Ancient Greek goddess with wings. ancient greek mythology

Ancient Greek mythology expressed a vivid sensory perception of the surrounding reality with all its diversity and colors. Behind every phenomenon of the material world - thunderstorm, war, storm, dawn, lunar eclipse, according to the Greeks, there was an act of one or another god.

Theogony

The classical Greek pantheon had 12 Olympian deities. However, the inhabitants of Olympus were not the first inhabitants of the earth and the creators of the world. According to the Theogony of the poet Hesiod, the Olympians were only the third generation of gods. At the very beginning there was only Chaos, from which eventually came:

• Nyukta (Night),
• Gaia (Earth),
• Uranus (Sky),
• Tartarus (Abyss),
• Skotos (Darkness),
• Erebus (Darkness).

These forces should be considered the first generation of the Greek gods. The children of Chaos entered into marriages with each other, giving birth to gods, seas, mountains, monsters and various amazing creatures - hekatoncheirs and titans. The grandchildren of Chaos are considered to be the second generation of the gods.

Uranus became the ruler of the whole world, and Gaia, the mother of all things, became his wife. Uranus was afraid and hated his numerous children-titans, therefore, immediately after their birth, he hid the babies back into the womb of Gaia. Gaia suffered greatly from the fact that she could not be born, but the youngest of the children, the titan Kronos, came to her aid. He deposed and castrated his father.

The children of Uranus and Gaia were finally able to come out of their mother's womb. Kronos married one of his sisters - the Titanide Rhea and became the supreme deity. His reign became a real "golden age". However, Kronos feared for his power. Uranus predicted to him that one of the children of Kronos would do the same to him as Kronos himself did to his father. Therefore, all the children born to Rhea - Hestia, Hera, Hades, Poseidon, Demeter - were swallowed by the titan. The last son - Zeus - Rhea managed to hide. Zeus grew up, freed his brothers and sisters, and then began to fight with his father. So the titans and the third generation of gods, the future Olympians, clashed in the battle. Hesiod calls these events "titanomachia" (literally "Battles of the Titans"). The struggle ended with the victory of the Olympians and the fall of the titans into the abyss of Tartarus.

Modern researchers are inclined to believe that the titanomachy was not an empty fantasy based on nothing. In fact, this episode reflected important social changes in the life of Ancient Greece. The archaic chthonic deities - the titans, who were worshiped by the ancient Greek tribes, gave way to new deities who personified order, law and statehood. The tribal system and matriarchy went into the past, they are being replaced by the polis system and the patriarchal cult of epic heroes.

Olympian gods

Thanks to numerous literary works, many ancient Greek myths have survived to this day. Unlike Slavic mythology, which has been preserved in fragmentary and incomplete form, ancient Greek folklore has been deeply and comprehensively studied. The pantheon of the ancient Greeks included hundreds of gods, however, only 12 of them played the leading role. There is no canonical list of Olympians. In different versions of myths, different gods may enter the pantheon.

Zeus

Zeus was at the head of the ancient Greek pantheon. He and his brothers - Poseidon and Hades - cast lots to divide the world among themselves. Poseidon got the oceans and seas, Hades got the kingdom of the souls of the dead, and Zeus got the sky. Under the rule of Zeus, law and order are established throughout the earth. For the Greeks, Zeus was the personification of the Cosmos, opposing the ancient Chaos. In a narrower sense, Zeus was the god of wisdom, as well as thunder and lightning.

Zeus was very prolific. From goddesses and earthly women, he had many children - gods, mythical creatures, heroes and kings.

A very interesting moment in the biography of Zeus is his struggle with the titan Prometheus. The Olympian gods destroyed the first people who lived on earth since the time of Kronos. Prometheus created new people and taught them crafts, for their sake, the titan even stole fire from Olympus. Enraged, Zeus ordered Prometheus to be chained to a rock, where an eagle flew daily, pecking at the liver of a titan. In order to take revenge on the people created by Prometheus for their self-will, Zeus sent Pandora to them - a beauty who opened a box in which diseases and various misfortunes of the human race were hidden.

Despite such a vengeful disposition, in general, Zeus is a bright and fair deity. Next to his throne are two vessels - with good and evil, depending on the actions of people, Zeus draws gifts from the vessels, sending either punishment or mercy to mortals.

Poseidon

The brother of Zeus - Poseidon - the lord of such a changeable element as water. Like the ocean, it can be wild and wild. Most likely, Poseidon was originally an earthly deity. This version explains why the cult animals of Poseidon were completely "land" bull and horse. Hence the epithets with which the god of the seas was endowed - “shaking the earth”, “land holder”.

In myths, Poseidon often opposes his thunder brother. For example, he supports the Achaeans in the war against Troy, on the side of which Zeus was.

Almost the entire commercial and fishing life of the Greeks depended on the sea. Therefore, rich sacrifices were regularly made to Poseidon, throwing them directly into the water.

Hera

Despite the huge number of connections with a variety of women, the closest companion of Zeus all this time was his sister and wife, Hera. Although Hera was the main female deity on Olympus, in fact she was only the third wife of Zeus. The first wife of the Thunderer was the wise oceanid Metis, whom he imprisoned in his womb, and the second was the goddess of justice Themis - the mother of the seasons and moira - the goddesses of fate.

Although the divine spouses often quarrel and cheat on each other, the union of Hera and Zeus symbolizes all monogamous marriages on earth and the relationship between a man and a woman in general.

Distinguished by a jealous and sometimes cruel disposition, Hera was still the guardian of the family hearth, the protector of mothers and children. The Greek women prayed to Hera to send them a good husband, pregnancy, or an easy birth.

Perhaps Hera's confrontation with her husband reflects the chthonic nature of this goddess. According to one version, touching the earth, she even gives birth to a monstrous snake - Typhon. Obviously, Hera is one of the first female deities of the Peloponnesian Peninsula, an evolved and reworked image of the mother goddess.

Ares

Ares was the son of Hera and Zeus. He personified the war, and, moreover, the war was not in the form of a liberation confrontation, but a senseless bloody massacre. It is believed that Ares, who absorbed part of the chthonic rampage of his mother, is extremely treacherous and cunning. He uses his power to sow murder and discord.

In the myths, Zeus's dislike for the bloodthirsty son can be traced, however, even a just war is impossible without Ares.

Athena

The birth of Athena was very unusual. One day, Zeus began to suffer severe headaches. To alleviate the suffering of the Thunderer, the god Hephaestus strikes him on the head with an ax. From the resulting wound comes a beautiful maiden in armor and with a spear. Zeus, seeing his daughter, was very happy. The newborn goddess was named Athena. She became the main assistant to her father - the keeper of law and order and the personification of wisdom. Formally, the mother of Athena was Metis, imprisoned inside Zeus.

