Roman vs. Greek gods

LT: I can analyze the perspective of individuals and groups.

By Rachel Breitenstein

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9oeh1NOJF3U

Greek god Family Tree

Roman god Family Tree

Zeus vs. Jupiter

Jupiter and IoIo was a river goddess. Jupiter fell in love with the beautiful maiden, and one day, as she rested on the banks of the River, he changed his shape into that of a cloud, and embraced her. He whispered words of love to her, and then planted an immortal kiss upon her upturned cheek.

Now Jupiter's wife, the goddess Juno, was suspicious when she saw the cloud enveloping the Earth, for she noticed at the same time that her husband Jupiter was absent from Mt. Olympus. So Juno mounted her peacock drawn carriage and came to investigate. Jupiter quickly changed Io into a cow, hoping to conceal his romance with Io from his jealous wife. When Juno came upon the spot where Jupiter had only moments before been embracing Io, she saw only him and a beautiful cow. She immediately realized what had occurred, and said with sweet cunning, "Oh what a beautiful cow. Will you, mighty lord and master of all gods and men, give it to me as a gift." Jupiter was trapped. He could not deny Juno so simple a gift as a cow, yet he did not want to give away his girl friend Io. But in the end, Jupiter gave Juno the cow.

Juno immediately placed the cow under the watchful eyes of her trusted servant Argus. Now Argus had a hundred eyes, and only a few were ever closed at any one time. Thus Argus was able to watch over the cow Io constantly, without ever sleeping, for some eyes were always open. Jupiter was very sad, not only because Io was a cow, but because he could not visit with her without arousing jealousy in Juno. Finally, Jupiter sent his son Mercury to the site, with instructions that Mercury should sing and tell stories, and thereby lull Argus to sleep. So Mercury set out to fulfill his father's command, armed only with his syrinx, or musical pipes, and a head full of stories. Soon enough he found Argus sitting along the banks of the River Inachus, maintaining constant watch over Io, the heifer. After hearing him play on his pipes, Argus invited Mercury to sit awhile, and entertain him.

Jupiter and IoMercury sat and played on the pipes, known as a syrinx, and told many stories. Finally he related the story of how the instrument he played upon was created. "Once upon a time, there was a beautiful water-goddess named Syrinx. She avoided young men and only kept company with the moon goddess Diana. Every day she attended to the needs of Diana, and followed her on the hunt. One day the god Pan met Syrinx in the woods, and fell in love with her. He told her how much he loved her, but Syrinx ran away if fear. Pan ran after her, for he wanted to hug her and kiss her. He overtook her on the bank of the river, and reached out to embrace her. She cried out for help from her companion water-goddess, and they responded by turning her into a clump of reeds at the moment of that Pan was about to kiss her. Pan sighed with disappointment when he saw that his beloved Syrinx had turned into a clump of reeds. Pan noticed that the air from his sigh passed through the clump of reeds, and made a beautiful sound. Pan then fashioned the reeds into a musical instrument which he named Syrinx, in honor of the young girl he had loved in vain." At this moment Mercury noted that Argus had fallen fast asleep.

When Mercury saw that Argus had fallen asleep, he reached for his sword, cut off the monster's head, and set Io free, although Io was still in the shape of a heifer. Juno took the eyes from the head of the slain Argus and placed them on the tail of her favorite bird, the peacock, where they remain to this day. And then Juno released a stinging fly to torment Io.

The legacy of the myth of Jupiter and Io includes names of seas, geographical passes, whole races of peoples, a moon of Jupiter, and a major feature on that moon.

Following the release of the stinging fly by Juno, Io swam across a body of water west of Greece, that was afterwards named the Ionian Sea to honor Io's passage. Io then passed over the narrow entrance to the Black Sea. The narrow entrance to the Black Sea is named the Bosporus, meaning "the fording of the ox," in honor of her passage. In the Caucuses she visited with the god Prometheus, who was also being unjustly punished, his crime being the theft of fire from heaven for the benefit of mankind. Finally, after Jupiter promised to no longer pursue Io, Juno released Io from her shape of a cow, and Io eventually settled in Egypt, becoming, according to legend, the first Queen of Egypt. After Galileo discovered the major moons of Jupiter in 1610, they were named for the mythological sweethearts of Jupiter, one of them, of course, being Io. And finally, when Voyager 1 passed Io in March 1979 and took a photo of the surface, the image showed of the hoof print.

