshewasglad.

Hefellandashegasped,hisbloodSpoutedandsplashedmewithdarkspray,adewOfdeath,sweettomeasheaven’ssweetraindropsWhenthecorn-landbuds.

Shesawnoreasontoexplainheractorexcuseit.Shewasnotamurdererinherowneyes,shewasanexecutioner.Shehadpunishedamurderer,themurdererofhisownchild.

WhocarednomorethanifabeastshoulddieWhenflocksareplentyinthefleecyfold,Butslewhisdaughter—slewherforacharmAgainsttheThracianwinds.

Herloverfollowedherandstoodbesideher—Aegisthus,theyoungestchildofThyestes,bornafterthathorriblefeast.HehadnoquarrelwithAgamemnonhimself,butAtreus,whohadhadthechildrenslaughteredandplacedonthebanquettablefortheirfather,wasdeadandvengeancecouldnotreachhim.Thereforehissonmustpaythepenalty.

Thetwo,theQueenandherlover,hadreasontoknowthatwickednesscannotbeendedbywickedness.Thedeadbodyofthemantheyhadjustkilledwasaproof.Butintheirtriumphtheydidnotstoptothinkthatthisdeath,too,likealltheothers,wouldsurelybringevilinitstrain.“Nomorebloodforyouandme,”ClytemnestrasaidtoAegisthus.“Wearelordsherenow.Wetwowillorderallthingswell.”Itwasabaselesshope.

Iphigeniahadbeenoneofthreechildren.Theothertwowereagirlandaboy,ElectraandOrestes.AegisthuswouldcertainlyhavekilledtheboyifOresteshadbeenthere,buthehadbeensentawaytoatrustedfriend.ThegirlAegisthusdisdainedtokill;heonlymadeherutterlywretchedineverywaypossibleuntilherwholelifewasconcentratedinonehope,thatOresteswouldcomebackandavengetheirfather.Thatvengeance—whatwoulditbe?Overandoversheaskedherselfthis.Aegisthus,ofcourse,mustdie,buttokillhimalonewouldneversatisfyjustice.Hiscrimewaslessblackthananother’s.Whatthen?Coulditbejusticethatasonshouldtakeamother’slifetoavenge

afather’sdeath?Soshebroodedthroughthebitterdaysofthelongyearsthatfollowed,whileClytemnestraandAegisthusruledtheland.

Astheboygrewtomanhoodhesawevenmoreclearlythanshetheterriblesituation.Itwasason’sdutytokillhisfather’smurderers,adutythatcamebeforeallothers.Butasonwhokilledhismotherwasabhorrenttogodsandtomen.Amostsacredobligationwasboundupwithamostatrociouscrime.Hewhowantedonlytodorightwassoplacedthathemustchoosebetweentwohideouswrongs.Hemustbeatraitortohisfatherorhemustbethemurdererofhismother.

InhisagonyofdoubthejourneyedtoDelphitoasktheoracletohelphim,andApollospoketohiminclearwordsbiddinghim,

Slaythetwowhoslew.Atonefordeathbydeath.Shedbloodforoldbloodshed.

AndOrestesknewthathemustworkoutthecurseofhishouse,exactvengeanceandpaywithhisownruin.Hewenttothehomehehadnotseensincehewasalittleboy,andwithhimwenthiscousinandfriendPylades.Thetwohadgrownuptogetherandweredevotedinawayfarbeyondusualfriendship.Electra,withnoideathattheywereactuallyarriving,wasyetonthewatch.Herlifewasspentinwatchingforthebrotherwhowouldbringhertheonlythinglifeheldforher.

Onedayatherfather’stombshemadeanofferingtothedeadandprayed,“OFather,guideOrestestohishome.”Suddenlyhewasbesideher,claimingherashissister,showingherasproofthecloakhewore,theworkofherhands,whichshehadwrappedhiminwhenhewentaway.Butshedidnotneedaproof.Shecried,“Yourfaceismyfather’sface.”Andshepouredouttohimallthelovenoonehadwantedfromherthroughthewretchedyears:—

All,allisyours,TheloveIowedmyfatherwhoisdead,TheloveImighthavegiventomymother,Andmypoorsistercruellydoomedtodie.Allyoursnow,onlyyours.

Hewastoosunkinhisownthought,toointentuponthethinghefaced,toanswerheroreventolisten.Hebrokeinuponherwordstotellherwhatfilledhismindsothatnothingelsecouldreachit:theterriblewordsoftheoracleofApollo.Orestesspokewithhorror:—

Hetoldmetoappeasetheangrydead.Thatwhohearsnotwhenhisdeadcrytohim,Forsuchthereisnohome,norefugeanywhere.Noaltarfireburnsforhim,nofriendgreetshim.Hediesaloneandvile.OGod,shallIbelieveSuchoracles?Butyet—butyetThedeedistobedoneandImustdoit.

Thethreemadetheirplans.OrestesandPyladesweretogotothepalaceclaimingtobethebearersofamessagethatOresteshaddied.ItwouldbejoyfulnewstoClytemnestraandAegisthuswhohadalwaysfearedwhathemightdo,andtheywouldcertainlywanttoseethemessengers.Onceinthepalacethebrotherandhisfriendcouldtrusttotheirownswordsandthecompletesurpriseoftheirattack.

TheywereadmittedandElectrawaited.Thathadbeenherbitterpartallthroughherlife.Thenthedoorsopenedslowlyandawomancameoutandstoodtranquillyonthesteps.ItwasClytemnestra.Shehadbeenthereonlyamomentorsowhenaslaverushedoutscreaming,“Treason!Ourmaster!Treason!”HesawClytemnestraandgasped,“Orestes—alive—here.”Sheknewthen.Everythingwascleartoher,whathadhappenedandwhatwasstilltocome.Sternlyshebadetheslavebringherabattle-ax.Shewasresolvedtofightforherlife,buttheweaponwasnosoonerinherhandthanshechangedhermind.Amancamethroughthedoors,hisswordredwithblood,whosebloodsheknewandsheknewtoowhoheldthesword.Instantlyshesawasurerwaytodefendherselfthanwithanax.Shewasthemotherofthemanbeforeher.“Stop,myson,”shesaid.“Look—mybreast.Yourheavyheaddroppedonitandyouslept,oh,manyatime.Yourbabymouth,whereneveratoothwas,suckedthemilk,andsoyougrew—”Orestescried,“OPylades,sheismymother.MayIspare—”Hisfriendtoldhimsolemnly:No.Apollohadcommanded.Thegodmustbeobeyed.“Iwillobey,”Orestessaid.“You—followme.”Clytemnestraknewthatshehadlost.Shesaidcalmly,“Itseems,myson,thatyouwillkillyourmother.”Hemotionedherintothehouse.Shewentandhefollowedher.

Whenhecameoutagainthosewaitinginthecourtyarddidnotneedtobetoldwhathehaddone.Askingnoquestionstheywatchedhim,theirmasternow,withcompassion.Heseemednottoseethem;hewaslookingatahorrorbeyondthem.Stammeringwordscamefromhislips:“Themanisdead.Iamnotguiltythere.Anadulterer.Hehadtodie.Butshe—Didshedoitordidshenot?Oyou,myfriends.IsayIkilledmymother—yetnotwithoutreason—shewasvileandshekilledmyfatherandGodhatedher.”

Hiseyeswerefixedalwaysonthatunseenhorror.Hescreamed,“Look!

Look!Womenthere.Black,allblack,andlonghairlikesnakes.”Theytoldhimeagerlytherewerenowomen.“Itisonlyyourfancy.Oh,donotfear.”“Youdonotseethem?”hecried.“Nofancy.I—Iseethem.Mymotherhassentthem.Theycrowdaroundmeandtheireyesdripblood.Oh,letmego.”Herushedaway,aloneexceptforthoseinvisiblecompanions.

ClytemnestraandOrestes

Whennexthecametohiscountry,yearshadpassed.Hehadbeenawandererinmanylands,alwayspursuedbythesameterribleshapes.Hewaswornwithsuffering,butinhislossofeverythingmenprizetherewasagaintoo.“Ihavebeentaughtbymisery,”hesaid.Hehadlearnedthatnocrimewasbeyondatonement,thatevenhe,defiledbyamother’smurder,couldbemadecleanagain.HetraveledtoAthens,senttherebyApollotopleadhiscasebeforeAthena.Hehadcometobegforhelp;nevertheless,inhishearttherewasconfidence.Thosewhodesiretobepurifiedcannotberefusedandtheblackstainofhisguilthadgrownfainterandfainterthroughhisyearsoflonelywanderingandpain.Hebelievedthatbynowithadfadedaway.“IcanspeaktoAthenawithpurelips,”hesaid.

Thegoddesslistenedtohisplea.Apollowasbesidehim.“ItisIwhoamanswerableforwhathedid,”hesaid.“Hekilledatmycommand.”Thedreadformsofhispursuers,theErinyes,theFuries,werearrayedagainsthim,butOresteslistenedcalmlytotheirdemandforvengeance.“I,notApollo,wasguiltyofmymother’smurder,”hesaid,“butIhavebeencleansedofmyguilt.”ThesewerewordsneverspokenbeforebyanyoftheHouseofAtreus.Thekillersofthatracehadneversufferedfromtheirguiltandsoughttobemadeclean.Athenaacceptedtheplea.Shepersuadedtheavenginggoddessesalsotoacceptit,andwiththisnewlawofmercyestablishedtheythemselveswerechanged.FromtheFuriesoffrightfulaspecttheybecametheBenignantOnes,theEumenides,protectorsofthesuppliant.TheyacquittedOrestes,andwiththewordsofacquittalthespiritofevilwhichhadhauntedhishouseforsolongwasbanished.OresteswentforthfromAthena’stribunalafreeman.Neitherhenoranydescendantofhiswouldeveragainbedrivenintoevilbytheirresistiblepowerofthepast.ThecurseoftheHouseofAtreuswasended.

IPHIGENIAAMONGTHETAURIANS

IhavetakenthisstoryentirelyfromtwoplaysofEuripides,thefifth-centurytragicpoet.Nootherwritertellsthestoryinfull.Thehappyendbroughtaboutbyadivinity,thedeusexmachina,isacommondevicewithEuripidesaloneofthethreetragicpoets.Accordingtoourideasitisaweakness;andcertainlyitisunnecessaryinthiscase,wherethesameendcouldhavebeensecuredbymerelyomittingtheheadwind.Athena’sappearance,inpointoffact,harmsagoodplot.ApossiblereasonforthislapseonthepartofoneofthegreatestpoetstheworldhasknownisthattheAthenians,whoweresufferinggreatlyatthetimefromthewarwithSparta,wereeagerformiraclesandthatEuripideschosetohumorthem.

TheGreeks,ashasbeensaid,didnotlikestoriesinwhichhumanbeingswereofferedup,whethertoappeaseangrygodsortomakeMotherEarthbearagoodharvestortobringaboutanythingwhatsoever.Theythoughtaboutsuchsacrificesaswedo.Theywereabominable.Anydeitywhodemandedthemwastherebyprovedtobeevil,and,asthepoetEuripidessaid,“Ifgodsdoevilthentheyarenotgods.”ItwasinevitablethereforethatanotherstoryshouldgrowupaboutthesacrificeofIphigeniaatAulis.Accordingtotheoldaccount,shewaskilledbecauseoneofthewildanimalsArtemislovedhadbeenslainbytheGreeksandtheguiltyhunterscouldwinbackthegoddess’sfavoronlybythedeathofayounggirl.ButtothelaterGreeksthiswastoslanderArtemis.Neverwouldsuchademandhavebeenmadebythelovelyladyofthewoodlandandtheforest,whowasespeciallytheprotectoroflittlehelplesscreatures.

Sogentleisshe,Artemistheholy,Todewyyouth,totendernurslings,Theyoungofallthatroamthemeadow,Ofallwholivewithintheforest.

Soanotherendingwasgiventothestory.WhentheGreeksoldiersatAuliscametogetIphigeniawhereshewaswaitingforthesummonstodeath,hermotherbesideher,sheforbadeClytemnestratogowithhertothealtar.“Itisbettersoformeaswellasforyou,”shesaid.Themotherwasleftalone.Atlastshesawamanapproaching.Hewasrunningandshewonderedwhyanyoneshouldhastentobringherthetidingshemustbear.Buthecriedouttoher,“Wonderfulnews!”Herdaughterhadnotbeensacrificed,hesaid.Thatwascertain,butexactlywhathadhappenedtohernooneknew.Asthepriestwasabouttostrikeher,anguishtroubledeverymanthereandallbowedtheirheads.Butacrycamefromthepriestandtheylookeduptoseeamarvelhardlytobebelieved.Thegirlhadvanished,butonthegroundbesidethealtarlayadeer,itsthroatcut.“ThisisArtemis’doing,”thepriestproclaimed.“Shewillnothaveheraltarstainedwithhumanblood.Shehasherselffurnishedthevictimandshereceivesthesacrifice.”“Itellyou,OQueen,”themessengersaid,“Iwasthereandthethinghappenedthus.Clearlyyourchildhasbeenborneawaytothegods.”

ButIphigeniahadnotbeencarriedtoheaven.ArtemishadtakenhertothelandoftheTaurians(todaytheCrimea)ontheshoreoftheUnfriendlySea—afiercepeoplewhosesavagecustomitwastosacrificetothegoddessanyGreekfoundinthecountry.ArtemistookcarethatIphigeniashouldbesafe;shemadeherpriestessofhertemple.Butassuchitwasherterribletaskto

conductthesacrifices,notactuallyherselfkillhercountrymen,butconsecratethembylong-establishedritesanddeliverthemovertothosewhowouldkillthem.

ShehadbeenservingthegoddessthusformanyyearswhenaGreekgalleyputinattheinhospitableshore,notundersternnecessity,storm-driven,butvoluntarily.AndyetitwasknowneverywherewhattheTauriansdidtotheGreekstheycaptured.Anoverwhelminglystrongmotivemadetheshipanchorthere.Fromitintheearlydawntwoyoungmencameandstealthilyfoundtheirwaytothetemple.Bothwereclearlyofexaltedbirth;theylookedlikethesonsofkings,butthefaceofonewasdeeplymarkedwithlinesofpain.Itwashewhowhisperedtohisfriend,“Don’tyouthinkthisisthetemple,Pylades?”“Yes,Orestes,”theotheranswered.“Itmustbethatbloodstainedspot.”

Oresteshereandhisfaithfulfriend?WhatweretheydoinginacountrysoperiloustoGreeks?DidthishappenbeforeorafterOresteshadbeenabsolvedoftheguiltofhismother’smurder?Itwassometimeafter.AlthoughAthenahadpronouncedhimclearofguilt,inthisstoryalltheErinyeshadnotacceptedtheverdict.Someofthemcontinuedtopursuehim,orelseOrestesthoughtthattheydid.EventheacquittalpronouncedbyAthenahadnotrestoredtohimhispeaceofmind.Hispursuerswerefewer,buttheywerestillwithhim.

InhisdespairhewenttoDelphi.Ifhecouldnotfindhelpthere,intheholiestplaceofGreece,hecouldfinditnowhere.Apollo’soraclegavehimhope,butonlyattheriskofhislife.HemustgototheTauriancountry,theDelphicpriestesssaid,andbringawaythesacredimageofArtemisfromhertemple.WhenhehadsetitupinAthenshewouldatlastbehealedandatpeace.Hewouldneveragainseeterribleformshauntinghim.Itwasamostperilousenterprise,buteverythingforhimdependedonit.AtwhatevercosthewasboundtomaketheattemptandPyladeswouldnotlethimmakeitalone.

Whenthetworeachedthetempletheysawatoncethattheymustwaitforthenightbeforedoinganything.Therewasnochancebydayofgettingintotheplaceunseen.Theyretreatedtokeepundercoverinsomedarklonelyspot.

Iphigenia,sorrowfulasalways,wasgoingthroughherroundofdutiestothegoddesswhenshewasinterruptedbyamessengerwhotoldherthatthetwoyoungmen,Greeks,hadbeentakenprisonersandweretobesacrificedatonce.Hehadbeensentontobidhermakeallreadyforthesacredrites.Thehorrorwhichshehadfeltsooftenseizedheragain.Sheshudderedatthethought,terriblyfamiliarthoughitwas,ofthehideousbloodshed,ofthe

agonyofthevictims.Butthistimeanewthoughtcameaswell.Sheaskedherself,“Wouldagoddesscommandsuchthings?Wouldshetakepleasureinsacrificialmurder?Idonotbelieveit,”shetoldherself.“Itisthemenofthislandwhoarebloodthirstyandtheylaytheirownguiltonthegods.”

Asshestoodthus,deepinmeditation,thecaptiveswereledin.Shesenttheattendantsintothetempletomakereadyforthem,andwhenthethreewerealonetogethershespoketotheyoungmen.Wherewastheirhome,sheasked,thehomewhichtheywouldneverseeagain?Shecouldnotkeephertearsbackandtheywonderedtoseehersocompassionate.Orestestoldhergentlynottogrieveforthem.Whentheycametothelandtheyhadfacedwhatmightbefallthem.Butshecontinuedquestioning.Weretheybrothers?Yes,inlove,Orestesreplied,butnotbybirth.Whatweretheirnames?“Whyaskthatofamanabouttodie?”Orestessaid.

“Willyounoteventellmewhatyourcityis?”sheasked.“IcomefromMycenae,”Orestesanswered,“Thatcityonceso

prosperous.”“TheKingofitwascertainlyprosperous,”Iphigeniasaid.“Hisnamewas

Agamemnon.”“Idonotknowabouthim,”Orestessaidabruptly.“Letusendthistalk.”“No—no.Tellmeofhim,”shebegged.“Dead,”saidOrestes.“Hisownwifekilledhim.Askmenomore.”“Onethingmore,”shecried.“Isshe—thewife—alive?”“No,”Orestestoldher.“Hersonkilledher.”Thethreelookedateachotherinsilence.“Itwasjust,”Iphigeniawhisperedshuddering;“just—yetevil,horrible.”

Shetriedtocollectherself.Thensheasked,“Dotheyeverspeakofthedaughterwhowassacrificed?”

“Onlyasonespeaksofthedead,”Orestessaid.Iphigenia’sfacechanged.Shelookedeager,alert.

“Ihavethoughtofaplantohelpbothyouandme,”shesaid.“WouldyoubewillingtocarryalettertomyfriendsinMycenaeifIcansaveyou?”

“No,notI,”Orestessaid.“Butmyfriendwill.Hecamehereonlyformysake.Givehimyourletterandkillme.”

“Sobeit,”Iphigeniaanswered.“WaitwhileIfetchtheletter.”ShehurriedawayandPyladesturnedtoOrestes.

“Iwillnotleaveyouheretodiealone,”hetoldhim.“AllwillcallmeacowardifIdoso.No.Iloveyou—andIfearwhatmenmaysay.”

“Igavemysistertoyoutoprotect,”Orestessaid.“Electraisyourwife.Youcannotabandonher.Asforme—itisnomisfortuneformetodie.”Astheyspoketoeachotherinhurriedwhispers,Iphigeniaenteredwithaletterin

herhand.“IwillpersuadetheKing.Hewillletmymessengergo,Iamsure.Butfirst—”sheturnedtoPylades—“Iwilltellyouwhatisinthelettersothatevenifthroughsomemischanceyouloseyourbelongings,youwillcarrymymessageinyourmemoryandbearittomyfriends.”

“Agoodplan,”Pyladessaid.“TowhomamItobearit?”“ToOrestes,”Iphigeniasaid.“Agamemnon’sson.”Shewaslookingaway,herthoughtswereinMycenae.Shedidnotseethe

startledgazethetwomenfixedonher.“Youmustsaytohim,”shewenton,“thatshewhowassacrificedatAulis

sendsthismessage.Sheisnotdead—”“Canthedeadreturntolife?”Orestescried.“Bestill,”Iphigeniasaidwithanger.“Thetimeisshort.Saytohim,

‘Brother,bringmebackhome.Freemefromthismurderouspriesthood,thisbarbarousland.’Markwell,youngman,thenameisOrestes.”

