Elements of Mythology, or, Classical Fables of the Greeks and the Romans E-Book

Eliza Robbins

• Herausgeber: FV Éditions
• Kategorie: Geisteswissenschaft
• Sprache: Englisch
• Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2018

Beschreibung

"Mythology, or the history of fable, is necessary to be known, because it explains many books, statues, and pictures, and enables us to comprehend the value of our own simple and true faith — the doctrines taught by Moses, the prophets, and the Lord Jesus Christ. The fables of Greece and Rome are the most interesting and the best known, therefore they must take the first place in the following compend of mythology, which is designed to bring into one view, for the use of young persons, some of the most remarkable fables, and best known usages, of ancient and modern paganism." E. Robbins

Leseprobe

Table of Contents

Copyright

Elements of Mythology,

Preface.

Elements of Mythology

Saturn.

Cybele.

Vesta.

Janus.

Jupiter.

Apollo.

Mercury.

Mars.

Vulcan.

The Cyclops.

Pandora.

Prometheus.

Juno.

Iris.

Hebe and Ganymede.

Minerva.

Ceres.

Proserpine.

Venus.

Adonis.

Cupid.

The Graces.

Diana.

The Muses.

Divinities of the Sea

Neptune.

Polyphemus.

Scylla and Charybdis.

Rural Deities.

Pan.

Silenus.

Domestic Divinities.

Aurora.

Zephyr.

Infernal Regions.

Judges of the Dead.

The Furies.

The Fates.

Criminals Punished

Sisyphus.

Phlegyas.

Tityus.

Ixion.

Tantalus.

The Danaides.

Cerberus.

Elysium.

Echo.

Themis and Nemesis.

Fame.

Fortune.

Envy and Discord.

Health.

Somnus.

Demi-Gods.

Hercules.

Centaur.

Jason.

Theseus.

Œdipus.

The Theban Pair.

Orpheus.

Castor and Pollux.

Dædalus

The Lapithæ.

The War of Troy.

Iphigenia.

Agamemnon.

Orestes and Pylades.

Menelaus.

Ajax.

Ulysses.

Achilles.

Nestor.

Diomed.

Hector.

Eneas.

Seven Wise Men of Greece.

Religion of the Hindus.

Brahma.

Vishnu.

Deva.

Hindu Temples.

Political State of the Hindus.

Scandinavian Mythology.

Frea and Thor.

Niflheim.

The Song of Vala

Celtic Mythology.

Syrian Mythology.

Egyptian Worship.

Persian Mythology.

Religion of the Mexicans.

Mexican Priests.

Religion of the Peruvians.

Religion of Greece.

Religion of the Romans.

Pantheon.

Sibyls.

Temples.

Parthenon.

Prophets and Oracles.

Religious Services.

Piety of the Ancients.

The Mosaic Dispensation.

Jewish Priests.

The Temple.

Ark.

Jewish Holy Times.

Also Available

Notes de bas de page

Copyright

Copyright © 2018 / FV Éditions

Cover picture : Pixabay.com

ISBN 979-10-299-0507-0

All Rights Reserved

Elements of Mythology,or, Classical Fables of the Greeks and the Romans

by

Eliza Robbins

— 1860 —

*

”Thou shall have no other gods before me.”

Bible

Preface.

This book of Education is one of a series of simple and easy works for the use of schools. It may appear to have less of the character of utility than its predecessors; but the object of them all, humble and merely elementary as they are, is to raise the mind above mere utility, not only to employ the faculties of the young upon what is necessary to be known, but to elevate them to the love and enjoyment of the beautiful, in nature, in art, and in literature — to inspire a taste for the luxuries. and refinements of intellect — to make them understand prose, and take delight in poetry — to discipline the reason, and excite the imagination.

I know that the stories of heathen gods and goddesses are somewhat out of date — that recent poetry derives its greatest power from sentiment, from delineations of the human heart, from external nature, and from genuine history. But we must preserve our old poetry, and its connexion with the fine arts, and with the fictions and superstitions of other ages and countries. We cannot comprehend our New Testament, nor multiplied allusions to classic authors, who, by their association with our own literature, have become necessary to be somewhat known by all readers; nor can we understand sculpture and painting, unless we know how all these are illustrated by fictions of pagan antiquity. Too many of these fictions are unfit to meet the eye of innocence, but so far as any of them convey a moral, so far as they throw light upon the history of mankind, so far as they have been incorporated in our literature, either with the design of instruction or of ornament, they require to make a part of useful education.