Zeus vs. Jupiter

This story is just one example of Jupiter cheating on his wife.

Prometheus

Titan one of a family of giants who ruled the earth until overthrown by the Greek gods of Olympus nymph minor goddess of nature, usually represented as young and beautiful

When Zeus and the other Olympian gods rebelled against the Titans, Prometheus sided with the gods and thus won their favor. He held Zeus's aching head so that Hephaestus (Vulcan) could split it open and release the goddess Athena. To show her gratitude, Athena taught Prometheus astronomy, mathematics, architecture, navigation, metalworking, writing, and other useful skills. He later passed this knowledge on to humans.

Champion of Humankind. Prometheus created humans by shaping lumps of clay into small figures resembling the gods. Athena admired these figures and breathed on them, giving them life. Zeus disliked the creatures, but he could not uncreate them. He did, however, confine them to the earth and denied them immortality. Prometheus felt sorry for humans, so he gave them fire and taught them various arts and skills.

Prometheus was given the task of determining how sacrifices were to be made to the gods. He cut up a bull and divided it into two portions. One contained the animal's flesh and skin, but they were concealed beneath the bull's stomach, the least appetizing part of the animal. The other consisted of the bones, wrapped in a rich layer of fat. Prometheus then asked Zeus to choose a portion for himself, leaving the other for humans. Fooled by the outward appearance of the portions, Zeus chose the one containing the bones and fat. Prometheus thus ensured that humans got the best meat.

PrometheusAngered by this trick, Zeus punished humans by withholding fire from them so that they would have to live in cold and darkness and eat meat raw. Prometheus promptly went to Olympus*, stole a spark of fire from Hephaestus, and carried it back to humans. When Zeus discovered what Prometheus had done, he swore revenge. He ordered Hephaestus to create a woman from clay, and he had the winds breathe life into her. Athena and other goddesses clothed the woman, whose name was Pandora. immortality ability to live forever

Zeus sent Pandora as a gift to Prometheus's brother Epimetheus, who married her despite warnings from Prometheus not to accept any gift from Zeus. Pandora brought with her a box containing evil, disease, poverty, war, and other troubles. When Pandora opened the box, she released these sorrows into the world, and Zeus thus gained his revenge on humankind.

To punish Prometheus, Zeus chained the god to a rock on a mountain peak. Every day an eagle tore at Prometheus's body and ate his liver, and every night the liver grew back. Because Prometheus was immortal, he could not die. But he suffered endlessly.

Prometheus remained chained and in agony for thousands of years. The other gods begged Zeus to show mercy, but he refused. Finally, Zeus offered Prometheus freedom if he would reveal a secret that only he knew. Prometheus told Zeus that the sea nymph Thetis would bear a son who would become greater than his father. This was important information. Both Zeus and his brother Poseidon desired Thetis, but they arranged for her to marry a mortal so that her son would not pose a challenge to their power. Zeus sent Hercules to shoot the eagle that tormented Prometheus and to break the chains that bound him. After his years of suffering, Prometheus was free. To reward Hercules for his help, Prometheus advised him how to obtain the golden Apples of Hesperides.

Zeus vs. Jupiter

This is one example of Zeus being merciful if he wanted he could have never ordered Hercules to kill the eagle and Prometheus would have suffered eternaly.

Hades vs. Pluto

Hades• The god of riches • Known as the king of the

underworld• The son of Cronus

Pluto• The god of riches• Known as the king of the

underworld• The son of Saturn

Pluto and Proserpina The widely accepted myth mentions that Venus, with the intent of bringing love into Pluto's life, commanded her son Cupid to shoot an arrow at Pluto. At this time Proserpina was playing with some nymphs at the fountain of Arethusa, in Sicily, Italy. When she was collecting flowers, Pluto emerged from the Etna volcano and abducted her to live with him in Hades. This made Proserpina the Queen of the Underworld.

