“Medusa with Gorgonian terror guardsThe ford.”Milton.“Remove that horrid monster, and take henceMedusa’s petrifying countenance.”Addison.Meg′æra.One of the three Furies.Meg′ale.A Greek name of Juno, meaning great.Melicer′ta, see Palæmon.Mello′na.One of the rural divinities, the goddess of bees.Melpom′ene.One of the Muses, the goddess of tragedy.Memory, see Mnemosyne.Men′des.An Egyptian god like Pan. He was worshipped in the form of a goat.Menela′us.A Spartan king. The elopement of his wife Helen with Paris was the origin of the siege of Troy. See Helena.Me′nu.The Hindoo god of law. See Satyavrata.Merchants, see Mercury.Mer′cury, the son of Jupiter and Maia, was the messenger of the gods, and the conductor of the souls of the dead to Hades. He was the supposed inventor of weights and measures, and presided over orators and merchants. Mercury was accounted a most cunning thief, for he stole the bow and quiver of Apollo, the girdle of Venus, the trident of Neptune, the tools of Vulcan, and the sword of Mars, and he was therefore called the god of thieves. He is the supposed inventor of the lyre, which he exchanged with Apollo for the Caduceus. There was also an Egyptian Mercury, under the name of Thot, who is credited with having taught the Egyptians geometry and hieroglyphics.“And there, without the power to fly,Stands fix’d a tip-toe Mercury.”Lloyd, 1750.“Then fiery expedition be my wing,Jove’s Mercury, and herald for a king.”“Be Mercury, set feathers to thy heelsAnd fly, like thought, from them to me again.”Shakespeare.Me′ru.The abode of the Hindoo god Vishnu. It is at the top of a mountain 80,000 leagues high. The Olympus of the Indians.Mi′das.A king of Phrygia, who begged of Bacchus the special gift that everything that he touched might be turned into gold. The request was granted, and as soon as he touched his food it also was turned to gold, and for fear of being starved he was compelled to ask the god to withdraw the power he had bestowed upon him. He was told to bathe in the river Pactolus. He did so, and the sands which he stood on were golden for ever after. It was this same king who, being appointed to be judge in a musical contest between Apollo and Pan, gave the Satyr the palm; whereupon Apollo, to show his contempt, bestowed on him a pair of asses’ ears. This gave rise to the term “Midas-eared,” as a synonym for ill-judged, or indiscriminate.“He dug a hole, and in it whispering said,What monstrous ears sprout from King Midas’ head.”Ovid.Mi′lo, a celebrated Cretan athlete, who is said to have felled an ox with his fist, and to have eaten the beast in one day. His statue is often seen with one hand in the rift of a tree trunk, out of which he is vainly trying to withdraw it. The fable is, that when he got an old man he attempted to split an oak tree, but having lost his youthful vigour, the tree closed on his hand and he was held a prisoner till the wolves came and devoured him.Mimallo′nes.The “wild women” who accompanied Bacchus, so called because they mimicked his actions.Mi′mir.In Scandinavian mythology the god of wisdom.Mind, see Erinnys.Miner′va, the goddess of wisdom, war, and the liberal arts, is said to have sprung from the head of Jupiter fully armed for battle. She was a great benefactress of mankind, and patroness of the fine arts. She was the tutelar deity of the city of Athens. She is also known by the names of Pallas, Parthenos, Tritonia, and Glaukopis. She was very generally worshipped by the ancients, and her temple at Athens, the Parthenon, still remains. She is represented in statues and pictures as wearing a golden helmet encircled with an olive branch, and a breastplate. In her right hand she carries a lance, and by her side is the famous Ægis or shield, covered with the skin of Amalthæa, the goat which nourished Jupiter; and for the boss of the shield is the head of Medusa. An owl, the emblem of meditation, is on the left; and a cock, the emblem of courage, on the right. The Elgin Marbles in the British Museum were brought from the Parthenon, her temple at Athens.Mi′nos.The principal of the three judges of hell, before whom the spirits of the departed appeared and heard their doom.Mi′notaur.The monster, half man, half bull, which Theseus slew.Mirth, see Momus.Misery, see Genii.Mith′ra.A Persian divinity, the ruler of the universe, corresponding with the Roman Sol.Mnemos′yne.Mother of the Muses and goddess of memory. Jupiter courted the goddess in the guise of a shepherd.Moak′ibat.The recording angel of the Mohammedans.Mo′loch.A god of the Phœnicians to whom human victims, principally children, were sacrificed. Moloch is figurative of the influence which impels us to sacrifice that which we ought to cherish most dearly.“First Moloch, horrid king, besmeared with bloodOf human sacrifice, and parents’ tears,Though for the noise of drums and timbrels loud,Their children’s cries unheard, that poured through fireTo this grim idol.”Milton.Mo′mus.The god of sarcasm. The god who blamed Jove for not having made a window in man’s breast, so that his thoughts could be seen. His bitter jests occasioned his being driven from heaven in disgrace. He is represented as holding an image of Folly in one hand, and raising a mask from his face with the other. He is also described as the god of mirth or laughter.Mone′ta.A name given to Juno by those writers who considered her the goddess of money.Money, see Moneta.Money-God, see Mammon.Moon.The moon was, by the ancients, calledHecatebefore and after setting;Astartewhen in crescent form;Dianawhen in full. See Luna.“Soon as the evening shades prevailThe moon takes up her wondrous tale,And nightly to the list’ning earthRepeats the story of her birth.”Addison.Mor′pheus.The god of sleep and dreams, the minister of Somnus.“Morpheus, the humble god that dwellsIn cottages and smoky cells;Hates gilded roofs and beds of down,And though he fears no prince’s frown,Flies from the circle of a crown.”SirJohn Denman.Mors.Death, a daughter of Nox.Mountain, see Atlas, Nymph.Mul′ciber.A name of Vulcan, sometimes spelled Mulcifer. See Vulcan.Mun′in.The Scandinavian god of memory, represented by the raven that was perched on Odin’s shoulder.Musca′rius.A name given to Jupiter because he kept off the flies from the sacrifices.Mu′ses, The, were nine daughters of Jupiter and Mnemosyne. They presided over the arts and sciences, music and poetry. Their names were, Calliope, Clio, Erato, Thalia, Melpomene, Terpsichore, Euterpe, Polyhymnia, and Urania. Theyprincipally resided in Mount Parnassus, at Helicon.“Be thou the tenth Muse, ten times more in worth,Than those old nine which rhymers advocate.”Shakespeare.Music, see Apollo, Muses.My′thras.The Egyptian name of Apollo.Nai′ads, the, were beautiful nymphs of human form who presided over springs, fountains, and wells. They resided in the meadows by the sides of rivers. Virgil mentions Ægle as being the fairest of them.Nan′di.The Hindoo goddess of joy.Nar′ae.The name of the infernal regions amongst the Hindoos.Na′ra′yan.The mover of the waters. The Hindoo god of tides.Narcis′sus, son of Cephisus and the Naiad Liriope, was a beautiful youth, who was so pleased with the reflection of himself which he saw in the placid water of a fountain that he could not help loving it, imagining that it must be some beautiful nymph. His fruitless endeavours to possess himself of the supposed nymph drove him to despair, and he killed himself. There sprang from his blood a flower, which was named after him, Narcissus.“Narcissus so himself forsook,And died to kiss his shadow in the brook.”“Hadst thou Narcissus in thy face, to meThou would’st appear most ugly.”Shakespeare.Nastr′ond.The Scandinavian place of eternal punishment, corresponding with Hades.Na′tio.A Roman goddess who took care of young infants.Nemæ′an Lion, see Hercules.Nem′esis, the goddess of vengeance or justice, was one of the infernal deities. Her mother was Nox. She was supposed to be constantly travelling about the earth in search of wickedness, which she punished with the greatest severity. She is referred to by some writers under the name of Adrastæa. The Romans always sacrificed to this goddess before they went to war, because they wished to signify that they never took up arms but in the cause of justice.