Myths

So, anyway, guys, here are some myths for you to read. They may be Greek or Roman. If you have questions or comments, feel free to post them. I will try to answer them. Have fun reading! ;)

Demeter and Persephone
Demeter was the mother earth, she had a daughter named Persephone. Persephone was pretty and she loved the outside like her mother. One day when Persephone was picking flowers with her nymphs, She wandered off so far that she could not see them. Then she saw a very unusual flower. When she bent down to pick it the earth opened up. Out jumped Hades, god of the underworld and wealth, riding on a carriage with his black stallion. Then he grabbed her by the waist and threw her on the carriage. She cried out for help, to her mother, to her nymphs , but to no avail. The nymphs heard her cry and ran to the spot where she was captured,but she was no longer there. The only trace of her was the flowers that she had collected and then dropped. When Demeter found out, she was saddened and furious at the same time. Suddenly the world grew cold because she was in such remorse. The leaves started dropping off the trees. All the crops started dying because of the cold. She wondered the world looking for her lost daughter. She was disguised in a raggedy cloak so nobody could know who she really was, but when people did recognize her they pleaded for help, begging for mercy. The only thing she said was " Warmth will come again when I have my daughter back." Meanwhile in the under world Persephone's skin was growing paler every day for she would not eat. There were blue bags under her eye for she could not sleep. She would not be happy until she got her mother. Hades tried in every way to please her for he loved her (not a common thing for the god of death). He showed her his mass of wealth. This didn't please her. He made the ghosts dance for her. This too did not please her. He said to Persephone "Tell me what you want and I will get it for you." Persephone only said "The warmth of the sun. The colorful flowers. The smell of fresh air and my mother at my side." As time went by, it got colder and colder. The gods came down to Demeter and asked her to bring warmth to the world once more. Again she replied "When my daughter returns to me." She pleaded with Zeus to tell her where her daughter was. He knew that Hades had her, but her he also knew Hades would would be heart broken without her. The only thing Zeus said was "She is in good hands. You might have a chance of getting her back if she doesn't eat anything, but if she does she will have to stay there forever." After Demeter left he sent Hermes down to the to the underworld to bargain with Hades. When Hermes got down to the underworld, Persephone was thrilled. Her face lit up. Her cheeks flushed a lovely pink. Her eyes became starry with happiness. She ran to Hermes though her body was becoming frail. But, when she saw her mother was not with him, she became even more distraught than before. Hermes delivered the message "Hades, please give Persephone back to her mother." "NO!" said Hades in a firm but saddened voice. That with such force it could shatter glass from a window sill. "Can't you see she is going to die if you keep her here. She is becoming frail and thin. Her mother is destroying the earth and its people in sadness. You must let her go." Grudgingly Hades gave his consent. When Hermes left, Persephone was over overjoyed at the fact that she would soon be leaving. Hades however was deeply saddened and tearful. His last wish as a farewell offering was for her to take the pomegranate, for he was clever. Persephone unknowing of the rule Zeus had made, ate seven of the Pomegranate seeds. When Hermes came back down to release Persephone from her prison of darkness, she was thrilled. When Demeter saw her daughter she shed tears of joy. She could not recall a happier day. They hugged and kissed for a long period of time. Finally the only question that remained was asked. "Did you eat any thing while down in the underworld?" Demeter asked, anxiously searching her face for an answer. "Yes" said Persephone for she could not tell a lie to her mother. Then she added quickly "But it was only seven pomegranate seeds that I ate after I heard the wonderful news". She did not know the harm she had done to herself or her mother until she saw the despairing look on her mother's face. "Alas" said Demeter in anguish and then she proceeded to tell her daughter of the rule proclaimed by Zeus. "Since you ate but seven seeds the price to pay will be to live seven months of the year with Hades and the other five with me" Thus was it said and thus it was done. To this day, seven months of the year it is cold and plants die as Demeter morns for her daughter, and Hades rejoices for the return of his love. After the seven months have gone by, Demeter and Persephone reunite as a mother and daughter should. Then the world rejoices with spring and summer once again.

