Myth and Bible Terms

Achilles

A Greek hero of the Trojan War (waged between Troy and Achaean Greece—Sparta and Mycenae) and the central character and greatest warrior of Homer's Iliad; his mother was the immortal nymph Thetis, and his father, the mortal Peleus, was the king of the Myrmidons. Achilles' most notable feat during the Trojan War was the slaying of the Trojan hero Hector outside the gates of Troy. Although the death of Achilles is not presented in the Iliad, other sources concur that he was killed near the end of the Trojan War by Paris, who shot him in the heel with an arrow. Later legends (beginning with a poem by Statius) state that Achilles was invulnerable in all of his body except for his heel. Alluding to these legends, the term "Achilles heel" has come to mean a point of weakness, especially in someone or something with an otherwise strong constitution.

Atalanta

A character in Greek mythology, a virgin huntress, unwilling to marry, and loved by the hero Meleager. Her parentage is uncertain though it is thought to have been King Iasus and Clymene. Her father had her carried into the woods and left to die. However, a bear found her and adopted her. As she grew older she began to spend time with hunters and was soon the best amongst them. She loved hunting and the outdoors and had no use for a man in her life. She also received an oracle that her marriage would end in disaster. She had no compunction in defending her virginity. When the centaurs Rhoecus and Hylaeus attempted to rape her, she quickly killed them with her arrows.

Atlantis

A fictional island mentioned within an allegory on the hubris of nations in Plato's works. In the story, Athens repels the Atlantean attack unlike any other nation of the (western) known world, supposedly giving testament to the superiority of Plato's concept of a state. At the end of the story, Atlantis eventually falls out of favor with the gods and submerges into the Atlantic Ocean. Despite its minor importance in Plato's work, the Atlantis story has had a considerable impact on literature. The allegorical aspect of Atlantis was taken up in utopian works of several Renaissance writers, such as Francis Bacon's New Atlantis and Thomas More's Utopia. On the other hand, 19th-century amateur scholars misinterpreted Plato's account as historical tradition, most notably in Ignatius L. Donnelly's Atlantis: The Antediluvian World. Plato's vague indications of the time of the events—more than 9,000 years before his time—and the alleged location of Atlantis—"beyond the Pillars of Hercules"—has led to much pseudoscientific speculation. As a consequence, Atlantis has become a byword for any and all supposed advanced prehistoric lost civilizations and continues to inspire contemporary fiction, from comic books to films.

Ajax

A hero in Greek mythology, son of King Telamon of Salamis and Periboea. He played a pivotal role in the myth of the Trojan War. He is also known as Telamonian Ajax, Greater Ajax, or Ajax the Great. He was described as being particularly tall, extremely strong and fearless. His teacher was the centaur Chiron, and he was taught side by side with the great hero Achilles. During the Trojan War, Ajax was chosen to duel Hector, prince of Troy, a duel which lasted a whole day. Towards the end of the day, Zeus sent heralds to declare the duel a draw. The duelists exchanged gifts, showing the respect towards their opponent; Ajax gave a purple sash to Hector and received a sword. The two heroes duelled a second time later in the war, when the Trojans had almost reached the Greek ships. Ajax hurled a huge stone against Hector, almost killing him. More duels followed between the two, and in one duel, Ajax was defeated and was forced to flee. Hector managed to set one of the Greek ships on fire. In the battles described above, Achilles was absent as a result of a dispute between him and Agamemnon, leader of the Achaeans. Ajax substituted Achilles in the battle, and he was also asked to speak to Achilles in order to change his mind. The great hero returned to fight again, only after the death of his best friend, Patroclus. At the end of the Trojan War and after Achilles' death, Ajax and Odysseus fought against the Trojans to retrieve the body of Achilles. After burying him, the two wanted to claim Achilles' armour for themselves. During the competition, Ajax said that he should receive it for all of the great deeds that he performed during the war; Odysseus, better skilled at speaking, managed to convince the Greeks and was offered the armour. Ajax, angry at what had happened, deliberately fell on his own sword and died.

Argus

A hundred-eyed giant in Greek mythology. He was a giant, the son of Arestor, whose name "Panoptes" meant "the all-seeing one". He was a servant of Hera; one of the tasks that were given to him was to slay the fearsome monster Echidna, wife of Typhon, which he successfully completed. However, his main task, at Hera's request, was to guard Io, a nymph that Zeus was involved with. Zeus, in his efforts to approach Io, told Hermes to disguise himself as a shepherd and make Argus go to sleep. As soon as he fell asleep, Hermes killed him with a stone.

Good Samaritan

A man had been beaten and ransacked on his way from Jerusalem to Jericho and was lying on the side of the road. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. 'Look after him,' he said, 'and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.' (Luke 10:25-37) Jesus tells his audience that the moral of this story is to have mercy on your neighbors no matter who they are.

Chimaera

A monstrous fire-breathing hybrid creature of Lycia in Asia Minor, composed of the parts of more than one animal. Child of Typhoeus and Echidna and sibling of Cerberus and the Lernaean Hydra. It had the head and body of a lion, as well as the head of a goat that was attached to its back, and a tail that ended on a head of a snake.

Argonauts

A number of heroes who participated in the Argonautic Expedition before the years of the Trojan War, setting sail for the mythical land of Colchis under the command of their leader Jason (see term), in order to find the legendary Golden Fleece. (https://www.greekmythology.com/Myths/The_Myths/Argonauts/argonauts.html)

Calypso

A nymph who captured Odysseus for many years, before he finally managed to escape. She lived on the mythical island of Ogygia. According to Homer's epic, the Odyssey, when Odysseus landed on Ogygia, Calypso fell in love with him and decided to keep him as her immortal husband. With her captivating singing, she managed to detain the Greek hero for several years. However, the time came when Odysseus' longing for Penelope, his wife, grew so strong that he could bear it no more. Wanting to tell Calypso, Odysseus instead told goddess Athena of his misery. Athena, being the protector of Odysseus, asked from Zeus to demand the release of the hero. So it happened. Calypso, angry at first, complained about how gods did not want goddesses to have affairs with mortals; however, she eventually backed out. Giving Odysseus wine, bread and a raft, she bade him farewell.

Callisto

A nymph, daughter of Lycaon, King of Arcadia. She was transformed into a bear and turned into a constellation (Ursa Major or the Great Bear). She was one of Artemis hunting attendants and followers and had taken a vow of chastity. However, Zeus saw her and fell in love with her; to lure her, he turned into Artemis and eventually took advantage of her. Callisto bore a son, Arcas, who would join his mother in the stars (Ursa Minor or the Little Bear). After this, she was turned into a bear, either by Zeus while trying to hide his misdeeds, by Hera out of jealousy, or by Artemis out of anger that she broke her vow of chastity.

Andromeda

A princess in Greek mythology and daughter of King Cepheus and Queen Cassiopeia, who ruled in the region of Aethiopia, which consisted of the Upper Nile region, and areas south of the Sahara desert. Her mother boasted that Andromeda was more beautiful than the Nereids, daughters of Nereus and Doris, and companions of Poseidon; thus, she committed hubris and Poseidon decided to send a sea monster, Cetus, to ravage the lands of Aethiopia. After consulting an oracle, the king and queen chained Andromeda to a rock, in order to be sacrificed to the monster. However, the hero Perseus was nearby and heard of the imminent death of Andromeda; when the monster emerged from the sea, he managed to kill it, either by slaying it with a knife, or by exposing it to Medusa's head and turning it into stone. Thus, Andromeda was saved. Perseus married her and she followed him on his journey back to Greece. They had nine children together. After her death, the goddess Athena placed her on the sky as a constellation, nearby her beloved husband Perseus and her mother Cassiopeia.

Centaurs

A race of creatures composed of part human and part horse. They are depicted with the torso of a human joined at the waist to where the horse's neck would be. The centaurs were usually said to have been born of Ixion and Nephele, the cloud made in the image of Hera. Another version, however, makes them children of a certain Centaurus, who mated with the Magnesian mares. The most famous centaur is probably Chiron who is famous for his teaching ability, especially of many of the great heroes.

Amazons

A race of female warriors in Greek mythology, who dwelt in the region of modern-day Ukraine. Two of the best known Amazon queens were Penthesilea, who took part in the Trojan War, and her sister Hippolyta, who was the owner of a magical girdle, given to her by the god of war Ares. The magical girdle was the object that Heracles had to recover to complete the fourth task given to him during the myth of the Labours of Heracles. There were no men allowed to live together with the Amazons. However, in order to continue their race, once a year, the Amazons would visit a nearby all-male tribe called Gargareans. After having sexual intercourse with them, the Amazons would return home; they would keep all baby girls that were born, but the male babies were either killed, sent to their fathers, or left in a forest to die of exposure to the elements. The Amazons appeared in various Greek myths. In one of them, they attacked the region of Lycia, but were fended off by Bellerophon. They later attacked Phrygia, but were also defeated by the defending army, led by a young Priam, who later became the king of Troy. During the Trojan War, the Amazons, led by Queen Penthesilea, helped Priam defend his city; Penthesilea was killed by Achilles during a battle.

Daedalus

A renowned craftsman and inventor. Before his time statues had their arms fixed stiffly to their sides, Daedalus gave them naturalistic poses and, some say, the power of movement. He had two sons, Icarus and Iapyx. He is best known as the creator of the Labyrinth, a huge maze located under the court of King Minos of Crete, where the Minotaur, a half-man half-bull creature dwelt. According to the myth, the king of Athens was forced to pay tribute to King Minos by sending seven young men and seven young women each year to Crete, in order to be sacrificed to the Minotaur. One year, however, the legendary hero Theseus was sent into the labyrinth and managed to kill the Minotaur, assisted by Minos' daughter, Ariadne. Later, Daedalus was kept imprisoned in a tower in Crete, so that the secret of the Labyrinth would not be spread to the public. In order to escape, Daedalus created two sets of wings for himself and his young son Icarus, by using feathers and glueing them together with wax. He gave one of the sets to Icarus and taught him how to fly. However, he warned him not to fly too high as the sun would melt the wax, nor too low as the sea water would soak the feathers. They left the tower jumping off the window and started flying towards freedom. Unfortunately, Icarus, forgetting his father's advice, started flying higher and higher, thus causing the wax on his wings to melt; he fell into the sea and drowned, while a nearby island took the name Icaria after him.

Arachne

A talented mortal weaver who challenged Athena, goddess of wisdom and crafts, into a weaving contest. This hubris resulted in her being transformed into a spider—hence "arachnid." There are three major versions to the story, all of which Athena turns Arachne into a spider after a contest between the two, either out of jealousy and condemning her to weave for all of eternity, out of teaching and bringing her shame and then bringing her back to life as a spider, or out of pity. (https://www.greekmythology.com/Myths/Mortals/Arachne/arachne.html)

Cerberus

A three-headed dog that guarded the entrance of the Underworld, allowing the dead to enter but letting none out. He was the son of Typhon and Echidna. Apart from his three heads, he also had a serpent's tail, a mane of snakes and the claws of a lion. Cerberus was the twelfth and final labour that was given to Hercules by King Eurystheus. Hercules (Heracles) had to capture the three-headed dog without using any weapons. After learning how the enter the Underworld, and assisted by some of the gods, he managed to go to the Underworld and find Hades to ask for his permission to take Cerberus to the surface. Hades agreed under the condition that Hercules must not use any weapons. Hercules eventually managed to overpower Cerberus and brought him to Eurystheus, successfully completing his twelve labours.

