Vulcan’s fall.
Vulcan, or Hephæstus, son of Jupiter and Juno, god of fire and the forge, seldom joined the general council of the gods. His aversion to Olympus was of old standing. He had once been tenderly attached to his mother, had lavished upon her every proof of his affection, and had even tried to console her when she mourned Jupiter’s neglect. On one occasion, intending to punish Juno for one of her usual fits of jealousy, Jupiter hung her out of heaven, fast bound by a golden chain; and Vulcan, perceiving her in this plight, tugged at the chain with all his might, drew her up, and was about to set her free, when Jupiter returned, and, in anger at his son’s interference in his matrimonial concerns, kicked him out of heaven.
The intervening space between heaven and earth was so great, that Vulcan’s fall lasted during one whole day and night, ere he finally touched the summit of Mount Mosychlus, in the Island of Lemnos.
“From mornTo noon he fell, from noon to dewy eve,A summer’s day; and with the setting sunDropt from the zenith like a falling star,On Lemnos th’ Ægean isle.”Milton.
“From mornTo noon he fell, from noon to dewy eve,A summer’s day; and with the setting sunDropt from the zenith like a falling star,On Lemnos th’ Ægean isle.”Milton.
“From mornTo noon he fell, from noon to dewy eve,A summer’s day; and with the setting sunDropt from the zenith like a falling star,On Lemnos th’ Ægean isle.”Milton.
Of course, to any one but a god such a terrible fall would have proved fatal; and even Vulcan did not escape entirely unharmed, for he injured one of his legs, which accident left him lame and somewhat deformed for the remainder of his life.
Vulcan’s forge.
Now, although Vulcan had risked so much and suffered so greatly in taking his mother’s part, she never even made the slightest attempt to ascertain whether he had reached the earth in safety. Hurt by her indifference and ingratitude, Vulcan vowed never again to return to Olympus, and withdrew to the solitudes of Mount Ætna, where he established a great forge in the heart of the mountain, in partnership with the Cyclopes, who helped him manufacture many cunning and useful objects from the metals found in great profusion in the bosom of the earth.
Among these ingenious contrivances were two golden handmaidens gifted with motion, who attended the god wherever he went, and supported his halting footsteps.
“Two golden statues, like in form and lookTo living maidens, aided with firm gaitThe monarch’s steps.”Homer(Bryant’s tr.).
“Two golden statues, like in form and lookTo living maidens, aided with firm gaitThe monarch’s steps.”Homer(Bryant’s tr.).
“Two golden statues, like in form and lookTo living maidens, aided with firm gaitThe monarch’s steps.”Homer(Bryant’s tr.).
The golden throne.
Vulcan also devised a golden throne with countless hidden springs, which, when unoccupied, did not present an extraordinary appearance; but as soon as any one ventured to make use of it, the springs moved, and, the chair closing around the person seated upon it, frustrated all attempts to rise and escape from its treacherous embrace.
Vulcan dispatched this throne, when completed, to his mother, who, delighted with its beauty and delicate workmanship, proudly seated herself upon it, and found herself a prisoner. In vain she strove to escape, in vain the gods all gallantly rushed to her assistance. Their united strength and skill proved useless against the cunning springs.
Refer to captionFORGE OF VULCAN.—Velasquez. (Museum, Madrid.)
FORGE OF VULCAN.—Velasquez. (Museum, Madrid.)
Finally Mercury was sent to Vulcan, primed with a most diplomatic request to honor high Olympus with his presence; but all Mercury’s eloquence and persuasions failed to induce the god of the forge to leave his sooty abode, and the messenger god was forced to return alone and report the failure of his attempt.Then the gods deliberated anew, and decided to send Bacchus, god of wine, hoping his powers of persuasion would prove more effective.
Armed with a flask of his choicest vintage, Bacchus presented himself before Vulcan, and offered him a refreshing draught. Vulcan, predisposed to thirst, and incited to drink by the very nature of his labor, accepted the offered cup, and allowed himself to be beguiled into renewing his potations, until he was quite intoxicated. In this condition, Bacchus led him passive to Olympus, made him release the Queen of Heaven, and urged him to embrace his father and crave forgiveness.
Although restored to favor, Vulcan would not remain permanently in Olympus, but preferred to return to his forge and continue his labors. He undertook, however, the construction of magnificent golden palaces for each of the gods upon the Olympian heights, fashioned their sumptuous furniture from precious metals, and further embellished his work by a rich ornamentation of precious stones.
“Then to their starry domes the gods depart,The shining monuments of Vulcan’s art:Jove on his couch reclin’d his awful head,And Juno slumber’d on the golden bed.”Homer(Pope’s tr.).
“Then to their starry domes the gods depart,The shining monuments of Vulcan’s art:Jove on his couch reclin’d his awful head,And Juno slumber’d on the golden bed.”Homer(Pope’s tr.).
“Then to their starry domes the gods depart,The shining monuments of Vulcan’s art:Jove on his couch reclin’d his awful head,And Juno slumber’d on the golden bed.”Homer(Pope’s tr.).