Minerva and Arachne

A mortal dared to come in competition with Minerva, the goddess of wisdom. That mortal was Arachne, a maiden who had attained such skill in the arts of weaving and embroidery that the nymphs themselves would leave their groves and fountains to come and gaze upon her work. It was not only beautiful when it was done,but beautiful also in the doing. To watch her, as she took the wool in its rude state and formed it into rolls, or separated itwith her fingers and carded it till it looked as light and softas a cloud, or twirled the spindle with skilful touch, or wovethe web, or, when woven, adorned it with her needle, one wouldhave said that Minerva herself had taught her. But this she denied, and could not bear to be thought a pupil even of agoddess. "Let Minerva try her skill with mine," said she; "if beaten, I will pay the penalty." Minerva heard this and was displeased. Assuming the form of an old woman, she went and gaveArachne some friendly advice. "I have had much experience,: said she, "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 youhave said, and, as she is merciful, perhaps she will pardon you."Arachne stopped her spinning, and looked at the old dame with anger in her countenance. "Keep your counsel," said she, "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," said Minerva; and dropping her disguise, stood confessed. The nymphs bent low inhomage, and all the bystanders paid reverence. Arachne alone was unterrified. She blushed, indeed; a sudden color dyed her cheek,and then she grew pale. But she stood to her resolve, and with afoolish conceit of her own skill rushed on her fate. Minerva for bore no longer, nor interposed any further advice. Theyproceed to the contest. Each takes her station and attaches theweb to the beam. Then the slender shuttle is passed in and outamong the threads. The reed with its fine teeth strikes up thewoof into its place and compacts the web. Both work with speed;their skilful hands move rapidly, and the excitement of thecontest makes the labor light. Wool of Tyrian dye is contrasted with that of other colors, shaded off into one another soadroitly that the joining deceives the eye. Like the bow, whose long arch tinges the heavens, formed by sunbeams reflected fromthe shower (this description of the rainbow is literallytranslated rom Ovid), in which, where the colors meet they seemas one, but at a little distance from the point of contact arewholly different. Minerva wrought on her web the scene of her contest with Neptune.Twelve of the heavenly powers are represented, Jupiter, withAugust gravity, sitting in the midst. Neptune, the ruler of thesea, holds his trident, and appears to have just smitten theearth, from which a horse has leaped forth. Minerva depictedherself with helmed head, her Aegis covering her . Such was the central circle; and in the four corners were representedincidents illustrating the displeasure of the gods at suchpresumptuous mortals as had dared to contend with them. Thesewere meant as warnings to her rival to give up the contest beforeit was too late.Arachne filled her web with subjects designedly chosen to exhibitthe failings and errors of the gods. One scene represented Leda caressing the swan, under which form Jupiter had disguised himself; and another, Danae, in the brazen tower in which herfather had imprisoned her, but where the god effected hisentrance in the form of a shower of gold. Still another depictedEuropa deceived by Jupiter under the disguise of a bull.Encouraged by the tameness of the animal, Europa ventured tomount his back, whereupon Jupiter advanced into the sea, and swam with her to Crete. You would have thought it was a real bull so naturally was it wrought, and so natural was the water in whichit swam. She seemed to look with longing eyes back upon theshore she was leaving, and to call to her companions for help.She appeared to shudder with terror at the sight of the heaving waves, and to draw back her feet from the water.Arachne filled her canvas with these and like subjects,wonderfully well done, but strongly marking her presumption andimpiety. Minerva could not forbear to admire, yet felt indignantat the insult. She struck the web with her shuttle, and rent itin pieces; she then touched the forehead of Arachne, and made her feel her guilt and shame. She could not endure it, and went andhanged herself. Minerva pitied her as she saw her hanging by a rope. "Live, guilty woman," said she; " and that you may preserve the memory of this lesson, continue to hang, you and your descendants, to all future times." She sprinkled her with the juices of aconite, and immediately her hair came off, and hernose and ears likewise. Her form shrank up, and her head grew smaller yet; her fingers grew to her side, and served for legs.All the rest of her is body, out of which she spins her thread, often hanging suspended by it, in the same attitude as when Minerva touched her and transformed her into a spider.