Not to make a compend of this character too minute to be interesting, and too meager to entertain, is the most I have attempted in these Elements of Mythology, except that I have constantly endeavoured to suggest a comparison between true and false religions, and to make children feel and be grateful that “the glorious gospel of the blessed God” is a dispensation, of infinite wisdom and infinite mercy — that it is a marvelous light and a fountain of knowledge, as well as a guide to all virtue — that it dispels all phantoms from our life, and all darkness from our death — that it makes our worship a pure and simple service, our faith a clear conviction, and our devotionan undivided homage.

I trust it is not a forced application to make a book of mythology one of a religious tendency. It is my own view of the subject, and I cannot but believe that the holiness and happiness of the Christian world will be rendered more evident by comparison with the times of that ignorance which God suffered long to exist — now happily succeeded and effaced by the certainty of revealed truth. By bringing fictions into contact with the facts, of religion, I hope I shall in no case impair the sentiment of reverence, and that Christian piety will lose nothing by the assumption that natural religion was an elementary principle of human feelings and opinions, amidst the self-deceptions and gross abuses which grow up, like stilling weeds with it, in the divers faith and ordinances of paganism.

To cherish the love of truth, to contribute to the formation of a just taste in literature, to employ the understanding principally in the acquirement of knowledge, to make reason the instructor of memory, and not memory the caterer of reason, is the purpose of all the little books I have written. To those who are employed in the education of the young, who think conscientiously and with interest upon the philosophy of instruction, and whose theory is the rule of their practice, I commend this book.

Philadelphia, October 22, 1830.

Elements of Mythology

Those young persons who live in the present age of the world, and who are educated as Christians, often hear of other gods besides that true and only God who is represented to them as the father of all intelligent beings, and the maker of every existing thing. They learn from this, that men have not all, and always, worshipped that pure and holy Spirit, who has been represented to them as the only proper object of trust and praise: and in reading the Scriptures they perceive, that God has forbidden the worship of images. They must naturally ask, what nations have worshipped idols, and why they have worshipped them.

This question is answered by the fact, that when men first spread themselves over the habitable earth, they forgot and altered the revelation which God had made to Adam, Noah, and other patriarchs, and invented new and false gods, whom they adored. It pleased God to select one nation, to whom, in order to preserve the knowledge of himself in the world, he revealed himself in a particular manner.

The fables connected with the false religions of antiquity are still carefully preserved. They constituted the religious faith of civilized nations; are often mentioned in ancient and modern history and poetry, and are often very amusing. Mythology, or the history of fable, is necessary to be known, because it explains many books, statues, and pictures, and enables us to comprehend the value of our own simple and true faith — the doctrines taught by Moses, the prophets, and the Lord Jesus Christ. The fables of Greece and Rome are the most interesting and the best known, therefore they must take the first place in the following compend of mythology, which is designed to bring into one view, for the use of young persons, some of the most remarkable fables, and best known usages, of ancient and modern paganism.

———

Mythology is the history of the gods and goddesses who have been worshipped by heathen nations in different countries and ages of the world.

Heathens, or pagans, are people who are not acquainted with the true and only God, and who worship false divinities. Heathens sometimes worship images of the deities whom they reverence. The worshippers of images are Idolaters, the images are Idols, and the worship is Idolatry.

Men were first taught by God himself, that there is a God. Instruction directly from God is Revelation. We learn from the Bible that God manifested, or made himself known to some good men, and instructed them concerning the worship and conduct which he requires of human beings.

The most remarkable individuals whom God appointed to instruct mankind concerning himself, were the Patriarchs, the Prophets, and lastly our Lord Jesus Christ. The patriarchs to whom God more especially revealed himself were Adam, Noah and Abraham. Patriarch signifies a father.

As soon as Adam was created, God imparted to him the knowledge of himself and of the uses to which his gifts were to be applied. The first and second chapters of Genesis contain this fact. Adam was formed nearly six thousand years ago. Sixteen hundred years after Adam, God taught Noah his own character and will. Four hundred years after Noah, Abraham was also instructed how to serve God acceptably; and four hundred years after Abraham, and fifteen centuries before the birth of Christ, Moses, more fully than any of his predecessors, was instructed in the nature of a holy worship.