“Forbear, said Nemesis, my loss to moan,The fainting trembling hand was mine alone.”Dr. J.Wharton.Nepha′lia.Grecian festivals in honour of Mnemosyne, the mother of the Muses.Nep′tune, god of the sea, was a son of Saturn and Cybele, and brother of Jupiter and Pluto. He quarrelled with Jupiter because he did not consider that the dominion of the sea was equal to Jupiter’s empire of heaven and earth; and he was banished from the celestial regions, after having conspired with Pluto to dethrone Jupiter. Neptune was married to Amphitrite, daughter of Oceanus and Tethys, by whom he had a son named Triton. He was also father of Polyphemus (one of the Cyclopes), Phoreus, and Proteus. Neptune is represented as being seated in a shell chariot, drawn by dolphins or sea-horses, and surrounded byTritons and sea-nymphs. He holds in his hand a trident, with which he rules the waves. Though a marine deity, he was reputed to have presided over horse-training and horse-races; but he is principally known as the god of the ocean; and the two functions of the god are portrayed in the sea-horses with which his chariot is drawn, the fore-half of the animal being a horse, and the hind-half a dolphin. Ships were also under his protection, and whenever he appeared on the ocean there was a dead calm.Nere′ides, The, were aquatic nymphs. They were daughters of Nereus and Doris, and fifty in number. They are generally represented as beautiful girls riding on dolphins, and carrying tridents in the right hand.Nere′us.A sea deity, husband of Doris. He had the gift of prophecy, and foretold fates; but he had also the power of assuming various shapes, which enabled him to escape from the importunities of those who were anxious to consult him.Nes′sus.The name of the Centaur which was destroyed by Hercules for insulting Dejanira.Nes′tor.A grandson of Neptune, his father being Neleus, and his mother Chloris. Homer makes him one of the greatest of the Greek heroes. He was present at the famous battle between the Lapithæ and the Centaurs, and took a leading part in the Trojan war.“... Here’s NestorInstructed by the antiquary times,He must, he is, he cannot but be wise.”Shakespeare.Niceph′orus.A name of Jupiter, meaning the bearer of victory.Nid′hogg.In Scandinavian mythology the dragon who dwells in Nastrond.Nif′lheim.The Scandinavian hell. It was supposed to consist of nine vast regions of ice beneath the North Pole, where darkness reigns eternally. See Nastrond.Night, see Nox.Nightingale, see Philomela.Nightmare, see Incubus.Nine, The, see Muses.Ni′obewas a daughter of Tantalus, and is the personification of grief. By her husband Amphion she had seven sons and seven daughters. By the orders of Latona the father and sons were killed by Apollo, and the daughters (except Chloris) by Diana. Niobe, being overwhelmed with grief, escaped further trouble by being turned into a marble statue.No′mius.A lawgiver; one of the names of Apollo. This title was also given to Mercury for the part he took in inventing beneficent laws.Norns.Three Scandinavian goddesses, who wove the woof of human destiny.No′tus.Another name for Auster, the south wind.Noxwas the daughter of Chaos, and sister of Erebus and Mors. She personified night, and was the mother of Nemesis and the Fates.Nun′dina.The goddess who took charge of childrenwhen they were nine days old—the day on which the Romans named their children.Nuptia′lis.A title of Juno. When the goddess was invoked under this name, the gall of the victim was taken out and thrown behind the altar, signifying that there should be no gall (bitterness) or anger between married people.Nu′riel.In Hebrew mythology the god of hailstorms.Nycte′lius.A name given to Bacchus, because his festivals were celebrated by torchlight.Nym′phs.This was a general name for a class of inferior female deities who were attendants of the gods. Some of them presided over springs, fountains, wells, woods, and the sea. They are spoken of as land-nymphs or Naiads, and sea-nymphs or Nereides, though the former are associated also with fountains and rivers. The Dryades were forest-nymphs, and the Hama-dryades were nymphs who lived amongst the oak-trees—the oak being always specially venerated by the ancients. The mountain-nymphs were called Oreades.“With flower-inwoven tresses torn,The nymphs in twilight shadeOf tangled thickets mourn.”Milton.Ny′sæ.The names of the nymphs by whom Bacchus was nursed. See Dionysius.Ny′sæus.A name of Bacchus, because he was worshipped at Nysa.Ny′sus.A king of Megara who was invisible by virtue of a particular lock of hair. This lock hisdaughter Scylla cut off, and so betrayed her father to his enemies. She was changed into a lark, and the king into a hawk, and he still pursues his daughter, intending to punish her for her treachery.Oan′nes.An Eastern god, represented as a monster, half man, half fish. He was said to have taught men the use of letters in the day-time, and at night to have retired to the depth of the ocean.Oath, see Lapis.Obam′bou.A devil of African mythology.Ocean, see Neptune.Ocean′ides.Sea-nymphs, daughters of Oceanus and Tethys. Their numbers are variously estimated by different poets; some saying there were as many as 3000, while others say they were as few as sixteen. The principal of them are mentioned under their respective names, as Amphitrite, Doris, Metis, etc.Oce′anus, son of Cœlus and Terra, and husband of Tethys. Several mythological rivers were called his sons, as Alpheus, Peneus, etc., and his daughters were called the Oceanides. Some of the ancients worshipped him as the god of the seas, and invariably invoked his aid when they were about to start on a voyage. He was also thought to personify the immense stream which it was supposed surrounded the earth, and into which the sun and moon and other heavenly bodies sank every day.Ocrid′ion.A king of Rhodes, who was deified after his death.Ocy′pete.One of the Harpies, who infected everything she touched. The word means swift of flight.Ocy′roe.A daughter of Chiron, who had the gift of prophecy. She was metamorphosed into a mare.O′din.In Scandinavian mythology the god of the universe, and reputed father of all the Scandinavian kings. His wife’s name was Friga, and his two sons were Thor and Balder.Œ′agrus.Father of Orpheus.Œ′dipus.A son of Laius, King of Thebes, best known as the solver of the famous enigma propounded by the Sphinx.Œno′ne.Wife of Paris, a nymph of Mount Ida, who had the gift of prophecy.Ogyg′ia.An island, the abode of Calypso, in the Mediterranean Sea. It was so beautiful in sylvan scenery that even Mercury (who dwelt on Olympus) was charmed with the spot.Ointment, see Phaon.Ole′nus.A daughter of Vulcan, wife of Lethæa, a woman who thought herself more beautiful than the goddesses, and as a punishment she and her husband were turned into stone statues.Olives, see Aristæus.Olym′pius.A name of Jupiter, from Olympia, where the god had a splendid temple, which was considered to be one of the seven wonders of the world.Olym′puswas the magnificent mountain on the coast of Thessaly, 6000 feet high, where the gods weresupposed to reside. There were several other smaller mountains of the same name.“High heaven with trembling the dread signal took,And all Olympus to the centre shook.”Pope.Oly′ras.A river near Thermopylæ, which, it is said, attempted to extinguish the funeral pile on which Hercules was consumed.Omopha′gia.A Bacchanalian festival at which some uncooked meats were served.Om′phale.The Queen of Lydia, to whom Hercules was sold as a bondsman for three years for the murder of Iphitus. Hercules fell in love with her, and led an effeminate life in her society, wearing female apparel, while Omphale wore the lion’s skin.Ona′rus.A priest of Bacchus, said to have married Ariadne after she had been abandoned by Theseus.Onu′va.The Venus of the ancient Gauls.Opa′lia.Roman festivals in honour of Ops, held on 14th of the calends of January.Opiate-rod, see Caduceus.“Eyes ... more wakeful than to drowse,Charmed with Arcadian pipe—the pastoral reedOf Hermes or his opiate-rod.”Milton.Ops.Mother of the gods, a daughter of Cœlus and Terra. She was known by the several names of Bona Dea, Rhea, Cybele, Magna Mater, Proserpine, Tellus, and Thya; and occasionally she is spoken of as Juno and Minerva. She personifiedlabour, and is represented as a comely matron, distributing gifts with her right hand, and holding in her left hand a loaf of bread. Her festival was the 14th day of the January calends.Oracles, see Themis.Oræ′a.Certain sacrifices offered to the goddesses of the seasons to invoke fair weather for the ripening of the fruits of the earth.Orbo′na.The goddess of orphans.Orchards, see Feronia.O′readswere mountain nymphs, attendants on Diana.Orgies.Drunken revels. The riotous feasts of Bacchus were so designated.Ori′on.A famous handsome giant, who was blinded by Œnopion for a grievous wrong done to Merope, and he was expelled from Chios. The sound of the Cyclopes’ hammers led him to the abode of Vulcan, who gave him a guide. He then consulted an oracle, and had his sight restored, as Longfellow says, by fixing“His blank eyes upon the sun.”He was afterwards slain by Diana and placed amongst the stars, where his constellation is one of the most splendid.Ori′thy′ia.A daughter of Erechtheus, whose lover, Boreas, carried her off while she was wandering by the river Ilissus. Her children were Zetes and Calais, two winged warriors who accompanied the Argonauts.Or′muzd.In Persian mythology the creator of all things.O′ros.The Egyptian Apollo.Orphans, see Orbona.Or′pheuswas son of Apollo and the Muse Calliope. He was married to Eurydice; but she was stung by a serpent, and died. Orpheus went down to Hades to claim her, and played so sweetly with his lute that Pluto allowed Eurydice to return to the earth with Orpheus, but on condition that he did not look behind him until he had reached the terrestrial regions. Orpheus, however, in his anxiety to see if she were following him, looked round, and Eurydice disappeared from his sight, instantly and for ever.