Greek and Roman Mythology - Essay Example

Titus Rock Manickam Order No. 226048 09 May 2008 Greek and Roman Mythology Spiridon was unusually ascetic and content. However, he was not like this always. He was ambitious and planned to extend the vast empire that was to inherit from his parents. He was born of royal lineage. His parents ruled from Iulia in Romania, home of the dreaded Prince Dracula, over vast empire stretching from the Himalayas to the Alps. He was also very strong and brave. Everywhere he went he was received with pomp and accolades. He was surrounded by an army of choice personal guards attired in royal clothes and his entourage included ministerial officials of the highest rank. But time was changing. It was not enough to be brave and strong. The powers of the heavens were being tested. There was an element of fresh expectations in the air, making way for something new to happen for a change. And something was about to happen. It looked like Bellona was upto something. (Greek Mythology) It was time for the Gods and the monsters to war. Amidst the historical events of modern economies, technologies and warfare a new personae had emerged. She changed Spiridon into a horse when she found he would not succumb to her charms. Disapprovingly, Zeus had allowed the mighty prince to be so transformed from man to beast. (Greek and Roman Mythology) Even in the beastly form, Spiridon was elegant and handsome. He disdained from mingling with the other horses and did not allow anyone to mount him. Those who tried paid dearly with their lives or limbs. People of the 20th Century had not heard of Nystra’s extraordinary beauty. They also hadn’t heard of her tryst with the gods and goddesses of Greece and the unfettered audiences she enjoyed with them. Spiridon had come across Nystra while on a military campaign. It was a cool, crisp morning with a gentle breeze unobtrusively wafting over every surface with soothing caresses. Spiridon exited the headquarters building and walked a few steps towards his car when he felt a light touch on his right shoulder from behind. He turned his face and found himself staring right into steely blue-grey eyes of the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. “Hail, mighty prince!” spoke the most elegantly female voice. Spiridon could not stop himself from turning to his right to confront the intruder. He was taken by surprise and filled with curiosity. “By Venus!” he observed softly. (Ancient Legends & Myths) But he quickly recovered. “Yes?” he queried pleasantly “Come with me,” she invited in a voice that seemed to be like little bells ringing. “Sorry, not today, at least not now,” the prince replied. “You have no choice, Prince Spiridon,” the voice went on calmly, “I get what I want, and people do what I say.” “Well, this time you wait,” the prince answered and smiled. He was impressed by her beauty. But Spiridon had learnt early on in his adolescence not to be overawed by women. He had been trained and instructed on his approach and mannerisms while dealing with the fair sex, and he had learnt useful lessons to buttress the training and instructions he had received. Leaving her, he made way to his car, entered and was about to turn the ignition key. He found himself unable to do so. Surprised he looked at his hands, but they had disappeared. He found himself looking at a horse’s hoof instead. He looked out of the car window. The woman had vanished. When Spiridon alighted from his car, he found he could not stand. He stumbled, he was confused, and he was beginning to feel desperate. Suddenly he stopped himself from making any move. He was looking at his reflection in the side rearview mirror, and found himself looking straight at the long face of a horse. He then realized what had happened. He went down on all fours and to his astonishment and relief, he found he could scamper and walk. Then all of a sudden, he heard the voice again. There was no mistake about it. No other woman he had known possessed the same velvet voice. “Prince Spiridon! Prince Spiridon!” He looked in the direction of the voice but could see no one. “Do you want to become man again, Prince Spiridon?” He remained silent. “Well, the day I kiss you, you will turn back to your normal self!” the voice continued. “But I have a mission to complete!” the prince protested “Your men are able! They will complete it for you,” the voice said. “What are you waiting for? Kiss me, please!” “You will wait for my kiss, in the same way you asked me to wait when I told you to come with me.” There were few occasions when Prince Spiridon allowed himself to be overwhelmed with anxiety and desperation. Here he was, the commander of an army of tens of thousands of men of valor. In few days his military campaign would be over, and he would return triumphant to his family and land. He had set high hopes for himself when he returned from the campaign. But it had all come crashing down from the moment he set his eyes on Nystra. He moved away from his car and scampered away in haste. Although he was no longer human, he could think and perceive like any man. He let himself mutter an inaudible curse. How could he ever have allowed this to happen to him? His thoughts went to her. She had fire in her eyes and her body was as beautiful as it was lithe and wiry. Spiridon could perceive that she was the most beautiful woman in world history and perhaps someone famous too. He felt he ought to have been more forthcoming with her. Indeed, Nystra was the most beautiful woman ever. She was the incarnation of a queen who lived in the dawn of history. Before her bath every morning, she routinely smeared her body with pure honey, wiping herself with crushed rose petals.  Born a Greek she ascended the throne soon after the death of her father, the king of Greece. She consolidated her hold over the kingdom by intrigue and guile, using her extraordinary charms and devilish craftiness to smother and silence her opponents at the slightest provocation. Soon, however, her own supporters revolted and she barely managed to flee the castle to save her life. Hiding in caves and mountainous climes, she was soon met by a group of witches who accepted her into their group and taught her the finer aspects of witchery. As soon as she had complete hold over the ignoble art, she bid adieu to her benefactors intending to recapture her throne. One of the important virtues she had learnt from the witches was patience. She bid her time and did not allow herself to be tempted to hasten matters by confronting the powerful satraps who ruled the land. She knew they all had to die and was willing to wait her turn. With the death of all the ministers who had risen in revolt against her, she soon found corridors of power lying in vacuum. Moving quickly she assumed power at the first opportunity, promising generous rewards to everyone who supported her. She killed everyone who so much as tried to question her. 2010 AD The high-pitched fiery neighing of the horse unsettled the entourage, almost throwing off the entire retinue of riders from their saddles. The shrieking stallion reared, raising its powerful forelegs in aggressive warning. The rest of the horses backed off, swirling their smart tails and neatly repositioned themselves at a greater distance from their indignant colleague. They knew the situation. Mars was waiting for the kiss!   Sources: Ancient Legends & Myths, Greek/Roman, http://www.mythmaiden.com/greek_roman.htm. Behind the Name, Greek Mythology Names, http://www.behindthename.com/nmc/gre-myth.php. Greek and Roman Mythology, http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0197622.html. Greek Mythology, http://www.desy.de/gna/interpedia/greek_myth/greek_myth.html. Roman Mythology, http://www.themystica.com/mythical-folk/pages/roman_mythology.html. Read More