After the Titan Lord Cronus was deposed, the three most powerful siblings drew dice to divide the empire. Zeus, the youngest, won — and chose the sky. Poseidon smiled to himself because the sky was empty, and he knew that the impulsive Zeus had chosen it because it looked so high.
And now, he, Poseidon, could choose as he would have done if he had won. He chose the sea. He had always wanted it, it is the best place for adventures and secrets, and makes claim on the land.
Hades, who was always unlucky, had to take the underworld. The earth was held as a commonwealth and left to the Olympian goddesses to manage.
"Very well, my dear brother and sisters," Poseidon said. "I'm satisfied with the result and have no desire to discuss any further matter. Th
Apollo was the most beautiful of the gods during his youth. His hair was dark gold, his eyes stormy blue. He wore a tunic of golden panther skin, carried his golden bow, and wore a quiver of golden arrows. His chariot was beaten gold, its horses were white with golden manes and flame-colored eyes. He was the god of the sun always. Later he became patron of music, poetry, mathematics, and medicine.And, later, when he was a mature god, he preached moderation. He bade his worshipers to look first into their own hearts and find there the beginnings of wisdom, and to conduct themselves prudently in all things. But in his youth, he did many cruel and wanton deeds. Several times he was almost expelled from the company of the gods by his father Zeus, whom he had angered with his wild folly.As soon as he was given his bow and arrows he r
Celestial music echoed through the golden doors of Olympus as the feast had begun for the twelve gods. Ceres's young daughter Proserpina was brought to the House of Jupiter for the first time. After it was all over, Venus sat on her throne with her winged-daughter Cupid by her side. Venus was the goddess of love and beauty, self-born from the foam of the sea, and being what she is, she enters other tales, and such is the power of her magic. Those who even speak her name fall under her spell. Those who glimpse her white shoulders and catch the perfume of her golden hair become mad with passion. They lose their wits and begin to babble, and tell the same story in many ways. Unlike other Olympians, she is never distracted from her duties. Her work is her pleasure, her profession, her power. She was born from a tragedy. When Saturn butche
The air of the sleeping-chamber seemed to palpitate with the calmness until a roar of thunders erupted from the throne room. Venus rose from her bed with a start. She waved the palace maids away when she heard a knock on her golden door.The maids came back with a messenger."Father Jupiter has summoned all the gods to his court," the man said with a deep bow. "There is a judgment to be made, my lady."Venus's perfect brows furrowed. Jupiter normally passed his judgments by himself. If this trail demanded high attention by the council of the twelve gods, it meant no small case.Venus donned her favorite purple mantle of silk with golden embroidery and golden circlets. Once she reached the court, she found that all the gods were alread
In the palace chamber, the voices echoed in panic as maids ran hither and thither. There was a great stir in the belly of the Queen just before dawn. The high priestess lit a candle and went to a second and a third around the grand bed of the laboring mother. The midwife pulled out the washing stand so that she could wring the wet cloth in the basin and clean the sweats and tears off the Queen's brows. The maids poured some more lukewarm water from their jugs. After another hour passed, a piercing cry of a healthy baby released everyone from the gripping tension."How is the baby?" the King's voice came from behind the curtains. He had been pacing back and forth for hours. At last, the midwife reappeared with the newborn in her arms, and her face glowed with amazement."Your Majesty, you have the most beautiful baby girl!" the midwife s
Since divine honors were being diverted in an excessive way to the worship of a mortal maiden, it fiercely kindled the wrath of the true Venus. In a fit of anger, she could not control herself and tossed her head back with a deep growl like a lioness."Here am I, the ancient mother of the universe," she seethed, "the founding creator of the elements, the goddess that tends the entire world! Yet I am compelled to share the glory of my beauty with a mortal!"She paced her chamber of pearl and ivory with a look of irritation. Even the nectar in her golden cup tasted bitter in her mouth. Venus would not rest until she had done something terrible."My name which is highly respected in heaven is now degraded by the foulness of the earthling below."
Cupid did not tell her mother about her failure, and now she was trying to save the maiden of her poisoned heart in secret.The King and Queen were advised by the oracle to prepare a wedding and say farewell, or else the force of evil shall devour their kingdom. So amidst intense grief, they called upon their youngest daughter."My girl, we're in terrible grief," the King said. "It is said by the oracle that you're not meant for a mortal man. You're to be the bride of one who lives on the mountain, and we must bring you there, or else calamity shall strike land."Psyche listened to their mournful words and understood. She went to her sad parents and held them with sympathy."Don't beat those breasts so sacred to me," she said in tears
A torch burned in the air and floated in front of her. Three more torches whirled in to lead the way. Psyche followed the invisible handmaidens, and they walked her through a great hallway into a bath chamber.The chamber hosted an indoor pool, full of fragrant warm water. It was surrounded by golden pillars supporting the vaulted roof.Then the mortal princess felt gentle hands on her body. They began to untie her wedding dress. Other handmaidens tied back her flowing golden hair. Once she was naked, Psyche could hear a soft chorus of gasps. Her beauty astounded even those celestial beings.Standing in all her bare glory, Psyche felt her face redden, but as she could not see anyone, the embarrassment wasn't so bad. The princess stepped into the streaming waters of the sunken bath. She
Cupid had swiftly departed before dawn broke. After she made Psyche her wife on their marriage bed, the goddess knew she must not remain with the princess any longer, or her mother would grow suspicious.When Psyche awoke the next morning, she was alone. Her lips still tingled with kisses and below her belly, she could feel all sorts of pleasure lingering there. The princess remembered the sweet ecstasy that seized her whole being and a swoon of happiness darkened her mind. A blush crept onto her cheeks. Was she now a woman and no more a virgin?Indeed her wedding night was truly magical, but she wondered who had come and made love to her. Her eyes had sought in vain for her betrothed, but during those hours of passion and heat, all her senses scattered like leaves in the wind.The pri