Arethusa She was one of the Achaean nymphs. Once she was in Stinfalo's wood and she felt hot, so she plunged into a river. While she was swimming, the young god Alfeo saw her and fell in love with her. Afraid, Arethusa ran away, but tired and exhausted, she asked for help to Artemis. The goddess was moved and hid the nymph with a dense cloud. Alfeo went all around, searching in vain and invoking. Cerulean and frozen beads of perspiration fell from Arethusa's body and the numph was changed into a spring in Ortigia. But Alfeo recognized the loved water and, with gods' help, left the human form, assuming semblance of a river. After crossing Ionian Sea, Alfeo reached Arethusa and their waters united.
Zeus and Demetra's daughter, Persephone was carried off by Hades, god of nether world, to marry her, against her grain. The young girl, unaware of what awaiting her, ate six seeds, compelled herself to remain in nether world for ever. Demetra, goddess of agriculture, worn out by her daughter' s loss, caused violent famines. Thanks to Zeus' interference, an agreement was overtaken: Persephone would pass six months with her mother, who would give prosperity to the earth, originating spring and summer. In the remaining six months, in which Persephone would be in the nether world, the nature would be asleep, giving origin to autumn and winter.
According to the Homer's Odyssey, the nymph was daugther of Atlas and she lived in a cave in the island of Ogigia. Once Ulysses, surviving to vortex of Cariddi, landed on the island. There, Calypso fell in love with him. To convince him to remain, the nymph promised the immortality to Ulysses, but the hero refused. Calypso confined him in Ogigia for seven years, until Athena asked Zeus' interference. The god, through Hermes, ordered Calypso to free Ulysses and she obeyed against her will.
Diana, goddess of hunt and moon, keeper of springs and torrents, was generated by Jupiter and Latona. According to the legend, Diana, irritable and vindictive young girl, loved solitude and hated banquets. She did vow of chastity and, for this reason, she was affable with whom promised to preserve virginity. Shewas considered protectress of women in labour, to whom she guaranteed painless labours.
Titan Crono' wife and gods' mather, Cibele was the goddess of nature, animals and wild localities. Because she protected mountains and fortresses, Cibele was represented with a fortress-shaped crown. The devotees of Cibele were eunuchs called Corybants, that guided believers in orgiastic rites,accompanied by wild shouts and by frantic music. Cibele's myth narrates the love of Cibele and Attis. At the beginning, the young god Attis reciprocated her love, but then he fell in love with another woman. During the wedding banquet, Cibele drived Attis mad, so he fled on the mountains and killed himself, evirating himself. |