After Moses, prophets, at different times taught mankind their duty to God. The prophets were persons instructed by God concerning himself, and concerning events which were to happen after they were foretold. Moses was a prophet when he foretold, ““The Lord thy God will raise up unto thee a prophet from the midst of thy brethren like unto me.” ” This prophet was our Saviour Jesus Christ, who came into the world as Moses had predicted.

Moses was succeeded by other prophets. Elisha, Isaiah, Jeremiah, etc. were prophets. The patriarchs, the prophets, and Christ taught that God is one — a spirit infinitely wise, powerful, holy, just, and merciful; and that he requires all human creatures to serve him in truth, that is, to confess or worship him before men; to love him with the whole heart: and to keep the commandments.

Those persons to whom God revealed himself thus were all of one nation; they were the Hebrews, and dwelt on the eastern border of the Mediterranean, in Palestine, anciently Judea. The Hebrews are styled the chosen people, that means, they were chosen by God to be instructed in a true religion, and to teach it to the rest of mankind.

The other nations of the world were partially taught the character of the Supreme Being by the Hebrews. All other nations believed in a plurality of gods, or many gods. This is Polytheism. The history of the fabulous divinities is Mythology.

The good men who knew and loved the true God, endeavoured to make their contemporaries, persons living at the same time with themselves, love and serve him also; and many believed them, and walked with God, as the scripture says, which signifies, that they believed in God, and worshipped him only.

Who are heathens?

How did men first learn that there is a God?

Who are the most remarkable persons to whom God bas revealed himself?

At what different times were these revelations made?

After the patriarchs, who at different times instructed mankind in true religion?

Did the patriarchs and prophets teach one doctrine?

To what nation did God particularly communicate himself?

What was the religion of the rest of mankind?

Were those that believed in the true God numerous?

———

As Noah, Abraham, and Moses, did not live at the same time, but several centuries passed away from the death of one till the lifetime of another of those holy men, there was time for men to forget the instructions of one, before they should hear the same truth from another, of those inspired persons.

At the present time, whatever truth is discovered, is immediately printed in books: in civilized countries people are generally taught to read, and therefore a known fact is not likely to be lost or altered. When Noah and Abraham lived there were no letters or writings, and all knowledge was preserved by tradition.

Tradition is an account of past events related by the old to the young, and again related by the person who first heard it to others still younger than himself. When a father tells his son, My father told me that he planted yonder tree, I tell you that he did so; when you shall have a son, tell him that your grandfather planted that tree, and let your son tell his son this fact. The history of the tree becomes a tradition in that family.

By tradition the knowledge of God was preserved n the world till the time of Moses; then the commandments were engraved on tables of stone, and God’s law could be read to the people. Long before this time, all that God had taught the patriarchs concerning himself had been altered or corrupted, as it was told from one person to another.

Wicked men particularly described God, or the gods, as they called the Supreme Being,) to be as wicked as men had become themselves. They invented a god of wine for the drunkards, of gold for the covetous, and of dishonesty for the thieves, etc.

Those who were not taught the true nature of God, worshipped the works of God, and also adored good men as divine beings. The sun, moon, and stars, the sea, the rivers, and the elements were worshipped, instead of him who made them all.

How came men to forget the exact instructions of the patriarchs?

How is truth certainly preserved at the present time?

What is tradition?

When was God’s will first recorded in writing?

How did wicked men represent God?

What besides the Supreme Deity became objects of worship?

———

The mythology of the Greeks and Romans is that which is now most important to be known. This mythology is introduced into all classical poetry. Classical poetry is that which is left of the poetry of the Greeks and Romans, and which is still read. English poets, and almost all modern poets of other countries, often allude to the ancient mythology.

Painters have drawn beautiful pictures of the gods and goddesses, and sculptors have represented them in admirable forms. It is impossible to understand ancient and modern poetry, or to comprehend the beauty and propriety of the finest works of art, without some acquaintance with the history of ancient fables.

The Greeks were first civilized by colonies of Phœnicians and Egyptians, and it is probable that the religion of the Greeks was a mixture of Phœnician and Egyptian faith and worship.