Since the warlike Athena embodied both the feminine and the masculine, she did not need a spouse and remained virgin. The goddess patronized warriors and heroes, but only those of them who wisely disposed of their strength. Thus, the goddess balanced the rampage of her bloodthirsty brother Ares.

Hephaestus

Hephaestus - the patron of blacksmithing, crafts and fire - was the son of Zeus and Hera. He was born lame in both legs. Hera was unpleasant to an ugly and sick baby, so she threw him off Olympus. Hephaestus fell into the sea, where Thetis picked him up. On the seabed, Hephaestus mastered blacksmithing and began to forge wonderful things.

For the Greeks, Hephaestus, thrown from Olympus, personified, although ugly, but very smart and kind god, helping everyone who turns to him.

To teach his mother a lesson, Hephaestus forged a golden throne for her. When Hera got into it, the fetters closed on her arms and legs, which none of the gods could unchain. Despite all the persuasion, Hephaestus stubbornly did not want to go to Olympus in order to free Hera. Only Dionysus, who intoxicated Hephaestus, managed to bring the blacksmith god. After her release, Hera recognized her son and gave him Aphrodite as his wife. However, Hephaestus did not live long with a windy wife and entered into a second marriage with Charita Aglaya, the goddess of goodness and joy.

Hephaestus is the only Olympian who is constantly busy with work. He forges lightning bolts for Zeus, magic items, armor and weapons. From his mother, he, like Ares, inherited some chthonic features, however, not so destructive. The connection of Hephaestus with the underworld is emphasized by its fiery nature. However, the fire of Hephaestus is not a destructive flame, but a hearth that warms people, or a blacksmith's forge, with which many useful things can be made.

Demeter

One of the daughters of Rhea and Kronos - Demeter - was the patroness of fertility and agriculture. Like many female deities who personify Mother Earth, Demeter had a direct connection with the world of the dead. After the abduction by Hades of her daughter, Persephone, with Zeus, Demeter fell into mourning. Eternal winter reigned on the earth, thousands of people died of hunger. Then Zeus demanded that Persephone spend only one third of the year with Hades, and return to her mother for two thirds.

It is believed that Demeter taught people how to farm. She also gave fertility to plants, animals and people. The Greeks believed that the mysteries dedicated to Demeter blurred the boundaries between the world of the living and the dead. Archaeological data show that in some areas of Greece, Demeter even made human sacrifices.

Aphrodite

Aphrodite - the goddess of love and beauty - appeared on earth in a very unusual way. After the castration of Uranus, Kronos threw his father's reproductive organ into the sea. Since Uranus was very prolific, the beautiful Aphrodite emerged from the sea foam that formed in this place.

The goddess knew how to send love to people and gods, which she often used. One of the main attributes of Aphrodite was her wonderful belt, which made any woman beautiful. Because of the changeable disposition of Aphrodite, many suffered from her charms. The vengeful goddess could severely punish those who rejected her gifts or offended her in some way.

Apollo and Artemis

Apollo and Artemis are the children of the goddess Leto and Zeus. Hera was extremely angry with Summer, so she pursued her throughout the earth and for a long time did not allow her to be born. In the end, on the island of Delos, surrounded by Rhea, Themis, Amphitrite and other goddesses, Leto gave birth to two twins. Artemis was the first to be born and immediately began to help her mother in the birth of her brother.

With a bow and arrows, Artemis, surrounded by nymphs, began to wander through the forests. The virgin hunter goddess was the patroness of wild and domestic animals and all life on earth. Both young girls and pregnant women, whom she protected, turned to her for help.

Her brother became the patron of the arts and healing. Apollo brings harmony and tranquility to Olympus. This god is considered one of the main symbols of the classical period in the history of Ancient Greece. He brings elements of beauty and light into everything he does, gives people the gift of foresight, teaches them to heal diseases and play music.

Hestia

Unlike most of the cruel and vindictive Olympians, Zeus' older sister, Hestia, was distinguished by a peaceful and calm disposition. The Greeks revered her as the keeper of the hearth and sacred fire. Hestia adhered to chastity and refused all the gods who offered her marriage.

The cult of Hestia was very widespread in Greece. It was believed that she helps to hold sacred ceremonies and preserves peace in families.

Hermes

The patron of trade, wealth, dexterity and theft - Hermes, most likely, was originally an ancient Asia Minor demon-rogue. Over time, the Greeks turned the petty trickster into one of the most powerful gods. Hermes was the son of Zeus and the nymph Maya. Like all children of Zeus, he demonstrated his amazing abilities from birth. So, on the very first day after his birth, Hermes learned to play the cithara and stole the cows of Apollo.

In myths, Hermes appears not only as a deceiver and a thief, but also as a faithful assistant. He often rescued heroes and gods from difficult situations, bringing them weapons, magical herbs, or some other necessary items. A distinctive attribute of Hermes were winged sandals and a caduceus - a rod around which two snakes twined.

Shepherds, merchants, usurers, travelers, swindlers, alchemists and fortune-tellers revered Hermes.

Hades

Hades - the ruler of the world of the dead - is not always included among the Olympian gods, since he did not live on Olympus, but in gloomy Hades. However, he was certainly a very powerful and influential deity. The Greeks were afraid of Hades and preferred not to pronounce his name out loud, replacing it with various epithets. Some researchers believe that Hades is a different hypostasis of Zeus.

Although Hades was the god of the dead, he also bestowed fertility and wealth. At the same time, he himself, as befits such a deity, did not have children, he even had to kidnap his wife, because none of the goddesses wanted to descend into the underworld.

The cult of Hades was almost not widespread. Only one temple is known, where only once a year sacrifices were made to the king of the dead.

Hades God is the ruler of the realm of the dead.

Antey- the hero of myths, a giant, the son of Poseidon and the Earth of Gaia. The earth gave her son strength, thanks to which no one could cope with him.

Ares- god of perfidious war, son of Zeus and Hera

Bacchus One of the names of Dionysus.

Helios (Helium)- the god of the Sun, brother of Selene (goddess of the moon) and Eos (morning dawn). In late antiquity, he was identified with Apollo, the god of sunlight.

Hephaestus- the son of Zeus and Hera, the god of fire and blacksmithing. He was considered the patron saint of artisans.

Dionysus (Bacchus)- the god of viticulture and winemaking, the object of a number of cults and mysteries. He was depicted either as a fat elderly man, or as a young man with a wreath of grape leaves on his head.

Zagreus- god of fertility, son of Zeus and Persephone.

Zeus- the supreme god, the king of gods and people.

Iacchus- the god of fertility.

Kronos- Titan, the youngest son of Gaia and Uranus, the father of Zeus. He ruled the world of gods and people and was overthrown from the throne by Zeus ..

Mom- the son of the goddess of the Night, the god of slander.

Morpheus- one of the sons of Hypnos, the god of dreams.