Isaac and Rebecca

Abraham's dying wish was for his son to marry one of his own relatives. The servant prayed for someone and they found Rebekah as his wife. When Isaac was forty years old, Abraham decided it was time for Isaac to marry. Abraham kept Isaac at home and sent his oldest servant to find a wife for Isaac and bring her back. He wanted a wife for Isaac that knew the true God, that was from his own people. The servant left Hebron and traveled over 500 miles to Abraham's home city of Nahor. He took ten camels and everything he needed for the long journey. When he arrived he stopped at a well just outside the city. He prayed and asked God to show him whom to choose. Abraham's servant had not even finished praying when a beautiful young woman named Rebekah came to the well. Rebekah gave him water to drink after he asked. Then she offered to fill the trough with water for his camels. God had prepared her heart for this day. She had no way of knowing that she was an answer to prayer. Then the servant gave her a gold nose ring and two gold arm bracelets for her kindness and asked for a place to stay the night. Abraham's servant went to her home to meet her father Bethuel. Rebekah listened as Abraham's servant explained he was on a mission to find a wife for his master's son, who was a wealthy man, blessed by God. He asked Rebekah's father and brother for permission for Isaac to marry Rebekah. Bethuel and Laban said "the thing proceedeth from the Lord" and gave their approval. Then the servant gave Rebekah gold jewelry, silver jewelry, and expensive clothes; he also gave her brother and mother precious things. In those days it was a custom for the father of the groom to give presents to the bride's family. It took a lot of faith for both Rebekah and Isaac to trust their parents to make this decision. The next day Rebekah left to return with the servant and meet the man (whom she had never met before) she would marry.

Judas — kiss, 30 pieces of silver, hanged

According to the Gospel of Matthew, Judas Iscariot was a disciple of Jesus. Before the Last Supper, Judas went to the chief priests and agreed to hand over Jesus in exchange for 30 silver coins. Jesus was then arrested in Gethsemane, where Judas revealed Jesus' identity to the soldiers by giving him a kiss. According to Chapter 27 of Matthew's gospel, Judas was filled with remorse and returned the money to the chief priests before hanging himself. The chief priests decided that they could not put it into the temple treasury, and so with it they bought the Potter's Field. A different account of the death of Judas is given in Acts of Apostles; it describes Judas as using the money he had been rewarded with - no sum is specified - to buy the Potter's field, and then falling there, dying of the resulting intestinal injuries.

Stephen

Accused of blasphemy, at his trial Stephen made a long speech denouncing the Jewish authorities who were sitting in judgment on him and was then stoned to death. His martyrdom was witnessed by Saul of Tarsus, a Pharisee who would later himself become a follower of Jesus and known as Paul the Apostle. When he spoke against the prophets and their ancestors the crowds rushed at him. He is also a martyr for the church.

Adam and Eve — Garden of evil, fig-leaf, apple, serpent, curse

Adam and Eve were the first humans created by God on the sixth day and lived in the Garden of Eden (Paradise) where they cared for the animals. God told them they could eat the fruit of any trees except for the tree of good and evil, warning them they would die if they did. However, the serpent (evil/Satan) convinced Eve to share an apple from the tree of knowledge of good and evil with her husband, even though it was forbidden. They were often shown wearing fig leaves afterwards, once realizing they were naked and feeling shame for their sins. Because they had broken God's one rule not to eat from the tree, God banished them from the Garden of Eden and their relationship with God was broken.

Miracles

All of these are faith healing, exorcisms, resurrections, and control over nature. They helped the people at the time believe in and trust Jesus. Jesus also performed these miracles to show God's power and kingdom.

Delphi

An ancient site in Greece and a modern town, which was an important part of various stories in Greek mythology. Ancient Greeks believed that Delphi was the centre of Grandmother Earth which Zeus was trying to find. Towards this end, the king of gods let two eagles fly in opposite directions from the top of Mount Olympus. The two eagles eventually crossed paths in Delphi, which is how the omphalos (navel) of the Earth was considered to be there. The Oracle of Delphi, or Pythia, was famous throughout ancient Greece, and people from all the then-known world would flock to the area seeking advice. The Oracle served the god Apollo, after he had slain Python, the dragon who protected the navel of the Earth. As a tribute to Apollo, the Pythian Games were held every four years, and were the precursor of the Olympic Games.

Garden of Gethsemane

As the evening began, after Jesus and His disciples had celebrated the Passover, they came to the garden. At some point, Jesus took three of them—Peter, James and John— to a place separated from the rest. Here Jesus asked them to watch with Him and pray so they would not fall into temptation (Matthew 26:41), but they fell asleep. Twice, Jesus had to wake them and remind them to pray so that they would not fall into temptation. This was especially poignant because Peter did indeed fall into temptation later that very night when three times he denied even knowing Jesus. Jesus moved a little way from the three men to pray, and twice He asked His Father to remove the cup of wrath He was about to drink, but each time He submitted to the Father's will. He was "exceedingly sorrowful unto death," but God sent an angel from heaven to strengthen Him (Luke 22:43). It was here at the Mount of Olives that Jesus prayed for a last time and said "Let this cup pass away from me, not as I will, but as you will." After this, Judas Iscariot, the betrayer, arrived with a "multitude" of soldiers, high priests, Pharisees, and servants to arrest Jesus.

Calvary, Golgotha, last words

Calvary, or Golgotha, is the Aramaic name of the location where Jesus was crucified outside of Old Jerusalem. Here is where Jesus was crucified with two other thieves/criminals. One of them asked for Jesus' forgiveness and salvation while the other did not repent. Here is also where Jesus asks for water, only to be given vinegar, and where he is laughed at and scorned upon as the son of God. Jesus said seven last things on the cross: 1) "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots." (Luke 23:34); 2) To the criminals, "Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise. (Luke 23:43); 3) When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son! Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home. (John 19:26-27); 4) About the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, "Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?" that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? (Matthew 27:46); 5) After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst. (John 19:28); 6) When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, "It is finished" and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost (John 19:30); 7) Jesus had cried with a loud voice and said, "Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost" (Luke 23:46)

Daniel — writing on the wall, lion's den

Daniel was captured by Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon and served King Darius. When mysterious writing appeared on the wall during a banquet, Daniel explained it and was awarded with royalty. However, Daniel's jealous rivals trick Darius into issuing a decree that for thirty days no prayers should be addressed to any god or man but Darius himself; any who break this are to be thrown to the lions. Daniel continues to pray to the God of Israel, and the king, although deeply distressed, must condemn Daniel to death, for the edicts of the Medes and Persians cannot be altered. Hoping for Daniel's deliverance, he has him cast into the pit. At daybreak the king hurries to the place and cries out anxiously, asking if God had saved his friend. Daniel replies that his God had sent an angel to close the jaws of the lions, "because I was found blameless before him." The king commands that those who had conspired against Daniel should be thrown to the lions in his place, along with their wives and children, and writes to all the people of the whole world commanding that all should tremble and fear before the God of Daniel.

David — Goliath, Jonathan, Bathsheba, Absalom

Goliath, Jonathan, Bathsheba, Absalom: The first book of Samuel portrays David as the youngest of the eight sons of Jesse of Bethlehem. The Book of Chronicles lists his sons with his various wives and concubines. God is angered when Saul, Israel's king, unlawfully offers a sacrifice and later disobeys a divine instruction to not only kill all of the Amalekites, but to destroy also their confiscated property. Consequently, he sends the prophet Samuel to anoint David, the youngest son of Jesse of Bethlehem, to be king instead. God sends an evil spirit to torment Saul. Saul's courtiers recommend that he send for David, a man skillful on the lyre, wise in speech, and brave in battle. So David enters Saul's service as one of the royal armour-bearers, and plays the lyre to soothe the king, who from time to time is troubled by an evil spirit. War comes between Israel and the Philistines, and the giant Goliath challenges the Israelites to send out a champion to face him in single combat. David, sent by his father to bring provisions to his brothers serving in Saul's army, declares that he can defeat Goliath. Refusing the king's offer of the royal armour, he kills Goliath with his sling. Saul inquires the name of the young hero's father. Saul sets David over his army. All Israel loves David, but his popularity causes Saul to fear him ("What else can he wish but the kingdom?"). Saul plots his death, but Saul's son Jonathan, one of those who loves David, warns him of his father's schemes and David flees. With the death of Saul's son, the elders of Israel come to Hebron and David is anointed king over all of Israel. He conquers Jerusalem, previously a Jebusite stronghold, and makes it his capital. He brings the Ark of the Covenant to the city, intending to build a temple for God, but the prophet Nathan forbids it, prophesying that the temple would be built by one of his sons. Nathan also prophesies that God has made a covenant with the house of David stating, "your throne shall be established forever." David wins more victories over the Philistines, while the Moabites, Edomites, Amalekites, Ammonites and king Hadadezer of Aram-Zobah pay tribute after being defeated. During a siege to conquer the Ammonite capital of Rabbah, David seduces Bathsheba and causes the death of her husband Uriah the Hittite. In response, Nathan prophesies the punishment that shall fall upon him stating, "the sword shall never depart from your house." In fulfillment of these words, David's son Absalom rebels. The rebellion ends at the battle of the Wood of Ephraim. Absalom's forces are routed, and Absalom is caught by his long hair in the branches of a tree, and killed by Joab, contrary to David's order. Joab was the commander of David's army. David laments the death of his favourite son. Bathsheba and Nathan go to David and obtain his agreement to crown Bathsheba's son Solomon as king, according to David's earlier promise, and the revolt of Adonijah, David's eldest surviving son, is put down. David dies at the age of 70 after reigning for 40 years, and on his deathbed counsels Solomon to walk in the ways of God and to take revenge on his enemies.

Cyclops

Greek mythological creatures that had a single round eye in the middle of their foreheads. Their personalities are said to have been stubborn, strong, and very violent. There are two generations of Cyclopes. The first generation had three brothers—Brontes, Steropes, and Arges. These brothers were blacksmiths for Olympian gods. They made Zeus' thunderbolts, Hades' Helmet of Darkness, and Poseidon's trident. The second generation of Cyclopes was a group of lawless shepherds living in Sicily. Polyphemus is the only notable Cyclopes of the group because he was blinded by Odysseus (see term). Polyphemus was the son of Poseidon and Thoosa, a sea nymph. No one knows why there was such a dramatic change from the first generation to the second.

