AUTOMATONS IN GREEK MYTHOLOGY
Whilst robots and automatons have been much in the news in recent years, they are by no means a recent invention, for automatons were to be found in the temples of Ancient Greece, and were often mentioned in the tales of Greek mythology.
Automatons in Antiquity
One of the most famous inventors of antiquity was Hero of Alexander, and it was Hero who was credited with crafting automatons for use in temples and theatres.
Hero of Alexander would invent many temple wonders, including the aeolipile; and would also make a vending machine that dispensed holy water when a coin was deposited into it.
Hero would also create a wheeled cart, which through the use of falling weights, would animate automatons as the cart was pulled along.
Other ancient texts tell of moving statues within temples and sanctuaries, doors that would open and close automatically, and even chariots that would fly across the roof space of temples.
All of these inventions might be wondrous creations, but the stories of Greek mythology tell of even more ingenious contraptions.
Hero of Alexander would invent many temple wonders, including the aeolipile; and would also make a vending machine that dispensed holy water when a coin was deposited into it.
Hero would also create a wheeled cart, which through the use of falling weights, would animate automatons as the cart was pulled along.
Other ancient texts tell of moving statues within temples and sanctuaries, doors that would open and close automatically, and even chariots that would fly across the roof space of temples.
All of these inventions might be wondrous creations, but the stories of Greek mythology tell of even more ingenious contraptions.
Daedalus and Automatons
Amongst the mortals talked of in Greek mythology was the master craftsman Daedalus, the Athenian Daedalus, who produced many great things for King Minos of Crete, was said to have been able to craft animate statues, statues which could walk and perhaps even dance.
Daedalus though was but a mortal, and for the most impressive of automatons, a craftsman amongst the gods was needed; and there was such a god, Hephaestus. |
|
The God Hephaestus
Hephaestus was responsible for crafting the palaces and thrones found on Mount Olympus, and the metalworking god also had a workshop upon Mount Olympus. Hephaestus constructed automatons to help him in this workshop, automatons which could use the forge’s bellows, and also work the metal in the fire.
The Golden Tripods of Mount Olympus
Hephaestus, and these automatons, would craft other robots, including the Golden Tripods of Mount Olympus. Homer would tell of 20 golden tripods on wheels, which were put to use during the banquets of the gods, for these tripods assisted Hebe and Ganymede in the distribution of food and drink, fetching and carrying under their own steam.
TalosThe Golden Tripods might be effective and efficient, but they were minuscule compared to the largest automaton crafted by Hephaestus, for Hephaestus was said to have built the gigantic bronze man, Talos.
Talos was crafted at the behest of Zeus, for having abducted Europa and taken her to Crete, Zeus now wished to provide gifts to ensure her safety and prosperity upon the strange island. Thus, in addition to Laelaps, a hound that always caught its prey, and a javelin, which always hit its mark, Zeus would present Europa with Talos. The bronze automaton would become the physical protector for the island of Crete, for Talos would circle around the coastline of Crete three times each day, ensuring that the island could not be invaded. Any unwanted ships that approached would be met with a volley of rocks thrown by Talos, and anyone who landed would be crushed within the super-heated arms of the bronze automaton. Talos would ultimately be “killed” when the Argonauts came to Crete, either through the magic of Medea, or through an arrow of Poeas, which released the life blood of the automaton. |
|
The Bulls of Aeetes
Now some name Talos as a gigantic bull, rather than a man, but certainly Hephaestus did craft bronze bulls which also appeared in the adventures of the Argonauts.
It was said that Hephaestus crafted a number of bronze bulls that were to be found in the Colchian kingdom of Aeetes. Hephaestus having crafted these automatons after Helios, Aeetes’ father had rescued the metal-working god from the battlefield during the Gigantomachy.
Aeetes would demand that Jason yoke two of these bronze automatons and plough a field before the king would consider giving up the Golden Fleece. Aeetes believed that Jason would die in the attempt, for the bullish automatons had sharp hooves made from bronze, and fire was expelled from their nostrils.
Jason would of course succeed in this test, for magical charms given by Medea protected the Greek hero from the deadly automatons.
It was said that Hephaestus crafted a number of bronze bulls that were to be found in the Colchian kingdom of Aeetes. Hephaestus having crafted these automatons after Helios, Aeetes’ father had rescued the metal-working god from the battlefield during the Gigantomachy.
Aeetes would demand that Jason yoke two of these bronze automatons and plough a field before the king would consider giving up the Golden Fleece. Aeetes believed that Jason would die in the attempt, for the bullish automatons had sharp hooves made from bronze, and fire was expelled from their nostrils.
Jason would of course succeed in this test, for magical charms given by Medea protected the Greek hero from the deadly automatons.
The Cabeirian Horses
Hephaestus would also craft automatons, in the form of four fire breathing horses, for his own sons, the Cabeiri. The Cabeiri were twin sons of Hephaestus and Cabeiro, who presided over the ritualistic dances held upon Samothrace in honour of Demeter, Persephone and Hecate.
Hephaestus though gifted the automatons to the Cabeiri not due to their ritualistic roles, but because the twins also worked the forge of Lemnos for Hephaestus. The four Cabeirian Horses would pull a chariot made of adamantine, in which the Cabeiri rode.
Hephaestus though gifted the automatons to the Cabeiri not due to their ritualistic roles, but because the twins also worked the forge of Lemnos for Hephaestus. The four Cabeirian Horses would pull a chariot made of adamantine, in which the Cabeiri rode.
The Guard Dogs of Alcinous
King Alcinous was a king of Greek mythology encountered by both Jason and Odysseus, and in the tale of the later hero, told by Homer in the Odyssey, Alcinous was also owner of two automatons in the form of watchdogs.
These two dogs, one made of gold, and the other of silver, were to be found at the front door of King Alcinous’ palace, and were said to be able to prevent unwanted guests from entering the palace. Inside the palace were also bronze statues carrying flaming torches, although it is not clear whether these were also automatons. |
|
The Celedones
With Talos, Hephaestus had shown he was adept at creating humanoid automatons as well as animalistic ones, and in some versions of the myth, Hephaestus also crafted Pandora, the first woman, whom Zeus breathed life into. It was also said that Hephaestus produced various other female automatons, including the Celedones.
The Celedones were produced by Hephaestus to become attendants in the second temple of Apollo at Delphi. The beautiful Celedones were beautiful in appearance, and could sing with voices superior to any mortal, and perhaps on a par with the Muses.
The Celedones were produced by Hephaestus to become attendants in the second temple of Apollo at Delphi. The beautiful Celedones were beautiful in appearance, and could sing with voices superior to any mortal, and perhaps on a par with the Muses.
The Golden Maidens of Hephaestus
The Celedones were not the only beautiful maidens produced by Hephaestus, for the metalworking god also crafted beautiful golden maidens to act as his own attendants.
More than just beautiful in appearance though, these automatons had their own form of intelligence, allowing them to speak and also to develop new skills.
More than just beautiful in appearance though, these automatons had their own form of intelligence, allowing them to speak and also to develop new skills.
|