希腊神话打印版英文原版

1TheOlympinGods

BetweenMacedonandThessalyofeasternGreecetherestoodahighmountain.Itscloudytoprushedintotheveryheavens.Onthetopofthemountain,thehomeofthegodswasbathedinbrightness,AtOlympusZeusruledasthefatherofgodsandmen.Zeuswasnotacruderulerbyanystandards.Allthegodslistenedtohisfinalwords,itwastrue．ButZeusmadethemallsitonacommitteeoftwelvemembers,includingsixgodsandsixgoddesses.ThefirstintheOlympiancrowdsatZeushimself.Hewastheoverlordofgodsandmenandtheoperatorofthethunderbolt.NexttohimwasHera,hisproudandgreeneyedqueen.Poseidonwasrulerofthesea,AndHades,kingofthelowerworld,hadnoseatinthecommittee.Apollowasthegodofthesun,musicandpoetry,whilehistwinsisterArtemiswasthegoddessofthemoonandthechase．Athenawasthegoddessofwisdomandpatronessofhouseholdarts.Heston,thegoddessofthefamily,representedhomelifeandfamilyhappiness.ThefrighteningAreswasthegodofwar,andthecharmingAphroditethegoddessofloveandbeauty.Thegodoffire,Hephaestus,wastheforgerofthethunderboltsofZeus．ThewingfootedmessengerHermeswasthegodofinventionandcommerce；andthegoddessofgrainsandharvests,Demeter,lookedafteragricultureandstoodformotherofcivilization.

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Allthechiefgodsmentionedabovetookhumanformsofincomparablebeautyandgrace.Oftenmovedbyhumanfeelingsanddesires,theyfrequentlygavewaytoangerandjealousy.Theybecameinvolvedinceaselessbattleswiththeworldofman.AmongthemselvesatOlympustheyplottedandstruggledforpower.Inthehumanworldtheyexperiencedcompetitionsanddifficulties.Theyenjoyedearthlyfriendshipsandloves．AcrowdofeverlastinggodslookedandactedinaperfectlyhumanfashionthatiswhatallgodsatOlympusactuallywere．

Pandora

Afterthestealingoffire,Zeusbecameincreasinglyunkindtomen.OnedayheorderedhissonHephaestustobuildanimageofabeautifulmaidenoutofclay.Hethenaskedthegodsandgoddessestoawardherwithdifferentkindsofgifts.Amongothers,AthenaclothedherinanattractivecoatandHermesgaveherthepoweroftellinglies.Acharmingyounglady,shewasthefirstwomanthateverlived.ZeuscalledherPandora.Becauseshehadreceivedfromeachofthegodsandgoddessesagift．Thegiftwasharmfultomen．

Zeusdecidedtosendherdowntomenasapresent.SoHermesthemessengerbroughthertoEpimetheus,brotherofPrometheus.Thegreatnessofherbeautytouchedtheheartsofallwholookeduponher,andEpimetheushappilyreceivedherintohishouse.HehadquiteforgottenPometheus'warning：nevertoacceptanythingfromZeus.Thecouplelivedahappylifeforsometime.Thentroublecameontothehumanworld.

Whenhewasbusywithteachingmentheartofliving,PrometheushadleftabigcaskinthecareofEpimetheus.Hehadwarnedhisbrothernottoopenthelid.Pandorawasacuriouswoman.Shehadbeenfeelingverydisappointedthatherhusbanddidnotallowhertotakealookatthecontentsofthecask.Oneday,whenEpimetheuswasout,sheliftedthelidandoutitcameunrestandwar,Plagueandsickness,theftandviolence,griefsorrow,andalltheotherevils.Thehumanworldwashencetoexperiencetheseevils.Onlyhopestayedwithinthemouthofthejarandneverflewout.Somenalwayshavehopewithintheirhearts．

Apollo

AmongthecrowdofOlympiangodstheonemostwidelyadmiredwasApollo.HewasthesonofZeusandLeto.AccordingtoGreekmythology,LetowasdrivenbyHerafromlandtolandatlastPoseidontookPityonherandbroughttheislandofDelosoutofwaterforhertoliveon.Thereshegavebirthtothetwins,ApolloandArtemis.