“Orpheus’ lute was strung with poets’ sinews.”Shakespeare.Osi′ris.The Egyptian god of the sun; he was worshipped under the form of an ox.“... After these appearedA crew who, under names of old renown,Osiris, Isis, Orus, and their train,With monstrous shapes and sorceries abusedFanatic Egypt and her priests to seekTheir wandering gods, disguised in brutish formsRather than human.”Milton.Os′sa.One of the mountains which the giants piled on the top of Olympus to enable them to ascend to heaven and attack the gods.Ox, see Apis.Owl, see Æsculapius and Itys.Pacto′lus.The river in Lydia where Midas washed himself by order of Bacchus, and the sands were turned to gold.Pæ′an.A name given to Apollo, frompæan, the hymn which was sung in his honour after he had killed the serpent Python.“With hymns divine the joyous banquet ends,The Pæans lengthened till the sun descends.”Pope.Palæ′mon, or Melicerta, a sea-god, son of Athamas and Ino.Pa′les.The goddess of shepherds and protectress of flocks; her festivals were called Palilia.“Pomona loves the orchard,And Liber loves the wine,And Pales loves the straw-built shed,Warm with the breath of kine.”Macaulay.“Great Pales help, the pastoral rites I sing,With humble duty mentioning each thing.”Pope.Palla′dium.A famous statue of the goddess Pallas (Minerva). She is sitting with a spear in her right hand, and in her left a distaff and spindle. Various accounts are given of the origin of it. Some writers say it fell from the skies. It was supposed that the preservation of the statue would be the preservation of Troy; and during the Trojan War the Greeks were greatly encouraged when they became the possessors of it.Pal′las, or Minerva. The name was given to Minervawhen she destroyed a famous giant named Pallas. See Minerva.“Apollo, Pallas, Jove, or Mercury,Inspire me that I may this treason find.”Shakespeare.Pan.The Arcadian god of shepherds, huntsmen, and country folk, and chief of the inferior deities, is usually considered to have been the son of Mercury and Penelope. After his birth he was metamorphosed into the mythical form in which we find him depicted, namely, a horned, long-eared man, with the lower half of the body like a goat. He is generally seen playing a pipe made of reeds of various lengths, which he invented himself, and from which he could produce music which charmed even the gods. These are the Pan-pipes, played by Punch and Judy showmen. Pan’s terrific appearance once so frightened the Gauls when they invaded Greece that they ran away though no one pursued them; and the wordpanicis said to have been derived from this episode. The Fauns, who greatly resembled Pan, were his attendants.“Piping on their reeds the shepherds go,Nor fear an ambush, nor suspect a foe.”Pope.Pando′ra, according to Hesiod, was the first mortal female. Vulcan made her of clay, and gave her life. Venus gave her beauty; and the art of captivating was bestowed upon her by the Graces. She was taught singing by Apollo, and Mercury taught her oratory. Jupiter gave her a box, the famous “Pandora’s Box,” which she was told to give to her husband, Epimetheus, brother of Prometheus. As soon as he opened it there issuedfrom it numberless diseases and evils which were soon spread all over the world, and from that moment they have afflicted the human race. It is said that Hope alone remained in the box.“More lovely than Pandora, whom the godsEndowed with all their gifts.”Milton.Panthe′on.The temple of all the gods, built by Agrippa at Rome, in the reign of Augustus. It was 144 feet in diameter, and 144 feet high; and was built in the Corinthian style of architecture, mostly of marble; while its walls were covered with engraved brass and silver. Its magnificence induced Pliny to give it rank amongst the wonders of the world.Pa′phia, a name of Venus.Pap′remis.The Egyptian Mars.Par′cæ, The, were goddesses who presided over the destiny of human beings. They were also called the Fates, and were three in number, Atropos, Clotho, and Lachesis. See Fates.Par′iswas son of Priam, king of Troy, and his mother was Hecuba. It had been predicted that he would be the cause of the destruction of Troy, and his father therefore ordered him to be strangled as soon as he was born; but the slave who had been entrusted with this mission took the child to Mount Ida, and left it there. Some shepherds, however, found the infant and took care of him. He lived amongst them till he had grown to man’s estate, and he then married Œnone, a nymph of Ida. At the famous nuptial feast of Peleus and Thetis, Discordia, who hadnot been invited, attended secretly; and when all were assembled, she threw amongst the goddesses a golden apple, on which was inscribed “Let the fairest take it.” This occasioned a great contention, for each thought herself the fairest. Ultimately, the contestants were reduced to three, Juno, Pallas (Minerva), and Venus; but Jove himself could not make these three agree, and it was decided that Paris should be the umpire. He was sent for, and each of the goddesses courted his favour by offering all sorts of bribes. Juno offered him power, Pallas wisdom, and Venus promised him the most beautiful woman in the world. Paris gave the golden apple to Venus. Soon after this episode Priam owned Paris as his son, and sent him to Greece to fetch Helen, who was renowned as being the most beautiful woman in the world. She was the wife of Menelaus, king of Sparta; but during his absence Paris carried Helen away to Troy, and this gave rise to the celebrated war between the Greeks and the Trojans, which ended in the destruction of Troy. Paris was amongst the 676,000 Trojans who fell during or after the siege.Parnas′sides, a name common to the Muses, from Mount Parnassus.Parnas′sus.The mountain of the Muses in Phocis, and sacred to Apollo and Bacchus. Any one who slept on this mountain became a poet. It was named after one of the sons of Bacchus.Par′thenon.The temple of Minerva (or Pallas), at Athens. It was destroyed by the Persians, and rebuilt by Pericles.Par′thenoswas a name of Juno, and also of Minerva. See Pallas.Pasiph′aewas the reputed mother of the Minotaur killed by Theseus. She was said to be the daughter of Sol and Perseis, and her husband was Minos, king of Crete.Pasith′ea.Sometimes there arefourGraces spoken of; when this is so, the name of the fourth is Pasithea.Pa′van, the Hindoo god of the winds.Peace, see Concordia.Peacock, see Argus.Peg′asus.The famous winged horse which was said to have sprung from the blood of Medusa when her head was cut off by Perseus. His abode was on Mount Helicon, where, by striking the ground with his hoof, he caused water to spring forth, which formed the fountain afterwards called Hippocrene.“Thy stumbling founder’d jade can trot as highAs any other Pegasus can fly.”Earl of Dorset.“To turn and wind a fiery Pegasus,And witch the world with noble horsemanship.”Shakespeare.Pe′leus.A king of Thessaly, who married Thetis, one of the Nereids.Pe′lias.A son of Neptune and Tyro. He usurped the throne of Cretheus, which Jason was persuaded to relinquish and take the command of the Argonautic expedition. On the return of Jason, Medea, the sorceress, undertook to restore Pelias to youth, but required that the body should first be cut up and put in a caldron of boilingwater. When this had been done, Medea refused to fulfil her promise. Pelias had four daughters, who were called the Peliades.Pe′liaswas the name of the spear of Achilles, which was so large that none could wield it but the hero himself.Pe′lion.A well-wooded mountain, famous for the wars between the giants and the gods, and as the abode of the Centaurs, who were expelled by the Lapithæ.