Aided by the Cyclopes, Vulcan manufactured Jupiter’s weapons, the dread thunderbolts, whose frightful power none could withstand, and Cupid’s love-inspiring darts.
Vulcan’s loves.
Vulcan, in spite of his deformity, extreme ugliness, and well-known aversion to any home but his sooty forge, was none the less prone to fall in love with the various goddesses. He first wooed Minerva, who, having sworn never to marry, contemptuously dismissed his suit. To console Vulcan for this rebuff, and at the same time punish the Goddess of Beauty, who, according to some mythologists, had refused even his addresses, Jupiter bestowed upon him the fairhand of Venus, and sent her and her mischievous train of Loves and Graces to reside in the dark caves of Mount Ætna.
Amused by all the strange sights and sounds, the goddess at first seemed quite contented; but after a time Vulcan’s gloomy abode lost all its attractions: so she forsook her ill-favored husband, and went in search of another, more congenial mate.
Some time after, Vulcan married one of the Graces, who, however, seems to have also soon wearied of his society, for she deserted him.
Vulcan’s children were mostly monsters, such as Cacus, Periphetes, Cercyon, etc., all of whom play an important part in heroic mythology. He is also the reputed father of Servius Tullius, sixth king of Rome, by a slave Ocrisia, whom he was wont to visit in the guise of a bright flame, which played harmlessly about her.
Vulcan was worshiped by all blacksmiths and artisans, who recognized him as their special patron, and venerated him accordingly.
“Those who laborThe sweaty forge, who edge the crooked scythe,Bend stubborn steel, and harden gleaming armor,Acknowledge Vulcan’s aid.”Prior.
“Those who laborThe sweaty forge, who edge the crooked scythe,Bend stubborn steel, and harden gleaming armor,Acknowledge Vulcan’s aid.”Prior.
“Those who laborThe sweaty forge, who edge the crooked scythe,Bend stubborn steel, and harden gleaming armor,Acknowledge Vulcan’s aid.”Prior.
Great festivals, the Vulcanalia and the Hephæstia, were celebrated in honor of this god, who is generally represented as a short, muscular man, with one leg shorter than the other, a workman’s cap on his curly locks, a short upper garment, and a smith’s tools in his hand.
WhenJupiter assigned to each of his brothers a separate portion of the universe, he decreed that Neptune, or Poseidon, should govern all the waters upon the face of the earth, and be sole monarch of the ocean.
“Neptune, the mighty marine god, I sing;Earth’s mover, and the fruitless ocean’s king.That Helicon and th’ Ægean deeps dost hold.O thou earth-shaker; thy command, twofoldThe gods have sorted; making thee of horsesThe awful tamer, and of naval forcesThe sure preserver. Hail, O Saturn’s birth!Whose graceful green hair circles all the earth.Bear a benign mind; and thy helpful handLend all, submitted to thy dread command.”Homer(Chapman’s tr.).
“Neptune, the mighty marine god, I sing;Earth’s mover, and the fruitless ocean’s king.That Helicon and th’ Ægean deeps dost hold.O thou earth-shaker; thy command, twofoldThe gods have sorted; making thee of horsesThe awful tamer, and of naval forcesThe sure preserver. Hail, O Saturn’s birth!Whose graceful green hair circles all the earth.Bear a benign mind; and thy helpful handLend all, submitted to thy dread command.”Homer(Chapman’s tr.).
“Neptune, the mighty marine god, I sing;Earth’s mover, and the fruitless ocean’s king.That Helicon and th’ Ægean deeps dost hold.O thou earth-shaker; thy command, twofoldThe gods have sorted; making thee of horsesThe awful tamer, and of naval forcesThe sure preserver. Hail, O Saturn’s birth!Whose graceful green hair circles all the earth.Bear a benign mind; and thy helpful handLend all, submitted to thy dread command.”Homer(Chapman’s tr.).
Before this new ruler made his appearance, the Titan Oceanus had wielded the scepter of the sea; and regretfully he now resigned it to his youthful supplanter, whom he nevertheless admired sincerely, and described in glowing colors to his brothers.
“Have ye beheld the young God of the Seas,My dispossessor? Have ye seen his face?Have ye beheld his chariot, foam’d alongBy noble winged creatures he hath made?I saw him on the calmed waters scud,With such a glow of beauty in his eyes,That it enforc’d me to bid sad farewellTo all my empire.”Keats.
“Have ye beheld the young God of the Seas,My dispossessor? Have ye seen his face?Have ye beheld his chariot, foam’d alongBy noble winged creatures he hath made?I saw him on the calmed waters scud,With such a glow of beauty in his eyes,That it enforc’d me to bid sad farewellTo all my empire.”Keats.
“Have ye beheld the young God of the Seas,My dispossessor? Have ye seen his face?Have ye beheld his chariot, foam’d alongBy noble winged creatures he hath made?I saw him on the calmed waters scud,With such a glow of beauty in his eyes,That it enforc’d me to bid sad farewellTo all my empire.”Keats.
