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Hesiod, the Homeric Hymns, and Homerica

Chapter 72: THE WAR OF THE TITANS
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About This Book

A collection of archaic Greek poetry combines didactic and cosmogonic works that outline the origins and genealogy of the gods while offering practical and moral precepts related to farming, justice, and daily life. Fragmentary genealogies, heroic remnants, and a descriptive shield-poem supplement these with mythic narratives and episodic catalogues of women and heroes. A suite of hymns and shorter homerica — including epigrams, epic-cycle fragments, burlesque pieces, and a poetic contest — presents invocations and brief mythic accounts alongside playful parody and material connected to cult and ritual practice.

THE WAR OF THE TITANS

Fragment #1—Photius, Epitome of the Chrestomathy of Proclus: The Epic Cycle begins with the fabled union of Heaven and Earth, by which they make three hundred-handed sons and three Cyclopes to be born to him.

Fragment #2—Anecdota Oxon. (Cramer) i. 75: According to the writer of the War of the Titans Heaven was the son of Aether.

Fragment #3—Scholiast on Apollonius Rhodius, Arg. i. 1165: Eumelus says that Aegaeon was the son of Earth and Sea and, having his dwelling in the sea, was an ally of the Titans.

Fragment #4—Athenaeus, vii. 277 D: The poet of the War of the Titans, whether Eumelus of Corinth or Arctinus, writes thus in his second book: ‘Upon the shield were dumb fish afloat, with golden faces, swimming and sporting through the heavenly water.’

Fragment #5—Athenaeus, i. 22 C: Eumelus somewhere introduces Zeus dancing: he says—‘In the midst of them danced the Father of men and gods.’

Fragment #6—Scholiast on Apollonius Rhodius, Arg. i. 554: The author of the War of the Giants says that Cronos took the shape of a horse and lay with Philyra, the daughter of Ocean. Through this cause Cheiron was born a centaur: his wife was Chariclo.

Fragment #7—Athenaeus, xi. 470 B: Theolytus says that he (Heracles) sailed across the sea in a cauldron 2701; but the first to give this story is the author of the War of the Titans.

Fragment #8—Philodemus, On Piety: The author of the War of the Titans says that the apples (of the Hesperides) were guarded.