The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1910-12-04


but nevertheless as we shall see, they
were not considered to be exempt
from human passions, and We fire.
quently behold them actuated by re-
venge, deceit and jealousy. They,
however. always punish the evil doer,
and visit with dire calamities any
impious mortal who dares to neglect
their worship or despise their rites.
We often hear Of them visiting man
kind and partaking OF their hospl-
tally, and not unfrequenuy gods ana
gOddesses become attached to mOrtalS,
with whom they unite themselves the
offsprings of these unions being called
heroes or demi-gods, who were usually
renowned for their great strength and
courage But although there were so
many points of resemblance between
gods and men there remained the one
great characteristics distinction, Wis,
that the gods enjoyed Immortality.
Still, they were not invulnerable, and
VIC often hear of them being wounded,
and suffering in consequences SUCH
exquisite torture that they have ear
nestly prayed to be deprived Of their
privilege of immortality.
The gods knew no limitation Of
time or space, being able to transport
themselves to incredible distance with
the speed of thought. Each diety pos
sessed a beautiful chariot, which,
drawn by horses or other animals Of
celestial breed, conveyed them rapidly
over land and sea according to Their
pleasure Most Of these divinitias
lived on the summit of Mount Olym-
pus, each possessing his Or her i'll
dividual habitation, and all meeting
RI fDlfiVR
councilchamber of the gods, where
their banquets were enlivened by the
sweet strains Of Apollo's Tyre, whilst
the beautiful voices of the music
poured forth their rich melodies to his
harmonious accompaniment. Magnlt-
icient temples were erected TO their
honor where they were WOrshipped
with the greatest solemity: rich gifrs
were presented to them, and animals,
and indeed sometimes human beings,
We're sacrificed on their affairs.
In the study Of Grecian mythology
We meet with some curious, and what
may al first sight appear unaccounta-
Bile, notions. For instance, when they
heard the awful roar Of thunder, and
saw vivid flashes of lightning, accom-.
panied by black clouds and torrents
Of rain, they believed that the great
god OF heaven was angry and they
trembled at his wrath. It the calm
and tranquil sea became suddely ag.-
tated, and the crested pillows rose
mountains high. dashins turiousiy
against the rocks. and threatening de
struction to all within their reach, the
sea god was supposed to be in q
furious rage. When they believed the
sky glowing with the hues of coming
oc
the dawn. with rosy fingers, was draw
ing aside the dark veil of night, to
allow her brother, the sun-Sod. ID
enter upon his brilliant career. Thus
perscnifying all the powers of nature.
this very imaginative and highly poet
ical nation beheld divinity in every
tree that grew. in every stream that
flowed. in the bright beams of the
glorious sun. and the clear, cold rays
Of the silvery moon: for them the
whole universe lived and breathed
peopled by a thousand forms of grace
and beauty. This form of belief IS
called animism.
The most important of these divin-
tiles may have been something more
than the mere creations of an active
and poeeical imagination. They were
possibly human beings who had dis
tinguished themselves in life by their
pre-eneminence over their fellow NOR
tails that after death they were defe j
by the people among whom they lived,
In order 10 exemplify this, let Us
suppose that Orpheus. the son Of
Apollo, so renowned for his extra
ordinary musicals powers had existed
at the present day. We should no
doubt have ranked his among the
greatest of our musicians. and hon
ored his as such. but the Greeks. with
their vivid imagination and poetic
| license, exaggerated his remarkable
gifts, and attributed to his superuat.
ural influence over animate and in
animate nature. Thus We hear Of
| wild beasts tanned, Of mighty rivers
arrested in their course, and Of noun
tains being moved by the sweet. tone:
Of his voice. The theory here ad
vanced may possibly prove useful il
the future, in suggesting 10 the reader
the probable basis Of many of the sx
traordinary accounts We meet witt
| in the study of classical mythology
|