Joshua

He became the leader of the Israelite tribes after Moses' death. According to the Hebrew Bible, Joshua was one of the twelve spies of Israel sent by Moses to explore the land of Canaan. In Numbers 13:1-16, and after the death of Moses, he led the Israelite tribes in the conquest of Canaan, and allocated the land to the tribes. According to Biblical chronology, Joshua lived some time in the late Bronze Age. According to Joshua 24:29, Joshua died at the age of 110.

Elijah

He challenged Baal on behalf of his own God, as well as Ahab and Jezebel (see term), her priests, and Israel. YHWH (God) also performed many miracles through Elijah, including resurrection (raising the dead), bringing fire down from the sky, and entering Heaven alive "by a whirlwind." He is also portrayed as leading a school of prophets known as "the sons of the prophets". After his death, Elisha his disciple and most devoted assistant took over his role as leader of this school. They created a challenge where the "god" that lit up the fire for the sacrifice through the priest's praying would win and his "god" would be known as the true god. The people of Israel, 450 prophets of Baal, and 400 prophets of Asherah are summoned to Mount Carmel. Two altars are built, one for Baal and one for Yahweh. Wood is laid on the altars. Two oxen are slaughtered and cut into pieces; the pieces are laid on the wood. Elijah then invites the priests of Baal to pray for fire to light the sacrifice. They pray from morning to noon without success. Elijah ridicules their efforts. They respond by cutting themselves and adding their own blood to the sacrifice (such mutilation of the body was strictly forbidden in the Mosaic law). They continue praying until evening without success. Elijah now orders that the altar of Yahweh be drenched with water from "four large jars" poured three times. He asks God to accept the sacrifice. Fire falls from the sky, consuming the water, the sacrifice and the stones of the altar itself as well. Elijah then orders the deaths of the prophets of Baal. Elijah prays earnestly for rain to fall again on the land. Then the rains begin, signaling the end of the famine.

Samson

He had invincible strength just as long as he did not cut his hair. The Angel of the Lord stated that Manoah's wife was to abstain from all alcoholic beverages, and her promised child was not to shave or cut his hair. He was to be a Nazirite from birth. In ancient Israel, those wanting to be especially dedicated to God for a time could take a Nazarite vow which included abstaining from wine and spirits, not cutting hair or shaving, and other requirements. In due time, their son Samson was born, and he was raised according to the provisions. When he was a young adult, Samson left the hills of his people to see the cities of the Philistines.According to the biblical account, Samson was repeatedly seized by the "Spirit of the Lord", who blessed him with immense strength. Later Samson would fall in love with a woman named Delilah. The Philistines would bribe her with 1,100 silver coins to find the secret of Samson's strength to get rid of him and their enemy. Samson refuses to tell the secret and lies several times. Eventually, after Delilah keeps asking, he says he will lose his strength with the loss of his hair. His hair is then cut by Delilah and God leaves him. Samson is captured by the Philistines who gouge out his eyes. However, one day when the Philistine leaders collect at a temple to thank Dagon, of their deities, for delivering Samson to them, Samson is summoned. Samson then leans against one of the supporting pillars "to rest" and calls upon the Lord to give him back his strength just one more time and to die with the Philistines. The temple collapses and Samson and the Philistines in the temple all die.

Joseph of Arimathea

He helped take down the body of Jesus from the cross and lay Him in the tomb. Despite agreeing to the crucifixion of Jesus, he actually loved Jesus and was a follower. He even boldly asked to put Jesus' body in a tomb.

Job

He is a prosperous family man beset with horrendous disasters that make him struggle to understand his situation. He is described as a blessed man who lives righteously in the Land of Uz. The Lord's praise of Job prompts an angel with the title of 'satan' ("accuser") to suggest that Job served God simply because God protected him. God removes Job's protection, ordering the angel to take his wealth, his children, and his physical health (but not his life). Despite his difficult circumstances, he does not curse God, but rather curses the day of his birth. And although he anguishes over his plight, he stops short of accusing God of injustice. Job's miserable earthly condition is simply God's Will. In the following, Job debates three friends concerning Job's condition. They argue whether it was justified, and they debate solutions to his problems. Job ultimately condemns all their counsel, beliefs, and critiques of him as false. God then appears to Job and his friends out of a whirlwind, not answering Job's central questions. Job, by staying silent before God, stresses the point that he understands that his affliction is God's Will even though he despairs at not knowing why. Job appears faithful without direct knowledge of God and without demands for special attention from God, even for a cause that all others would declare to be just. And the text gives an allusion to Job 28:28 "And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding". God rebukes the three friends and gives them instruction for remission of sin, followed by Job being restored to an even better condition than his former wealthy state. Job 42:10-17 Job is blessed to have seven sons, and three daughters named Jemimah (which means "dove"), Keziah ("cinnamon"), and Keren-happuch ("horn of eye-makeup"). His daughters were said to be the most beautiful women in the land.

Jonah

He is the eponymous central figure in the Book of Jonah, in which he is swallowed by a large fish or whale. He was a Hebrew prophet that was sent to prophesy the destruction of Nineveh but tries to escape. Jonah instead seeks to flee from "the presence of the Lord" by going to Jaffa and sailing to Tarshish. A huge storm arises and the sailors, realizing that it is no ordinary storm, cast lots and discover that Jonah is to blame. Jonah admits this and states that if he is thrown overboard, the storm will cease. The sailors try to dump as much cargo as possible before giving up, but feel forced to throw him overboard, at which point the sea calms. The sailors then offer sacrifices to God. Jonah is miraculously saved by being swallowed by a large fish in whose belly he spends three days and three nights. While in the great fish, Jonah prays to God in his affliction and commits to thanksgiving and to paying what he has vowed. God commands the fish to spew Jonah out. God again commands Jonah to visit Nineveh and prophesy to its inhabitants. This time he goes and enters the city, crying, "In forty days Nineveh shall be overthrown." After Jonah has walked across Nineveh, the people of Nineveh begin to believe his word and proclaim a fast. The king of Nineveh puts on sackcloth and sits in ashes, making a proclamation which decrees fasting, sackcloth, prayer, and repentance. God sees their repentant hearts and spares the city at that time.The entire city is humbled and broken with the people (and even the animals) in sackcloth and ashes. Even the king comes off his throne to repent. Jonah actually protests against God's mercy, asking why He would forgive the city if He sent Jonah to prophesy their destruction.

Barabbas

He is the other criminal who is put side-by-side with Jesus. The crowd wants to crucify Jesus instead of Barabbas, who is a well-known criminal. Barabbas thanks Jesus for setting him free and he is haunted by Jesus' image for the rest of his life, but also asks for the forgiveness of God and Jesus.

Isaiah

He was a descendant of the house of Judah and Tamar. He was said to be more Evangelist than Prophet. His name means "YHWH (the LORD) is salvation." He lived in Jerusalem and the prophecies God gave him were directed toward Israel, Judah and other nations. Jewish tradition says he was of royal descent, and he may have been a cousin to King Uzziah. This may have given him access to the kings of Judah in Jerusalem. The biblical account in chapter 1, verse 1 of the book he authored says he received visions from God during the reigns of four kings of Judah—Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah. The time covered is from the end of King Uzziah's reign (Isaiah 6:1) to the Assyrian King Sennacherib's siege of Jerusalem. Isaiah was married to a prophetess (Isaiah 8:3). They had two sons whose names had prophetic meanings. They were Shear-Jashub (Isaiah 7:3, meaning "a remnant shall return") and Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz (Isaiah 8:1-4, meaning "speed the spoil, hasten the booty"). Isaiah and his family would be for "signs and wonders in Israel" (Isaiah 8:18). His prophecies are still "signs and wonders" for us today. Jewish tradition says he was killed by being sawn in two by King Manasseh, the son of King Hezekiah. This seems to be alluded to in Hebrews 11:37. Isaiah is known for several of his prophecies, including the coming and birth of Jesus the Messiah, the fate of the Babylonian kingdom, God's salvation, and Jesus' ministry.

Saul

He was the first king of united Israel and Judah. Saul's life and reign are described in the Hebrew Bible. He was anointed by the prophet Samuel and reigned from Gibeah. He fell on his sword (committing suicide) to avoid capture in the battle against the Philistines at Mount Gilboa, during which three of his sons were also killed. The succession to his throne was contested by Ish-bosheth, his only surviving son, and his son-in-law David (see term), who eventually prevailed.

Solomon

He was the third king of the United Monarchy. He is responsible for many parts of the bible and was a judge in many court cases. He was the son of David by Bathsheba. The Hebrew Bible credits him as the builder of the First Temple in Jerusalem. It portrays him as great in wisdom, wealth, and power beyond any of the previous kings of the country, but ultimately as a human king who sinned. His sins included idolatry, marrying foreign women, and ultimately turning away from Yahweh, and led to the kingdom's being torn in two during the reign of his son Rehoboam. Solomon is the subject of many other later references and legends, most notably in the 1st-century apocryphal work known as the Testament of Solomon. He was most famous for asking God for wisdom as his gift when God had appeared to him in a dream. God was pleased and answered his prayer, promising him great wisdom because he did not ask for self-serving rewards. The best known story of his wisdom is the Judgement of Solomon about two woman laying claim as the mother of an infant. Solomon resolved the dispute by commanding the child to be cut in half and shared between the two. The woman renounced her claim, as she would rather have the child live. Because of this compassion, Solomon declared her the true mother to the whole child.

Acheron River

In Greek mythology, Acheron was the god of the underworld river and lake of pain. It is also known as the River of Woe. Charon ferried souls of the dead across the dark waters of the river in his skiff. The river was thought to be a river to Hades because it flowed through dark gorges and went underground in some places.

Agamemnon

In Greek mythology, Agamemnon was the king of Mycenae or Argos (different names of the same region), son of King Atreus and Queen Aerope. His brother was Menelaus, who was married to Helen, the main characters that participated in the events leading to the Trojan War. He was married to Clytemnestra, and had four children; Iphigenia, Orestes, Chrysothemis and Electra. When Agamemnon and his brother Menelaus were still young, they were forced to flee Mycenae, as their cousin Aegisthus (see term) forcibly took possession of the throne. Agamemnon and Menelaus found refuge in Sparta, in the court of King Tyndareus, and they later married Tyndareus' daughters, Clytemnestra and Helen respectively. After Tyndareus' death, Menelaus became king, while Agamemnon managed to retake the throne of Mycenae, exiling Aegisthus and his father, Thyestes. Later, Paris, prince of Troy, assisted by Aphrodite, abducted Helen, Menelaus' wife, and went back to Troy. Agamemnon agreed to help his brother to take her back and declared war on Troy. However, as the ships were ready to set sail, Agamemnon's army infuriated the goddess Artemis, who sent a number of misfortunes against them. The prophet Calchas realized that Artemis' fury would only be appeased by the sacrifice of Agamemnon's daughter Iphigenia (see term). In the end, she was sacrificed though there are alternatives to this part of the story. Some sources say that she was sacrificed, while in others, Artemis replaced her with a deer and took her to the region of Tauris in the Crimean Peninsula. Agamemnon never found out. After the end of the war, Agamemnon returned home, where Clytemnestra had started an affair with Aegisthus. The two of them plotted against Agamemnon and killed him, thus Aegisthus becoming the ruler of Mycenae again. Orestes, Agamemnon's son, later avenged his father's death by killing the two lovers; however, this caused the wrath of the Erinyes, because he committed matricide.

