NEWS
CLASSICAL MYTHS FROM THE 21st CENTURY
IMAGE OF ASSEMBLY OF
20 GODS
Great creativity by Year 9 Latin students
In Year 9 Latin the students encounter aspects of Classical history , society and mythology . They are fascinated by the wonderful Greek and Roman legends involving gods and heroes . I asked my students to write Classical myths of their own , and they did so with excellent stories of great imagination , and beautifully written . Here is one of them . TONY HENNESSY , LATIN TEACHER
The story of Diocles
‘ You are to notify King Peleus of our current military situation . We Athenians need the help of his son , Achilles . Do you understand ?’ thundered King Theseus .
‘ C … certainly , my King ,’ Diocles timidly replied . ‘ To Thessaly and back . M … my horse and I make the greatest messengers ; I can assure you .’
King Theseus nodded in approval , as he dismissed Diocles from the grand room . Diocles was a short and slender man . Though callow , he remained modest about his achievements , for he had served as the king ’ s messenger for five years . He had a passive yet determined face that was constantly alert , and he worked – loyal to his king – with great proficiency .
Diocles gathered his equipment and proudly ambled to Rhaebus – his horse .
Rhaebus had a lustrous black coat , darker than night itself . He stood stronger than Hercules , with a formidable muscularity ; imposing to anyone who saw him . Diocles mounted Rhaebus , and they set off away from Athens , riding further away , until their figures dissolved into the distant horizon . Now , Diocles had always wanted to venture out as far as Thessaly . The serenity of the natural world along his journey gave him a unique sense of freedom . But there was another reason . Mount Olympus was on the way to Thessaly . Contrary to the normalised societal beliefs about the Gods , Diocles was sceptical . He couldn ’ t blindly accept all the divine rumours about the Gods , spread across his country . At least not without evidence , for he was a dialectic thinker .
All his life , he had been told about the supreme power of the deities and how they dwelled on Mount Olympus , yet not once had he seen real proof of their existence . This seemed like his chance to settle his beliefs ; by doing what no man had dared to do . By climbing Mount Olympus .
Two days had passed since Diocles and Rhaebus left Athens . Supported by Rhaebus ’ zest and Diocles ’ determination , they powered on with minimal breaks . They were riding up the Aegean coastline , as
Diocles was enjoying the cool sea spray and solitude . Suddenly , from behind the fog , Mount Olympus emerged . Diocles ’ eyes widened as he commanded Rhaebus to a halt . He had never seen such a striking landform . If the Gods existed , this would certainly be where they would live , he thought . He sat there and absorbed the view for a few seconds .
In an instant , heavy grey clouds formed , drowning all sunlight . Mount Olympus grew dark and foreboding , as an ear-splitting lightning bolt slashed the sky . Rhaebus neighed in fear and Diocles impulsively drew his head back . Could this be a sign from Zeus , the god of thunder ? Diocles pondered this thought before dismissing it . He would not let a simple coincidence sway him from his motive . He was going to climb the mountain and that was final .
Due to his skill as a messenger , Diocles was far ahead of schedule – he wasn ’ t required to deliver the message for another few days . This gave him time to do what he had wanted . He commanded Rhaebus to continue , but turned him slightly off-track from Thessaly , and towards the foot of Mount Olympus .
Now upon arriving at the mountain ’ s base , Diocles didn ’ t waste a moment . He hopped off Rhaebus , took a rope out of his
34 Great Scot Issue 164 – December 2021