The Roman mythology is full of legends related to different gods and goddesses. Each Roman and Greek God and Goddess represented different aspects of life and responsibilities. People were scared of making the Gods angry and facing their wrath. The angered Gods could make ones life a misery and thus it was always better to keep them happy. One of the many legends is the Saturn God myth. In this article, you will learn some interesting information related to Saturn, the God of Rome.
Saturn God Myth
Saturn, the God of Rome, was the God of fertility and agriculture. He was known as the Roman God of agriculture, justice and strength. He is identified with a sickle in his left hand and a wheat bundle in his right. He was the son of Greek god Uranus, the creator of all things and Gaia, the Goddess of earth. Saturn, God of Rome is commonly identified as the Greek God Cronus (Kronos). The transformation of Cronus to Saturn has an very interesting legend attached to it. Let me now tell the tale of Saturn, the God of fertility and agriculture. You can read more on Greek mythology.
Legend of Cronus
It is said that Cronus took over the throne from his father, Uranus. His reign was known as the Golden Age of Man. This was a period of prosperity and harmony, where men lived like they would in the garden of Eden.
It is written by Hesiod, an early Greek poet, that Cronus seized the power from Uranus. As Cronos was about to slay his father, it was prophesied that he will be similarly disposed off by this own son. Cronus, took this prophesy rather seriously. The children borne to by the Saturn Goddess, that is, his wife Rhea, the Roman goddess of Ops, were swallowed up by Cronus. However, one day, Rhea hid her sixth borne on an island of Crete. This son was Jupiter, also known as Zeus, the thundered, who was saved by his mother. Rhea, presented Cronus with a stone wrapped in swaddling clothes. She was successful in tricking Cronus, who immediately swallowed the stone thinking it to be the child. You can read more on the Greek God Zeus.
After Jupiter grew up to be young lad, he was able to get a job of a cup-bearer to his father. He, along with some help from his grandmother Terra, fed Cronus a potion that made him vomit up the five siblings of Jupiter. These siblings were Vesta (Hestia), Ceres (Demeter), Juno (Hera), Pluto (Hades), and Neptune (Poseidon). A war was initiated between Saturn and his five brothers along with Jupiter and his five brothers and sisters.
It is said the fifty headed monster was persuaded by Jupiter to fight with him and use their weapons of earthquake, lighting and thunder. He even managed to convince Prometheus, who was very wise Titan to fight for him. Thus, with might and brains, Jupiter was able to win victory over Cronus. Jupiter imprisoned Cronus and his brothers in Tartaus, the dark gloomy part of earth
Rise of Saturn, the God of Rome
Roman legends have it, Saturn fled to Rome after Jupiter took over the Earth, Pluto the underworld and Neptune the sea. Here, Cronus became known as Saturn and established the Golden Age. This Golden Age was known for perfect peace and harmony. He taught farming to the people and thus became the god of farmers. He taught men wisdom and so many other things as long as he reigned. In his memory, during the Winter Solstice, the Feast of Saturnalia is held every year. This merry making time was when no war was fought or declared, salves could eat at the same table as the masters, no one was executed and people gave each other presents during this season of gifts.
Thus, the Festival of Saturnalia helped bring all men at the same level and promoted the idea of equality. However, after the festival, the tax collectors were back and finances were accounted for. This shows the other side of Saturn and the ruling sign Capricorn. The settling of accounts is associated with Saturn. The Golden Age is therefore known as the time when no labor was required and weather was pleasant. This was an age of abundance and death was thought as an pleasant eventuality. You can read more on Greek goddess of earth.
Another legend says that, St. Augustine, considered Saturn, god of the Jews. During the 10th century, Alcabitius claims Saturn as the ‘faith of Judaism’. This was some information related to the Saturn god myth. Saturn is mostly represented as an old man, bald and bare headed. Some also call Saturn, god of time with six wings and feet of wool. This was an representation of how swiftly time passes.