Actaeon

In Greek mythology, he is the son of the priestly herdsman Aristaeus and Autonoe in Boeotia, was a famous Theban hero. Like Achilles in a later generation, he was trained by the centaur Chiron. He fell to the fatal wrath of Artemis, but the surviving details of his transgression vary: "the only certainty is in what Actaeon suffered, his pathos, and what Artemis did: the hunter became the hunted; he was transformed into a stag, and his raging hounds, struck with a 'wolf's frenzy' (Lyssa), tore him apart as they would a stag." This is the iconic motif by which Actaeon is recognized, both in ancient art and in Renaissance and post-Renaissance depictions. One version of the story is laid out as such: Artemis is bathing in the woods when Actaeon, the hunter, stumbled across her, thus seeing her naked. He stopped and stared, amazed at her ravishing beauty. Once seen, Artemis got revenge on Actaeon: she forbade him speech — if he tried to speak, he would be changed into a stag. Upon hearing the call of his hunting party, he cried out to them and immediately transformed. He would then be eaten by his own hunting hounds.

Nativity — Mary and Joseph, shepherds, wise men, Bethlehem

In the days when Herod was king of Judea, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth in Galilee to announce to a virgin named Mary, who was betrothed to a man named Joseph, that a child would be born to her and she was to name him Jesus, for he would be the son of God and rule over Israel forever. When the time of the birth drew near the Roman Emperor commanded a census of all the world, and Joseph took Mary to Bethlehem, the city of David, as he was of the House of David. There were no available inns so Mary gave birth to Jesus in a manger. Shepherds came to visit the baby Jesus once they heard news from the angels. There the wise men (magi) bringing gifts who had heard of the coming of Jesus also travelled, following the star that lay above his manger. When they had departed an angel appeared to Joseph in a dream and warned him to take the child and his mother and flee to Egypt, for Herod intended to kill him. The Holy Family remained in Egypt until Herod died, when Joseph took them to Nazareth in Galilee for fear of Herod's son who now ruled in Jerusalem.

Jacob and Esau — mess of pottage, ladder

Isaac loved Esau, the eldest son, and Rebekah loved Jacob, the second son. Jacob and Esau were twins who, from the start even in their mother's womb, fought with each other. One day, Esau returned from hunting and desired some of the lentil stew that Jacob was cooking. Jacob offered to give his brother some stew in exchange for his birthright—the special honor that Esau possessed as the older son, which gave him the right to a double portion of his father's inheritance. Esau put his temporary, physical needs over his God-given blessing and sold his birthright to Jacob. When the time came for Isaac to bestow his blessing on his sons, Jacob and his mother contrived to deceive Isaac into blessing Jacob in Esau's place. When Esau found that his blessing had been given to Jacob, he threatened to kill his brother, and Jacob fled. Years later, Jacob and Esau met and were reconciled. Jacob would become the father of the 12 nations of Israel (named after Jacob's later name given by God).

Road to Emmaus

It describes the encounter on the road to Emmaus and the supper at Emmaus, and states that a disciple named Cleopas was walking towards Emmaus with another disciple when they met Jesus. They did not recognize Him, who had risen, and discussed their sadness at recent events with him.

Jeremiah

Jeremiah pleaded God's case against Judah during Jerusalem's destruction by the Babylonians. His name means "May Jehovah exalt." Jeremiah was called by YHWH to give prophecy of Jerusalem's destruction that would occur by invaders from the north. This was because Israel had been unfaithful to the laws of the covenant and had forsaken God by worshiping Baal. The people of Israel had even gone as far as building high altars to Baal in order to burn their children in fire as offerings. This nation had deviated so far from God that they had broken the covenant, causing God to withdraw his blessings. Jeremiah was guided by God to proclaim that the nation of Judah would be faced with famine, plundered and taken captive by foreigners who would exile them to a foreign land. Jeremiah's ministry prompted plots against him. (Jer.11:21-23) Unhappy with Jeremiah's message, possibly for concern that it would shut down the Anathoth sanctuary, his priestly kin and the men of Anathoth conspired to kill him. However, the Lord revealed the conspiracy to Jeremiah, protected his life, and declared disaster for the men of Anathoth. When Jeremiah complains to the Lord about this persecution, he is told that the attacks on him will become worse.

Feeding of 5,000

Jesus and his disciples were followed by crowds of people who listened to him. They wanted to hear Jesus teach, and they wanted to see more miracles, more signs, and more wonders. Jesus could have refused to teach the crowd. After all, He and disciples had sailed on the boat to get away from people for a while and rest. But Mark 6:34 says, "When Jesus came ashore, He saw a large crowd. He felt deep concern for them. They were like sheep without a shepherd. So He began teaching them many things." However, as they were following him they all became very hungry. Jesus asks Philip if there is bread or any food to feed the people. Phillip says there is not enough money to even buy the bread for the number of people out there. Eventually another disciple, Andrew, spoke up and said, "Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish." God was going to use someone that everyone else overlooked to perform a miracle— a little boy. God uses all kinds of people in His work. He often uses those who are weakest or least important in the eyes of other people. What happened next was an amazing miracle. Jesus broke the bread. (Hold up your bread and tear it.) He gave it to His disciples to give it to the all the people. Can you imagine trying to feed that many people? The disciples probably thought, "My basket will run out really quickly with all these hungry people to feed." But amazingly, they never ran out! The disciples went back to Jesus time and time again to get fish and bread to feed the huge crowd. Everyone received as much food as they wanted, they all had plenty to eat, and twelve baskets full of food were left over (John 6:11-13). Jesus told His disciples to gather what was left. After everyone ate until they were full, there were 12 baskets full of food left over for each of the disciples!

Pontius Pilate — what is truth, hand-washing

Jesus tells Pilate that he came into the world to testify the truth, to which Pilate asks him what the truth is. Pilate then washes his hands to signify being free of the blame of whatever decisions the crowds make to crucify Jesus. He allows the crowds to make the decision of crucifying Jesus instead of Barabbas during Passover day. The crowd chooses to crucify Jesus and let free Barabbas.

Ahab and Jezebel

Jezebel was a Phoenician princess who married Ahab, prince of Israel and Jewish king. He became involved in worshipping her gods, including the god Baal, and provoked the Lord. Ahab built a house to Baal in the capital city of Samaria and made an Asherah pole as a tool of pagan worship. Jezebel was likewise known for her evil actions. She was the daughter of Ethbaal, king of the Sidonians. After her marriage to Ahab, her first recorded action was cutting off the prophets of the Lord (1 Kings 18:4). Obadiah, a God-fearing officer in Ahab's court, noted that Jezebel killed many prophets, despite Obadiah's efforts to save them. It was during the time of Ahab and Jezebel that Elijah was the prophet in Israel. Satan had his couple on the throne, but God had His man in the field, performing miracles and leading a revival against Baal-worship. The three-and-a-half-year drought that Elijah prayed for was part of God's judgment on the wickedness of the nation and its leaders. When Elijah confronted Ahab near the end of the drought, the king said to him, "Is that you, you troubler of Israel?" (1 Kings 18:17). The prophet corrected the king: "I have not made trouble for Israel . . . but you and your father's family have. You have abandoned the Lord's commands and have followed the Baals" (v. 18). After Elijah defeated the prophets of Baal and had them killed at Mt. Carmel (1 Kings 18), Jezebel issued a death threat against him. Elijah also predicted Ahab and Jezebel's deaths.

John the Baptist, Herod, Salome

John the Baptist was Jesus cousin and preached Jesus' coming. Salome, the daughter of Herod, and her foolishness led to John's death. John the Baptist as "a man sent from God" who "was not the light", but "came as a witness, to bear witness to the light, so that through him everyone might believe." John clearly denies being the Christ or Elijah or 'the prophet', instead describing himself as the "voice of one crying in the wilderness." Upon literary analysis, it is clear that John is the "testifier and confessor par excellence", particularly when compared to figures like Nicodemus. Jesus's baptism is implied but not depicted. John himself testifies to seeing "the Spirit come down from heaven like a dove and rest on him." John explicitly announces that Jesus is the one "who baptizes with the Holy Spirit" and John even professes a "belief that he is the Son of God" and "the Lamb of God." The Gospel of John reports that Jesus' disciples were baptizing and that a debate broke out between some of the disciples of John and another Jew about purification. In this debate, John argued that Jesus "must become greater," while he (John) "must become less." Later, the Gospel relates that Jesus regarded John as "a burning and shining lamp, and you were willing to rejoice for a while in his light."

Joseph — coat of many colors, sold into Egypt, Potiphar's wife, Pharaoh's dream

Joseph was the favorite son of Jacob (because he was the first-born son of Rachel) and the youngest of his siblings (as the 11th son), besides his just-born brother Benjamin (2nd-born son of Rachel). Because he was the favorite, he received his father's long coat of many colors. Joseph also had a dream that all his brothers and even his father would bow down to him. All of the family was very surprised at this dream and dismissed it. However, his brothers became jealous of his father's favoritism and one day they called him out to a field with a pit and beat him up and threw him into a pit. Then, afraid of getting in trouble with their father, they sold him into slavery to the Egyptians that were passing by. Joseph was sold to Potiphar, the captain of Pharaoh's guard and eventually became Potiphar's personal servant, and subsequently his household's superintendent. However, Potiphar's wife Zuleika tried to seduce Joseph, which he refused. Angered by his running away from her, she made a false accusation of rape, and thus assured his imprisonment. The warden put Joseph in charge of the other prisoners, and soon afterward met Pharaoh's chief cupbearer and chief baker, who had offended the Pharaoh and were thrown into the prison. The two suffered dreams interpreted by Joseph, who stated that the chief cupbearer would be reinstated but the chief baker would be hanged. Joseph requested the cup-bearer to mention him to Pharaoh and secure his release from prison, but the cupbearer, forgot Joseph despite the prediction coming true. After two more years, the Pharaoh dreamt of seven lean cows which devoured seven fat cows; and of seven withered ears of grain which devoured seven fat ears of grain. When Pharaoh's advisers failed to interpret these dreams, the cupbearer remembered Joseph. Joseph was then summoned. He interpreted the dream as seven years of abundance followed by seven years of famine, and advised the Pharaoh to store surplus grain. Following the prediction, Joseph became Vizier and was given a wife, Asenath. During the seven years of abundance, Joseph ensured that the storehouses were full and that all produce was weighed. In the sixth year, Asenath bore two children to Joseph: Manasseh and Ephraim. When the famine came, it was so severe that people from surrounding nations came to Egypt to buy bread. All of the inhabitants of Egypt, less the Egyptian priestly class, sold their properties to Joseph for seed; wherefore Joseph set a mandate that, because the people would be sowing and harvesting seed on government property, a fifth of the produce should go to the Pharaoh. This mandate lasted until the days of Moses. Eventually, Joseph's brothers would come to Egypt because of the famine begging for food in exchange for money. Joseph recognized them but they did not recognize Joseph. Joseph was overcome with emotion but did not show this to his brothers. He inquired about his younger brother Benjamin though he did not directly reference him and instead told them they had to bring him to Egypt to him. Joseph would then break down in tears when his brother Simeon/Judah said he would take Benjamin's place. He then invited his family to come and stay with him in Egypt and was also reunited with his father Jacob.

