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Greek Mythology

Achilles

Greek Mythology

"Aeneas parted from Dido, though she tried every allurement and persuasion to detain him." —Bulfinch, 1897

Dido parting with Aeneas

"Aeneas parted from Dido, though she tried every allurement and persuasion to detain him." —Bulfinch,…

"Amphion was the son of Jupiter and Antiope, queen of Thebes. With his twin brother, Zethus he was exposed at birth on Mount Cithaeron, where they grew up among the shepherds not knowing their parentage." —Bulfinch, 1897

Amphion and Zethus

"Amphion was the son of Jupiter and Antiope, queen of Thebes. With his twin brother, Zethus he was exposed…

"Amphitrite was the wife of Neptune." —Bulfinch, 1897

Amphitrite

"Amphitrite was the wife of Neptune." —Bulfinch, 1897

"According to the ancient authorities, it was made of bronze, and its form was oval, but with the two sides receding inward with an even curvature, and so as to make it broader at the ends than in the middle. The original ancile was said to have fallen from the skies in the time of Numa. To secure its preservation, Numa ordered eleven other shields to be made exactly like it. These twelve <em>ancilia</em> were kept in the temple of Mars Gradivus, and were taken from it only once a year, on the kalends of March. The feast of the god was then observed during several days; when the Salii, or priests of Mars, twelve in number, carried the sacred shields about the city, singing songs in praise of Mars, Numa, and Mamurius Veturius, who made the eleven. They at the same time performed a dance, in which they struck the shield with rods, so as to keep time with their voices and with the movements of the dance." &mdash; Anthon, 1891

Ancilia

"According to the ancient authorities, it was made of bronze, and its form was oval, but with the two…

"Aphrodite or Venus" &mdash;Bulfinch, 1897

Aphrodite

"Aphrodite or Venus" —Bulfinch, 1897

"Apollo was passionately fond of a youth named Hyacinthus. He accompanied him in his sports, carried the nets when he went fishing, led the dogs when he went to hunt, followed him in his excursions in the mountains, and neglected for him his lyre and his arrows." &mdash;Bulfinch, 1897

Apollo and Hyacinthus

"Apollo was passionately fond of a youth named Hyacinthus. He accompanied him in his sports, carried…

"At that time the only species of navigation known to the Greeks consisted of small boats or canoes hollowed out from trunks of trees, so that when Jason employed Argos to build him a vessel capable of containing fifty men, it was considered a gigantic undertaking." &mdash;Bulfinch, 1897

Building the Argo

"At that time the only species of navigation known to the Greeks consisted of small boats or canoes…

"Now Argus had a hundred eyes in his head, and never went to sleep with more than two at a time, so he kept watch of Io constantly." &mdash;Bulfinch, 1897

Argus

"Now Argus had a hundred eyes in his head, and never went to sleep with more than two at a time, so…

In Norse mythology, Aslog, daughter of Siegfried and Brunhild, becomes an orphan and is adopted by an old harp player, Heimir. Concerned about her safety, Heimir hides Aslog in his harp.

Aslog and Heimir

In Norse mythology, Aslog, daughter of Siegfried and Brunhild, becomes an orphan and is adopted by an…

Atalanta being distracted to pick up one of three golden apples dropped by Melanion, her suitor during a foot race, the prize being her hand in marriage.

Atalanta's Race

Atalanta being distracted to pick up one of three golden apples dropped by Melanion, her suitor during…

An archaic Athena on a vase from about 330 B.C. In Greek mythology, Athena was the goddess of wisdom.

Athena

An archaic Athena on a vase from about 330 B.C. In Greek mythology, Athena was the goddess of wisdom.

"Represents a Roman augur, with his litmus or divining staff, observing the signs in the heavens." &mdash; Anthon, 1891

Roman augur

"Represents a Roman augur, with his litmus or divining staff, observing the signs in the heavens." —…

Illustration of the life-size marble statue located in Munich, Germany. It was found in 1620 in a moat below Castel Sant'Angelo in Rome. Satyrs attended Dionysus. The satyr in this scuplture is leaning back with his arm behind his head. He has two small horns on his forehead, but otherwise no goat-like features. "In classical myth, a sylvan deity, representing the luxuriant forces of Nature, and closely connected with the worship of Baachus." &mdash;Whitney, 1889

The Barberini Faun, or Drunken Satyr

Illustration of the life-size marble statue located in Munich, Germany. It was found in 1620 in a moat…

