GOD OF WATERS
Prophetic Abilities: Nereus is renowned for his
Poseidon: God of the Sea
Poseidon is a prominent figure in Greek mythology and is
known as the god of the sea, earthquakes, and horses. He is
one of the twelve Olympian gods and is often depicted as a
bearded man holding a trident, which is his symbol of power.
Powers and Abilities
As the god of the sea, Poseidon has control over the waters
and is capable of causing storms, creating earthquakes, and
shaping the tides. He is also associated with horses and is
believed to have the ability to create horses out of sea foam.
Poseidon's powers extend beyond the physical realm. He is
known for his ability to communicate with and control sea
creatures, such as dolphins and whales. Additionally, he has
the power to grant safe passage to sailors and protect ships
during their journeys.
Role in Greek Mythology
Poseidon plays a significant role in various Greek myths and
legends. He is often portrayed as a powerful and
temperamental deity, capable of both benevolence and
wrath. Poseidon is known for his rivalry with the goddess
Athena, as they both vied for control over the city of Athens.
One of the most famous myths involving Poseidon is the
story of the creation of the horse. According to legend,
Poseidon created the first horse by striking the ground with
his trident, causing a spring to gush forth and transform into a
magnificent horse.
Overall, Poseidon's power and influence over the sea and its
creatures make him a central figure in Greek mythology,
representing the untamed forces of nature and the vastness
of the ocean.
Amphitrite: Goddess of the Sea
Amphitrite is a figure in Greek mythology and is known as the
goddess of the sea. She is the wife of Poseidon, the god of
the sea, and together they rule over the oceans and all its
creatures. Amphitrite is often depicted as a beautiful and
regal goddess, adorned with seashells and accompanied by
sea creatures.
As the goddess of the sea, Amphitrite possesses several
powers and abilities related to the ocean. Some of her
powers include:
1. Control over the waves: Amphitrite has the ability to
calm or stir the waters, controlling the movement
and intensity of the waves. She can create calm
seas or unleash powerful storms.
2. Influence over marine life: Amphitrite has dominion
over the creatures of the sea. She can
communicate with and command various marine
creatures, such as dolphins, fish, and sea turtles.
3. Protection of sailors: Amphitrite is often invoked by
sailors and seafarers for protection during their
voyages. She can guide ships safely through
treacherous waters and protect them from
shipwrecks and other dangers.
4. Healing and purification: Amphitrite is associated
with the healing properties of the sea. She has the
power to cleanse and purify both the physical and
spiritual aspects of individuals, offering
rejuvenation and renewal.
Amphitrite's role in Greek mythology is primarily as the wife of
Poseidon and the queen of the sea. While she may not be as
well-known as some other Greek goddesses, her power and
influence over the ocean make her an important figure in
maritime mythology.
Nereus and his powers
Nereus is a figure from Greek mythology, specifically a sea
god known as the "Old Man of the Sea." He is the son of
Pontus (the Sea) and Gaia (the Earth) and is often depicted
as a wise and elderly deity. Nereus is associated with the
Mediterranean Sea and is known for his prophetic abilities
and shape-shifting powers.
Here are some key points about Nereus and his powers:
1.
ability to foresee the future and provide accurate
prophecies. He is often consulted by other gods,
heroes, and mortals seeking knowledge and
guidance.
2. Shape-Shifting: Nereus has the power to change
his form at will. He can transform into various sea
creatures, such as a dolphin or a seal, as well as
take on human-like appearances.
3. Wisdom and Knowledge: Nereus is considered
one of the wisest and most knowledgeable beings
in Greek mythology. He possesses vast knowledge
about the sea, its creatures, and the world in
general.
4. Parentage and Family: Nereus is the father of the
Nereids, sea nymphs who are often depicted as his
fifty daughters. These nymphs are associated with
various aspects of the sea, such as waves,
currents, and marine life.
5. Associations: Nereus is often mentioned in Greek
myths and epic poems, such as Homer's "Iliad" and
"Odyssey." He is portrayed as a benevolent and
helpful deity, assisting heroes and sailors in their
quests and journeys.
In summary, Nereus is a sea god in Greek mythology known
for his prophetic abilities, shape-shifting powers, wisdom, and
association with the sea. His role as the "Old Man of the Sea"
makes him a significant figure in ancient Greek folklore.
Triton and his powers
Triton is a mythological figure in Greek mythology. He is the
son of Poseidon, the god of the sea, and Amphitrite, a sea
nymph. Triton is often depicted as a merman, with the upper
body of a human and the lower body of a fish.
As the messenger of the sea, Triton has several powers and
abilities associated with water and the ocean. Some of his
notable powers include:
1. Control over the sea: Triton has the ability to
manipulate and control the waters of the sea. He
can create powerful waves, calm storms, and
control the tides.
 2. Trumpet of the sea: Triton is often depicted
carrying a conch shell, which he uses as a trumpet.
When he blows into the shell, it creates a loud and
powerful sound that can be heard across the
ocean. This sound is often used to announce the
arrival of a god or a significant event.
3. Ability to shape-shift: Triton has the power to
transform himself into different forms. He can
change into various sea creatures, such as
dolphins or sea monsters, allowing him to navigate
the ocean and interact with its inhabitants.
4. Protection of sailors: Triton is known to be a
guardian of sailors and ships. He ensures safe
passage for sailors and protects them from the
dangers of the sea.
Triton's powers and role in Greek mythology highlight the
importance of the sea in ancient Greek culture and the
reverence they had for the power and unpredictability of the
ocean.
Nereids and Their Powers
The Nereids are sea nymphs in Greek mythology. They are
the fifty daughters of Nereus, the Old Man of the Sea, and
Doris, a sea nymph. The Nereids are often depicted as
beautiful young women who live in the depths of the sea.
Each Nereid has her own unique power and role in the sea.
Here are some notable Nereids and their powers:
1. Thetis: Thetis is the most famous Nereid. She is
the mother of Achilles, the great hero of the Trojan
War. Thetis has the power of shape-shifting and is
known for her ability to change her form into
various creatures.