Apollowasmesun-god.Heworeapurplerobe.Heusuallysatinhisbrighteasternpalaceearlyinthemorningandmadereadytostarthisdailyjourneyacrossthesky.Duringthedayhedrovehiscarriageofgoldandivory,andbroughtlight,lifeandlovetothegreatworldbelow.Lateintheafternoonhecametotheendofhisjourneyinthefarwesternseaandgotonhisgoldenboattoreturntohiseasternhome.

Apollowasthegodofmusicandpoetry.Hecouldstirupallfeelings.Thesefeelingsareexpressedinloftysongs.WithhislyreofgoldandthesweetaccentsofhisgodlikevoiceheledthechoiroftheMusesatOlympus.ThepleasantmusicfromhislyrewassoexcitingthatstonesmarchedintotheirplacesinrhythmictimeandoftheirownwillwhenhehelpedPoseidonbuildupthewallsofTroy.Ononeoccasion,invitedtoacontestbythehumanmusicianMarsyas,hewonandthenflayedhimtodeathforhispride.Onanotheroccasion,helostouttoPanatamusicalcontestandturnedtheearsofthejudge,KingMidas,intothoseofanass.

Hisson,Orpheus,tookoversuchskillfromthefatherthathislyremovedmanandanimalsalike.

Apollostoodforyouthfulandmanlybeauty.Hisgoldenhair,statelymannerandairallcombinedtomakehimtheadmirationoftheworld.Abeautifulgirl,bythenameofClytle,wassofondofhisbeautyandglorythatfromdawntoduskshekneltontheground,herhandsoutstretchedtowardsthesungod，andhereyeslookedathisgoldenwheeledcarriageracingacrossthebluesky.Thoughherlovewasnotreturned,shehadneverchangedhermindaboutApollo.Thegodsweremovedatthesadsight,andchangedherintoasunflower.

Prometheus

PrometheuswasaTitan.InthewarbetweenZeusthegiantshehadstoodonthesideofthenewOlympiangods.Outoftheclayhemadethefirstman,towhomAthenagavesoulandholybreath.Prometheusspentalotoftimeandenergyincreatingthegiftoffire．Andfireraisedmanaboveallanimals.Later,thereheldajointmeetingofgodsandmen．Themeetingwastodecidewhatpartofburntanimalsshouldbegiventogodsandwhattomen.Prometheuscutupanoxanddivideditintotwoparts：undertheskinheplacedthefresh,andunderthefatheputthebones,forheknewtheselfishZeuslovedfat.ZeussawthroughthetrickandfeltdispleasedatthePrometheus'favortowardsmen.Soinamasterfulwayhetookawaythegiftoffirefrommankind.However,Prometheusmanagedtostealfirefromheavenandsecretlybroughtitdowntomen.Flyingintoanangeratthisunjustifiedactofrebellion,ZeuslettheothergodschainPrometheustoarockonMountainCaucasus,whereahungryeagleevertoreathisliverwhichevergrewagain.Hisperiodofpainwastobethirty-thousandyears.PrometheusfacedhisbitterfatefirmlyandneverlostcouragebeforeZeus.AtlastHeraclesmadePrometheusandZeusrestoretofriendship,whenHeraclescameoverinsearchofthegoldenappleandkilledtheeagleandsetthefriendofmankindfree．

NereusandProteus

OfallthesmallseadivinitiesNereusandProteusstoodoutasPeculiarsea-gods.Nereus,knownas“theOldManofthesea”，representedthepleasantaspectofoceanwaters．Helivedbeneaththeseawithhisfiftylovelydaughters,ofwhomthemostfamouswereAmphritrite,Thetis,GalateaandPanope.ItwasNereuswhoadvisedHeraclestoseekPrometheusinthehero'ssearchofthegoldenapples.

ProteuswasPoseidon'sherdsman.Hewaswellknownfortwoqualities：thegiftofprophecyandthepowertotakevariousforms.Atonetimehewasalionwithacurlywavyhairs；atanotherheappearedintheshapeofawildboar；andstillanotherhestoodastatelytreecoveredwithrichleaves.When,afteralltheseandmanyotherchanges,hefailedtogetridofhisquestioner,thegodoffereddetailedanswers.