“OhGod,God,”Orestesgroaned.“Itisnotcredible.”“Iamspeakingtoyou,nottohim,”IphigeniasaidtoPylades.“Youwill

rememberthename?”“Yes,”Pyladesanswered,“butitwillnottakemelongtodeliveryour

message.Orestes,hereisaletter.Ibringitfromyoursister.”“AndIacceptit,”Orestessaid,“withahappinesswordscannotutter.”ThenextmomentheheldIphigeniainhisarms.Butshefreedherself.“Idonotknow,”shecried.“HowcanIknow?Whatproofisthere?”“Doyourememberthelastbitofembroideryyoudidbeforeyouwentto

Aulis?”Orestesasked.“Iwilldescribeittoyou.Doyourememberyourchamberinthepalace?Iwilltellyouwhatwasthere.”

Heconvincedherandshethrewherselfintohisarms.Shesobbedout,“Dearest!Youaremydearest,mydarling,mydearone.Ababy,alittlebaby,whenIleftyou.Morethanmarvelousisthisthingthathascometome.”

“Poorgirl,”Orestessaid,“matedtosorrow,asIhavebeen.Andyoumighthavekilledyourownbrother.”

“Oh,horrible,”Iphigeniacried.“ButIhavebroughtmyselftodohorriblethings.Thesehandsmighthaveslainyou.Andevennow—howcanIsaveyou?Whatgod,whatman,willhelpus?”Pyladeshadbeenwaitinginsilence,sympathetic,butimpatient.Hethoughtthehourforactionhademphaticallyarrived.“Wecantalk,”heremindedthebrotherandsister,“whenonceweareoutofthisdreadfulplace.”

“SupposewekilltheKing,”Orestesproposedeagerly,butIphigeniarejectedtheideawithindignation.KingThoashadbeenkindtoher.Shewouldnotharmhim.Atthatmomentaplanflashedintohermind,perfect,downtothelastdetail.Hurriedlysheexplaineditandtheyoungmenagreed

atonce.Allthreethenenteredthetemple.AfterafewmomentsIphigeniacameoutbearinganimageinherarms.A

manwasjuststeppingacrossthethresholdofthetempleenclosure.Iphigeniacriedout,“OKing,halt.Staywhereyouare.”Inastonishmentheaskedherwhatwashappening.Shetoldhimthatthetwomenhehadsentherforthegoddesswerenotpure.Theyweretainted,vile;theyhadkilledtheirmother,andArtemiswasangry.

“Iamtakingtheimagetotheseashoretopurifyit,”shesaid.“AndtheretooIwillcleansethemenfromtheirpollution.Onlyafterthatcanthesacrificebemade.AllthatIdomustbedoneinsolitude.Letthecaptivesbebroughtforthandproclaimtothecitythatnoonemaydrawneartome.”

“Doasyouwish,”Thoasanswered,“andtakeallthetimeyouneed.”Hewatchedtheprocessionmoveoff,Iphigenialeadingwiththeimage,OrestesandPyladesfollowing,andattendantscarryingvesselsforthepurifyingrite.Iphigeniawasprayingaloud:“MaidenandQueen,daughterofZeusandLeto,youshalldwellwherepurityis,andweshallbehappy.”TheypassedoutofsightontheirwaytotheinletwhereOrestes’shiplay.ItseemedasifIphigenia’splancouldnotfail.

Andyetitdid.ShewasableindeedtomaketheattendantsleaveheralonewithherbrotherandPyladesbeforetheyreachedthesea.Theystoodinaweofherandtheydidjustwhatshebadethem.Thenthethreemadeallhasteandboardedtheshipandthecrewpusheditoff.Butatthemouthoftheharborwhereitopenedouttotheseaaheavywindblowinglandwardstruckthemandtheycouldmakenoheadwayagainstit.Theyweredrivenbackinspiteofalltheycoulddo.Thevesselseemedrushingontherocks.Themenofthecountrybynowwerearousedtowhatwasbeingdone.Somewatchedtoseizetheshipwhenitwasstranded;othersranwiththenewstoKingThoas.Furiouswithanger,hewashurryingfromthetempletocaptureandputtodeaththeimpiousstrangersandthetreacherouspriestess,whensuddenlyabovehimintheairaradiantformappeared—manifestlyagoddess.TheKingstartedbackandawecheckedhissteps.

“Stop,OKing,”thePresencesaid.“IamAthena.Thisismywordtoyou.Lettheshipgo.EvennowPoseidoniscalmingthewindsandwavestogiveitsafepassage.Iphigeniaandtheothersareactingunderdivineguidance.Dismissyouranger.”

Thoasansweredsubmissively,“Whateverisyourpleasure,Goddess,shallbedone.”Andthewatchersontheshoresawthewindshift,thewavessubside,andtheGreekshipleavetheharbor,flyingunderfullsailtotheseabeyond.

CHAPTERII

TheRoyalHouseofThebes

ThestoryoftheThebanfamilyrivalsthatoftheHouseofAtreusinfameandforthesamereason.JustasthegreatestplaysofAeschylus,inthefifthcentury,areaboutAtreus’descendants,sothegreatestplaysofhiscontemporarySophoclesareaboutOedipusandhischildren.

CADMUSANDHISCHILDREN

ThetaleofCadmusandhisdaughtersisonlyaprologuetothegreaterstory.Itwaspopularinclassicaldays,andseveralwriterstolditinwholeorpart.IhavepreferredtheaccountofApollodorus,whowroteinthefirstorsecondcenturyA.D.Hetellsitsimplyandclearly.

WHENEuropawascarriedawaybythebull,herfathersentherbrotherstosearchforher,biddingthemnottoreturnuntiltheyhadfoundher.Oneofthem,Cadmus,insteadoflookingvaguelyhereandthere,wentverysensiblytoDelphitoaskApollowhereshewas.Thegodtoldhimnottotroublefurtheraboutherorhisfather’sdeterminationnottoreceivehimwithouther,buttofoundacityofhisown.HewouldcomeuponaheiferwhenheleftDelphi,Apollosaid;hewastofollowherandbuildhiscityatthespotwhereshelaydowntorest.InthiswayThebeswasfoundedandthecountryroundaboutgotthenameoftheheifer’sland,Boeotia.First,however,Cadmushadtofightandkillaterribledragonwhichguardedaspringnearbyandslewallhiscompanionswhentheywenttogetwater.Alonehecouldneverhavebuiltthecity,butwhenthedragonwasdeadAthenaappearedtohimandtoldhimtosowtheearthwiththedragon’steeth.Heobeyedwithnoideawhatwastohappen,andtohisterrorsawarmedmenspringupfromthefurrows.However,theypaidnoattentiontohim,butturneduponeachotheruntilallwerekilledexceptfivewhomCadmusinducedtobecomehishelpers.

WiththeaidofthefiveCadmusmadeThebesagloriouscityandruledoveritingreatprosperityandwithgreatwisdom.HerodotussaysthatheintroducedthealphabetintoGreece.HiswifewasHarmonia,thedaughterofAresandAphrodite.ThegodsgracedtheirmarriagewiththeirpresenceandAphroditegaveHarmoniaawondrousnecklacewhichhadbeenmadebyHephaestus,theworkmanofOlympus,butwhichforallitsdivineoriginwas

tobringdisasterinalatergeneration.Theyhadfourdaughtersandoneson,andtheylearnedthroughtheir

childrenthatthewindofthegods’favorneverblowssteadilyforlong.Alloftheirdaughterswerevisitedbygreatmisfortunes.OneofthemwasSemele,motherofDionysus,whoperishedbeforetheunveiledgloryofZeus.Inowasanother.ShewasthewickedstepmotherofPhrixus,theboywhowassavedfromdeathbytheramoftheGoldenFleece.Herhusbandwasstruckwithmadnessandkilledtheirson,Melicertes.Withhisdeadbodyinherarmssheleapedintothesea.Thegodssavedthemboth,however.Shebecameasea-goddess,theonewhosavedOdysseusfromdrowningwhenhisraftwasshattered,andhersonbecameasea-god.IntheOdysseysheisstillcalledIno,butlaterhernamewaschangedtoLeucotheaandhersonwascalledPalaemon.LikehersisterSemeleshewasfortunateintheend.Thetwootherswerenot.Bothsufferedthroughtheirsons.Agavewasthemostwretchedofallmothers,drivenmadbyDionysussothatshebelievedhersonPentheuswasalionandkilledhimwithherownhands.Autonoe’ssonwasActaeon,agreathunter.AutonoewaslesswretchedthanAgave,inthatshedidnotherselfkillherson,butshehadtoendurehisdyingaterribledeathinthestrengthofhisyoungmanhood,adeath,too,completelyundeserved;hehaddonenowrong.

Hewasouthuntingandhotandthirstyenteredagrottowherealittlestreamwidenedintoapool.Hewantedonlytocoolhimselfinthecrystalwater.ButallunknowinghehadchanceduponthefavoritebathingplaceofArtemis—andattheverymomentwhenthegoddesshadletfallhergarmentsandstoodinhernakedbeautyonthewater’sedge.Theoffendeddivinitygavenotathoughttowhethertheyouthhadpurposelyinsultedherorhadcomethereinallinnocence.Sheflungintohisfacedropsfromherwethandandastheyfelluponhimhewaschangedintoastag.Notonlyoutwardly.Hisheartbecameadeer’sheartandhewhohadneverknownfearbeforewasafraidandfled.Hisdogssawhimrunningandchasedhim.Evenhisagonyofterrorcouldnotmakehimswiftenoughtooutstripthekeen-scentedpack.Theyfelluponhim,hisownfaithfulhounds,andkilledhim.

ThusgreatsorrowsfortheirchildrenandgrandchildrencameuponCadmusandHarmoniainoldageaftergreatprosperity.AfterPentheusdiedtheyfledfromThebesasiftryingtofleealsofrommisfortune.Butmisfortunefollowedthem.Whentheyreachedfar-distantIllyriathegodschangedthemintoserpents,notasapunishment,fortheyhaddonenowrong.Theirfateindeedwasaproofthatsufferingwasnotapunishmentforwrongdoing;theinnocentsufferedasoftenastheguilty.

Ofallthatunfortunateracenoonewasmoreinnocentofwrongdoingthan

Oedipus,agreat-great-grandsonofCadmus,andnoonesufferedsogreatly.

OEDIPUS

IhavetakenthisstoryentirelyfromSophocles’playofthatnameexceptfortheriddleoftheSphinxwhichSophoclesmerelyalludesto.Itisgivenbymanywriters,alwaysinsubstantiallythesameform.

KingLaiusofThebeswasthethirdindescentfromCadmus.Hemarriedadistantcousin,Jocasta.WiththeirreignApollo’soracleatDelphibegantoplayaleadingpartinthefamily’sfortunes.

ApollowastheGodofTruth.WhateverthepriestessatDelphisaidwouldhappeninfalliblycametopass.Toattempttoactinsuchawaythattheprophecywouldbemadevoidwasasfutileastosetoneselfagainstthedecreesoffate.Nevertheless,whentheoraclewarnedLaiusthathewoulddieatthehandsofhissonhedeterminedthatthisshouldnotbe.Whenthechildwasbornhebounditsfeettogetherandhaditexposedonalonelymountainwhereitmustsoondie.Hefeltnomorefear;hewassurethatonthispointhecouldforetellthefuturebetterthanthegod.Hisfollywasnotbroughthometohim.Hewaskilled,indeed,buthethoughtthemanwhoattackedhimwasastranger.HeneverknewthatinhisdeathhehadprovedApollo’struth.

Whenhediedhewasawayfromhomeandmanyyearshadpassedsincethebabyhadbeenleftonthemountain.Itwasreportedthatabandofrobbershadslainhimtogetherwithhisattendants,allexceptone,whobroughtthenewshome.ThematterwasnotcarefullyinvestigatedbecauseThebeswasinsorestraitsatthetime.Thecountryaroundwasbesetbyafrightfulmonster,theSphinx,acreatureshapedlikeawingedlion,butwiththebreastandfaceofawoman.Shelayinwaitforthewayfarersalongtheroadstothecityandwhomeversheseizedsheputariddleto,tellinghimifhecouldanswerit,shewouldlethimgo.Noonecould,andthehorriblecreaturedevouredmanaftermanuntilthecitywasinastateofsiege.ThesevengreatgateswhichweretheThebans’prideremainedclosed,andfaminedrewneartothecitizens.

Somattersstoodwhentherecameintothestrickencountryastranger,amanofgreatcourageandgreatintelligence,whosenamewasOedipus.Hehadlefthishome,Corinth,wherehewasheldtobethesonoftheKing,Polybus,andthereasonforhisself-exilewasanotherDelphicoracle.Apollohaddeclaredthathewasfatedtokillhisfather.He,too,likeLaius,thoughttomakeitimpossiblefortheoracletocometrue;heresolvednevertoseePolybusagain.InhislonelywanderingshecameintothecountryaroundThebesandheheardwhatwashappeningthere.Hewasahomeless,

friendlessmantowhomlifemeantlittleandhedeterminedtoseektheSphinxoutandtrytosolvetheriddle.“Whatcreature,”theSphinxaskedhim,“goesonfourfeetinthemorning,ontwoatnoonday,onthreeintheevening?”“Man,”answeredOedipus.“Inchildhoodhecreepsonhandsandfeet;inmanhoodhewalkserect;inoldagehehelpshimselfwithastaff.”Itwastherightanswer.TheSphinx,inexplicably,butmostfortunately,killedherself;theThebansweresaved.Oedipusgainedallandmorethanhehadleft.ThegratefulcitizensmadehimtheirKingandhemarriedthedeadKing’swife,Jocasta.Formanyyearstheylivedhappily.ItseemedthatinthiscaseApollo’swordshadbeenprovedtobefalse.

ButwhentheirtwosonshadgrowntomanhoodThebeswasvisitedbyaterribleplague.Ablightfelluponeverything.Notonlyweremendyingthroughoutthecountry,theflocksandherdsandthefruitsofthefieldwereblastedaswell.Thosewhowerespareddeathbydiseasefaceddeathbyfamine.NoonesufferedmorethanOedipus.Heregardedhimselfasthefatherofthewholestate;thepeopleinitwerehischildren;themiseryofeachonewashistoo.HedispatchedJocasta’sbrotherCreontoDelphitoimplorethegod’shelp.

Creonreturnedwithgoodnews.Apollohaddeclaredthattheplaguewouldbestayedupononecondition:whoeverhadmurderedKingLaiusmustbepunished.Oedipuswasenormouslyrelieved.Surelythemenorthemancouldbefoundevenafteralltheseyears,andtheywouldknowwellhowtopunishhim.HeproclaimedtothepeoplegatheredtohearthemessageCreonbroughtback:—

…LetnooneofthislandGivesheltertohim.Barhimfromyourhomes,Asonedefiled,companionedbypollution.AndsolemnlyIpray,mayhewhokilledWearouthislifeinevil,beingevil.

OedipusandtheSphinx

Oedipustookthematterinhandwithenergy.HesentforTeiresias,theoldblindprophet,themostreveredofThebans.Hadheanymeansoffindingout,heaskedhim,whotheguiltywere?Tohisamazementandindignationtheseeratfirstrefusedtoanswer.“FortheloveofGod,”Oedipusimploredhim.“Ifyouhaveknowledge—”“Fools,”Teiresiassaid.“Foolsallofyou.Iwillnotanswer.”ButwhenOedipuswentsofarastoaccusehimofkeepingsilencebecausehehadhimselftakenpartinthemurder,theprophetinhisturnwasangeredandwordshehadmeantnevertospeakfellheavilyfromhislips:“Youareyourselfthemurdereryouseek.”ToOedipustheoldman’smindwaswandering;whathesaidwassheermadness.Heorderedhimoutofhissightandneveragaintoappearbeforehim.

Jocastatootreatedtheassertionwithscorn.“Neitherprophetsnororacleshaveanyknowledge,”shesaid.ShetoldherhusbandhowthepriestessatDelphihadprophesiedthatLaiusshoulddieatthehandofhissonandhowheandshetogetherhadseentoitthatthisshouldnothappenbyhavingthechildkilled.“AndLaiuswasmurderedbyrobbers,wherethreeroadsmeetonthewaytoDelphi,”sheconcludedtriumphantly.Oedipusgaveherastrangelook.“Whendidthishappen?”heaskedslowly.“JustbeforeyoucametoThebes,”shesaid.

“Howmanywerewithhim?”Oedipusasked.“Theywerefiveinall,”Jocastaspokequickly,“allkilledbutone.”“Imustseethatman,”hetoldher.“Sendforhim.”“Iwill,”shesaid.“Atonce.ButIhavearighttoknowwhatisinyourmind.”“YoushallknowallthatIknow,”heanswered.“IwenttoDelphijustbeforeIcameherebecauseamanhadflungitinmyfacethatIwasnotthesonofPolybus.Iwenttoaskthegod.Hedidnotanswerme,buthetoldmehorriblethings—thatIshouldkillmyfather,marrymymother,andhavechildrenmenwouldshuddertolookupon.IneverwentbacktoCorinth.OnmywayfromDelphi,ataplacewherethreeroadsmet,Icameuponamanwithfourattendants.Hetriedtoforcemefromthepath;hestruckmewithhisstick.AngeredIfelluponthemandIkilledthem.CoulditbetheleaderwasLaius?”“Theonemanleftalivebroughtbackataleofrobbers,”Jocastasaid.“Laiuswaskilledbyrobbers,notbyhisson—thepoorinnocentwhodieduponthemountain.”

AstheytalkedafurtherproofseemedgiventhemthatApollocouldspeakfalsely.AmessengercamefromCorinthtoannouncetoOedipusthedeathofPolybus.“Ooracleofthegod,”Jocastacried,“whereareyounow?Themandied,butnotbyhisson’shand.”Themessengersmiledwisely.“DidthefearofkillingyourfatherdriveyoufromCorinth?”heasked.“Ah,King,youwereinerror.Youneverhadreasontofear—foryouwerenotthesonofPolybus.Hebroughtyouupasthoughyouwerehis,buthetookyoufrommy

hands.”“Wheredidyougetme?”Oedipusasked.“Whoweremyfatherandmother?”“Iknownothingofthem,”themessengersaid.“Awanderingshepherdgaveyoutome,aservantofLaius.”

Jocastaturnedwhite;alookofhorrorwasonherface.“Whywasteathoughtuponwhatsuchafellowsays?”shecried.“Nothinghesayscanmatter.”Shespokehurriedly,yetfiercely.Oedipuscouldnotunderstandher.“Mybirthdoesnotmatter?”heasked.“ForGod’ssake,gonofurther,”shesaid.“Mymiseryisenough.”Shebrokeawayandrushedintothepalace.

Atthatmomentanoldmanentered.Heandthemessengereyedeachothercuriously.“Theveryman,OKing,”themessengercried.“Theshepherdwhogaveyoutome.”“Andyou,”Oedipusaskedtheother,“doyouknowhimasheknowsyou?”Theoldmandidnotanswer,butthemessengerinsisted.“Youmustremember.Yougavemeoncealittlechildyouhadfound—andtheKinghereisthatchild.”“Curseyou,”theothermuttered.“Holdyourtongue.”“What!”Oedipussaidangrily.“YouwouldconspirewithhimtohidefrommewhatIdesiretoknow?Thereareways,besure,tomakeyouspeak.”

Theoldmanwailed,“Oh,donothurtme.Ididgivehimthechild,butdonotaskmore,master,fortheloveofGod.”“IfIhavetoorderyouasecondtimetotellmewhereyougothim,youarelost,”Oedipussaid.“Askyourlady,”theoldmancried.“Shecantellyoubest.”“Shegavehimtoyou?”askedOedipus.“Oh,yes,oh,yes,”theothergroaned.“Iwastokillthechild.Therewasaprophecy—”“Aprophecy!”Oedipusrepeated.“Thatheshouldkillhisfather?”“Yes,”theoldmanwhispered.

AcryofagonycamefromtheKing.Atlastheunderstood.“Alltrue!Nowshallmylightbechangedtodarkness.Iamaccursed.”Hehadmurderedhisfather,hehadmarriedhisfather’swife,hisownmother.Therewasnohelpforhim,forher,fortheirchildren.Allwereaccursed.

WithinthepalaceOedipuswildlysoughtforhiswifethatwashismother.Hefoundherinherchamber.Shewasdead.Whenthetruthbrokeuponhershehadkilledherself.Standingbesideherhetooturnedhishandagainsthimself,butnottoendhislife.Hechangedhislighttodarkness.Heputouthiseyes.Theblackworldofblindnesswasarefuge;bettertobetherethantoseewithstrangeshamedeyestheoldworldthathadbeensobright.

