Myths of Greece and Rome Part 8

Never sated with strife and bloodshed, this G.o.d preferred the din of battle to all other music, and found no occupation so congenial as the toils and dangers of war. No gentle deeds of kindness were ever expected from him; no loving prayers were ever addressed to him; and the ancients felt no love for him, but, on the contrary, shuddered with terror when his name was mentioned.

Mars was generally represented in a brilliant suit of armor, a plumed helmet on his proud young head, a poised spear in one muscular hand, and a finely wrought s.h.i.+eld in the other, showing him ever ready to cope with a foe.

[Sidenote: Mars' attendants.]

His attendants, or some say his children, sympathized heartily with his quarrelsome tastes, and delighted in following his lead. They were Eris (Discord), Phobos (Alarm), Metus (Fear), Demios (Dread), and Pallor (Terror).

Bellona, or Enyo, G.o.ddess of war, also accompanied him, drove his chariot, parried dangerous thrusts, and watched over his general safety. Mars and Bellona were therefore wors.h.i.+ped together in the selfsame temple, and their altars were the only ones ever polluted by human sacrifices.

"And to the fire-ey'd maid of smoky war, All hot and bleeding, will we offer them: The mailed Mars shall on his altar sit, Up to the ears in blood."

Shakespeare.

[Sidenote: Story of Otus and Ephialtes.]

As strife was his favorite element, Mars was very active indeed during the war between the G.o.ds and giants, but in his martial ardor he frequently forgot all caution. On one occasion he was obliged to surrender to Otus and Ephialtes,--two giants, who, though but nine years of age, were already of immense stature, since they increased in height at the rate of nine inches each month.

Proud of their victory over the G.o.d of War, these giants bore him off in triumph, and bound him fast with iron chains slipped through iron rings. Day and night they kept watch over him; and even when they slept, the rattle of the chains, whenever any one of the G.o.ds attempted to set him free, woke them up, and frustrated all efforts to deliver him. During fifteen weary months poor Mars lingered there in durance vile, until Mercury, the prince of thieves, noiselessly and deftly slipped the chains out of the rings, and restored him to freedom.

In revenge for the cruel treatment inflicted by Otus and Ephialtes, Mars prevailed upon Apollo and Diana to use their poisoned arrows, and thus rid the world of these two ugly and useless giants.

[Sidenote: The Areopagus.]

Of a fiery disposition, Mars was never inclined to forgive an injury; and when Halirrhothius, Neptune's son, dared to carry off his daughter Alcippe, Mars hotly pursued the abductor, and promptly slew him. Neptune, angry at this act of summary justice, cited the G.o.d of War to appear before a tribunal held in the open air, on a hill near the newly founded city of Athens.

It was then customary for such cases to be tried at night, in utter darkness, so that the judges might not be influenced by the personal appearance of either plaintiff or defendant; and no rhetoric of any kind was allowed, that their minds might remain quite unbiased. Mars appeared before the judges, simply stated his case, and was acquitted. Since then the hill upon which his trial took place has been called the Areopagus (Ares' Hill) or Mars' Hill, and the judges of the princ.i.p.al court of justice at Athens received the name of Areopagitae.

[Sidenote: Mars' children.]

Although such a partisan of strife, Mars was not impervious to softer emotions, and pa.s.sionately returned the devotion of Venus, who bore him three beautiful children,--Harmonia, Cupid, and Anteros. Mars also fell in love with a beautiful young Vestal named Ilia, a descendant of AEneas, who, in spite of the solemn pledge not to listen to a lover's pleadings until her time of service at the G.o.ddess Vesta's altar was accomplished, yielded to Mars' impetuous wooing, and consented to a clandestine union.

[Sidenote: Romulus and Remus.]