Eros(Cupid)

Eroswasthegodoflove,betterknownbyhislatinnameCupid.SonofAphroditebyAres,hetookhisplaceamongthesmallgodsofOlympus.Hewasrepresentedasalittlenakedboy,withsparklingwings,andhecarriedhisbowandarrowswhereverhewandered.Shootinghisthrillingarrowsinevils,heinspiredthepassionofloveandprovidedallnaturewithlifeandpowerofreproduction.Thelovely,naughtygodhadtwokindsofarrows：thegoldtippedarrowsusedtoquickenthepulseofloveandtheleadtippedonestopalsyit.Besides,hehadatorchtolightheartswith.

Thoughsometimeshewasblindfolded,nomannorgod,Zeushimselfincluded，wassafefromhisevils.AtonetimethelittlenaughtygodwaswoundedbyhisownarrowsandsuchburninglovewasawakenedinhimforthehumanmaidenPsychethathedisregardedtheconstantinterferenceofhismotherandpluckeduphiscouragetobegZeusforjustice.AnotherfamousstorywhereErosplayedanimportantpartwastheArgonauticexpedition.Medea,daughterofkingAeetes,waswoundedbyEros'arrows,tookJason'spartinrecoveringthegoldenfleeceandeventuallybecamethehero'swife.

Ares

SonofZeusandHera,Areswasappointedgodofwar.Hewasterribleandmajestic,andhismarchshooktheworld.OfallthemajorgodsatOlympus,hewasthemosthateful,lovingstruggleandwarandeverthirstyforblood.Ontheotherhandhesignifiedcourageandvictoryinbattle,andwasdevoutlyworshippedbysoldiersgoingtowar.Prayerswereaddressedtohimbeforethewarandspoilspresentedathisaltarafterit.

Hewastheonegodwhoeverhadtosubmittothepowerofhisinferiors.Atonetimelackoftactandgoodudgementledtohisshame.Hewasfightingwithtwogiants，andfindinghimselfnomatchforthetwomonstrouscreatures,laiddownhisarmsandwasimprisonedinchains.HewassetfreeintheendbytheartfulHermes,butnotbeforehehadsufferedallthehumiliations.

Hewasasthoughtlessashewasunkind.AsonofPoseidon'sattemptingtokidnaphisdaughter,madethewar-godunhappy,sothathekilledtheyouthWithouthesitation.Inretaliation,PoseidondraggedhimbeforeagroupofAthenianjudgesfortrial.ThecourtwasheldonahilloutsideAthens.Arespresentedhiscaseandwasdeclaredinnocent.ThehillwaseveraftercalledAreopagus,“thehillofAres”,andthejudgesreceivedthenamesofAreopagitae.

Dionysus

Dionysuswasthegodofwine.HewasthesonofZeusbySemele.WhenhismotherwasburnttodeathinthegloryofZeus．Hewasstillahelplessinfant．Hisfathertrustedhisupbringingtosomemountainfairymaidens．Theytookthegreatestcareofhim.UnderthetutorshipofSilennus,theSatyr,hewasintroducedtoallthesecretsofnatureandthecultureofthewine．Hetravelledfarandwideinhiscarriagedrawnbywildbeasts．HewassaidtohavebeentoIndiaandEthiopia.Whereverhewent,therewasmusicandsongandrevelling.Hisattendants,knownastheBacchantes,werenotedfortheirnoiseanddisorder.Amostwild,noisycrow,theydrank,dancedandsanginacarelessway．ThewomenBacchanteswereinfamousfortheirexcessiveimmodestyanddisgracefulexcitement.Intheirmadnessandintoxicationtheycommittedcruelviolence.TheytoreOrpheus,thegiftedmusician,

limbfromlimb.KingPentheusofThebes,forfrowningontheworshipofBacchusinhiskingdom,sufferedthesametreatmentatthehandsofabandofthesefanaticalwomen,ofwhomhisownmotherwastheleader.

