It is often told to young Greeks that the ionian islands are one of the most mysterious places in the world and are known in greek folklore and mythology to be the landmarks where the mythologian Gods enjoyed their immortal lives, escaping from the Olympus Mount.
Therefore, these places are rich of legends and myths about Gods and their endeavours to get closer to the humans. Before the reign of Zeus over the Greece and the Sky, there were Titans. Zeus defeated them with his brothers.
The beginning of the mythology in Greece begins with the birth of Titan and Cronus. Titan was the eldest child of the union of Ouranos (the Sky) and Gaia (mother Earth). Titan was the master of the world to be, but Gaia decided to promote her last born child, Cronus over Titan. Titan eventually decided to give his place of master of the world to his younger brother but under one condition : he had to kill all his children he would have with his spouse Rhea. At his death, the world would go to the sons of Titan. Cronus agreed and his reign began. But Rhea wasn't that kind of mother : she concealed the birth of Zeus, Poseidon and Hades to her husband : she gave him big rocks instead of the babies (Here is one of the most interesting metaphor of the Time : Cronus is the greek word for "time" and therefore the God Cronus is the allegory of the relentless Time, devouring everything in its everlasting march, the source of Eternity). The babies were sent to Crete with the Korybantes where their father could not see them (In some versions, Poseidon is eaten alive by Cronus and saved later by Zeus).
But Titan eventually discovered the deception. He declared the war to his brother Cronus and took him prisoner. But Zeus was now strong and powerful and thanks to the help of the Giants he triumped over Titan and his family. Cronus was from now on the master of the world but his was distrustful towards his son, the almighty Zeus. He decided to kill him to reign safely. Zeus called to arms his brothers Hades and Poseidon. The Cyclopes forged the lightning-bolts for Zeus. The three brothers defeated their father who exiled in Italy to Janus house.
This is how begins all the greek mythology: with a strong brotherhood. Cronus escaped to Italy to find Janus, King of the Latium. Here began the Golden Age with the reign of Cronus and Janus. No more hard work, no masters, no slaves and total liberty. To thank Janus for sharing the throne with him, Cronus gave him the skill to see the future and the past. This is why Janus is represented double faced.
Zeus and his brothers decided to settle their kindgom in the Olympus. Zeus divided the world into three major parts: Poseidon was given the Seas, Hades obtained the Hell kindgom, Zeus took the Sky and became the master of the Olympus. But the Giants decided to attack Zeus. These horrific creatures tried to break into the Olympus Palace. Thanks to the Cyclopes' gift, Zeus won once again the battle for the Olympus. He destroyed the Giants and the Titans and buried them under the Earth. But the Titans were not completely defeated: crippled, they continue to scream and show their anger. Therefore in the greek mythology, the volcanos were considered as the mouths of the buried titans.
From this event, the pantheon of greek Gods grew larger and larger to rule the world.
Let's get back to the ionian islands. Most of them have a peculiar history related to greek Gods. But I'm pretty sure you never heard about the small island of Kythira. Heaven of tranquility and beauty, this small island is located right in the South of the continental Greece.
One of the most beautiful goddess of the olympic pantheon was Aphrodite. She was the incarnation of beauty, seduction, love and pleasure. In the Illiad, the masterpiece of Homer, this poet tells more about this goddess. It appears that Aphrodite is the daughter of the Zeus and Dione (one of the several daughters of Atlas). But nobody's sure about that version of the story. Ask a Greek who looked into mythology and he will tell you that Aphrodite was in no way the daughter of Zeus but came into life from the the oldest god : Ouranos, the Father Sky. She was born when Cronus cut off Ouranos' genitals and threw them into the sea. From the sea foam (aphros in greek), Aphrodite came into life. This birth is worldwide known thanks to the work of Boticelli and its Birth of the Venus (latin name for Aphrodite).
And the story tells that she was born from a crashing wave on the shores of that small isle of Kythira.
Nowadays, our language is mostly inspired by these kinds of stories and myths. Here is one example with the birth of Aphrodite: as she was born on the shores of Kythira, this island became a kind of peculiar landmark for lovers. And in heritage, there is one phrase that is used to express love: I'm travelling to Kythira. This metaphor is used in poems and essays to say that someone is ready to sink into love and its delights.
Maybe I'm getting ready for that delicate journey and I'm about to travel to that mysterious island...
EDIT: Actually I do think I have arrived.
