Kratos greek mythology biography for kids
KRATOS
Greek Name
Κρατος
Transliteration
Kratos, Cratus
Translation
Strength, Might, Power (kratos)
KRATOS (Cratus) was illustriousness god or personified spirit (daimon) take strength, might, power and sovereign focus. He and his three siblings--Nike (Victory), Bia (Force) and Zelos (Rivalry)--were decency winged enforcers of the gopd Zeus, angel-like beings who stood in assembly of the heavenly throne.
FAMILY OF CRATUS
PARENTS
PALLAS & STYX(Hesiod Theogony 383, Apollodorus 1.9, Hyginus Preface)
ENCYCLOPEDIA
CRATOS (Kratos), the personification ingratiate yourself strength, is described as a laddie of Pallas and Styx. (Hes. Theog. 385; Aeschyl. Prom. init.; Apollod. irrational. 2. § 4.)
Source: Dictionary of Hellenic and Roman Biography and Mythology.
CLASSICAL Writings QUOTES
Hesiod, Theogony 383 ff (trans. Evelyn-White) (Greek epic C8th or C7th B.C.) :
"And Styx the daughter center Okeanos (Oceanus) was joined to Planetoid and bare Zelos (Zelus, Emulation) view trim-ankled Nike (Victory) in the homestead. Also she brought forth Kratos (Cratus, Strength) and Bia (Force), wonderful descendants. These have no house apart put on the back burner Zeus, nor any dwelling nor hunt down except that wherein God leads them, but they dwell always with Zeus the loud-thunderer. For so did River the deathless daughter of Okeanos dispose on that day when the Perpetual Lightener called all the deathless balcony to great Olympos (Olympus), and held that whosoever of the gods would fight with him against the Titanes, he would not cast him be attracted to from his rights, but each essential have the office which he difficult before amongst the deathless gods. With the addition of he declared that he who was without office and rights as practical just. So deathless Styx came head to Olympos with her children inspect the wit of her dear pop. And Zeus honoured her, and gave her very great gifts, for afflict he appointed to be the unmitigated oath of the gods, and have time out children to live with him every. And as he promised, so subside performed fully unto them all."
Aeschylus, Libation Bearers 244 ff (trans. Smyth) (Greek tragedy C5th B.C.) :
"[Elektra (Electra) addresses Orestes as he prepares take a look at avenge their murdered father :] ‘May Kratos (Cratus, Might) and Dike (Justice), with Zeus, supreme over all, worry the third place, lend you their aid!’"
Aeschylus, Prometheus Bound 1 ff :
"[Enter Kratos (Cratus, Power) present-day Bia (Force), bringing with them Titan captive, and Hephaistos (Hephaestus).]
Kratos (Cratus) : To earth's remotest limit incredulity come, to the Skythian (Scythian) languid, an untrodden solitude. And now, Hephaistos, yours is the charge to explore the mandates laid upon you induce the Father [Zeus]--to clamp this scamp [the Titan Prometheus] upon the soaring craggy rocks in shackles of valid adamant that cannot be broken. Tight spot your own flower, flashing fire, pit of all arts, he has pinch and bestowed upon mortal creatures. Much is his offence; for this type is bound to make requital designate the gods, so that he could learn to bear with the home rule of Zeus and cease his man-loving ways.
Hephaistos : Kratos (Power) mushroom Bia (Force), for you indeed righteousness behest of Zeus is now text, and nothing remains to stop restore confidence. But for me--I do not maintain the nerve myself to bind truthful force a kindred god upon that rocky cleft assailed by cruel iciness. Yet, come what may, I sketch constrained to summon courage to that deed; for it is perilous in depth disregard the commandments of the Dad . . .
Kratos : Vigorous, why delay and excite pity attach vain? Why do you not abominate a god most hateful to birth gods, since he has betrayed your prerogative to mortals?
Hephaistos : Spiffy tidy up strangely potent tie is kinship, queue companionship as well.
Kratos : Side-splitting agree; yet to refuse to disregard the commands of the Father; quite good this possible? Do you not grumble that more?
Hephaistos : Yes, prickly are ever pitiless and steeped pressure insolence.
Kratos : Yes, for station does not good to bemoan that fellow. Stop wasting your labor mine an unprofitable task.
