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Culture factsheet Classical Mythology The mythology of Greece and Rome is closely linked to the scientific naming of plants but some of our common names are still based on Roman and Greek Mythology. Classical Mythology: the culture of Greece and Rome underpinned many of the studies of the Renaissance and early modern science, including botany, which is one of the reasons why many scientific names are based on the works of classical authors and mythology. Artemisia (mugwort and wormwoods) is called after the goddess Artemis/Diana, who was apparently told of its medicinal qualities by the centaur Chiron. Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) is named for the Greek hero Achilles, and iris for the goddess of the rainbow. The tale of Persephone and her abduction by Hades is associated with several wild plants including the crocus, rose, violet, iris, larkspur that she was collecting until lured away by the bright daffodils of Hades. The nymph Cyane tries to stop Hades and is turned into a spring and gives us the name cyan blue and the scientific name for cornflower (Centaurea cyanus). The myths of Hercules, Adonis, Jupiter, Venus, Poseidon and also Odysseus are associated with wild plants. The tradition of plants named in honour of Venus, the goddess of love, is widespread in Europe and survives in Britain with Venus hair fern (Adiantum capillusveneris) and Venus looking glass (Legousia hybrida). Both vine and ivy leaves are associated with Dionysus, god of wine and ecstasy. The Roman festival of Floralia was initiated around 240 BC in order that the goddess Flora would protect the blossoms. It fell out of favour and was resurrected as the Ludi Florales (Floral Games) in 173 BC because the senate was concerned about damage to the flowers through wind and hail. It was fixed in the Roman calendar by Julius Caesar from the 28th April to the 3rd of May. Mythology from other cultures: we hope to highlight any connections between plants that grow wild in Britain and mythologies from other countries. If you have any information on this subject please contact us or contribute a fabric square that illustrates this. References & Online Resources Coates, A., 1956, Flowers and Their Histories. Eland S., Plant Lives (online resource – www.plantlives.com) Frazer, J.G., 1890, The Golden Bough Friend, H, 1883, Flowers and Flower Lore Plants and Flowers of Greek Mythology (online) (www.theoi.com/ Flora1.html) Some of the plants associated with Classical Mythology Ash (Fraxinus excelsior) - Manna, the divine food was made from the sap of ash; the spear made for Achilles by his father from Mount Pelian Ash Bluebell (Hyacinthoides non-scripta) - The bluebell is associated with two Greek youths of mythology – Hyacinth who died beloved of Apollo; Endymion who was placed in an eternal sleep by Zeus for the goddess Selene Bog Rosemary (Andromeda polifolia) - Named for the beautiful maiden rescued from the sea monster by Perseus Butterbur (Petasites hybridus/P. species) - Mercury wore a hat made from its leaves, the petasos of Greek shepherds Centaury (Centaurium erythraea) - Named for the centaur Chiron who was especially skilled in medicine – he used this herb against the poisonous blood of the Hydra Cornflower (Centaurea cyanus) - The first part of the scientific name is linked to the centaurs and Chiron, and the second part to the Sicilian nymph Cyane who was turned into a pool of water trying to save Persephone Crocus (Crocus species) - Named in honour of the dead youth Krokos beloved of Hermes Daffodil (Narcissus pseudonarcissus & N. species) - The scientific name is linked to the Metamorphosis story of Narcissus the beautiful youth who continually stared at his reflection; it is also associated with Hades, god of the underworld, he is said to have used the flower to entice Persephone away from her companions Daisy (Bellis perennis) - Linked to Artemis Elecampane (Inula helenium) —Linked with Helen of Troy who was said to use it as a cosmetic Elm (Ulmus species) - When Odysseus & the Argonauts entered the Garden of Hesperides the nymphs turned themselves into elm, willow, and poplar Enchanter’s Nightshade (Circaea lutetiana) - Named for the Greek sorceress Circe who tried to bewitch Odysseus Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare/communis) - Prometheus was said to have smuggled fire to earth in a stalk of fennel; the shaft of Dionysus’ staff or thyrsus was made from a giant fennel