Philomela

KingPandionofAthenshadtwodaughters,ProcneandPhilomela.WhenAthenswasthreatenedbythewildmen,KingTereusofThracecametoitshelp.OutofgratitudeKingPandionofferedTereuseitherofhisdaughtersinmarriageandtheThraciankingchoseProcneaswife.ForyearstheylivedinThraceandhadoneson,Itylusbyname.ThenProcnebecamehomesickandlongedtoseeherdearsisterPhilomela.AtherrepeatedrequestsTereussailedtoAthenstofetchPhilomela.OnthewaybackhisevilhearttookflameatthesightofPhilomelawhowastheninherbeautyofmaidenhood.Heseizedandcarriedherawaybyforce,cutouthertongueandimprisonedherinalonelyhutinthewoods.ToProcnehelied,sayingthatPhilomelawasdead.Philomelastayedinprisonforayear,whereshehadwovenherpainfulstoryintothewebofarobe．Thenshemanagedtosendtherobetohersister．AssoonasshereceivedthewebProcnecameovertothewoodsandtorehersisterawayfromthekeepers．

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Backatthepalace,thetwowomen,hotforpayingback,killedlittleItylusandservedhimuptohisfather.WhenTereuslearnedoftheterribletruthhegraspedhisswordandchasedthesistersintothewoods.TherethegodsturnedProcneintoaswallow,PhilomelaanightingaleandTereusahoopoe.

Palladium

WhenIlushadfirstbuilthisnewseat,thecityofTroy,heprayedZeustoshowsomesignofblessingforit.Hisprayerwasheard,andawoodenimageofPallas-A-thenafellfromheaventowithinthewallsofthecity.KnownasthePalladium,thestatueaffordedthecitysafetyandprotection.Atreligiousmeetingsofthegoddessitwascarriedthroughthecitystreetsamidjoysandsongsofpraise.

AftertheflamesofwarhadspreadfortenyearsbeforethewallsofTroy,aprophetforetoldthatTroycouldneverbeexpectedtofallaslongasthePalladiumwastreasuredbyitspeople.Inordertostealitout,OdysseusandDiomedesslippedintothecapitalonenightindisguise，knowntononebutHellen.ThebadwomantookoutthemtoHecuba,thequeenofTroy,atwhosefeetOdysseusimmediatelyboweddownandaskedformercy.Thequeengrantedtheirrequest,

11andwiththehelpofHelen,theysuccessfullybroughttheimagebacktotheGreekcampatdawn.

LateritwassaidthatAeneasgotholdofitandcarrieditwithhimtohisnewland,whereitwasPreservedtogetherwiththegoddess'fire.

TheFlood

TowardstheendoftheAgeofBronzethehumanworldbecameverycruel.

Mengrewhungry,impoliteandungodly.Neitherrightnorlawwasrespectedanylonger,andtheruleofhospitalitywasforgotten.Dressedupinhumanform,ZeusvisitedArcadiaandThessaly，anddislikedthedeadlywrongsofmen.Hedecidedtocleartheearthofthemall.WithouthesitationhereleasedtherainysouthwindandcalledupontheheartlessPoseidontohelp.Soonthewholeworldsankinavastocean,andtheentirehumanracedisappearedintheunheardofflood，allbuttwopoorThessalians.

Thesewereanoldchildlesscouple,kindandfaithfulandcontentedwithlife.ThemanwascalledDeucalionandhiswifePyrrha.SonofPrometheus，Deucalionhadbeenwarnedbeforehandbyhisfatherof

12thecomingfloodandmadehimselfahugechest.WhentheroaringfloodcamethecouplehidthemselvesinitandfloatedforninedaysuntilittouchedlandagainonMtParnassus.

Theonceactiveworldpresentedafrighteningsight.Itwasalldeathandruin.Feelinglonelyandunsafe,theoldcoupleprayedtothegodsforhelp.Asageinstructedthemtocastthebonesoftheirmotherabout.ThesonofthewiseTitan,havingguessedthetruemeaningofthemysteriouscommand,startedthrowingstonesbehindhim.Amiracleoccurred.Thestonesthatthemancastbecamemen；thestonesthatthewomanthrewturnedintowomen.Sincethen,peopleappearedonthelandagain.TheHeroicAgehadbegun.

