Uncovering Roman Mythology: A Beginner's Guide Into The World of Roman Gods and Goddesses, Enchanting Myths and Mythical Creatures by Lucas Russo

Author:Lucas Russo [Russo, Lucas]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-11-11T00:00:00+00:00

Minerva and Aglaurus

Another story recounted by Ovid tells the tale of Minerva and the princess Aglaurus. This myth has many different Greek versions, but Ovid gave it a new spin (Ovid, 8/1971).

Aglaurus was the princess of Athens and the sister of Herse, a beautiful woman loved by Mercury. The god was having secret trysts with Herse, and when Aglaurus found out, she decided she would help bring this union to fruition.

That enraged Minerva. She employed Envy and decided to change Aglaurus' heart. It now filled with so much envy for Herse that Aglaurus was determined to do anything in her might in order to prevent her union with Mercury. One day, as Mercury was trying to get into a secret house where he and Herse were having their dates, Aglaurus stood in the doorway and refused to move. Angered, Mercury turned her into stone. But even as Aglaurus got her punishment (for a "sin" that wasn't, in fact, her fault), the mood was ruined and Mercury didn't manage to woo Herse.

In both of the myths recounted by Ovid, Minerva comes across as a rather vengeful, if not petty, goddess. This stands in conflict with her image as the goddess of wisdom and strategy, as she seems to be governed by anger a whole lot. However, it is worth bearing in mind that even as the Roman patricians recounted and retold Greek myths about the gods, the populace would still view the gods in separation from them: as all-powerful, partly mysterious figures whom they celebrated in their festivals.

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