Woman in Greek Mythology

Woman in Greek Mythology

Arlette Figueroa
March 25, 2021

Greek mythology is well known all around the world with various stories of Gods and monsters and the adventures they have had. They also portray the feelings of how the world had come to be in olden times. As much as they are interesting, some are also very tragic, especially stories of Goddesses and women in Greek mythology 
Medusa
There are many stories surrounding the most famous gorgon Medusa, all of which have something in common, that is that her story is a tragic one. Growing up, Medusa was a priestess for Athena’s castle. The priestess of the castle were expected to be virgin and give their life to Athena. Medusa was a beautiful woman who men longed for but one unfortunate night, Poseidon, the God of the sea, forced himself upon her in the temple of Athena. Athena was furious and saw this as disrespect and punished Medusa. This was a horrible thing; for Medusa had just lost so much but not only that, she was now banished from Greece. No longer able to work as a servant or to marry. In addition to that, Athena had given her hair of snakes and made her able to turn any man to stone. Medusa was banished to an island where for many years men would go and try to hunt her. They would try to cut off her head in order to gain some type of honor. Medusa was sadly killed by Perseus, the son of Zeus. With the help of a shield given by Athena, Perseus had chopped Medusa’s head off.
Persephone
Persephone also known as Kore, is the daughter of Demeter and Zeus. Her story is a very simple tale known by many. Persephone was a beautiful Goddess who many wanted but no one could be with. Her mother, Demeter, was very protective of her and many believe that it was due to something that happened in her past. The God, Hades, had fallen in love with Persephone and asked the Center for Persephone’s hand in marriage. Demeter declined and Hades, heartbroken, decided to kidnap Persephone. The ones to see this was the sun god, Helios, and Zeus, the brother of Hades. Demeter, worried, decided to get advice from her friend Hector who said to ask Helios. Helios revealed everything and was determined to stop working on her duties; causing crops to not grow, animals to die, and cold to roam the earth. Zeus became worried for the people and decided to have Hades and Demeter make a deal. Both would get to spend time with Persephone for a certain amount of time each year, which they both reluctantly agreed to.
Rhea
Rhea was the daughter of Uranus and Gaea; Rhea was a titan. She had married her brother Kronos and was the queen of heaven. Soon enough she became the mother of six children. She gave birth to Demeter, Hestia, Hera, Hades, Poseidon and Zeus. Kronos had heard of a prophecy telling that one of his children would overthrow him. Fearful of this, Kronos had decided to swallow all of his children. Rhea bore her last child Zeus in secret and hid him away in a cave in Crete. She had given Kronos a stone, swaddled in clothes which he had swallowed believing it was his son. Later in time, Zeus would free his siblings and stop Kronos.
Pandora
The story of Pandora starts with a fire God and divine trickster named Prometheus. Prometheus had stolen fire from the heavens and gifted it to the humans. Zeus wasn’t very happy with this believing that it gave humans the power to overthrow the Gods. Zeus asked the God Hephaestus to create him a woman out of the earth which the Gods bestowed a gift of their choice. Pandora was also given a jar with all evil and misery. Zeus had sent her to Epimetheus, forgetting the warning his brother, Prometheus had made to his wife, Pandora. Pandora later opened the jar unleashing evil onto the earth.
Hera
Hera was the daughter of Kronos and Rhea. She was the Goddess of marriage and life, and also the queen of heaven. Her story is a sad one as well. Zeus was Hera’s brother and he would constantly try to court her. Hera of course wouldn’t accept so Zeus used her compassion and kindness against her. He had disguised himself as a bird and stayed outside of Hera’s widow in the cold. Hera had picked up the bird and cradled it trying to get it warmed. That’s when Zeus turned back to his original form and forced himself onto her. Hera, ashamed of what had happened, agreed to marry Zeus. Zeus in that marriage had many affairs and cared not much of it. Hera, never forgiving Zeus for what he had done to her, tried to rebel. She had gotten gods to tie Zeus in a chair but the plan failed, leaving her to hang from the heavens. She had made her promise to never try to rebel again as long as was released. She kept her word and was still married to Zeus.