Greek mythology emphasized the weakness of humans in contrast to the great and terrifying powers of nature. The Greeks believed that their gods, who were immortal, controlled all aspects of nature. So the Greeks acknowledged that their lives were completely dependent on the good will of the gods. In general, the relations between people and gods were considered friendly. But the gods delivered severe punishment to mortals who showed unacceptable behavior, such as indulgent pride, extreme ambition, or even excessive prosperity.

(The following translations can be read by Japanese compatible soft ware.)

ギリシャしんわは、人間のよわいところと、しぜんのつよいところをとくにくらべます。ギリシャ人たちは、かみさまたちが、しぜんをコントロールしていると　かんがえました。ギリシャ人たちのいっしょうは、かみさまたちに、コントロールされているとおもっていました。かみさまと、人間たちは、ともだちでしたが、人間が、こうまんなたいどや、プライド、また、すごいぼうけんをしたり、とても、かねもちになったりすると、かならずばつがきました。

The Sinto religion and Greek Mythology have similarities. The both of them believe in many gods, but also have one head god.  The similar to Greek mythology, Shinto festivals center on the wait for the visitation of a god.  Another similarity is that in the festivals, banners, pillars and streamers are symbols to help the gods to visit the mortals. 

    In Greek mythology Zeus was the god of the sky, and the ruler of the Olympian gods. Zeus was considered the father of gods and mortals.  He was the lord of the sky, the rain god, and the cloud gatherer. His breastplate was the aegis, his bird the eagle, and his tree the oak. Zeus is the god of justice and mercy, the protector of the weak, and the punisher of the wicked.

    Zeus was the youngest son of the Titans, Cronus and Rhea.  When Zeus was born it was traditional for Cronus to swallow him for Cronus was afraid that one of his sons would dethrone him. Upon the birth of Zeus, Rhea wrapped a stone in waddling clothes and handed it instead of Zeus to Cronus to swallow. She then concealed the infant god in Crete, were he was fed on milk from the goat Amaltheae, and reared by nymphs. When Zeus grew to maturity, he forced his father to disgorge the other children, who were, like Zeus, eager to take revenge on their father.

In the war that followed, the Titans fought with Cronus, but all the other gods in the sky were on the same side as Zeus, making Zeus more powerful. Zeus henceforth ruled over the sky, and his brothers, Poseidon and Hades, were given power over the sea and the underworld, respectively.

By Catherine

Spring 2001