Mary, Martha, and Lazarus of Bethany

Mary and Martha of Bethany are well-known Bible figures. The two sisters seem to have had different temperaments, and their characters are often polarized in the retelling of their story. Mary and Martha were both devoted disciples of Jesus. Sitting at someone's feet was the usual posture of a disciple who was being taught, and in Luke 10:39 we see Mary sits at Jesus' feet. We don't know much about Lazarus's faith or his character, but he does become a bit of a celebrity after Jesus raised him from death (John 12:1-2, 9). He then became the target of the chief priests' plot to assassinate him (John 12:10-11). The story begins with the death of Lazarus from Bethany, a poor village. Lazarus was the brother of Mary who wiped the Lord's feet with her hair. Jesus loved Martha, Mary, and Lazarus. So when he heard Lazarus was sick he headed to Judea in two days, despite the danger of Jews there who threatened to stone him. Jesus arrives only to find out Lazarus has died and has been in the tomb for four days. Jesus, moved by the sisters and their faith and sadness, goes to the tomb, asks for it to be opened, calls upon the Lord his father, and then calls out, "Lazarus, come out!" Lazarus, the dead man, comes out with strips of linen around his face.

Danad

Mother of Perseus by Zeus, who entered her locked room in a shower of gold. the daughter of King Acrisius of Argos and Queen Eurydice, in Greek mythology. Acrisius was disappointed that he had no sons to give his throne, and asked an oracle for help. The answer he got was that his grandson would kill him. At that point, Danae was childless, and to keep the prophecy from coming true, Acrisius locked her in a tower. However, Zeus had seen Danae and had grown fond of her; so, during the night, he appeared to her in the form of golden rain and impregnated her. She gave birth to a baby, which she named Perseus (see term).

Daphne

Naiad nymph in Greek mythology; naiads were minor goddesses associated with fountains, wells, springs, and other types of freshwater bodies. She was the daughter of either the river god Peneus and Creusa, or the river god Ladon. According to greek myth, she was beautiful and her beauty caught the attention of the god Apollo. Apollo, who according to some sources had been struck by one of Eros' love-inducing arrows, started chasing Daphne; she tried to evade him, and just before she was caught, she pleaded to her father Peneus or to the goddess Gaea to save her. Her pleas were heard and she was transformed into a laurel tree. The laurel became the sacred tree of Apollo; at the Pythian Games, held in honour of the god, winners were given a laurel crown; while Apollo's priestess at the oracle of Delphi, Pythia, went into a prophetic trance because of the smoke of burning laurel leaves.

Noah and the flood — the dove and the rainbow

Noah was a righteous man and walked with God. Seeing that the earth was corrupt and filled with violence, God instructed Noah to build an ark in which he, his sons, and their wives, together with male and female of all living creatures (in pairs), would be saved from the waters. Noah entered the ark in his six hundredth year, and on the 17th day of the 2nd month of that year "the fountains of the Great Deep burst apart and the floodgates of heaven broke open" and rain fell for forty days and forty nights until the highest mountains were covered 15 cubits, and all life perished except Noah and those with him in the ark. After 150 days "God remembered Noah ... and the waters subsided" until the ark rested on the mountains of Ararat. On the 27th day of the 2nd month of Noah's six hundred and first year the earth was dry. Noah sent out a dove to see if land reappeared and the dove brought back an olive branch, meaning there was land nearby. Then Noah built an altar and made a sacrifice, and God made a covenant (promise) with Noah, in the form of a rainbow, that man would be allowed to eat every living thing but not its blood, and that God would never again destroy all life by a flood.

Artemis (Diana)

Often described as the daughter of Zeus and Leto, and the twin sister of Apollo (see term), she was the Hellenic goddess of the hunt, wild animals, wilderness, childbirth, virginity, and protector of young girls, bringing and relieving disease in women (like her brother for men). As soon as Artemis was born, she helped her mother give birth to her twin brother, thereby becoming the protector of childbirth and labour. She asked her father to grant her eternal chastity and virginity, and never gave in to any potential lovers; devoted to hunting and nature, she rejected marriage and love. She was the protector of nature and the hunt; both wild and tame animals were under her protection. She also protected the agriculture and animal herding. She appears in several myths: the myth of Actaeon (see term), the myth of Orion (see term, the myth of Callisto (see term).

Atlas

One of the Titans, son of Iapetus and Clymene, and brother of Prometheus, Epimetheus and Menoetius. During the Titanomachy, the War between the Titans and the Olympian gods, Atlas and his brother Menoetius sided with the Titans, while Prometheus (see term) and Epimetheus helped the Olympian gods. Atlas was the leader in the battle; however, being on the losing side, Zeus condemned him to eternally stand on the western side of Gaea (the earth) holding Uranus (the sky) on his shoulders. Therefore, the contemporary depiction of Atlas holding the Earth on his shoulders is a misconception. He was the Titan god of astronomy and navigation and he was married to his sister, Phoebe. He had numerous children, including the Hesperides, the Hyades, Hyas, the Pleiades, Calypso, Dione and Maera. He was associated with the Atlas mountains in northwest Africa. According to a later myth, when Perseus went to that region, a giant named Atlas tried to drive him away. So, Perseus revealed Medusa's head, whom he had already killed, thus turning Atlas into stone (the Atlas mountains themselves).

Atropos

One of the three Moirai in Greek mythology, goddesses who decided the fate of every human that lived on the earth. Atropos, along with her sisters Clotho and Lachesis, were considered to be the daughters of Zeus and Themis, the goddess of divine law; other sources mention that they were the offspring of the primordial goddess Ananke (necessity). She held shears in her hand with which she cut the thread of life. Clotho was the one who spun the thread, while Lachesis measured its length.

Peter

Peter is the leader of the Apostles. Jesus called him the rock He would build his church upon. During Jesus' crucifixion, Peter denied Jesus three times, predicted by Jesus (first was denial to a servant girl, second was to the same girl again, and third was to a number of people during which a rooster crowed and Jesus turned to look at him as he began to weep and cry). Peter is well-known for having been crucified upside down in repentance of his denials of knowing and following Jesus.

Abraham — Sarah, Hagar, Ishmael

Sarah was the wife of Abraham. Hagar was the servant of Sarah. God had promised Abraham many descendants (as the "father of great nations"), but, ten years after the promise, Sarah was still unable to have children, and they were both on the verge of becoming too old to have children at all. Sarah chose to give her servant Hagar to Abraham, in accordance with the custom of day, so that Sarah could have a child through her (Genesis 16:2). Hagar conceived, and Sarah despised her. Sarah began to deal harshly with her, and Hagar fled to the desert to escape the resentment of her mistress. The angel of the Lord met Hagar in the wilderness, commanding her to return to Abraham and Sarah. The angel relayed a promise from God: "I will surely multiply your offspring so that they cannot be numbered for multitude" (Genesis 16:10). The angel also predicted Ishmael's name and character (Genesis 16:11-12). Later, God fulfilled His promise to Abraham and Sarah. Sarah gave birth to a son named Isaac (Genesis 21). Ishmael would have been about 14 years old at the time of Isaac's birth. Abraham sent Hagar and Ishmael away after Isaac was weaned (around age 2-3, making Ishmael approximately 16), according to God's command. At that time, God repeated His promise that Ishmael would father a great nation. Hagar was in the desert and near death when the angel of God called to her, saying, "What troubles you, Hagar? Fear not, for God has heard the voice of the boy where he is. Up! Lift up the boy, and hold him fast with your hand, for I will make him into a great nation" (Genesis 21:17-18). Ishmael and his mother lived in the wilderness of Paran, where he became an expert with a bow and later took an Egyptian wife (Genesis 21:20-21). He is seen once again in Scripture when he returned to help bury his father Abraham (Genesis 25:7-10). Ishmael, the son of a bondservant, became the father of 12 sons who were called princes. He lived to 137 years of age. Sarah died at the age of 127 in Hebron, where she was buried (Genesis 23:1-2).

Saul and Paul

Saul was a tax collector and Pharisee who was blinded by the light of God one day when he was walking to Damascus with his friends. Then a voice emanated from within the light that was both terrifying and soothing at the same time: "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads." Saul begins to question whether it was an angel or perhaps Satan trying to distract him from his holy quest to persecute the followers of Jesus. Humbly Saul inquires, "Who are you, Lord?" only to receive the answer "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting." In awe and great surprise, Saul begins to tremble and concedes that Jesus truly is the Messiah. He asks the light what he should and Jesus replies, telling him to go into the city. There he was met by a disciple named Ananias, who was sent by Jesus to Saul to tell him of his mission. The former Pharisee so embraced his calling to minister the Gospel to the Gentiles that he forsook his Jewish name, Saul, and became Paul, a disciple of the Lord, and became one of the greatest evangelists to spread God's word through series of letters that make up the New Testament.

Mary Magdalene

She was a follower of Jesus who was present throughout most of His journey, including His crucifixion. She is a central figure and follower of Jesus who travelled with him. The Gospel of Luke says seven demons had gone out of her, and the longer ending of Mark says Jesus had cast seven demons out of her. She is most prominent in the narrative of the crucifixion of Jesus, at which she was present, and the witness in all four gospels of the empty tomb, the central fact of Jesus' resurrection. She was also present two days later, immediately following the sabbath, when, according to all four canonical Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John) she was, either alone or as a member of a group of women, the first to testify to the resurrection of Jesus. John 20 and Mark 16:9 specifically name her as the first person to see Jesus after his resurrection.

Antigone

She was the daughter of Oedipus and his mother, Jocasta. Her father, Oedipus, king of Thebes, unknowingly married his mother Jocasta. Her sister was Ismene and her brother were Polynices and Eteocles. According to the most popular version of the story, after the death of Oedipus, Eteocles and Polynices ascended to the throne and would take turns reigning over Thebes. However, Polynices, forced out of the throne by his brother, commanded an army against his brother, and in the battle that followed, both brothers died. Antigone then pleaded to Creon, the successor to the throne, to bury Polynices; Creon did not allow it as Polynices was considered a traitor. As a result, Antigone buried her brother by herself, leading to her arrest. In the end, Antigone was incarcerated in a tomb. Creon later had a change of heart and went to the tomb in order to release her, only to find her hanged; Creon's son, who was in love with Antigone, also committed suicide after learning the news, and Queen Eurydice, Creon's wife, did the same not bearing to see her husband allow such acts.