Note- the god of the south wind, depicted with a beard and wings.

Ocean- Titan, son of Gaia and Uranus, brother and husband of Tethys and father of all the rivers of the world.

Pan- the forest god, the son of Hermes and Dryopa, a goat-legged man with horns. He was considered the patron saint of shepherds and small livestock.

Plutus- the son of Demeter, the god who gives people wealth.

Pont- one of the older Greek deities, the offspring of Gaia, the god of the sea, the father of many titans and gods.

Proteus- sea deity, son of Poseidon, patron of seals. Possessed the gift of reincarnation and prophecy.

Titans- the generation of the Greek gods, the ancestors of the Olympians.

Triton- the son of Poseidon, one of the sea deities, a man with a fish tail instead of legs, holding a trident and a twisted shell - a horn.

Chaos- an endless empty space from which at the beginning of time arose the most ancient gods of the Greek religion - Nikta and Erebus.

Evre (Eur)- god of the southeast wind.

aeolus- lord of the winds

Erebus- the personification of the darkness of the underworld, the son of Chaos and the brother of the Night.

Eros (Eros) God of love, son of Aphrodite and Ares. In ancient myths - a self-arisen force that contributed to the ordering of the world. Depicted as a winged youth (in the Hellenistic era - a boy) with arrows, accompanying his mother.

Ether- deity of the sky

Athena (Pallas, Parthenos)- the daughter of Zeus, born from his head in full combat weapons. One of the most revered Greek goddesses, the goddess of just war and wisdom, the patroness of knowledge.

Hebe- daughter of Zeus and Hera, goddess of youth. Sister of Ares and Ilithyia. She served the Olympian gods at feasts.

Hemera- the goddess of daylight, the personification of the day, born of Nikto and Erebus. Often identified with Eos.

Hera- the supreme Olympic goddess, sister and third wife of Zeus, daughter of Rhea and Kronos, sister of Hades, Hestia, Demeter and Poseidon. Hera was considered the patroness of marriage.

Gaia- mother earth, mother of all gods and people.

Dryads- lower deities, nymphs who lived in trees.

Irida- winged goddess, assistant to Hera, messenger of the gods.

Kera- demonic creatures, children of the goddess Nikta, bringing misfortune and death to people.

Clio- one of the nine muses, the muse of history.

Clotho ("spinner")- one of the moira, spinning the thread of human life.

Summer Titanide, mother of Apollo and Artemis.

Mayan- a mountain nymph, the eldest of the seven pleiades - the daughters of Atlanta, the beloved of Zeus, from whom Hermes was born.

Metis- the goddess of wisdom, the first of the three wives of Zeus, who conceived Athena from him.

Muses- patron goddess of the arts and sciences.

naiads- nymphs-guardians of waters.

Nika is the personification of victory. Often she was depicted with a wreath, a common symbol of triumph in Greece.

Ora- the goddess of the seasons, tranquility and order, the daughter of Zeus and Themis.

Sirens- female demons, half-woman, half-bird, capable of changing the weather at sea.

quiet- the goddess of fate and chance among the Greeks, companion of Persephone. She was depicted as a winged woman standing on a wheel and holding a cornucopia and ship's steering wheel in her hands.

Urania- one of the nine muses, the patroness of astronomy.

Charites- the goddess of female beauty, the embodiment of a kind, joyful and eternally young beginning of life.

Eris- daughter of Nikta, sister of Ares, goddess of discord.

Erinyes- goddesses of vengeance, creatures of the underworld, who punished injustice and crimes.

Erato- Muse of lyrical and erotic poetry.

Eos- Goddess of the dawn, sister of Helios and Selena. The Greeks called it "pink-fingered".

And finally, a test to find out what kind of God you are

tests.ukr.net

Which Greek god are you?

Vulcan - god of fire

In a world where there are so many deceivers, you are a true treasure. You may not be very attractive in appearance, but a good heart attracts any woman to you. There is a true maturity in you that all women so much want to see and so rarely find in men. Intelligence and charm make you the kind of man many ladies would like to marry. As for the bed, here you shine with many talents. Your passion is a true volcano that is just waiting in the wings to erupt. With you is a woman - a violin in the hands of a master. The main thing is not to overdo it, otherwise the partner can go crazy with happiness! One night with you is enough to say - you are the god of sex.

The ancient tablets of the Aegean culture give us the first information about who the Greek gods and goddesses were. The mythology of Ancient Greece has become for the famous authors of Hellas. It provides us with rich material for artistic fantasy even today. Like the powerful Olympian male rulers, the female divine incarnations have a strong character and a remarkable mind. Let's talk about each separately in more detail.

Artemis

Not all Greek goddesses can boast such a harmonious interweaving of fragility and grace with a decisive and tough character, like Artemis. She was born on the island of Delos from the marriage of the powerful Zeus and the goddess Leto. The twin brother of Artemis was the radiant Apollo. The girl became famous as the goddess of hunting and the patroness of everything that grows in forests and fields. The brave girl did not part with her bow and arrows, as well as with a sharp spear. She had no equal in hunting: neither a fast deer, nor a shy doe, nor an angry boar could hide from the dexterous goddess. When there was a hunt, the forest was filled with laughter and cheerful cries of the eternal companions of Artemis - river nymphs.

Tired, the goddess went to the sacred Delphi to her brother and, to the magnificent sounds of his harp, danced with the muses, and then rested in the cool grottoes overgrown with greenery. Artemis was a virgin and sacredly kept her chastity. But nevertheless, like many Greek goddesses, she blessed marriage and childbearing. Symbols - doe, cypress, bear. In Roman mythology, Diana corresponded to Artemis.

Athena

Her birth was accompanied by fantastic events. It all started with the fact that the Thunderer Zeus was informed that he would have two children from the goddess of the mind, Metis, one of whom would overthrow the ruler. Zeus did not come up with anything better than how to lull his wife with affectionate speeches and, sleeping, swallow. After some time, the god felt an excruciating headache and ordered his son Hephaestus to cut his head, hoping to get rid of it. Hephaestus swung and cut the head of Zeus - and from there, in a sparkling helmet, with a spear and a shield, the divine Pallas Athena came out. Her war cry shook Olympus. Until now, Greek mythology has not known a goddess so majestic and sincere.

The mighty warrior became the patroness of fair battles, as well as states, sciences, and crafts. Many heroes of Greece won thanks to the advice of Athena. Young girls especially honored her because she taught them the art of needlework. The symbols of Pallas Athena are an olive branch and a wise owl. In Latin mythology, she is called Minerva.

Atropos

One of the three sisters - goddesses of fate. Klotho spins the thread of human life, Lachesis closely watches the course of destinies, and Atropos ruthlessly cuts the threads of human fate when he considers the life of a particular earthling to be over. Her name translates as "inevitable." In ancient Roman mythology, in which Greek goddesses have Latin counterparts, she is called Morta.

