Bulfinch’s Mythology · Chapter
The Rural Deities—Erisichthon—Rhoecus—The Water Deities—Camenae—Winds explained
This chapter describes various rural and water deities from classical mythology, including Pan, Sylvanus, Faunus, nymphs, and the gods of the sea such as Neptune, Amphitrite, Nereus, Triton, and Proteus.
What happens
This chapter describes various rural and water deities from classical mythology, including Pan, Sylvanus, Faunus, nymphs, and the gods of the sea such as Neptune, Amphitrite, Nereus, Triton, and Proteus. It recounts the cautionary tale of Erisichthon, who was punished by Ceres for cutting down a sacred oak, and the story of Rhoecus, who lost his sight for neglecting a Hamadryad's messenger. The chapter also covers the Camenae, including Egeria, and concludes with reflections on the passing of the old pagan gods.
Themes in this chapter
Hubris and Divine Retribution
Erisichthon's arrogant destruction of Ceres' sacred oak leads to his punishment by insatiable hunger, ultimately causing his death.
Hospitality and Its Violation
Erisichthon's violation of the sacred grove and his subsequent selling of his daughter reflect a breach of proper conduct toward gods and family.
Mortality and Immortality
The Hamadryads are mortal nymphs who die with their trees, while the Nereids and other sea deities are immortal; the chapter also contrasts the transient pagan gods with the eternal Christian truth.
Characters to notice
- Neptune
Chief of the water deities, wielding the trident; created the horse and patron of horse races.
- Triton
Son of Neptune and Amphitrite, trumpeter of the sea.
- Proserpine
Mentioned in the context of Ceres; Ceres is central to the Erisichthon story.
- Thetis
Daughter of Nereus and Doris, mother of Achilles, sought by Jupiter but wed to a mortal.
- Polyphemus
The Cyclops who loved Galatea, mentioned among the Nereids.
- Achilles
Son of Thetis and Peleus, renowned hero of the Trojan War.
Key passages
“Pan, like other gods who dwelt in forests, was dreaded by those whose occupations caused them to pass through the woods by night, for the gloom and loneliness of such scenes dispose the mind to superstitious fears. Hence sudden fright without any visible cause was ascribed to Pan, and called a Panic terror.”
Pan was feared by travelers at night because the dark, lonely woods made people superstitious; any unexplained fright was blamed on him, giving rise to the term 'panic terror.'
Explains the origin of the word 'panic' from the god Pan.
“Erisichthon was a profane person and a despiser of the gods. On one occasion he presumed to violate with the axe a grove sacred to Ceres.”
Erisichthon was an irreverent man who scorned the gods and once dared to chop down a grove dedicated to Ceres.
Sets up the moral lesson of the Erisichthon myth.
“The Hamadryads could appreciate services as well as punish injuries. The story of Rhoecus proves this.”
The Hamadryads rewarded good deeds and punished wrongs, as shown in the tale of Rhoecus.
Introduces the Rhoecus story as a counterpoint to Erisichthon.