The Student's Mythology Part 8

_Ans._ The hair of Ceres is golden, to represent the color of ripe corn; she holds a lighted torch, because when her daughter Proserpine was stolen by Pluto, Ceres kindled a torch from the flames of Mount Etna, to light her on her search throughout the world. She holds a poppy, because when she was so grieved that she could neither rest nor sleep, Jupiter gave her a poppy to eat.

_Ques._ Relate the story of Proserpine (Persephone).

_Ans._ None of the G.o.ddesses were willing to marry Pluto, or share his gloomy kingdom. He determined, nevertheless, to obtain a wife, even if he had to do so by violence. Proserpine, the daughter of Jupiter and Ceres, was gathering daffodils with her companions in the plains of Enna, when Pluto suddenly appeared among them in a chariot drawn by black horses. As the maidens fled in terror, he seized Proserpine, and striking the waters of the fountain Cyane with his trident, he opened a pa.s.sage, through which he descended with his prize. Ceres, ignorant of what had occurred, wandered through the world in search of her daughter. At length, arriving at the fountain of Cyane, she perceived the girdle of Proserpine still floating on its waters; and the nymph Arethusa informed her of what had taken place. Ceres repaired immediately to Olympus, where she made her complaint to Jupiter, and demanded that Pluto should restore her daughter. Jupiter promised to grant her request, in case Proserpine should not have tasted food in the infernal regions. Ceres descended thither, and Proserpine prepared joyfully to accompany her mother, when Ascalaphus reported that he had seen her eat some seeds of pomegranate. The hopes of Ceres were thus destroyed, but Proserpine was so indignant at the treachery of Ascalaphus, that she changed him immediately into an owl. Jupiter endeavored to appease the resentment of Ceres by permitting Proserpine to divide the year, spending six months with her mother on earth, the other six with Pluto in the infernal regions.

_Ques._ What were the most famous solemnities inst.i.tuted in honor of Ceres?

_Ans._ The Eleusian or Eleusinian Mysteries. They were named from Eleusis, a town in Greece where they were celebrated.

_Ques._ What rites were practiced during these mysteries?

_Ans._ We cannot tell with any certainty. The penalty of death was decreed against any one who should betray the secret, or even witness the ceremonies without having been regularly initiated. Disclosures were made, however, which seem to prove that the person to be initiated was first introduced into a dark subterranean cave, where he was terrified with the most fearful sights and sounds. After this, if his courage did not fail, he was suddenly introduced into a lovely garden, and the ceremonies concluded with feasting and dancing.

_Ques._ Who were admitted to these rites?

_Ans._ Athenians only; but Hercules, to whom no one dared refuse anything, was initiated, and after him, other distinguished foreigners were admitted to what were called the Lesser Mysteries. The Athenians were eager to be admitted to these rites, because they believed that the souls of those who had not been initiated were left to wallow in mud and filth in the lower regions.

_Ques._ What do the early Christian writers say of these mysteries?

_Ans._ They speak of them as being almost as immoral as the festivals held in honor of Bacchus.

_Ques._ Who is said to have inst.i.tuted them?

_Ans._ Triptolemus, the foster-child of Ceres.

_Ques._ Relate the story of Triptolemus.

_Ans._ When Ceres was seeking Proserpine by sea and land, she was kindly entertained by Celeus, king of Eleusis, in Attica. She rewarded his hospitality by taking care of his young son, whom she nourished during the day with celestial food; but in the night, she covered him with fire. Under this extraordinary treatment, the infant, in a few days, became a beautiful young man. His mother, Meganira, wondered at this, and resolved to discover the cause. She watched Ceres at night, and when she saw her covering Triptolemus with living coals, she cried out in terror, and rushed into the room to save him. Ceres punished her curiosity with death, but she adopted Triptolemus, and sent him through the world to teach mankind the use of corn. He executed the commands of Ceres, and wherever he went, instructed men in sowing, reaping, and other arts of husbandry. Triptolemus is usually represented as a young man, seated in a splendid chariot drawn by flying serpents.