ANTIGONE

IhavetakenthisstoryfromtheAntigoneandtheOedipusatColonus,twoofSophocles’plays,withtheexceptionofthedeathofMenoeceus,whichistoldinaplayofEuripides,TheSuppliants.

AfterJocasta’sdeathandalltheevilsthatcamewithit,OedipuslivedoninThebeswhilehischildrenweregrowingup.Hehadtwosons,PolyneicesandEteocles,andtwodaughters,AntigoneandIsmene.Theywereveryunfortunateyoungpeople,buttheywerefarfrombeingmonstersallwouldshuddertolookat,astheoraclehadtoldOedipus.ThetwoladswerewelllikedbytheThebansandthetwogirlswereasgooddaughtersasamancouldhave.

Oedipusofcourseresignedthethrone.Polyneices,theelderson,didthesame.TheThebansfeltthatthiswaswisebecauseoftheterriblepositionofthefamily,andtheyacceptedCreon,Jocasta’sbrother,astheregent.FormanyyearstheytreatedOedipuswithkindness,butatlasttheydecidedtoexpelhimfromthecity.Whatinducedthemtodothisisnotknown,butCreonurgeditandOedipus’sonsconsentedtoit.TheonlyfriendsOedipushadwerehisdaughters.Throughallhismisfortunestheywerefaithfultohim.WhenhewasdrivenoutofthecityAntigonewentwithhimtoguidehiminhisblindnessandcareforhim,andIsmenestayedinThebestolookoutforhisinterestsandkeephiminformedofwhateverhappenedthattouchedhim.

Afterhehadgonehistwosonsassertedtheirrighttothethrone,andeachtriedtobemadeking.Eteoclessucceededalthoughhewastheyounger,andheexpelledhisbrotherfromThebes.PolyneicestookrefugeinArgosanddidallhecouldtoarouseenmityagainstThebes.Hisintentionwastocollectanarmytomarchagainstthecity.

InthecourseoftheirdesolatewanderingsOedipusandAntigonecametoColonus,alovelyspotnearAthens,wheretheone-timeErinyes,theFuries,nowtheBenignantGoddesses,hadaplacesacredtothemandthereforearefugeforsuppliants.Theblindoldmanandhisdaughterfeltsafethere,andthereOedipusdied.Mostunhappyinmuchofhislife,hewashappyattheend.Theoraclewhichoncehadspokenterriblewordstohimcomfortedhimwhenhewasdying.Apollopromisedthathe,thedisgraced,thehomelesswanderer,wouldbringtotheplacewherehisgraveshouldbeamysteriousblessingfromthegods.Theseus,theKingofAthens,receivedhimwithallhonor,andtheoldmandiedrejoicingthathewasnolongerhatefultomen,butwelcomedasabenefactortothelandthatharboredhim.

Ismene,whohadcometotellherfatherthegoodnewsofthisoracle,waswithhersisterwhenhediedandafterwardtheywerebothsentsafelyhomebyTheseus.Theyarrivedtofindonebrothermarchingagainsttheircity,resolvedtocaptureit,andtheotherdeterminedtodefendittotheend.Polyneices,theonewhoattackedit,hadthebetterrighttoit,buttheyounger,Eteocles,wasfightingforThebes,tosaveherfromcapture.Itwasimpossibleforthetwosisterstotakesidesagainsteitherbrother.

Polyneiceshadbeenjoinedbysixchieftains,oneofthemtheKingofArgos,Adrastus,andanotherAdrastus’brother-in-law,Amphiaraus.ThislastjoinedtheenterprisemostunwillinglybecausehewasaprophetandheknewthatnoneofthesevenwouldcomebackaliveexceptAdrastus.However,hewasunderoathtolethiswifeEriphyledecidewhenevertherewasadisputebetweenhimandherbrother.HehadswornthisoncewhenheandAdrastushadquarreledandEriphylehadreconciledthem.PolyneiceswonherovertohissidebybribingherwiththewonderfulnecklacethathadbeentheweddinggiftofhisancestressHarmonia,andshemadeherhusbandgotothewar.

ThereweresevenchampionstoattackthesevengatesofThebes,andsevenotherswithinasboldtodefendthem.EteoclesdefendedthegatewhichPolyneicesattacked,andAntigoneandIsmenewithinthepalacewaitedtohearwhichhadkilledtheother.Butbeforeanydecisivecombathadtakenplace,ayouthinThebesnotyetgrowntomanhoodhaddiedforhiscountryandinhisdeathhadshownhimselfthenoblestofall.ThiswasCreon’syoungerson,Menoeceus.

Teiresias,theprophetwhohadbroughtsomanydistressfulpropheciestotheroyalfamily,cametobringstillanother.HetoldCreonthatThebeswouldbesavedonlyifMenoeceuswaskilled.Thefatherutterlyrefusedtobringthisabout.Hewouldbewillingtodiehimself,hesaid—“ButnotevenformyowncitywillIslaymyson.”Hebadetheboy,whowaspresentwhenTeiresiasspoke,“Up,mychild,andflywithallspeedfromthelandbeforethecitylearns.”“Where,Father?”askedthelad.“Whatcityseek—whatfriend?”“Far,faraway,”thefatheranswered.“Iwillfindmeans—Iwillfindgold.”“Gogetitthen,”saidMenoeceus,butwhenCreonhadhurriedawayhespokeotherwords:—

Myfather—hewouldrobourtownofhope,Makemeacoward.Ahwell—heisoldAndsotobeforgiven.ButIamyoung.IfIbetrayThebesthereisnoforgiveness.HowcanhethinkIwillnotsavethecityAndforhersakegoforthtomeetmydeath?WhatwouldmylifebeifIfledawayWhenIcanfreemycountry?

Hewenttojointhebattleand,allunskilledinwarfare,hewaskilledatonce.Neitherthebesiegersnorthebesiegedcouldgainanyrealadvantageand

finallybothsidesagreedtoletthematterbedecidedbyacombatbetweenthebrothers.IfEteocleswasthevictor,theArgiveArmywouldwithdraw;ifEteocleswasconquered,Polyneicesshouldbeking.Neitherwasvictor;they

killedeachother,Eteoclesdyinglookeduponhisbrotherandwept;hehadnostrengthtospeak.Polyneicescouldmurmurafewwords:“Mybrother,myenemy,butloved,alwaysloved.Burymeinmyhomeland—tohavesomuchatleastofmycity.”

Thecombathaddecidednothingandthebattlewasrenewed.ButMenoeceushadnotdiedinvain;intheendtheThebansprevailedandofthesevenchampionsallwerekilledexceptAdrastusonly.HefledwiththebrokenArmytoAthens.InThebes,Creonwasincontrolandheproclaimedthatnoneofthosewhohadfoughtagainstthecityshouldbegivenburial.Eteoclesshouldbehonoredwitheveryritethatthenoblestreceivedatdeath,butPolyneicesshouldbeleftforbeastsandbirdstotearanddevour.Thiswastocarryvengeancebeyondtheordinanceofthegods,beyondthelawofright;itwastopunishthedead.Thesoulsoftheunburiedmightnotpasstheriverthatencirclesthekingdomofdeath,butmustwanderindesolation,withnoabiding-place,noresteverfortheirweariness.Toburythedeadwasamostsacredduty,notonlytoburyone’sown,butanystrangeronemightcomeupon.Butthisduty,Creon’sproclamationsaid,waschangedinthecauseofPolyneicestoacrime.Hewhoburiedhimwouldbeputtodeath.

AntigoneandIsmeneheardwithhorrorwhatCreonhaddecided.ToIsmene,shockingasitwas,overwhelmingherwithanguishforthepitifuldeadbodyandthelonely,homelesssoul,itseemed,nevertheless,thatnothingcouldbedoneexcepttoacquiesce.SheandAntigonewereutterlyalone.AllThebeswasexultingthatthemanwhohadbroughtwaruponthemshouldbethusterriblypunished.“Wearewomen,”shetoldhersister.“Wemustobey.WehavenostrengthtodefytheState.”“Chooseyourownpart,”Antigonesaid.“IgotoburythebrotherIlove.”“Youarenotstrongenough,”Ismenecried.“Why,thenwhenmystrengthfails,”Antigoneanswered,“Iwillgiveup.”Shelefthersister;Ismenedarednotfollowher.

Somehourslater,Creoninthepalacewasstartledbyashout,“AgainstyourordersPolyneiceshasbeenburied.”HehurriedouttobeconfrontedwiththeguardshehadsetonthedeadbodyandwithAntigone.“Thisgirlburiedhim,”theycried.“Wesawher.Athickdust-stormgaveherherchance.Whenitcleared,thebodyhadbeenburiedandthegirlwasmakinganofferingtothedead.”“Youknewmyedict?”Creonasked.“Yes,”Antigonereplied.“Andyoutransgressedthelaw?”“Yourlaw,butnotthelawofJusticewhodwellswiththegods,”Antigonesaid.“Theunwrittenlawsofheavenarenotoftodaynoryesterday,butfromalltime.”

Ismeneweepingcamefromthepalacetostandwithhersister.“Ihelpeddoit,”shesaid.ButAntigonewouldnothavethat.“Shehadnoshareinit,”shetoldCreon.Andshebadehersistersaynomore.“Yourchoicewasto

live,”shesaid,“minetodie.”Asshewasledawaytodeath,shespoketotheby-standers:—

…Beholdme,whatIsufferBecauseIhaveupheldthatwhichishigh.

Ismenedisappears.Thereisnostory,nopoem,abouther.TheHouseofOedipus,thelastoftheroyalfamilyofThebes,wasknownnomore.

THESEVENAGAINSTTHEBES

Twogreatwriterstoldthisstory.ItisthesubjectofoneofAeschylus’playsandoneofEuripides’.IhavechosenEuripides’versionwhich,assooftenwithhim,reflectsremarkablyourownpointofview.Aeschylustellsthetalesplendidly,butinhishandsitisastirringmartialpoem.Euripides’play,TheSuppliants,showshismodernmindbetterthananyofhisotherplays.

Polyneiceshadbeengivenburialatthepriceofhissister’slife;hissoulwasfreetobeferriedacrosstheriverandfindahomeamongthedead.ButfiveofthechieftainswhohadmarchedwithhimtoThebeslayunburied,andaccordingtoCreon’sdecreewouldbeleftsoforever.

Adrastus,theonlyonealiveofthesevenwhohadstartedthewar,cametoTheseus,KingofAthens,tobeseechhimtoinducetheThebanstoallowthebodiestobeburied.Withhimwerethemothersandthesonsofthedeadmen.“Allweseek,”hetoldTheseus,“isburialforourdead.Wecometoyouforhelp,becauseAthensofallcitiesiscompassionate.”

“Iwillnotbeyourally,”Theseusanswered.“YouledyourpeopleagainstThebes.Thewarwasofyourdoing,nothers.”

ButAethra,Theseus’mother,towhomthoseothersorrowingmothershadfirstturned,wasboldtointerruptthetwoKings.“Myson,”shesaid,“mayIspeakforyourhonorandforAthens?”

“Yes,speak,”heansweredandlistenedintentlywhileshetoldhimwhatwasinhermind.

“Youareboundtodefendallwhoarewronged,”shesaid.“Thesemenofviolencewhorefusethedeadtheirrightofburial,youareboundtocompelthemtoobeythelaw.ItissacredthroughallGreece.Whatholdsourstatestogetherandallstateseverywhere,exceptthis,thateachonehonorsthegreatlawsofright?”

“Mother,”Theseuscried,“thesearetruewords.YetofmyselfIcannotdecidethematter.ForIhavemadethislandafreestatewithanequalvoteforall.Ifthecitizensconsent,thenIwillgotoThebes.”

Thepoorwomenwaited,Aethrawiththem,whilehewenttosummontheassemblywhichwoulddecidethemiseryorhappinessoftheirdeadchildren.Theyprayed:“OcityofAthena,helpus,sothatthelawsofjusticeshallnotbedefiledandthroughalllandsthehelplessandoppressedshallbedelivered.”WhenTheseusreturnedhebroughtgoodnews.TheassemblyhadvotedtotelltheThebansthatAthenswishedtobeagoodneighbor,butthatshecouldnotstandbyandseeagreatwrongdone.“Yieldtoourrequest,”theywouldaskThebes.“Wewantonlywhatisright.Butifyouwillnot,thenyouchoosewar,forwemustfighttodefendthosewhoaredefenseless.”

Beforehefinishedspeakingaheraldentered.Heasked“Whoisthemasterhere,thelordofAthens?IbringamessagetohimfromthemasterofThebes.”

“Youseekonewhodoesnotexist,”Theseusanswered.“Thereisnomasterhere.Athensisfree.Herpeoplerule.”

“ThatiswellforThebes,”theheraldcried.“Ourcityisnotgovernedbyamobwhichtwiststhiswayandthat,butbyoneman.Howcantheignorantcrowdwiselydirectanation’scourse?”

“WeinAthens,”Theseussaid,“writeourownlawsandthenareruledbythem.Weholdthereisnoworseenemytoastatethanhewhokeepsthelawinhisownhands.Thisgreatadvantagethenisours,thatourlandrejoicesinallhersonswhoarestrongandpowerfulbyreasonoftheirwisdomandjustdealing.Buttoatyrantsucharehateful.Hekillsthem,fearingtheywillshakehispower.

“GobacktoThebesandtellherweknowhowmuchbetterpeaceisformenthanwar.Foolsrushonwartomakeaweakercountrytheirslave.Wewouldnotharmyourstate.Weseekthedeadonly,toreturntoearththebody,ofwhichnomanistheowner,butonlyforabriefmomenttheguest.Dustmustreturntodustagain.”

CreonwouldnotlistentoTheseus’plea,andtheAtheniansmarchedagainstThebes.Theyconquered.Thepanic-strickenpeopleinthetownthoughtonlythattheywouldbekilledorenslavedandtheircityruined.ButalthoughthewaylaycleartothevictoriousAthenianArmy,Theseusheldthemback.“Wecamenottodestroythetown,”hesaid,“butonlytoreclaimthedead.”“AndourKing,”saidthemessengerwhobroughtthenewstotheanxiouslywaitingpeopleofAthens,“Theseushimself,madereadyforthegravethosefivepoorbodies,washedthemandcoveredthemandsetthemonabier.”

Somemeasureofcomfortcametothesorrowfulmothersastheirsonswerelaiduponthefuneralpyrewithallreverenceandhonor.Adrastusspokethelastwordsforeach:“Capaneuslieshere,amightymanofwealth,yethumbleasapoormanalwaysandatruefriendtoall.Heknewnoguile;uponhislipswerekindwordsonly.Eteoclesisnext,poorineverythingsavehonor.Therehewasrichindeed.Whenmenwouldgivehimgoldhewouldnottakeit.Hewouldnotbeaslavetowealth.BesidehimHippomedonlies.Hewasamanwhosufferedhardshipgladly,ahunterandasoldier.Fromboyhoodhedisdainedaneasylife.Atalanta’ssonisnext,Parthenopaeus,ofmanyaman,ofmanyawomanloved,andonewhoneverdidawrongtoanyman.Hisjoywasinhiscountry’sgood,hisgriefwhenitwentillwithher.ThelastisTydeus,asilentman.Hecouldbestreasonwithhisswordandshield.Hissoulwaslofty;deeds,notwords,revealedhowhighitsoared.”

Asthepyrewaskindled,onarockyheightaboveitawomanappeared.ItwasEvadne,thewifeofCapaneus.Shecried,

Ihavefoundthelightofyourpyre,yourtomb.Iwillendtherethegriefandtheanguishoflife.Oh,sweetdeathtodiewiththedeardeadIlove.

Sheleapeddowntotheblazingpyreandwentwithherhusbandtotheworldbelow.

Peacecametothemothers,withtheknowledgethatatlasttheirchildren’sspiritswereatrest.Notsototheyoungsonsofthedeadmen.TheyvowedastheywatchedthepyreburnthatwhentheyweregrowntheywouldtakevengeanceuponThebes.“Ourfatherssleepinthetomb,butthewrongdonetothemcanneversleep,”theysaid.TenyearslatertheymarchedtoThebes.Theywerevictorious;theconqueredThebansfledandtheircitywasleveledtotheground.Teiresiastheprophetperishedduringtheflight.AllthatwasleftoftheoldThebeswasHarmonia’snecklace,whichwastakentoDelphiandforhundredsofyearsshowntothepilgrimsthere.Thesonsofthesevenchampions,althoughtheysucceededwheretheirfathersfailed,werealwayscalledtheEpigoni,“theAfter-Born,”asiftheyhadcomeintotheworldtoolate,afterallgreatdeedshadbeendone.ButwhenThebesfell,theGreekshipshadnotyetsailedtotheTrojanland;andthesonofTydeus,Diomedes,wastobefamedasoneofthemostgloriousofthewarriorswhofoughtbeforethewallsofTroy.

CHAPTERIII

TheRoyalHouseofAthens

IhavetakentheProcneandPhilomelastoryfromOvid.Hetellsitbetterthananyoneelse,butevensoheissometimesinconceivablybad.Hedescribesinfifteenlonglines(whichIomit)exactlyhowPhilomela’stonguewascutoutandwhatitlookedlikeasitlay“palpitating”ontheearthwhereTereushadflungit.TheGreekpoetswerenotgiventosuchdetails,buttheLatinhadnomannerofobjectiontothem.IhavefollowedOvid,too,forthemostpartinthestoriesofProcrisandOrithyia,takingafewdetailsfromApollodorus.ThetaleofCreüsaandIonisthesubjectofaplayofEuripides,oneofthemanyplaysinwhichhetriedtoshowtheAthenianswhatthegodsofthemythsreallywerewhenjudgedbytheordinaryhumanstandardsofmercy,honor,self-control.GreekmythologywasfullofstoriessuchasthatoftherapeofEuropa,inwhichneverasuggestionwasallowedthatthedeityinquestionhadactedsomewhatlessthandivinely.InhisversionofthestoryofCreüsaEuripidessaidtohisaudience,“LookatyourApollo,thesun-brightLordoftheLyre,thepureGodofTruth.Thisiswhathedid.Hebrutallyforcedahelplessyounggirlandthenheabandonedher.”TheendofGreekmythologywasathandwhensuchplaysdrewfullhousesinAthens.

THISfamilywasespeciallymarked,evenamongtheotherremarkablemythologicalfamilies,bytheverypeculiarhappeningswhichvisiteditsmembers.Thereisnothingstrangertoldinanystorythansomeoftheeventsintheirlives.

CECROPS

ThefirstKingofAtticawasnamedCecrops.Hehadnohumanancestorandhewashimselfonlyhalfhuman.

Cecrops,lordandhero,Bornofadragon,Dragon-shapedbelow.

HewasthepersonusuallyheldtoberesponsibleforAthena’sbecomingtheprotectorofAthens.Poseidon,too,wantedthecity,andtoshowhowgreatabenefactorhecouldbe,hestruckopentherockoftheAcropoliswithhistridentsothatsaltwaterleapedforthfromthecleftandsubsidedintoadeepwell.ButAthenadidstillbetter.Shemadeanolivetreegrowthere,themostprizedofallthetreesofGreece.

Thegray-gleamingoliveAthenashowedtomen,ThegloryofshiningAthens,Hercrownfromonhigh.

InreturnforthisgoodgiftCecrops,whohadbeenmadearbiter,decidedthatAthenswashers.Poseidonwasgreatlyangeredandpunishedthepeoplebysendingadisastrousflood.

Inonestoryofthiscontestbetweenthetwodeities,woman’ssuffrageplaysapart.Inthoseearlydays,wearetold,womenvotedaswellasmen.Allthewomenvotedforthegoddess,andallthemenforthegod.Therewasonemorewomanthanthereweremen,soAthenawon.Butthemen,alongwithPoseidon,weregreatlychagrinedatthisfemaletriumph;andwhilePoseidonproceededtofloodthelandthemendecidedtotakethevoteawayfromthewomen.Nevertheless,AthenakeptAthens.

MostwriterssaythattheseeventshappenedbeforetheDeluge,andthattheCecropswhobelongedtothefamousAthenianfamilywasnottheancienthalf-dragon,half-humancreaturebutanordinaryman,importantonlybecauseofhisrelatives.Hewasthesonofadistinguishedking,anephewoftwowell-knownmythologicalheroines,andthebrotherofthree.Aboveall,hewasthegreat-grandfatherofAthens’hero,Theseus.