“The gods they challenge, and affect the skies,Heaved on Olympus tottering Ossa stood;On Ossa, Pelion nods with all his wood.”Pope.Pe′lops, son of Tantalus, king of Phrygia. His father killed him, and served him up to be eaten at a feast given to the gods, who, when they found out what the father of Pelops had done, restored the son to life, and he afterwards became the husband of Hippodamia.Pena′tes.Roman domestic gods. See Lares.Perpetual Punishment, see Sisyphus.Perseph′one.The Greek name of Proserpine.Per′seuswas a son of Jupiter and Danæ, the daughter of Acrisius. His first famous exploit was against the Gorgon, Medusa. He was assisted in this enterprise by Pluto, who lent him a helmet which would make him invisible. Pallas lent him her shield, and Mercury supplied him with wings. He made a speedy conquest of the Gorgons, and cut off Medusa’s head, with which he flew through the air, and from the blood sprang the wingedhorse Pegasus. As he flew along he saw Andromeda chained to the rock, and a sea-monster ready to devour her. He killed the monster, and married Andromeda. When he got back, he showed the Gorgon’s head to King Polydectes, and the monarch was immediately turned into stone.“Now on Dædalian waxen pinions stray,Or those which wafted Perseus on his way.”F. Lewis.Persuasion, goddess of, see Pitho.Pha′eton.A son of Sol, or, according to most mythologists, of Phœbus and Clymene. Anxious to display his skill in horsemanship, he was allowed to drive the chariot of the sun for one day. The horses soon found out the incapacity of the charioteer, became unmanageable, and overturned the chariot. There was such great fear of injury to heaven and earth, that Jove, to stop the destruction, killed Phaeton with a thunderbolt.“Now Phaeton, by lofty hopes possessed,The burning seat with youthful vigour pressed.”“The breathless Phaëton, with flaming hair,Shot from the chariot like a falling starThat in a summer’s evening from the topOf heaven drops down, or seems at least to drop.”Addison.Pha′on.A boatman, who received from Venus a box of ointment, with which, when he anointed himself, he grew so beautiful that Sappho became enamoured of him; but when the ointment had all been used Phaon returned to his former condition, and Sappho, in despair, drowned herself.Pheasant, see Itys.Philoct′eteswas son of Pœas, and one of the companions of Jason on his Argonautic expedition. He was present at the death of Hercules, and received from him the poisoned arrows which had been dipped in the blood of the Hydra. These arrows, an oracle declared, were necessary to be used in the destruction of Troy, and Philoctetes was persuaded by Ulysses to go and assist at the siege. He appears to have used the weapons with great dexterity and with wonderful effect, for Paris was amongst the heroes whom he killed.Philome′lawas a daughter of Pandion, King of Athens, who was transformed into a nightingale.
“Medusa with Gorgonian terror guardsThe ford.”Milton.
“Medusa with Gorgonian terror guardsThe ford.”Milton.
“Medusa with Gorgonian terror guardsThe ford.”Milton.
“Medusa with Gorgonian terror guards
The ford.”Milton.
“Remove that horrid monster, and take henceMedusa’s petrifying countenance.”Addison.
“Remove that horrid monster, and take henceMedusa’s petrifying countenance.”Addison.
“Remove that horrid monster, and take henceMedusa’s petrifying countenance.”Addison.
“Remove that horrid monster, and take hence
Medusa’s petrifying countenance.”
Addison.
Meg′æra.One of the three Furies.
Meg′ale.A Greek name of Juno, meaning great.
Melicer′ta, see Palæmon.
Mello′na.One of the rural divinities, the goddess of bees.
Melpom′ene.One of the Muses, the goddess of tragedy.
Memory, see Mnemosyne.
Men′des.An Egyptian god like Pan. He was worshipped in the form of a goat.
Menela′us.A Spartan king. The elopement of his wife Helen with Paris was the origin of the siege of Troy. See Helena.
Me′nu.The Hindoo god of law. See Satyavrata.
Merchants, see Mercury.
Mer′cury, the son of Jupiter and Maia, was the messenger of the gods, and the conductor of the souls of the dead to Hades. He was the supposed inventor of weights and measures, and presided over orators and merchants. Mercury was accounted a most cunning thief, for he stole the bow and quiver of Apollo, the girdle of Venus, the trident of Neptune, the tools of Vulcan, and the sword of Mars, and he was therefore called the god of thieves. He is the supposed inventor of the lyre, which he exchanged with Apollo for the Caduceus. There was also an Egyptian Mercury, under the name of Thot, who is credited with having taught the Egyptians geometry and hieroglyphics.
“And there, without the power to fly,Stands fix’d a tip-toe Mercury.”Lloyd, 1750.
“And there, without the power to fly,Stands fix’d a tip-toe Mercury.”Lloyd, 1750.
“And there, without the power to fly,Stands fix’d a tip-toe Mercury.”Lloyd, 1750.
“And there, without the power to fly,
Stands fix’d a tip-toe Mercury.”
Lloyd, 1750.
“Then fiery expedition be my wing,Jove’s Mercury, and herald for a king.”“Be Mercury, set feathers to thy heelsAnd fly, like thought, from them to me again.”Shakespeare.
“Then fiery expedition be my wing,Jove’s Mercury, and herald for a king.”“Be Mercury, set feathers to thy heelsAnd fly, like thought, from them to me again.”Shakespeare.
“Then fiery expedition be my wing,Jove’s Mercury, and herald for a king.”“Be Mercury, set feathers to thy heelsAnd fly, like thought, from them to me again.”Shakespeare.
“Then fiery expedition be my wing,
Jove’s Mercury, and herald for a king.”
“Be Mercury, set feathers to thy heels
And fly, like thought, from them to me again.”
Shakespeare.
Me′ru.The abode of the Hindoo god Vishnu. It is at the top of a mountain 80,000 leagues high. The Olympus of the Indians.
Mi′das.A king of Phrygia, who begged of Bacchus the special gift that everything that he touched might be turned into gold. The request was granted, and as soon as he touched his food it also was turned to gold, and for fear of being starved he was compelled to ask the god to withdraw the power he had bestowed upon him. He was told to bathe in the river Pactolus. He did so, and the sands which he stood on were golden for ever after. It was this same king who, being appointed to be judge in a musical contest between Apollo and Pan, gave the Satyr the palm; whereupon Apollo, to show his contempt, bestowed on him a pair of asses’ ears. This gave rise to the term “Midas-eared,” as a synonym for ill-judged, or indiscriminate.
“He dug a hole, and in it whispering said,What monstrous ears sprout from King Midas’ head.”Ovid.
“He dug a hole, and in it whispering said,What monstrous ears sprout from King Midas’ head.”Ovid.
“He dug a hole, and in it whispering said,What monstrous ears sprout from King Midas’ head.”Ovid.
“He dug a hole, and in it whispering said,
What monstrous ears sprout from King Midas’ head.”Ovid.
Mi′lo, a celebrated Cretan athlete, who is said to have felled an ox with his fist, and to have eaten the beast in one day. His statue is often seen with one hand in the rift of a tree trunk, out of which he is vainly trying to withdraw it. The fable is, that when he got an old man he attempted to split an oak tree, but having lost his youthful vigour, the tree closed on his hand and he was held a prisoner till the wolves came and devoured him.
Mimallo′nes.The “wild women” who accompanied Bacchus, so called because they mimicked his actions.
Mi′mir.In Scandinavian mythology the god of wisdom.
Mind, see Erinnys.
Miner′va, the goddess of wisdom, war, and the liberal arts, is said to have sprung from the head of Jupiter fully armed for battle. She was a great benefactress of mankind, and patroness of the fine arts. She was the tutelar deity of the city of Athens. She is also known by the names of Pallas, Parthenos, Tritonia, and Glaukopis. She was very generally worshipped by the ancients, and her temple at Athens, the Parthenon, still remains. She is represented in statues and pictures as wearing a golden helmet encircled with an olive branch, and a breastplate. In her right hand she carries a lance, and by her side is the famous Ægis or shield, covered with the skin of Amalthæa, the goat which nourished Jupiter; and for the boss of the shield is the head of Medusa. An owl, the emblem of meditation, is on the left; and a cock, the emblem of courage, on the right. The Elgin Marbles in the British Museum were brought from the Parthenon, her temple at Athens.
Mi′nos.The principal of the three judges of hell, before whom the spirits of the departed appeared and heard their doom.
Mi′notaur.The monster, half man, half bull, which Theseus slew.
Mirth, see Momus.