Cain and Abel — mark of Cain

They were two brothers who were the sons of Adam and Eve. Cain was the eldest who tilled the soil and Abel was the shepherd. Both offered their crops and livestock to God, but God favored Abel's sacrifice over Cain's. Cain killed Abel out of jealousy. As a result, he was cursed and punished by God with a life of wandering and marked for life so that no man would kill him.

Pentecost

The 41st day after Jesus' Resurrection where the Holy Spirit descended upon the Apostles. The 'fiftieth day' at the end of the seven weeks following Passover (easter in the Christian dispensation). At the first Pentecost after the Resurrection and Ascension of Jesus, the Holy Spirit was manifested, given and communicated as a divine Person to the Church, fulfilling the paschal mystery of Christ according to his promise.

Beatitudes — Sermon on the mount

The Beatitudes are eight blessings, proverb-like proclamations, that lay out ideals that Jesus' teachings encourage. The Sermon on the Mount is the longest continuous section of Jesus speaking found in the New Testament, and has been one of the most widely quoted elements of the Canonical Gospels. It includes some of the best known teachings of Jesus, including the Beatitudes, and the widely recited Lord's Prayer. To most believers in Jesus, the Sermon on the Mount contains the central tenets of Christian discipleship. The Sermon is set early in the Ministry of Jesus, after he has been baptized by John the Baptist in chapter 3 of Matthew's Gospel and gathered his first disciples in chapter 4. Before this episode, Jesus had been "all about Galilee" preaching, as in Matthew 4:23, and "great crowds followed him" from all around the area. The setting for the sermon is given in Matthew 5:1-2. Jesus sees the multitudes, goes up into the mountain, is followed by his disciples, and begins to preach.

Whited sepulcher

The Book of Matthew describes whited sepulchres as something beautiful on the outside but containing horrors within. Whited sepulchres were used to describe the Pharisees by Jesus and in literature it is used to mean an evil person who pretends to be holy or good.

Circe

The daughter of Helios and Perseis and goddess of magic. She would drug lost sailors that ended up on her island and turn them into swines for food. Odysseus tried to free his crew by going to Circe's palace with a special plant called moly that would protect him from Circe's evil potion. After Circe realized Odysseus had been protected from her drug, she released him and all of his crew members. Circe and Odysseus had two children together, Agrios and Latinos.

Aeneas

The Trojan hero and son of the prince Anchises and the goddess Venus (Aphrodite). His father was a first cousin of King Priam of Troy, making him a second cousin to Priam's children. He is more extensively mentioned in Roman mythology, and is seen as an ancestor of Remus and Romulus, brothers and founders of Rome. Aphrodite made all Greek gods fall in love with mortal women, and Zeus, to punish her, made her fall in love with Anchises, who was a herdsman near Mount Ida. Aphrodite appeared in front of him, and the herdsman was smitten by her beauty. After sleeping together, Aphrodite revealed her true identity to him, who feared for any consequences that might afflict him. Aphrodite reassured him that there would be no problem as long as he kept it a secret. She also told him that she would give birth to Aeneas. In the Iliad, Aeneas was the leader of the Trojan Dardanians, and the main lieutenant of Hector. Aphrodite protected him throughout the war, and was also helped by Apollo, and even Poseidon who normally favoured the Greeks. In Roman literature, mainly the Aeneid written by Virgil, he was one of the few Trojans not killed during the Trojan War. He travelled to Italy, where he settled in the region where Rome would later be built by his descendants, Remus and Romulus.

Electra

The daughter of King Agamemnon and Queen Clytemnestra, and thus princess of Argos. She and her brother Orestes (see term) plotted revenge against their mother Clytemnestra and stepfather Aegisthus for the murder of their father, Agamemnon (see term). Clytemnestra was furious at her husband for sacrificing their daughter Iphigenia to Artemis before his departure to Troy, while another reason may have been the possible murder of her first husband by Agamemnon. Electra and Orestes sought refuge in Athens, and when Orestes was 20 years old, he consulted the Oracle of Delphi; there, he was told to take revenge for his father's death. Along with his sister, they went back to Mycenae and plotted against their mother and Aegisthus. With the help of his cousin and best friend, Pylades, Orestes managed to kill his mother and her lover; before her death though, Clytemnestra cursed Orestes and as a result, the Furies or Erinyes chased him, as it was their duty to punish anyone committing matricide or other similar violent acts. Electra, instead, was not haunted by the Erinyes.

Ariadne

The daughter of King Minos (see term) of Crete and his wife Pasiphae, in Greek mythology. By her mother, she was the granddaughter of the sun god Helios. She is best known for her pivotal role in the myth of Theseus (see term) and the Minotaur (see term) in the mazes and labyrinths of Crete.

Cassandra

The daughter of King Priam and Queen Hecuba, lords of Troy, in Greek mythology. She was also known as Alexandra. According to one myth, god Apollo gave her the gift of foretelling the future and then tried to sleep with her. However, she rejected him and to punish her, he cursed her so that no one would ever believe her prophecies. After being cursed, she was met with disbelief by her family and by the Trojans. She foretold that Paris, her brother, would bring about a war that would destroy their city, if he went to Sparta. Her brother did not believe her, and upon his return from Sparta with Menelaus' wife, Helen, Cassandra attacked her for the pain that was about to be caused. She also foretold that Troy would fall by a clever machination of the Greeks, the Trojan Horse, in which they would hide; her fellow citizens did not listen to her words, thus causing the end of the city. After the fall of Troy, she was taken by Agamemnon back to his home; despite Cassandra's warnings about the plots of Agamemnon's wife, Clytemnestra, he went back home where he was murdered by his wife and her lover, Aegisthus. When she died, her soul was sent to the Elysian Fields, a place in the Underworld where the worthy souls rested.

Tower of Babel

The descendants of Noah were living in the area of Mesopotamia in Babylon. They settled in a land named Shinar. The population was growing and they all spoke one language. The people decided to build a tall, proud symbol of how great they had made their nation. The Babylonians wanted a tower that would "reach to the heavens" so that they could be like God and that they would not need Him. They began to construct a great ziggurat (tower). God did not like the pride and arrogance in the hearts of the people. God punished the people and caused them to suddenly speak different languages/tongues so they could not communicate and work together to build the tower. This caused the people to scatter across the land. The tower was named The Tower of Babel because the word Babel means confusion. This story is a powerful reminder of how important it is to obey God's Word and to not think that we can build a successful but godless life on our own. It also explains the origin of the many existing languages.

Charon

The ferryman of Hades who carries souls of the newly deceased across the rivers Styx and Acheron that divided the world of the living from the world of the dead.

Danaids

The fifty daughters of King Danaus of Argos, all but one of whom murdered their husbands on their wedding night. the story of fifty women who commit a horrible wrongdoing: guided by their father, they all kill their husbands on their wedding night. This great massacre was unbelievable, even for the bloody ancient Greek myths. It was a crime that both people and gods would punish. Indeed, the Danaides were punished for this after their death with a horrible and eternal torment. The story of Danaides begins with the rivalry between the twin sons of Belus, the king of Egypt. Belus was believed to be a descendant of Io, a princess of Argos who lived most of her life in Egypt. Belus had two sons, Danaus and Aegyptus. When Belus died, he made Danaus king of Libya and Aegyptus king of Arabia. The two brothers had regular rivalries over their kingdoms and where trying one to get the other's land. The most interesting fact about these brothers is their progeny. The myth says that Danaus had fifty daughters, known as the Danaides, from four different women, while Aegyptus had fifty sons. The intelligent Aegyptus wanted to get his sons married to the Danaides. For Aegyptus, these fifty marriages appeared as an easy route to acquire the properties of Danaus. Danaus soon understood the plan of his brother and was not willing to surrender his beautiful daughters to his nasty nephews. Guided by the gods and not intending to cause a war between them, he decided to give his kingdom to his brother and leave the country in search for another life. Danaus built a ship with fifty oars and fled to Greece with his fifty daughters.

Last Supper — bread and wine

The final meal that, in the Gospel accounts, Jesus shared with his Apostles in Jerusalem before his crucifixion. The Last Supper is commemorated by Christians especially on Maundy Thursday. The Last Supper provides the scriptural basis for the Eucharist, also known as "Holy Communion" or "The Lord's Supper". It's during this supper that Jesus predicts Judas' betrayal and before he heads to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray to God. During this supper, there are two main components the bread and the wine. Jesus explains that the bread represents his body, broken as a sacrificial Lamb to God, and that the wine represents his blood, poured out for their sins. For this reason, the bread and wine is symbolic in literature but also specifically in Communion.

Dido

The founder and first queen of Carthage (in modern-day Tunisia). She is primarily known from the account given by the Roman poet Virgil in his epic, Aeneid. In some sources she is also known as Elissa. Carthage was located in the modern-day country of Tunisia. According to one source, an unnamed king who ruled over the city of Tyre had two children, Dido and Pygmalion. Although he had appointed both his children as his joint heirs, after his death the people only considered Pygmalion as their true ruler. Dido married her uncle Acerbas, who was second in power after Pygmalion. There was a rumour that Acerbas had a hidden stash of gold, and Pygmalion murdered him in order to take his wealth. Dido wanted to escape the city, and formulated a plan; she said that she wanted to move into the palace of Pygmalion. When her brother sent help for the move, Dido told the helpers to throw into the sea a number of bags that presumably contained gold as an offering to her husband's spirit; however, the bags only contained sand. She then persuaded the helpers to follow her to another land, rather than face her brother's wrath when he found out what had happened to Acerbas' "wealth." The party wandered and eventually reached the lands of the Berber king Iarbas on the coast of North Africa. She asked Iarbas for a small piece of land encircled by oxhide. The king agreed, and Dido cut the oxhide into fine strips, eventually managing to encircle a nearby hill. On the hill, they founded a settlement, Carthage. Carthage became a prosperous city, and Iarbas eventually asked for Dido's hand, or else he would attack the city. She decided to create a ceremonial pyre, presumably as a last honour to her late husband, before becoming Iarbas' wife. However, at the end, she ascended to the pyre, announced that she would go to her husband and killed herself with a sword. Since then, she was deified by Carthaginians.

Aegeus

The founder of the city of Athens in Greek mythology, and king of the city. After failing to produce a male heir to the throne with his first two wives, he went to the Oracle of Delphi, where he was given a cryptic prophecy. Seeking someone to explain it, he sought King Pittheus, who understanding what the prophecy meant, forced his own daughter Aethra upon him. After their union, it is said that Aethra also bedded Poseidon and became pregnant to Theseus. Aegeus, deciding to return to Athens, buried his armour and weapons, and told Aethra that once his son grew up, he should bring them back to him in Athens. In Athens, Aegeus married Medea, who had fled from Jason, and had a son together, named Medus. The prince of Crete, Androgeus, was visiting Athens when he was killed in a contest with Aegeus, enraging King Minos who declared war on Athens. However, a peace treaty was signed under the term that seven men and seven women from Athens would be sent to Crete in regular intervals to be fed to the Minotaur. When Theseus grew up, he went to Athens where he was acknowledged by his father; soon, though, he volunteered to be sent to Crete as one of the tributes, in order to slay the Minotaur, which he successfully did. However, on the way back, he forgot to change his ship's black sails to white, as he had told his father he would do if he succeeded; as a result, Aegeus, seeing the black sails and thinking his son was slain by the Minotaur, jumped into the sea and drowned. Since then, the sea became known as the Aegean. A river of Scheria is also named after him.