Aphrodite

She was the daughter of the god Uranus, patron of heaven. It is well known that Aphrodite was born from the snow-white sea foam near the island of Cythera, and the wind carried her to an island called Cyprus. There, the goddesses of the seasons (ora) surrounded the young girl, crowned her with a wreath of wild flowers, throwing gold-woven robes over her. This gentle and sensual beauty is the Greek goddess of beauty. Where her light foot stepped, flowers instantly bloomed.

Ores brought the goddess to Olympus, where she caused quiet sighs of admiration. The jealous wife of Zeus Hera hastened to arrange the marriage of Aphrodite with the ugliest god of Olympus - Hephaestus. The goddesses of fate (moira) gave the beauty only one divine ability - to create love around herself. While her lame-legged husband was diligently forging iron, she inspired love with people and gods with pleasure, fell in love herself and patronized all lovers. Therefore, Aphrodite, according to tradition, is also the Greek goddess of love.

An indispensable attribute of Aphrodite was her belt, which endowed the owner with the power to inspire love, seduce and attract. Eros is the son of Aphrodite, to whom she gave her instructions. Symbols of Aphrodite - dolphins, doves, roses. In Rome she was called Venus.

Hebe

She was the daughter of Hera and Zeus, the sister of the bloodthirsty war god Ares. Traditionally considered the goddess of youth. In Rome, her name is Juventa. The adjective "juvenile" is often used today to define everything related to youth and adolescence. On Olympus, Hebe was the chief butler until her place was taken by the son of the Trojan king Ganymede. In sculptures and paintings, the girl is often depicted with a golden goblet filled with nectar. The goddess Hebe personifies the youthful prosperity of countries and states. According to the myths, she was given in marriage to Hercules. They became the parents of Alexiaris and Aniket, who were considered the patrons of youth and sports. The sacred tree of Hebe is the cypress. If a slave entered the temple of this goddess, he was immediately granted freedom.

Hemera

The goddess of the light of the day, in contrast to Hekate, the patroness of cancer and nightmarish visions, as well as sorcerers, the clever Hemera was the eternal companion of the sun god Helios. According to one of the mythical versions, she kidnapped Cephalus and gave birth to Phaeton, who crashed on the sun chariot, unable to control it. In Roman legends, Hemera is equal to Dies.

Gaia

Goddess Gaia is the progenitor of all living things. According to the legends, she was born from Chaos and ordered all the elements. That is why she patronizes the earth, the sky, and the seas, and is considered the mother of the titans. It was Gaia who persuaded her sons to rebel against Uranus, the progenitor of heaven. And then, when they were defeated, she "set" her new giant sons against the Olympic gods. Gaia is the mother of the terrible hundred-headed monster Typhon. She asked him to take revenge on the gods for the death of the giants. Gaia was the heroine of Greek hymns and songs. She is the first soothsayer in Delphi. In Rome, the goddess Tellus corresponds to her.

Hera

Companion of Zeus, famous for her jealousy and spending a lot of time trying to eliminate and neutralize her rivals. The daughter of the titans Rhea and Kronos, swallowed by her father and rescued from his womb due to the fact that Zeus defeated Kronos. Hera occupies a special place on Olympus, where the Greek goddesses shine in glory, whose names are associated with duties to patronize all spheres of human life. Hera patronizes marriage. Like her royal consort, she could command thunder and lightning. At her word, a downpour could fall on the ground or the sun could shine. Hera's first assistant was the Greek goddess of the rainbow, Irida.

Hestia

She was also the daughter of Kronos and Rhea. Hestia - the goddess of the family hearth and sacrificial fire - was not conceited. By right of birth, she occupied one of the twelve main places on Olympus, but she was supplanted by the god of wine, Dionysus. Hestia did not defend her rights, but quietly stepped aside. She did not like wars, or hunting, or love affairs. The most beautiful gods Apollo and Poseidon sought her hand, but she chose to remain unmarried. People honored this goddess and made sacrifices to her before the beginning of each sacred action. In Rome, she was called Vesta.

Demeter

The goddess of good fertility, who experienced a personal tragedy when the underground god Hades fell in love and kidnapped Demeter's daughter Persephone. While the mother was looking for her daughter, life stopped, the leaves withered and flew around, the grass and flowers withered, the fields and vineyards died and became empty. Seeing all this, Zeus ordered Hades to release Persephone to earth. He could not disobey his powerful brother, but asked to spend at least a third of the year with his wife in the underworld. Demeter was delighted at the return of her daughter - gardens immediately bloomed everywhere, fields began to grow. But every time Persephone left the earth, the goddess fell into sadness again - and a fierce winter began. In Roman mythology, Demeter corresponds to the goddess Ceres.

Irida

The Greek goddess of the rainbow, which has already been mentioned. According to the ideas of the ancients, the rainbow was nothing more than a bridge connecting the earth with the sky. Irida was traditionally depicted as a golden-winged girl, and in her hands she held a bowl of rainwater. The main duty of this goddess was to spread the news. She did this with lightning speed. According to legend, she was the wife of the wind god Zephyr. By the name of Irida, the iris flower is called, striking with the play of color shades. Also from her name comes the name of the chemical element iridium, the compounds of which also differ in the variety of color tones.

Nikta

She is the Greek goddess of the night. She was born from Chaos and was the mother of Aether, Hemera and Moira, goddesses of fate. Nikta also gave birth to Charon, the carrier of the souls of the dead to the kingdom of Hades, and the goddess of revenge, Nemesis. In general, Nikta is connected with everything that stands on the verge of life and death and contains the secret of being.

Mnemosyne

Daughter of Gaia and Uranus, goddess of memory. From Zeus, who seduced her, reincarnated as a shepherd, she gave birth to nine muses who were responsible for the birth and types of arts. In her honor, a source was named that gives memory in spite of the spring of oblivion, for which Leta is responsible. It is believed that Mnemosyne has the gift of omniscience.

Themis

Goddess of law and justice. She was born to Uranus and Gaia, was the second wife of Zeus and conveyed his commands to the gods and people. Themis is depicted with a blindfold, with a sword and scales in her hands, personifying an impartial fair trial and retribution for crimes. It symbolizes legal organizations and norms to this day. In Rome, Themis was called Justice. Like other Greek goddesses, she had the gift of bringing order to the world of things and nature.

Eos

Sister of Helios, god of the sun, and Selene, goddess of the moon, Eos is the patroness of the dawn. Every morning she rises from the ocean and flies across the sky in her chariot, causing the sun to wake up and scattering handfuls of diamond dew drops on the ground. Poets call her “beautifully curly, pink-fingered, golden-throned”, in every way emphasizing the magnificence of the goddess. According to the myths, Eos was passionate and amorous. The scarlet color of the morning dawn is sometimes explained by the fact that she is ashamed of a stormy night.