Ajax(theGreat)

Ajaxwasamanofgiantstature,daringbutslow.WhentheTrojanWarwasabouttobreakoutheledhisforcesfromSalamistojointheGreekarmyatAulis.AsoneofthetrustiestchampionsoftheGreekcause,hewasgiventhejobofguardingoneendoftheGreekcampnearTroy．Hewasnotedinthebattlefieldforhisbraveryandcourage.AfterAchilles'deathhebecameoneofthetwohotcontestantsforthedeadhero'sshieldandarmour,theotherbeingOdysseus.Whentheweaponswerefinallyjudgedtohisrival,Ajax

13wentmadforgrief.Unabletogetoverthehardships,hetookhisownlife.When,inordertoseektheadviceof,Odysseuscametovisitthelowerworld,theshadeofAjaxfrowneduponhim.InthelowerworldAjaxchosetobealion,guidedclearlybythebitterrecollectionofhisformerlife.

Jason

AmongthepupilsofthewiseandjustCentaur,therewasaboynamedJason.Hewasbybirthaprince.HisfatherAesonwasoncekingofIolcus,butwasoverthrownbyhisownhalfbrotherPelias.SohesenthisbabysonJasontotheCentaurforsafekeeping．AsaboyJasontookpartintheboarhunt．Whenhegrewupintoastrongyouthhewastoldofthesecretofhisbirth.Sohewenttoavengehisfather'swrongs．

Onhiswaybacktohisnativecityhemetaweakoldwomanwaitingtobehelpedacrossamountainstream.Kindandpolite,Jasoncarriedtheoldladyonhisbackandwalkedacrossthestream.LittlehadhethoughtthattheoldwomanwasjustHeraherself.Thushegotthehelpandprotectionofapowerfulfriendatthebeginningofhislife.AshelostoneshoeinthestreamhehadtoenterPelias'palaceinonlyoneshoe.Peliaswasquitescaredtoseesuchastrangerbecause

14hehadbeenwarnedbyaprophettobecarefulofamanwearingonlyoneshoe.HewasnotsurprisedwhenJasontoldhimwhohewasandwhathisbusinesswasabout.TheartfulPeliaswelcomedhisnephewwithfalseprideandjoy；hepromisedtogiveupthekingdomtoonewhohadprovedhimselfworthyofit.AndheurgedtheyouthtobringthegoldenfleecebackfromColchis.Hefeltquitecertainthathisnephewwouldnevercomebackalivefromthehopelesstask.Pelias'predictionwasquiteright.JasondiedapoordeathinthekingdomofColchis．

Io

Iowasthedaughterofarivergod.Shewasloved,runafterandwonbyZeus.HerabecamesogreeneyedthatsheflewdownfromOlympusonedaytopayherrivalback.Zeus,however,hadforeseenherarrivalandchangedIointoabeautifulwhitelittlecow.Seeingthroughthetrick,HeraaskedforthecowasapresentandZeushadtogiveintoherwish．Thensheleftthecowtothecareofahundredeyedmonster,Argus.Argus'eyeswereeveropenandnoescapewaspossible.Unabletobeartoseehersounhappy,ZeussentHermesdowntodestroythemonster.Dressedupasashepherd,HermeslulledArgustosleepwithhissweetsongsandlongstories,thenkilledhimandsetIofree.ButHera'sangerwasnottobecalmed

15downyet.Shesentagadflytoattackthecowanddriveherfromlandtoland.InhermiserythecowpassedoverthestraitwhichdividesEuropeandAsia.InthiswaythestripofwatergotitsnameBosporus,thewayofthecow.Shewanderedoverthesea,whichbychancegotfromheritsnametheIonianSea.IntheendshearrivedinEgyptwhereshewasturnedbackintohernaturalform.Shesettleddownandgavebirthtoason,SomeofherchildrenremainedinEgyptandruledaskingsforalongtime.

TheSirens

Faroutintheseatherewasanisland,ontherockyedgeofwhichlivedthreeSirens,thethreesistersofmagicsong.Halfhumanandhalfbird,theSirensisterssatinafieldofflowers,singinginvoicesthatexcitedtheheartsofmen.Theattractivesongsweresosweetthatshipswereattractedtotheislandandstrucktopiecesontherocks.NosailornorshiphadeverbeenknowntopasstheIslandoftheSirenswithoutbeingattractedtodisaster.

