The Student's Mythology Part 3

The statues of Mercury were simply wooden posts, surmounted by a rude head with a pointed beard. They were set up in the fields, and at all cross roads. The Greeks had pillars of stone, which they called Herm, but the head which surmounted them was not always that of Mercury.

These pillars were sometimes placed, by the Athenians, at the entrances of their houses as a protection against thieves. On one occasion, all the Herm in Athens were mutilated in the same night.

Alcibiades was accused of this sacrilege, and was obliged to take refuge in Cergos from the indignation of the people.

CHAPTER VI.

BACCHUS--DIONYSUS.

_Ques._ Who was Bacchus?

_Ans._ He was the son of Jupiter and Semele and was worshipped as the G.o.d of wine.

_Ques._ How is he represented?

_Ans._ As a young man, crowned with ivy and grape leaves; he sits in a chariot, drawn sometimes by panthers and lynxes, and sometimes by tigers and lions. He carries in his hand a thyrsus--that is, a staff encircled by ivy and grape leaves; a troop of demons and drunken satyrs follow him.

_Ques._ What was the story of Semele?

_Ans._ She was destroyed by the jealousy of Juno. This G.o.ddess visited Semele in the shape of an old woman, and persuaded her to ask Jupiter to visit her with all the glory which encompa.s.sed him in heaven. All happened as Juno desired, and Semele was consumed by the lightnings which surrounded Jupiter. Bacchus did not share his mother's fate, but was conveyed to Naxos, where he was educated by some nymphs.

_Ques._ How did Bacchus reward their care?

_Ans._ He transformed them into the stars known as the Hyades.

_Ques._ Who aided the nymphs in their care of Bacchus?

_Ans._ An old man named Silenus. He was considered a demi-G.o.d.

_Ques._ How is Silenus represented?

_Ans._ He seems to be the personification of drunkenness; he is sometimes represented as seated intoxicated on a cask of wine, his head crowned with grape leaves, and his face stained with the lees of wine; sometimes as mounted on an a.s.s, and following the car of Bacchus.

_Ques._ What were the first exploits of Bacchus?

_Ans._ He distinguished himself in the combats between the G.o.ds and giants, taking the form of a lion to strike terror into the latter.

_Ques._ What other actions are attributed to him?

_Ans._ He taught men how to plant the vine and till the ground. He is said to have subdued India, and many other countries of the East.

_Ques._ How was he worshipped?

_Ans._ The goat and the hog were offered to him in sacrifice; and the ivy, the fir, the bindweed, the fig and the vine were consecrated to him.

_Ques._ What feasts were held in his honor?

_Ans._ The feasts of Bacchus were various. The Baccha.n.a.lia or Orgia were the most celebrated. They were at first partic.i.p.ated in by women only but afterwards men were admitted to join in these rites. The women were called Bacchantes, and ran about with their hair dishevelled, shouting and singing in a distracted manner. The Roman Senate at length abolished this festival.

_Ques._ Relate the story of Pentheus?

_Ans._ Pentheus was king of Thebes. He not only refused to acknowledge the divinity of Bacchus, but endeavored to prevent the celebration of his orgies. Having presumed to intrude on the revels of the Bacchantes, they were seized by a sort of madness, and rushing upon the unhappy man, tore him to pieces. The mother of Pentheus, and her sisters, were the leaders in this act, which was considered to have been performed under a divine impulse.

_Ques._ What was the punishment inflicted on Alcithoe and her sisters?

_Ans._ These were Theban maidens who ridiculed the orgies of Bacchus.

During the celebration of these rites, they remained at home, plying the distaff and the spindle, and singing over their tasks. For this, Alcithoe and her sisters were transformed by the power of Bacchus into bats; and the spindle and yarn with which they worked were changed to ivy.

_Ques._ Relate the transformation of mariners into dolphins?

_Ans._ A ship touched at Chios for a supply of fresh water. The sailors who went on sh.o.r.e, found near the spring a boy of uncommon grace and beauty. They bore him to the ship, still heavy with sleep and wine, and declared their intention of selling him at the next port. Actes, their captain, tried to dissuade them from the crime, the more so, as he perceived that there was something more than mortal about the captive youth. In the meantime Bacchus, for it was he, awaking from his slumber, begged the sailors to land him at Naxos.

This the captain promised, but when they had set sail, the mariners took possession of the ship, and steered in another direction. The G.o.d now revealed himself. The sails and cordage suddenly appeared hung with grapes and ivy; spotted panthers lay at his feet, and when the terrified sailors tried to leap overboard, they were suddenly changed into dolphins. The captain was spared, and landed with Bacchus on the sh.o.r.es of Chios.

_Ques._ What is the origin of the history of Bacchus?

_Ans._ He was probably some prince who taught the people to till the ground, and cultivate the vine. They disgraced his memory in after times by the drunken revels they held in his honor.

CHAPTER VII.

Celestial G.o.ddesses.

JUNO--HERA.

_Ques._ Who was Juno?

_Ans._ She was the daughter of Saturn and Ops, and was both sister and wife of Jupiter.

_Ques._ How is she generally represented?

_Ans._ As seated in a golden chariot drawn by peac.o.c.ks. She holds a sceptre in her hand, and is crowned with roses and lilies. Iris was the messenger of Juno, as Mercury was of Jupiter.

_Ques._ How is Iris represented?

_Ans._ With wings, because of her swiftness, and sometimes also as riding on a rainbow.

_Ques._ How did Iris differ from Mercury?

_Ans._ Mercury was often employed in messages of peace; but Iris was frequently sent to promote strife and dissension.

_Ques._ What children had Juno?

_Ans._ Vulcan, Mars and Hebe. Hebe was called the G.o.ddess of youth, on account of her extraordinary beauty, and Jupiter made her his cup-bearer. She offended him by an unlucky fall, and Ganymede was appointed in her place.