Although secretly married, Ilia continued to dwell in the temple until the birth of her twin sons Romulus and Remus. Her parents, hearing she had broken her vows, commanded that she should suffer the prescribed punishment of being buried alive, and that the children should be exposed to the teeth and claws of the wild beasts of the forest. The double sentence was ruthlessly carried out, and the young mother perished; but, contrary to all previsions, the babes survived, and, after having been suckled for a time by a she-wolf, were found and adopted by a shepherd.

[Ill.u.s.tration: VENUS DE MILO AND MARS.]

Romulus and Remus throve under this man's kind care, and grew up strong and fearless. When they reached manhood, they longed for a wider sphere for their youthful activity, and, leaving the mountain where they had grown up, journeyed out into the world to seek their fortunes. After some time they came to a beautiful hilly country, where they decided to found a great city, the capital of their future realm. Accordingly the brothers began to trace the outline of their city limits, and, in doing so, quarreled over the name of the prospective town.

Blinded by anger, Romulus suddenly raised the tool he held, and struck Remus such a savage blow that he fell to the ground, slain by his brother in a fit of pa.s.sion. Alone now, Romulus at first vainly tried to pursue his undertaking, but, being soon joined by a number of adventurers as wicked and unscrupulous as he, they combined their forces, and built the celebrated city of Rome.

"Then, with his nurse's wolf-skin girt, Shall Romulus the line a.s.sert, Invite them to his new raised home, And call the martial city Rome."

Virgil (Conington's tr.).

As founder of this city, Romulus was its first king, and ruled the people with such an iron hand that his tyranny eventually became unbearable. The senators, weary of his exactions and arbitrary measures, finally resolved to free themselves of his presence. Taking advantage of an eclipse, which plunged the city in sudden darkness at noonday, and which occurred while all were a.s.sembled on the Forum, the magistrates slew Romulus, cut his body into pieces, and hid them under their wide togas.

[Sidenote: Quirinus.]

When the light returned, and the terrified and awestruck people, somewhat rea.s.sured, looked about them for their king, they were told he had gone, never to return, carried off by the immortal G.o.ds, who wished him to share their abode and dignity. The senators further informed the credulous population that Romulus was to be henceforth wors.h.i.+ped as a G.o.d under the name of Quirinus, and gave orders for the erection of a temple on one of the seven hills, which since then has been known as Mount Quirinal. Yearly festivals in Romulus' honor were ever after held in Rome, under the name of Quirinalia.

Well pleased with the new city of Rome and its turbulent, lawless citizens, Mars took it under his special protection; and once, when a plague was raging which threatened to destroy all the people, the Romans rushed in a body to his temple, and clamored for a sign of his favor and protection.

[Sidenote: The Ancile.]

Even while they prayed, it is said, a s.h.i.+eld, Ancile, fell from heaven, and a voice was distinctly heard to declare that Rome would endure as long as this token of the G.o.d's good will was preserved. The very same day the plague ceased its frightful ravages, and the Romans, delighted with the result of their pet.i.tions, placed the heavenly s.h.i.+eld in one of their princ.i.p.al temples.

Then, in constant dread lest some of their enemies should succeed in stealing it, they caused eleven other s.h.i.+elds to be made, so exactly like the heaven-sent Ancile, that none but the guardian priests, the Salii, who kept continual watch over them, could detect the original from the facsimiles. During the month of March, which, owing to its bl.u.s.tery weather, was dedicated to Mars and bore his name, the ancilae were carried in a procession all through the city, the Salii chanting their rude war songs, and executing intricate war dances.

A Roman general, ere setting out on any warlike expedition, always entered the sanctuary of Mars, touched the sacred s.h.i.+eld with the point of his lance, shook the spear in the hand of the G.o.d's effigy, and called aloud, "Mars, watch over us!"

[Sidenote: Wors.h.i.+p of Mars.]

A common superst.i.tion among the Roman soldiery was, that Mars, under the name of Gradivus, marched in person at the head of their army, and led them on to victory. Mars' princ.i.p.al votaries were therefore the Roman soldiers and youths, whose exercising ground was called, in his honor, the Campus Martius, or Field of Mars. All the laurel crowns bestowed upon victorious generals were deposited at the foot of his statues, and a bull was the customary thank offering after a successful campaign.