Refer to captionFOUNTAIN OF NEPTUNE.—Bologna. (Bologna.)
FOUNTAIN OF NEPTUNE.—Bologna. (Bologna.)
Neptune’s exile.
Neptune, the personification as well as the god of the sea, was of an exceedingly encroaching disposition. Dissatisfied with the portion allotted him, he once conspired to dethrone Jupiter; but, unfortunately for the success of his undertaking, his plot was discovered before he could put it into execution, and Jupiter, in punishment for his temerity, exiled him to earth. There he was condemned to build the walls of Troy for Laomedon, king of that city, who, in return, promised a handsome compensation.
Apollo, also banished from heaven at that time, volunteered to aid Neptune by playing on his lyre, and moving the stones by the power of sweet sounds (p.65). The task satisfactorily ended, Laomedon, an avaricious and dishonest king, refused the promised guerdon, whereupon Neptune created a terrible monster, which came upon the shore, devoured the inhabitants, devastated everything within his reach, and inspired all with great terror.
“A great serpent from the deep,Lifting his horrible head above their homes,Devoured the children.”Lewis Morris.
“A great serpent from the deep,Lifting his horrible head above their homes,Devoured the children.”Lewis Morris.
“A great serpent from the deep,Lifting his horrible head above their homes,Devoured the children.”Lewis Morris.
To save themselves from the awful death which threatened them all, the Trojans consulted an oracle, who advised the sacrifice of a beautiful virgin, and promised the monster would disappear as soon as he had devoured the appointed victim.
Story of Hesione.
A young girl was therefore chosen by lot, led down to the seashore, and chained by the priest’s own hands to a slimy rock. As soon as her mourning friends had forsaken her, the hideous serpent came out of his lair in the waves, and devoured her; then he vanished, and nothing more was heard of him for a whole year, at the end of which time he reappeared, and resumed his former depredations, which were only checked by the sacrifice of a second virgin.
Year after year, however, he returned, and year after year a fair girl was doomed to perish, until finally the lot fell uponHesione, the king’s only daughter. He could not bear the thought of the terrible fate awaiting her, and tried every means in his power to save her. As a last resort he sent heralds to publish far and wide that the king would give a great reward to any man who would dare attack and succeed in slaying the monster.
Hercules, on his return from the scene of one of his stupendous labors, heard the proclamation, and, with no other weapon than the oaken club he generally carried, slew the monster just as he was about to drag poor Hesione down into his slimy cave. Laomedon was, of course, overjoyed at the monster’s death, but, true to his nature, again refused the promised reward, and by his dishonesty incurred the hatred and contempt of this hero also. Some time after, having finished his time of servitude with Eurystheus, Hercules, aided by a chosen band of adventurers, came to Troy to punish him for his perfidy. The city was stormed and taken, the king slain, and his wife and children carried to Greece as captives. There Hesione became the bride of Telamon; while her brother Podarces, later known as Priam, was redeemed by his people and made King of Troy.
Laomedon’s failure to pay his just debts was the primary cause of the enmity which Apollo and Neptune displayed towards the Trojans during their famous war with the Greeks (p.305).
Neptune’s contests.
Their term of exile ended, the gods were reinstated in their exalted positions, and hastened to resume their former occupations; but, in spite of the severe lesson just received, Neptune was not yet cured of his grasping tendencies. Not long after his return from Troy, he quarreled with Minerva for the possession of the then recently founded city of Athens, then nameless, and entered into the memorable contest in which he was signally defeated (p.57). He also disputed the sovereignty of Trœzene with Minerva, and that of Corinth with Apollo. In the latter instance, the disputants having chosen Briareus as umpire, the prize was awarded to him as the most powerful of all the gods except Jupiter.
Neptune’s power.
As god of the sea, Neptune did not generally remain in Olympus, but dwelt way down in the coral caves of his kingdom, over which he ruled with resistless sway. By one word he could stir up or calm the wildest storm, and cause the billows to roar with fury or subside into peaceful ripples.
“He spake, and round about him called the cloudsAnd roused the ocean,—wielding in his handThe trident,—summoned all the hurricanesOf all the winds, and covered earth and skyAt once with mists, while from above the nightFell suddenly.”Homer(Bryant’s tr.).
“He spake, and round about him called the cloudsAnd roused the ocean,—wielding in his handThe trident,—summoned all the hurricanesOf all the winds, and covered earth and skyAt once with mists, while from above the nightFell suddenly.”Homer(Bryant’s tr.).
“He spake, and round about him called the cloudsAnd roused the ocean,—wielding in his handThe trident,—summoned all the hurricanesOf all the winds, and covered earth and skyAt once with mists, while from above the nightFell suddenly.”Homer(Bryant’s tr.).
The rivers, fountains, lakes, and seas were not only subject to his rule, but he could also cause terrible earthquakes at will, and, when he pleased, raise islands from the deep, as he did when Latona entreated him to shelter her from Juno’s persecutions (p.62).