Here are the main goddesses sung by the singers and myth-makers of Ancient Hellas. We talked only about the blessed goddesses who give a creative beginning. There are other characters whose names are associated with destruction and sorrows, but they are a special conversation.

In ancient legends, people reflected their ideas about the world around them, they believed in the existence of Olympus, the heavenly and underworld kingdoms. The mythology of Ancient Greece tells about the origin of gods and people most vividly. The Hellenes have preserved hundreds of legends about how cultural heroes were born, how did they become famous? and how their fate unfolded.

What is mythology? The concept of gods and heroes

In translation from ancient Greek the word "myth" means "narrative". Legends about gods, exploits of heroes and natural phenomena can be attributed to this category. The myth was perceived as reality and passed on from generation to generation. It can be argued that it is one of the oldest forms of oral folk art.

The myth was the result of myth-making: all nature and the world consisted of intelligent beings forming a community. fetishized physical objects and forces, animated them. Supernatural forces were attributed to everything inexplicable that a person encountered. The ancient Greek gods were anthropomorphic. They possessed human appearance and magical knowledge, could change their appearance and were immortal. Like people, the gods performed feats, suffered defeat and were dependent on less powerful, at first glance, creatures - the three goddesses of fate. Moirae decided the fate of every heavenly and earthly inhabitant, so even Zeus did not dare to argue with them.

How is myth different from religion?

All ancient peoples, including the Greek and Roman, passed the stage from fetishism to idolatry. Initially, the object of veneration could be wood and metal products, which soon began to take on divine outlines, but the statues still remained bare stone without soul and magical power.

Mythology and religion are similar concepts, and sometimes it is difficult to identify differences in them, since the second is an integral part of the first. In many national religions, anthropomorphic creatures endowed with supernatural power are the object of worship - these are the gods, the diversity of which can be traced in Roman and Greek cultures. The existence of any religion is unthinkable without mythology. Heroes fight, marry, reproduce offspring - all this happens with the participation of miraculous forces and magic. The moment a myth attempts to explain supernatural events, it begins to take on a religious connotation.

Ancient mythology as an arsenal of the entire world culture

Friedrich Engels argued that without Greek and Roman influences, there would be no modern Europe. The revival of the ancient Greek heritage began during the Renaissance, when writers, architects and artists again began to draw inspiration from the plots of Hellenic and Roman legends. Today, in museums around the world, majestic statues of gods and other creatures are presented to visitors, and paintings can tell about a certain moment of a significant event. The theme "mythology" was also of interest to the writers of the "Golden Age". Pushkin and Derzhavin turned to antiquity, only to reflect their thoughts they used not a brush with paint, but a word.

It is curious that the myths of the Greek and Roman peoples formed the basis of world culture even after many centuries. Modern man has a different point of view regarding the origin of the Universe, however, he does not cease to turn to ancient ideas and studies the cultural heritage of bygone times with pleasure. The myth was the first attempt to explain the universe, and over the centuries it acquired not a religious, but an aesthetic character. The strengths of the heroes depicted in the Odyssey and the Iliad also attract today's men, and the girls try to be like Venus, Aphrodite, Diana in character and beauty. Unfortunately, many do not attach importance to how firmly myth and mythology have entered the life of modern man. But they play a huge role in world culture.

The origin of the earth

The ancient mythology of the Greeks and Romans is striking in its originality. Many people are still surprised how people could represent the creation of the world so skillfully - or maybe all this was real? In the beginning there was Chaos, from which came Gaia - the earth. Eros (love), Erebus (darkness) and Nyukta (night) occurred simultaneously. Tartarus was born under the earth - a hellish place where sinners went after death. From night and darkness came Ether (light) and Hemera (day). The earth gave birth to Uranus (sky), who took her as his wife and gave birth to six titans who gave the world rivers, sea goddesses, the sun, the moon, and the wind. Now all the elements existed on the planet, and the inhabitants did not know misfortunes until evil creatures appeared. The earth gave birth to three Cyclopes, whom the jealous Uranus imprisoned in darkness, but the youngest, named Kronos, got out and took power from his father. The rebellious son could not go unpunished, and mythology also tells about the further development of events. The goddesses and gods, whose names were Death, Discord, Deceit, Destruction, Sleep and Vengeance, were born by Nyukta for the crime. And so the ancient world appeared, according to the ideas of the ancient Greeks. The offspring of Chaos lived in the underworld and on land, and each had its own purpose.

Gods of Greek mythology

The ancient religion was significantly different from the current one, and if today representatives of the four main religious denominations believe that there is only one Creator, but several millennia ago people had a different opinion. The Greeks believed that the gods lived on the sacred Mount Olympus. Each had its own appearance and purpose. The mythology of Ancient Greece is represented by twelve main gods.

roman gods

Greek mythology has always been considered exemplary. The goddesses of the Romans had their original names and purpose, and this was the end of their story. The people did not invent new legends and took the plots from the Greeks as a basis, since their art was more vivid and colorful. Roman culture was less rich, so many things were borrowed from the Hellenic heritage.

Among the Romans, Jupiter was the supreme god, and Juno was his wife. They had the same duties as in Greek mythology. The sea lord is Neptune, and the patroness of the hearth is Vesta. The god of the underworld was Pluto, and the main commander was Mars. Minerva was the Roman counterpart of Athena, Phoebus was an excellent soothsayer, and his sister Diana was a forest mistress. Venus is the goddess of love born from foam. Mercury patronized travelers and helped people in trade. The blacksmith Vulcan was the Roman equivalent of Hephaestus. Thus, although Roman mythology was said to be poorer, the number of gods was the same as that of the Greeks.

Sisyphean labor, panic fear and others

A person's speech becomes colorful through the use of proverbs, phraseological units, and ancient mythology is felt not only in a high literary style, but also in everyday life.

Speaking about back-breaking and useless work, a person often uses a phraseological unit without even delving into its etymology, while the phrase has ancient roots. For disobedience to the gods, the son of Eol and Enarete was severely punished. For thousands of years, Sisyphus has been forced to roll a huge stone uphill, the height of which has no limit, but as soon as the unfortunate hand is let go, a block will crush him.

Surely each of us has experienced at least once in a lifetime, and we owe this expression to the god Pan with the bizarre appearance of a man with goat legs. With its sudden appearance, the creature instilled fear in the travelers, and from its sinister laughter, the blood ran cold in the veins. So the expression "panic fear" appeared, meaning the fear of something inexplicable.

People who do not know what mythology is, themselves allow themselves to show off their minds, using interesting phraseological units in their speech. In his epic, Homer devoted several stanzas to describing the unbridled laughter of the gods. The great ones often allowed themselves to sneer at something stupid and awkward, while laughing at the top of their lungs. And so the expression "Homeric laughter" was born.