"The soldier, from successful camps returning With laurel wreath'd, and rich with hostile spoil, Severs the bull to Mars."

Prior.

CHAPTER X.

VULCAN.

[Sidenote: Vulcan's fall.]

Vulcan, or Hephaestus, son of Jupiter and Juno, G.o.d of fire and the forge, seldom joined the general council of the G.o.ds. His aversion to Olympus was of old standing. He had once been tenderly attached to his mother, had lavished upon her every proof of his affection, and had even tried to console her when she mourned Jupiter's neglect. On one occasion, intending to punish Juno for one of her usual fits of jealousy, Jupiter hung her out of heaven, fast bound by a golden chain; and Vulcan, perceiving her in this plight, tugged at the chain with all his might, drew her up, and was about to set her free, when Jupiter returned, and, in anger at his son's interference in his matrimonial concerns, kicked him out of heaven.

The intervening s.p.a.ce between heaven and earth was so great, that Vulcan's fall lasted during one whole day and night, ere he finally touched the summit of Mount Mosychlus, in the Island of Lemnos.

"From morn To noon he fell, from noon to dewy eve, A summer's day; and with the setting sun Dropt from the zenith like a falling star, On Lemnos th' AEgean isle."

Milton.

Of course, to any one but a G.o.d such a terrible fall would have proved fatal; and even Vulcan did not escape entirely unharmed, for he injured one of his legs, which accident left him lame and somewhat deformed for the remainder of his life.

[Sidenote: Vulcan's forge.]

Now, although Vulcan had risked so much and suffered so greatly in taking his mother's part, she never even made the slightest attempt to ascertain whether he had reached the earth in safety. Hurt by her indifference and ingrat.i.tude, Vulcan vowed never again to return to Olympus, and withdrew to the solitudes of Mount AEtna, where he established a great forge in the heart of the mountain, in partners.h.i.+p with the Cyclopes, who helped him manufacture many cunning and useful objects from the metals found in great profusion in the bosom of the earth.

Among these ingenious contrivances were two golden handmaidens gifted with motion, who attended the G.o.d wherever he went, and supported his halting footsteps.

"Two golden statues, like in form and look To living maidens, aided with firm gait The monarch's steps."

Homer (Bryant's tr.).

[Sidenote: The golden throne.]

Vulcan also devised a golden throne with countless hidden springs, which, when unoccupied, did not present an extraordinary appearance; but as soon as any one ventured to make use of it, the springs moved, and, the chair closing around the person seated upon it, frustrated all attempts to rise and escape from its treacherous embrace.

Vulcan dispatched this throne, when completed, to his mother, who, delighted with its beauty and delicate workmans.h.i.+p, proudly seated herself upon it, and found herself a prisoner. In vain she strove to escape, in vain the G.o.ds all gallantly rushed to her a.s.sistance. Their united strength and skill proved useless against the cunning springs.

[Ill.u.s.tration: FORGE OF VULCAN.--Velasquez. (Museum, Madrid.)]

Finally Mercury was sent to Vulcan, primed with a most diplomatic request to honor high Olympus with his presence; but all Mercury's eloquence and persuasions failed to induce the G.o.d of the forge to leave his sooty abode, and the messenger G.o.d was forced to return alone and report the failure of his attempt. Then the G.o.ds deliberated anew, and decided to send Bacchus, G.o.d of wine, hoping his powers of persuasion would prove more effective.

Armed with a flask of his choicest vintage, Bacchus presented himself before Vulcan, and offered him a refres.h.i.+ng draught. Vulcan, predisposed to thirst, and incited to drink by the very nature of his labor, accepted the offered cup, and allowed himself to be beguiled into renewing his potations, until he was quite intoxicated. In this condition, Bacchus led him pa.s.sive to Olympus, made him release the Queen of Heaven, and urged him to embrace his father and crave forgiveness.