Proserpina's father Ceres, the brother of Pluto, searched for his daughter across the planet. All that he was able to trace was her belt floating upon a lake. Ceres' ire stemmed out in the form of a curse, wherein he stopped the growth of vegetation. With no fruits and vegetables, and dying plants, the curse of malediction witnessed the earth becoming cold and dark. Ceres not only refused to return to Mount Olympus, but also began making a desert out of the ground he covered in every step.

Meanwhile, Proserpina remained Pluto's captive and wept incessantly, like her father, above the ground. On the surface, people began dying of starvation and prayed to Jupiter to rid them of the cursed situation. Jupiter ordered Mercury, the Messenger God to seek Pluto and ask him to free Proserpina. Pluto had no choice but to obey the command of Jupiter, but by then, Proserpina had already consumed six pomegranate seeds.

Pluto's trickery worked and having tasted the fruit of the underworld, Proserpina now had to spend six months of the year underground and the remaining six months above the ground. When the time came for his daughter to surface, Ceres commanded the crops to grow and flowers to blossom. This was spring time. Autumn and winter months are believed to be the time when Proserpina returns to the underworld.

Details on Pluto reveal that his realm Hades is in fact the abode of the dead. Besides Hades, Pluto is also associated with riches and Cerberus, the three-headed dog. His abode is described as misty and gloomy and is also referred to as Erebus. He is believed to be the master of the Inferi Dii, or the Roman demigods of the underworld. Hades has been described in Roman mythology as the land of five rivers; Acheron or the river of sorrow, Cocytus or the river of lamentation, Phlegethon or the river of fire, Lethe or the river of forgetfulness and Styx or the river of hate. The latter is believed to separate the two worlds.

Pluto vs. Hades

This story shows the trickery of Pluto.

Persephoneof Olympus. When his red eyes met hers, she felt a shiver run down her spine. She stood and addressed him. "Who are you, sir, and what may I do for you?" Hades was surprised, he thought she would have screamed or tried to run away when she saw him. Hadn't she heard of the King of the Underworld? He came out of the trees and bowed, saying. "Milady, my name is Hades and I am Lord of the Underworld." She smiled and nodded politely. "I am Persephone, daughter of Demeter." Then one of her arched brows went up in question and she asked. "If you are the Lord of the Underworld, then I have been warned about you." Hades smiled. His smile was evil, though he couldn't help it. "About me, Persephone?" She stepped away and took up the flowers she had picked before. "Not about you, exactly, but everyone says that men from the Underworld are not to be trusted." "Who is 'everyone'? Hades asked, coming closer. "Oh, Aphrodite….Athena…and my mother." Persephone replied nonchalantly. "Mothers should always be trusted," Hades stated. Persephone shrugged. "I don't know….Sometimes they can be quite dreadful!" Hades put his hand under her chin and raised her face towards him. "Do you trust me, Persephone?" Persephone stared at him for awhile, but then laughed. "No, not really!" She said. Hades smiled. "Then if I wanted to abduct you, take you back to my home, and make you my queen…Would that surprise you?" Persephone was surprised, but not for that reason. "Why would you want to abduct me?" Hades kissed her. "Because I love you, Persephone, I love you very dearly!" Persephone smiled. "Then I consent to being abducted." "I don't think I can abduct you with your consent." Hades stated, smiling at her. Suddenly Persephone screamed and ran away. She turned back and mouthed 'catch me' to the surprised Hades. Hades ran after her and finally succeeded in catching the swift-footed girl. He swung her over his shoulder and carried her back into the woods, where a fissure, his entrance, awaited them. Now, Hermes, the messenger of the gods, was flying over the glade. He heard Persephone's scream and saw her on the Hades' shoulders. He realized that she was being taken to the Underworld and flew swiftly to Mount Olympus to tell the other gods. Demeter was horrified at the news. Hades, that monster, had abducted her baby princess? She demanded that her brother Zeus go to the Underworld and retrieve her daughter. Demeter wouldn't let anything on the earth grow until she had her daughter back. Zeus, because he didn't want the earth to die, relented. He sent Hermes to the Underworld to get Persephone back.