2. Amphitrite: Amphitrite is the wife of Poseidon, the
god of the sea. She has the power to calm the
waves and control the sea creatures. Amphitrite is
often depicted riding a chariot pulled by sea
creatures.
3. Galatea: Galatea is known for her beauty and
grace. She has the power to control the emotions
of others, particularly men. Galatea is often
associated with love and desire.
4. Thalia: Thalia is the Nereid of abundance and good
cheer. She has the power to bring joy and
happiness to those around her. Thalia is often
depicted with a cornucopia, symbolizing
abundance.
5. Eurydice: Eurydice is the Nereid of the sea winds.
She has the power to control the winds and create
storms at sea. Eurydice is often depicted with
wings and a staff, symbolizing her control over the
winds.
These are just a few examples of the Nereids and their
powers. Each Nereid has her own unique abilities and
characteristics, making them an important part of Greek
mythology and the world of the sea.
Oceanus and his Power
Oceanus is a figure from Greek mythology who personifies
the ocean. He is one of the Titans, the divine beings who
ruled the world before the Olympian gods. Oceanus is often
depicted as a powerful and ancient deity associated with the
vastness and depth of the sea.
As the personification of the ocean, Oceanus is believed to
have control over the waters and the creatures that inhabit
them. His power extends to the seas, rivers, and all bodies of
water. He is often depicted as a bearded god riding a chariot
pulled by sea creatures or as a giant with a long flowing
beard and a crown made of seaweed.
Oceanus' power is closely linked to the natural forces of the
ocean. He is associated with the ebb and flow of tides, the
currents, and the storms at sea. He is also believed to have
the ability to communicate with and command the sea
creatures, such as dolphins and sea nymphs.
In Greek mythology, Oceanus is not as prominent as some of
the other Titans, but his power and influence over the waters
are significant. He represents the primal and untamed nature
of the ocean, reminding us of its vastness and mystery.
Thalassa in Greek Mythology and Her Power
In Greek mythology, Thalassa is the primordial goddess of
the sea. She is often depicted as a beautiful woman
emerging from the waves. Thalassa's power lies in her
control over the vast expanse of the sea and all its elements.
As a goddess of the sea, Thalassa has the ability to
manipulate the tides, currents, and weather patterns. She can
calm the waters or stir up storms, depending on her mood or
the situation. Thalassa is also associated with the life-giving
and nurturing aspects of the sea, as she is believed to be the
mother of all sea creatures.
Thalassa's power extends beyond the physical realm of the
sea. She is also seen as a symbol of the unknown and the
depths of the subconscious mind. In this sense, she
represents the mysteries and hidden emotions that lie
beneath the surface.
Overall, Thalassa embodies the power and majesty of the
sea, with control over its forces and the ability to evoke both
awe and fear in those who encounter her.
Proteus and his powers
Proteus is a character in Greek mythology known for his
shape-shifting abilities. He is the son of Poseidon, the god of
the sea, and is often referred to as the "Old Man of the Sea."
Proteus has the power to change his form at will, making him
incredibly elusive and difficult to capture.
His shape-shifting abilities allow him to transform into various
animals, plants, or even inanimate objects. This power
enables him to escape from his enemies or deceive them by
taking on different appearances. Proteus is also known for his
ability to foretell the future and possess great wisdom.
In addition to his shape-shifting and prophetic powers,
Proteus is associated with the sea and is often depicted as a
wise and ancient figure. He is often portrayed as a guardian
of the sea and its creatures.
Proteus plays a significant role in Greek mythology,
appearing in various stories and legends. One of the most
famous stories involving Proteus is his encounter with the
hero Menelaus in Homer's epic poem, the Odyssey.
Menelaus seeks Proteus' advice on how to return home after
the Trojan War, and Proteus reveals important information to
him after being captured and forced to reveal his true form.
Overall, Proteus is a fascinating character in Greek
mythology, known for his shape-shifting abilities, prophetic
powers, and association with the sea.
Glaucus is a character from Greek mythology. He was
originally a mortal fisherman who became a sea god after
eating a magical herb. As a sea god, Glaucus had the power
to control and communicate with marine life. He could also
prophesy and had the ability to heal others. Glaucus is often
depicted as a merman or a fish-tailed deity. His story is often
associated with love and transformation.
Leucothea is a figure in Greek mythology. She was originally
a mortal princess named Ino, who was married to Athamas,
the king of Orchomenus. However, due to the wrath of the
goddess Hera, Ino and Athamas faced many hardships. Ino
eventually became a sea goddess known as Leucothea.
Leucothea's power lies in her ability to protect sailors and
those in need on the sea. She is often depicted as a
benevolent and helpful deity, offering assistance to sailors in
distress. Leucothea is associated with providing guidance,
protection, and salvation to those facing perilous situations at
sea.
According to mythology, Leucothea would appear to sailors in
the form of a white sea bird or a mermaid, guiding them away
from dangerous waters or shipwrecks. She was believed to
have the power to calm storms and ensure safe passage for
sailors.
In summary, Leucothea is a sea goddess in Greek mythology
who possesses the power to protect and aid sailors in times
of danger at sea.
GOD OF UNDERWORLD
he Gods of Underworld
What is underworld?
Underworld – The underworld is also known as the
netherworld, is the supernatural world of the dead in various
religious traditions and myths, located below the world of the
living.
The concept of the underworld is found in
every civilization and may be as old as humanity itself. The
common features of the underworld myths are accounts of
living people making journeys to the underworld, often for
some heroic purpose. Other myths reinforce traditions that
the entrance of the souls to the underworld requires a proper
observation of ceremony. A number of mythologies
incorporate the concept of the soul of the underworld, with
the dead needing to be taken across a defining obstacle such
as a lake or a river to reach this.
The Gods of underworld were named “Theoi Khthonioi” or
Chthonian Gods by the Greeks. They were ruled by the grim
God Hades and his queen Persephone. The term “Chthonic
Gods” was also used for the closely related Gods of
Agriculture.
There are many Gods of underworld in Greek Mythology.