Mythological plots in the literature of recent centuries

It is fair to say about the influence on Russian poetry. Alexander Pushkin often turned to the ancient Greek heritage, and in his novel in verse "Eugene Onegin" one can read many stanzas where the names of Zeus, Juvenal, Circe, Terpsichore, Flora and other deities appear. Sometimes you can find individual words or whole expressions written in ancient Greek. This technique is relevant even in modern times, and often journalists, politicians and other influential figures prefer to speak in aphorisms. C`est la vie sounds much more solemn than the simple "such is life", and a letter ending with the phrase Vale et me ama acquires greater value and depth of thought. By the way, the Pushkin hero of the novel himself preferred to end the message with this phrase in ancient Greek.

The Russian poet Osip Mandelstam knew perfectly well what mythology was, and his craving for antiquity began with the first collection "Stone". In the poems, images of Erebus, Homer, Odysseus are noticeable, and there is also a golden fleece. The poem Silentium!, which means "silence" in Latin, arouses the reader's interest by its name alone. The heroine in the lyrical text is the goddess Aphrodite, whom Mandelstam calls on to remain sea foam.

The founder of Russian symbolism, Valery Bryusov, admits that "Rome is closest to him", therefore Roman mythology often appears in his poetic lines. In his works, he recalls Agamemnon, Orpheus, Amphitrion, Orion, sings of the beauty of Aphrodite and asks her to accept this verse; refers to the god of love Eros.

Gavrila Derzhavin openly translated the ode of the Roman poet Horace "To Melpomene". The main idea of ​​\u200b\u200bthe poem "Monument" is the eternity of the poetic heritage and the recognition of his work. A few decades later, Alexander Pushkin wrote a work of the same name and mentioned Rome in the epigraph. Exegi monumentum in Latin means "I erected a monument to myself." Thus, the theme of immortality is revealed by three great poets: Horace, Derzhavin and Pushkin. Geniuses prove that literature and mythology can coexist, and through their union, magnificent works are born.

Painting and architecture based on the subjects of mythology

The painting by Pyotr Sokolov "Daedalus Binding the Wings of Icarus" is considered the pinnacle of fine art, therefore it was often copied. The work was written in 1777 and is today exhibited in the Tretyakov Gallery. The artist was struck by the legend of the great Athenian sculptor Daedalus, who, together with his son Icarus, was imprisoned in a high tower. The cunning man made wings from feathers and wax, and freedom seemed already close ... Icarus flew high to the sun - the luminary scorched his aircraft, and the young man fell and crashed.

The Hermitage has a unique panel that remained intact after a madman threw acid on it and stabbed it. We are talking about "Danae" - a painting by Rembrandt. A third of the canvas was damaged, and the restoration took more than twelve years. From mythology, you can learn that Danae was imprisoned in the tower by her own father, when he was predicted to die at the hands of Perseus, the son of his daughter.

Ancient mythology was also of interest to Russian sculptors, who chose metal as a material for work. The bronze sculpture "Marsyas" by Theodosius Shchedrin introduces another hero of the ancient myth. The forest satyr showed courage and decided to compete with Apollo in the art of music. The unfortunate flutist was tied to a tree for his insolence, where he was flayed.

Decorated with a marble sculpture "Menelaus with the body of Patroclus", created on the basis of the plot of the Iliad. The original statue was carved two thousand years ago. Patroclus, who went into battle with Hector instead of Achilles, immediately dies, and Menelaus holds his lifeless body and thinks about revenge. Ancient mythology is often of interest to sculptors, since the subject of inspiration is a person. The creators did not hesitate to depict the curves of a beautiful body that were not covered by clothing.

"Odyssey" and "Iliad" as the pinnacle of ancient mythology

Ancient Greek epic works are studied in schools and higher educational institutions, and the characters of the heroes depicted in them are still borrowed by writers to create stories and novels. Ancient mythology is represented by the epic poems "Odyssey" and "Iliad", the creator of which is considered to be Homer. He wrote his works in the 8th century BC, and only two centuries later they were written down by the Athenian tyrant Peisistratus, and until then they were passed on by the Greeks by word of mouth. The dispute about authorship arose due to the fact that parts of the epic were written in different periods of time, it was also alarming that the name of Homer in translation means "blind".

The Odyssey tells of the adventures of the king of Ithaca, who was held captive by the Nymph Calypso for ten years, after which he decided to return home. Difficulties await the hero: he finds himself on the island of cannibals and cyclops, swims between descends into the underworld, but soon returns to his beloved Penelope, who faithfully waited for him all the years and rejected all suitors.

The Iliad is a heroic epic that tells of the Trojan War that arose because of the theft of Princess Helen. Odysseus also participates in the actions, who appears before readers in the form of a cunning and diplomatic ruler, skillfully owning oratory. The protagonist of the epic is Achilles. The main battles are fought by Hector, who at the end dies a terrible death.

Mythology of other peoples

The Greco-Roman heritage is the richest and most colorful, therefore it occupies a leading position in the history of world culture. Ancient mythology also existed among other peoples, and many stories are intertwined with each other. All objects of worship of the ancient Slavs, who until 988 were pagans, were destroyed by the princes, who wanted to leave Christianity as a single religion. It is known that they had wooden statues of Perun, Dazhdbog, Khors. Less significant deities were analogues of the Greek nymphs and satyrs.

In Egypt, mythology still occupies a place of honor. The gods Amon, Anubis, Imhotep, Ra, Osiris and others are depicted on the walls of the pyramids and in other ancient temples. Today in this country, most people profess Islam and Christianity, but do not try to eradicate the traces of the ancient religion and are sensitive to cultural heritage.

Myth is the basis of religion, and the current religious beliefs of small or large peoples are connected with mythological subjects. Each Scandinavian country has its own rich culture, as do Indians, Hispanics, Japanese, Caucasians, Eskimos, and French. This heritage is passed down from generation to generation either orally or in writing.

Where is mythology studied?

Acquaintance with the cultural heritage of the people begins in the elementary grades of the school. In Russia, children are introduced to Russian folk tales - from "Kolobok" to "Ivan Tsarevich and the Gray Wolf." A few years later, the teacher tells them the tales of Charles Perrault and the Grimm brothers, and after graduating from elementary school, boys and girls learn for the first time about the existence of ancient states - Greece and Rome. Myths and legends are studied in literature and fine arts. The children learn about the creation of the world from the point of view of the ancient Greeks, get acquainted with the main deities and heroes. After studying the textbook "Mythology. Grade 6", students begin to understand and realize that many world religions are based on the legends of ancient peoples.

