The Greeks. Tales and mythology (part 2).

 

Constellation of Orion. Photo by Till Credner. AlltheSky,com

When we look up to the sky on a clear night, myriads of bright jewels appear (every time, this is more difficult to achieve, because of light pollution). It not only amazes and brings joy to us... the stars and planets are also telling stories! To a large extent, the Greek myths were placed on the firmament. There, they are the gods: the great Zeus; Ares, the warrior; the beautiful Aphrodite. Also are demigods, such as Herakles. Perseus, still holding Medusa's head. Orion, the hunter. Pegasus, the winged horse and the monstrous Hydra, are also up there. The princess Andromeda, among many other personages. And, of course, the pale Moon and the Sun's chariot.

Probably, the Greeks adquired their astronomical knowledge from the Phoenicians. At the same time, these had inherited it from the Mesopotamian peoples. We have to keep in mind, that both Phoenicians and Greeks were skilled navigators, and a good reading  of the sky, was always useful to sail the seas. Hence, it was not only a good field to put their deities an heroes: there was a practical utility to catalog the celestial bodies.

Orion, the hunter. By Johann Bayer.

As we already told, in the Greek mythology, was depicted the creation of the universe. They had an explanation not only to every perceptible phenomena but also touched the more subtle. Trying to find some sense to their past and the human life, they often added moral or philosophical lessons. Besides, through their stories, is clear that they were great travelers and curious observers. So they spoke about the Herakles' columns, in Gibraltar, and the myth of Mennon the Ethiopian. Or perhaps the Cyclops from Sicily, the Golden Fleece of Colchis (at the Black Sea). Even some tales from Babylon, can be found in the tragedy of Pyramus and Thisbe.

Let us immerse into some of those tales and their interesting lessons. Many of them are still valid in the present.

  

Pyrrha and Deucalion.

The Flood. Oil painting by Paul Merwart.
Borys Voznytsky Lviv National Art Gallery.

After their creation, the humans began to grow not only in number, but also in badness. The situation turned unsustainable, so Zeus decided to punish them with the great Flood. Every one would perish into the waters. Nonetheless, there was a faithfull couple, whose virtuosity stood out among all those vices and moral rotting. Their names were Pyrrha and Deucalion. On the advice of his father (Prometeus), Deucalion constructed a boat. When the land became an immense sea, they managed to keep floating for nine days and nights.

The rain stopped and the boat finally touched land on top of Mount Parnasus. As the waters retired, only death and destruction could be seen. Filled with despair, the couple discovered they were alone. The best was to consult an oracle, so they went to Delphi. The answer from the immortals, was somehow enigmatic... They must walk with the face covered, throwing back the bones of their grandmother. But Deucalion interpreted, that the grandmother was no other than the Mother Earth. And her bones should be just stones. When they did it, the stones thrown by Pyrrha became women, while the ones from Deucalion turned into men.

Deucalion and Pyrrha engraving by Virgil Solis.

This is how the world was repopulated, with a healthy race, worthy of their origin, maybe purified by suffering. The chosen spouses, also had their own descendence, giving rise to the ethnic diversity of the Greek people. 

Phaethon and the chariot of the Sun.

The Sun, over Athens.

The Greek gods were powerful and had virtues, but at the same time, showed some weaknesses and flaws. Many times, they behaved almost as mere mortals. Among their most remarkable earthly features, was the propensity to fall in love with humans... demigods were just the fruit of the Olimpians' affairs!

Phaethon, son of the god Phoebus (Apollo, the Sun), was only a kid. Once, he was arguing about his divine origin, with another youngsters. They laughed at him and even came to offend his mother. She suggested Phaeton, to talk to his father, asking his permission to ride the sun chariot for a day. This, would shut up the offenses from the other boys. He travelled to the east, to his father's dwelling. The god deeply loved Phaeton, and as he saw his sorrow, swore by the river Styx that he would grant whatever the boy wanted... But it was a really dangerous petition! Phoebus tried to discourage his son and did everything to change his mind. But the stubborn kid stayed firm, and a promise was a promise!

So everything had to get ready. The steeds were harnessed. The Aurora and her cortege, that announced the day, were waiting. Phaeton proudly got up to the chariot, held the reins and did not even care about his father words. Impetuous, not feeling the strong hand of the god, the horses began to do their own will and deviated from the right way. Getting too low, they scorched the soil of Ethiopia. Since then, it is said, that huge territories of Africa, became deserts and its people's skin turned dark forever.

The fall of Phaeton. Oil painting by Jan Van Eyck

The Earth suffered severe burns, and moaning, asked the king of the gods to finish that torment. Zeus had no other choice than slaying the boy, with one of his rays. The horses ended their journey in complete desorder. It was the sad end of Phaeton...

Arachne.

Pallas Athena.

The gods were also very jealous and could not tolerate the excessive pride in humans. Specially, if they dared to compare with any immortal. Almost always, the arrogance of men was punished, with no mercy. 

In the city of Colophon, lived a skilled artisan, whose name was Arachne. Her embroidery works, were magnificent and earned her a high prestige. From everywhere, came many people, only to see her artistic pieces. But her fame grew along with her vanity and the day came, when she had the audacity to challenge the wise Athena (who had invented that art), to test who could do better. The goddess did not hesitate for a moment, and accepted.

Both artisan, made their works. The goddess' was perfect, but Arachne's, as difficult to explain that it may seem, was superior... something truly sublime! Besides, Arachne represented the loves of Zeus theme. In other words, were his tricks to seduce the mortal women. Nothing less than the father of Athena and his love affairs, showed on that piece of cloth.

Athena and Arachne. Oil painting by Tintoretto.

The anger of the goddess, when she saw the exquisite, but blasphemous work, knew no limits. With her own hands, she tore it into pieces and went at her rival. In despair, Arachne attempted to suicide by hanging. Finally moved to compassion, Athena held and saved the woman, transforming her into a spider. This is how she has continued with her marvellous labours.

A spider and its web. Photo by Luc Viatour/www.Lucnix.be

The ancient Greeks, tried to give an imaginative explanation to almost everything around. But they did it, with a grace very hard to match. In this small window to their world, that we have opened, the fanciful detail of their tales, is notorious. Simple things, like an ordinary and maybe insignificant spider web, made them wonder, and were worthy of a story.

At the same time, they show how the gods punished the negative feelings. For example, vanity and excessive pride, for sure were not well accepted in those days.

A common but major problem, such as the unlimited parental permisiveness, already was present by then. To not know how to say "no" to our children, sometimes, might bring harsh consequences (as in the case of Phaeton). The Greeks also did not overlook that situation.

Zeus (Jupiter), Museum of Louvre.

They also gave an imaginative explanation, to the themes of the Great Deluge and the first man. But, as we already said, the sole mention of those issues in writings of several different and far off peoples, is a noteworthy detail. Maybe we will have news about it in the future. As well as the existence of a supreme being, who could judge and punish men, is another interesting coincidence between those stories.

Greek Mythology is and will always be, motive and theme in human creation. As an example, in literature and cinema, those fabulous stories are never set aside. Many of us, feel a true fascination for its personages and tales. Inside our culture, there is a great influence from the ancient Greece... fortunately for us!

In that small country, with its rough nature, and its people, who almost never knew how to get together, the Divine Spark seemed to enlighten the human spirit. A never faded light, that we should care as a precious treasure, is their legacy...