1. Hades – is the ruler and the king of underworld and
also the God of Dead. The husband of Persephone. He is
the eldest brother of Zeus and Poseidon. After defeated their
father’s generation of Gods, the Titans, and claimed joint
ruler-ship over the cosmos. Hades received the underworld,
Zeus the sky, and Poseidon the sea, with the solid earth. In
artistic depictions, Hades is typically portrayed holding a
bident and wearing his helm (cap of invisibility) with
Cerberus, the three headed-dog of the underworld, standing
at his side.
Was Hades an Olympian? Or still considered as an Olympian
God?
No, Despite Hades being born in the same generation as the
other Olympian Gods, He is excluded from the group and so
does not have the title ‘Olympian’. He does not have home or
sacred place on the Olympus (the divine palace) but instead
is confined to his domain in the underworld.
2. Persephone – The Goddess Queen of the Underworld and
wife of the Hades. She was also the Goddess of Spring
growth, who was worshiped alongside her mother Demeter in
the Eleusinian Mysteries. This agricultural-based cult
promised its initiates passage to blessed afterlife.
How Persephone become Queen of the Underworld?
The story of Persephone, the sweet daughter of Goddess
Demeter who was kidnapped by hades and later become the
Queen of the underworld, is known all over the world. It is
actually the way of the ancient Greeks to explain the change
of the season, the eternal cycle of the Nature’s death and
rebirth.
Aside of that, after Persephone become queen of the
underworld, she also become the goddess of various occult
themes including reincarnation and ghosts.
3. Charon – The ferryman who transports souls across the
river Styx to the underworld.
Payment was required to cross; souls who were unable to
pay risked wandering along the shores of the river for a
hundred years.
There is no background story on how Charon became the
Ferryman of the King Hades.
But in ancient Greeks said that Charon is an ugly bearded
man with a crooked nose, wearing a conical hot and tonic.
And never left his place until someone entered and pay their
trip.
And Styx is one of the five rivers of the underworld.
4. Hecate – Although not strictly an underworld deity, Hecate
is associated with magic, witchcraft, and the crossroads often
invoked during rituals related to the dead.
Hecate is a Goddess in Ancient Greek religion and mythology
usually depicted holding two torches or a key. (taga bantay
ng mga daanan). She was one of the main deities worshiped
in Athenian household as a protective Goddess and who
provided prosperity and daily blessing to the family.
Hecate witnessed the abduction of Demeter’s daughter
Persephone to the underworld and, torch in hand, assisted in
the search of her.
Hecate is one of the other goddesses who help Demeter to
search her daughter to the underworld.
5. Erebus – The personification of darkness and shadow,
often considered one of the primordial deities.
also spelled Erebos, in Greek religion, the God of dark region
of the underworld and the personification of Darkness. He is
one of the primordial beings in the Greek creation myth. He is
the son of Chaos, who is also the mother of Erebus wife, Nyx,
the personification of night.
Erebus and Nyx are couple but they are siblings.
6. The Keres – monstrous she-Daemones of violent death
and disease. They presided over the battlefield carnage,
driving the weapons of death and tearing free the soul from
the dying.
Also known as Goddess of Death.
The Keres did not have the power to kill or control when
people died, they did have a thirst for human blood that drew
them to battlefield, murder scenes and areas plagued by
epidemic. Kung hain ang may laban o Patayan
andun si Keres to collect their blood. Hindi siya
nakikipaglaban although she is the Goddess of Violent death
and disease hindi diya nakikipagpatayan but andun siya sa
battlefield to collect the humanblood
Sa pandemic/ epidemic parang siya mismo ang nagpapalaya
sa tao it’s like she helps the people from the pain that’s why
she free the souls from the dying.
7. Hypnus – the God of sleep who dwelt in a silent
realm on the borders of Hades. He issued from the
underworld with his mother Nyx, the night.
HYPNOS was the god or personified spirit (daimon) of sleep.
He dwelt in Erebos, the land of eternal darkness beyond the
gates of the rising sun, and rose into the sky each night in the
train of his mother Nyx (Night).Hypnos was often paired with
his twin brother Thanatos (Peaceful Death), and the Oneiroi
(Dreams) were his brothers or sons.
Hypnos is a calm and gentle god, he is harmless. Unlike
some of his siblings, mortals didn’t fear of him, instead, they
believe that they owed half of their lives to the deity due to
their need for sleep.
8. Cerberus – The mighty, three-headed, serpent-
maned hound of Hades who guarded the entrance to
underworld.
KERBEROS (Cerberus) was the gigantic, three-headed
hound of Hades which guarded the gates of the underworld
and prevented the escape of the shades of the dead. He
devoured anyone who tried to escape the kingdom of Hades.
9. Erinyes – The three goddesses of vengeance and
retribution. They were called forth from the underworld to
inflict suffering and madness upon the evil-doer, to bring
drought and famine to nations, and punish the souls of the
damned in Hades.
The three sister are Tissiphone the punishment, Meguera the
Rancor and Electo the unmentionable. Some claims that the
origin of the Furies comes from the bloodshed of Uranos and
other claims that they are the daughter of the King and
Queen of the Underworld. The Erinyes were summoned
generally when one person was cursed by someone who
claimed for vengeance brought by the furies.
10. Ascalaphus – an underworld Daemon who tended the
orchards of Hades. He was transformed into a screech owl by
Demeter as punishment for reporting that Persephone had
tasted the pomegranate seed.
Hardinero ni Hades in underworld and the one who tell
Demeter that her daughter ate an pomegranate seeds then
she tied herself to Hades. It is a fruit that symbolized of the
indissolubility of marriage.
Demeter punished ascalaphus beneath a rock. But Herales
released him and Goddess responded by transforming him
into a owl.
11. Thanatos – The winged Daemon of death. He was
the minister of Hades.
THANATOS was the god or personified spirit (daimon) of
non-violent death. His touch was gentle, likened to that of his
twin brother Hypnos (Sleep). Violent death was the domain of
Thanatos' blood-craving sisters, the Keres, spirits of
slaughter and disease. . He appeared to humans to carry
them off to the underworld when the time allotted to them by
the Fates had expired.