The pagan deities of Greece were divided into classes: the Celestial, the Terrestrial, the Marine, and the Infernal Gods. The gods of heaven, of earth, of the sea, and of hell. The principal of the celestial gods was Jupiter — the supreme divinity of paganism, the father of gods and men.

Besides Jupiter, five gods and six goddesses were of the higher order of deities, namely, Neptune, Apollo, Mercury, Mars, and Vulcan. The six goddesses were Juno, Minerva, Ceres, Venus, Dian, and Vesta.

Besides the gods there were demi-gods. These were originally men who had performed great actions, and whom, after their death, men worshipped.

Personifications of certain ideas were deified by the ancients; as Courage and Pain, Prudence and Honour. Courage is a quality of the mind, it is the absence of fear, and a virtue. A picture of courage would be a figure of a bold man; this picture would make a person of a virtue; it would be a personification. The Greeks and Romans worshipped these personifications.

What mythology is most important to be known?

What is classical poetry?

Who besides poets have celebrated pagan deities?

Whence did the Greeks derive their religion?

How are the heathen gods classed?

Who are the chief gods and goddesses?

Who are demi-gods?

What is a personification?

Saturn.

The most ancient divinities of the Greeks were Heaven and Earth; the former was a god called Cœlus, and the latter a goddess named Terra. Cœlus and Terra were the parents of Titan and Saturn. Titan, the elder son, gave up to his brother Saturn, his right to reign over the dominions of his parents, that is over heaven and earth.

Saturn, the same as Chronos, signifies Time. Saturn, when he took the kingdom of the world, agreed always to devour his male children; as the Hours and Days, portions of time, cease to be as soon as they exist. But according to the fiction, Rhea or Cybele, the wife of Saturn, concealed one of her sons, and had him secretly educated. This son was Jupiter. Neptune and Pluto, two other of Saturn’s sons, were saved.

When Titan discovered that one of his brother’s sons, contrary to a promise which Saturn had made him, was permitted to live, he made war upon Saturn; conquered both him and Cybele, and confined them. They were released by their son Jupiter, who deposed Saturn, and afterwards ruled the universe instead of his father.

Saturn, upon the usurpation of Jupiter, took refuge in Italy. He was kindly received by Janus, the king of the country. Saturn, in gratitude for the hospitality of Janus, endowed that prince with extraordinary prudence, with a knowledge of future events, and a perpetual remembrance of the past.

That part of Italy where Saturn took refuge, was called Latium, and lies along the Mediterranean. One of its ancient kings was Latinus. The language spoken in this region, and afterwards in Rome itself, was the Latin.

Saturn was highly honoured in Latium, and became king of the country. The hill, afterwards called the Capitoline, was named Saturninus from Saturn, and from him all Italy has been sometimes styled Saturnia. Saturn taught his subjects agriculture, and other useful arts, and made them so happy that the time of his reign was called the Golden Age. Saturn is represented as an old man, with a scythe in his hand.

At Rome, a festival was annually celebrated in honour of Saturn. At first, this festival, called the Saturnalia, lasted but one day; its duration was afterwards extended to three, four, and five days in succession. During the Saturnalia, business was suspended at Rome, schools were shut up, and unbounded hilarity prevailed. The slaves were released from toil, and permitted to say and do what they pleased, even, it is said, to ridicule their masters.

Who were the parents of Saturn?

Who was Saturn’s brother?

What does Saturn signify?

Who were Saturn’s sons?

Who deposed Saturn?

Where did Saturn take refuge?

Where is Latium?

How was Saturn regarded in Latium?

How is Saturn represented?

What was the Saturnalia?

Cybele.

Rhea, or Cybele, the wife of Saturn, is sometimes called Ops, and sometimes Berecynthia. Cybele was regarded as the mother of the gods, and was thence called Magna Mater — the Great Mother. Cybele was the first who fortified the walls of cities with towers, and she is therefore represented with a crown of towers upon her head, and seated in a car drawn by lions.

The priests of Cybele were sometimes called Corybantes, they are usually represented dancing and striking themselves.

Who was Cybele, and how is she represented?

Who were the priests of Cybele?

Vesta.

Vesta was the daughter of Saturn and the goddess of fire. Numa Pompilius, the second king of Rome, raised an altar to her, and instituted those celebrated priestesses who bore the names of Vestals, or Vestal Virgins.