Apollo and Daphne

Daphne was Apollo's first love. It was not brought about byaccident, but by the malice of Cupid. Apollo saw the boy playingwith his bow and arrows; and being himself elated with his recentvictory over Python, he said to him, "What have you to do withwarlike weapons, saucy boy? Leave them for hands worthy of them.Behold the conquest I have won by means of them over the vastserpent who stretched his poisonous body over acres of the plain!Be content with your torch, child, and kindle up your flames, asyou call them, where you will, but presume not to meddle with my weapons."Venus's boy heard these words, and rejoined, ":Your arrows maystrike all things else, Apollo, but mine shall strike you.:" So saying, he took his stand on a rock of Parnassus, and drew fromhis quiver two arrows of different workmanship, one to excitelove, the other to repel it. The former was of gold and sharp-pointed, the latter blunt and tipped with lead. With the leadenshaft he struck the nymph Daphne, the daughter of the river godPeneus, and with the golden one Apollo, through the heart.Forthwith the god was seized with love for the maiden, and sheabhorred the thought of loving. Her delight was in woodlandsports and in the spoils of the chase. Many lovers sought her,but she spurned them all, ranging the woods, and taking thoughtneither of Cupid nor of Hymen. Her father often said to her,"Daughter, you owe me a son-in-law; you owe me grandchildren."She, hating the thought of marriage as a crime, with herbeautiful face tinged all over with blushes, threw her armsaround her father's neck, and said, "Dearest father, grant methis favor, that I may always remain unmarried, like Diana." Hec onsented, but at the same time said, "Your own face will forbidit." Apollo loved her, and longed to obtain her; and he who givesoracles to all in the world was not wise enough to look into hisown fortunes. He saw her hair flung loose over her shoulders,and said, "If so charming in disorder, what would it be ifarranged?" He saw her eyes bright as stars; he saw her lips, andwas not satisfied with only seeing them. He admired her handsand arms bared to the shoulder, and whatever was hidden from viewhe imagined more beautiful still. He followed her; she fled,swifter than the wind, and delayed not a moment at hisentreaties. "Stay," said he, "daughter of Peneus; I am not afoe. Do not fly me as a lamb flies the wolf, or a dove the hawk.It is for love I pursue you. You make me miserable, for fear youshould fall and hurt yourself on these stones, and I should bethe cause. Pray run slower, and I will follow slower. I am noclown, no rude peasant. Jupiter is my father, and I am lord ofDelphos and Tenedos, and know all things, present and future. Iam the god of song and the lyre. My arrows fly true to the mark;but alas! An arrow more fatal than mine has pierced my heart! Iam the god of medicine, and know the virtues of all healingplants. Alas! I suffer a malady that no balm can cure!"The nymph continued her flight, and left his plea half uttered.And even as she fled she charmed him. The wind blew hergarments, and her unbound hair streamed loose behind her. Thegod grew impatient to find his wooings thrown away, and, sped byCupid, gained upon her in the race. It was like a hound pursuinga hare, with open jaws ready to seize, while the feebler animaldarts forward, slipping from the very grasp. So flew the god andthe virgin he on the wings of love, and she on those of fear.The pursuer is the more rapid, however, and gains upon her, andhis panting breath blows upon her hair. Now her strength beginsto fail, and, ready to sink, she calls upon her father, the rivergod: "Help me, Peneus! Open the earth to enclose me, or changemy form, which has brought me into this danger!"Scarcely had she spoken, when a stiffness seized all her limbs;her bosom began to be enclosed in a tender bark; her hair becameleaves; her arms became branches; her feet stuck fast in theground, as roots; her face became a tree-top, retaining nothing of its former self but its beauty. Apollo stood amazed. Hetouched the stem, and felt the flesh tremble under the new bark.He embraced the branches, and lavished kisses on the wood. Thebranches shrank from his lips. "Since you cannot be my wife,"said he, "you shall assuredly be my tree. I will wear you for mycrown. With you I will decorate my harp and my quiver; and whenthe great Roman conquerors lead up the triumphal pomp to theCapitol, you shall be woven into wreaths for their brows. And,as eternal youth is mine, you also shall be always green, andyour leaf know no decay." The nymph, now changed into a laurel tree, bowed its head in grateful acknowledgment.