Greco-Roman Mythology About Greco-Roman Methology Greece is every Western mans second nature. Our young readers will find it a source of entertainment; those more advanced, a useful companion in their reading; those who travel, and visit museums and galleries of art, an interpreter of paintings and sculptures; those who mingle in cultiveated society, a key to allusions which are occasionally made; -Thomas BulfinchCharacteristics of Greco-Roman Mythology 1. The Greek gods are depicted quite differently from their counterparts in other cultures- Humanism is more emphasized. 2. The anthropomorphism(神人同性)is found ubiquitous in the stories of gods. 3. The influence is too intensive and extensive to be imagined. Structure of the universe The ancient Greeks believed the earth to be flat and circular, their own country occupying the middle of it, the central point being Mount Olympus, the abode of the gods The circular disk of the earth was crossed from west to east and divided into two equal parts by the Sea, the Mediterranean. Around the earth flowed the River Ocean, its course being from south to north on the western side of the earth, and in a contrary direction on the eastern side. It flowed in a steady, equable current, unperturbed by storm or tempest.residents The northern protion of the earth was supposed to be inhabited by Hyperboreans. Aethiopians who lives on the southern part of the earth. Both of them lived exempt from disease or old age, from toils and warfare. The gods favoured them so highly that they were wont to leave at times their Olympian abodes and go to share their sacriifices and banquets.Accommodation of Gods The Seasons-doorkeeper-the gate of clouds. The gods had their separate dwellings. The gods feasted each day on ambrosia and nectar in the great hall of the palace of the Olympian king. Hebe (late Ganymede) served the nectar. Apollo delighted them with his lyre. When the sun was set, they retired to sleep in their respective dwellings Athena and the Graces wove the clothes for the gods. Everything of a more solid nature was formed of the various metals by Hephaetus (Vulcan).Zeus to the throne Cronus castrated his father and became the king of the Titans. His wife is his sister Rhea. Because of his parentss warning that he would be overthrown by his own child, he swallowed all of the children Rhea gave birth to, Hestia, Demeter, Hera, Hades(Pluto), and Poseidon(Neptune) When Zeus was born, Rhea hid him and tricked Cronus into swallowing a stone. Zeus grew up, forces his father Cronus to disgorge his brothers and sisters, waged war on him and became the new ruler. Zeuss portion was the heavens, Poseidons the ocean, and Hadess the realms of the dead. Earth and Olympus were common property. Zeus was king of gods and men.Hephaestus (Vulcan) The celestial artist, architect smith armourer son of Zeus and Hera He was born lame, and displeased at the sight of him that she flung him out of heaven.Aphrodite(Venus) The goddess of love and beauty, was the daughter of Zeus and Dione. Others say that Venus sprang from the foam of the sea. The Zephyr wafted her along the waves to the Isle of Cyprus. All were charmed with her beauty, and each one demanded her for his wife. Jupiter(Zeus) gave her to Vulcan, in gratitue for the service he had rendered on forging Thunderbolts. So the most beautiful of the goddess became the wife of the most ill-favoured of gods. Venus possessed an embroidered girdle called cestus, which had the power of inspiring love. Favourite birds-swans and doves The plants- rose and myrtle(常春花)The Creation of Mann a confused and shapeless mass Earth,sea, and air were all mixed up.n The fiery part, being the lightest, sprang up, and formed the sky; n the air was next in weight and place; n the earth, being heavier, sank below; n and the water took the lowest place.n Fishes took possession of the sea,n Bird of the airn Four-footed beasts of the landn A nobler animal was wanted and man was made.n Prometheus took some of the earth and kneading it up wit water, made man in the image of the gods. n He gave him and upright stature.Prometheusn One of the Titans, a gigantic race, who inhabited the earth before the creation of man.n To him and his brother Epimetheus was committed the office of making man, and providing him and all other animals with the faculties necessary for their preservation.n Epimetheus undertook to do this, and Prometheus was to overlook his work.n Epimetheus proceeded to bestow upon the different animals the varios gifts of courage, strenght, swiftness, wing to one, claws to another, a shelly covering to a third, etc.n When man came to be provided for, Epimetheus had nothing to bestow.n Epimetheus resorted