Hisfather,KingErechtheusofAthens,wasusuallysaidtobethekinginwhosereignDemetercametoEleusisandagriculturebegan.Hehadtwosisters,ProcneandPhilomela,notedfortheirmisfortunes.Theirstorywastragicintheextreme.

PROCNEANDPHILOMELA

Procne,theelderofthetwo,wasmarriedtoTereusofThrace,asonofAres,whoprovedtohaveinheritedallhisfather’sdetestablequalities.Thetwohadason,Itys,andwhenhewasfiveyearsoldProcne,whohadallthiswhilebeenlivinginThraceseparatedfromherfamily,beggedTereustoletherinvitehersisterPhilomelatovisither.Heagreed,andsaidhewouldgoto

Athenshimselfandescorther.Butassoonasheseteyesonthegirlhefellinlovewithher.Shewasbeautifulasanymphoranaiad.Heeasilypersuadedherfathertoallowhertogobackwithhim,andsheherselfwashappybeyondwordsattheprospect.Allwentwellonthevoyage,butwhentheydisembarkedandstartedoverlandforthepalace,TereustoldPhilomelathathehadreceivednewsofProcne’sdeathandheforcedherintoapretendedmarriage.Withinaveryshorttime,however,shelearnedthetruth,andshewasill-advisedenoughtothreatenhim.Shewouldsurelyfindmeanstolettheworldknowwhathehaddone,shetoldhim,andhewouldbeanoutcastamongmen.Shearousedbothhisfuryandhisfear.Heseizedherandcutouthertongue.ThenheleftherinastronglyguardedplaceandwenttoProcnewithastorythatPhilomelahaddiedonthejourney.

Philomela’scaselookedhopeless.Shewasshutup;shecouldnotspeak;inthosedaystherewasnowriting.ItseemedthatTereuswassafe.However,althoughpeoplethencouldnotwrite,theycouldtellastorywithoutspeakingbecausetheyweremarvelouscraftsmen,suchashaveneverbeenknownsince.Asmithcouldmakeashieldwhichshowedonitssurfacealion-hunt,twolionsdevouringabullwhileherdsmenurgedtheirdogsontoattackthem.Orhecoulddepictaharvestscene,afieldwithreapersandsheaf-binders,andavineyardteemingwithclustersofgrapeswhichyouthsandmaidensgatheredintobasketswhileoneofthemplayedonashepherd’spipetocheertheirlabors.Thewomenwereequallyremarkableintheirkindofwork.Theycouldweave,intothelovelystuffstheymade,formssolifelikeanyonecouldseewhattaletheyillustrated.Philomelaaccordinglyturnedtoherloom.Shehadagreatermotivetomakeclearthestoryshewovethananyartisteverhad.Withinfinitepainsandsurpassingskillsheproducedawondroustapestryonwhichthewholeaccountofherwrongswasunfolded.ShegaveittotheoldwomanwhoattendedherandsignifiedthatitwasfortheQueen.

ProudofbearingsobeautifulagifttheagedcreaturecarriedittoProcne,whowasstillwearingdeepmourningforhersisterandwhosespiritwasasmournfulashergarments.Sheunrolledtheweb.ThereshesawPhilomela,herveryfaceandform,andTereusequallyunmistakable.Withhorrorshereadwhathadhappened,allasplaintoherasifinprint.Herdeepsenseofoutragehelpedhertoself-control.Herewasnoroomfortearsorforwords,either.Shebentherwholemindtodeliveringhersisteranddevisingafitpunishmentforherhusband.First,shemadeherwaytoPhilomela,doubtlessthroughtheoldwomanmessenger,andwhenshehadtoldher,whocouldnotspeakinreturn,thatsheknewall,shetookherbacktothepalace.TherewhilePhilomelawept,Procnethought.“Letusweephereafter,”shetoldhersister.“IampreparedforanydeedthatwillmakeTereuspayforwhathehasdone

toyou.”AtthismomentherlittlesonItys,ranintotheroomandsuddenlyasshelookedathimitseemedtoherthatshehatedhim.“Howlikeyourfatheryouare,”shesaidslowly,andwiththewordsherplanwascleartoher.Shekilledthechildwithonestrokeofthedagger.Shecutthelittledeadbodyup,putthelimbsinakettleoverthefire,andservedthemtoTereusthatnightforsupper.Shewatchedhimasheate;thenshetoldhimwhathehadfeastedon.

Inhisfirstsickeninghorrorhecouldnotmove,andthetwosisterswereabletoflee.NearDaulis,however,heovertookthem,andwasabouttokillthemwhensuddenlythegodsturnedthemintobirds,ProcneintoanightingaleandPhilomelaintoaswallow,which,becausehertonguewascutout,onlytwittersandcanneversing.Procne,

Thebirdwithwingsofbrown,Musicalnightingale,Mournsforever;OItys,child,Losttome,lost.

Ofallthebirdshersongissweetestbecauseitissaddest.Sheneverforgetsthesonshekilled.

ThewretchedTereustoowaschangedintoabird,anuglybirdwithahugebeak,saidsometimestobeahawk.

TheRomanwriterswhotoldthestorysomehowgotthesistersconfusedandsaidthatthetonguelessPhilomelawasthenightingale,whichwasobviouslyabsurd.ButsosheisalwayscalledinEnglishpoetry.

PROCRISANDCEPHALUS

ThenieceoftheseunfortunatewomenwasProcris,andshewasalmostasunfortunateasthey.ShewasmarriedveryhappilytoCephalus,agrandsonoftheKingoftheWinds,Aeolus;buttheyhadbeenmarriedonlyafewweekswhenCephaluswascarriedoffbynolessapersonagethanAuroraherself,theGoddessoftheDawn.Hewasaloverofthechaseandusedtoriseearlytotrackthedeer.SoithappenedthatmanyatimeasthedaybrokeDawnsawtheyounghunter,andfinallyshefellinlovewithhim.ButCephaluslovedProcris.Noteventheradiantgoddesscouldmakehimfaithless.Procrisalonewasinhisheart.Enragedatthisobstinatedevotionwhichnoneofherwilescouldweaken,Auroraatlastdismissedhimandtoldhimtogobacktohiswife,buttomakesurethatshehadbeenastruetohimduringhisabsenceashetoher.

ThismalicioussuggestiondroveCephalusmadwithjealousy.Hehadbeen

solongawayandProcriswassobeautiful….Hedecidedthathecouldneverrestsatisfiedunlessheprovedtohimselfbeyondalldoubtthatshelovedhimaloneandwouldnotyieldtoanyotherlover.Accordingly,hedisguisedhimself.SomesaythatAurorahelpedhim,butatallevents,thedisguisewassogoodthatwhenhewentbacktohishomenoonerecognizedhim.Itwascomfortingtoseethatthewholehouseholdwaslongingforhisreturn,buthispurposeheldfirm.WhenhewasadmittedtoProcris’presence,however,hermanifestgrief,hersadfaceandsubduedmanner,cameneartomakinghimgiveupthetesthehadplanned.Hedidnotdoso,however;hecouldnotforgetAurora’smockingwords.HebeganatoncetotrytogetProcristofallinlovewithhim,astranger,asshesupposedhimtobe.Hemadepassionatelovetoher,alwaysremindingher,too,thatherhusbandhadforsakenher.Neverthelessforalongtimehecouldnotmoveher.Toallhispleasshemadethesameanswer,“Ibelongtohim.WhereverheisIkeepmyloveforhim.”

Butonedaywhenhewaspouringoutpetitions,persuasions,promises,shehesitated.Shedidnotgivein;sheonlydidnotfirmlyopposehim,butthatwasenoughforCephalus.Hecriedout,“Ofalseandshamelesswoman,Iamyourhusband.Bymyownwitnessyouareatraitor.”Procrislookedathim.Thensheturnedandwithoutawordlefthimandthehouse,too.Herloveforhimseemedturnedintohate;sheloathedthewholeraceofmenandshewenttothemountainstolivealone.Cephalus,however,hadquicklycometohissensesandrealizedthepoorparthehadplayed.Hesearchedeverywhereforheruntilhefoundher.Thenhehumblybeggedherforgiveness.

Shecouldnotgiveittohimatonce,shehadresentedtoodeeplythedeceptionhehadpractiseduponher.Intheend,however,hewonherbackandtheyspentsomehappyyearstogether.Thenonedaytheywenthunting,astheyoftendid.ProcrishadgivenCephalusajavelinthatneverfailedtostrikewhatitwasaimedat.Thehusbandandwife,reachingthewoods,separatedinsearchofgame.Cephaluslookingkeenlyaroundsawsomethingmoveinthethicketaheadandthrewthejavelin.Itfoundthemark.Procriswasthereandshesanktothegrounddead,piercedtotheheart.

ORITHYIAANDBOREAS

OneofthesistersofProcriswasOrithyia.Boreas,theNorthWind,fellinlovewithher,butherfather,Erechtheus,andthepeopleofAthens,too,wereopposedtohissuit.BecauseofProcne’sandPhilomela’ssadfateandthefactthatthewickedTereuscamefromtheNorth,theyhadconceivedahatredforallwholivedthereandtheyrefusedtogivethemaidentoBoreas.ButtheywerefoolishtothinktheycouldkeepwhatthegreatNorthWindwanted.One

daywhenOrithyiawasplayingwithhersistersonthebankofariver,Boreassweptdowninagreatgustandcarriedheraway.Thetwosonssheborehim,ZetesandCalais,wentontheQuestoftheGoldenFleecewithJason.

OnceSocrates,thegreatAthenianteacher,wholivedhundredsofyears,thousands,perhaps,afterthemythologicalstorieswerefirsttold,wentonawalkwithayoungmanhewasfondofnamedPhaedrus.TheytalkedastheywanderedidlyonandPhaedrusasked,“IsnottheplacesomewherenearherewhereBoreasissaidtohavecarriedoffOrithyiafromthebanksoftheIlissus?”

“Thatisthestory,”Socratesanswered.“Doyousupposethisistheexactspot?”Phaedruswondered.“Thelittle

streamisdelightfullyclearandbright.Icanfancythattheremightbemaidensplayingnear.”

“Ibelieve,”repliedSocrates,“thespotisaboutaquarterofamilelowerdown,andthereis,Ithink,somesortofaltartoBoreasthere.”

“Tellme,Socrates,”saidPhaedrus.“Doyoubelievethestory?”“Thewisearedoubtful,”Socratesreturned,“andIshouldnotbesingular

ifItoodoubted.”ThisconversationtookplaceinthelastpartofthefifthcenturyB.C.The

oldstorieshadbegunbythentolosetheirholdonmen’sminds.

CREÜSAANDION

CreüsawasthesisterofProcrisandOrithyia,andshetoowasanunfortunatewoman.Onedaywhenshewashardlymorethanachildshewasgatheringcrocusesonacliffwheretherewasadeepcave.Herveil,whichshehadusedforabasket,wasfulloftheyellowbloomsandshehadturnedtogohomewhenshewascaughtupinthearmsofamanwhohadappearedfromnowhere,asiftheinvisiblehadsuddenlybecomevisible.Hewasdivinelybeautiful,butinheragonyofterrorshenevernoticedwhathewaslike.Shescreamedforhermother,buttherewasnohelpforher.HerabductorwasApollohimself.Hecarriedherofftothedarkcave.

Godthoughhewasshehatedhim,especiallywhenthetimecameforherchildtobebornandheshowedhernosign,gavehernoaid.Shedidnotdaretellherparents.Thefactthattheloverwasagodandcouldnotberesistedwas,asmanystoriesshow,notacceptedasanexcuse.Agirlraneveryriskofbeingkilledifsheconfessed.

WhenCreüsa’stimehadcomeshewentallalonetothatsamedarkcave,andtherehersonwasborn.There,too,shelefthimtodie.Later,drivenbyan

agonyoflongingtoknowwhathadhappenedtohim,shewentback.Thecavewasemptyandnobloodstainscouldbeseenanywhere.Thechildhadcertainlynotbeenkilledbyawildanimal.Also,whatwasverystrange,thesoftthingsshehadwrappedhimin,herveilandacloakwovenbyherownhands,weregone.Shewonderedfearfullyifagreateagleorvulturehadenteredandhadcarriedallawayinitscrueltalons,theclothingwiththebaby.Itseemedtheonlypossibleexplanation.

Afteratimeshewasmarried.KingErechtheus,herfather,rewardedwithherhandaforeignerwhohadhelpedhiminawar.Thisman,Xuthusbyname,wasaGreek,tobesure,buthedidnotbelongtoAthensortoAttica,andhewasconsideredastrangerandanalien,andassuchwassolookeddownonthatwhenheandCreüsahadnochildrentheAtheniansdidnotthinkitamisfortune.Xuthusdid,however.HemorethanCreüsapassionatelydesiredason.TheywentaccordinglytoDelphi,theGreeks’refugeintimeoftrouble,toaskthegodiftheycouldhopeforachild.

Creüsa,leavingherhusbandinthetownwithoneofthepriests,wentonuptothesanctuarybyherself.Shefoundintheoutercourtabeautifulladinpriestlyattireintentonpurifyingthesacredplacewithwaterfromagoldenvessel,singingasheworkedahymnofpraisetothegod.Helookedatthelovelystatelyladywithkindnessandsheathim,andtheybegantotalk.Hetoldherthathecouldseethatshewashighlybornandblessedbygoodfortune.Sheansweredbitterly,“Goodfortune!Say,rather,sorrowthatmakeslifeinsupportable.”Allhermiserywasinthewords,herterrorandherpainoflongago,hergriefforherchild,theburdenofthesecretshehadcarriedthroughtheyears.Butatthewonderintheboy’seyesshecollectedherselfandaskedhimwhohewas,soyoungandyetseeminglysodedicatedtothishighserviceinGreece’sholyofholies.HetoldherthathisnamewasIon,butthathedidnotknowwherehehadcomefrom.ThePythoness,Apollo’spriestessandprophetess,hadfoundhimonemorning,alittlebaby,lyingonthetemplestairway,andhadbroughthimupastenderlyasamother.Alwayshehadbeenhappy,workingjoyfullyinthetemple,proudtoservenotmen,butgods.

Heventuredthentoquestionher.Why,heaskedhergently,wasshesosad,hereyeswetwithtears?ThatwasnotthewaypilgrimstoDelphicame,butrejoicingtoapproachthepureshrineofApollo,theGodofTruth.

“Apollo!”Creüsasaid.“No!Idonotapproachhim.”Then,inanswertoIon’sstartledreproachfullook,shetoldhimthatshehadcomeonasecreterrandtoDelphi.Herhusbandwasheretoaskifhemighthopeforason,butherpurposewastofindoutwhathadbeenthefateofachildwhowasthesonof…Shefaltered,andwassilent.Thenshespokequickly,“…ofafriendof

mine,awretchedwomanwhomthisDelphicholygodofyourswronged.Andwhenthechildwasbornthatheforcedhertobear,sheabandonedit.Itmustbedead.Yearsagoithappened.Butshelongstobesure,andtoknowhowitdied.SoIamheretoaskApolloforher.”

Ionwashorrifiedattheaccusationshebroughtagainsthislordandmaster.“Itisnottrue,”hesaidhotly.“Itwassomeman,andsheexcusedhershamebyputtingitonthegod.”

“No,”Creüsasaidpositively.“ItwasApollo.”Ionwassilent.Thenheshookhishead.“Evenifitweretrue,”hesaid,

“whatyouwoulddoisfolly.Youmustnotapproachthegod’saltartotrytoprovehimavillain.”

Creüsafeltherpurposegrowweakandebbawaywhilethestrangeboyspoke.“Iwillnot,”shesaidsubmissively.“Iwilldoasyousay.”

Feelingsshedidnotunderstandwerestirringwithinher.AsthetwostoodlookingateachotherXuthusentered,triumphinhisfaceandbearing.HeheldouthisarmstoIon,whosteppedbackincolddistaste.ButXuthusmanagedtoenfoldhim,tohisgreatdiscomfort.

“Youaremyson,”hecried.“Apollohasdeclaredit.”AsenseofbitterantagonismstirredinCreüsa’sheart.“Yourson?”she

questionedclearly.“Whoishismother?”“Idon’tknow.”Xuthuswasconfused.“Ithinkheismyson,butperhaps

thegodgavehimtome.Eitherwayheismine.”Tothisgroup,Ionicilyremote,Xuthusbewilderedbuthappy,Creüsa

feelingthatshehatedmenandthatshewouldnotputupwithhavingthesonofsomeunknown,lowwomanfoistedonher,thereenteredtheagedpriestess,Apollo’sprophetess.InherhandsshecarriedtwothingsthatmadeCreüsa,inallherpreoccupation,startandlooksharplyatthem.Onewasaveilandtheotheramaiden’scloak.TheholywomantoldXuthusthatthepriestwishedtospeaktohim,andwhenhewasgonesheheldouttoIonwhatshewascarrying.

“Dearlad,”shesaid,“youmusttakethesewithyouwhenyougotoAthenswithyournew-foundfather.TheyaretheclothesyouwerewrappedinwhenIfoundyou.”

“Oh,”Ioncried,“mymothermusthaveputthemaroundme.Theyareacluetomymother.Iwillseekhereverywhere—throughEuropeandthroughAsia.”

ButCreüsahadstolenuptohimand,beforehecoulddrawbackoffendedasecondtime,shehadthrownherarmsaroundhisneck;andweepingandpressingherfacetohisshewascallinghim,“Myson—myson!”

ThiswastoomuchforIon.“Shemustbemad,”hecried.

“No,no,”Creüsasaid.“Thatveil,thatcloak,theyaremine.IcoveredyouwiththemwhenIleftyou.See.ThatfriendItoldyouof….Itwasnofriend,butmyownself.Apolloisyourfather.Oh,donotturnaway.Icanproveit.Unfoldthesewrappings.Iwilltellyoualltheembroideriesonthem.Imadethemwiththesehands.Andlook.Youwillfindtwolittleserpentsofgoldfastenedtothecloak.Iputthemthere.”

Ionfoundthejewelsandlookedfromthemtoher.“Mymother,”hesaidwonderingly.“ButthenistheGodofTruthfalse?HesaidIwasXuthus’son.OMother,Iamtroubled.”

“ApollodidnotsayyouwereXuthus’ownson.Hegaveyoutohimasagift,”Creüsacried,butshewastrembling,too.

Asuddenradiancefromonhighfellonthetwoandmadethemlookup.Thenalltheirdistresswasforgotteninaweandwonder.Adivineformstoodabovethem,beautifulandmajesticbeyondcompare.

“IamPallasAthena,”thevisionsaid.“ApollohassentmetoyoutotellyouthatIonishissonandyours.Hehadhimbroughtherefromthecavewhereyoulefthim.TakehimwithyoutoAthens,Creüsa.Heisworthytoruleovermylandandcity.”

Shevanished.Themotherandsonlookedateachother,Ionwithperfectjoy.ButCreüsa?DidApollo’slatereparationmakeuptoherforallthatshehadsuffered?Wecanonlyguess;thestorydoesnotsay.

AthenaappearstoCreüsaandIon.

PARTSIX

TheLessImportantMyths

CHAPTERI

Midas—andOthers

ThestoryofMidasistoldbestbyOvidfromwhomIhavetakenit.PindarismyauthorityforAesculapius,whoselifehetellsinfull.TheseDanaïdsarethesubjectofoneoftheplaysofAeschylus.GlaucusandScylla,PomonaandVertumnus,Erysichthon,allcomefromOvid.

MIDAS,whosenamehasbecomeasynonymforarichman,hadverylittleprofitfromhisriches.Theexperienceofpossessingthemlastedforlessthanadayanditthreatenedhimwithspeedydeath.Hewasanexampleoffollybeingasfatalassin,forhemeantnoharm;hemerelydidnotuseanyintelligence.Hisstorysuggeststhathehadnonetouse.