The difference between Keres is she are thirsty of human
blood while Thanatos is the one who bring or carry the souls
to the underworld (taga sundo/ he is the Kamatayan)
12. Nyx - The primeval goddess of the night. She
issued forth from her home in the underworld trailing her dark
mists across the sky.
THE TWO GREAT GODS OF THE EARTH
THE TWO GREAT GODS OF THE EARTH
Demeter (Ceres) and Dionysus (Bacchus) were the
supreme deities of the earth and of great importance in
Greek and Roman Mythology. They are responsible for
fertility and growth of crops.
DEMETER (Ceres)
Who is Demeter?
➢ Goddess of agriculture, grain, and harvest
➢ Daughter of Cronus and Rhea
➢ Sister of other Olympian gods: Zeus, Poseidon, Hades,
Hera, and Hestia
➢ She guaranteed the fertility of the earth.
➢ Demeter is depicted seated wearing a crown of grain and
holding a torch that signifies her search for
Persephone.
➢ She may also be holding a scepter or stalks of grain.
➢ Grain is commonly the symbol of Demeter.
Demeter’s Partners and Children
1. Zeus: Persephone (queen the Underworld and the
goddess of Spring)
2. Iasion (son of Zeus and Electra): Ploutos (god of
agricultural wealth) and Philomelos (god of ploughing)
3. Poseidon: Despoena (nymph) and Arion (immortal horse)
The Myth of Demeter and Persephone
➢ used by Greeks to explain the changes of seasons.
Persephone was out picking flowers in the meadow until
Gaea made a narcissus flower bloom, and
when Persephone picked it, the ground opened. Hades
emerged and snatched the goddess away in his golden
chariot. Persephone cried for help, but no one heard her
except for Hecate and Helios.
Demeter searched for her daughter. She wandered for nine
days with torches in her hands. On the
tenth day, Hecate met Demeter and told her that she heard
Persephone’s cry but didn’t see who snatched her
away. The two goddesses visited Helios, and the god told of
how Zeus allowed his brother Hades to take
Persephone away.
Devastated, Demeter left Mount Olympus. She disguised
herself as an old woman and wandered on
earth. She found herself at the Court of King Keleus of
Eleusis. Demeter became the nurse of Demophon, the
baby of King Keleus and his wife Metanira. In gratitude,
Demeter planned to make Demophon immortal. She
anointed him with ambrosia and set him in fire every night.
One night, Metanira witnessed it and screamed in
shock. It angered Demeter. Demeter retrieved the child from
the fire, and she revealed herself as a goddess of
agriculture. Metanira begs for forgiveness. Demeter says she
will grant it if a great temple is built for her.
The temple was built, and she moved in, refusing to return to
Olympus. She made the earth a frozen
desert and created a famine that threatened to destroy all of
humankind. She deprived her immortal siblings of
sacrifices and gifts given to them by mortals.
Zeus tried to convince Demeter to rejoin the gods and
resume her duties, but she refused, saying she
would never return until she saw her daughter again. So,
Hermes was sent by Zeus down to the underworld
hoping that he could let Persephone out of Hades’ world. But
Persephone already ate the pomegranate seeds
that only grow in the underworld. They have come to an
agreement that Persephone will spend half of the year
on Earth, and another half in the underworld. Persephone
reunited with her mother. The land became fertile
once again and the grain could grow in season before
Persephone had to return to the underworld.
Powers
*Beauty or Crone
*Immortality through fire
*Famine or feast
*Transformation as punishment
*Ability to change formDIONYSUS (BACCHUS)
Who is Dionysus?
➢ God of wine, merriment, and madness
➢ Son of Zeus and Semele (a mortal and the Princess of
Thebes)
➢ He taught mortals the art of viticulture and winemaking
Dual Nature of Dionysus
1. Joy and ecstasy
2. Brutality and rage
Life of Dionysus
When Semele was pregnant with Dionysus, Zeus's wife Hera
disguised herself as an old woman or a friend of
Semele and persuaded her to ask Zeus to display himself to
her in all of his divine form. But the full godly form
of Zeus was too much for the mortal Princess, and she died.
Zeus removed the unborn Dionysus from his mother
and sewed him to his thigh and carried him to full term.
Hermes brought him to Mount Nysa to be cared for by satrys
and nymphs, far from Hera’s wrath. His chief educator was
satyr Silenus.
Discovery of Wine
Infant Dionysus was looked after by the nymphs at Mount
Nysa, and during his youth, he discovered the
grapevine. After his discovery of the grapevine and wine,
Hera drove him to madness, and in his madness, the
god wandered far and wide to Egypt and Syria, introducing
the grapevine as he traveled.
Symbols and Attributes
1. Thyrsus (fennel/wand with pinecone)
2. Kantharos (drinking cup)
3. Grapevine
4. Panther
Followers
1. Satyrs
2. Maenads
Dionysus and Ariadne
Ariadne was abandoned on Naxos by the Greek hero
Theseus, and she was discovered by Dionysus. The two got
married and they had numerous sons together. In some
stories, Ariadne was killed by Artemis or turned to stone
by Perseus. After her death, Dionysus travelled to Hades to
recover her and brought her back to live with him on
Olympus as his immortal wife.
Dionysus in Greek Mythology
MYTH 1: The Return of Hephaestus
Dionysus convinced Hephaestus to return to Mount Olympus
after he dropped his mother Hera in a golden chair.
MYTH 2: King Midas and the Golden Touch
King Midas of Phrygia came across the chief follower and
drinking partner of Dionysus, Silenus, who was drunk.
Midas gave Silenus some food and then returned him to the
god. In gratitude, Dionysus offered Midas wish, and
with that wish Midas asked that everything he touched turn to
gold. Unfortunately, everything also meant food
and water. After nearing starvation and complete
dehydration, Dionysus told Midas that he could reverse the
gift by bathing in Pactolus River.MYTH 3: Lycurgus, King of
Thrace
King Lycurgus attacked Dionysus and his companions as
they were travelling through his land and drove them
into the sea. As punishment, the god drove him to madness,
causing him to murder his wife and son.