Neptune is said to have loved the goddess Ceres, and to have followed her during her prolonged search for her daughter, Proserpina. Annoyed by his persistent wooing, the goddess, to escape him, assumed the form of a mare; but the God of the Sea, not at all deceived by this stratagem, straightway assumed the form of a horse, in which guise he contentedly trotted after her and renewed his attentions.
Neptune’s wives.
The offspring of this equine pair was Arion, a wonderful winged steed, gifted with the power of speech, whose early education was intrusted to the Nereides. They trained him to draw his father’s chariot over the waves with incredible rapidity, and parted with him regretfully when he was given to Copreus, Pelops’ son. This marvelous horse passed successively into Hercules’ and Adrastus’ hands; and the latter won all the chariot races, thanks to his fleetness.
On another occasion, Neptune, having fallen deeply in love with a maiden named Theophane, and fearful lest some one of her numerous suitors should find favor in her eyes before he hadtime to urge his wooing, suddenly changed her into a sheep, and conveyed her to the Island of Crumissa, where he assumed the guise of a ram, and, in this metamorphosed condition, carried on his courtship, which eventually proved successful. The offspring of this union was the golden-fleeced ram which bore Phryxus in safety to the Colchian shores, and whose pelt was the goal of the Argonautic expedition (p.265).
Neptune also loved and married Medusa in the days of her youth and beauty, and when some drops of blood fell from her severed head into the salt sea foam, he produced from them the graceful winged steed Pegasus (p.244).
Neptune is also said to be the father of the giants Otus and Ephialtes, of Neleus, Pelias, and Polyphemus.
Amphitrite.
The Queen of the Ocean, Neptune’s own true and lawful wife, was a Nereid, one of the fifty daughters of Doris and Nereus,—the personification of the calm and sunlit aspect of the sea. Her name was Amphitrite, or Salacia. At first she was in great awe of her distinguished suitor, and in her fear fled at his approach, leaving him no chance to admire any of her charms, except the grace and celerity with which she managed to flit, or rather glide, out of his sight.
“Along the deepWith beauteous ankles, Amphitrite glides.”Hesiod(Elton’s tr.).
“Along the deepWith beauteous ankles, Amphitrite glides.”Hesiod(Elton’s tr.).
“Along the deepWith beauteous ankles, Amphitrite glides.”Hesiod(Elton’s tr.).
This conduct grieved Neptune so sorely, that he sent a dolphin to plead his cause, and persuade the fair nymph to share his throne. The messenger, carefully instructed beforehand, carried out the directions with such skill, that Amphitrite formally consented to become Neptune’s wife.
The King of the Deep was so overjoyed at these good tidings, that he transferred the dolphin to the sky, where he forms a well-known constellation. Neptune and Amphitrite in due time became the happy parents of several children, among whom the most celebrated is Triton, whose body was half man and half fish, and who gave his name to all his male descendants.
Story of Idas and Marpessa.
Like all other gods, Neptune took a lively interest in men’s affairs, and sometimes interfered in their behalf. On one occasion, for instance, he even lent his beautiful chariot to a youth by the name of Idas, who, loving a maiden dearly, and unable to win her father’s consent to their union, had resolved to kidnap her. Marpessa, for such was the lady’s name, allowed herself to be carried off without protest; and the lovers were blissfully speeding along in Neptune’s chariot, when her father, Evenus, perceiving their escape, started in pursuit of them. In spite of the most strenuous efforts, he could not overtake the fleeing pair, and in his anger plunged into a river, where he was drowned, and which from him received the name of Evenus.
Idas and Marpessa were just congratulating themselves upon their narrow escape, when suddenly Apollo appeared before them, and, checking their steeds, declared he loved the maiden too, and would not tamely yield her up to a rival.
This was quite equivalent to a challenge; and Idas, stepping down from the chariot, was about to engage in the fight, when suddenly out of a clear sky a thunderbolt came crashing down to earth, and an imperious voice was heard to declare that the quarrel could be settled by Marpessa only, and that she should freely choose the suitor she preferred as husband.
The maiden glanced at both her lovers, and quickly reviewed their respective attractions. Remembering that Apollo, being immortal, would retain all his youthful bloom when her more ephemeral beauty had vanished, and that he would then probably cease to love her, she held out her hand to Idas, declaring she preferred to link her fate to that of a mortal, who would grow old when she did, and love her as long as they both lived. This choice was approved by Jupiter; and the lovers, after reaching a place of safety, returned the wondrous chariot to Neptune, with many grateful thanks for his timely aid.
Neptune’s attendants.
All the Nereides, Tritons, and lesser sea divinities formed a part of Neptune and Amphitrite’s train, and followed closely when they rode forth to survey their kingdom.
