Eurynome
This story is about the beginning of time and the creation of the world. It
reflects the ancient Greek belief that any creature – man, bird, or beast – who
claimed to be able to match the achievements of the gods was committing a
terrible sin, and had to be severely punished for it.
Long ago, when little existed except the yawning abyss, Eurynome rose out of darkness
and disorder. For a long time she wandered alone, floating on the waves. Then she decided to
rest. But she could find no solid space on which to place her feet.
“I will drag earth from out of the sea to make solid ground,” Eurynome decided. She
spun around in a wild dance on the waves, whipping up a wind. She held out her arms, trying to
catch the wind between her palms, and from her movements she formed a mighty python.
“I will name you Ophion,” she announced.
Eurynome danced until, at last, it was time to create the universe.
“I will turn myself into a dove,” she said. After brooding on the waves, she laid the
universal egg.
“Coil yourself seven times around this egg and keep it warm until it hatches,” she
commanded Ophion.
Ophion did as she asked. Finally, the egg split in two. Ophion and Eurynome watched in
wonder as the glowing planets spilled out of the egg and took their places in the sky. Eurynome
and Ophion settled peacefully on Mount Olympus. They watched Earth hanging in its orbit,
slowly filling with rivers and mountains, trees and plants, birds and animals.
Then, one day, Ophion boasted, “How clever I was to create the universe.”
“I created the universe!” Eurynome stormed. “Not you!”
But Ophion kept arguing. “All you did was lay on an egg. Any bird can do that.”
Eurynome flew into an immense rage and lunged at Ophion. The mighty serpent roared
up at her. Eurynome lashed out again, knocking Ophion’s teeth out of his snarling head.
“Go to Tartarus,” she orded. “It is the deepest, darkest place in the universe. You will
live there forever with the monsters and other evil creatures.”
Ophion let out a might shriek and disappeared, leaving Eurynome alone on Mount
Olympus.
“Now I shall create a cluster of seven planets,” she decided, “and giant gods to guard
each one.”
When that was done, Eurynome created the first man and named him Pelasgus.