MYTH 4: Pentheus, King of Thebes
The god’s cousin, King Pentheus, opposed the Dionysian cult
and rejects Dionysus’ divinity. One day, Pentheus
spied on a group of Theban women practicing their rites on a
mountainside. Under the influence of Dionysus’
wine, the women—which included Pentheus’ own mother,
mistook him for a wild animal, and tore him apart
with their bare hands.
Powers
• Control wine
• Control the growth of vines
• Shape shifting
Worship and Cult of Dionysus
• Dionysus wandered earth to spread his cult until people
began to worship him.
• He is a dying and resurrecting god figure: one who goes
down into the underworld in death and returns to
life, bringing some benefit to humanity.
• By the 6th century BCE, the Dionysia Festival was
established in Athens, and this developed the later Roman
Bacchanalia.
• The Dionysia Festival developed from the earlier rites of
Dionysus, during which his story was enacted by
participants, and so his cult is credited with inventing
theatrical performance in the west.
DEMETER AND DIONYSUS
• Demeter and Dionysus are associated with rebirth.
• They are the also the suffering gods. They are known for
their human emotions. Both knew pain as well as
joy.
• They are associated with planting and harvesting.
Demeter is for growing of the grains. Dionysus is for
growing of vines.
NARCISSUS STORY
PUBLIUS OVIDIUS NASO
-known in English as Ovid was a Roman poet who lived
during the reign of Augustus
-one of the three canonical poets of Latin literature
-considered as the last of the Latin love elegists
METAMORPHOSES (“TRANSFORMATIONS”)
The Metamorphoses, Ovid’s most ambitious and well-known
work, consists of a 15-book catalogue written in dactylic
hexameter about transformations in Greek and Roman
mythology set within a loose mytho-historical framework.
Appropriately, the characters in this work undergo many
different transformations. Within an extent of nearly 12,000
verses, almost 250 different myths are mentioned. Each myth
is set outdoors where the mortals are often vulnerable to
external influences.
THE MYTH OF NARCISSUS
Narcissus was the son of the river god Cephissus and the
water nymph Liriope. Liriope was told by the Prophet Tiresias
that Narcissus would reach old age if he failed to recognize
himself.
Narcissus turned into a very beautiful young man, whom
everyone loved. However, there was no one to whom
Narcissus would return affection.
Echo was a nymph who was destined a fate that she could
only repeat the sounds and last words of others. One day she
spotted and fell in love with Narcissus. She followed him
through the woods but could not speak without repeating his
words.
Finally Narcissus tried to call to Echo, but it failed since she
could only repeat his call. Finally Echo appeared and tried to
hold Narcissus. Narcissus rejected her and Echo ran to hide.
She lay forlornly in her cave, all her beauty faded away, and
she became very thin until her voice was all that was left. She
is now forever hiding amongst the leaves and caves in the
forest. Thereafter, the lonely voice of Echo was heard in the
mountains, repeating the last words anyone said. Since
Narcissus denied everyone his love, the gods fated that
Narcissus could never have anything that he loved.
One day while Narcissus was hunting he went to get a drink.
As he bent down to drink the water he fell in love with the
reflection of himself. He was so awed by this person that he
could not move. He tried to grab the image but couldn’t,
which made him more infatuated with himself.
Narcissus stayed there without any sleep or food. He called
to the gods asking why he was being denied the love that the
two shared. He started to talk to the reflection. He claimed he
would not leave the one he loved and that they would die as
one.
Crazy with love, Narcissus stayed by the side of the water
and wasted away. Echo returned to see him wasting away.
She mourned more and as he said his farewell to the
reflection she echoed his words. Narcissus then lay down to
die and the nymphs mourned him. They covered him with
their hair and set up for a funeral. When they returned for his
body, a flower has grown from the spot where Narcissus died.
CHARACTERS :
Narcissus
-a handsome young man, admired by all people, who fell in
love with himself.
Echo
-an oread cursed by Hera, who fell in love with Narcissus
Parents of Narcissus:
Cephissus
-river god
Liriope
-water nymph
Nymphs
-fell in love with Narcissus
Ameinias
-a young man who fell in love with Narcissus
Nemesis
-Goddess of revenge, punished Narcissus
Hera
-cursed echo
Zeus
-whom echo sided with
Tiresias
-the prophet who told Liriope about Narcissus fate
HYACINTH
Flower myth
Once upon a time, there was a young and handsome prince
named Hyacinthus. He lived in a kingdom called Sparta,
where he was known for his grace and charm. Everyone in
the kingdom loved him, and many admired his skills in sports
and music. Hyacinthus wasn’t just loved by the people of
Sparta, but also by the mighty gods of Olympus.
Two of these gods, Apollo and Zephyrus, were especially
fond of him. Hyacinth was amused by Zephyrus. He flied
across the sky alongside the god piercing the clouds. With
Apollo, the youngster rejoiced with the songs played by the
brilliant god. The boy and the god became quite intimate.
Hyacinth spent his days beside the god doing all sorts of
things. Realizing that he had been left out, zephyrus started
to nurture a great grief in his heart. One sunny day, Apollo
invited Hyacinthus to play a game of discus, a sport where
players throw a round, flat disc as far as they can. Excited to
spend time with the god, Hyacinthus agreed, and they went
to a beautiful meadow filled with colorful flowers. As they
played, Hyacinthus impressed Apollo with his strength and
skill. Apollo, wanting to show off a bit, decided to throw the
discus as high and as far as he could. The sun god’s strength
was mighty, and the discus soared high into the sky like a
shining star. Hyacinthus, eager to catch the discus, ran
beneath it as it began to fall back down. But Zephyrus, who
had been watching from afar, grew jealous of the bond
between Apollo and Hyacinthus. In a moment of anger and
envy, Zephyrus blew a gust of wind to change the discus’s
course.
The powerful wind pushed the discus off its path, and it struck
poor Hyacinthus right on the head. The young prince fell to
the ground, badly hurt. Apollo rushed to his side, but there
was nothing he could do to save his beloved friend. As
Hyacinthus took his last breath, Apollo was filled with sorrow.
