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uring ancient times the myths were transmitted by word of mouth and were an integral part of everyday life. They were a key element of cultural discourse, which was directly linked to the people’s education and training, giving scope to human values. That is why Greek Mythology is still a source of inspiration and creation not only for the Greeks, but also for the whole western world. Thebes is one of the oldest cities in Greece and is undoubtedly both historical and one of its most mythical cities. Its mythological background is certainly not limited to the birth and achievements of Hercules; on the contrary, there are numerous myths associated with its founding, the descendants of Cadmus and their fate, the Theban circle and other smaller deities, such as the Cabeiri. It is therefore worth getting to know some of them, starting with the founder of Thebes, Cadmus, and ending with that - originally from the generation of Cadmus lucky, divine child, Dionysus, the god of Wine, Feasting, but also of Drama.
ILLUSTRATION
EMMANOUELA KAKAVIA
ISBN 978-618-205-018-7
Vatatzi 55, 114 73 Athen ΤEL. : +30210 6431108 E-MAIL: ekdoseis.ocelotos@gmail.com www.ocelotos.gr
I was born in 1980, grew up in Thebes and I am a graduate of the Department of German Language and Literature of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and the Ruhr Universität in Bochum. I also studied at the Hellenic Open University in the Department of «Cultural Organizations Management». I live and work in Thebes, I am a Mum, I love children, volunteering, traveling – physically or mentally – and, of course, books, especially children’s books, because they give me the opportunity to dream, fantasize and travel. I actually discovered my hometown when I was studying in Germany. Meeting several students from many different countries at that time, I realized, to my surprise, that Thebes was world famous, and, in fact, everyone stopped and looked with admiration at the word «Thebes». This sparked my desire to delve deeper into the History and Mythology of this place and pass it on to the younger generations. The book «From Cadmus to Dionysus» presents, in a simple and metric way, the myth of Cadmus, the founding of Thebes, and the birth of Dionysus. On the one hand, it illuminates the myth itself and, on the other hand, it satisfies my innermost need to introduce him to children and bring them closer to this beautiful world of myths from my city of Thebes.
ΤΙΤLE
From Cadmus to Dionysus ΤRANSLATION FROM THE GREEK EDITION
Από τον Κάδμο στον Διόνυσο AUTHOR
Ζografia Christou ILLUSTRATION
Emmanouela Kakavia TRANSLATION
Susan Theodorakis CORRECTIONS
Christine Easthope LAYOUT - DESIGN Myrtilo, Λένα Παντοπούλου COPYRIGHT© 2020
Ζografia Christou FIRST EDITION
Athens, November 2020 ISBN 978-618-205-018-7
Vatatzi 55, 114 73 Athen ΤEL. : +30210 6431108 E-MAIL: ekdoseis.ocelotos@gmail.com www.ocelotos.gr
This publication is in copyright. Subject to statutory exception and to the provisions of relevant collective licensing agreements, no reproduction of any part may take place without the written permission of the author and of Ocelotos Publications.
Especially dedicated to my fellow citizens! To remember that the threads which connect us to our past challenge us to illuminate our path and evolve into the light... So let us do the best we can with everything we have right HERE, where we are...
Thebes is a mythical place. Would you like me to introduce my city to you? Believe me, it is worth it‌
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It is a place full of legends, myths, and history. A place which, for centuries, has slept, awoken, lived and breathed on exactly the same spot. A place that has inspired young and old, Greeks and foreigners, and, who knows, it may well inspire you, too! Firstly, a marvelous myth I will narrate, How a traveler from afar the city did create, Cadmus was the first to instate himself here, With, on the acropolis*, his grand palace, Cadmea. The most reliable myth related That Cadmus from Asia originated, And from Phoenicia to Greece he hurried, Obeying his father Agenor’s order, To search for his lovely sister Europa.
* For the words in bold, there are further explanations at the end of the book.
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Zeus, in the form of a white bull, seduced her And took her away, being deeply in love with her. At her home they grieved, and their joy was frozen. Agenor, filled with gall and venom, Called his sons to come before him, Furious at his misfortune.
My so ns, Europ a h a s She’s bee n abducte disappeared . d , it is feared . G o right now, to se arch So I ca n find some for her, Or e lse , sh ou ld you peace , not find her, N ever dare return to this p lace !
Husband, your words are weighty, (replied Telephassa), And I will my sons accompany, Having lost my only daughter. The four brothers promised to their father, They would not return without their sister. Phoenix, Cilix, Thasus and Cadmus, plus their mother, Unsuspecting, and even braver, Took their leave of Tyre. Yet none of them would ever return again, As in foreign lands they would henceforth remain.
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210 × 260 SPINE: 3 FLAPS: 70
D
uring ancient times the myths were transmitted by word of mouth and were an integral part of everyday life. They were a key element of cultural discourse, which was directly linked to the people’s education and training, giving scope to human values. That is why Greek Mythology is still a source of inspiration and creation not only for the Greeks, but also for the whole western world. Thebes is one of the oldest cities in Greece and is undoubtedly both historical and one of its most mythical cities. Its mythological background is certainly not limited to the birth and achievements of Hercules; on the contrary, there are numerous myths associated with its founding, the descendants of Cadmus and their fate, the Theban circle and other smaller deities, such as the Cabeiri. It is therefore worth getting to know some of them, starting with the founder of Thebes, Cadmus, and ending with that - originally from the generation of Cadmus lucky, divine child, Dionysus, the god of Wine, Feasting, but also of Drama.
ILLUSTRATION
EMMANOUELA KAKAVIA
ISBN 978-618-205-018-7
Vatatzi 55, 114 73 Athen ΤEL. : +30210 6431108 E-MAIL: ekdoseis.ocelotos@gmail.com www.ocelotos.gr
I was born in 1980, grew up in Thebes and I am a graduate of the Department of German Language and Literature of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and the Ruhr Universität in Bochum. I also studied at the Hellenic Open University in the Department of «Cultural Organizations Management». I live and work in Thebes, I am a Mum, I love children, volunteering, traveling – physically or mentally – and, of course, books, especially children’s books, because they give me the opportunity to dream, fantasize and travel. I actually discovered my hometown when I was studying in Germany. Meeting several students from many different countries at that time, I realized, to my surprise, that Thebes was world famous, and, in fact, everyone stopped and looked with admiration at the word «Thebes». This sparked my desire to delve deeper into the History and Mythology of this place and pass it on to the younger generations. The book «From Cadmus to Dionysus» presents, in a simple and metric way, the myth of Cadmus, the founding of Thebes, and the birth of Dionysus. On the one hand, it illuminates the myth itself and, on the other hand, it satisfies my innermost need to introduce him to children and bring them closer to this beautiful world of myths from my city of Thebes.