PersephoneWhen the earth was still young, the gods of Greece lived on Mount Olympus. Demeter, goddess of the harvest, had a daughter. She was virtuous and a praised beauty of Olympus. Her name was Persephone. Persephone, though she loved her home dearly, longed every day to see more of the world. Sometimes the constant attention of her mother would annoy her. She longed for freedom. Persephone would sometimes go to a glade at the mountain's base. Her mother didn't know about this place and Persephone would go there for sanctuary and peace. It was the one place she could go to be alone. There she would sing and dance, bath in the clear stream, and climb the trees of the glade. As the years past and she grew older, Persephone began to long for someone to share her life with. Her mother wouldn't talk to her of marriage, so she had resigned herself to a life alone. Love seemed to be something denied to her. One day when Persephone was in her glade, Hades, the lord of the Underworld, saw her. Once in awhile, he would come up to see the things that belonged to the living ground. When Hades saw Persephone, he loved her. He loved her for her exquisite face, her lovely voice, and her daring spirit. He had heard of Persephone, but had never thought that someone could be so beautiful. Hades knew her mother, Demeter, and he knew that Demeter would never give her daughter's hand in marriage to him. Yet Hades heart ached when he thought of going back to the Underworld without Persephone. He resolved to take her by conquest. When Persephone looked up and saw Hades standing among the trees, she wasn't afraid. She was curious. She didn't know who he was. He was not mortal, but he didn't look like the other gods

Persephone Meanwhile, Persephone and Hades had reached his home in the Underworld. Hades warned Persephone not to eat any food there. For Hades loved her and knew that Persephone wouldn't be happy in the Underworld all the time. He would have to have food from above brought down for her. Swift Hermes reached the Underworld and found Hades. Persephone had hidden herself behind a pomegranate tree. She could hear all that Hermes and Hades said. "Hail Hades," Hermes said with a nod. "I come to bring Persephone, daughter of Demeter, back to Mount Olympus." "Hail, Hermes," Hades replied, "I will not give Persephone up. She is mine, and mine alone." Hermes sighed and dropped the formality. "C'mon, Hades, I'm in a tight fix here. If I don't bring Persephone back, Demeter will have my flying shoes!" "That witch," Hades remarked, thinking the problem over. "Has Persephone eaten anything?" Hermes asked. Hades didn't reply. "If she hasn't," Hermes said slyly, "then I can take her back." Hades didn't reply. Persephone was scared now. She didn't want to leave Hades, but Hermes was her friend and she didn't want him in trouble either. Thinking quickly, she saw six pomegranates on the tree before her. She tore them from the branch and started to eat them. They tasted like nothing she had ever eaten before. When she finished the last one, she came out of her hiding place.

Persephone

She came up to Hermes, asking. "Hermes, have you come to rescue me?" Hermes smiled triumphantly at Hades and then turned to Persephone. "I have!" "Then I am ready to go," she said, not glancing at Hades. "Good," Hermes said, "as long as you haven't tasted the food and drink of the Underworld, you can

come back to Mount Olympus." Persephone pretended to look shocked, then scared. "Would six pomegranates make a big difference?" Hermes' jaw dropped. He stared at Persephone, then at Hades, and then back to Persephone. Without a

word, he flew away. When he had gone, Hades turned to Persephone. "You are as brilliant as you are beautiful, Persephone." "Thank you," she said with a smile, "but I still don't trust you." They laughed. Back at Mount Olympus, Demeter was outraged at Hermes failure. She was even angrier at her

daughter's stupidity than anything. She went to Zeus and demanded that he do something. Tired of his sister's nagging, Zeus passed judgment. For the six pomegranates she had eaten, Persephone

would spend six months in the Underworld, and then six months with Demeter. Such was the will and way of Zeus.

When Hermes told Persephone the news, she pretended to be overjoyed. But when the messenger had left, she fell sobbing into her love's arms. Hades reassured her that this was how it must be. In the end, Persephone was happy. She did miss the sky and sun of the world above.