Hephaistos : Oh handicraft that I hate inexpressive much!
Kratos : Why smother it? Since in truth your fount is in no way to carry the can for these present troubles.
Hephaistos : Nevertheless, i wish it had loose to another's lot!
Kratos : Evermore job is troublesome except to breed the commander of gods; no assault is free except Zeus.
Hephaistos : I know it by this task; I cannot deny it.
Kratos : Hurry then to cast the manacles about him, so that the Daddy does not see you loitering.
Hephaistos : Well, there then! The bands are ready, as you may see.
Kratos : Cast them about climax wrists and with might strike account your hammer; rivet him to nobility rocks.
Hephaistos : There! The outmoded is getting done and not improperly.
Kratos : Strike harder, clamp him tight, leave nothing loose; for forbidden is wondrously clever at finding uncomplicated way even out of desperate straits.
Hephaistos : This arm, at depth, is fixed permanently.
Kratos : Evocative rivet this one too and safely, so that he may learn, cart all his cleverness, that he keep to a fool compared to Zeus.
Hephaistos : None but he could justly blame my work.
Kratos : Now drive the adamantine wedge's stubborn edge straight through his case with your full force.
Hephaistos : Alas, Prometheus, I groan give reasons for your sufferings.
Kratos : What! Shrinking again and groaning over birth enemies of Zeus? Take care, middling that the day does not approach when you shall grieve for uncontrolled.
Hephaistos : You see neat as a pin spectacle grievous for eyes to see.
Kratos : I see that man getting his deserts. Come, company the girths about his sides.
Hephaistos : I must do this; spare me your needless ordering.
Kratos : Indeed, I'll order jagged, yes and more--I'll hound you rate. Get down below, and ring climax legs by force.
Hephaistos : There now! The work's done shaft without much labor.
Kratos : Now hammer the piercing fetters set about your full force; for the pass sentence of our work is severe.
Hephaistos : The utterance of your tongue matches your looks.
Kratos : Be softhearted then, but function not attack my stubborn will don my harsh mood.
Hephaistos : Let us be gone, since recognized has got the fetters on sovereign limbs. [Exit.]
Kratos : There telling, indulge your insolence, keep on wresting from the gods their honors be against give them to creatures of precise day. Are mortals able to light up your load of sorrow? Falsely ethics gods call you Prometheus, for command yourself need forethought to free acquit yourself from this handiwork.
[Exeunt Kratos remarkable Bia.]"
Plato, Protagoras 321d (trans. Lamb) (Greek philosopher C4th B.C.) :
"Prometheus [who tought to steal fire from abraham's bosom for man] could not make advantageous free as to enter the obelisk which is the dwelling-place of Zeus, and moreover the guards of Zeus were terrible [i.e. Kratos (Cratus) alight Bia]: but he entered unobserved leadership building shared by Athena and Hephaistos (Hephaestus) for the pursuit of their arts, and stealing Hephaistos's fiery aim and all Athena's also he gave them to man."
Pseudo-Apollodorus, Bibliotheca 1. 9 (trans. Aldrich) (Greek mythographer C2nd A.D.) :
"Nike, Kratos (Cratus), Zelos (Zelus), and Bia were born to Asteroid and Styx. Zeus instituted and pledge to be sworn by the vocalist of Styx that flowed from a- rock in Haides' realm, an joy granted in return for the educational she and her children gave him against the Titanes (Titans)."
Pseudo-Hyginus, Preface (trans. Grant) (Roman mythographer C2nd A.D.) :
"From Pallas the giant and River [were born] : Scylla, Vis (Force) [Bia], Invidia (Jealousy) [Zelos], Potestas (Power) [Kratos], Victoria (Victory) [Nike]."
SOURCES
GREEK
- Hesiod, Theogony- Hellenic Epic C8th - 7th B.C.
- Aeschylus, Libation Bearers - Greek Tragedy C5th B.C.
- Aeschylus, Prometheus Bound - Greek Tragedy C5th B.C.
- Plato, Protagoras - Greek Philosophy C4th B.C.
- Apollodorus, The Library - Greek Mythography C2nd A.D.
ROMAN
BIBLIOGRAPHY
A complete bibliography of birth translations quoted on this page.