Neptune had, besides this, many subordinates, whose duty it was to look after various seas, lakes, rivers, fountains, etc., confided to their special care. In harmony with their occupations, these divinities were either hoary river gods (such as Father Nile), slender youths, beautiful maidens, or little babbling children. They seldom left the cool waves of their appointed dwellings, and strove to win Neptune’s approbation mostly by the zeal they showed in the discharge of their various duties.
Proteus, too, another inferior deity, had the care of the flocks of the deep, and he always attended Neptune when it was safe to leave his great herds of sea calves to bask on the sunny shores.
“In ages past old Proteus, with his drovesOf sea calves, sought the mountains and the groves.”Cowper.
“In ages past old Proteus, with his drovesOf sea calves, sought the mountains and the groves.”Cowper.
“In ages past old Proteus, with his drovesOf sea calves, sought the mountains and the groves.”Cowper.
Proteus.
In common with all the other gods, Proteus enjoyed the gift of prophecy, and had the power to assume any shape he pleased. The former gift he was wont to exercise very reluctantly; and when mortals wished to consult him, he would change his form with bewildering rapidity, and, unless they clung to him through all his changes, they could obtain no answer to their questions.
“Shouting [we] seize the god: our force t’ evade,His various arts he soon resumes in aid:A lion now, he curls a surgy mane;Sudden, our hands a spotted pard restrain;Then, arm’d with tusks, and lightning in his eyes,A boar’s obscener shape the god belies:On spiry volumes, there, a dragon rides;Here, from our strict embrace a stream he glides;And last, sublime, his stately growth he rears,A tree, and well-dissembled foliage wears.”Homer(Pope’s tr.).
“Shouting [we] seize the god: our force t’ evade,His various arts he soon resumes in aid:A lion now, he curls a surgy mane;Sudden, our hands a spotted pard restrain;Then, arm’d with tusks, and lightning in his eyes,A boar’s obscener shape the god belies:On spiry volumes, there, a dragon rides;Here, from our strict embrace a stream he glides;And last, sublime, his stately growth he rears,A tree, and well-dissembled foliage wears.”Homer(Pope’s tr.).
“Shouting [we] seize the god: our force t’ evade,His various arts he soon resumes in aid:A lion now, he curls a surgy mane;Sudden, our hands a spotted pard restrain;Then, arm’d with tusks, and lightning in his eyes,A boar’s obscener shape the god belies:On spiry volumes, there, a dragon rides;Here, from our strict embrace a stream he glides;And last, sublime, his stately growth he rears,A tree, and well-dissembled foliage wears.”Homer(Pope’s tr.).
But if these manifestations proved unavailing to drive his would-be hearers away, the god answered every question circumstantially.
Refer to captionFATHER NILE. (Vatican, Rome.)
FATHER NILE. (Vatican, Rome.)
Amphitrite, Neptune’s wife,—generally represented as a beautiful nude nymph, crowned with seaweed, and reclining in a pearl-shell chariot drawn by dolphins, or sea-horses,—was worshiped with her husband.
Worship of Neptune.
Neptune, majestic and middle-aged, with long, flowing hair and beard, wearing a seaweed crown, and brandishing a trident, or three-pronged fork, was widely worshiped throughout Greece and Italy, and had countless shrines. His principal votaries were the seamen and horse trainers, who often bespoke his aid.
“Hail, Neptune, greatest of the gods!Thou ruler of the salt sea floods;Thou with the deep and dark-green hair,That dost the golden trident bear;Thou that, with either arm outspread,Embosomest the earth we tread:Thine are the beasts with fin and scales,That round thy chariot, as it sails,Plunging and tumbling, fast and free,All reckless follow o’er the sea.”Arion.
“Hail, Neptune, greatest of the gods!Thou ruler of the salt sea floods;Thou with the deep and dark-green hair,That dost the golden trident bear;Thou that, with either arm outspread,Embosomest the earth we tread:Thine are the beasts with fin and scales,That round thy chariot, as it sails,Plunging and tumbling, fast and free,All reckless follow o’er the sea.”Arion.
“Hail, Neptune, greatest of the gods!Thou ruler of the salt sea floods;Thou with the deep and dark-green hair,That dost the golden trident bear;Thou that, with either arm outspread,Embosomest the earth we tread:Thine are the beasts with fin and scales,That round thy chariot, as it sails,Plunging and tumbling, fast and free,All reckless follow o’er the sea.”Arion.
Many large temples were dedicated exclusively to the worship of Neptune, and games were frequently celebrated in his honor. The most noted of all were undoubtedly the Isthmian Games,—a national festival, held every four years at Corinth, on the isthmus of the same name. Hither people came from all points of the compass, and all parts of the then known world, either to witness or to take part in the noted wrestling, boxing, and racing matches, or in the musical and poetical contests.
Pluto[1](Dis, Hades, Orcus, Aïdoneus), son of Cronus and Rhea, received as his share of the world the supervision of the Infernal Regions, situated beneath the earth, and was also appointed god of the dead and of riches, for all precious metals are buried deep in the bosom of the earth.