Although restored to favor, Vulcan would not remain permanently in Olympus, but preferred to return to his forge and continue his labors. He undertook, however, the construction of magnificent golden palaces for each of the G.o.ds upon the Olympian heights, fas.h.i.+oned their sumptuous furniture from precious metals, and further embellished his work by a rich ornamentation of precious stones.

"Then to their starry domes the G.o.ds depart, The s.h.i.+ning monuments of Vulcan's art: Jove on his couch reclin'd his awful head, And Juno slumber'd on the golden bed."

Homer (Pope's tr.).

Aided by the Cyclopes, Vulcan manufactured Jupiter's weapons, the dread thunderbolts, whose frightful power none could withstand, and Cupid's love-inspiring darts.

[Sidenote: Vulcan's loves.]

Vulcan, in spite of his deformity, extreme ugliness, and well-known aversion to any home but his sooty forge, was none the less p.r.o.ne to fall in love with the various G.o.ddesses. He first wooed Minerva, who, having sworn never to marry, contemptuously dismissed his suit. To console Vulcan for this rebuff, and at the same time punish the G.o.ddess of Beauty, who, according to some mythologists, had refused even his addresses, Jupiter bestowed upon him the fair hand of Venus, and sent her and her mischievous train of Loves and Graces to reside in the dark caves of Mount AEtna.

Amused by all the strange sights and sounds, the G.o.ddess at first seemed quite contented; but after a time Vulcan's gloomy abode lost all its attractions: so she forsook her ill-favored husband, and went in search of another, more congenial mate.

Some time after, Vulcan married one of the Graces, who, however, seems to have also soon wearied of his society, for she deserted him.

Vulcan's children were mostly monsters, such as Cacus, Periphetes, Cercyon, etc., all of whom play an important part in heroic mythology. He is also the reputed father of Servius Tullius, sixth king of Rome, by a slave Ocrisia, whom he was wont to visit in the guise of a bright flame, which played harmlessly about her.

Vulcan was wors.h.i.+ped by all blacksmiths and artisans, who recognized him as their special patron, and venerated him accordingly.

"Those who labor The sweaty forge, who edge the crooked scythe, Bend stubborn steel, and harden gleaming armor, Acknowledge Vulcan's aid."

Prior.

Great festivals, the Vulca.n.a.lia and the Hephaestia, were celebrated in honor of this G.o.d, who is generally represented as a short, muscular man, with one leg shorter than the other, a workman's cap on his curly locks, a short upper garment, and a smith's tools in his hand.

CHAPTER XI.

NEPTUNE.

When Jupiter a.s.signed to each of his brothers a separate portion of the universe, he decreed that Neptune, or Poseidon, should govern all the waters upon the face of the earth, and be sole monarch of the ocean.

"Neptune, the mighty marine G.o.d, I sing; Earth's mover, and the fruitless ocean's king. That Helicon and th' AEgean deeps dost hold. O thou earth-shaker; thy command, twofold The G.o.ds have sorted; making thee of horses The awful tamer, and of naval forces The sure preserver. Hail, O Saturn's birth! Whose graceful green hair circles all the earth. Bear a benign mind; and thy helpful hand Lend all, submitted to thy dread command."

Homer (Chapman's tr.).

Before this new ruler made his appearance, the t.i.tan Ocea.n.u.s had wielded the scepter of the sea; and regretfully he now resigned it to his youthful supplanter, whom he nevertheless admired sincerely, and described in glowing colors to his brothers.

"Have ye beheld the young G.o.d of the Seas, My dispossessor? Have ye seen his face? Have ye beheld his chariot, foam'd along By n.o.ble winged creatures he hath made? I saw him on the calmed waters scud, With such a glow of beauty in his eyes, That it enforc'd me to bid sad farewell To all my empire."

Keats.

[Ill.u.s.tration: FOUNTAIN OF NEPTUNE.--Bologna. (Bologna.)]