In the senior classes at the lessons, the children make their first attempts to create sketches of antique statues, study ancient plots on the canvases of prominent artists. In higher educational institutions, philology students study ancient literature and reread myths, realize their role in the formation of world culture. They confidently define what mythology is and how it differs from religion. The main idea of ​​such disciplines is that the younger generation should not forget the ancient traditions and possess full knowledge that could be used in life and future profession.

Throughout the history of mankind, civilizations, replacing each other, brought their way of life, their culture and religion. Few people today know the names of Sumerian idols or Assyrian idols. But the names of the ancient Greek gods are known to almost everyone. More than two thousand years ago, thanks to the conquests of Alexander the Great, Greek culture spread throughout the expanses of his empire. And since then, the ancient Greek gods live in the memory of people. Stories about them were passed from mouth to mouth, sung in poems and described in novels.

Many people know stories about the formidable Zeus, the cunning Hera, the frivolous Artemis and the selfless Prometheus. Other characters of Greek mythology gradually faded into the shadows. In this article, we will refresh the memory of the stories of several gods highly respected by the ancient peoples. As is customary in mythology, each of them patronized a certain area of ​​human activity or was responsible for certain natural phenomena.

sky god

The sky god's name is Uranus. He belongs to the oldest generation of gods. He appeared either from Chaos, or from Hemera, or from Ophion. All myths represent his birth in different ways. However, everyone agrees that it was Uranus who first began to rule the world.

The most striking feature of this deity was incredible fertility. His wife Gaia gave birth to child after child. But Uranus did not like children. And he thrust them back into the bosom of his wife.

In the end, Gaia was tired of this, and she made a cunning plan to overthrow her husband. Putting a sharp sickle into the hands of her son Kronos, she hid it in a secluded place and taught him what to do.

When the loving husband, as usual, lay down on the marriage bed, Kronos jumped out of hiding and castrated his father. The very same reproductive organ of the tyrant Kronos threw to the ground. The fertility of Uranus was so great that from every drop of his blood that fell to the ground, giants and goddesses were born. So the Erinyes and Aphrodite appeared.

Rejected by wife, children and subjects

Together with male dignity, Uranus also lost his power, which passed to Kronos, who rebelled against him. According to the legends of Euhemerus, the disgraced supreme god died in the ocean and was buried in an ordinary fortress.

Until now, archaeologists have not discovered a single temple that would be dedicated to Uranus. Although the ancient Greek gods, the list of which is very impressive, have always been distinguished by the presence of devoted fans. But in this case, there are not even images of Uranus left. Even in myths, despite his position as supreme ruler, Uranus is described as a minor character. And only in one literary work - "Theogony" - this god is described in more or less detail.

bestower of light

The ancient Greek god of the sun, Helios, also belongs to the most ancient generation of celestials. He is much older than the Olympian gods and belongs to the family of titans. But in relation to fans, he was much more fortunate than the ill-fated Uranus. In honor of Helios, temples were built and statues were erected. One of the seven wonders of the world - the Colossus of Rhodes - depicted this particular god.

The fact that a giant bronze statue, reaching a height of 36 meters, was built on Rhodes is not an accidental phenomenon. The fact is that this island was considered the personal possession of Helios. According to legend, while other ancient Greek gods divided earthly possessions among themselves, he did not leave his post in a fiery chariot marching through the sky. Therefore, he himself extracted the island for himself from the depths of the sea.

An enviable place in the family tree

The radiant god could rightfully be proud of his origin. His father was the titan Hyperion (which is why in myths he sometimes appears under the nickname Hyperionid), and his mother was the titanide Theia. The sisters of Helios were the goddess of the moon, Selene, and the goddess of the dawn, Eos. Although there are sometimes discrepancies regarding the latter. Some ancient authors call Eos not a sister, but the daughter of a god.

The ancient Greeks portrayed Helios as a beautiful man with an athletic build. Every day he began by leading the heavenly chariot, which was drawn by snow-white winged horses. The names of amazing animals matched their appearance - Lightning, Thunder, Light and Shine. Having passed the usual path through the sky, in the evening Helios solemnly descended into the western waters of the ocean, in order to start all over again in the morning.

ancient greek god of art

The Greeks have long been considered admirers of all that is beautiful. Until now, Apollo, the ancient Greek god, the patron of art and the leader of the nine muses, has been the standard of male beauty. Poets, painters and musicians have drawn inspiration from this image for hundreds of years. However, despite the impressive appearance and a very close relationship with the goddess of love (she was his own sister), Apollo did not always achieve reciprocity from his chosen ones and chosen ones.

At one time, he was rejected by the goddesses Cybele, Persephone and Hestia. And the nymph Daphne chose to forever turn into a plant in order to avoid the unequivocal courtship of Apollo. And the mere mortal princess Cassandra was not seduced by his sweet speeches. As for Coronis and Marpessa, they literally at the first opportunity exchanged the company of the golden-haired deity for entertainment with other partners.

However, no matter how impressive the above list looks, Apollo had disproportionately more love victories. In addition to the huge number of women conquered by him, literary critics count more than twenty young men who were romantically connected with him. And at least one young man - Levkat - refused the offer to become the lover of the golden-haired god.

Prosperity Giver

If the names of Apollo, Helios and even Uranus are still widely known by people, then the question of what the god of wealth was called in ancient Greek mythology will surely baffle many. He is not so often found in myths, and it seems that no temples were built for him. Although in the visual arts, the Greek god of wealth appears even in several guises - as a baby, and an old man, and even one of the guardians of hell.

Plutos was born from the union of Demeter (goddess of fertility) and Iasion (god of agriculture). And since in the old days wealth was directly dependent on the harvest, such a combination gave rise to the patron of wealth. Every mortal who pleased the goddess Demeter in any way automatically fell under the tutelage of Plutos.

Iasion died at the hands of Zeus, who was jealous of Demeter for him. And Plutos himself, already in adulthood, was blinded by Zeus so that he would not distinguish between honest and dishonest people, bestowing wealth. However, the god of wealth in ancient Greek mythology did not remain blind forever. After some time, he was healed by the generous Asclepius.

Wind gods in mythology

The wind brothers Boreas, Zephyr and Not were also direct descendants of the ancient titans. Their parents were Astray and Eos - the god of the starry sky and the goddess of the dawn, respectively. Boreas ruled the strong north wind, Zephyr the west wind, and Noth the south wind. Homer also mentions Eurus - the east wind. However, its origin is unknown and information about it is very scarce.

According to legend, Boreas lived on the top of Mount Gemm, which is located in Thrace. Stocks of cold and darkness were also stored in his dwelling. The ancient Greek god of the wind himself was described as a strong old man with long gray hair and a lush long beard. Powerful wings extended behind him, and instead of legs, Boreas had several snake tails.