Misery, see Genii.
Mith′ra.A Persian divinity, the ruler of the universe, corresponding with the Roman Sol.
Mnemos′yne.Mother of the Muses and goddess of memory. Jupiter courted the goddess in the guise of a shepherd.
Moak′ibat.The recording angel of the Mohammedans.
Mo′loch.A god of the Phœnicians to whom human victims, principally children, were sacrificed. Moloch is figurative of the influence which impels us to sacrifice that which we ought to cherish most dearly.
“First Moloch, horrid king, besmeared with bloodOf human sacrifice, and parents’ tears,Though for the noise of drums and timbrels loud,Their children’s cries unheard, that poured through fireTo this grim idol.”Milton.
“First Moloch, horrid king, besmeared with bloodOf human sacrifice, and parents’ tears,Though for the noise of drums and timbrels loud,Their children’s cries unheard, that poured through fireTo this grim idol.”Milton.
“First Moloch, horrid king, besmeared with bloodOf human sacrifice, and parents’ tears,Though for the noise of drums and timbrels loud,Their children’s cries unheard, that poured through fireTo this grim idol.”Milton.
“First Moloch, horrid king, besmeared with blood
Of human sacrifice, and parents’ tears,
Though for the noise of drums and timbrels loud,
Their children’s cries unheard, that poured through fire
To this grim idol.”Milton.
Mo′mus.The god of sarcasm. The god who blamed Jove for not having made a window in man’s breast, so that his thoughts could be seen. His bitter jests occasioned his being driven from heaven in disgrace. He is represented as holding an image of Folly in one hand, and raising a mask from his face with the other. He is also described as the god of mirth or laughter.
Mone′ta.A name given to Juno by those writers who considered her the goddess of money.
Money, see Moneta.
Money-God, see Mammon.
Moon.The moon was, by the ancients, calledHecatebefore and after setting;Astartewhen in crescent form;Dianawhen in full. See Luna.
“Soon as the evening shades prevailThe moon takes up her wondrous tale,And nightly to the list’ning earthRepeats the story of her birth.”Addison.
“Soon as the evening shades prevailThe moon takes up her wondrous tale,And nightly to the list’ning earthRepeats the story of her birth.”Addison.
“Soon as the evening shades prevailThe moon takes up her wondrous tale,And nightly to the list’ning earthRepeats the story of her birth.”Addison.
“Soon as the evening shades prevail
The moon takes up her wondrous tale,
And nightly to the list’ning earth
Repeats the story of her birth.”Addison.
Mor′pheus.The god of sleep and dreams, the minister of Somnus.
“Morpheus, the humble god that dwellsIn cottages and smoky cells;Hates gilded roofs and beds of down,And though he fears no prince’s frown,Flies from the circle of a crown.”SirJohn Denman.
“Morpheus, the humble god that dwellsIn cottages and smoky cells;Hates gilded roofs and beds of down,And though he fears no prince’s frown,Flies from the circle of a crown.”SirJohn Denman.
“Morpheus, the humble god that dwellsIn cottages and smoky cells;Hates gilded roofs and beds of down,And though he fears no prince’s frown,Flies from the circle of a crown.”SirJohn Denman.
“Morpheus, the humble god that dwells
In cottages and smoky cells;
Hates gilded roofs and beds of down,
And though he fears no prince’s frown,
Flies from the circle of a crown.”
SirJohn Denman.
Mors.Death, a daughter of Nox.
Mountain, see Atlas, Nymph.
Mul′ciber.A name of Vulcan, sometimes spelled Mulcifer. See Vulcan.
Mun′in.The Scandinavian god of memory, represented by the raven that was perched on Odin’s shoulder.
Musca′rius.A name given to Jupiter because he kept off the flies from the sacrifices.
Mu′ses, The, were nine daughters of Jupiter and Mnemosyne. They presided over the arts and sciences, music and poetry. Their names were, Calliope, Clio, Erato, Thalia, Melpomene, Terpsichore, Euterpe, Polyhymnia, and Urania. Theyprincipally resided in Mount Parnassus, at Helicon.
“Be thou the tenth Muse, ten times more in worth,Than those old nine which rhymers advocate.”Shakespeare.
“Be thou the tenth Muse, ten times more in worth,Than those old nine which rhymers advocate.”Shakespeare.
“Be thou the tenth Muse, ten times more in worth,Than those old nine which rhymers advocate.”Shakespeare.
“Be thou the tenth Muse, ten times more in worth,
Than those old nine which rhymers advocate.”
Shakespeare.
Music, see Apollo, Muses.
My′thras.The Egyptian name of Apollo.
Nai′ads, the, were beautiful nymphs of human form who presided over springs, fountains, and wells. They resided in the meadows by the sides of rivers. Virgil mentions Ægle as being the fairest of them.
Nan′di.The Hindoo goddess of joy.
Nar′ae.The name of the infernal regions amongst the Hindoos.
Na′ra′yan.The mover of the waters. The Hindoo god of tides.
Narcis′sus, son of Cephisus and the Naiad Liriope, was a beautiful youth, who was so pleased with the reflection of himself which he saw in the placid water of a fountain that he could not help loving it, imagining that it must be some beautiful nymph. His fruitless endeavours to possess himself of the supposed nymph drove him to despair, and he killed himself. There sprang from his blood a flower, which was named after him, Narcissus.
“Narcissus so himself forsook,And died to kiss his shadow in the brook.”
“Narcissus so himself forsook,And died to kiss his shadow in the brook.”
“Narcissus so himself forsook,And died to kiss his shadow in the brook.”
“Narcissus so himself forsook,
And died to kiss his shadow in the brook.”
“Hadst thou Narcissus in thy face, to meThou would’st appear most ugly.”Shakespeare.
“Hadst thou Narcissus in thy face, to meThou would’st appear most ugly.”Shakespeare.
“Hadst thou Narcissus in thy face, to meThou would’st appear most ugly.”Shakespeare.
“Hadst thou Narcissus in thy face, to me
Thou would’st appear most ugly.”
Shakespeare.
Nastr′ond.The Scandinavian place of eternal punishment, corresponding with Hades.
Na′tio.A Roman goddess who took care of young infants.
Nemæ′an Lion, see Hercules.
Nem′esis, the goddess of vengeance or justice, was one of the infernal deities. Her mother was Nox. She was supposed to be constantly travelling about the earth in search of wickedness, which she punished with the greatest severity. She is referred to by some writers under the name of Adrastæa. The Romans always sacrificed to this goddess before they went to war, because they wished to signify that they never took up arms but in the cause of justice.
“Forbear, said Nemesis, my loss to moan,The fainting trembling hand was mine alone.”Dr. J.Wharton.
“Forbear, said Nemesis, my loss to moan,The fainting trembling hand was mine alone.”Dr. J.Wharton.
“Forbear, said Nemesis, my loss to moan,The fainting trembling hand was mine alone.”Dr. J.Wharton.
“Forbear, said Nemesis, my loss to moan,
The fainting trembling hand was mine alone.”
Dr. J.Wharton.
Nepha′lia.Grecian festivals in honour of Mnemosyne, the mother of the Muses.
Nep′tune, god of the sea, was a son of Saturn and Cybele, and brother of Jupiter and Pluto. He quarrelled with Jupiter because he did not consider that the dominion of the sea was equal to Jupiter’s empire of heaven and earth; and he was banished from the celestial regions, after having conspired with Pluto to dethrone Jupiter. Neptune was married to Amphitrite, daughter of Oceanus and Tethys, by whom he had a son named Triton. He was also father of Polyphemus (one of the Cyclopes), Phoreus, and Proteus. Neptune is represented as being seated in a shell chariot, drawn by dolphins or sea-horses, and surrounded byTritons and sea-nymphs. He holds in his hand a trident, with which he rules the waves. Though a marine deity, he was reputed to have presided over horse-training and horse-races; but he is principally known as the god of the ocean; and the two functions of the god are portrayed in the sea-horses with which his chariot is drawn, the fore-half of the animal being a horse, and the hind-half a dolphin. Ships were also under his protection, and whenever he appeared on the ocean there was a dead calm.
Nere′ides, The, were aquatic nymphs. They were daughters of Nereus and Doris, and fifty in number. They are generally represented as beautiful girls riding on dolphins, and carrying tridents in the right hand.