Meanwhile, Zephyrus feared Apollo's wrath afterwards, and
flew to eros, who protected the west wind along with
Aphrodite, so Apollo couldn't hurt him. For Apollo, Hyacinth's
death is too much to bear, so he forbids Hades, from claiming
Hyacinth's soul. Instead, Apollo carefully touched the ground
where Hyacinthus had fallen, and from that spot, a lovely
purple flower began to grow.This flower, called the hyacinth,
bore the teardrop-shaped petals that resembled the tears
Apollo had shed for his Hyacinthus.
Hyacinth has the botanical or scientific name Hyacinthus
Orientalis. Bright colors and a perfumed scent are
characteristic of hyacinths in bloom. That's why Hyacinths
smell like spring. Their intense fragrance hangs in the air,
signaling that winter's gone and spring has arrived. They are
perennial spring bulbs which means they only come in spring
and will diminish in vigor after a few seasons. That's why
Hyacinths are considered as an iconic spring flower.
It is a purple, star-shaped flowers that are borne on dense
spikes over a cluster of strap-shaped leaves. There are other
colors in cultivated varieties of hyacinth, such as blue
(sincerity, loyalty, and fidelity), white (love and prayer), pink
(playful joy), red (recreation and playtime), yellow (jealousy).
And in the story, we had purple hyacinth because Hyacinthus
blood was purple. And purple hyacinths symbolizes sorrow
and desire for forgiveness, as expressed by Apollo to
Hyacinthus.
THE STORY OF ADONIS
Who is Adonis?
 Adonis was the god of beauty and desire.
 A god of agriculture and cultivation.
 Originally, he was a god worshipped in the area of
Phoenicia, but later adopted by the greek.
 Theias (King of Syria)
 Myrrha ( Daughter of Theias)

The story of Adonis
The incestuous birth of Adonis
The story below is based on several Greek sources
and other Roman references, such as Metamorphoses by
Ovid. The great king of Assyria, Cinyras (also called Theias),
had a beautiful daughter who was given the name of Myrrha.
Because of her beauty, the king would boast that his
daughter was more attractive than the goddess of beauty and
love, Aphrodite. At some point,Aphrodite heard that Cinyras
was doing this and became very angry and came to the
conclusion that she must retaliate.Using her son Eros, or
Cupid, the god of attraction and desire, she made it so that
Myrrhafell in love with her father. She was also able to
deceive Myrrha’s father to commit incest. Cinyras later found
out about the trick and swore to kill his daughter, who
escaped from her father after she found out that she was
pregnant.Myrrha was regretful and ashamed of her atrocious
act and pleaded to the gods for their protection. The gods
answered her prayers and turned her into a tree.After nine
months, the Myrrha tree broke off;this was the birth of
Adonis.He had his mothers’ beauty.
Raised up by two mothers
When Aphrodite laid eyes on Adonis, she was in
awe of his beauty and decided that she wanted to hide him
from all of the other goddesses by entrusting him to
Persephone, goddess of the underworld. Persephone looked
after the boy, and as he grew older and became more
attractive, she fell in love with him.Between Persephone and
Aphrodite, a conflict arose. Persephone refused to give
Adonis back to Aphrodite and Zeus had to intervene. He
ruled that Adonis should spend four months with Persephone
in the Underworld, and then spend four months with
Aphrodite, then he would be able to spend the last four
months however he wanted. Adonis was so taken with
Aphrodite he spent his four free months with her.
The death
Adonis was renowned for the skills he possessed
for hunting. On one of his hunting adventures in the Afqa
Forest, located by Byblos, Adonis was hurt by a wild boar and
started to bleed in the hands of Aphrodite, who decanted
magical nectar into his wounds. Adonis did end up dying, but
his blood blended with the nectar and poured into the soil
where a flower grew from the ground, the scent of which
matched Aphrodite’s nectar and the color of which matched
Adonis’s blood – the Anemone flower.Adonis’s blood reached
the river and turned the water red, the river then became to
be known as the “Adonis River.” Or the Nahr Ibrahim in
lebanon.
A Different Version of the Myth
There are a few versions of the Adonis Greek mythology
where Ares, the lover of Aphrodite and god of war, hears
about Aphrodite’s love for the young Adonis and becomes
incredibly jealous and plots his revenge.Aphrodite was going
after Adonis to sleep with him; however,Adonis wanted to
hunt more than anything. Aphrodite asked Adonis to stopwith
the treacherous sport that he loved because she couldn’t
bear to lose him, knowing that Adonis would die horrifically.
Adonis ignored her pleas and was killed when he was out
hunting a wild boar, but this boar was actually Ares.
The Meaning Behind the Story
According to many scholars, the resurrection and
death of Adonis represent the revival and decay of the plant
year. He was worshipped as a god of grain crops, such as
corn, which were very important to the ancient inhabitants of
Greece.It is also closely related to the concept of agricultural
and vegetation civilizations in the Canaanite areas. The
winter was a season full of sadness and gloom for the
civilians in these areas, whereas summer and spring brought
them joy for a new life. Therefore, the myth is also commonly
thought of as being an expression of people’s psychological
perceptions, reflections, and thinking.
PYRAMUS AND THIS BE
Author: OVID
Publius Ovidius Naso, a Roman poet noted especially for his
Ars Amotaria and Metamorphoses.
CHARACTERS AND THEIR DESCRIPTION
1. Pyramus
- Faithful to his love, Thisbe. Despite the
disapproval from their fathers he showed his
life for her every day. He was beauty and
courage gathered in one person. He was a bit
impulsive and he blamed himself for Thisbe's
death.
2. Thisbe
- An honest and beautiful girl that loved
Pyramus in return. She showed her prudence
and braveness throughout the story.
Pyramus and Thisbe
Pyramus was the most handsome man and was a
childhood friend of Thisbe, the fairest maiden in Babylonia.
Pyramus and Thisbe were neighbors. They both lived in
neighboring homes and fell in love with each other as they
grew up together. However, their parents were dead against
them marrying each other. Their parents were totally against
their union, leaving the young lovers with no option but burn
the light of love brightly in their hearts and meet
surreptitiously if they can. Over the years, the lovers could
only talk through a hole in their wall because their parents
refused them to see each other.
