A New Era: The Reign of the Titans
• After defeating his father, Cronus was imbued with his
power and became the new Supreme Ruler of the
Universe.
• Rhea, his sister-wife, became Queen of the Titans and
Goddess of the Earth… A new age was born…
History Repeats
• Upon Uranus’ defeat, Gaea
was elated but her happiness
was very brief. Cronus did not
free his brothers from
bondage as promised.
• No different from his father,
he kept them cold and
helpless—still imprisoned in
the bowels of Mother Earth.
A Mother’s Plea Ignored
• For it is said that power is the right hand of
corruption. And if power corrupts, absolute
power corrupts absolutely!
• Great Mother Earth, deeply hurt and dismayed,
waited and conspired.
So Much Like My Father?
• Cronus had indeed defeated his father,
but something his father said still
haunted him.
• Before the Cronus struck his father
down with the adamant scythe,
Uranus uttered a prophecy.
• “Oh, vain and deceitful child… just as
you have betrayed me so to will your
vile seed betray you!”
Festering Thoughts
• Cronus did not know if his
father’s curse was truth,
but it festered in his mind.
• Unimaginable power
seeped through his godly
body and seemed to take
control of his very
thoughts.
• He would take no chances
and would let nothing
threaten his dominion.
Cronus & rhea
Cronus (Saturn)
King of the Titans
Father of the Olympian Gods
Ruler of Heaven, Earth, Time,
& the Harvest
Titles &
Epithets
Governances
& Offices
Scythe, Wings, Hourglass,
Serpent Drawn Chariot
Sacred
Symbols
Crow & Winged Serpents
Sheaves of Wheat
Sacred Animals
& Plants
+
Rhea (Cybele)
Queen of the Titans
Mother of the Olympian Gods
Goddess of the Earth, Harvest,
& Fertility
Polos (Turret Crown)
Tambourine, Lion Chariot
Lions & Bull
Oak & Oak Trees, Acorn
Violets & Evergreen Fir
A Mother’s Gift
• Rhea was not the happiest
of wives, but she respected
her supreme consort and
was ready to give birth to
her first child.
• Oh, how she yearned to
hold such an innocent and
needy thing within her
divine hands. She dreamed
of the day she would finally
have the gift of child. And
so the miracle happened.
A Grievous Crime
• As she held her sweet, subtle baby girl, felt the
warmth of her youngling’s fragile body—Cronus
yanked the child away. He gazed into the babe’s
delicate eyes and, in one fell, emotionless gulp,
swallowed her whole!
Innocence Bereft
• A shrieking cry of
immeasurable agony burst
across space and time.
Wounded. Violated. Grieving.
Rhea dared not lash out
against her consort. Hopeless
and helpless, she dared not
act.
• And as the years sauntered by
Cronus had deviously
swallowed five of his innocent
children. Rhea could bear it no
longer.
Plotting
• During her sixth pregnancy Rhea was
determined to save her last child and
turned to her old mother for help. Gaea
would cunningly instruct her daughter.
• Cronus had since grown lazy in his
pursuit to swallow his offspring. He
would no longer immediately snatch
Rhea’s children from her immediately at
delivery.
• Not quite sure whether this was pity or
sloth, Rhea knew it hurt more once she
had spent a little time with her child
even if it was just for minutes. These
precious minutes, Gaea realized, were
her beloved daughter’s only chance to
save her last child.
The Trick
• She instructed her daughter
to wrap a boulder that was
equal to the size of her child
in a thick blanket. The hope
was Cronus, in all his divine
foolhardiness, would not be
able to tell the difference
between child and rock. The
clever ploy worked. The
babe was spared.
Saved by the Nymphs
• Alas the greater challenge
was still ahead. Rhea
realized she could not
deceive Cronus forever.
She had to send her only
child away so he could live.
• Gaea found a perfect place
for her grandson. They
sent the golden child to
live with nymphs on the
Isle of Crete .
The Curetes
• Cronus was both omnipotent and omniscient but his pride
surpassed his divinity. He could not fathom such a
conspiracy against him. And took no notice of the child.
• The divine babe had a godly voice and when he cried
mountains tremored. The Curetes, a group of Rhea’s nine
armored attendants, were implored to incessantly clang
their swords against their shields to match and drown out
the infants cries.
Raised by the Nymphs
• Two lovely Ash-nymphs, lesser
divine beings, comforted the
godly child. They raised him in a
cozy cave. They fed him
ambrosia, a sweet substance
that was the sustenance of gods.
He drank the sweet milky nectar
from the horn of the sacred goat
Amalthea.
• Countless years passed and the
children of the Titans grew
numerous. Nymphs populated
the known world. The human
race began to spread out. Cronus
still ruled supreme.
The Mighty Zeus
• Cronus and Rhea’s sixth child was raised out of view but grew
to be an enrapturing sight. He was young and golden—kissed
by the sun. He was tall and muscular with a penchant for
playful banter. The nymphs and Oceanids were drawn to him.
• Zeus was strong and virile with amazing abilities. He could
change his shape and transform into any animal he could think
of. He used his inhuman skills to explore the earthly terrain of
the unknown world.
Metis: His Titaness Cousin
• Metis was the daughter of Cronus’ brother and
sister—Oceanus and Tethys. And was therefore
Zeus’ first cousin. She often visited Zeus and they
would spend hours exploring the world around
them.
• Metis became Zeus’ confidante and he revealed
to her his deepest dreams. All these years
Mother Earth whispered into his sleeping eyes
and filled his head with fantastic stories .
Gaea’s Revelation
• Over the years as Zeus slept in his cave in the
mountains of Crete, Mother Earth whispered
into his ears and told him the unbelievable
story of his birth and the tragic fate of his
siblings. He had two brothers and three
sisters.
• Gaea, from within her dark recesses, had
been growing a potent plant. This herb was
the only thing that could weaken Cronus. If
he swallowed it he would throw up his
forsaken children who, because they were
gods, were still alive within Cronus’ very
being.
A Son’s Legacy
• Both Gaea and Rhea informed Zeus it was
time to fulfill his destiny. Like Cronus rose
up against his father, Uranus, before him,
Zeus would have to confront his sire too.
• Gaea provided the potent herb, Rhea
created the emetic potion; and Metis
helped him mix it with Cronus’ honeyed
drink .
Born Again
•
Zeus pretended at being Cronus’ new cup-bearer and
served him the deceptive concoction. Seconds after
consuming the brew Cronus realized the ploy, but it
was too late. He vomited the Omphalos stone and one
by one his long forgotten children.
•
They spurt out of his mouth with the speed of a horsedrawn chariot. The wide-eyed Hera, the earthly
Demeter, the moody Poseidon, the shadowy Hades,
and the veiled Hestia. Five of his siblings in total—all
fully grown and capable.
•
With his newly born children ready for Vengeance,
Cronus, in his weakened state, withdrew into the
darkness of abode. The six siblings would make a pact
to overthrow their father and take on his dominion
over the Heavens and Earth! But that is another story…
The First of the Olympians
The Children of Cronus & Rhea
Zeus (Jupiter)
Hera (Juno)
Poseidon (Neptune)
Demeter (Ceres)
Hades (Pluto)
Hestia (Vesta)