HewasKingofPhrygia,thelandofroses,andhehadgreatrosegardensnearhispalace.IntothemoncestrayedoldSilenus,who,intoxicatedasalways,hadwanderedofffromBacchus’trainwherehebelongedandlosthisway.Thefatolddrunkardwasfoundasleepinabowerofrosesbysomeoftheservantsofthepalace.Theyboundhimwithrosygarlands,setafloweringwreathonhishead,wokehimup,andborehiminthisridiculousguisetoMidasasagreatjoke.Midaswelcomedhimandentertainedhimfortendays.ThenheledhimtoBacchus,who,delightedtogethimback,toldMidaswhateverwishhemadewouldcometrue.WithoutgivingathoughttotheinevitableresultMidaswishedthatwhateverhetouchedwouldturnintogold.OfcourseBacchusingrantingthefavorforesawwhatwouldhappenatthenextmeal,butMidassawnothinguntilthefoodheliftedtohislipsbecamealumpofmetal.Dismayedandveryhungryandthirsty,hewasforcedtohurryofftothegodandimplorehimtotakehisfavorback.BacchustoldhimtogowashinthesourceoftheriverPactolusandhewouldlosethefatalgift.Hedidso,andthatwassaidtobethereasonwhygoldwasfoundinthesandsoftheriver.

Lateron,ApollochangedMidas’earsintothoseofanass;butagainthepunishmentwasforstupidity,notforanywrongdoing.HewaschosenasoneoftheumpiresinamusicalcontestbetweenApolloandPan.Therusticgodcouldplayverypleasingtunesonhispipesofreed,butwhenApollostruckhissilverlyretherewasnosoundonearthorinheaventhatcouldequalthemelodyexceptonlythechoiroftheMuses.Nevertheless,althoughtheumpire,themountain-godTmolus,gavethepalmtoApollo,Midas,nomore

intelligentmusicallythaninanyotherway,honestlypreferredPan.Ofcourse,thiswasdoublestupidityonhispart.OrdinaryprudencewouldhaveremindedhimthatitwasdangeroustosideagainstApollowithPan,infinitelythelesspowerful.Andsohegothisasses’ears.Apollosaidthathewasmerelygivingtoearssodullanddensethepropershape.Midashidthemunderacapespeciallymadeforthatpurpose,buttheservantwhocuthishairwasobligedtoseethem.Hesworeasolemnoathnevertotell,butthesecrecysoweigheduponthemanthathefinallywentanddugaholeinafieldandspokesoftlyintoit,“KingMidashasasses’ears.”Thenhefeltrelievedandfilledtheholeup.Butinthespringreedsgrewupthere,andwhenstirredbythewindtheywhisperedthoseburiedwords—andrevealedtomennotonlythetruthofwhathadhappenedtothepoor,stupidKing,butalsothatwhengodsarecontestantstheonlysafecourseistosidewiththestrongest.

AESCULAPIUS

TherewasamaideninThessalynamedCoronis,ofbeautysosurpassingthatApollolovedher.Butstrangelyenoughshedidnotcarelongforherdivinelover;shepreferredameremortal.ShedidnotreflectthatApollo,theGodofTruth,whoneverdeceived,couldnothimselfbedeceived.

ThePythianLordofDelphi,Hehasacomradehecantrust,Straightforward,neverwanderingastray.Itishismindwhichknowsallthings,Whichnevertouchesfalsehood,whichnooneOrgodormortalcanoutwit.Hesees,Whetherthedeedisdone,oronlyplanned.

Coroniswasfoolishindeedtohopethathewouldnotlearnofherfaithlessness.Itissaidthatthenewswasbroughttohimbyhisbird,theraven,thenpurewhitewithbeautifulsnowyplumage,andthatApolloinafitoffuriousanger,andwiththecompleteinjusticethegodsusuallyshowedwhentheywereangry,punishedthefaithfulmessengerbyturninghisfeathersblack.OfcourseCoroniswaskilled.Somesaythatthegoddidithimself,othersthathegotArtemistoshootoneofherunerringarrowsather.

Inspiteofhisruthlessness,hefeltapangofgriefashewatchedthemaidenplacedonthefuneralpyreandthewildflamesroarup.“AtleastIwillsavemychild,”hesaidtohimself;andjustasZeushaddonewhenSemeleperished,hesnatchedawaythebabewhichwasverynearbirth.HetookittoChiron,thewiseandkindlyoldCentaur,tobringupinhiscaveonMount

Pelion,andtoldhimtocallthechildAesculapius.ManynotableshadgivenChirontheirsonstorear,butofallhispupilsthechildofdeadCoroniswasdearesttohim.Hewasnotlikeotherlads,foreverrunningaboutandbentonsport;hewantedmostofalltolearnwhateverhisfoster-fathercouldteachhimabouttheartofhealing.Andthatwasnotalittle.Chironwaslearnedintheuseofherbsandgentleincantationsandcoolingpotions.Buthispupilsurpassedhim.Hewasabletogiveaidinallmannerofmaladies.Whoevercametohimsuffering,whetherfromwoundedlimbsorbodieswastingawaywithdisease,eventhosewhoweresickuntodeath,hedeliveredfromtheirtorment.

Agentlecraftsmanwhodrovepainaway,Sootherofcruelpangs,ajoytomen,Bringingthemgoldenhealth.

Hewasauniversalbenefactor.Andyethetoodrewdownonhimselftheangerofthegodsandbythesinthegodsneverforgave.Hethought“thoughtstoogreatforman.”Hewasoncegivenalargefeetoraiseonefromthedead,andhedidso.ItissaidbymanythatthemancalledbacktolifewasHippolytus,Theseus’sonwhodiedsounjustly,andthatheneveragainfellunderthepowerofdeath,butlivedinItaly,immortalforever,wherehewascalledVirbiusandworshipedasagod.

However,thegreatphysicianwhohaddeliveredhimfromHadeshadnosuchhappyfate.ZeuswouldnotallowamortaltohavepoweroverthedeadandhestruckAesculapiuswithhisthunderboltandslewhim.Apollo,ingreatangerathisson’sdeath,wenttoEtna,wheretheCyclopesforgedthethunderbolts;andkilledwithhisarrows,somesaytheCyclopesthemselves,somesaytheirsons.Zeus,greatlyangeredinhisturn,condemnedApollotoserveKingAdmetusasaslave—foraperiodwhichisdifferentlygivenasoneornineyears.ItwasthisAdmetuswhosewife,Alcestis,HerculesrescuedfromHades.

ButAesculapius,eventhoughhehadsodispleasedtheKingofGodsandMen,washonoredonearthasnoothermortal.Forhundredsofyearsafterhisdeaththesickandthemaimedandtheblindcameforhealingtohistemples.Theretheywouldprayandsacrifice,andafterthatgotosleep.Thenintheirdreamsthegoodphysicianwouldrevealtothemhowtheycouldbecured.Snakesplayedsomepartinthecure,justwhatisnotknown,buttheywereheldtobethesacredservantsofAesculapius.

Itiscertainthatthousandsuponthousandsofsickpeoplethroughthecenturiesbelievedthathehadfreedthemfromtheirpainandrestoredthemto

health.

THEDANAÏDS

Thesemaidensarefamous—farmoresothananyonereadingtheirstorywouldexpect.Theyareoftenreferredtobythepoetsandtheyareamongthemostprominentsufferersinthehellofmythology,wheretheymustforevertrytocarrywaterinleakingjars.Yetexceptforoneofthem,Hypermnestra,theydidonlywhattheArgonautsfoundthewomenofLemnoshaddone:theykilledtheirhusbands.Nevertheless,theLemniansarehardlyevermentioned,whileeveryonewhoknowsevenalittleaboutmythologyhasheardoftheDanaïds.

Therewerefiftyofthem,allofthemdaughtersofDanaüs,oneofIo’sdescendants,whodweltbytheNile.Theirfiftycousins,sonsofDanaüs’brotherAegyptus,wantedtomarrythem,whichforsomeunexplainedreasontheywereabsolutelyopposedtodoing.TheyfledwiththeirfatherbyshiptoArgos,wheretheyfoundsanctuary.TheArgivesvotedunanimouslytomaintaintherightofthesuppliant.WhenthesonsofAegyptusarrivedreadytofighttogaintheirbrides,thecityrepulsedthem.Theywouldallownowomantobeforcedtomarryagainstherwilltheytoldthenewcomers,norwouldtheysurrenderanysuppliant,nomatterhowfeeble,andnomatterhowpowerfulthepursuer.

Atthispointthereisabreakinthestory.Whenitisresumed,inthenextchapter,sotospeak,themaidensarebeingmarriedtotheircousinsandtheirfatherispresidingatthemarriagefeast.Thereisnoexplanationofhowthiscameabout,butatonceitisclearthatitwasnotthroughanychangeofmindineitherDanaüsorhisdaughters,becauseatthefeastheisrepresentedasgivingeachgirladagger.Astheeventshows,allofthemhadbeentoldwhattodoandhadagreed.Afterthemarriage,inthedeadofnight,theykilledtheirbridegrooms—everyoneexceptHypermnestra.Shealonewasmovedbypity.Shelookedatthestrongyoungmanlyingmotionlessinsleepbesideher,andshecouldnotstrikewithherdaggertochangethatglowingvigorintocolddeath.Herpromisetoherfatherandhersisterswasforgotten.Shewas,theLatinpoetHoracesays,splendidlyfalse.Shewoketheyouth,—hisnamewasLynceus,—toldhimall,andhelpedhimtoflee.

Herfatherthrewherintoprisonforhertreacherytohim.OnestorysaysthatsheandLynceuscametogetheragainandlivedatlastinhappiness,andthattheirsonwasAbas,thegreat-grandfatherofPerseus.Theotherstoriesendwiththefatalweddingnightandherimprisonment.

Allofthem,however,telloftheunendingfutilityofthetasktheforty-nine

Danaïdswerecompelledtopursueinthelowerworldasapunishmentformurderingtheirhusbands.Attheriver’sedgetheyfilledforeverjarsriddledwithholes,sothatthewaterpouredawayandtheymustreturntofillthemagain,andagainseethemdraineddry.

GLAUCUSANDSCYLLA

Glaucuswasafishermanwhowasfishingonedayfromagreenmeadowwhichslopeddowntothesea.Hehadspreadhiscatchoutonthegrassandwascountingthefishwhenhesawthemallbegintostirandthen,movingtowardthewater,slipintoitandswimaway.Hewasutterlyamazed.Hadagoddonethisorwastheresomestrangepowerinthegrass?Hepickedahandfulandateit.Atonceanirresistiblelongingfortheseatookpossessionofhim.Therewasnodenyingit.Heranandleapedintothewaves.Thesea-godsreceivedhimkindlyandcalledonOceanandTethystopurgehismortalnatureawayandmakehimoneofthem.Ahundredriversweresummonedtopourtheirwatersuponhim.Helostconsciousnessintherushingflood.Whenherecoveredhewasasea-godwithhairgreenliketheseaandabodyendinginafish’stail,tothedwellersinthewaterafineandfamiliarform,butstrangeandrepellenttothedwellersonearth.SoheseemedtothelovelynymphScyllawhenshewasbathinginalittlebayandcaughtsightofhimrisingfromthesea.Shefledfromhimuntilshestoodonaloftypromontorywhereshecouldsafelywatchhim,wonderingatthehalf-man,half-fish.Glaucuscalleduptoher,“Maiden,Iamnomonster.Iamagodwithpoweroverthewaters—andIloveyou.”ButScyllaturnedfromhimandhasteninginlandwaslosttohissight.

GlaucusandScylla

Glaucuswasindespair,forhewasmadlyinlove;andhedeterminedtogotoCirce,theenchantress,andbegherforalove-potiontomeltScylla’shardheart.ButashetoldherhistaleofloveandimploredherhelpCircefellinlovewithhim.Shewooedhimwithhersweetestwordsandlooks,butGlaucuswouldhavenoneofher.“TreeswillcovertheseabottomandseaweedthemountaintopsbeforeIceasetoloveScylla,”hetoldher.Circewasfuriouslyangry,butwithScylla,notGlaucus.Shepreparedavialofverypowerfulpoisonand,goingtothebaywhereScyllabathed,shepouredintoitthebalefulliquid.AssoonasScyllaenteredthewatershewaschangedintoafrightfulmonster.Outfromherbodygrewserpents’andfiercedogs’heads.Thebeastlyformswerepartofher;shecouldnotflyfromthemorpushthemaway.Shestoodthererootedtoarock,inherunutterablemiseryhatinganddestroyingeverythingthatcamewithinherreach,aperiltoallsailorswhopassednearher,asJasonandOdysseusandAeneasfoundout.

ERYSICHTHON

Onewomanhadpowergivenhertoassumedifferentshapes,powerasgreatasProteushad.Sheusedit,strangelyenough,toprocurefoodforherstarvingfather.Herstoryistheonlyoneinwhichthegoodgoddess,Ceres,appearscruelandvindictive.ErysichthonhadthewickedaudacitytocutdownthetallestoakinagrovesacredtoCeres.Hisservantsshrankfromthesacrilegewhenheorderedthemtofellit;whereuponheseizedanaxhimselfandattackedthemightytrunkaroundwhichthedryadsusedtoholdtheirdances.BloodflowedfromthetreewhenhestruckitandavoicecamefromwithinwarninghimthatCereswouldsurelypunishhiscrime.Butthesemarvelsdidnotcheckhisfury;hestruckagainandagainuntilthegreatoakcrashedtotheground.ThedryadshastenedtoCerestotellherwhathadhappened,andthegoddess,deeplyoffended,toldthemshewouldpunishthecriminalinawayneverknownbefore.ShesentoneoftheminhercartothebleakregionwhereFaminedwellstoorderhertotakepossessionofErysichthon.“Bidherseetoit,”Ceressaid,“thatnoabundanceshalleversatisfyhim.Heshallstarveintheveryactofdevouringfood.”

Famineobeyedthecommand.SheenteredErysichthon’sroomwherehesleptandshewrappedherskinnyarmsaroundhim.Holdinghiminherfoulembraceshefilledhimwithherselfandplantedhungerwithinhim.Hewokewitharagingdesireforfoodandcalledforsomethingtoeat.Butthemoreheatethemorehewanted.Evenashecrammedmeatdownhisthroathestarved.Hespentallhiswealthonvastsuppliesoffoodwhichnevergavehimamoment’ssatisfaction.Atlasthehadnothingleftexcepthisdaughter.Hesold

hertoo.Ontheseashore,whereherowner’sshiplay,sheprayedtoPoseidontosaveherfromslaveryandthegodheardherprayer.Hechangedherintoafisherman.Hermaster,whohadbeenbutalittlebehindher,sawonthelongstretchofbeachonlythefigureofamanbusywithhisfishinglines.Hecalledtohim,“Wherehasthatgirlgonewhowashereamomentago?Hereareherfootprintsandtheysuddenlystop.”Thesupposedfishermananswered,“IswearbytheGodoftheSeathatnomanexceptmyselfhascometothisshore,andnowomaneither.”Whentheother,completelybewildered,hadgoneoffinhisboat,thegirlreturnedtoherownshape.Shewentbacktoherfatheranddelightedhimbytellinghimwhathadhappened.Hesawanendlessopportunityofmakingmoneybyher.Hesoldheragainandagain.EachtimePoseidonchangedher,nowintoamare,nowintoabird,andsoon.Eachtimesheescapedfromherownerandcamebacktoherfather.Butatlast,whenthemoneyshethusearnedforhimwasnotenoughforhisneeds,heturneduponhisownbodyanddevouredituntilhekilledhimself.

POMONAANDVERTUMNUS

ThesetwowereRomandivinities,notGreek.Pomonawastheonlynymphwhodidnotlovethewildwoodland.Shecaredforfruitsandorchardsandthatwasallshecaredfor.Herdelightwasinpruningandgraftingandeverythingthatbelongstothegardener’sart.Sheshutherselfawayfrommen,alonewithherbelovedtrees,andletnowooercomenearher.OfallthatsoughtherVertumnuswasthemostardent,buthecouldmakenoheadway.Oftenhewasabletoenterherpresenceindisguise,nowasarudereaperbringingherabasketofbarley-ears,nowasaclumsyherdsman,oravine-pruner.Atsuchtimeshehadthejoyoflookingather,butalsothewretchednessofknowingshewouldneverlookatsuchaoneasheseemedtobe.Atlast,however,hemadeabetterplan.Hecametoherdisguisedasaveryoldwoman,sothatitdidnotseemstrangetoPomonawhenafteradmiringherfruithesaidtoher,“Butyouarefarmorebeautiful,”andkissedher.Still,hekeptonkissingherasnooldwomanwouldhavedone,andPomonawasstartled.Perceivingthishelethergoandsatdownoppositeanelmtreeoverwhichgrewavineloadedwithpurplegrapes.Hesaidsoftly,“Howlovelytheyaretogether,andhowdifferenttheywouldbeapart,thetreeuselessandthevineflatonthegroundunabletobearfruit.Arenotyoulikesuchavine?Youturnfromallwhodesireyou.Youwilltrytostandalone.Andyetthereisone—listentoanoldwomanwholovesyoumorethanyouknow—youwoulddowellnottoreject,Vertumnus.Youarehisfirstloveandwillbehislast.Andhetoocaresfortheorchardandthegarden.Hewould

workbyyourside.”Then,speakingwithgreatseriousness,hepointedouttoherhowVenushadshownmanyatimethatshehatedhard-heartedmaidens;andhetoldherthesadstoryofAnaxarete,whohaddisdainedhersuitorIphis,untilindespairhehangedhimselffromhergate-post,whereuponVenusturnedtheheartlessgirlintoastoneimage.“Bewarned,”hebegged,“andyieldtoyourtruelover.”Withthis,hedroppedhisdisguiseandstoodbeforeheraradiantyouth.Pomonayieldedtosuchbeautyjoinedtosucheloquence,andhenceforwardherorchardshadtwogardeners.

CHAPTERII

BriefMythsArrangedAlphabetically

AMALTHEA

AccordingtoonestoryshewasagoatonwhosemilktheinfantZeuswasfed.Accordingtoanothershewasanymphwhoownedthegoat.Shewassaidtohaveahornwhichwasalwaysfullofwhateverfoodordrinkanyonewanted,theHornofPlenty(inLatinCornucopiae—alsoknownas“theCornucopia”inLatinmythology).ButtheLatinssaidtheCornucopiawasthehornofAchelouswhichHerculesbrokeoffwhenheconqueredthatriver-god,whohadtakentheformofabulltofighthim.Itwasalwaysmagicallyfulloffruitsandflowers.

THEAMAZONS

Aeschyluscallsthem“ThewarringAmazons,men-haters.”Theywereanationofwomen,allwarriors.TheyweresupposedtolivearoundtheCaucasusandtheirchiefcitywasThemiscryra.Curiouslyenough,theyinspiredartiststomakestatuesandpicturesofthemfarmorethanpoetstowriteofthem.Familiarthoughtheyaretoustherearefewstoriesaboutthem.TheyinvadedLyciaandwererepulsedbyBellerophon.TheyinvadedPhrygiawhenPriamwasyoung,andAtticawhenTheseuswasKing.HehadcarriedofftheirQueenandtheytriedtorescueher,butTheseusdefeatedthem.IntheTrojanWartheyfoughttheGreeksundertheirQueen,Penthesilea,accordingtoastorynotintheIliad,toldbyPausanias.HesaysthatshewaskilledbyAchilles,whomournedforherasshelaydead,soyoungandsobeautiful.

AMYMONE

ShewasoneoftheDanaïds.Herfathersenthertodrawwaterandasatyrsawherandpursuedher.Poseidonheardhercryforhelp,lovedher,andsavedherfromthesatyr.Withhistridenthemadeinherhonorthespringwhichbearshername.

ANTIOPE

AprincessofThebes,Antiope,boretwosonstoZeus,ZethusandAmphion.Fearingherfather’sangersheleftthechildrenonalonelymountainassoonastheywereborn,buttheywerediscoveredbyaherdsmanandbroughtupby

him.ThemanthenrulingThebes,Lycus,andhiswifeDirce,treatedAntiopewithgreatcrueltyuntilshedeterminedtohideherselffromthem.Finallyshecametothecottagewherehersonslived.Somehowtheyrecognizedherorshethem,andgatheringabandoftheirfriendstheywenttothepalacetoavengeher.TheykilledLycusandbroughtaterribledeathuponDirce,tyingherbyherhairtoabull.Thebrothersthrewherbodyintothespringwhichwaseveraftercalledbyhername.

ARACHNE

(ThisstoryistoldonlybytheLatinpoetOvid.ThereforetheLatinnamesofthegodsaregiven.)