stalk Gentian (Gentiana species) - Named for King Gentius of Illyria who was said to have discovered their medicinal properties Greater Mullein (Verbascum thapsus) - Mercury gives Odysseus mullein to protect him from Circe’s enchantments; also known as Jupiter’s staff Henbane (Hyoscyamus niger) - The dead in Hades were crowned with henbane as they wandered the shores of the Styx Houseleek (Sempervivum tectorum) - Known as Jupiter’s eye, associated with Jupiter and other thunder gods in Europe & with protection from lightning strikes Iris (Iris species) - Named for the Greek goddess of the rainbow, messenger and goddess of the sea and sky Ivy (Hedera helix) - Ivy was sacred to the god of wine and ecstasy, Dionysus, wreaths of ivy were used to celebrate his rites and to encircle the thyrsus staffs Larkspur (Delphinium ajacis) - Two legends – one is that Apollo caused this plant to grow from the blood of the dead youth Hyakinthos; or that it grew from the blood of the hero Ajax after he threw himself on his sword Mistletoe (Viscum album) - Sometimes associated with Hercules Monk’s Hood (Aconitum napellus) - The spittle from the three headed dog Cerberus when he was dragged up from the underworld by Hercules turned into this poison plant Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris) - Named for the Greek goddess Artemis, the virgin huntress (Diana in Roman myth) – she was taught the medicinal power of the plant by Chiron, the centaur Oak (Quercus species) - Sacred to Zeus, Jupiter, Jove; the Golden Fleece was nailed to an oak tree Orchids (Orchis species) - The old scientific name for the orchids was Satyrion – it was supposed to be the food for the Satyrs and to feed their sexual excesses Pheasant’s Eye (Adonis annua) - Named by early modern botanists because its blood red petals were associated with the myth of Adonis, the beautiful youth who died and was reborn & celebrated in Adonis rites and gardens in Mesopotamia & Greece Pine (Pinus species) - Sacred to Poseidon, god of the sea, pine wreaths were given to victors at the Isthmian Games; the top of Dionysus’ staff or thyrsus was a pine cone Plane tree (Platanus species) - Associated with Helen of Troy, she was said to have hanged herself or have died on a plane tree, and to have had a sacred plane tree Poplar (Populus species) - Persephone had a sacred grove of willow and black poplar at the entrance to the underworld; the nymphs of the Garden of Hesperides turned themselves into elm, poplar and willow when Odysseus entered Poppy (Papaver rhoeas) - Demeter created this flower from the blood of the dead youth Mekon Red campion (Silene dioica) - Named for the drunken Greek god Silenus Red Valerian (Centrathus rubber) - Known as Jupiter’s Beard Rose (Rosa species) - Associated with Venus, goddess of love Sweet Flag (Acorus calamus) - Pan’s pipes were supposed to be made of the stalks of sweet flag Sweet Chestnut (Castanea sativa) - Sacred to Artemis Teasel (Dipsacus species) - Sometimes called Venus’ basin because water collects in the seed head Venus hair fern (Adiantum capillus-veneris) - Supposed to look like Venus’ hair Vervain (Verbena officinalis) - known as Juno’s tears; Mercury’s Moist Blood. A powerful herd, verbena became a general word for ‘altar plants’; used to sweep Jupiter’s table in the Capitol temple & to drive out evil from the home Violet (Viola odorata) - Io was changed into a heifer by Jupiter to hide her from Juno & violets were her food; symbol of Athens; one of the flowers collected by Persephone & associated with the Roman goddess Flora and the Floralia (Ludi Florales); Iamos the son of Apollo was left by his mother on a bed of violets in the Arcadian Fields to be fed honey by serpents Walnut (Juglans regia) - Known as Jupiter’s Nut; sacred to Artemis Willow & Osiers (Salix species) - Persephone had a sacred grove of willow and black poplar at the entrance to the underworld; the nymphs of the Garden of Hesperides turned themselves into elm, poplar and willow when Odysseus entered; sacred to Hecate, the goddess of witchcraft Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) - Its scientific name comes from its association with the Greek hero Achilles, who was said to use it to cure his soldiers’ wounds; also known as Venus tree EGYPTIAN MYTHOLOGY Ivy (Hedea helix) - Linked to the god Osiris because it was evergreen; linked to the god Attis and his priests were tattooed with ivy leaves This project is supported by the Culture Programme of the European Union