"After the conquest of the Chimaera, Bellerophon was exposed to further trials and labors by his unfriendly host. but by the aid of Pegasus he triumphed in them all." &mdash;Bulfinch, 1897

Bellerophon, Pegasus, and the Chimera

"After the conquest of the Chimaera, Bellerophon was exposed to further trials and labors by his unfriendly…

"Boreas loved the nymph Orithyia, and tried to play the lover's part, but met with poor success." &mdash;Bulfinch, 1897

Boreas and Orithyia

"Boreas loved the nymph Orithyia, and tried to play the lover's part, but met with poor success." —Bulfinch,…

"Winged bulls of the gateway at Khorsabad."&mdash;D'Anvers, 1895

Winged bulls

"Winged bulls of the gateway at Khorsabad."—D'Anvers, 1895

"Centaur, from the Metopes of the Parthenon." &mdash; Smith, 1882

Centaur

"Centaur, from the Metopes of the Parthenon." — Smith, 1882

"These monsters were represented as men from the head to the loins, while the remainder of the body was that of a horse." &mdash;Bulfinch, 1897

Centaur

"These monsters were represented as men from the head to the loins, while the remainder of the body…

Bronze statue of the three-headed dog of ancient mythology.

Cerebrus

Bronze statue of the three-headed dog of ancient mythology.

In Norse mythology, Mani drives the moon chariot at night. He finds a boy and a girl carrying a pail of water. He takes them for a ride in his chariot.

Children in the Moon

In Norse mythology, Mani drives the moon chariot at night. He finds a boy and a girl carrying a pail…

"Chiron was instructed by Apollo and Diana, and was renowned for his skill in hunting, medicine, music, and the art of prophecy." &mdash;Bulfinch, 1897

Chiron

"Chiron was instructed by Apollo and Diana, and was renowned for his skill in hunting, medicine, music,…

"Daedalus and Icarus" &mdash;Bulfinch, 1897

Daedalus and Icarus

"Daedalus and Icarus" —Bulfinch, 1897

"Deucalion and his wife Pyrrha, of the race of Prometheus." &mdash;Bulfinch, 1897

Deucalion and Pyrrha

"Deucalion and his wife Pyrrha, of the race of Prometheus." —Bulfinch, 1897

"The following cut, from an ancient gem, represents Diomede in the act of bearing away the Palladium." &mdash; Anthon, 1891

Diomede

"The following cut, from an ancient gem, represents Diomede in the act of bearing away the Palladium."…

"Cadmus and the Dragon. (From a vase-painting at Naples.)" &mdash; The Delphian Society, 1913

Cadmus and the Dragon

"Cadmus and the Dragon. (From a vase-painting at Naples.)" — The Delphian Society, 1913

"Eirene (Peace)." &mdash;Bulfinch, 1897

Eirene

"Eirene (Peace)." —Bulfinch, 1897

According to Norse mythology, in Elfland, elves and fairies would dance in a circle in the moonlight. "Whenever the fairies danced at night, the grass grew greener. Any one going through the forest the next day could tell where the elves had been by the rings of green grass." -Klugh, 1909

Elves and Fairies Dancing

According to Norse mythology, in Elfland, elves and fairies would dance in a circle in the moonlight.…

Fortuna, the goddess of chance in Roman mythology.

Fortuna

Fortuna, the goddess of chance in Roman mythology.

Odin lets Frey, the god of sunshine, sit in his throne. While he looks across the land, he sees Gerda, a giantess, and falls in love with her.

Frey Sitting in Odin's Throne

Odin lets Frey, the god of sunshine, sit in his throne. While he looks across the land, he sees Gerda,…

Freya searches for her husband Odur in her chariot drawn by two white cats. As she rode, she cried golden tears that spread all across the world.

Freya Searching for Odur

Freya searches for her husband Odur in her chariot drawn by two white cats. As she rode, she cried golden…

In Norse mythology, Frigga's son, Baldur the sun god, has a dream that he will die. Frigga travels the whole world asking all living and non-living things to do no harm to Baldur.

Frigga Asking a Tree

In Norse mythology, Frigga's son, Baldur the sun god, has a dream that he will die. Frigga travels the…

In Norse mythology, Frey's son Frodi is given a magic grindstone from the fairies and elves. One who grinds the stone and sings shall get whatever they wish. Unable to move the large stone, Frodi takes two Giantesses as prisoners: Menia and Fenia. They grind gold for Frodi until he falls asleep. Then they grind soldiers to fight him.