Thefateofthismaidenwasanotherexampleofthedangerofclaimingequalitywiththegodsinanythingwhatsoever.MinervawastheweaveramongtheOlympiansasVulcanwasthesmith.Quitenaturallysheconsideredthestuffsshewoveunapproachableforfinenessandbeauty,andshewasoutragedwhensheheardthatasimplepeasantgirlnamedArachnedeclaredherownworktobesuperior.Thegoddesswentforthwithtothehutwherethemaidenlivedandchallengedhertoacontest.Arachneaccepted.Bothsetuptheirloomsandstretchedthewarpuponthem.Thentheywenttowork.Heapsofskeinsofbeautifulthreadscoloredliketherainbowlaybesideeach,andthreadsofgoldandsilvertoo.Minervadidherbestandtheresultwasamarvel,butArachne’swork,finishedatthesamemoment,wasinnowayinferior.Thegoddessinafuryofangerslitthewebfromtoptobottomandbeatthegirlaroundtheheadwithhershuttle.Arachne,disgracedandmortifiedandfuriouslyangry,hangedherself.ThenalittlerepentanceenteredMinerva’sheart.Sheliftedthebodyfromthenooseandsprinkleditwithamagicliquid.Arachnewaschangedintoaspider,andherskillinweavingwaslefttoher.

ARION

Heseemstohavebeenarealperson,apoetwholivedabout700B.C.,butnoneofhispoemshavecomedowntous,andallthatisactuallyknownofhimisthestoryofhisescapefromdeath,whichisquitelikeamythologicalstory.HehadgonefromCorinthtoSicilytotakepartinamusiccontest.Hewasamasterofthelyreandhewontheprize.Onthevoyagehomethesailorscovetedtheprizeandplannedtokillhim.Apollotoldhiminadreamofhisdangerandhowtosavehislife.Whenthesailorsattackedhimhebeggedthemasalastfavortolethimplayandsing,beforehedied.Attheendofthe

songheflunghimselfintothesea,wheredolphins,whohadbeendrawntotheshipbytheenchantingmusic,borehimupashesankandcarriedhimtoland.

ARISTAEUS

Hewasakeeperofbees,thesonofApolloandawaternymph,Cyrene.Whenhisbeesalldiedfromsomeunknowncausehewentforhelptohismother.ShetoldhimthatProteus,thewiseoldgodofthesea,couldshowhimhowtopreventanothersuchdisaster,butthathewoulddosoonlyifcompelled.Aristaeusmustseizehimandchainhim,averydifficulttask,asMenelausonhiswayhomefromTroyfound.Proteushadthepowertochangehimselfintoanynumberofdifferentforms.However,ifhiscaptorwasresoluteenoughtoholdhimfastthroughallthechanges,hewouldfinallygiveinandanswerwhathewasasked.Aristaeusfolloweddirections.HewenttothefavoritehauntofProteus,theislandofPharos,orsomesayCarpathos.ThereheseizedProteusanddidnotlethimgo,inspiteoftheterribleformsheassumed,untilthegodwasdiscouragedandreturnedtohisownshape.ThenhetoldAristaeustosacrificetothegodsandleavethecarcassesoftheanimalsintheplaceofsacrifice.Ninedayslaterhemustgobackandexaminethebodies.AgainAristaeusdidashewasbid,andontheninthdayhefoundamarvel,agreatswarmofbeesinoneofthecarcasses.Heneveragainwastroubledbyanyblightordiseaseamongthem.

ThestoryofthesetwoisalludedtointheIliad:—

Nowfromhercouchwhereshelaybesidehigh-bornTithonus,thegoddessDawn,rosy-fingered,arosetobringlighttothegodsandtomortals.

ThisTithonus,thehusbandofAurora,theGoddessoftheDawn,wasthefatherofherson,thedark-skinnedprinceMemnonofEthiopiawhowaskilledatTroy,fightingfortheTrojans.Tithonushimselfhadastrangefate.AuroraaskedZeustomakehimimmortalandheagreed,butshehadnotthoughttoaskalsothatheshouldremainyoung.Soitcametopassthathegrewold,butcouldnotdie.Helplessatlast,unabletomovehandorfoot,heprayedfordeath,buttherewasnoreleaseforhim.Hemustliveonforever,witholdageforeverpressinguponhimmoreandmore.Atlastinpitythegoddesslaidhiminaroomandlefthim,shuttingthedoor.Therehebabbledendlessly,wordswithnomeaning.Hismindhadgonewithhisstrengthofbody.Hewasonlythedryhuskofaman.

ThereisastorytoothatheshrankandshrankinsizeuntilatlastAurora

withafeelingforthenaturalfitnessofthingsturnedhimintotheskinnyandnoisygrasshopper.

ToMemnon,hisson,agreatstatuewaserectedinEgyptatThebes,anditwassaidthatwhenthefirstraysofdawnfelluponitasoundcamefromitlikethetwangingofaharpstring.

BITONANDCLEOBISwerethesonsofCydippe,apriestessofHera.ShelongedtoseeamostbeautifulstatueofthegoddessofArgos,madebythegreatsculptorPolyclitustheElder,whowassaidtobeasgreatashisyoungercontemporary,Phidias.Argoswastoofarawayforhertowalkthereandtheyhadnohorsesoroxentodrawher.Buthertwosonsdeterminedthatsheshouldhaveherwish.Theyyokedthemselvestoacaranddrewherallthelongwaythroughdustandheat.Everyoneadmiredtheirfilialpietywhentheyarrived,andtheproudandhappymotherstandingbeforethestatueprayedthatHerawouldrewardthembygivingthemthebestgiftinherpower.Asshefinishedherprayerthetwoladssanktotheground.Theyweresmiling,andtheylookedasiftheywerepeacefullyasleep;buttheyweredead.

CALLISTO

ShewasthedaughterofLycaon,akingofArcadiawhohadbeenchangedintoawolfbecauseofhiswickedness.HehadsethumanfleshonthetableforZeuswhenthegodwashisguest.Hispunishmentwasdeserved,buthisdaughtersufferedasterriblyasheandshewasinnocentofallwrong.ZeussawherhuntinginthetrainofArtemisandfellinlovewithher.Hera,furiouslyangry,turnedthemaidenintoabearafterhersonwasborn.Whentheboywasgrownandouthunting,thegoddessbroughtCallistobeforehim,intendingtohavehimshoothismother,inignorance,ofcourse.ButZeussnatchedthebearawayandplacedheramongthestars,wheresheiscalledtheGreatBear.Later,hersonArcaswasplacedbesideherandcalledtheLesserBear.Hera,enragedatthishonortoherrival,persuadedtheGodoftheSeatoforbidtheBearstodescendintotheoceanliketheotherstars.Theyaloneoftheconstellationsneversetbelowthehorizon.

CHIRON

HewasoneoftheCentaurs,butunliketheotherswhowereviolentfiercecreatures,hewasknowneverywhereforhisgoodnessandwisdom,somuchsothattheyoungsonsofheroeswereentrustedtohimtotrainandteach.AchilleswashispupilandAesculapius,thegreatphysician;thefamous

hunterActaeon,too,andmanyanother.HealoneamongtheCentaurswasimmortalandyetintheendhediedandwenttothelowerworld.IndirectlyandunintentionallyHerculeswasthecauseofhisdying.HehadstoppedintoseeaCentaurwhowasafriendofhis,Pholus,andbeingverythirstyhepersuadedhimtoopenajarofwinewhichwasthecommonpropertyofallCentaurs.Thearomaofthewonderfulliquorinformedtheotherswhathadhappenedandtheyrusheddowntotakevengeanceontheoffender.ButHerculeswasmorethanamatchforthemall.Hefoughtthemoff,butinthefightheaccidentallywoundedChiron,whohadtakennopartintheattack.ThewoundprovedtobeincurableandfinallyZeuspermittedChirontodieratherthanliveforeverinpain.

CLYTIE

Herstoryisunique,forinsteadofagodinlovewithanunwillingmaiden,amaidenisinlovewithanunwillinggod.ClytielovedtheSun-godandhefoundnothingtoloveinher.Shepinedawaysittingonthegroundout-of-doorswhereshecouldwatchhim,turningherfaceandfollowinghimwithhereyesashejourneyedoverthesky.Sogazingshewaschangedintoaflower,thesunflower,whicheverturnstowardthesun.

DRYOPE

Herstory,likeanumberofothers,showshowstronglytheancientGreeksdisapprovedofdestroyingorinjuringatree.

WithhersisterIoleshewentonedaytoapoolintendingtomakegarlandsforthenymphs.Shewascarryingherlittleson,andseeingnearthewateralotustreefullofbrightblossomsshepluckedsomeofthemtopleasethebaby.Toherhorrorshesawdropsofbloodflowingdownthestem.Thetreewasreallythenymph,Lotis,whofleeingfromapursuerhadtakenrefugeinthisform.WhenDryope,terrifiedattheominoussight,triedtohurryaway,herfeetwouldnotmove;theyseemedrootedintheground.Iolewatchingherhelplesslysawbarkbegintogrowupwardcoveringherbody.Ithadreachedherfacewhenherhusbandcametothespotwithherfather.Iolecriedoutwhathadhappenedandthetwo,rushingtothetree,embracedthestillwarmtrunkandwatereditwiththeirtears.Dryopehadtimeonlytodeclarethatshehaddonenowrongintentionallyandtobegthemtobringthechildoftentothetreetoplayinitsshade,andsomedaytotellhimherstorysothathewouldthinkwheneverhesawthespot:“Hereinthistree-trunkmymotherishidden.”“Tellhimtoo,”shesaid,“nevertopluckflowers,andtothinkevery

bushmaybeagoddessindisguise.”Thenshecouldspeaknomore;thebarkclosedoverherface.Shewasgoneforever.

EPIMENIDES

Afigureofmythologyonlybecauseofthestoryofhislongsleep.Helivedaround600B.C.andissaidasaboywhenlookingforalostsheeptohavebeenovercomebyaslumberwhichlastedforfifty-sevenyears.Onwakinghecontinuedthesearchforthesheepunawareofwhathadhappened,andfoundeverythingchanged.HewassentbytheoracleatDelphitopurifyAthensofaplague.WhenthegratefulAthenianswouldhavegivenhimalargesumofmoneyherefusedandaskedonlythatthereshouldbefriendshipbetweenAthensandhisownhome,CnossusinCrete.

ERICTHONIUS

HeisthesameasErechtheus.Homerknewonlyonemanofthatname.Platospeaksoftwo.HewasthesonofHephaestus,rearedbyAthena,halfman,halfserpent.AthenagaveachestinwhichshehadputtheinfanttothethreedaughtersofCecrops,forbiddingthemtoopenit.Theydidopenit,however,andsawinittheserpent-likecreature.Athenadrovethemmadasapunishment,andtheykilledthemselves,jumpingfromtheAcropolis.WhenEricthoniusgrewuphebecameKingofAthens.Hisgrandsonwascalledbyhisname,andwasthefatherofthesecondCecrops,Procris,Creüsa,andOrithyia.

HEROANDLEANDER

LeanderwasayouthofAbydus,atownontheHellespont,andHerowasPriestessofAphroditeinSestusontheoppositeshore.EverynightLeanderswamacrosstoher,guidedbythelight,somesayofthelighthouseinSestus,someofatorchHeroalwayssetblazingonthetopofatower.OneverystormynightthelightwasblownoutbythewindandLeanderperished.HisbodywaswashedupontheshoreandHero,findingit,killedherself.

THEHYADESweredaughtersofAtlasandhalfsistersofthePleiades.Theyweretherainystars,supposedtobringrainbecausethetimeoftheireveningandmorningsetting,whichcomesinearlyMayandNovember,isusuallyrainy.Theyweresixinnumber.DionysusasababywasentrustedtothembyZeus,andtorewardthemfortheircarehesetthemamongthestars.

IBYCUSANDTHECRANES

Heisnotamythologicalcharacter,butapoetwholivedabout550B.C.Onlyaveryfewfragmentsofhispoemshavecomedowntous.Allthatisknownofhimisthedramaticstoryofhisdeath.HewasattackedbyrobbersnearCorinthandmortallywounded.Aflockofcranesflewbyoverhead,andhecalledonthemtoavengehim.Soonafter,overtheopentheaterinCorinthwhereaplaywasbeingperformedtoafullhouse,aflockofcranesappeared,hoveringabovethecrowd.Suddenlyaman’svoicewasheard.Hecriedoutasifpanic-stricken,“ThecranesofIbycus,theavengers!”Theaudienceinturnshouted,“Themurdererhasinformedagainsthimself.”Themanwasseized,theotherrobbersdiscovered,andallputtodeath.

LETO(LATONA)

ShewasthedaughteroftheTitansPhoebeandCoeus.Zeuslovedher,butwhenshewasabouttobearachildheabandonedher,afraidofHera.Allcountriesandislands,afraidforthesamereason,refusedtoreceiveherandgiveheraplacewhereherchildcouldbeborn.Onandonshewanderedindesperationuntilshereachedabitoflandwhichwasfloatingonthesea.Ithadnofoundation,butwastossedhitherandthitherbywavesandwinds.ItwascalledDelosandbesidesbeingofallislandsthemostinsecureitwasrockyandbarren.ButwhenLetosetfootonitandaskedforrefuge,thelittleislewelcomedhergladly,andatthatmomentfourloftypillarsrosefromthebottomoftheseaandhelditfirmlyanchoredforever.ThereLeto’schildrenwereborn,ArtemisandPhoebusApollo;andinafteryearsApollo’sglorioustemplestoodthere,visitedbymenfromallovertheworld.Thebarrenrockwascalled“theheaven-builtisle,”andfrombeingthemostdespiseditbecamethemostrenownedofislands.

LINUS

IntheIliadavineyardisdescribedwithyouthsandmaidenssinging,astheygatherthefruit,“asweetLinussong.”ThiswasprobablyalamentfortheyoungsonofApolloandPsamathe—Linus,whowasdesertedbyhismother,broughtupbyshepherds,andbeforehewasfull-growntorntopiecesbydogs.ThisLinuswas,likeAdonisandHyacinthus,atypeofalllovelyyounglifethatdiesoriswitheredbeforeithasbornefruit.TheGreekwordailinon!,meaning“woeforLinus!”grewtomeannomorethantheEnglish“alas!”andwasusedinanylament.TherewasanotherLinus,thesonofApolloanda

Muse,whotaughtOrpheusandtriedtoteachHercules,butwaskilledbyhim.

MARPESSA

Shewasmorefortunatethanothermaidensbelovedofthegods.Idas,oneoftheheroesoftheCalydonianHuntandalsooneoftheArgonauts,carriedherofffromherfatherwithherconsent.Theywouldhavelivedhappilyeverafter,butApollofellinlovewithher.Idasrefusedtogiveherup;heevendaredtofightwithApolloforher.ZeuspartedthemandtoldMarpessatochoosewhichshewouldhave.Shechosethemortal,fearing,certainlynotwithoutreason,thatthegodwouldnotbefaithfultoher.

MARSYAS

TheflutewasinventedbyAthena,butshethrewitawaybecauseinordertoplayitshehadtopuffouthercheeksanddisfigureherface.Marsyas,asatyr,founditandplayedsoenchantinglyuponitthathedaredtochallengeApollotoacontest.Thegodwon,ofcourse,andpunishedMarsyasbyflayinghim.

MELAMPUS

Hesavedandrearedtwolittlesnakeswhenhisservantskilledtheparentsnakes,andaspetstheyrepaidhimwell.Oncewhenhewasasleeptheycreptuponhiscouchandlickedhisears.Hestartedupinagreatfright,buthefoundthatheunderstoodwhattwobirdsonhiswindowsillweresayingtoeachother.Thesnakeshadmadehimabletounderstandthelanguageofallflyingandallcreepingcreatures.Helearnedinthiswaytheartofdivinationasnooneeverhad,andhebecameafamoussoothsayer.Hesavedhimself,too,byhisknowledge.Hisenemiesoncecapturedhimandkepthimaprisonerinalittlecell.Whilethere,heheardthewormssayingthattheroof-beamhadbeenalmostgnawedthroughsothatitwouldsoonfallandcrushallbeneathit.Atoncehetoldhiscaptorsandaskedtobemovedelsewhere.Theydidashesaidanddirectlyafterwardtherooffellin.Thentheysawhowgreatadivinerhewasandtheyfreedandrewardedhim.

MEROPE

Herhusband,Cresphontes,asonofHercules,andkingofMessenia,waskilledinarebelliontogetherwithtwoofhissons.Themanwhosucceededhim,Polyphontes,tookherashiswife.Butherthirdson,Aepytus,hadbeen

hiddenbyherinArcadia.HereturnedyearslaterpretendingtobeamanwhohadslainAepytusandwaskindlyreceivedthereforebyPolyphontes.Hismother,however,notknowingwhohewas,plannedtokillherson’smurderer,asshethoughthim.However,intheendshefoundoutwhohewasandthetwotogetherbroughtaboutPolyphontes’death.Aepytusbecameking.

THEMYRMIDONS

TheseweremencreatedfromantsontheislandofAegina,inthereignofAeacus,Achilles’grandfather,andtheywereAchilles’followersintheTrojanWar.Notonlyweretheythriftyandindustrious,asonewouldsupposefromtheirorigin,buttheywerealsobrave.TheywerechangedintomenfromantsbecauseofoneofHera’sattacksofjealousy.ShewasangrybecauseZeuslovedAegina,themaidenforwhomtheislandwasnamed,andwhoseson,Aeacus,becameitsking.Herasentafearfulpestilencewhichdestroyedthepeoplebythousands.Itseemedthatnoonewouldbeleftalive.AeacusclimbedtotheloftytempleofZeusandprayedtohim,remindinghimthathewashissonandthesonofawomanthegodhadloved.Ashespokehesawatroopofbusyants.“OhFather,”hecried,“makeofthesecreaturesapeopleforme,asnumerousasthey,andfillmyemptycity.”Apealofthunderseemedtoanswerhimandthatnighthedreamedthathesawtheantsbeingtransformedintohumanshape.AtdaybreakhissonTelamonwokehimsayingthatagreathostofmenwasapproachingthepalace.Hewentoutandsawamultitude,asmanyastheantsinnumber,allcryingoutthattheywerehisfaithfulsubjects.SoAeginawasrepopulatedfromananthillanditspeoplewerecalledMyrmidonsaftertheant(myrmex)fromwhichtheyhadsprung.

NISUSANDSCYLLA

Nisus,KingofMegara,hadonhishead,apurplelockofhairwhichhehadbeenwarnednevertocut.Thesafetyofhisthronedependeduponhispreservingit.MinosofCretelaidsiegetohiscity,butNisusknewthatnoharmwouldcometoitaslongashehadthepurplelock.Hisdaughter,Scylla,usedtowatchMinosfromthecitywallandshefellmadlyinlovewithhim.Shecouldthinkofnowaytomakehimcareforherexceptbytakingherfather’slockofhairtohimandenablinghimtoconquerthetown.Shedidthis;shecutitfromherfather’sheadinhissleepandcarryingittoMinossheconfessedwhatshehaddone.Heshrankfromherinhorroranddroveheroutofhissight.WhenthecityhadbeenconqueredandtheCretanslaunchedtheir

shipstosailhome,shecamerushingtotheshore,madwithpassion,andleapingintothewaterseizedtherudderoftheboatthatcarriedMinos.Butatthismomentagreateagleswoopeddownuponher.Itwasherfather,whomthegodshadsavedbychanginghimintoabird.Interrorsheletgoherhold,andwouldhavefallenintothewater,butsuddenlyshetoobecameabird.Somegodhadpityonher,traitorthoughshewas,becauseshehadsinnedthroughlove.

ORION

Hewasayoungmanofgiganticstatureandgreatbeauty,andamightyhunter.HefellinlovewiththedaughteroftheKingofChios,andforloveofherheclearedtheislandofwildbeasts.Thespoilsofthechasehebroughtalwayshometohisbeloved,whosenameissometimessaidtobeAero,sometimesMerope.Herfather,Oenopion,agreedtogivehertoOrion,buthekeptputtingthemarriageoff.OnedaywhenOrionwasdrunkheinsultedthemaiden,andOenopionappealedtoDionysustopunishhim.ThegodthrewhimintoadeepsleepandOenopionblindedhim.Anoracletoldhim,however,thathewouldbeabletoseeagainifhewenttotheeastandlettheraysoftherisingsunfallonhiseyes.HewentasfareastasLemnosandthereherecoveredhissight.InstantlyhestartedbacktoChiostotakevengeanceontheking,buthehadfledandOrioncouldnotfindhim.HewentontoCrete,andlivedthereasArtemis’huntsman.Neverthelessintheendthegoddesskilledhim.SomesaythatDawn,alsocalledAurora,lovedhimandthatArtemisinjealousangershothim.OtherssaythathemadeApolloangryandthatthegodbyatrickgothissistertoslayhim.Afterhisdeathhewasplacedinheavenasaconstellation,whichshowshimwithagirdle,sword,club,andlion’sskin.