Hades vs. Pluto

This story shows the slyness of Hades.

Poseidon vs. Neptune

Poseidon•The god of water, earthquakes, and horses •Son of Cronus•His wife is Amphitrite (she had many husbands)

Neptune•The god of water, earthquakes, and horses •Son of Saturn•His wife is Venus (she had many husbands)

PolyphemusOdysseus and twelve of his crew, on their way home from the Trojan War, land on the island of the Cyclopes in search of provisions. Odysseus and his men came across the cave of Polyphemus, and went inside hoping to steal food while Polyphemus was away tending his flock. Being inquisitive, Odysseus wanted to see what a Cyclops looked like, so they hid in the cave until Polyphemus returned. That evening, Polyphemus herded his flock of sheep and goats into his cave and, for safekeeping, rolled a huge boulder across the entrance, not knowing the Greeks were inside. On seeing the one-eyed giant. Odysseus and his men gasped in disbelief, giving away their hiding place. Polyphemus rushed forward and killed two of the men, then devouring them both for his dinner, he then fell fast asleep. Odysseus relished the thought of killing Polyphemus, but knowing full well he and his men could never remove the boulder from the cave entrance, conceived a plan on how to escape. On waking the next morning Polyphemus caught two more of Odysseus' men, and ate them both for breakfast. He then rolled back the boulder, allowing just enough room for his flock to get out, then rolling the huge rock back into place, leaving the Greeks inside ready for his next meal.

Polyphemus

Odysseus set his men to work on sharpening a stout pole, which they did, and then hiding it ready for that evening. As dusk grew close Polyphemus returned, again rolling back the boulder and letting in his flock. He then caught two more Greeks, killed them and ate them raw. After consuming both men he spoke to Odysseus asking, "what is your name", Odysseus' reply was "Outis" (in Greek this means "nobody"). As part of the plan, Odysseus offered Polyphemus a full goatskin of wine and when he had finish the last drop, and feeling a little drunk, Polyphemus fell fast asleep. This was the time to take action, Odysseus and four of his men brought out the pole, which they had sharpened, and with one great thrust plunged the point into Polyphemus' eye, pushing it deep, to ensure it made him totally blind. The agonizing pain made Polyphemus scream out, so loud in fact that it brought the neighboring Cyclopes to see what was wrong. "Who is hurting you" asked the other Cyclopes, Polyphemus screamed "nobody is hurting me", (which is why Odysseus said was his name was "Outis"). Thinking his screams were a punishment from the gods, the other Cyclopes went away. At daybreak Polyphemus rolled the great boulder from the mouth of the cave to let out his flock, but being totally blind, and knowing the Greeks would try to escape, he felt each animal as he let it pass. Odysseus and his men held on to the belly of a ram, and, one at a time escaped from the cave. They quickly ran to their ship, taking with then part of the flock. Once aboard, Odysseus taunted Polyphemus by telling him his true identity, and Polyphemus, realizing he had been tricked hurled rocks at the ship, trying to smash its hull to pieces. When Odysseus had made his escape, Polyphemus prayed to his father asking him to send a curse, and throughout the rest of Odysseus' journey home Poseidon was his enemy.

Poseidon vs. Neptune

This story shows that Poseidon didn’t raise a fool (he’s a good father).

Neptune

A beautiful water nymph, by the name of Salacia, caught the eye of Neptune while she was dancing on an island. Neptune asked the nymph to marry him, but she refused and ran away. The god was distraught at her refusal and so he sent a dolphin to seek her out and to ask her to change her mind. The dolphin did so and Salacia agreed to marry Neptune. The god was so pleased that he turned the dolphin into the Delphiniums constellation, in thanks. Salacia and Neptune went on to have three children, the most well-known of which is Triton.

Neptune

This shows that Neptune is persistent.

Athena vs. Minerva

Athena• The goddess of wisdom, war, and

the useful arts• She is patient • She only fights if there is a

purpose

Minerva• The goddess of wisdom, war, and

the useful arts• She is patient • She only fights if there is a

purpose

The Aegis Shield

Zeus gave Athena a special shield called the aegis. Athena used the aegis as a weapon against her enemies. It was a symbol of her power.