[1]Besides this Pluto, god of the Infernal Regions, the Greeks also worshiped Plutus, a son of Ceres and Jason, who was known exclusively as the god of wealth. Abandoned in infancy, he was brought up by Pax, the goddess of peace, who is often represented holding him in her lap. Because Plutus insisted upon bestowing his favors upon good and noble mortals only, Jupiter soon deprived him of his sight. Since then the blind god’s gifts have been distributed indiscriminately.
[1]Besides this Pluto, god of the Infernal Regions, the Greeks also worshiped Plutus, a son of Ceres and Jason, who was known exclusively as the god of wealth. Abandoned in infancy, he was brought up by Pax, the goddess of peace, who is often represented holding him in her lap. Because Plutus insisted upon bestowing his favors upon good and noble mortals only, Jupiter soon deprived him of his sight. Since then the blind god’s gifts have been distributed indiscriminately.
This god inspired all men with a great fear. They never spoke of him without trembling, and fervently prayed that they might never see his face; for, when he appeared on the surface of the earth, it was only in search of some victim to drag down into his dismal abode, or to make sure there was no crevice through which a sunbeam might glide to brighten its gloom and dispel its shadows. Whenever the stern god set out on one of these expeditions, he rode in a chariot drawn by four coal-black steeds; and, if any obstacle presented itself to impede his progress, he struck it with his two-pronged fork, the emblem of his power, and the obstacle was immediately removed. It was on one of these occasions that Pluto kidnapped Proserpina, the fair goddess of vegetation, daughter of Ceres, whom he set on his throne in Hades, and crowned his queen (p.183).
Worship of Pluto.
Pluto is always represented as a stern, dark, bearded man, with tightly closed lips, a crown on his head, a scepter and a key in hand, to show how carefully he guards those who enter his domains, and how vain are their hopes to effect their escape. No temples were dedicated to him, and statues of this god are very rare. Human sacrifices were sometimes offered on his altars; and at his festivals, held every hundred years, and thence called Secular Games, none but black animals were slain.
Hades.
His kingdom, generally called Hades, was very difficult of access. According to Roman traditions, it could only be entered at Avernus, but the Greeks asserted that there was another entrance near the Promontory of Tænarum. Both nations agreed, however, in saying that it was an almost impossible feat to get out again if one were rash enough to venture in.
“To the shades you go a down-hill, easy way;But to return and re-enjoy the day,This is a work, a labor!”Virgil.
“To the shades you go a down-hill, easy way;But to return and re-enjoy the day,This is a work, a labor!”Virgil.
“To the shades you go a down-hill, easy way;But to return and re-enjoy the day,This is a work, a labor!”Virgil.
To prevent all mortals from entering, and all spirits from escaping, Pluto placed a huge three-headed dog, called Cerberus, to guard the gate.
“There in state old Cerberus sate,A three-headed dog, as cruel as Fate,Guarding the entrance early and late.”Saxe.
“There in state old Cerberus sate,A three-headed dog, as cruel as Fate,Guarding the entrance early and late.”Saxe.
“There in state old Cerberus sate,A three-headed dog, as cruel as Fate,Guarding the entrance early and late.”Saxe.
From thence a long subterranean passage, through which shadowy spirits glided incessantly, led to the throne room, where Pluto and Proserpina sat in state, clad in their sable robes. From the foot of this throne flowed the rivers which channeled the Lower World. One, the Cocytus, rolled salt waves, composed of naught but the tears flowing continually from the eyes of thecriminals condemned to hard labor in Tartarus, the portion of Hades reserved for the exclusive use of the wicked.
“Cocytus, named of lamentation loudHeard on the rueful stream.”Homer.
“Cocytus, named of lamentation loudHeard on the rueful stream.”Homer.
“Cocytus, named of lamentation loudHeard on the rueful stream.”Homer.
Rivers of Hades.
To separate this section from the remainder of his realm, Pluto surrounded it with the Phlegethon, a river of fire; while the Acheron, a black and deep stream, was to be passed by all souls ere they reached Pluto’s throne and heard his decree. The current of this river was so swift, that even the boldest swimmer could not pass over; and, as there was no bridge, all the spirits were obliged to rely upon the aid of Charon, an aged boatman, who plied the only available skiff—a leaky, worm-eaten punt—from shore to shore. Neither would he allow any soul to enter his bark, unless he was first given a small coin, called the obolus, the ferryman’s fare, which the ancients carefully laid under the tongue of the dead, that they might pass on to Pluto without delay. Charon’s leaky boat no sooner touched the shore than a host of eager spirits pressed forward to claim a place. The cruel boatman repulsed them roughly, and brandished his oars, while he leisurely selected those he would next ferry across the stream.
“The shiv’ring army stands,And press for passage with extended hands.Now these, now those, the surly boatman bore;The rest he drove to distance from the shore.”Virgil(Dryden’s tr.).
“The shiv’ring army stands,And press for passage with extended hands.Now these, now those, the surly boatman bore;The rest he drove to distance from the shore.”Virgil(Dryden’s tr.).