THEPLEIADES

TheywerethedaughtersofAtlas,seveninnumber.TheirnameswereElectra,Maia,Taygete,Alcyone,Merope,Celaeno,Sterope.Orionpursuedthembuttheyfledbeforehimandhecouldneverseizeanyofthem.StillhecontinuedtofollowthemuntilZeus,pityingthem,placedthemintheheavensasstars.ButitwassaidthateventhereOrioncontinuedhispursuit,alwaysunsuccessful,yetpersistent.Whiletheylivedonearthoneofthem,Maia,wasthemotherofHermes.Another,Electra,wasthemotherofDardanus,thefounderoftheTrojanrace.Althoughitisagreedthatthereweresevenofthem,onlysixstarsareclearlyvisible.Theseventhisinvisibleexcepttothose

whohavespeciallykeensight.

RHOECUSseeinganoakabouttofallproppeditup.Thedryadwhowouldhaveperishedwithittoldhimtoaskanythinghedesiredandshewouldgiveit.Heansweredthathewantedonlyherloveandsheconsented.Shebadehimkeeponthealertforshewouldsendhimamessenger,abee,totellhimherwishes.ButRhoecusmetsomecompanionsandforgotallaboutthebee,somuchsothatwhenheheardonebuzzinghedroveitawayandhurtit.Returningtothetreehewasblindedbythedryad,whowasangryatthedisregardofherwordsandtheinjurytohermessenger.

SALMONEUS

Thismanwasanotherillustrationofhowfatalitwasformortalstotrytoemulatethegods.Whathedidwassofoolish,however,thatinlateryearsitwasoftensaidthathehadgonemad.HepretendedthathewasZeus.Hehadachariotmadeinsuchawaythattherewasaloudclangingofbrasswhenitmoved.OnthedayofZeus’sfestivalhedroveitfuriouslythroughthetown,scatteringatthesametimefirebrandsandshoutingtothepeopletoworshiphimbecausehewasZeustheThunderer.Butinstantlytherecameacrashofactualthunderandaflashoflightning.Salmoneusfellfromhischariotdead.

Thestoryisoftenexplainedaspointingbacktoatimewhenweather-magicwaspracticed.Salmoneus,accordingtothisview,wasamagiciantryingtobringonarainstormbyimitatingit,acommonmagicalmethod.

SISYPHUSwasKingofCorinth.Onedayhechancedtoseeamightyeagle,greaterandmoresplendidthananymortalbird,bearingamaidentoanislandnotfaraway.Whentheriver-godAsopuscametohimtotellhimthathisdaughterAeginahadbeencarriedoff,hestronglysuspectedbyZeus,andtoaskhishelpinfindingher,Sisyphustoldhimwhathehadseen.TherebyhedrewdownonhimselftherelentlesswrathofZeus.InHadeshewaspunishedbyhavingtotryforevertorollarockuphillwhichforeverrolledbackuponhim.NordidhehelpAsopus.Theriver-godwenttotheislandbutZeusdrovehimawaywithhisthunderbolt.ThenameoftheislandwaschangedtoAeginainhonorofthemaiden,andhersonAeacuswasthegrandfatherofAchilles,whowascalledsometimesAeacides,descendantofAeacus.

TYROwasthedaughterofSalmoneus.SheboretwinsonstoPoseidon—butfearingherfather’sdispleasureifhelearnedofthechildren’sbirth,she

abandonedthem.TheywerefoundbythekeeperofSalmoneus’horses,andbroughtupbyhimandhiswife,whocalledonePeliasandtheotherNeleus.Tyro’shusbandCretheusdiscovered,yearslater,whatherrelationswithPoseidonhadbeen.Ingreatangerheputherawayandmarriedoneofhermaids,Sidero,whoill-treatedher.WhenCretheusdiedthetwinsweretoldbytheirfoster-motherwhotheirrealparentswere.TheywentatoncetoseekoutTyroanddiscoverthemselvestoher.TheyfoundherlivingingreatmiseryandsotheylookedforSidero,topunishher.ShehadheardoftheirarrivalandshehadtakenrefugeinHera’stemple.NeverthelessPeliasslewher,defyingthegoddess’sanger.Herarevengedherself,butonlyaftermanyyears.Pelias’half-brother,thesonofTyroandCretheus,wasthefatherofJason,whomPeliastriedtokillbysendinghimaftertheGoldenFleece.Instead,Jasonwasindirectlythecauseofhisdeath.HewaskilledbyhisdaughtersunderthedirectionofMedea,Jason’swife.

PARTSEVEN

TheMythologyoftheNorsemen

IntroductiontoNorseMythology

THEworldofNorsemythologyisastrangeworld.Asgard,thehomeofthegods,isunlikeanyotherheavenmenhavedreamedof.Noradiancyofjoyisinit,noassuranceofbliss.Itisagraveandsolemnplace,overwhichhangsthethreatofaninevitabledoom.Thegodsknowthatadaywillcomewhentheywillbedestroyed.Sometimetheywillmeettheirenemiesandgodownbeneaththemtodefeatanddeath.Asgardwillfallinruins.Thecausetheforcesofgoodarefightingtodefendagainsttheforcesofevilishopeless.Nevertheless,thegodswillfightforittotheend.

Necessarilythesameistrueofhumanity.Ifthegodsarefinallyhelplessbeforeevil,menandwomenmustbemoreso.Theheroesandheroinesoftheearlystoriesfacedisaster.Theyknowthattheycannotsavethemselves,notbyanycourageorenduranceorgreatdeed.Evenso,theydonotyield.Theydieresisting.Abravedeathentitlesthem—atleasttheheroes—toaseatinValhalla,oneofthehallsinAsgard,buttheretootheymustlookforwardtofinaldefeatanddestruction.Inthelastbattlebetweengoodandeviltheywillfightonthesideofthegodsanddiewiththem.

ThisistheconceptionoflifewhichunderliestheNorsereligion,assomberaconceptionasthemindofmanhasevergivenbirthto.Theonlysustainingsupportpossibleforthehumanspirit,theonepureunsulliedgoodmencanhopetoattain,isheroism;andheroismdependsonlostcauses.Theherocanprovewhatheisonlybydying.Thepowerofgoodisshownnotbytriumphantlyconqueringevil,butbycontinuingtoresistevilwhilefacingcertaindefeat.

Suchanattitudetowardlifeseemsatfirstsightfatalistic,butactuallythedecreesofaninexorablefateplayednomorepartintheNorseman’sschemeofexistencethanpredestinationdidinSt.Paul’sorinthatofhismilitantProtestantfollowers,andforpreciselythesamereason.AlthoughtheNorseherowasdoomedifhedidnotyield,hecouldchoosebetweenyieldingor

dying.Thedecisionwasinhisownhands.Evenmorethanthat.Aheroicdeath,likeamartyr’sdeath,isnotadefeat,butatriumph.TheheroinoneoftheNorsestorieswholaughsaloudwhilehisfoescuthisheartoutofhislivingfleshshowshimselfsuperiortohisconquerors.Hesaystothem,ineffect,YoucandonothingtomebecauseIdonotcarewhatyoudo.Theykillhim,buthediesundefeated.

Thisissternstuffforhumanitytoliveby,assterninitstotallydifferentwayastheSermonontheMount,buttheeasywayhasneverinthelongruncommandedtheallegianceofmankind.LiketheearlyChristians,theNorsemenmeasuredtheirlifebyheroicstandards.TheChristian,however,lookedforwardtoaheavenofeternaljoy.TheNorsemandidnot.Butitwouldappearthatforunknowncenturies,untiltheChristianmissionariescame,heroismwasenough.

ThepoetsoftheNorsemythology,whosawthatvictorywaspossibleindeathandthatcouragewasneverdefeated,aretheonlyspokesmenforthebeliefofthewholegreatTeutonicrace—ofwhichEnglandisapart,andourselvesthroughthefirstsettlersinAmerica.EverywhereelseinnorthwesternEuropetheearlyrecords,thetraditions,thesongsandstories,wereobliteratedbythepriestsofChristianity,whofeltabitterhatredforthepaganismtheyhadcometodestroy.Itisextraordinaryhowcleanasweeptheywereabletomake.Afewbitssurvived:BeowulfinEngland,theNibelungenliedinGermany,andsomestrayfragmentshereandthere.ButifitwerenotforthetwoIcelandicEddasweshouldknowpracticallynothingofthereligionwhichmoldedtheracetowhichwebelong.InIceland,naturallybyitspositionthelastnortherncountrytobeChristianized,themissionariesseemtohavebeengentler,or,perhaps,theyhadlessinfluence.LatindidnotdriveNorseoutastheliterarytongue.Thepeoplestilltoldtheoldstoriesinthecommonspeech,andsomeofthemwerewrittendown,althoughbywhomorwhenwedonotknow.TheoldestmanuscriptoftheElderEddaisdatedatabout1300,threehundredyearsaftertheChristiansarrived,butthepoemsitismadeupofarepurelypaganandadjudgedbyallscholarstobeveryold.TheYoungerEdda,inprose,waswrittendownbyoneSnorriSturlusoninthelastpartofthetwelfthcentury.Thechiefpartofitisatechnicaltreatiseonhowtowritepoetry,butitalsocontainssomeprehistoricmythologicalmaterialwhichisnotintheElderEdda.

TheElderEddaismuchthemoreimportantofthetwo.Itismadeupofseparatepoems,oftenaboutthesamestory,butneverconnectedwitheachother.Thematerialforagreatepicisthere,asgreatastheIliad,perhapsevengreater,butnopoetcametoworkitoverasHomerdidtheearlystorieswhichprecededtheIliad.TherewasnomanofgeniusintheNorthlandtoweldthe

poemsintoawholeandmakeitathingofbeautyandpower;nooneeventodiscardthecrudeandthecommonplaceandcutoutthechildishandwearisomerepetitions.TherearelistsofnamesintheEddawhichsometimesrunonunbrokenforpages.Neverthelessthesombergrandeurofthestoriescomesthroughinspiteofthestyle.Perhapsnooneshouldspeakof“thestyle”whocannotreadancientNorse;butallthetranslationsaresoalikeinbeingsingularlyawkwardandinvolvedthatonecannotbutsuspecttheoriginalofbeingresponsible,atleastinpart.ThepoetsoftheElderEddaseemtohavehadconceptionsgreaterthantheirskilltoputthemintowords.Manyofthestoriesaresplendid.TherearenonetoequaltheminGreekmythology,exceptthoseretoldbythetragicpoets.AllthebestNortherntalesaretragic,aboutmenandwomenwhogosteadfastlyforwardtomeetdeath,oftendeliberatelychooseit,evenplanitlongbeforehand.Theonlylightinthedarknessisheroism.

CHAPTERI

TheStoriesofSignyandSigurd

IhaveselectedthesetwostoriestotellbecausetheyseemtometopresentbetterthananyothertheNorsecharacterandtheNorsepointofview.SigurdisthemostfamousofNorseheroes;hisstoryislargelythatoftheherooftheNibelungenlied,Siegfried.HeplaysthechiefpartintheVolsungasaga,theNorseversionoftheGermantalewhichWagner’soperashavemadefamiliar.Ihavenotgonetoit,however,formystory,buttotheElderEdda,wheretheloveanddeathofSigurdandBrynhildandGudrunarethesubjectofanumberofthepoems.Thesagas,allprosetales,areoflaterdate.Signy’sstoryistoldonlyintheVolsungasaga.

SIGNYwasthedaughterofVolsungandthesisterofSigmund.HerhusbandslewVolsungbytreacheryandcapturedhissons.Onebyonehechainedthematnighttowherethewolveswouldfindthemanddevourthem.Whenthelast,whowasSigmund,wasbroughtoutandchained,Signyhaddevisedawaytosavehim.Shefreedhimandthetwotookavowtoavengetheirfatherandbrothers.SignydeterminedthatSigmundshouldhaveoneoftheirownbloodtohelphimandshevisitedhimindisguiseandspentthreenightswithhim.Heneverknewwhoshewas.Whentheboywhowasbornoftheirunionwasofanagetoleaveher,shesenthimtoSigmundandthetwolivedtogetheruntilthelad—hisnamewasSinfiotli—wasgrowntomanhood.AllthistimeSignywaslivingwithherhusband,bearinghimchildren,showinghimnothingoftheoneburningdesireinherheart,totakevengeanceuponhim.Thedayforitcameatlast.SigmundandSinfiotlisurprisedthehousehold.TheykilledSigny’sotherchildren;theyshutherhusbandinthehouseandsetfiretoit.Signywatchedthemwithneveraword.Whenallwasdoneshetoldthemthattheyhadgloriouslyavengedthedead,andwiththatsheenteredtheburningdwellinganddiedthere.Throughtheyearswhileshehadwaitedshehadplannedwhenshekilledherhusbandtodiewithhim.ClytemnestrawouldfadebesideheriftherehadbeenaNorseAeschylustowriteherstory.

ThestoryofSiegfriedissofamiliarthatthatofhisNorseprototype,Sigurd,

canbebrieflytold.Brynhild,aValkyrie,hasdisobeyedOdinandispunishedbybeingputtosleepuntilsomemanshallwakeher.Shebegsthathewhocomestohershallbeonewhoseheartknowsnofear,andOdinsurroundshercouchwithflamingfirewhichonlyaherowouldbrave.Sigurd,thesonofSigmund,doesthedeed.HeforceshishorsethroughtheflamesandwakensBrynhild,whogivesherselftohimjoyfullybecausehehasprovedhisvalorinreachingher.Somedayslaterheleavesherinthesamefire-ringedplace.

SigurdgoestothehomeoftheGiukungswhereheswearsbrotherhoodwiththeking,Gunnar.Griemhild,Gunnar’smother,wantsSigurdforherdaughterGudrun,andgiveshimamagicpotionwhichmakeshimforgetBrynhild.HemarriesGudrun;then,assumingthroughGriemhild’smagicalpowertheappearanceofGunnar,heridesthroughtheflamesagaintowinBrynhildforGunnar,whoisnotheroenoughtodothishimself.Sigurdspendsthreenightstherewithher,butheplaceshisswordbetweentheminthebed.BrynhildgoeswithhimtotheGiukungs,whereSigurdtakeshisownshapeagain,butwithoutBrynhild’sknowledge.ShemarriesGunnar,believingthatSigurdwasfaithlesstoherandthatGunnarhadriddenthroughtheflamesforher.InaquarrelwithGudrunshelearnsthetruthandsheplansherrevenge.ShetellsGunnarthatSigurdbrokehisoathtohim,thathereallypossessedherthosethreenightswhenhedeclaredthathisswordlaybetweenthem,andthatunlessGunnarkillsSigurdshewillleavehim.GunnarhimselfcannotkillSigurdbecauseoftheoathofbrotherhoodhehassworn,buthepersuadeshisyoungerbrothertoslaySigurdinhissleep,andGudrunwakestofindherhusband’sbloodflowingoverher.

ThenBrynhildlaughed,Onlyonce,withallherheart,WhensheheardthewailofGudrun.

Butalthough,orbecause,shebroughtabouthisdeath,shewillnotlivewhenSigurdisdead.Shesaystoherhusband:—

OnealoneofallIloved.Ineverhadachangingheart.

Brynhildonacouchsurroundedbyfire

ShetellshimthatSigurdhadnotbeenfalsetohisoathwhenherodethroughthefieryringtowinherforGunnar.

InonebedtogetherwesleptAsifhehadbeenmybrother.EverwithgriefandalltoolongAremenandwomenbornintheworld—

Shekillsherself,prayingthatherbodyshallbelaidonthefuneralpyrewithSigurd’s.

BesidehisbodyGudrunsitsinsilence.Shecannotspeak;shecannotweep.Theyfearthatherheartwillbreakunlessshecanfindrelief,andonebyonethewomentellheroftheirowngrief,

Thebitterestpaineachhadeverborne.

Husband,daughters,sisters,brothers,—onesays,—allweretakenfromme,andstillIlive.

YetforhergriefGudruncouldnotweep.Sohardwasherheartbythehero’sbody.

Mysevensonsfellinthesouthernland,anothersays,andmyhusbandtoo,alleightinbattle.Ideckedwithmyownhandsthebodiesforthegrave.Onehalf-yearbroughtmethistobear.Andnoonecametocomfortme.

YetforhergriefGudruncouldnotweep.Sohardwasherheartbythehero’sbody.

Thenonewiserthantherestliftstheshroudfromthedead.

,…ShelaidHiswell-lovedheadonthekneesofhiswife.“LookonhimthoulovedandpressthylipsTohisasifhestillwereliving.”OnlyoncedidGudrunlook.Shesawhishairallclottedwithblood,Hisblindedeyesthathadbeensobright,Thenshebentandbowedherhead,Andhertearsrandownlikedropsofrain.

SucharetheearlyNorsestories.Manisborntosorrowasthesparksflyupward.Toliveistosufferandtheonlysolutionoftheproblemoflifeistosufferwithcourage.Sigurd,onhiswaytoBrynhildthefirsttime,meetsawisemanandaskshimwhathisfateshallbe,

Hidenothingfrommehoweverhard.

Thewisemananswers:—

ThouknowestthatIwillnotlie.Nevershaltthoubestainedbybaseness.Yetadayofdoomshallcomeuponthee,Adayofwrathandadayofanguish.Buteverremember,rulerofmen,Thatfortuneliesinthehero’slife.AndanoblermanshallneverliveBeneaththesunthanSigurd.

CHAPTERII

TheNorseGods

NOgodofGreececouldbeheroic.AlltheOlympianswereimmortalandinvincible.Theycouldneverfeeltheglowofcourage;theycouldneverdefydanger.Whentheyfoughttheyweresureofvictoryandnoharmcouldevercomenearthem.ItwasdifferentinAsgard.TheGiants,whosecitywasJötunheim,weretheactive,persistentenemiesoftheAesir,asthegodswerecalled,andtheynotonlywereanever-presentdanger,butknewthatintheendcompletevictorywasassuredtothem.

ThisknowledgewasheavyontheheartsofallthedwellersinAsgard,butitweighedheaviestontheirchiefandruler,ODIN.LikeZeus,Odinwasthesky-father,

Cladinacloud-graykirtleandahoodasblueasthesky.

Buttheretheresemblanceends.ItwouldbehardtoconceiveanythinglessliketheZeusofHomerthanOdin.Heisastrangeandsolemnfigure,alwaysaloof.Evenwhenhesitsatthefeastsofthegodsinhisgoldenpalace,Gladsheim,orwiththeheroesinValhalla,heeatsnothing.Thefoodsetbeforehimhegivestothetwowolveswhocrouchathisfeet.Onhisshouldersperchtworavens,whoflyeachdaythroughtheworldandbringhimbacknewsofallthatmendo.ThenameoftheoneisThought(Hugin)andoftheotherMemory(Munin).

Whiletheothergodsfeasted,OdinponderedonwhatThoughtandMemorytaughthim.

Hehadtheresponsibilitymorethanalltheothergodstogetherofpostponingaslongaspossiblethedayofdoom,Ragnarok,whenheavenandearthwouldbedestroyed.HewastheAll-father,supremeamonggodsandmen,yetevensoheconstantlysoughtformorewisdom.HewentdowntotheWellofWisdomguardedbyMimirthewise,tobegforadraughtfromit,andwhenMimiransweredthathemustpayforitwithoneofhiseyes,heconsentedtolosetheeye.HewontheknowledgeoftheRunes,too,bysuffering.TheRunesweremagicalinscriptions,immenselypowerfulforhimwhocouldinscribethemonanything—wood,metal,stone.Odinlearnedthematthecostofmysteriouspain.HesaysintheElderEddathathehung

Ninewholenightsonawind-rockedtree,Woundedwithaspear.IwasofferedtoOdin,myselftomyself,Onthattreeofwhichnomanknows.

Hepassedthehard-wonknowledgeontomen.TheytoowereabletousetheRunestoprotectthemselves.HeimperiledhislifeagaintotakeawayfromtheGiantstheskaldicmead,whichmadeanyonewhotasteditapoet.Thisgoodgifthebestoweduponmenaswellasuponthegods.Inallwayshewasmankind’sbenefactor.