Dionysus (Bacchus)

The god of fertility and wine, later considered a patron of the arts. He created wine and spread the art of viticulture. He had a dual nature; on one hand, he brought joy and divine ecstasy; or he would bring brutal and blinding rage, thus reflecting the dual nature of wine. Dionysus and his followers, the Maenads, could not be bound by fetters. Dionysus was the son of Zeus and Semele, and he was the only god with a mortal parent. Zeus went to Semele in the night, unseen by human eyes, but could be felt as a divine presence. Semele was pleased to be the lover of a god, even though she did not know which one. Word soon got around and Hera quickly assumed who was responsible. She went to Semele in disguise and convinced her she should see her lover as he really was. When Zeus visited her again, she made him promise to grant her one wish. She went so far as to make him swear on the River Styx that he would grant her request. Zeus was madly in love and agreed. She then asked him to show her his true form. Zeus was unhappy knowing what was about to happen, but bound by his oath, he had no choice. He appeared in his true form and Semele was instantly burnt to a crisp by the sight of his glory. Zeus managed to rescue the fetal Dionysus and stitched him into his thigh until he would be ready to be born. His birth from Zeus conferred immortality upon him. Hera, still jealous of Zeus' infidelity and the fact that Dionysus was alive, arranged for the Titans to kill him. The Titans ripped him to pieces; however, Rhea brought him back to life. After this, Zeus arranged for his protection and gave him to the mountain nymphs to be raised. He also rescued Ariadne after she had been abandoned by Theseus.

Ares (Mars)

The god of war, and son of Zeus and Hera. He represented the raw violence and untamed acts that occurred in wartime, in contrast to Athena, who was a symbol of tactical strategy and military planning. He was disliked by both his parents. Whenever Ares appeared in a myth, he was depicted as a violent personality, who faced humiliation through his defeats more than once. In the Iliad, it is mentioned that Zeus hated him more than anyone else; Ares was also on the losing side of the Trojan War, favoring the Trojans. He was the lover of his sister, Aphrodite, who was married to Hephaestus. The union of Ares and Aphrodite resulted in the birth of eight children, including Eros, god of love. There were few temples attributed to Ares in Ancient Greece. Sacrifices would usually be made to him when an army would march to war; Spartans would make sacrifices to Enyalius, another lesser god and son of Ares and Enyo. However, the name was also used as a byname for Ares. When Ares went to war, he was followed by his companions, Deimos (terror) and Phobos (fear), products of his union with Aphrodite. Eris, goddess of discord and sister of Deimos and Phobos, also accompanied them.

Demeter (Ceres)

The goddess of corn, grain, and the harvest. She was the daughter of Cronus and Rhea. It was believed that Demeter made the crops grow each year; thus the first loaf of bread made from the annual harvest was offered to her. She was the goddess of the earth, of agriculture, and of fertility in general. Sacred to her are livestock and agricultural products, poppy, narcissus and the crane. She was a sister of Zeus with whom she had Persephone (see term). Demeter was intimately associated with the seasons. When, her daughter Persephone was abducted by Hades to be his wife in the underworld, in her anger at her daughter's loss, Demeter laid a curse on the world that caused plants to wither and die, and the land to become desolate. Zeus, alarmed for the barren earth, sought for Persephone's return. However, because she had eaten while in the underworld, Hades had a claim on her. Therefore, it was decreed that Persephone would spend four months each year in the underworld. During these months Demeter would grieve for her daughter's absence, withdrawing her gifts from the world, creating winter. Her return brought the spring. Demeter was also known for founding the Eleusinian Mysteries. These were huge festivals held every five years and very important events for many centuries. Yet, little is known about them as those attending were sworn to secrecy. It is thought that the central tenet around which the Mysteries revolved was that just like grain returns every spring after its harvest and the winter lull, so does the human soul after the death of the body, reincarnated in a next life.

Aurora

The goddess of dawn and daughter of the Titan Hyperion and the Titaness Theia and sister of Helios, the sun god, and Selene, the moon goddess. She is known as Eos in Greek mythology. She was married to Astraeus, god of the dusk and together, they had numerous children that represented everything that occurred during the union of the dusk and the dawn (twilight). Among her children were the four Anemoi (winds), as well as Eosphorus (the Morning Star) and the Astra Planeta (wandering stars or planets). She was described as having rosy fingers, a light pink gown woven with flowers, wearing a tiara and having large white-feathered wings.

Aphrodite (Venus)

The goddess of love, desire and beauty. Apart from her natural beauty, she also had a magical girdle that compelled everyone to desire her. There are two accounts of her birth. According to one, she was the daughter of Zeus and Dione, the mother goddess worshipped at the Oracle of Dodona. However, the other account, which is more prevalent, informs us that she arose from the sea on a giant scallop, after Cronus castrated Uranus and tossed his severed genitals into the sea. Aphrodite then walked to the shore of Cyprus. In a different version of the myth, she was born near the island of Cythera, hence her epithet "Cytherea". Aphrodite was married to Hephaestus; however, she had an affair with her brother Ares, god of war. When Hephaestus found out about the affair, he devised a plan and managed to humiliate his wife and her lover to the other Olympians. Her holy tree was the myrtle, while her holy birds were the dove, the swan, and the sparrow. She was also involved in several of the Greek myths, including that of the Trojan war and its beginnings.

Aegisthus

The lover of Clytemnestra, and son of Thyestes and Pelopia. Thyestes, having a long-time rivalry with his brother and king of Mycenae, Atreus, was advised by an oracle to have a son, who would kill his brother, with his own daughter, Pelopia. Thus, Aegisthus was born. Because his mother was ashamed due to her father raping her, she abandoned the child to shepherds, and was later taken under the protection of Thyestes' brother, Atreus, without knowing the child's true identity. When Aegisthus grew up, Atreus sent him to kill Thyestes, Aegisthus' true father, with a sword, which his mother had given to him before she left. This sword revealed the true identity of Aegisthus to Thyestes, and they both devised a plan against Atreus. Aegisthus returned to his uncle and killed him, taking the throne of Mycenae for him and his father. They exiled Atreus' sons, Agamemnon and Menelaus, to Sparta, where they married Clytemnestra and Helen, daughters of King Tyndareus, respectively. After the abduction of Helen by Paris and the Trojan War, Aegisthus seduced Clytemnestra and together, they killed Agamemnon upon his return from Troy. He continued to rule over Mycenae, but on the eighth year, Orestes, son of Agamemnon, avenged his father's death by killing him.

Lot and his wife — Sodom and Gomorrah

The story of Lot's wife begins in Genesis 19 after two angels arrived in Sodom, at eventide, and were invited to spend the night at Lot's home. As dawn was breaking, Lot's visiting angels urged him to get his family and flee, so as to avoid being caught in the impending disaster for the iniquity of the city. Lot delayed, so the angels took hold of his hand, his wife's hand, and his daughters and brought them out of the city. The command was given, "Flee for your life! Do not look behind you, nor stop anywhere in the Plain; flee to the hills, lest you be swept away." Lot objected to the idea of fleeing to the hills and requested safe haven at a little town nearby. The request was granted and the town became known as Zoar. Traveling behind her husband, Lot's wife looked back, and became a pillar of salt.

Creon

The name of different figures in Greek mythology, the most important being the ruler of Thebes in the myth of Oedipus. He was married to Eurydice, with whom he had seven children. Along with his sister Jocasta, they were descendants of Cadmus and the Spartoi. In the myth of Oedipus, Creon ascended to the throne of Thebes, when the previous king Laius died on his journey to the oracle of Delphi. The mythical monster Sphinx went close to the city of Thebes, killing anyone it would meet that could not answer its riddles. Creon, being desperate about the monster that plagued the area, offered the Theban throne and his sister's hand in marriage to anyone who would be able to kill it. Oedipus managed to answer the Sphinx' riddle, causing its demise, and married Jocasta, not knowing that she was his mother. Creon also appears in another myth, that of Antigone. Oedipus' sons, Eteocles and Polynices, shared the throne of Thebes, but after a fight, Polynices was exiled. The defeated brother returned with an army and attacked Thebes in the storyline of Seven Against Thebes. Although Thebes did not fall, both Eteocles and Polynices died in the conflict, and Creon became the new ruler. Eteocles was buried with full honour, but Polynices was left to rot for punishment of turning against the city. Antigone, sister of Polynices and the beloved of Creon's son, secretly buried her brother, causing the wrath of Creon; he decreed that she be buried in a tomb alive. Later, having a change of heart after his son's plea, Creon decided to free Antigone, only to find her having taken her own life by hanging herself. Haemon, Creon's son, in despair, initially threatened to kill his father but eventually took his own life.

Charybdis

The nymph daughter of Poseidon and Gaia. She flooded lands for her father's underwater kingdom. Zeus turned her into a monster. She lived in a cave on one side of the Strait Messina. Scyllas and Charybdis created a dangerous threat to the passing ships on the Strait of Messina. The "monster" was later rationalised as a whirlpool.

Apollo (Phoebus)

The son of Zeus and Leto, twin brother of Artemis. He was the god of music, and he is often depicted playing a golden lyre. He was also known as the Archer, far shooting with a silver bow; the god of healing, giving the science of medicine to man; the god of light; and the god of truth. One of Apollo's most important daily tasks was to harness his four-horse chariot, in order to move the Sun across the sky. Apollo was an oracular god, as he was the prophetic deity in the Oracle in Delphi. People from all over the known world travelled there to learn what the future held for them, through his priestess Pythia. The god was also worshipped in the island of Delos, which was initially dedicated to his twin sister Artemis. He could also bring forth disease and plague with his arrows; it was considered that a god that can cause disease is also able to prevent it. He was born on Delos, where his mother Leto sought refuge; Hera, having realised that Leto was impregnated by her husband Zeus, banned Leto from giving birth on land. So, Leto managed to go to Delos, which had recently been formed, and therefore, was not considered a real island yet. The inhabitants of the island, along with Artemis who had been born a day earlier, helped Leto give birth to Apollo. Leto then promised the Delians that Apollo would always favour them for having helped her. His holy tree was the laurel, because of the story of Apollo and Daphne, the nymph with whom he fell in love with who became a laurel tree, and his holy animal was the dolphin.

Castor & Pollux

The twin brothers, together known as the Dioskouroi. They were regarded as the patrons of sailors and brought favorable winds for those who made sacrifices to them, and were also associated with horsemanship. Though accounts of their birth are varied, they are sometimes said to have been born from an egg, along with their twin sisters or half-sisters Helen of Troy and Clytemnestra.