ActingontheadviceofCirce,OdysseustookcarefulpreparationagainsttheSirens.Beforetheirshipscametowheretheycouldhearthesong，Odysseushadhimselftiedtothemast，stoppedtheearsofhismenwithwaxandorderedthemtoignorehisordersandgestures

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whentheywerepassingthefatalisland.

Soontheycameinsightoftherockyisland,andtheattractivesongreachedtheearsofOdysseus.Itmovedhimsomuchthathestruggledindespairtofreehimselfandshoutedforhismentoturntowardstherichandflowerygrasslandofthesingingsisters.Butnoonepaidanyattentiontohim.Thesailorskeptstraightonuntiltheywerecompletelyoutofhearing.Thenhisfriendsfreedhimandtookthewaxoutoftheirears.ForoncetheSirenshadsungwithnoeffects.Theeldestofthesisters,Partherope,lovedOdysseussomuchthatshethrewherselfintotheseaafterhisshipshadpassed．

Hecuba

Hecuba'slifewasoneofgriefandsorrow.ShesawwithherowneyeshereldestbornHectorkilledandinsultedbyAchilles.ShesawhersonPolitesslaininfrontofherbyPyrrhus.Andshesawherhusband,theagedPriam,draggedtowardsthehouseholdaltarandruthlesslybutcheredthere．AfterthefallofTroyshewascarriedintoslavery.ShehadthemisfortunetowitnessherdaughterPolyxena,hersoleconsolationinbondage,sacrificedatthetombofAchilles.ShehadthesadfatetoseewashedashorethecorpseofheryoungestsonPolydorus,whohadbeenentrustedtotheThracian

17kingforsafekeeping.Withherfiftychildrenalldeadshebecamethequeenofsorrowsfromwhomnootherwomancouldobtainthecrown.Yetinherdistressanddespair,shepluckeduphercouragetoavengeherselfupontheThracianking,whohadmurderedhersoninordertogetherson'sgold.Later,asDionysushadprophesied,shewastransformedintoadogwithbloodshoteyesand,unabletoendurethenewmisery,sheleaptintotheseaandthusendedherunfortunatelife.

TheFourAges

Therehadbeenfouragessincethehumanworldfirstcameintobeing.TheyaretheGoldenAge,theSilverAge,theAgeofBronzeandtheAgeofIron.TheGoldenAgewasthebestofall.ItwasanagewhenKronussatonthethrone.Generousnaturemetalltheneedsofmen.Therewerenoextremesofcoldandheat.Andtheevilsofthehumanworldwerestillkeptinthecask.EpimetheusguardedthecaskandPandorawasnotyetmadetoopen.Menlivedahappylife.Theywereforeveryoung．Theywerealwayseatingrichlyandknewneitherhardlabournorsorrow．Whendeathcameitcamelikeapeacefulsleep．Andtheybecamegoodspiritsinheaven．

TheSilverAgewasoneinwhichthehumanracewassomewhatless

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valuableinbodyandmind.Theperiodwasofhelplessbeginning.Itlastedahundredyears.Anditwasthetimeofmanhood,shortandtroubled.Menspentinignoranceandevil.Theynolongeradmiredthegodsandofferednosacrifices.However,astheraceoftheSilverAgewasnotentirelylackofgoodness,theyhadsomehonourandlivedonasspiritsundertheearth．

DuringtheageofBronzemenbecamefurtherdegenerated.Dressedinbronzeandarmedwithweaponsofbronze,theylivedinthehousesofbronze.Cruelandheartless,theydelightedinwaranddiedinendlessstruggle.Whentheypassedaway,theycameintothedarknessofthelowerworld．

Thelastage,thatofIron,wasoneofcontinualcareandgrief．Therewasnofamilylove,nosenseofrespectfulduty,nofriendshipandhospitality.Norwasthereanyfaith,truthandjustice.Evilwaswidespread,mightwasright,andtheflamesofwarburntthesurfaceoftheearth.Itwasaraceofmengivenupbygods.

