Greek mythology holds some of the most fascinating and intriguing stories about the relationships between gods and man. But according to Greek mythology where did it all begin? Here is chronological listing of the first gods according to the Greeks.
Gala was the earth mother and she born Uranus who was born with no father. Uranus loved to heights that he built his home on a mountain top. He sat on his throne and wore his beard which resembled clouds, very long. Sitting at such heights allowed him to observe downwards at his mother, Gala or earth. Uranus bore a son, Cronus – the father of the gods. Uranus’ great cloudy beard proved very long and wide and such clouds bore rain to the earth which in turn created plants and trees. This moisture also brought with it the creatures on the land and sea. And when the rains came down heavy enough oceans were formed. Then came the giants who grew taller than the trees, followed by the Cyclops. Finally came the Gods…followed by man.
Uranus, son of Gala, his name meaning king of the mountain married his mother Gala. Gala preferring her son Cronus, and helped him kill Uranus by forming a sickle which was used to murder him. He was cut up into seven pieces and thrown to the seven seas. He prophesized from his severed head to his son Cronus that “What you have done to me, your son will do to you”.
Cronus bore a son Zeus and married his sister Rhea. He spent his time as ruler worrying about the last words of his father, Uranus. To make that that didn’t happen he swallowed his children as they were born. His wife scared of losing another child, had there sixth child Zeus in secret. She kept him a secret until he grew older. Later Zeus ambushed Cronus and kicked him in the belly releasing his other five siblings. They were appreciative and they made him there leader. He then proceeded to lead them against the awesome power of Cronus whom he defeated. Cronus was not seen again but never said to be murdered. Some say that he went into the earth and spits lava on occasions. Others say he was thrown into the seas where he wrestles eternally with his father Uranus which causes the tidal waves.
Zeus ruled over the gods and married his oldest sister, Rhea. His name meant “bright sky” and he ruled from the clouds. He appreciated woman and his appetite was unmatched. He sought women on the earth, in the heavens, and through the seas. He would appear to them in different forms to consummate, and bore more gods, demigods, and heroes. He sat on his throne of clouds and ruled man and god alike. He was wise and settled disputes and dealt justice when necessary. His will was man’s law.
Hera, daughter of Cronus and Rhea, sister and wife of Zeus was a beautiful goddess. Even with her great beauty she held incredible jealousy over her husband and his affairs. She held grudges against many, but perhaps her greatest was against a mortal woman Alcmene and her son Heracles. Alcmene was one of the most beautiful and wise of the mortal women and her son Heracles was fathered by Zeus. Heracles spent his life facing the wraith of Hera. His name Heracles, in fact means “Hera’s glory”. It was his ability to survive her wraith which defined a “hero” or “heroism”.
Heracles, son of Alcmene and Zeus, was the strongest man to ever live. In Roman mythology he was known as Hercules. He was the favorite son of Zeus and his exploits are legendary. Zeus wanted him to spent most of his life in servitude, so that his son could better understand man. His mother plagued him throughout his life. It was do to her tricks that he mistaken his sons for enemies and killed them. It was because of this sin that he was ordered to face the Twelve Labors which were:
1). Kill the Nemean Lion
2). Kill the Hydra
3). Capture the Cerynean Stag
4). Cage the Erymanthian Boar
5). Clean the Augean Stables
6). Kill the Stymphalian Birds
7). Claim the Mares of Diomedes
8). Pen the Cretan Bull
9). Seize the girdle of the Amazon Hippolyte
10). Take Geryon’s Cattle
11). Fetch the golden apples of the Hesperides
12). Impound Cerberus, hound of hell
It was this last task that proved to be one of his greatest hurdles. Cerberus was the three-headed dog that worked for Hades and guarded over death. Hades was also son of Cronus and Rhea, oldest brother of Zeus. He ruled over the underworld and the dead. His hound, Cerberus protected the gates of hell. Keeping the dead inside, and the living from entering. Heracles overcame his twelfth labor by entering underworld and throttling Cerberus until all three heads were unconscious. He then brought the hound to King Eurystheus. The king, understandably frightened by the beast ran and hid unless Heracles removed the beast. Later Heracles returned Cerberus back to hell where he collected a reward from Hades for his return.
After his death, Heracles was brought to Olympus by Zeus. He was made immortal and a god. Zeus persuaded his wife Hera to give up her hatred against Heracles, and soon she adopted him as her son.
*Greek Mythology Gods Olympians
http://www.desy.de/gna/interpedia/greek_myth/olympian.html
*Pantheon of the Greek Gods, Introduction & Pictures
http://www.theoi.com/Pantheon.html
*List of Greek mythological figures – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_gods