Clytemnestra

The wife of Agamemnon, king of Mycenae or Argos. She was the daughter of Tyndareus and Leda, rulers of Sparta, and sister of Castor, Polydeuces, and Helen. When her sister Helen and wife of Agamemnon's brother, Menelaus, was abducted by Paris and was taken to Troy, Agamemnon decided to help his brother and bring his wife back, thus starting the Trojan War. Before the army left for Troy, Agamemnon was forced to sacrifice his daughter Iphigenia, as he had caused the wrath of Artemis. While he was away, Clytemnestra started an affair with Aegisthus, with whom she plotted against her husband. Clytemnestra was angry with her husband, both because of her daughter's sacrifice, as well as because Agamemnon had killed her first husband and taken her by force. Upon his return from Troy, Agamemnon was welcomed by his wife. When he went to take a bath, Clytemnestra threw a net on him and stabbed him. Agamemnon's concubine, Cassandra, who was outside the palace, had foreseen the plot, but as she was cursed by the god Apollo, no one believed her and she reluctantly accepted her fate and was slain. Aegisthus and Clytemnestra took the rule of Mycenae for seven years, until Orestes, the son of Clytemnestra and Agamemnon, returned and killed his mother and her lover as revenge for his father's death.

Andromache

The wife of Hector (prince of Troy) and the daughter of Eetion who ruled over the city of Cilician Thebe. Hector married her after her city was sacked by Achilles and her family was killed. They would have a son named Astyanax. After Hector's death and Troy's fall, Andromache was told by the Greek herald Talthybius that they would throw her son Astyanax off the city walls. Neoptolemus was the one to carry out the plan, and then took Andromache as his concubine. Neoptolemus and Andromache had three children, Molossus, Pielus and Pergamus. After Neoptolemus' death, Helenus, Hector's brother, who had been taken by Neoptolemus as a slave, married Andromache, who became the Queen of Epirus.

Ruth and Naomi

There was a great famine in Israel during the time when judges ruled. Many people relocated to foreign lands to find food for their families. A man from Bethlehem named Elimelech took his wife Naomi and his two sons Mahlon and Kilion went to Moab to find food and ended up staying there to live. Elimelech died and Naomi continued to live with her two sons who married Moabite women named Orpah and Ruth. Both sons also passed away leaving Naomi with her two foreign daughter-in-laws. Naomi heard that the Lord helped the people of Israel and food had been provided back home. She decided to go back to Bethlehem in Judah and told Orpah and Ruth to stay in Moab and find new husbands. While Orpah returned to her mother's home, Ruth clung to Naomi and told her that she will stay with her and that Naomi's God and people will be her God and people. Upon returning the Bethlehem, Ruth decided to go into the fields during the barley harvest to pick up leftover grains. Ruth worked behind the harvesters in a field that belonged to a man named Boaz who was a relative of her father-in-law Elimelek. When Boaz heard that Naomi had returned with Ruth and that Ruth was gleaning the leftover grain, he went to Ruth and told her she could work safely in his fields and get a drink from his water jars when she was thirsty. Ruth questioned his kindness and Boaz responded that he had heard of Ruth's kindness toward Naomi and that the Lord God of Israel would bless her and reward her. Ruth worked very hard in the fields to provide enough barley to sell and to keep some for her and Naomi. After the harvest, Naomi encouraged Ruth to meet Boaz on the threshing floor and to lie down at his feet when he was done working. When Boaz woke and noticed Ruth he blessed her for her kindness and noble character. Boaz then gave Ruth six measures of barley for her to take home to Naomi. Boaz went before his friends and elders to purchase the land that had belonged to Elimelech and was now Naomi's. He did this so that he could also acquire Naomi and Ruth. Boaz was now able to marry Ruth. Boaz and Ruth had a son named Jesse who would be the father of David and from whose genealogy would come the Savior Jesus Christ.

Rachel and Leah

They were the two sisters who both married Jacob. In the Biblical account, Jacob is dispatched to the hometown of Laban—the brother of his mother Rebekah—to avoid being killed by his brother Esau, and to find a wife. Out by the well, he encounters Laban's younger daughter Rachel tending her father's sheep, and decides to marry her. Laban is willing to give Rachel's hand to Jacob as long as he works seven years for her. On the wedding night, however, Laban switches Leah for Rachel. Later Laban claims that it is not customary to give the younger daughter away in marriage before the older one. Laban offers to give Rachel to Jacob in marriage in return for another seven years of work. Jacob accepts the offer and marries Rachel after the week-long celebration of his marriage to Leah. Leah, the pawn in someone else's trickery, must live out her life married to a man who did not love her, did not choose her, did not want her. Every day she faced the fact that her husband loved her younger sister, not her. Rachel, the younger sister, appeared to have everything going for her except her ability to bear children. Leah, her older sister, seemed to have no problem getting pregnant, with six sons and one daughter. Every day for more than a decade she heard the sound of her sister's children and she yearned for a child of her own. The rivalry between the two sisters existed because each one wanted what the other had. Leah wanted Jacob's love, expressed in the naming of her sons. Now when Rachel saw that she bore Jacob no children, Rachel envied her sister. Eventually, after Rachel prayed and prayed, "the Lord opened her womb" and she eventually had two sons Joseph and Benjamin.

Parable of talents

This parable tells of a master who was leaving his house to travel, and, before leaving, entrusted his property to his servants. To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more. He who had the two talents made two talents more. But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master's money. Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. He evaluates them according to how faithful each was in making wise investments of his goods to obtain a profit. It is clear that the master sought some profit from the servants' oversight. A gain indicated faithfulness on the part of the servants. The master rewards his servants according to how each has handled his stewardship. He judges two servants as having been "faithful" and gives them a positive reward. To the single unfaithful servant who "played it safe," a negative compensation is given.

Prodigal Son

This was a parable in which there is a father with two sons. One of his sons asks for his part of the inheritance, spent it all, and had no choice but to go back home and beg his father to allow him back. The son had lived wildly and even spent his wealth on prostitutes, only to end up feeding and sleeping with the pigs. When he came back, however, the father welcomed the son and rejoiced at his return. He held a party and a feast to celebrate and clothed him well. The other son who had lived faithfully with his father for all his life is appalled and upset because he had worked all this time and had never been given such a feast. However, the father answers him, "My son, you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found." (Luke 15:31-32)

Walking on water

This was another one of Jesus' miracles. There were rough storms so Jesus' disciples, frightened, woke Him up and asked Him to help. Jesus went outside and made His disciples go inside. Later that night, he was there alone, and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it. Shortly before dawn, Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified thinking he was a ghost. But Jesus immediately said to them: "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid." Peter then tells Jesus that if it is Him tell him to come out on the water and Jesus does so. Peter then gets out of the boat, walks on the water, and comes toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and began to sink so he cries for Jesus. Immediately Jesus reached out His hand and catches him saying he has little faith and doubts Him. When they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God." (Matthew 14:22-23)

Marriage in Cana

This was where Jesus' first miracle occurred alongside his mother. In the Gospel account, Jesus, his mother and his disciples are invited to a wedding, and when the wine runs out, Jesus' mother calls him to fix the problem. Jesus replied, "O Woman, what has this to do with me? My hour has not yet come." His mother then said to the servants, "Do whatever he tells you" (John 2:3-5). Jesus ordered the servants to fill containers with water and to draw out some and take it to the chief steward waiter. During this time He changed water to wine. After tasting it, without knowing where it came from, the steward remarked to the bridegroom that he had departed from the custom of serving the best wine first by serving it last (John 2:6-10). John adds that: "Jesus did this, the first of his signs, in Cana of Galilee, and it revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him" (John 2:11).

Doubting Thomas

Thomas was a disciple of Jesus who doubted that He had resurrected despite the many accounts from other apostles and people. He did not believe it until Jesus appeared to him until he felt the wounds in his hands and side. In literature, a doubting Thomas is a skeptic who refuses to believe certain things without direct personal experience (i.e. "seeing is believing" concept)

Bellerophon

When he was young he honored the gods and won their favor, but eventually his pride got the better of him and led to his downfall. His story is a considered a lesson in the proper relationship between a mortal hero and the gods. The son of Poseidon and Eurynome, wife of Glaucus. He was raised by Glaucus who thought Bellerophon was his own son. Considering that both Poseidon and Glaucus were interested in horses, it is not surprising that Bellerophon quested after Pegasus. (https://www.greekmythology.com/Myths/Heroes/Bellerophon/bellerophon.html)

Moses — bulrushes, burning bush, Aaron's rod, Passover, bricks without straw, crossing Red Sea, Ten Commandments

When the pharaoh ordered that every male infant be thrown into the Nile River, Moses' mother constructed a cradle of bulrushes and put him near the riverbank. Moses had one older (by seven years) sister, Miriam, and one older (by three years) brother, Aaron. By the riverbank the Pharaoh's daughter discovered the baby and adopted him. Moses' mother would then take care of him, hired by Pharaoh's daughter. He was then named "Moses" because he was "drawn out of the water." One day after Moses had reached adulthood he killed an Egyptian who was beating a Hebrew. Moses, in order to escape the Pharaoh's death penalty, fled to Midian (a desert country south of Judah). There, on Mount Horeb, God revealed to Moses his name YHWH and commanded him to return to Egypt and bring his chosen people (Israel) out of bondage and into the Promised Land (Canaan). He would also marry a woman named Zipporah whom he met after running away from Egypt. Moses returned to carry out God's command, but God caused the Pharaoh to refuse, and only after God had subjected Egypt to ten plagues (water into blood, frogs, lice, wild animals/swarms of flies, diseased livestock, boils, hail storms, locusts, darkness for three days, and finally death of the firstborn including Pharoah's first son) did the Pharaoh relent. Moses led the Israelites to the border of Egypt, but there God hardened the Pharaoh's heart once more, so that he could destroy the Pharaoh and his army at the Red Sea Crossing as a sign of his power to Israel and the nations. He would later get the Ten Commandments from God on Mt. Sinai, but destroyed the tablets on which they were written when he found his people, the Israelites, had disobeyed God and worshipped a golden cow when he came down from the mountain. He then rewrote the Ten Commandments on stone tablets. Eventually, he would lead the people to the promised land. However, he could not step into the promised land and died before he could because he had committed the sin of killing a man (the Egyptian man from early on in his life).

Echo

Zeus was quite attracted to nymphs and often visited them. Hera, his wife, jealous of his various affairs, followed him trying to catch him. However, Echo would engage Hera in long-winded conversations, giving the time to Zeus to evade her. At some point, Hera realised the plot of Echo and cursed her to only be able to repeat the last words that another person just said. After being cursed, Echo came across a beautiful young man named Narcissus, but was unable to talk to him because of the curse. She simply followed him in the woods. Narcissus (see term), having lost his companions with whom he had gone hunting, started shouting "Is anyone there?" Echo, given the opportunity, repeated the words. He shouted again "Let's come together" to which Echo rushed onto him repeating his words. However, Narcissus rejected Echo, and she was left in despair. Narcissus came across a lake and there, he fell in love with his own image, causing his death, unable to move. Echo mourned for him and eventually died away herself, leaving only her voice behind.