The demigods and heroes were of matchless worth and valor. Their adventures form the subject of many of the succeeding chapters. The Older Heroes, especially, were endowed with godlike qualities, which they devoted to the service of mankind in the destruction of monsters, the founding of cities, or the introduction of civilization. Such were Perseus, the hero of Argos and his descendant Hercules, who came to be worshiped as the national hero of the Greeks. Such, too, Cadmus, the founder of Thebes, and Cecrops of Athens, and one of his successors, Theseus, a "second Hercules." Each city of Greece had its patron hero, to whom it accorded the honors of divinity. The Younger Heroes were chieftains in the Theban and the Trojan wars and in numerous other military or predatory expeditions. [Illustration: FIG. 5. POSEIDON, DIONYSUS, AND GODDESS] FOOTNOTES: [2] Supplementary information concerning many of the myths may be found in the corresponding sections of the Commentary. For the pronunciation of names see Index, and Rules preceding the Index. [3] So far as possible, Latin designations, or Latinized forms of Greek names, are used. [4] On the Titans, etc., Preller's Griech. Mythol. 1, 37. [5] On signification of Uranus, Cronus, Zeus, see Preller, 1, 37, 38, and Commentary, §§ 4, 24. [6] Roscher, Ausf. Lex., Article _Giganten_ [J. Ilberg]. [7] The name more probably signifies Brandisher [of the Lance]. [8] Consequently the creation of these men could not be assigned to Prometheus,--unless they were made by him before the war of the Titans. [9] There is uncertainty as to the mythical period of these events. The order here given seems to me well grounded. Hes. Works and Days, 180; Theog. 790-910. [10] §§ 156, 161, 191 and Commentary, § 10. [11] From Herakles, a drama by George Cabot Lodge. [12] From Byron's Prometheus. See also his translation from the Prometheus Vinctus of Æschylus, and his Ode to Napoleon Buonaparte. [13] Prometheus, or The Poet's Forethought. See Commentary. [14] Compare Byron's political satire, The Age of Bronze. [15] Oracles, see §§ 24, 30, and Commentary. CHAPTER II THE GODS OF HEAVEN[16] [Illustration: FIG. 6. TWO HOURS] =22. Olympus.= The heaven of the Greek gods was the summit of an ideal mountain called Olympus.[17] A gate of clouds, kept by goddesses, the Hours or Seasons, opened to permit the passage of the Celestials to earth, and to receive them on their return. The gods had their separate dwellings; but all, when summoned, repaired to the palace of Jupiter,--even the deities whose usual abode was the earth, the waters, or the underworld. In the great hall of the Olympian king the gods feasted each day on ambrosia and nectar. Here they conversed of the affairs of heaven and earth; and as they quaffed the nectar that Hebe poured, Apollo made melody with his lyre and the Muses sang in responsive strain. When the sun was set, the gods withdrew to their respective dwellings for the night.