At first, the vestals were only four in number, but were, afterwards, increased to seven.

Roman virgins, from the first families at Rome, and destined for the service of Vesta, were chosen between the age of six and ten years. The time of their consecration to the goddess lasted thirty years, and it was not till after this term that they were free from their priesthood, and at liberty to marry. During the first ten years they were instructed in the duties of their profession, they practised them during the second ten, and in the last ten years, they instructed the novices.

The chief employment of the vestals consisted in constantly maintaining the sacred fire, which burned in honour of Vesta.

This fire was renewed by the rays of the sun yearly, during the calends of March, or latter part of February.

The preservation of this fire was considered as being so important, that when it happened to expire, all public spectacles were forbidden till the crime was punished.

This event was the subject of general mourning, and considered as a most direful presage. If either of the vestal virgins had neglected her duty, or violated her vows, nothing could save her from the dreadful death of being buried alive.

The temple of Vesta was said to contain, besides the consecrated fire, the Palladium, or sacred image of Minerva, and the images of Lares and Penates, or household gods, which Æneas saved from the destruction of Troy, and brought to Italy.

The vestal’s vow was, never to suffer the sacred fire to become extinct, and never to associate with any man.

Who was Vesta?

Who were the vestals, and what was their discipline?

Was the fire of Vesta’s temple sacred?

To what punishment were the vestals exposed?

Janus.

Janus was a king of Italy, who received Saturn when he was expelled from heaven by Jupiter. The true history of Saturn must be, that he was a wise man, who was driven from some little kingdom by a successful usurper, who was perhaps his son; and, as a fugitive prince, escaping from injustice, was hospitably received by Janus.

The people of Italy were probably, at that remote period, less instructed in the useful arts and the comforts of life, than the inhabitants of Crete, over which the usurper Jupiter acquired dominion. Janus was a patriotic king, one who wished to make his subjects wiser and better, and who devoted himself to improving them; therefore, he gladly admitted Saturn to a share of the government, and acquired useful knowledge from him.

Janus, from his wisdom, was regarded as a prophet, and was supposed to be as well acquainted with the future as the past. This double gift of looking before and after, was nothing more than the experience and foresight of a wise man; nevertheless, ignorant people supposed that he was a supernatural being, and therefore, after his death he was deified.

It is probable, that Janus regulated the divisions of time among his subjects, as the first month of the year was called in honour of him, January. In some of his temples, the statue of Janus was surrounded by twelve altars, which denoted the twelve months of the year.

Janus was worshipped at Rome as the god of the year, as the patron of new undertakings, and the arbiter of peace and war. He was represented with two faces. These two faces indicated the double reign of Saturn and Janus; the double knowledge of the past and future; the double attribute of peace-maker and war-maker. He was supposed to open and shut the gates of heaven.

The images of Janus had in one hand a key, to denote his power in heaven, and in the other hand a sceptre to express his authority upon earth. The Roman king Numa instituted a festival in honour of Janus, which was celebrated at Rome on the first day of the year.

On the first day of the year, the Consuls entered upon their office, and the people were entertained with spectacles. New enterprises were dated from this day, but they commenced after it: for on the day itself, business was suspended, quarrels were forgotten, mutual presents were made, and the time was spent in mirth and friendly intercourse. This agreeable mode of spending the New-year’s day has been much followed by Christian nations even to the present time.

The temples of Janus were shut at Rome during the time of peace; but these occasions were rare. First, in the long reign of Numa; secondly, at the conclusion of the second Punic war, B. C. 232; and three times by the emperor Augustus. During the last time our Saviour was born in Judea, then a Roman province.

The circumstances of our Lord’s birth, himself the subject of an earthly empire, and the founder of a moral kingdom which shall extend to the end of the world — his coming into the world, the prince of peace, while mankind enjoyed a memorable peace, has often been noticed as a remarkable occurrence.

Who was Janus, and what is the meaning of the fable of Saturn?

Why did Janus admit Saturn to be the partner of his throne?

How was Janus regarded by his subjects?

Why were the images of Janus sometimes surrounded twelve altars?

How was Janus worshipped at Rome?

How were the attributes of Janus expressed by images of him, and who instituted a festival in honour of him?

How did the Romans celebrate New-year’s day?

When was the temple of Janus shut?

What has been particularly noticed concerning the birth of Christ?