TheGoldenFleece

KingAthamusofnorthernGreecehadtwochildren,PhrixusandHelle.AfterhelefthisfirstwifeandmarriedIno,awickedwoman,

19thetwochildrenreceivedallthecrueltreatmentthatastepmothercoulddevise,Atonetimethekingdomwasruinedbyafamine.Inopersuadedhercreduloushusbandintobelievingthathisson,Phrixus,wastheactualcauseofthedisaster,andshouldbesacrificedtoZeustoendit.Thepoorboywasthenplacedonthealtarandwasabouttobeknifedwhenaramwithgoldenfleecewassentdownbythegodsandcarriedoffthetwochildrenonitsback.AstheyflewoverthestraitthatdividesAsiafromEurope,Helle,faintatthevastexpanseofwaterbelow,fellintotheseaandwasdrowned.ThustheseaofHelle，Hellespont，becametheancientnameofthestripofwater.HerbrotherkeptonandarrivedinColchisontheeasternshoreoftheBlackSea.TherehesacrificedtheramtoZeusandgaveitsgoldenfleecetoKingAeetes,whonaileditonasacredtreeandputasleeplessdragonincharge.

Pygmalion

Pygmalion，KingofCyprus，wasafamoussculptor.Hemadeanivoryimageofawomansolovelythathefellinlovewithit.EverydayhetriedtomakeGalateaupingoldandpurple,forthatwasthenamehehadgiventothismistressofhisheart.Heembracedandkissedit，butitremainedastatue.IndespairhewenttoAphrodite'sshrineforhelp.Offeringrichsacrificeandsendingupapassionateprayer,he

20beggedthegoddesstogivehimawifeasgracefulasGalatea.Backhome,hewentstraightuptothestatue.Evenashegazedatitachangecameoverit.Afaintcolourappearedonitscheeks,agleamshonefromitseyesanditslipsopenedintoasweetsmile.PygmalionstoodspeechlesswhenUalateabegantomovetowardshim.Shewassimpleandsweetandalive!Soontheroomwasringingwithherslivervoice.Theworkofhisownhandsbecamehiswife.

Endymion

EndymionwasahandsomeyoungshepherdwhokepthisflocksofsheeponMtLatmos,AsiaMinor.Livinginaquiet,lovelyvalley,helivedaperfectlypeacefullife．Sometimeswhenhissheepgrazedhappilyonsomerichgrassaround,hewouldliedownonthemeadowandsleepsoundly,completelyfreefromworldlygriefsandcares.

Oneclear,brightnight,asArtemisdrovehercarriageacrosstheheavens,hereyeschanceduponabeautifulyouthsleepinginthepeacefulvalleybelow.Herheartbeatwithloveandadmiration.Shecamedownfromhermooncarriageandgaveaquickbutpassionatekissonhisface．EventhesleepyEndymionwasfascinatedatthesightofthefairmaidenasheopenedhiseyes．Butthevisiondisappearedsosoonthatheregardedthewholesceneasa

21dream.EverynightArtemisfloateddowntostealakissfromthelipsofthesleepingshepherduntilheroccasionalcarelessnessofdutycausedthesuspicionofZeus.Thefatherofgodsandmendecidedtoremovetheearthlytemptationtothegoddessforever.HecalledforEndymionontohimandorderedhimtochoosebetweendeathinanyformandeverlastingyouthinperpetualdreamysleep．Theshepherdchosethelatter,andhestillsleptonMtLatmos,withthemoongoddesssadlyvisitingandkissinghimeverynight.

LotusEaters

OnthetenthdayafterleavingTroy,Odysseusandhismencametoanisland，wherethepeopleonlytooklotusfruitandflowersastheirfood,Thisplanthadsuchamagiceffectonitseatersthatitcouldmakethemforgettheirpastandproduceadreamylazinessoverthem.WhenOdysseus'menarrived,theywerekindlyinvitedbythepeopleontheislandtoeatthesweetfood.Itsmagicpowerbegantoworkonthemimmediately.Theyfellintoadeepdaydream.Theylostallwishesforfuture,Tothemtheseaandshipappeareddullandhateful.Andtheywerenoteagertoseewife,childandkingdom.Whenhesawnotraceofhismencomingback,Odysseusbecamesuspicious．Hesetoutwithsom