Frodi's Grindstone

In Norse mythology, Frey's son Frodi is given a magic grindstone from the fairies and elves. One who…

"Hebe was dismissed from her office in consequence of a fall which she met with one day when in attendance on the gods. Her successor was Ganmedes, a Trojan boy whom Jupiter, in the disguise of an eagle, siezed and carried off from the midst of his playfellows on Mount Ida, bore up to heaven, and installed in the vacant place." &mdash;Bulfinch, 1897

Ganymede

"Hebe was dismissed from her office in consequence of a fall which she met with one day when in attendance…

"From an ancient sarcophagus, represents Ganymede giving drink to the eagle, or bird of Jobe, and Hebe in disgrace, lying upon the ground." &mdash; Anthon, 1891

Ganymede and Eagle

"From an ancient sarcophagus, represents Ganymede giving drink to the eagle, or bird of Jobe, and Hebe…

Geirrod the giant spies a bird on the chimney of his castle. It is really Loki wearing Freya's eagle feather coat. Geirrod keeps him and gives him no food or water since he will not talk.

Geirrod and Loki

Geirrod the giant spies a bird on the chimney of his castle. It is really Loki wearing Freya's eagle…

Geirrod the giant's daughter pours a pitcher of water into a stream. Thor and Loki are wading through it until it starts becoming deeper. Thor throws a stone near her to scare her away.

Geirrod's Daughter Pouring Water

Geirrod the giant's daughter pours a pitcher of water into a stream. Thor and Loki are wading through…

"Giant in battle with Artemis, from a relief in the Vatican, Rome." -Foster, 1921

Giant

"Giant in battle with Artemis, from a relief in the Vatican, Rome." -Foster, 1921

"The chief gods, in striking contrast with the monstrous divinities of the Oriental mythologies, had been molded by the fine Hellenic imagination into human forms of surpassing beauty and grace."&mdash;Myers, 1904

Group of Gods and Goddesses

"The chief gods, in striking contrast with the monstrous divinities of the Oriental mythologies, had…

In heraldry, the griffin is a fabulous animal, with the head and forefeet of an eagle, and the body, hind legs, and tail of a lion. The head is represented with pricked ears, symbolical of its vigilance. In mythology, the griffin was a creature similar in form to the griffin of heraldry, which was supposed to find its especial function in watching over hidden treasure, especially in Scythia. It was dedicated to the sun-god Apollo, whose chariot appears in early art as drawn by griffins. It was a favorite ornamental 'theme' in ancient Babylonian and Persian art, and is also found in a similar way on art objects of the Phoenicians, the Mycenæan civilization, and the ancient Greeks. The Romans and art-workers of the renaissance used it as a purely decorative device.

Griffin

In heraldry, the griffin is a fabulous animal, with the head and forefeet of an eagle, and the body,…

"The griffin is a monster with the body of a lion, the head and wings of an eagle, and back covered with feathers." &mdash;Bulfinch, 1897

Gryphon

"The griffin is a monster with the body of a lion, the head and wings of an eagle, and back covered…

"These were disgusting birds, with the heads of maidens, with long claws and faces pale with hunger. They were sent by the gods to torment a certain Phineus." &mdash;Bulfinch, 1897

Harpies

"These were disgusting birds, with the heads of maidens, with long claws and faces pale with hunger.…

"When once the mortal part of him has perished, Juno lays aside her enmity and marries him to Hebe, her own daughter and the embodiment of youth." &mdash;Bulfinch, 1897

Hebe

"When once the mortal part of him has perished, Juno lays aside her enmity and marries him to Hebe,…

"He promised her marriage, and as they stood before the alter of Hecate, called the goddess to witness his oath." &mdash;Bulfinch, 1897

Hecate

"He promised her marriage, and as they stood before the alter of Hecate, called the goddess to witness…

In Norse mythology, Heimdall is the guardian of the gods. When Loki causes evil spirit to be in everyone, the world grows cold and mean. Heimdall rides his horse over the rainbow bridge and blows his horn to warn the gods of the end of the world.

