Greek Mythology and Iris Sample Essay

Iris is the goddess of the rainbow, the ambassador of the Greek gods, the daughter of Electra, and the sister of the Harpies. Just as the rainbow connects the heaven and the Earth, Iris was considered a mediator between gods and people. The goddess Hera being the master of airy moisture was her main mistress. Iris was always with her and completed her orders without resignation. Nevertheless, Irida performed assignments of other gods. You can see it in the Iliad of Homer, it is she informs the Trojans about the impending attack of the Achaean army at the behest of Zeus (Homer â€Å"The Iliad†, II 786). Iris was depicted as a beautiful and light charming girl with two majestic rainbow wings behind her back. Widely spreading the wings of the rainbow, Iris was ready to break from the spot and swiftly rush into the vast sky filled with sunlight and air moisture at any time of day and night. The executive beautiful messenger always had a golden bowl for water, which she drew from the underground river Styx where the immortal gods loved to swim. This water was filled with the oaths of the great gods, Iris gave to the clouds that irrigates the land with rain. Thus, the three worlds were connected: gods, earthly inhabitants and the underworld of the dead. Iris was the messenger of Hera like Hermes was the ambassador of Zeus. She used to accompany the women souls in Hades. Hermes did the same with the souls of men. Nevertheless, sometimes Iris also dealt with more mundane affairs: it was she who brought the Nemean lion tied to her by the belt and placed it in the mountains near the peoples dwelling. Hercules later had to join the monster in order to protect the inhabitants of Nemea from him and perform the first of his twelve feats. As a rainbow goddess who appeared after rain in a cloud or in water splashes, Iris is close to the sea gods. Among the ancient Greek poets and grammars she is the servant of the wife of Zeus Hera and the performer of her errands, just as Hermes plays the same role for Zeus. According to the ancient Greeks, the rainbow was the bridge that connected the heaven and the earth. When the Olympic religion was formed, Iris began to be revered, as well as Hermes, as a mediator between the celestials and the world of people. Irida fulfilled Zeuss commands without question, without adding her own changes and this distinguished her from Hermes. The image of Iris could be found usually in the plot sketches connected with the myths about Hera. The goddess of the rainbow was depicted as a winged girl. Iris is depicted most often flying with large wings spread out, with a caduceus or a bowl in his hand. Also, her usual attribute was a pitcher of rainwater. A great Greek lyric poet Alket considered that she gave birth to Eros. The role of Iris is underestimated in the literature of ancient Greek as its influence on the lives of people was great, but the number of poems or novels devoted to her personality is low. However, you can find some mentions about the way she used to perform the tasks and her readiness to come and help anyone in need.