“The shiv’ring army stands,And press for passage with extended hands.Now these, now those, the surly boatman bore;The rest he drove to distance from the shore.”Virgil(Dryden’s tr.).
All those who could not produce the required obolus were obliged to wait one hundred years, at the end of which time Charon reluctantly ferried them over free of charge.
There was also in Hades the sacred river Styx, by whose waters the gods swore their most irrevocable oaths; and the blessed Lethe, whose waters had the power to make one forget all unpleasant things, thus preparing the good for a state of endless bliss in the Elysian Fields.
Refer to captionTHE FURIES.—A Study for the Masque of Cupid.—Burne-Jones.
THE FURIES.—A Study for the Masque of Cupid.—Burne-Jones.
“Lethe, the river of oblivion, rollsHer wat’ry labrinth, whereof who drinks,Forthwith his former state and being forgets,Forgets both joy and grief, pleasure and pain.”Milton.
“Lethe, the river of oblivion, rollsHer wat’ry labrinth, whereof who drinks,Forthwith his former state and being forgets,Forgets both joy and grief, pleasure and pain.”Milton.
“Lethe, the river of oblivion, rollsHer wat’ry labrinth, whereof who drinks,Forthwith his former state and being forgets,Forgets both joy and grief, pleasure and pain.”Milton.
The judges.
Near Pluto’s throne were seated the three judges of Hades, Minos, Rhadamanthus, and Æacus, whose duty it was to question all newly arrived souls, to sort out the confused mass of good and bad thoughts and actions, and place them in the scales of Themis, the blindfolded, impartial goddess of justice, who bore a trenchant sword to indicate that her decrees would be mercilessly enforced. If the good outweighed the evil, the spirit was led to the Elysian Fields; but if, on the contrary, the evil prevailed, the spirit was condemned to suffer in the fires of Tartarus.
“Where his decreesThe guilty soul within the burning gatesOf Tartarus compel, or send the goodTo inhabit, with eternal health and peace,The valley of Elysium.”Akenside.
“Where his decreesThe guilty soul within the burning gatesOf Tartarus compel, or send the goodTo inhabit, with eternal health and peace,The valley of Elysium.”Akenside.
“Where his decreesThe guilty soul within the burning gatesOf Tartarus compel, or send the goodTo inhabit, with eternal health and peace,The valley of Elysium.”Akenside.
The Furies.
The guilty souls were always intrusted to the three snake-locked Furies (Erinnyes, or Eumenides), who drove them with their stinging lashes to the gates of Tartarus. These deities, who were sisters, and children of Acheron and Nyx, were distinguished by the individual names of Alecto, Tisiphone, and Megæra, and with Nemesis, goddess of revenge, were noted for their hard hearts and the merciless manner in which they hurried the ghosts intrusted to their care over the fiery flood of the Phlegethon, and through the brazen gates of their future place of incessant torment.
Refer to captionTHE THREE FATES.—Thumann.
THE THREE FATES.—Thumann.
“There rolls swift Phlegethon, with thund’ring sound,His broken rocks, and whirls his surges round.On mighty columns rais’d sublime are hungThe massy gates, impenetrably strong.In vain would men, in vain would gods essay,To hew the beams of adamant away.Here rose an iron tow’r: before the gate,By night and day, a wakeful Fury sate,The pale Tisiphone; a robe she wore,With all the pomp of horror, dy’d in gore.”Virgil(C. Pitt’s tr.).
“There rolls swift Phlegethon, with thund’ring sound,His broken rocks, and whirls his surges round.On mighty columns rais’d sublime are hungThe massy gates, impenetrably strong.In vain would men, in vain would gods essay,To hew the beams of adamant away.Here rose an iron tow’r: before the gate,By night and day, a wakeful Fury sate,The pale Tisiphone; a robe she wore,With all the pomp of horror, dy’d in gore.”Virgil(C. Pitt’s tr.).
“There rolls swift Phlegethon, with thund’ring sound,His broken rocks, and whirls his surges round.On mighty columns rais’d sublime are hungThe massy gates, impenetrably strong.In vain would men, in vain would gods essay,To hew the beams of adamant away.Here rose an iron tow’r: before the gate,By night and day, a wakeful Fury sate,The pale Tisiphone; a robe she wore,With all the pomp of horror, dy’d in gore.”Virgil(C. Pitt’s tr.).
The Fates.
The three Fates (Mœræ, Parcæ), sisters, also sat near Pluto’s throne. Clotho, the youngest, spun the thread of life, in which the bright and dark lines were intermingled. Lachesis, the second, twisted it; and under her fingers it was now strong, now weak.
“Twist ye, twine ye! even so,Mingle shades of joy and woe,Hope, and fear, and peace, and strife,In the thread of human life.”Scott.
“Twist ye, twine ye! even so,Mingle shades of joy and woe,Hope, and fear, and peace, and strife,In the thread of human life.”Scott.
“Twist ye, twine ye! even so,Mingle shades of joy and woe,Hope, and fear, and peace, and strife,In the thread of human life.”Scott.