Heimdall Warns the Gods

In Norse mythology, Heimdall is the guardian of the gods. When Loki causes evil spirit to be in everyone,…

"The Sun-god." &mdash;Bulfinch, 1897

Helios or sol

"The Sun-god." —Bulfinch, 1897

"Hercules descended into Hades, accompanied by Mercury and Minerva. He obtained permission from Pluto to carry Cerberus to the upper air provided he could do it without the use of weapons; and in spite of the monster's struggling, he seized him, held him fast, and carried him to Eurystheus, and afterward brought him back again." &mdash;Bulfinch, 1897

Hercules and Cerberus

"Hercules descended into Hades, accompanied by Mercury and Minerva. He obtained permission from Pluto…

"Hercules, a Theban prince, was another of the descendants of Pelops. The numerous and extraordinary feats of strength and valor of Hercules excited the admiration of his contemporaries, and, being afterwards exaggerated and embellished by poets, caused him at length to be regarded as a person endowed with supernatual powers, and even to be worshipped as a god." &mdash; Goodrich, 1844

Young Hercules

"Hercules, a Theban prince, was another of the descendants of Pelops. The numerous and extraordinary…

"In the evening Aurora came, accompanied by the Hours and the Pleiades, and wept and lamented over her son." &mdash;Bulfinch, 1897

The Hours

"In the evening Aurora came, accompanied by the Hours and the Pleiades, and wept and lamented over her…

Thor and Tyr travel to the Hymir the giant's house to get his large kettle named Mile-Deep. Hymir's wife, Hrod shows it to them.

Hrod and the Kettle Mile-Deep

Thor and Tyr travel to the Hymir the giant's house to get his large kettle named Mile-Deep. Hymir's…

Hulda, the Norse goddess of spring sits on the throne in her cave. A shepherd finds this cave and as a reward, Hulda gives him anything in the cave. He chooses the blue flowers she holds in her hand.

Hulda and the Shepherd

Hulda, the Norse goddess of spring sits on the throne in her cave. A shepherd finds this cave and as…

"Hymen had been called to bless with his presence the nuptials of Orpheus with Eurydice; but though he attended, he brought no happy omens with him." &mdash;Bulfinch, 1897

Hymen

"Hymen had been called to bless with his presence the nuptials of Orpheus with Eurydice; but though…

"When she was about to be slain at the altar, Artemis intervened and carried her off in a cloud to be priestess of her temple in Tauris (the Crimea), while a stag was substituted in the sacrifice." &mdash; The Delphian Society, 1913

Rescue of Iphigenia

"When she was about to be slain at the altar, Artemis intervened and carried her off in a cloud to be…

"When she was about to be sacrificed the goddess relented and snatched her away, leaving a hind in her place, and Iphigenia, enveloped in a cloud, was carried to Tauris, where Diana made her a priestess of her temple." &mdash;Bulfinch, 1897

Sacrifice of Iphigenia

"When she was about to be sacrificed the goddess relented and snatched her away, leaving a hind in her…

"Iris puts on her robe of many colors, and tingeing the sky with her bow, seeks the palace of the King fo Sleep." &mdash;Bulfinch, 1897

Iris

"Iris puts on her robe of many colors, and tingeing the sky with her bow, seeks the palace of the King…

Egyptian goddess of the Earth.

Isis

Egyptian goddess of the Earth.

"The persecution which Latona experienced from Juno is alluded to in the story. The tradition was that the future mother of Apollo and Diana, flying from the wrath of Juno, besought all the islands of the Aegean to afford her a place of rest, but all feared too much the potent queen of heavan to assist her rival." &mdash;Bulfinch, 1897

Leto or Latona

"The persecution which Latona experienced from Juno is alluded to in the story. The tradition was that…

Loki, the god of mischief, cut off all of Thor's wife, Sif's beautiful hair. In order to get something better to replace her hair, he has Dvalin the dwarf make a wig of pure gold.

Loki and Dvalin

Loki, the god of mischief, cut off all of Thor's wife, Sif's beautiful hair. In order to get something…

Loki goes into Asgard with his daughter, Hela, and his pets, Jormundgand the serpent, and Fenris the wolf. The people of Asgard are afraid of Hela because one side of her body was black and one side was white. They were also afraid of the wolf and the serpent and had various plans to get rid of Hela, Jormundgand, and Fenris.

Loki and his Pets

Loki goes into Asgard with his daughter, Hela, and his pets, Jormundgand the serpent, and Fenris the…

Loki, the mischief maker, turns into a fly to steal Freya's golden necklace. As Freya, the goddess of beauty sleeps, Loki as a fly, bites her on the cheek to get a hold of her necklace.

Loki as a Fly on Freya's Cheek

Loki, the mischief maker, turns into a fly to steal Freya's golden necklace. As Freya, the goddess of…