Greek Mythology

4 Pages 1074 Words

The ancient Greeks used stories containing God's to explain the way life
was. Often times there were lessons to be learned that described human behavior.
To the Greeks the myths were looked at as examples of good and bad behavior and
its effects. they worshipped the Gods and tried not to offend them in any way.
The story of creation is a prime example of how the Greeks viewed the heavens
and the earth. Zeus was the king of the sky, earth, and men. Zeus' son Apollo
urged all Greeks to follow these words: “Nothing in excess” and “Know your
limitations.” These are words that even humans today should take to heart. The
Greeks believed in manlike deities as well, whom were capable of spite,
favoritism, and jealousy. The only difference being their ability to perform
supernatural powers and immortality.
The creation of the world according to the Greeks goes as follows:
In the beginning there was only chaos. Out of this void appeared Erebus,
the unknowable place where death dwells, and Night (Nyx). All else was empty,
silent, endless, darkness. Upon the birth of Love(Eros) brought a start of order.
From Love came Light and Day. Once there was Light and Day, Gaea appeared.
Gaea was the Earth goddess. Erebus then slept with Night, producing Aether and
Day. Aether was the heavenly light and Day was the light of the Earth. Night
solely produced Death, Doom, Dreams, Fate, Nemesis, Sleep, among others that
come to man out of the darkness. Meanwhile Gaea gave birth to Uranus. Uranus
was the sky god and first ruler who later became married to his creator, Gaea.
Together they proceeded to have the three Cyclopes, the three Hecatoncheires,
and twelve Titans.
However, Uranus was a bad father and husband. He disliked the
Hecatoncheires and expressed his hatred by imprisoning them into the hidden
places of the earth, Gaea's womb. This angered Gaea and she plotted against
Uranus. She tried to get her...