Nere′us.A sea deity, husband of Doris. He had the gift of prophecy, and foretold fates; but he had also the power of assuming various shapes, which enabled him to escape from the importunities of those who were anxious to consult him.
Nes′sus.The name of the Centaur which was destroyed by Hercules for insulting Dejanira.
Nes′tor.A grandson of Neptune, his father being Neleus, and his mother Chloris. Homer makes him one of the greatest of the Greek heroes. He was present at the famous battle between the Lapithæ and the Centaurs, and took a leading part in the Trojan war.
“... Here’s NestorInstructed by the antiquary times,He must, he is, he cannot but be wise.”Shakespeare.
“... Here’s NestorInstructed by the antiquary times,He must, he is, he cannot but be wise.”Shakespeare.
“... Here’s NestorInstructed by the antiquary times,He must, he is, he cannot but be wise.”Shakespeare.
“... Here’s Nestor
Instructed by the antiquary times,
He must, he is, he cannot but be wise.”
Shakespeare.
Niceph′orus.A name of Jupiter, meaning the bearer of victory.
Nid′hogg.In Scandinavian mythology the dragon who dwells in Nastrond.
Nif′lheim.The Scandinavian hell. It was supposed to consist of nine vast regions of ice beneath the North Pole, where darkness reigns eternally. See Nastrond.
Night, see Nox.
Nightingale, see Philomela.
Nightmare, see Incubus.
Nine, The, see Muses.
Ni′obewas a daughter of Tantalus, and is the personification of grief. By her husband Amphion she had seven sons and seven daughters. By the orders of Latona the father and sons were killed by Apollo, and the daughters (except Chloris) by Diana. Niobe, being overwhelmed with grief, escaped further trouble by being turned into a marble statue.
No′mius.A lawgiver; one of the names of Apollo. This title was also given to Mercury for the part he took in inventing beneficent laws.
Norns.Three Scandinavian goddesses, who wove the woof of human destiny.
No′tus.Another name for Auster, the south wind.
Noxwas the daughter of Chaos, and sister of Erebus and Mors. She personified night, and was the mother of Nemesis and the Fates.
Nun′dina.The goddess who took charge of childrenwhen they were nine days old—the day on which the Romans named their children.
Nuptia′lis.A title of Juno. When the goddess was invoked under this name, the gall of the victim was taken out and thrown behind the altar, signifying that there should be no gall (bitterness) or anger between married people.
Nu′riel.In Hebrew mythology the god of hailstorms.
Nycte′lius.A name given to Bacchus, because his festivals were celebrated by torchlight.
Nym′phs.This was a general name for a class of inferior female deities who were attendants of the gods. Some of them presided over springs, fountains, wells, woods, and the sea. They are spoken of as land-nymphs or Naiads, and sea-nymphs or Nereides, though the former are associated also with fountains and rivers. The Dryades were forest-nymphs, and the Hama-dryades were nymphs who lived amongst the oak-trees—the oak being always specially venerated by the ancients. The mountain-nymphs were called Oreades.
“With flower-inwoven tresses torn,The nymphs in twilight shadeOf tangled thickets mourn.”Milton.
“With flower-inwoven tresses torn,The nymphs in twilight shadeOf tangled thickets mourn.”Milton.
“With flower-inwoven tresses torn,The nymphs in twilight shadeOf tangled thickets mourn.”Milton.
“With flower-inwoven tresses torn,
The nymphs in twilight shade
Of tangled thickets mourn.”
Milton.
Ny′sæ.The names of the nymphs by whom Bacchus was nursed. See Dionysius.
Ny′sæus.A name of Bacchus, because he was worshipped at Nysa.
Ny′sus.A king of Megara who was invisible by virtue of a particular lock of hair. This lock hisdaughter Scylla cut off, and so betrayed her father to his enemies. She was changed into a lark, and the king into a hawk, and he still pursues his daughter, intending to punish her for her treachery.
Oan′nes.An Eastern god, represented as a monster, half man, half fish. He was said to have taught men the use of letters in the day-time, and at night to have retired to the depth of the ocean.
Oath, see Lapis.
Obam′bou.A devil of African mythology.
Ocean, see Neptune.
Ocean′ides.Sea-nymphs, daughters of Oceanus and Tethys. Their numbers are variously estimated by different poets; some saying there were as many as 3000, while others say they were as few as sixteen. The principal of them are mentioned under their respective names, as Amphitrite, Doris, Metis, etc.
Oce′anus, son of Cœlus and Terra, and husband of Tethys. Several mythological rivers were called his sons, as Alpheus, Peneus, etc., and his daughters were called the Oceanides. Some of the ancients worshipped him as the god of the seas, and invariably invoked his aid when they were about to start on a voyage. He was also thought to personify the immense stream which it was supposed surrounded the earth, and into which the sun and moon and other heavenly bodies sank every day.
Ocrid′ion.A king of Rhodes, who was deified after his death.
Ocy′pete.One of the Harpies, who infected everything she touched. The word means swift of flight.
Ocy′roe.A daughter of Chiron, who had the gift of prophecy. She was metamorphosed into a mare.
O′din.In Scandinavian mythology the god of the universe, and reputed father of all the Scandinavian kings. His wife’s name was Friga, and his two sons were Thor and Balder.
Œ′agrus.Father of Orpheus.
Œ′dipus.A son of Laius, King of Thebes, best known as the solver of the famous enigma propounded by the Sphinx.
Œno′ne.Wife of Paris, a nymph of Mount Ida, who had the gift of prophecy.
Ogyg′ia.An island, the abode of Calypso, in the Mediterranean Sea. It was so beautiful in sylvan scenery that even Mercury (who dwelt on Olympus) was charmed with the spot.
Ointment, see Phaon.
Ole′nus.A daughter of Vulcan, wife of Lethæa, a woman who thought herself more beautiful than the goddesses, and as a punishment she and her husband were turned into stone statues.
Olives, see Aristæus.
Olym′pius.A name of Jupiter, from Olympia, where the god had a splendid temple, which was considered to be one of the seven wonders of the world.
Olym′puswas the magnificent mountain on the coast of Thessaly, 6000 feet high, where the gods weresupposed to reside. There were several other smaller mountains of the same name.
“High heaven with trembling the dread signal took,And all Olympus to the centre shook.”Pope.
“High heaven with trembling the dread signal took,And all Olympus to the centre shook.”Pope.
“High heaven with trembling the dread signal took,And all Olympus to the centre shook.”Pope.
“High heaven with trembling the dread signal took,
And all Olympus to the centre shook.”
Pope.
Oly′ras.A river near Thermopylæ, which, it is said, attempted to extinguish the funeral pile on which Hercules was consumed.
Omopha′gia.A Bacchanalian festival at which some uncooked meats were served.
Om′phale.The Queen of Lydia, to whom Hercules was sold as a bondsman for three years for the murder of Iphitus. Hercules fell in love with her, and led an effeminate life in her society, wearing female apparel, while Omphale wore the lion’s skin.
Ona′rus.A priest of Bacchus, said to have married Ariadne after she had been abandoned by Theseus.
Onu′va.The Venus of the ancient Gauls.
Opa′lia.Roman festivals in honour of Ops, held on 14th of the calends of January.
Opiate-rod, see Caduceus.
“Eyes ... more wakeful than to drowse,Charmed with Arcadian pipe—the pastoral reedOf Hermes or his opiate-rod.”Milton.
“Eyes ... more wakeful than to drowse,Charmed with Arcadian pipe—the pastoral reedOf Hermes or his opiate-rod.”Milton.
“Eyes ... more wakeful than to drowse,Charmed with Arcadian pipe—the pastoral reedOf Hermes or his opiate-rod.”Milton.
“Eyes ... more wakeful than to drowse,
Charmed with Arcadian pipe—the pastoral reed
Of Hermes or his opiate-rod.”Milton.
Ops.Mother of the gods, a daughter of Cœlus and Terra. She was known by the several names of Bona Dea, Rhea, Cybele, Magna Mater, Proserpine, Tellus, and Thya; and occasionally she is spoken of as Juno and Minerva. She personifiedlabour, and is represented as a comely matron, distributing gifts with her right hand, and holding in her left hand a loaf of bread. Her festival was the 14th day of the January calends.
Oracles, see Themis.
Oræ′a.Certain sacrifices offered to the goddesses of the seasons to invoke fair weather for the ripening of the fruits of the earth.
