the greek creation myth - syracuse city school district greek creation... · the greek creation...

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Page 1: The Greek Creation Myth - Syracuse City School District Greek Creation... · The Greek Creation Myth In the beginning, before there was earth, ocean, and sky, there was Chaos— a

The Greek Creation Myth

In the beginning, before there was earth, ocean, and sky, there was Chaos— a shapeless

void of confusion. But within Chaos the seeds of the universe were all jumbled together. No

particular element had its own identity—the sky had no air; the oceans had no water; and the

earth had no particular shape.

From Chaos came three immortal beings: The Earth Mother or Gaea; Tartarus, the ruler

of the darkest depths of the Underworld; and Eros or love.

Gaea created the starry skies called Uranus and the sea called Pontus. Gaea and Uranus

created three monstrous beings called the Hundred-handed Giants. These were large and

frightening with fifty heads and one hundred extremely strong arms and Uranus feared their

potential power. Uranus, therefore, imprisoned them in the Underworld where they would live

forever in total darkness. Of course, the Hundred-handed Giants hated their father Uranus with a

passion.

Some time after this, Gaea and Uranus created three Cyclopes. Their appearance was

unique in that each one had only one huge wheel-shaped eye in the middle of his forehead. The

Cyclopes became the first immortal craftsmen in that they were very strong and highly skilled.

Uranus feared their power and was jealous of their strength and skill, so he bound them in chains

and hurled them back into Gaea where they fell for nine days and nights and finally came to rest

in the Underworld with their three monstrous brothers. Here they remained imprisoned and their

hate for their father built.

Next, Gaea and Uranus created the first generation of immortal gods, called the Titans.

There were thirteen of them and together they controlled

all the major functions of the universe or brought forth powerful children who did. The youngest

and cleverest of the Titan children was Cronus. Cronus hated his tyrannical father and wanted

his power for himself.

Meanwhile, Gaea was searing with rage over what had happened to her offspring, the

Hundred-handed ones and the Cyclopes. Uranus did not care that many of his children hated

him. He was unaware that Gaea was planning revenge.

Gaea fashioned a huge sickle out of flint and asked the Titans for help in avenging

Uranus’s wicked behavior. But the Titans were too terrified of their father and turned away.

Only the youngest, Cronus, had the courage to respond, “Mother, I will help you avenge cruel

Uranus, because he alone is to blame for his evil deeds, and I have no love for him in my heart.”

Gaea’s spirits were lifted. Cronus’s courage inspired a willingness to help in the other

brothers and sisters, and so Gaea rejoiced.

Page 2: The Greek Creation Myth - Syracuse City School District Greek Creation... · The Greek Creation Myth In the beginning, before there was earth, ocean, and sky, there was Chaos— a

Gaea hid Cronus in the darkness by the sea and gave him the weapon she had made,

warning him to be careful of its deadly sharpness.

Soon Uranus arrived and lay down upon the shore to sleep, unaware of the awaiting

treachery and doom. In the darkness, he could not see the huge sickle waving above him.

Quickly, Cronus mutilated his father and threw his body parts into the sea. Uranus screamed out

in agony--for immortality is not a shield against pain. With his wife and children against him,

Uranus realized he was no longer in control and his rule ended.

The sea carried Uranus’s body away and his blood was absorbed by Gaea. From this

blood, in time came the fierce and intimidating three Furies. These monstrous females were

disgusting in appearance with eyes dripping poisonous tears and fiery, scorching breath. They

would destroy any mortal child who killed a parent or blood relative, pursuing the murderer until

he became insane.