Yeah, mythology is one of my greatest passion along with music. And here is the first article of a long serie I guess.
Therefore, these places are rich of legends and myths about Gods and their endeavours to get closer to the humans. Before the reign of Zeus over the Greece and the Sky, there were Titans. Zeus defeated them with his brothers.
The beginning of the mythology in Greece begins with the birth of Titan and Cronus. Titan was the eldest child of the union of Ouranos (the Sky) and Gaia (mother Earth). Titan was the master of the world to be, but Gaia decided to promote her last born child, Cronus over Titan. Titan eventually decided to give his place of master of the world to his younger brother but under one condition : he had to kill all his children he would have with his spouse Rhea. At his death, the world would go to the sons of Titan. Cronus agreed and his reign began. But Rhea wasn't that kind of mother : she concealed the birth of Zeus, Poseidon and Hades to her husband : she gave him big rocks instead of the babies (Here is one of the most interesting metaphor of the Time : Cronus is the greek word for "time" and therefore the God Cronus is the allegory of the relentless Time, devouring everything in its everlasting march, the source of Eternity). The babies were sent to Crete with the Korybantes where their father could not see them (In some versions, Poseidon is eaten alive by Cronus and saved later by Zeus).
But Titan eventually discovered the deception. He declared the war to his brother Cronus and took him prisoner. But Zeus was now strong and powerful and thanks to the help of the Giants he triumped over Titan and his family. Cronus was from now on the master of the world but his was distrustful towards his son, the almighty Zeus. He decided to kill him to reign safely. Zeus called to arms his brothers Hades and Poseidon. The Cyclopes forged the lightning-bolts for Zeus. The three brothers defeated their father who exiled in Italy to Janus house.This is how begins all the greek mythology: with a strong brotherhood. Cronus escaped to Italy to find Janus, King of the Latium. Here began the Golden Age with the reign of Cronus and Janus. No more hard work, no masters, no slaves and total liberty. To thank Janus for sharing the throne with him, Cronus gave him the skill to see the future and the past. This is why Janus is represented double faced.
Zeus and his brothers decided to settle their kindgom in the Olympus. Zeus divided the world into three major parts: Poseidon was given the Seas, Hades obtained the Hell kindgom, Zeus took the Sky and became the master of the Olympus. But the Giants decided to attack Zeus. These horrific creatures tried to break into the Olympus Palace. Thanks to the Cyclopes' gift, Zeus won once again the battle for the Olympus. He destroyed the Giants and the Titans and buried them under the Earth. But the Titans were not completely defeated: crippled, they continue to scream and show their anger. Therefore in the greek mythology, the volcanos were considered as the mouths of the buried titans.
From this event, the pantheon of greek Gods grew larger and larger to rule the world.
Let's get back to the ionian islands. Most of them have a peculiar history related to greek Gods. But I'm pretty sure you never heard about the small island of Kythira. Heaven of tranquility and beauty, this small island is located right in the South of the continental Greece.
One of the most beautiful goddess of the olympic pantheon was Aphrodite. She was the incarnation of beauty, seduction, love and pleasure. In the Illiad, the masterpiece of Homer, this poet tells more about this goddess. It appears that Aphrodite is the daughter of the Zeus and Dione (one of the several daughters of Atlas). But nobody's sure about that version of the story. Ask a Greek who looked into mythology and he will tell you that Aphrodite was in no way the daughter of Zeus but came into life from the the oldest god : Ouranos, the Father Sky. She was born when Cronus cut off Ouranos' genitals and threw them into the sea. From the sea foam (aphros in greek), Aphrodite came into life. This birth is worldwide known thanks to the work of Boticelli and its Birth of the Venus (latin name for Aphrodite).
And the story tells that she was born from a crashing wave on the shores of that small isle of Kythira.
Nowadays, our language is mostly inspired by these kinds of stories and myths. Here is one example with the birth of Aphrodite: as she was born on the shores of Kythira, this island became a kind of peculiar landmark for lovers. And in heritage, there is one phrase that is used to express love: I'm travelling to Kythira. This metaphor is used in poems and essays to say that someone is ready to sink into love and its delights.
Maybe I'm getting ready for that delicate journey and I'm about to travel to that mysterious island...
EDIT: Actually I do think I have arrived.
Yeah, mythology is one of my greatest passion along with music. And here is the first article of a long serie I guess.
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