[Sidenote: Neptune's exile.]

Neptune, the personification as well as the G.o.d of the sea, was of an exceedingly encroaching disposition. Dissatisfied with the portion allotted him, he once conspired to dethrone Jupiter; but, unfortunately for the success of his undertaking, his plot was discovered before he could put it into execution, and Jupiter, in punishment for his temerity, exiled him to earth. There he was condemned to build the walls of Troy for Laomedon, king of that city, who, in return, promised a handsome compensation.

Apollo, also banished from heaven at that time, volunteered to aid Neptune by playing on his lyre, and moving the stones by the power of sweet sounds (p. 65). The task satisfactorily ended, Laomedon, an avaricious and dishonest king, refused the promised guerdon, whereupon Neptune created a terrible monster, which came upon the sh.o.r.e, devoured the inhabitants, devastated everything within his reach, and inspired all with great terror.

"A great serpent from the deep, Lifting his horrible head above their homes, Devoured the children."

Lewis Morris.

To save themselves from the awful death which threatened them all, the Trojans consulted an oracle, who advised the sacrifice of a beautiful virgin, and promised the monster would disappear as soon as he had devoured the appointed victim.

[Sidenote: Story of Hesione.]

A young girl was therefore chosen by lot, led down to the seash.o.r.e, and chained by the priest's own hands to a slimy rock. As soon as her mourning friends had forsaken her, the hideous serpent came out of his lair in the waves, and devoured her; then he vanished, and nothing more was heard of him for a whole year, at the end of which time he reappeared, and resumed his former depredations, which were only checked by the sacrifice of a second virgin.

Year after year, however, he returned, and year after year a fair girl was doomed to perish, until finally the lot fell upon Hesione, the king's only daughter. He could not bear the thought of the terrible fate awaiting her, and tried every means in his power to save her. As a last resort he sent heralds to publish far and wide that the king would give a great reward to any man who would dare attack and succeed in slaying the monster.

Hercules, on his return from the scene of one of his stupendous labors, heard the proclamation, and, with no other weapon than the oaken club he generally carried, slew the monster just as he was about to drag poor Hesione down into his slimy cave. Laomedon was, of course, overjoyed at the monster's death, but, true to his nature, again refused the promised reward, and by his dishonesty incurred the hatred and contempt of this hero also. Some time after, having finished his time of servitude with Eurystheus, Hercules, aided by a chosen band of adventurers, came to Troy to punish him for his perfidy. The city was stormed and taken, the king slain, and his wife and children carried to Greece as captives. There Hesione became the bride of Telamon; while her brother Podarces, later known as Priam, was redeemed by his people and made King of Troy.

Laomedon's failure to pay his just debts was the primary cause of the enmity which Apollo and Neptune displayed towards the Trojans during their famous war with the Greeks (p. 305).

[Sidenote: Neptune's contests.]

Their term of exile ended, the G.o.ds were reinstated in their exalted positions, and hastened to resume their former occupations; but, in spite of the severe lesson just received, Neptune was not yet cured of his grasping tendencies. Not long after his return from Troy, he quarreled with Minerva for the possession of the then recently founded city of Athens, then nameless, and entered into the memorable contest in which he was signally defeated (p. 57). He also disputed the sovereignty of Troezene with Minerva, and that of Corinth with Apollo. In the latter instance, the disputants having chosen Briareus as umpire, the prize was awarded to him as the most powerful of all the G.o.ds except Jupiter.

[Sidenote: Neptune's power.]

As G.o.d of the sea, Neptune did not generally remain in Olympus, but dwelt way down in the coral caves of his kingdom, over which he ruled with resistless sway. By one word he could stir up or calm the wildest storm, and cause the billows to roar with fury or subside into peaceful ripples.

"He spake, and round about him called the clouds And roused the ocean,--wielding in his hand The trident,--summoned all the hurricanes Of all the winds, and covered earth and sky At once with mists, while from above the night Fell suddenly."