classical mythology: Uranus & Gaia

English literature has been directly influenced by classical mythology which is epics and tales of the ancient Greece and Rome. Greek written myths dates back about 8th century B.C. , while Roman ones were not written until the 1st B.C. Ovid and Virgil were two of the Roman greatest authors on this subject.

Greek people believed that it was not gods who created the world, but universe actually created gods and goddesses. They believed that before this world came into existence, there was in its place a confused mass of shapeless elements called Chaos. These elements, then, resolved themselves into two different substances: the lighter which was higher formed the sky, and the solid substance beneath that was the earth, or in other words, two great Greek deities: Uranus and Gaia.

Uranus, or Father Heaven, represented the light and air of heaven, possessing the distinguishing qualities of light, heat, purity, and omnipresence.

Gaia was worshiped as a Mother. There was scarcely a city in Greece which did not contain a temple erected in her honour; indeed Gaia was held in such veneration that her name was always invoked whenever the gods took a solemn oath, made an emphatic declaration, or implored assistance.