The Olympian Gods

The Olympian Gods奥林匹亚十二主神Greek Legend希腊神话Janet 译文字难度：3希腊神话是欧洲最早的人民口头创作，大约产生在公元前十二世纪到公元前八世纪之间。

它历经古希腊人数百年口口相传，代代相承，不断地进行艺术加工，在以后的各种文学、历史、哲学著作中保存了下来。

从本期开始，我们一起来领略一下希腊神话的魅力吧。

The Greeks believed the Earth to be flat and circular, their own country standing in the middle; the central point being either Mount Olympus, the 1)abode of the gods, or Delphi, famous for its 2)oracle. The circular disk of the Earth was crossed from west to east and divided into two equal parts by the Sea (their name for the 3)Mediterranean), and its continuation, the Euxine, the only seas with which they were acquainted.The gods lived on the summit of Mount Olympus, in Thessaly. A gate of clouds, kept by the goddesses named the Seasons, opened to permit the passage of the 4)Celestials to earth, and to receive them on their return. The gods had their separate dwellings; but, when summoned, all retired to the palace of Jupiter, as did those 5)deities whose usual abode was the earth, the waters, or the underworld. It was also in the great hall of the palace of the Olympian king that the gods feasted each day on 6)ambrosia and 7)nectar, their food and drink, the latter being handed round by the lovely goddess 8)Hebe. Here they conversed of the affairs of heaven and earth; and as they 9)quaffed their nectar, Apollo, the god of music, delighted them with the tones of his 10)lyre, to which 11)the Muses sang in responsive 12)strains. After sunset, the gods retired to sleep in their respective dwellings. They took human forms of incomparable beauty and grace, yet, often being swayed by human feelings and desires, they were often overtaken by anger and jealousy. The twelve Olympian Gods are: Zeus—Zeus won the draw and became the supreme ruler of the gods. He is lord of the sky. His weapon is a 13)thunderbolt which he 14)hurls at those who displease him. He is married to Hera but, is famous for his many affairs. He is also known to punishthose that lie or break oaths.Hera—Wife of Zeus, protector of marriage, familiar with magic. Poseidon—Brother of Zeus. God of the sea, horses, and of earthquakes.Ares—Son of Zeus and Hera. He was disliked by both parents. He is the god of war. Athena—Daughter of Zeus. She sprang fully grown and dressed in armor from his forehead. She is fierce and brave in battle, but only fights to protect the state and home from outside enemies. She is the goddess of the city, handicrafts, and agriculture.Apollo—Son of Zeus and 15)Leto. He is the god of music, and he plays a golden lyre. He is also the god of healing and taught medicine to mankind. He is also the god of light and of truth; he can never speak a lie.Artemis—Daughter of Zeus and Leto. Her twin brother is Apollo. She is the lady of the wild things. She is the hunter among the gods. She is the protector of the young. Like Apollo, she hunts with silver arrows, and she later became associated with the moon. She is a virgin goddess, and is the goddess of 16)chastity.Hermes—Son of Zeus and 17)Maia. He is Zeus’ messenger. He is the fastest of the gods. He wears winged sandals, a winged hat, and carries a magic wand. He is the god of thieves and the god of commerce. He is the guide to the underworld, granting the dead safe passage.Hephaestus—Lame god of fire and the forge. The Hephaestion near the Acropolis is the most beautifully preserved ancient temple in Greece. He is married to Aphrodite. Aphrodite—Goddess of love, romance, and beauty.Demeter—Goddess of agriculture.Hestia—Calm goddess of home and homelife, symbolized by the 18)hearth which holds the continually-burning flame.希腊人认为地球是扁圆形的，他们的国家坐落在圆的中心，并且中心点要么是众神居地所在的奥林匹斯山，要么是以神殿著名的德尔斐城。

类似一个圆饼的地球从西向东延伸，被“大海”（他们为地中海命的名）及其延伸部分欧克辛斯海（这些都是希腊人唯一熟悉的海域）分成相等两部分。

众神居住在位于塞萨利的奥林匹斯山山顶上。

时序女神把守着天宫之门，把众神从天上送到人间，同时在众神归来之时迎接他们。

众神都有自己的住所。

但一旦被召集，众神以及其他在人间（包括地面上、水中和地下世界）居住的神就会聚集到朱庇特（即宙斯）宫殿。

在奥林匹亚山神之王的宫殿里，众神每天享用着神肴和神酿，谈论着天上和人间的种种事情。

在宴席上，青春女神赫柏负责为众神斟酒；音乐之神阿波罗用他美妙的琴声为大家助兴；而艺术女神缪斯则和着琴声轻声吟唱。

日落后，众神回到各自的处所休息。

天神们都是凡人的样子，他们的美丽与魅力无可匹敌。

但因常受到凡人情感与欲望的影响，他们不时地勃然大怒，妒嫉别人。

这12位奥林匹亚主神分别是：宙斯——宙斯赢得最好的一签，成为众神之首，掌管天界。

宙斯的武器是雷电。

有人惹他不高兴时，他就会用雷电来惩罚这些人。

他娶了赫拉，但却出了名地贪花好色，宙斯还以经常惩罚那些撒谎或不守信用的人闻名。

赫拉——宙斯的妻子。

婚姻的保护神；法力高强。

波塞冬——宙斯的兄弟。

掌控大海、马匹以及地震。

阿瑞斯——宙斯与赫拉之子。

父母都不喜欢他。

他是战争之神。

雅典娜——宙斯的女儿。

体态婀娜、披坚执锐的雅典娜是从宙斯裂开的头颅中走出来的。

她在战场上表现勇猛，但只为保护国家和家园免受外来敌人的侵略而战。

雅典娜掌管城市、手工艺和农业。

阿波罗——宙斯和勒托之子。

他既是音乐之神，擅长弹奏金竖琴；也是医药之神，把医术传授给人们。

阿波罗还是光明之神和真理之神，从不说谎。

阿尔忒弥斯——宙斯和勒托之女，与阿波罗是孪生兄妹。

阿尔忒弥斯是野生物的女主人；是美丽的女猎神，也是青年人的保护神。

跟阿波罗一样，阿尔忒弥斯使用银箭狩猎，后来成为月亮女神。