Zeus. disguised as a mortal. had a secret love affair with Semele, daughter of King Cadmus of Thebes. Juno, to gratify her resentment against Semele, contrived a plan for her destruction Assuming the form of Beroe, Semele's aged nurse, she insinuated (give to understand) doubts whether it was indeed Zeus himself who came as a lover. Heaving a sigh, she said,"I lope it will turn out so, but I cant help being afraid. People are not always what they pretend to be. If he is indeed Zeus, make him give some proof of it. Ask him to come arrayed in all his splendors, such as he wears in heaven. That will put the matter beyond a doubt.” Semele was persuaded to try the experiment She asked favor, without naming what it was. Jove gave his promise, and confirmed it with the irrevocable oath, attesting the river Styx terrible to the gods themselves. Then she made known her request. The god would have stopped her as she spoke, but she was too quick for him. The words escaped, and he could neither unsay his promise nor her request deep distress he left her and returned to the upp regions. There he clothed himself in his splendors, not putting on all his terrors. as when he overthrew the giants but what was
Zeus, disguised as a mortal, had a secret love affair with Semele, daughter of King Cadmus of Thebes. Juno, to gratify her resentment against Semele, contrived a plan for her destruction. Assuming the form of Beroe, Semele’s aged nurse, she insinuated (give to understand) doubts whether it was indeed Zeus himself who came as a lover. Heaving a sigh, she said, “I hope it will turn out so, but I can’t help being afraid. People are not always what they pretend to be. If he is indeed Zeus, make him give some proof of it. Ask him to come arrayed in all his splendors, such as he wears in heaven. That will put the matter beyond a doubt.” Semele was persuaded to try the experiment. She asked a favor, without naming what it was. Jove gave his promise, and confirmed it with the irrevocable oath, attesting the river Styx, terrible to the gods themselves. Then she made known her request. The god would have stopped her as she spoke, but she was too quick for him. The words escaped, and he could neither unsay his promise nor her request. In deep distress he left her and returned to the upper regions. There he clothed himself in his splendors, not putting on all his terrors, as when he overthrew the giants, but what was
known among the gods as his lesser panoply. arrayed in this, he entered the chamber of semele. Her mortal frame could not endure the splendors of the immortal radiance. She was consumed to ashes But Hermes saved her six-month son sewed him up inside Zeus's thigh, to mature there for three months longer: and in due course of time. delivered him. The child was called Dionysus(Bacchus)(twice-born,, or the child of the double door)
known among the gods as his lesser panoply. Arrayed in this, he entered the chamber of Semele. Her mortal frame could not endure the splendors of the immortal radiance. She was consumed to ashes. But Hermes saved her six-month son; sewed him up inside Zeus’s thigh, to mature there for three months longer; and in due course of time, delivered him. The child was called Dionysus (Bacchus) (“twice-born”, or “the child of the double door”)