Atropos, the third sister, armed with a huge pair of shears, remorselessly cut short the thread of life,—an intimation that another soul would ere long find its way down into the dark kingdom of Hades.
Tartarus.
When the gates of Tartarus turned on their hinges to receive the newcomer, a chorus of cries, groans, and imprecations from within fell upon his ear, mingled with the whistling of the whips incessantly plied by retributive deities.
“What sounds were heard,What scenes appeared,O’er all the dreary coasts!Dreadful gleams,Dismal screams,Fires that glow,Shrieks of woe,Sullen moans,Hollow groans,And cries of tortured ghosts.”Pope.
“What sounds were heard,What scenes appeared,O’er all the dreary coasts!Dreadful gleams,Dismal screams,Fires that glow,Shrieks of woe,Sullen moans,Hollow groans,And cries of tortured ghosts.”Pope.
“What sounds were heard,What scenes appeared,O’er all the dreary coasts!Dreadful gleams,Dismal screams,Fires that glow,Shrieks of woe,Sullen moans,Hollow groans,And cries of tortured ghosts.”Pope.
The Danaides.
Many victims renowned while on earth for their cruelty found here the just punishment of their sins. Attention was first attracted by a group of beautiful maidens, who carried water to fill a bottomless cask. Down to the stream they hastened, a long procession, filled their urns with water, painfully clambered up the steep and slippery bank, and poured their water into the cask; but when, exhausted and ready to faint from fatigue, they paused to rest for a moment, the cutting lash fell upon their bare shoulders, and spurred them on to renewed efforts to complete a task so hopeless that it has become proverbial.
These fair maidens were the Danaides, daughters of Danaus, who had pledged his fifty daughters to the fifty sons of his brother Ægyptus. The marriage preparations were all completed, when Danaus suddenly remembered an ancient prophecy which had quite escaped his memory, and which foretold that he would perish by the hand of his son-in-law.
It was now too late to prevent the marriages, so, calling his daughters aside, he told them what the oracle had said, and, giving them each a sharp dagger, bade them slay their husbands on their wedding night. The marriages were celebrated, as was customary, with mirth, dance, and song; and the revelry continued until late at night, when, the guests having departed, the newly married couples retired. But as soon as Danaus’ daughters were quite certain their husbands were fast asleep, they produced their daggers and slew their mates.
“Danaus arm’d each daughter’s handTo stain with blood the bridal bed.”Euripides(Potter’s tr.).
“Danaus arm’d each daughter’s handTo stain with blood the bridal bed.”Euripides(Potter’s tr.).
“Danaus arm’d each daughter’s handTo stain with blood the bridal bed.”Euripides(Potter’s tr.).
One of the brides only, Hypermnestra, loved her husband too dearly to obey her father’s command, and, when morning broke, only forty-nine of Ægyptus’ sons were found lifeless. The sole survivor, Lynceus, to avenge his brothers’ death, slew Danaus, thus fulfilling the ominous prophecy; while the gods, incensedby the Danaides’ heartlessness, sent them to Hades, where they were compelled to fill the bottomless cask.
Tantalus.
Tartarus also detained within its brazen portals a cruel king named Tantalus (the father of Niobe), who, while on earth, had starved and ill-treated his subjects, insulted the immortal gods, and on one occasion had even dared to cook and serve up to them his own son Pelops. Most of the gods were immediately aware of the deception practiced upon them, and refused the new dish; but Ceres, who was very melancholy on account of the recent loss of her daughter, paid no heed to what was offered her, and in a fit of absent-mindedness ate part of the lad’s shoulder.
The gods in pity restored the youth to life, and Ceres replaced the missing shoulder with one of ivory or of gold. Driven away from his kingdom, which was seized by the King of Troy, Pelops took refuge in Greece, where he ruled the extensive peninsula, the Peloponnesus, which still bears his name.
To punish the inhuman Tantalus, the gods then sent him to Tartarus, where he stood up to his chin in a stream of pure water, tormented with thirst; for, whenever he stooped to drink, the waters fled from his parched lips. Over his head hung a branch of luscious fruit. His hunger was as intolerable as his thirst; but, whenever he clutched at the fruit, the branch swung upward, and eluded his eager grasp.
“Above, beneath, around his hapless head,Trees of all kinds delicious fruitage spread.The fruit he strives to seize; but blasts arise,Toss it on high, and whirl it to the skies.”Homer(Pope’s tr.).
“Above, beneath, around his hapless head,Trees of all kinds delicious fruitage spread.The fruit he strives to seize; but blasts arise,Toss it on high, and whirl it to the skies.”Homer(Pope’s tr.).
“Above, beneath, around his hapless head,Trees of all kinds delicious fruitage spread.The fruit he strives to seize; but blasts arise,Toss it on high, and whirl it to the skies.”Homer(Pope’s tr.).
This singular punishment inflicted upon Tantalus gave rise to the expression “to tantalize.”