Finally, Pyramus got fed up with his parents and so
did Thisbe. One day while whispering through a crack in the
wall, they decided to meet the next night under a mulberry
tree near tomb of Ninus. They decided to elope then.
So, the next night, just before the crack of dawn,
while everyone was asleep, they decided to slip out of their
homes and meet in the nearby fields near a mulberry tree.
Thisbe reached there first, covered with a cloak. As she
waited under the tree, she saw a lioness coming near the
spring close by to quench its thirst. Its jaws were bloody, from
a previous kill that day. When Thisbe saw this horrifying sight,
she panicked and ran to hide in some hollow rocks nearby. Zephyr
As she was running, she dropped her cloak. 2. Mulberry tree The sweetest and mildest of winds.
The lion, on hearing the shriek, came near the tree - Mulberry tree represents the true love
where Thisbe was initially waiting. The creature picked up the between Pyramus and Thisbe. It also Charon
cloak in its bloody jaws. Then it tattered the cloak with its symbolizes the sacrifices that they made for The ferryman.
blood-stained mouth, leaves it on the ground and goes away. each other. Cerberus
Soon after, Pyramus arrived at the appointed spot The three-headed dog.
and saw Thisbe's cloak, his love gift to her, covered in blood
and torn to pieces with the footprints of the lioness left Demeter
behind. He immediately thought that his only love had been The goddess of agriculture, grain crops, fertility and
killed by a hungry lion. He is completely devastated. He CUPID and PSYCHE motherly relationships
thought that the lion had just hunted down Thisbe and Persephone
blamed himself to be the cause of her death. Had he not Background of the Author: The goddess queen of the underworld
been late, could the lion have killed Thisbe? Shattered, he Apuleius was a Numidian Latin-language prose writer, The wife of the god Hades.
prepared to kill himself. Without any haste, he unsheathed his Platonist philosopher and rhetorician.
sword (her love gift to him), letting the cold, hard steel pierce He was a Roman novelist born ca. 125 C.E. Zeus
his broken heart. He pierced his chest with his own sword. He was born in the Roman province of Numidia, in the Also known as Jupiter
Meanwhile, unknown to what just happened, Berber city of Madauros, modern-day The god of the sky and ruler of the Olympian gods.
Thisbe was still hiding in the rocks due to the fear of the lion.
When she came out from her hiding place after sometime M'Daourouch, Algeria. THE STORY OF MEDUSA
and came under the mulberry tree once more, she saw the His most famous work is The Golden Ass, which is the only
body of a man writhing in pain. Thisbe, bringing courage to Latin novel which has survived in its entirety. CHARACTERS:
her heart, ran towards the man and was shocked when he He was an African, an excellent follower of Plato.
found her only love lying on the ground next to the blood- 1. Medusa: was one of the three Gorgons. Medusa is
covered Mulberry bush with his own sword impaling his Characters and Characterization generally described as a human female with living venomous
chest. snakes in place of hair; those who gazed into her eyes would
She gasped in horror as she asked the still Cupid turn to stone.
breathing Pyramus what happened. Barely able to stay The Roman God of love and desire
awake, he told her what happened and she cried out in Son of Venus 2. Gorgons: the gorgons were the three sisters including the
sorrow. Pyramus died soon after leaving Thisbe totally The beautiful winged youth most famous, Medusa, a mortal, and two immortal sisters,
shattered. Euryale and Stheno. in early classical art the Gorgons were
"What would I do in this world without my Psyche portrayed as winged female creatures; their hair consisted of
Pyramus?" thought the grief-stricken Thisbe. She resolves to The Greco-roman goddess of the soul snakes, and they were round-faced, flat-nosed, with tongues
finish herself too. The youngest daughter of the king lolling out and with large projecting teeth.
She brought out from Pyramus' chest his blood- The most lovely maiden exist that surpass the beauty of
stained sword. Then she said to the dead Pyramus: Venus. 3. Ceto: is a female goddess and the mother of several
"Wait for me my love. I'm coming to you." monsters both on land and sea, including Medusa, Skylla,
Venus and others, fathered by Phorcys.
SYMBOLISM The Roman goddess of love and beauty
Also called Aprodite in Greek 4. Phorcys: Phorcys, who ruled over the sea's hidden
1. Wall The mother of Cupid dangers, fathered Medusa with the goddess Ceto.
- the wall symbolizes love as well as hate in the Phorcys
story. Hate that separated them from one Apollo
another and love that brings them together The god of Greek prophecy and healing.
despite of their family dispute.
5. Athena: Athena, or Athene, In ancient Greek religion, the
goddess of war, handicraft, and wisdom and the patroness of
Athens. Her Roman counterpart was Minerva.
6. Poseidon: god of the sea (and of water generally),
earthquakes, and horses. He is distinguished from Pontus,
the personification of the sea and the oldest Greek divinity of
the waters. The name Poseidon means either “husband of
the earth” or “lord of the earth.”
In ancient Greek mythology, Medusa is the most
famous of three monstrous sisters known as the Gorgons.
The earliest known record about the story of Medusa and the
Gorgons can be found in Hesiod’s Theogony. According to
this ancient author, the three sisters, Sthenno, Euryale, and
Medusa, were the children of Phorcys and Ceto and lived
“beyond famed Oceanus at the world’s edge hard by Night”.
Of the three, only Medusa is said to be mortal.
Medusa once had charms; to gain her love
A rival crowd of envious lovers strove.
They, who have seen her, own, they ne'er did trace
More moving features in a sweeter face.
Yet above all, her length of hair, they own,
In golden ringlets wav'd, and graceful shone.
– Ovid, Metamorphoses
Medusa was a priestess to Athena. Athena is the
goddess of war and wisdom. She is also the only virgin
goddess. She was the progeny of the sky and weather god
Zeus, who served as the chief deity of the pantheon. Being
Zeus’ favourite child, Athena possessed enormous
strength.One requirement to be a priestess for Athena is that
the young women should be a virgin and give their life to the
goddess.