_Ques._ What sacrifices were offered to Ceres?

_Ans._ Young heifers, swine and ears of corn, wine, milk and honey were used in the libations.

_Ques._ What were the Ambarvalia?

_Ans._ They were feasts kept in the beginning of harvest, preparatory to reaping. The animal to be offered in sacrifice, was led around the fields, the husbandmen and country rustics following with shouts and songs. Virgil says of these festivities:

Let ev'ry swain adore her power divine, And milk and honey mix with sparkling wine; Let all the choir of clowns attend this show, In long procession, shouting as they go; Invoking her to bless their yearly stores, Inviting plenty to their crowded floors.

Thus in the spring, and thus in summer's heat, Before the sickles touch the rip'ning wheat, On Ceres call; and let the lab'ring hind With oaken wreaths his hollow temples bind; On Ceres let him call, and Ceres praise, With uncouth dances, and with country-lays.

GEORG. I.

CHAPTER XVIII.

THEMIS--ASTRA--NEMESIS.

_Ques._ Who was Themis?

_Ans._ She instructed both G.o.ds and men, and was generally considered the G.o.ddess of law and justice. Her origin is uncertain; but she is said to have been a t.i.taness.

_Ques._ Who was Astra?

_Ans._ She was also G.o.ddess of justice; according to some, she was the daughter of Jupiter and Themis. When the t.i.tans took up arms against Jupiter, Astra descended to earth, and mingled with the human race.

This intercourse was uninterrupted during the Golden Age; in the Silver Age, Astra dwelt in the mountains, and descended only amid the shades of evening, when she was unseen by men. When the Brazen Age commenced, she fled altogether from the human race, being the last among the Immortals to abandon the earth. Jupiter then changed her into the constellation Virgo, one of the signs of the zodiac. This constellation is represented by the figure of a woman holding scales in one hand, and a sword in the other. The scales have been variously explained, but they are generally supposed to be an emblem of justice.

According to some, Erigone, a maiden who hung herself in despair, at the death of her father, was changed into the constellation Virgo.

_Ques._ Who was Nemesis?

_Ans._ She was the daughter of Night, and the G.o.ddess of just vengeance. It was her office to follow and punish guilty men. She had wings, but generally went on foot, which signifies that the punishment of crime, although sure, is generally slow. An ancient poet says:

"Vengeance divine to punish sin moves slow; The slower is its pace, the surer is its blow."

_Ques._ What do you say of the temple of Nemesis at Rhamnus?

_Ans._ This temple was but a short distance from the plain of Marathon. The Persians had brought with them a great block of Parian marble for the trophy which they intended to erect in honor of their expected victory. This marble fell into the hands of the Athenians, and a sculptor, said by some to have been Phidias, afterwards carved from it a beautiful statue of Nemesis, which was placed in the temple of Rhamnus. A fragment was found in the ruins of this edifice, which is supposed to be the head of this statue; and has been presented as such to the British Museum.

CHAPTER XIX.

THE MUSES.

_Ques._ Who were the Muses?

_Ans._ They were the daughters of Jupiter and Mnemosyne, and were supposed to preside over the liberal arts and sciences.

_Ques._ How many Muses were there?

_Ans._ They were nine in number, and each presided over some particular department of literature, art or science. Their names were:

Calliope, who was the Muse of epic poetry, she holds in her hand a roll of parchment, or a trumpet.

Clio presided over history. She holds a half opened scroll.

Melpomene was the Muse of tragedy. She leans on a club, and holds a tragic mask.

Euterpe was the patroness of music. She holds two flutes.

Erato inspired those who wrote of love. She plays on a nine-stringed lyre.

Terpsich.o.r.e presided over choral dance and song. She appears dancing, and holds a seven-stringed lyre.

Urania, the Muse of astronomy, holds a globe, and traces mathematical figures with a wand.