Orbo′na.The goddess of orphans.
Orchards, see Feronia.
O′readswere mountain nymphs, attendants on Diana.
Orgies.Drunken revels. The riotous feasts of Bacchus were so designated.
Ori′on.A famous handsome giant, who was blinded by Œnopion for a grievous wrong done to Merope, and he was expelled from Chios. The sound of the Cyclopes’ hammers led him to the abode of Vulcan, who gave him a guide. He then consulted an oracle, and had his sight restored, as Longfellow says, by fixing
“His blank eyes upon the sun.”
“His blank eyes upon the sun.”
“His blank eyes upon the sun.”
“His blank eyes upon the sun.”
He was afterwards slain by Diana and placed amongst the stars, where his constellation is one of the most splendid.
Ori′thy′ia.A daughter of Erechtheus, whose lover, Boreas, carried her off while she was wandering by the river Ilissus. Her children were Zetes and Calais, two winged warriors who accompanied the Argonauts.
Or′muzd.In Persian mythology the creator of all things.
O′ros.The Egyptian Apollo.
Orphans, see Orbona.
Or′pheuswas son of Apollo and the Muse Calliope. He was married to Eurydice; but she was stung by a serpent, and died. Orpheus went down to Hades to claim her, and played so sweetly with his lute that Pluto allowed Eurydice to return to the earth with Orpheus, but on condition that he did not look behind him until he had reached the terrestrial regions. Orpheus, however, in his anxiety to see if she were following him, looked round, and Eurydice disappeared from his sight, instantly and for ever.
“Orpheus’ lute was strung with poets’ sinews.”Shakespeare.
“Orpheus’ lute was strung with poets’ sinews.”Shakespeare.
“Orpheus’ lute was strung with poets’ sinews.”Shakespeare.
“Orpheus’ lute was strung with poets’ sinews.”
Shakespeare.
Osi′ris.The Egyptian god of the sun; he was worshipped under the form of an ox.
“... After these appearedA crew who, under names of old renown,Osiris, Isis, Orus, and their train,With monstrous shapes and sorceries abusedFanatic Egypt and her priests to seekTheir wandering gods, disguised in brutish formsRather than human.”Milton.
“... After these appearedA crew who, under names of old renown,Osiris, Isis, Orus, and their train,With monstrous shapes and sorceries abusedFanatic Egypt and her priests to seekTheir wandering gods, disguised in brutish formsRather than human.”Milton.
“... After these appearedA crew who, under names of old renown,Osiris, Isis, Orus, and their train,With monstrous shapes and sorceries abusedFanatic Egypt and her priests to seekTheir wandering gods, disguised in brutish formsRather than human.”Milton.
“... After these appeared
A crew who, under names of old renown,
Osiris, Isis, Orus, and their train,
With monstrous shapes and sorceries abused
Fanatic Egypt and her priests to seek
Their wandering gods, disguised in brutish forms
Rather than human.”Milton.
Os′sa.One of the mountains which the giants piled on the top of Olympus to enable them to ascend to heaven and attack the gods.
Ox, see Apis.
Owl, see Æsculapius and Itys.
Pacto′lus.The river in Lydia where Midas washed himself by order of Bacchus, and the sands were turned to gold.
Pæ′an.A name given to Apollo, frompæan, the hymn which was sung in his honour after he had killed the serpent Python.
“With hymns divine the joyous banquet ends,The Pæans lengthened till the sun descends.”Pope.
“With hymns divine the joyous banquet ends,The Pæans lengthened till the sun descends.”Pope.
“With hymns divine the joyous banquet ends,The Pæans lengthened till the sun descends.”Pope.
“With hymns divine the joyous banquet ends,
The Pæans lengthened till the sun descends.”
Pope.
Palæ′mon, or Melicerta, a sea-god, son of Athamas and Ino.
Pa′les.The goddess of shepherds and protectress of flocks; her festivals were called Palilia.
“Pomona loves the orchard,And Liber loves the wine,And Pales loves the straw-built shed,Warm with the breath of kine.”Macaulay.
“Pomona loves the orchard,And Liber loves the wine,And Pales loves the straw-built shed,Warm with the breath of kine.”Macaulay.
“Pomona loves the orchard,And Liber loves the wine,And Pales loves the straw-built shed,Warm with the breath of kine.”Macaulay.
“Pomona loves the orchard,
And Liber loves the wine,
And Pales loves the straw-built shed,
Warm with the breath of kine.”
Macaulay.
“Great Pales help, the pastoral rites I sing,With humble duty mentioning each thing.”Pope.
“Great Pales help, the pastoral rites I sing,With humble duty mentioning each thing.”Pope.
“Great Pales help, the pastoral rites I sing,With humble duty mentioning each thing.”Pope.
“Great Pales help, the pastoral rites I sing,
With humble duty mentioning each thing.”
Pope.
Palla′dium.A famous statue of the goddess Pallas (Minerva). She is sitting with a spear in her right hand, and in her left a distaff and spindle. Various accounts are given of the origin of it. Some writers say it fell from the skies. It was supposed that the preservation of the statue would be the preservation of Troy; and during the Trojan War the Greeks were greatly encouraged when they became the possessors of it.
Pal′las, or Minerva. The name was given to Minervawhen she destroyed a famous giant named Pallas. See Minerva.
“Apollo, Pallas, Jove, or Mercury,Inspire me that I may this treason find.”Shakespeare.
“Apollo, Pallas, Jove, or Mercury,Inspire me that I may this treason find.”Shakespeare.
“Apollo, Pallas, Jove, or Mercury,Inspire me that I may this treason find.”Shakespeare.
“Apollo, Pallas, Jove, or Mercury,
Inspire me that I may this treason find.”
Shakespeare.
Pan.The Arcadian god of shepherds, huntsmen, and country folk, and chief of the inferior deities, is usually considered to have been the son of Mercury and Penelope. After his birth he was metamorphosed into the mythical form in which we find him depicted, namely, a horned, long-eared man, with the lower half of the body like a goat. He is generally seen playing a pipe made of reeds of various lengths, which he invented himself, and from which he could produce music which charmed even the gods. These are the Pan-pipes, played by Punch and Judy showmen. Pan’s terrific appearance once so frightened the Gauls when they invaded Greece that they ran away though no one pursued them; and the wordpanicis said to have been derived from this episode. The Fauns, who greatly resembled Pan, were his attendants.
“Piping on their reeds the shepherds go,Nor fear an ambush, nor suspect a foe.”Pope.
“Piping on their reeds the shepherds go,Nor fear an ambush, nor suspect a foe.”Pope.
“Piping on their reeds the shepherds go,Nor fear an ambush, nor suspect a foe.”Pope.
“Piping on their reeds the shepherds go,
Nor fear an ambush, nor suspect a foe.”
Pope.
Pando′ra, according to Hesiod, was the first mortal female. Vulcan made her of clay, and gave her life. Venus gave her beauty; and the art of captivating was bestowed upon her by the Graces. She was taught singing by Apollo, and Mercury taught her oratory. Jupiter gave her a box, the famous “Pandora’s Box,” which she was told to give to her husband, Epimetheus, brother of Prometheus. As soon as he opened it there issuedfrom it numberless diseases and evils which were soon spread all over the world, and from that moment they have afflicted the human race. It is said that Hope alone remained in the box.
“More lovely than Pandora, whom the godsEndowed with all their gifts.”Milton.
“More lovely than Pandora, whom the godsEndowed with all their gifts.”Milton.
“More lovely than Pandora, whom the godsEndowed with all their gifts.”Milton.
“More lovely than Pandora, whom the gods
Endowed with all their gifts.”Milton.
Panthe′on.The temple of all the gods, built by Agrippa at Rome, in the reign of Augustus. It was 144 feet in diameter, and 144 feet high; and was built in the Corinthian style of architecture, mostly of marble; while its walls were covered with engraved brass and silver. Its magnificence induced Pliny to give it rank amongst the wonders of the world.
Pa′phia, a name of Venus.
Pap′remis.The Egyptian Mars.
Par′cæ, The, were goddesses who presided over the destiny of human beings. They were also called the Fates, and were three in number, Atropos, Clotho, and Lachesis. See Fates.