There had been a dispute between Poseidon and
Athena about who should be the patron of the affluent
Ancient Greek city of Athens. Poseidon was the mighty god of
the sea (or water, in general), storms, and horses.
One day, Poseidon (or Neptune), the God of the
Sea and rival to Athena, saw Medusa and was mesmerized.
But, Medusa being a loyal priestess to the Goddess rejected
him. Poseidon raped medusa by force and decided to
humiliate Athena by raping the priestess on the steps of
Athena’s temple. Poseidon vanished after he was done and
left Medusa vulnerable and weak. Athena comes and sees
that her temple has been defiled. She doesn’t blame her
fellow god; she blames the human – Medusa. Athena curses
Medusa with a head full of snakes, eternal life, and that any
man who looks at her will be turned to stone.
To a monstrous being which Virgil writes of in a far less
attractive manner
“In the middle is the Gorgon Medusa, an enormous monster
about whom snaky locks twist their hissing mouths; her eyes
stare malevolently, and under the base of her chin the tail-
ends of serpents have tied knots.”
This punishment turns Medusa into a monster that is isolated
from the world of men – thus she can never be near another
man again. Medusa was banished from her civilization and
sent to an island by herself. She was alone and only saw
men trying to kill her. She looked at them in fear and saw
them turn to stone in front of her. She was scared of her
powers and angry at the gods for cursing her. She took her
revenge on the men that were sent to kill her. Anybody who
took one step on her island were marked now for death at the
hands of the Gorgon Medusa.
Later on, Perseus who was the son of Danae, daughter of
Acrisius the King of Argos, and Zeus, being sent to a mission
by Polydectes cut Medusa’s head by using Minerva's shield
to look at her. The winged horse Pegasus, emerged from her
head. Perseus returned to Seriphos, and presented the head
to Polydectes.
Once Medusa is decapitated, she is reduced to an object and
used as a weapon, for even post-mortem, Medusa can turn
mortals (and monsters) into stone.
ORPHEUS AND EURYDICE
Apollo
Son of Zeus and Leto
God of music, poetry, art prophesy, archery, healing, and
sunlight
Father of Orpheus Calliope
Calliope
Mother of Orpheus
• Goddess of epic poetry
• The Eldest of the nine muses and goddess of music, song
and dance Hades
Hades
• god of the dead and king of the underworld
Persephone
• Goddess of the underworld
The Maenads
• female followers of the greek god of wine, Dionysus
Orpheus
Orpheus
•greatest of all poets and musicians
• played the lyre
•No one and nothing could resist him
Eurydice
• Forest nymph
• Wife of Orpheus
Orpheus talented at playing music
Orpheus is known as the most talented music player of the
ancient times. It is said that god Apollo was his father, from
whom took his extreme talent in music, and the Muse
Calliope was his mother. He was living in Thrace, on the
northeastern part of Greece. Orpheus had a divinely gifted
voice that could charm everyone who heard it. When he was
presented first the lyre as a boy, he had it mastered in no
time at all. The myth says that no god or mortal could resist
his music and even the rocks and trees would move
themselves to be near him.
According to some ancient texts, Orpheus is accredited to
have taught agriculture, writing and medicine to the mankind.
He is also attributed with having been an astrologer, a seer
and founder of many mystic rites. The strange and ecstatic
music of Orpheus would intrigue the mind of people to things
over natural and had the power to broaden the mind to new
unusual theories.
Orpheus used to spend much of his early years in the idyllic
pursuits of music and poetry. His skill had far surpassed the
fame and respect of his music. Humans and beasts alike
would be enchanted by it and often even the most inanimate
of objects would yearn to be near him. Well into his youth he
had mastered the lyre and his melodious voice garnered him
audiences from near and afar.
Love at first sight
It was at one such gathering of humans and beasts that his
eyes fell on a wood nymph. The girl was called Eurydice, she
was beautiful and shy. She had been drawn to Orpheus
enamored by his voice and such was the spell of beauty in
music and appearance that neither could cast their eyes off
each other. Something inexplicable tugged the hearts of the
two young people and soon they felt dearly in love, unable to
spend a single moment apart. After a while, they decided to
get married.
Wedding day
Their wedding day dawned bright and clear. Hymenaios, the
god of marriage, blessed their marriage and then a great
feast followed. The surroundings were filled with laughter and
gaiety.
The snake-bite
However, things would soon change and grief would ensue
happiness. There was one man who was despising Orpheus
and desired Eurydice for his own. Aristaeus, a shepherd, had
plotted a plan to conquer the beautiful nymph. And there he
was, waiting in the bushes for the young couple to pass by.
Seeing that the lovers were approaching, he intended to jump
on them and kill Orpheus. As the shepherd made his move,
Orpheus grabbed Eurydice by the hand and started running
pell-mell through the forest.
The snake-bite
The chase was long and Aristaeus showed no signs of giving
up or slowing down. On and on they ran and suddenly,
Orpheus felt Eurydice stumble and fall, her hand slipping
from his grasp. Unable to comprehend what had just
happened, he rushed to her side but stopped short in dismay,
for his eyes perceived the deathly pallor that suffused her
cheeks. Looking around, he saw no trace of the shepherd for
Aristaeus had witnessed the event and had left. Few steps
away, Eurydice had stepped on a nest of snakes and had
been bitten by a deadly viper. Knowing that there was no
chance of survival, Aristaeus had abandoned his try, cursing
his luck and Orpheus.
A supernatural plan
After the death of his beloved wife, Orpheus was no more the
same carefree person he used to be. His life without Eurydice
seemed endless and could do nothing more than grief for her.
This is when he had a great but yet crazy idea: he decided to
go to Underworld and try to get his wife back. Apollo, his
father, would talk to Hades, the god of the Underworld, to
accept him and hear his plea.
The death of Orpheus
From then on, the heart-broken musician was wandering
disoriented, day after day, night after night, in total despair.
He could find no consolation in anything. His misfortune
tormented him, forcing him to abstain from contact with any
other woman and slowly but surely he found himself shunning
their company completely. His songs were no more joyful but
extremely sad. His only comfort was to lay on a huge rock
and feel the caress of the breeze, his only vision were the
open skies.