Maidenswerehisattendants,theVALKYRIES.TheywaitedonthetableinAsgardandkeptthedrinkinghornsfull,buttheirchieftaskwastogotothebattlefieldanddecideatOdin’sbiddingwhoshouldwinandwhoshoulddie,andcarrythebravedeadtoOdin.Valmeans“slain,”andtheValkyriesweretheChoosersoftheSlain;andtheplacetowhichtheybroughttheheroeswastheHalloftheSlain,Valhalla.Inbattle,theherodoomedtodiewouldsee

Maidensexcellentinbeauty,Ridingtheirsteedsinshiningarmor,Solemnanddeepinthought,Withtheirwhitehandsbeckoning.

WednesdayisofcourseOdin’sday.TheSouthernformofhisnamewasWoden.

Oftheothergods,onlyfivewereimportant:BALDER,THOR,FREYR,HEIMDALL,andTYR.

BALDERwasthemostbelovedofthegods,onearthasinheaven.Hisdeathwasthefirstofthedisasterswhichfelluponthegods.Onenighthewastroubledwithdreamswhichseemedtoforetellsomegreatdangertohim.Whenhismother,FRIGGA,thewifeofOdin,heardthisshedeterminedtoprotecthimfromtheleastchanceofdanger.Shewentthroughtheworldandexactedanoathfromeverything,allthingswithlifeandwithoutlife,nevertodohimharm.ButOdinstillfeared.HerodedowntoNIFLHEIM,theworldofthedead,wherehefoundthedwellingofHELA,orHEL,theGoddessoftheDead,alldeckedoutinfestalarray.AWiseWomantoldhimforwhomthehousehadbeenmadeready:—

ThemeadhasbeenbrewedforBalder.Thehopeofthehighgodshasgone.

OdinknewthenthatBaldermustdie,buttheothergodsbelievedthatFriggahadmadehimsafe.Theyplayedagameaccordinglywhichgavethemmuchpleasure.TheywouldtrytohitBalder,tothrowastoneathimorhurladartorshootanarroworstrikehimwithasword,butalwaystheweaponsfellshortofhimorrolledharmlesslyaway.NothingwouldhurtBalder.Heseemedraisedabovethembythisstrangeexemptionandallhonoredhimforit,exceptoneonly,LOKI.Hewasnotagod,butthesonofaGiant,andwhereverhecametroublefollowed.Hecontinuallyinvolvedthegodsindifficultiesanddangers,buthewasallowedtocomefreelytoAsgardbecauseforsomereasonneverexplainedOdinhadswornbrotherhoodwithhim.Healwayshatedthegood,andhewasjealousofBalder.Hedeterminedtodohisbesttofindsomewayofinjuringhim.HewenttoFriggadisguisedasawomanandenteredintotalkwithher.FriggatoldhimofherjourneytoensureBalder’ssafetyandhoweverythinghadsworntodohimnoharm.Exceptforonelittleshrub,shesaid,themistletoe,soinsignificantshehadpasseditby.

ThatwasenoughforLoki.Hegotthemistletoeandwentwithittowherethegodswereamusingthemselves.HODER,Balder’sbrother,whowasblind,satapart.“Whynotjoininthegame?”askedLoki.“BlindasIam?”saidHoder.“AndwithnothingtothrowatBalder,either?”“Oh,doyourpart,”Lokisaid.“Hereisatwig.ThrowitandIwilldirectyouraim.”Hodertookthemistletoeandhurleditwithallhisstrength.UnderLoki’sguidanceitspedtoBalderandpiercedhisheart.Balderfelltothegrounddead.

Hismotherrefusedeventhentogiveuphope.FriggacriedouttothegodsforavolunteertogodowntoHelaandtrytoransomBalder.Hermod,oneofhersons,offeredhimself.OdingavehimhishorseSleipnirandhespeddowntoNiflheim.

Theotherspreparedthefuneral.Theybuiltaloftypyreonagreatship,andtheretheylaidBalder’sbody.Nanna,hiswife,wenttolookatitforthelasttime;herheartbrokeandshefelltothedeckdead.Herbodywasplacedbesidehis.Thenthepyrewaskindledandtheshippushedfromtheshore.Asitsailedouttosea,theflamesleapedupandwrappeditinfire.

WhenHermodreachedHelawiththegods’petition,sheansweredthatshewouldgiveBalderbackifitwereprovedtoherthatalleverywheremournedforhim.Butifonethingoronelivingcreaturerefusedtoweepforhimshewouldkeephim.ThegodsdispatchedmessengerseverywheretoaskallcreationtoshedtearssothatBaldercouldberedeemedfromdeath.Theymetwithnorefusal.Heavenandearthandeverythingthereinweptwillinglyforthebelovedgod.Themessengersrejoicingstartedbacktocarrythenewstothegods.Then,almostattheendoftheirjourney,theycameuponaGiantess

—andallthesorrowoftheworldwasturnedtofutility,forsherefusedtoweep.“Onlydrytearswillyougetfromme,”shesaidmockingly.“IhadnogoodfromBalder,norwillIgivehimgood.”SoHelakeptherdead.

Lokiwaspunished.Thegodsseizedhimandboundhiminadeepcavern.Abovehisheadaserpentwasplacedsothatitsvenomfelluponhisface,causinghimunutterablepain.Buthiswife,Sigyn,cametohelphim.Shetookherplaceathissideandcaughtthevenominacup.Evenso,whenevershehadtoemptythecupandthepoisonfellonhim,thoughbutforamoment,hisagonywassointensethathisconvulsionsshooktheearth.

Ofthethreeothergreatgods,THORwastheThunder-god,forwhomThursdayisnamed,thestrongestoftheAesir;FREYRcaredforthefruitsoftheearth;HEIMDALLwasthewarderofBifröst,therainbowbridgewhichledtoAsgard;TYRwastheGodofWar,forwhomTuesday,onceTyr’sday,wasnamed.

InAsgardgoddesseswerenotasimportantastheywereinOlympus.NooneamongtheNorsegoddessesiscomparabletoAthena,andonlytwoarereallynotable.Frigga,Odin’swife,forwhomsomesayFridayisnamed,wasreputedtobeverywise,butshewasalsoverysilentandshetoldnoone,notevenOdin,whatsheknew.Sheisavaguefigure,oftenestdepictedatherspinning-wheel,wherethethreadsshespinsareofgold,butwhatshespinsthemforisasecret.

FREYAwastheGoddessofLoveandBeauty,but,strangelytoourideas,halfofthoseslaininbattlewerehers.Odin’sValkyriescouldcarryonlyhalftoValhalla.Freyaherselfrodetothebattlefieldandclaimedhershareofthedead,andtotheNorsepoetsthatwasanaturalandfittingofficefortheGoddessofLove.Fridayisgenerallyheldtohavebeennamedforher.

Buttherewasonerealmwhichwashandedovertothesolidruleofagoddess.TheKingdomofDeathwasHela’s.Nogodhadanyauthoritythere,notOdin,even.AsgardtheGoldenbelongedtothegods;gloriousValhallatotheheroes;Midgardwasthebattlefieldformen,notthebusinessofwomen.Gudrun,intheElderEdda,says,

Thefiercenessofmenrulesthefateofwomen.

Thecoldpaleworldoftheshadowydeadwaswoman’ssphereinNorsemythology.

THECREATION

IntheElderEddaaWiseWomansays:—

Ofoldtherewasnothing,Norsand,norsea,norcoolwaves.Noearth,noheavenabove.Onlytheyawningchasm.Thesunknewnotherdwelling,Northemoonhisrealm.Thestarshadnottheirplaces.

Butthechasm,tremendousthoughitwas,didnotextendeverywhere.FartothenorthwasNiflheim,thecoldrealmofdeath,andfartothesouthwasMUSPELHEIM,thelandoffire.FromNiflheimtwelveriverspouredwhichflowedintothechasmandfreezingtherefilleditslowlyupwithice.FromMuspelheimcamefierycloudsthatturnedtheicetomist.DropsofwaterfellfromthemistandoutofthemtherewereformedthefrostmaidensandYMIR,thefirstGiant.HissonwasOdin’sfather,whosemotherandwifewerefrostmaidens.

OdinandhistwobrotherskilledYmir.Theymadetheearthandskyfromhim,theseafromhisblood,theearthfromhisbody,theheavensfromhisskull.TheytooksparksfromMuspelheimandplacedthemintheskyasthesun,moon,andstars.Theearthwasroundandencircledbythesea.AgreatwallwhichthegodsbuiltoutofYmir’seyebrowsdefendedtheplacewheremankindwastolive.ThespacewithinwascalledMidgard.Herethefirstmanandwomanwerecreatedfromtrees,themanfromanash,thewomanfromanelm.Theyweretheparentsofallmankind.IntheworldwerealsoDWARFS—uglycreatures,butmasterlycraftsmen,wholivedundertheearth;andELVES,lovelysprites,whotendedtheflowersandstreams.

Awondrousash-tree,YGGDRASIL,supportedtheuniverse.Itstruckitsrootsthroughtheworlds.

ThreerootstherearetoYggdrasilHellivesbeneaththefirst.Beneaththesecondthefrost-giants,Andmenbeneaththethird.

Itisalsosaidthat“oneoftherootsgoesuptoAsgard.”Besidethisrootwasawellofwhitewater,URDA’SWELL,soholythatnonemightdrinkofit.ThethreeNORNSguardedit,who

Allottheirlivestothesonsofmen,

Andassigntothemtheirfate.

ThethreewereURDA(thePast),VERDANDI(thePresent),andSKULD(theFuture).Hereeachdaythegodscame,passingoverthequiveringrainbowbridgetositbesidethewellandpassjudgmentonthedeedsofmen.AnotherwellbeneathanotherrootwastheWELLOFKNOWLEDGE,guardedbyMIMIRtheWise.

OverYggdrasil,asoverAsgard,hungthethreatofdestruction.Likethegodsitwasdoomedtodie.AserpentandhisbroodgnawedcontinuallyattherootbesideNiflheim,Hel’shome.Somedaytheywouldsucceedinkillingthetree,andtheuniversewouldcomecrashingdown.

TheFrostGiantsandtheMountainGiantswholivedinJötunheimweretheenemiesofallthatisgood.Theywerethebrutalpowersofearth,andintheinevitablecontestbetweenthemandthedivinepowersofheaven,bruteforcewouldconquer.

Thegodsaredoomedandtheendisdeath.

Butsuchabeliefiscontrarytothedeepestconvictionofthehumanspirit,thatgoodisstrongerthanevil.EventhesesternlyhopelessNorsemen,whosedailylifeintheiricylandthroughtheblackwinterswasaperpetualchallengetoheroism,sawafar-awaylightbreakthroughthedarkness.ThereisaprophecyintheElderEdda,singularlyliketheBookofRevelation,thatafterthedefeatofthegods,—when

Thesunturnsblack,earthsinksinthesea,Thehotstarsfallfromthesky,Andfireleapshighaboutheavenitself,

—therewouldbeanewheavenandanewearth,

Inwondrousbeautyonceagain.Thedwellingsroofedwithgold.ThefieldsunsowedbearripenedfruitInhappinessforevermore.

ThenwouldcomethereignofOnewhowashighereventhanOdinandbeyondthereachofevil—

Agreaterthanall.ButIdarenotevertospeakhisname.AndtherearefewwhocanseebeyondThemomentwhenOdinfalls.

Thisvisionofahappinessinfinitelyremoteseemsathinsustenanceagainstdespair,butitwastheonlyhopetheEddasafforded.

THENORSEWISDOM

AnotherviewoftheNorsecharacter,oddlyunlikeitsheroicaspect,isalsogivenprominenceintheElderEdda.Thereareseveralcollectionsofwisesayingswhichnotonlydonotreflectheroismatall,butgiveaviewoflifewhichdispenseswithit.ThisNorsewisdom-literatureisfarlessprofoundthantheHebrewBookofProverbs;indeeditrarelydeservestohavethegreatword“wisdom”appliedtoit,buttheNorsemenwhocreatedithadatanyratealargestoreofgoodsense,astrikingcontrasttotheuncompromisingspiritofthehero.LikethewritersofProverbstheauthorsseemold;theyaremenofexperiencewhohavemeditatedonhumanaffairs.Once,nodoubt,theywereheroes,butnowtheyhaveretiredfrombattlefieldsandtheyseethingsfromadifferentpointofview.Sometimestheyevenlookatlifewithatouchofhumor:—

TherelieslessgoodthanmostbelieveInaleformortalmen.

AmanknowsnothingifheknowsnotThatwealthoftbegetsanape.

AcowardthinkshewillliveforeverIfonlyhecanshunwarfare.

Telloneyourthoughts,butbewareoftwo.Allknowwhatisknowntothree.

Asillymanliesawakeallnight,Thinkingofmanythings.Whenthemorningcomesheiswornwithcare,Andhistroubleisjustasitwas.

Someshowashrewdknowledgeofhumannature:—

ApaltrymanandpoorofmindIshewhomocksatallthings.

Bravemencanlivewellanywhere.Acowarddreadsallthings.

Nowandthentheyarecheerful,almostlight-hearted:—

Ioncewasyoungandtraveledalone.Imetanotherandthoughtmyselfrich.Manisthejoyofman.Beafriendtoyourfriend.Givehimlaughterforlaughter.

Toagoodfriend’shouseThepathisstraightThoughheisfaraway.

Asurprisinglytolerantspiritappearsoccasionally:—

Nomanhasnothingbutmisery,lethimbeneversosick.Tothisonehissonsareajoy,andtothatHiskin,toanotherhiswealth.Andtoyetanotherthegoodhehasdone.

Inamaiden’swordsletnomanplacefaith,Norinwhatawomansays.ButIknowmenandwomenboth.Men’smindareunstabletowardwomen.

Nonesogoodthathehasnofaults,Nonesowickedthatheisworthnaught.

Thereisrealdepthofinsightsometimes:—

Moderatelywiseeachoneshouldbe,Notoverwise,forawiseman’sheartIsseldomglad.

Cattledieandkindreddie.Wealsodie.ButIknowonethingthatneverdies,Judgmentoneachonedead.

Twolinesneartheendofthemostimportantofthecollectionsshowwisdom:—

ThemindknowsonlyWhatliesneartheheart.

Alongwiththeirtrulyawe-inspiringheroism,thesemenoftheNorthhaddelightfulcommonsense.Thecombinationseemsimpossible,butthepoemsareheretoproveit.ByraceweareconnectedwiththeNorse;ourculturegoesbacktoheGreeks.NorsemythologyandGreekmythologytogethergiveaclearpictureofwhatthepeoplewerelikefromwhomcomesamajorpartofourspiritualandintellectualinheritance.

GenealogicalTables

ThePrincipalGods

DescendantsofPrometheus

AncestorsofPerseusandHercules

AncestorsofAchilles

TheHouseofTroy

TheFamilyofHelenofTroy

TheRoyalHouseofThebesandtheAtreidae

TheHouseofAthens

Illustrations

TheGreeks,unliketheEgyptians,madetheirgodsintheirownimageOlympusTherapeofPersephone(Proserpine)PandoraliftedthelidandoutflewplaguesandsorrowsformankindTherapeofEuropaPsychegazedatthesleepingCupidPygmalionandGalateaTheHarpiesandtheArgonautsBellerophononPegasuskillingtheChimaeraPerseusholdingMedusa’sheadTheMinotaurintheLabyrinthHerculescarryingCerberusAtalantaandthegoldenapplesTheJudgmentofParisThewoodenhorseOdysseusandCirceAeneasandtheSibylenterCharon’sboatClytemnestraandOrestesOedipusandtheSphinxAthenaappearstoCreüsaandIonGlaucusandScyllaBrynhildonacouchsurroundedbyfire

Thankyouforbuyingthise-book,publishedbyHachetteDigital.

Toreceivespecialoffers,bonuscontent,andnewsaboutourlateste-booksandapps,signupforour

newsletters.

SignUp

Orvisitusathachettebookgroup.com/newsletters

*SeePartThree,ChapterI.

*SeePartThree,ChapterII.

*Seenextchapter.

*SeePartFive,ChapterII.

*SeePartThree,ChapterIII.

*SeePartFour,ChaptersIandII

Contents

WelcomePrefaceIntroductiontoClassicalMythology

TheMythologyoftheGreeksTheGreekandRomanWritersofMythology

PartOne:TheGods,theCreation,andtheEarliestHeroesChapterI:TheGods

TheTitansandtheTwelveGreatOlympiansTheLesserGodsofOlympusTheGodsoftheWatersTheUnderworldTheLesserGodsofEarthTheRomanGods

ChapterII:TheTwoGreatGodsofEarthDemeter(Ceres)DionysusorBacchus

ChapterIII:HowtheWorldandMankindWereCreatedChapterIV:TheEarliestHeroes

PrometheusandIoEuropaTheCyclopsPolyphemusFlower-Myths:Narcissus,Hyacinth,Adonis

PartTwo:StoriesofLoveandAdventureChapterI:CupidandPsycheChapterII:EightBriefTalesofLovers

PyramusandThisbeOrpheusandEurydiceCeyxandAlcyonePygmalionandGalateaBaucisandPhilemonEndymionDaphne

AlpheusandArethusaChapterIII:TheQuestoftheGoldenFleeceChapterIV:FourGreatAdventures

PhaëthonPegasusandBellerophonOtusandEphialtesDaedalus

PartThree:TheGreatHeroesbeforetheTrojanWarChapterI:PerseusChapterII:TheseusChapterIII:HerculesChapterIV:Atalanta

PartFour:TheHeroesoftheTrojanWarChapterI:TheTrojanWar

Prologue:TheJudgmentofParisTheTrojanWar

ChapterII:TheFallofTroyChapterIII:TheAdventuresofOdysseusChapterIV:TheAdventuresofAeneas

PartOne:FromTroytoItalyPartTwo:TheDescentintotheLowerWorldPartThree:TheWarinItaly

PartFive:TheGreatFamiliesofMythologyChapterI:TheHouseofAtreus

TantalusandNiobeAgamemnonandHisChildrenIphigeniaAmongtheTaurians

ChapterII:TheRoyalHouseofThebesCadmusandHisChildrenOedipusAntigoneTheSevenagainstThebes

ChapterIII:TheRoyalHouseofAthensCecrops

ProcneandPhilomelaProcrisandCephalusOrithyiaandBoreasCreüsaandIon

PartSix:TheLessImportantMythsChapterI:Midas—andOthers

AesculapiusTheDanaïdsGlaucusandScyllaErysichthonPomonaandVertumnus

ChapterII:BriefMythsArrangedAlphabetically

PartSeven:TheMythologyoftheNorsemenIntroductiontoNorseMythologyChapterI:TheStoriesofSignyandSigurdChapterII:TheNorseGods

TheCreationTheNorseWisdom

GenealogicalTablesIllustrationsNewslettersCopyright

Copyright

Copyright©1942byEdithHamiltonCopyrightrenewed©1969byDorianFieldingReidandDorisFieldingReidIllustrationsbyChrisWormellCoverdesignbySusanZucker;coverart:BernardPicart,AtlasSupportstheHeavensonHisShoulders(engraving,1731),©BridgemanArtLibrary/PrivateCollection/TheStapletonCollectionCovercopyright©2013byHachetteBookGroup,Inc.

Allrightsreserved.InaccordancewiththeU.S.CopyrightActof1976,thescanning,uploading,andelectronicsharingofanypartofthisbookwithoutthepermissionofthepublisherconstituteunlawfulpiracyandtheftoftheauthor’sintellectualproperty.Ifyouwouldliketousematerialfromthebook(otherthanforreviewpurposes),priorwrittenpermissionmustbeobtainedbycontactingthepublisheratpermissions@hbgusa.com.Thankyouforyoursupportoftheauthor’srights.

Little,BrownandCompanyHachetteBookGroup237ParkAvenue,NewYork,NY10017hachettebookgroup.comtwitter.com/littlebrown

Firstebookedition:June2012

TheLittle,BrownnameandlogoaretrademarksofHachetteBookGroup,Inc.

Thepublisherisnotresponsibleforwebsites(ortheircontent)thatarenotownedbythepublisher.

TheHachetteSpeakersBureauprovidesawiderangeofauthorsforspeakingevents.Tofindoutmore,gotohachettespeakersbureau.comorcall(866)376-6591.

ISBN978-0-316-03216-2