Medusa’s head was on the aegis Medusa was a monster wit snakes for hair and one look into her eyes could turn you into stone.

Athena helped the hero Peruses kill Medusa. Peruses gave Medusa’s head to Athena as an offering of thanks.

Athena vs. Minerva

The story shows Athena’s wisdom for trsting him with her shield and trusting that her will kill Medusa.

If you were to look at the head of Medusa Athena’s helmet you would turn to

stone.

ArachneOnce, a mortal, Arachne, who had great talent in the field of weaving and embroidery,

dared to come in competition with Minerva. Arachne's work was so beautiful that the nymphs would leave their groves to come stare at her work in awe. Arachne was so good at weaving and embroidery that some said Minerva taught her herself. Arachne denied this because she thought she was to good to be taught. Arachne challenged Minerva when she said, "Let Minerva try her skill with mine; if beaten I will pay the penalty." When Minerva heard of the challenge, she was displeased. She made herself look like an old women and went to Arachne to give her some advice.

"I have had much experience," she said, "and I hope you will not despise my counsel. Challenge your fellow mortals as you will, but do not compete with a goddess. On the contrary, I advise you to ask her forgiveness for what you have said, and as she is merciful perhaps she will pardon you."Arachne stopped who weaving and became annoyed and angry at Minerva and said, "Keep your counsel, for your daughters or handmaids; for my part I know what I say, and I stand to it. I am not afraid of the goddess; let her try her skill, if she dare venture." She comes,"

ArachneMinerva said as she stripped out of her costume and confessed. All the

people around paid reverence to the goddess. Arachne was not terrified. The two began their contest by first tending her station and attaching the web to the beam. Each moved rapidly. Minerva created in her web the scene of her battle with Neptune. Twelve of the heavenly powers were in the scene. Arachne wove a picture designed to show the failings and errors of the gods. One scene showed Leda giving the swan a massage, the swan was really Jupiter in disguise. Another scene depicted Danae, in the brazen tower where her father had imprisoned her, but where the god effected his entrance in the form of a golden shower. Minerva could not stand the insult that Arachne had weaved, so she took her shuffle and tore the weaving to pieces. Then she touched Arachne's forehead to make her feel her guilt. Arachne could not stand the guilt any more so she hung herself. Minerva took pity for her and turned her into a spider to let her live.

Minerva vs. Athena

The story show Minerva’s forgiving spirit.

Aphrodite vs. Venus

Aphrodite• The goddess of beauty, love, and marriage• Her husband is Hephaesus (she didn’t like him

because he was ugly so she was not a loyal wife)• Her son is Eros the god of love (Eros’ father is

Ares the god of war)

Venus• The goddess of beauty, love, and marriage• Her husband is Vulcan (she didn’t like him

because he was ugly so she was not a loyal wife)

• On of her sons are Cupid the god of love (Cupid’s father is Mars the god of war)

The Trojan War

Venus, Juno and Minerva were fighting over who was the most beautiful. Jupiter told Paris to pick which one was the most beautiful. All the girls were bribing him, but he picked Venus because she promised to give him the most beautiful woman in the world Helen. Helen and Paris married, but Helen’s first husband didn’t like that so he sent soldiers to go get her back.

Venus vs. Aphrodite

This story says she keeps her promises even if it might mean war.

Aphrodite and Ares

Aphrodite loved Ares . He was strong and handsome. They spent a lot of time together. One day Eros saw them together. He got jealous and set a net above Aphrodite’s bed and told Ares he was going on a long journey Ares visited Aphrodite soon after he “left” he was really hiding. Eros put the net over them and they were trapped. Eros told the other gods about it and they were so embraced they stayed away from each other for awhile.

Aphrodite vs. Venus

This story says that her pride comes before love

How gods can show the Greek/ Roman’s personality

Love, wisdom, power these are just a few examples of what probably meant a lot to Greeks and Romans you can see this through their gods like Athena and Jupiter.

Citations

NA. “Prometheus”. www.mythencyclopedia.com . NA, NA. Web. February 28, 2012.

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