Par′iswas son of Priam, king of Troy, and his mother was Hecuba. It had been predicted that he would be the cause of the destruction of Troy, and his father therefore ordered him to be strangled as soon as he was born; but the slave who had been entrusted with this mission took the child to Mount Ida, and left it there. Some shepherds, however, found the infant and took care of him. He lived amongst them till he had grown to man’s estate, and he then married Œnone, a nymph of Ida. At the famous nuptial feast of Peleus and Thetis, Discordia, who hadnot been invited, attended secretly; and when all were assembled, she threw amongst the goddesses a golden apple, on which was inscribed “Let the fairest take it.” This occasioned a great contention, for each thought herself the fairest. Ultimately, the contestants were reduced to three, Juno, Pallas (Minerva), and Venus; but Jove himself could not make these three agree, and it was decided that Paris should be the umpire. He was sent for, and each of the goddesses courted his favour by offering all sorts of bribes. Juno offered him power, Pallas wisdom, and Venus promised him the most beautiful woman in the world. Paris gave the golden apple to Venus. Soon after this episode Priam owned Paris as his son, and sent him to Greece to fetch Helen, who was renowned as being the most beautiful woman in the world. She was the wife of Menelaus, king of Sparta; but during his absence Paris carried Helen away to Troy, and this gave rise to the celebrated war between the Greeks and the Trojans, which ended in the destruction of Troy. Paris was amongst the 676,000 Trojans who fell during or after the siege.
Parnas′sides, a name common to the Muses, from Mount Parnassus.
Parnas′sus.The mountain of the Muses in Phocis, and sacred to Apollo and Bacchus. Any one who slept on this mountain became a poet. It was named after one of the sons of Bacchus.
Par′thenon.The temple of Minerva (or Pallas), at Athens. It was destroyed by the Persians, and rebuilt by Pericles.
Par′thenoswas a name of Juno, and also of Minerva. See Pallas.
Pasiph′aewas the reputed mother of the Minotaur killed by Theseus. She was said to be the daughter of Sol and Perseis, and her husband was Minos, king of Crete.
Pasith′ea.Sometimes there arefourGraces spoken of; when this is so, the name of the fourth is Pasithea.
Pa′van, the Hindoo god of the winds.
Peace, see Concordia.
Peacock, see Argus.
Peg′asus.The famous winged horse which was said to have sprung from the blood of Medusa when her head was cut off by Perseus. His abode was on Mount Helicon, where, by striking the ground with his hoof, he caused water to spring forth, which formed the fountain afterwards called Hippocrene.
“Thy stumbling founder’d jade can trot as highAs any other Pegasus can fly.”Earl of Dorset.
“Thy stumbling founder’d jade can trot as highAs any other Pegasus can fly.”Earl of Dorset.
“Thy stumbling founder’d jade can trot as highAs any other Pegasus can fly.”Earl of Dorset.
“Thy stumbling founder’d jade can trot as high
As any other Pegasus can fly.”
Earl of Dorset.
“To turn and wind a fiery Pegasus,And witch the world with noble horsemanship.”Shakespeare.
“To turn and wind a fiery Pegasus,And witch the world with noble horsemanship.”Shakespeare.
“To turn and wind a fiery Pegasus,And witch the world with noble horsemanship.”Shakespeare.
“To turn and wind a fiery Pegasus,
And witch the world with noble horsemanship.”
Shakespeare.
Pe′leus.A king of Thessaly, who married Thetis, one of the Nereids.
Pe′lias.A son of Neptune and Tyro. He usurped the throne of Cretheus, which Jason was persuaded to relinquish and take the command of the Argonautic expedition. On the return of Jason, Medea, the sorceress, undertook to restore Pelias to youth, but required that the body should first be cut up and put in a caldron of boilingwater. When this had been done, Medea refused to fulfil her promise. Pelias had four daughters, who were called the Peliades.
Pe′liaswas the name of the spear of Achilles, which was so large that none could wield it but the hero himself.
Pe′lion.A well-wooded mountain, famous for the wars between the giants and the gods, and as the abode of the Centaurs, who were expelled by the Lapithæ.
“The gods they challenge, and affect the skies,Heaved on Olympus tottering Ossa stood;On Ossa, Pelion nods with all his wood.”Pope.
“The gods they challenge, and affect the skies,Heaved on Olympus tottering Ossa stood;On Ossa, Pelion nods with all his wood.”Pope.
“The gods they challenge, and affect the skies,Heaved on Olympus tottering Ossa stood;On Ossa, Pelion nods with all his wood.”Pope.
“The gods they challenge, and affect the skies,
Heaved on Olympus tottering Ossa stood;
On Ossa, Pelion nods with all his wood.”
Pope.
Pe′lops, son of Tantalus, king of Phrygia. His father killed him, and served him up to be eaten at a feast given to the gods, who, when they found out what the father of Pelops had done, restored the son to life, and he afterwards became the husband of Hippodamia.
Pena′tes.Roman domestic gods. See Lares.
Perpetual Punishment, see Sisyphus.
Perseph′one.The Greek name of Proserpine.
Per′seuswas a son of Jupiter and Danæ, the daughter of Acrisius. His first famous exploit was against the Gorgon, Medusa. He was assisted in this enterprise by Pluto, who lent him a helmet which would make him invisible. Pallas lent him her shield, and Mercury supplied him with wings. He made a speedy conquest of the Gorgons, and cut off Medusa’s head, with which he flew through the air, and from the blood sprang the wingedhorse Pegasus. As he flew along he saw Andromeda chained to the rock, and a sea-monster ready to devour her. He killed the monster, and married Andromeda. When he got back, he showed the Gorgon’s head to King Polydectes, and the monarch was immediately turned into stone.
“Now on Dædalian waxen pinions stray,Or those which wafted Perseus on his way.”F. Lewis.
“Now on Dædalian waxen pinions stray,Or those which wafted Perseus on his way.”F. Lewis.
“Now on Dædalian waxen pinions stray,Or those which wafted Perseus on his way.”F. Lewis.
“Now on Dædalian waxen pinions stray,
Or those which wafted Perseus on his way.”
F. Lewis.
Persuasion, goddess of, see Pitho.
Pha′eton.A son of Sol, or, according to most mythologists, of Phœbus and Clymene. Anxious to display his skill in horsemanship, he was allowed to drive the chariot of the sun for one day. The horses soon found out the incapacity of the charioteer, became unmanageable, and overturned the chariot. There was such great fear of injury to heaven and earth, that Jove, to stop the destruction, killed Phaeton with a thunderbolt.
“Now Phaeton, by lofty hopes possessed,The burning seat with youthful vigour pressed.”“The breathless Phaëton, with flaming hair,Shot from the chariot like a falling starThat in a summer’s evening from the topOf heaven drops down, or seems at least to drop.”Addison.
“Now Phaeton, by lofty hopes possessed,The burning seat with youthful vigour pressed.”“The breathless Phaëton, with flaming hair,Shot from the chariot like a falling starThat in a summer’s evening from the topOf heaven drops down, or seems at least to drop.”Addison.
“Now Phaeton, by lofty hopes possessed,The burning seat with youthful vigour pressed.”“The breathless Phaëton, with flaming hair,Shot from the chariot like a falling starThat in a summer’s evening from the topOf heaven drops down, or seems at least to drop.”Addison.
“Now Phaeton, by lofty hopes possessed,
The burning seat with youthful vigour pressed.”
“The breathless Phaëton, with flaming hair,
Shot from the chariot like a falling star
That in a summer’s evening from the top
Of heaven drops down, or seems at least to drop.”
Addison.
Pha′on.A boatman, who received from Venus a box of ointment, with which, when he anointed himself, he grew so beautiful that Sappho became enamoured of him; but when the ointment had all been used Phaon returned to his former condition, and Sappho, in despair, drowned herself.
Pheasant, see Itys.
Philoct′eteswas son of Pœas, and one of the companions of Jason on his Argonautic expedition. He was present at the death of Hercules, and received from him the poisoned arrows which had been dipped in the blood of the Hydra. These arrows, an oracle declared, were necessary to be used in the destruction of Troy, and Philoctetes was persuaded by Ulysses to go and assist at the siege. He appears to have used the weapons with great dexterity and with wonderful effect, for Paris was amongst the heroes whom he killed.
Philome′lawas a daughter of Pandion, King of Athens, who was transformed into a nightingale.