d'Aulaires' Book of Greek Myths

d'Aulaires' Book of Greek Myths Syrinx was a nymph that stole Pan's heart, but because she thought she was ugly, she ran away from him and turned herself into a reed. Frustrated that he could not find her, he picked up some reeds and made them into a flute called a syrinx, so that they could always sing together. Apollo also fell in love with a nymph, but she did not want to marry. Centaurs were half men and half horse, and they had the worst qualities of both. The centaurs were unruly, hurtful creatures. However, one of the centaurs, Chiron, was the son of Cronus, and he was immortal and kind. He was known as the greatest teacher in Greece, and he was the teacher of Apollo's son Asclepius. Aschlepius was taught by Cronus until he had more knowledge than his teacher about healing the sick. He became a great doctor, and created the first hospital for his patients. His sons and daughters also became skilled physicians and nurses, and his daughter Hygeia healed people by washing them. The nine Muses were children of Zeus and Mnemosyne, a Titaness.

Mnemosyne taught her daughters the history of the creation of the world and its people. Calliope, the Muse of heroic poetry, had a son named Orpheus who took music to earth and its power caused soldiers to put down their weapons and rocks to move toward him. Orpheus married a woman named Euridice, but on their wedding day, she stepped on a snake whose bite killed her. Orpheus could no longer play music because of his sorrow.Desperate to have Euridice with him again, Orpheus entered Hades. Hades agreed to let her go if Orpheus did not look at her, but he did, so she was returned to the underworld forever. For the rest of his life, Orpheus sang songs that caused even the trees and animals to weep.

Assignment: Read chapters 31-35 of d'Aulaires' Book of Greek Myths