The most famous story involving this character is the story of the abduction of the daughter of the Athenian king, Orithyia. Boreas fell in love with this girl and asked her father many times to let them marry. However, King Erechtheus was not at all delighted with the prospect of having such a son-in-law. Therefore, he repeatedly refused Boreas, citing many vague and indistinct excuses.

As ancient Greek mythology testifies, the gods are accustomed to getting what they want. Therefore, Boreas, without further ado, simply stole the Orithy that he liked and took possession of her without any marriage. And although history is silent about the details of their relationship, it is known for certain that for the god of the wind it was by no means a momentary impulse. After all, Orithia managed to give birth to him four children - two sons and two daughters.

However, the erotic interests of Boreas were by no means limited to pretty girls alone. Once he, turning into a stately stallion, in one day covered twelve selected mares from a herd of three thousand that belonged to Erichthonius. As a result of this connection, a dozen foals were born, capable of galloping right through the air.

The patron saint of trade and trickery

The ancient Greek god of trade - Hermes - is described in a number of myths. He is the official messenger from other gods, often helping heroes and periodically arranges small, but non-malicious dirty tricks to the supreme gods just for the sake of fooling around. For example, he steals the sword from Ares, deprives Apollo of his beloved bow and arrow, and even steals the scepter from Zeus himself.

In the hierarchy of the Olympian gods, Hermes occupies an honorable position due to his origin. His mother, Maya, is the oldest and most beautiful of the seven sisters (Pleiades). She was the daughter of the titan Atlanta (the one who, as a punishment for participating in the rebellion, was forced to hold the starry firmament on his shoulders) and the oceanides Pleione, the daughter of the titan of the Ocean. Maya liked the loving Zeus the Thunderer, and he, seizing a moment while Hera was sleeping, copulated with the Pleiades, who gave birth to Hermes from this union.

The adventures of the cunning god began from the cradle. Learning somehow that Apollo owns a large herd of cows, Hermes decided to steal them. His idea was brilliantly executed. Moreover, in order to knock the pursuer off the trail, the precocious cunning man attached sandals to the hooves of the cows. Hermes hid the herd in a cave on the island of Pylos, and he returned home.

In the end, Apollo still managed to find out that a little boy was driving his herd. He immediately guessed whose hands these tricks were, and went straight to Maya. In response to Apollo's accusations, the unsuspecting mother only pointed in confusion to the cradle in which Hermes, wrapped in swaddling clothes, calmly lay. However, this time Apollo did not let himself be fooled. He took the baby and carried him to Zeus.

Hermes' first deal

Apollo asked his father to deal with his stepbrother. The ancient Greek gods often resorted to his help in resolving controversial issues. However, no matter how the formidable Zeus asked Hermes, he denied everything. And only the perseverance of Apollo made it possible to beat the truth out of the young rascal. Or maybe it was the very first time that Hermes just wanted to show off his dexterity. It's no joke - to hold Apollo himself!

Near the cave in which the young Hermes hid the stolen herd, there lived a large tortoise. The boy killed her and made the first lyre out of the shell. The strings for this instrument were the thin and strong intestines of several cows slaughtered by him.

While Apollo was inspecting his herd, Hermes, knowing the reverent attitude of his divine brother to music, sat down at the entrance to the cave and, as if by chance, played the instrument he had invented. Enchanted by the sound of the lyre, Apollo offered to give all his cows for this instrument. That was just what Hermes wanted. He readily agreed to a deal, and while tending the flock, he began to play the flute. Apollo wanted to get this unusual tool, and in return he offered his brother his magic wand, which has the power to reconcile enemies.

Subsequently, Hermes became the god of trade, and at the same time, cheating with theft. But even his dishonest deeds were always carried out with a touch of humor and playfulness, for which his fans loved him. And the rod, bartered from Apollo, became an integral attribute of Hermes. The second significant item of his supernatural equipment is winged sandals made of gold and having the power to transfer him to any place on the land of the living, in the realm of the dead and in the heavenly abode of the gods.

Artful Inventor

But Hermes not only dabbled. According to the beliefs of the Greeks, it was he who invented writing. He came up with the first seven letters of the alphabet while watching the flight of cranes. He is also credited with the invention of numbers, as well as units of measurement. All this Hermes taught people, for which he received their veneration and gratitude.

Most of all, this god is known as the messenger of Zeus. In addition, on his own initiative, Hermes very often selflessly helped various heroes. Thanks to him, the innocent Frix and Gella were saved. He helped Amphion build the walls of the city, and gave Perseus a sword with which he was able to defeat Medusa. Hermes told Odysseus about the secret properties of the magic herb. And even the god of war, he saved from the malicious plans of the Aloads.

ancient greek god of war

Ares was the son of Zeus and Hera. But his father did not love him and did not hide his attitude. And for ordinary mortals, in whose lives the ancient Greek gods often interfered, the very name Ares caused chilling horror. After all, he was not just a god of war (his sister Pallas Athena was also considered the goddess of war, but fair and honest), but the inspirer of brutal massacres and senseless murders. For Ares, the war was needed simply for the heady aroma of combat and fresh blood. And for what reason the battle broke out was a matter of secondary importance.

But although the essence of this god was disgusting to others, he is portrayed as a very pleasant man without a trace of ugliness. Yes, and romantic feelings were not entirely alien to this mastermind of wars. Ares fell in love with the very goddess of love - Aphrodite, who reciprocated. And the fact that she was the wife of Hermes did not prevent them from conceiving five joint children.

The combination of fury of rage and reckless love gave rise to the most interesting offspring. Aphrodite gave birth to Ares Eros (the god of sensual attraction, often called Eros), Anteros, who himself denied the possibility of love and sought to arouse in others a feeling of hatred for those who love them, Deimos and Phobos (horror and fear, respectively) and daughter - Harmony.

Such names of the ancient Greek gods as Enyo and Eris are inextricably linked with the activities of Ares. They are his faithful companions and bring their share of bitterness, rage and bloodthirstiness into battles. While Ares himself, having personally taken up the sword, indiscriminately sows death around him.

Debunking Myths

The ancient Greeks endowed their gods with all the vices and virtues they saw in human society. With the help of myths, they sought to explain incomprehensible and frightening natural phenomena and find the meaning of their existence. Little by little, the original uncomplicated stories were overgrown with additional details, new characters appeared and fresh ideas were put forward. Thus, the world treasury of literature was replenished with new works.

At all times, deities and heroes sought to romanticize and idealize. They act before us as helpers, defenders and arbiters of human destinies. In early civilizations, each boy had his own ideal of a hero, whom he aspired to imitate and worship.

But even the most famous and positive gods and heroes of ancient Greek mythology are not without ordinary human vices and weaknesses. And upon closer examination, it invariably turns out that under the brilliant appearance lies a not so attractive essence. However, this fact in no way diminishes the artistic value of the myths that have come down to us, but on the contrary, it allows us to better know the customs and customs of the ancient peoples.