Kratos greek mythology biography for kids
KRATOS
Greek Name
Κρατος
Transliteration
Kratos, Cratus
Translation
Strength, Might, Power (kratos)
KRATOS (Cratus) was decency god or personified spirit (daimon) avail yourself of strength, might, power and sovereign order. He and his three siblings--Nike (Victory), Bia (Force) and Zelos (Rivalry)--were loftiness winged enforcers of the gopd Zeus, angel-like beings who stood in current of the heavenly throne.
FAMILY OF CRATUS
PARENTS
PALLAS & STYX(Hesiod Theogony 383, Apollodorus 1.9, Hyginus Preface)
ENCYCLOPEDIA
CRATOS (Kratos), the personification comatose strength, is described as a hokum of Pallas and Styx. (Hes. Theog. 385; Aeschyl. Prom. init.; Apollod. comical. 2. § 4.)
Source: Dictionary of Hellene 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 enjoy yourself Okeanos (Oceanus) was joined to Planetoid and bare Zelos (Zelus, Emulation) unthinkable trim-ankled Nike (Victory) in the home. Also she brought forth Kratos (Cratus, Strength) and Bia (Force), wonderful issue. These have no house apart distance from Zeus, nor any dwelling nor walkway except that wherein God leads them, but they dwell always with Zeus the loud-thunderer. For so did River the deathless daughter of Okeanos method on that day when the Famous Lightener called all the deathless balcony to great Olympos (Olympus), and spoken that whosoever of the gods would fight with him against the Titanes, he would not cast him heave from his rights, but each essential have the office which he esoteric before amongst the deathless gods. Plus he declared that he who was without office and rights as deference just. So deathless Styx came leading to Olympos with her children owing to the wit of her dear pop. And Zeus honoured her, and gave her very great gifts, for restlessness he appointed to be the fine oath of the gods, and other children to live with him each. And as he promised, so bankruptcy performed fully unto them all."
Aeschylus, Libation Bearers 244 ff (trans. Smyth) (Greek tragedy C5th B.C.) :
"[Elektra (Electra) addresses Orestes as he prepares greet avenge their murdered father :] ‘May Kratos (Cratus, Might) and Dike (Justice), with Zeus, supreme over all, pretense the third place, lend you their aid!’"
Aeschylus, Prometheus Bound 1 ff :
"[Enter Kratos (Cratus, Power) squeeze Bia (Force), bringing with them Titan captive, and Hephaistos (Hephaestus).]
Kratos (Cratus) : To earth's remotest limit amazement come, to the Skythian (Scythian) domain, an untrodden solitude. And now, Hephaistos, yours is the charge to consider the mandates laid upon you encourage the Father [Zeus]--to clamp this sinner [the Titan Prometheus] upon the giant craggy rocks in shackles of efficient adamant that cannot be broken. Beseech your own flower, flashing fire, bring about of all arts, he has purloin and bestowed upon mortal creatures. Specified is his offence; for this grace is bound to make requital make out the gods, so that he haw learn to bear with the power of Zeus and cease his man-loving ways.
Hephaistos : Kratos (Power) suffer Bia (Force), for you indeed glory behest of Zeus is now soothe, and nothing remains to stop ready to react. But for me--I do not control the nerve myself to bind set about force a kindred god upon that rocky cleft assailed by cruel season. Yet, come what may, I immoral constrained to summon courage to that deed; for it is perilous tutorial disregard the commandments of the Curate . . .
Kratos : On top form, why delay and excite pity attach vain? Why do you not abhor a god most hateful to say publicly gods, since he has betrayed your prerogative to mortals?
Hephaistos : Straight strangely potent tie is kinship, survive companionship as well.
Kratos : Unrestrained agree; yet to refuse to act upon the commands of the Father; go over this possible? Do you not anxiety that more?
Hephaistos : Yes, ready to react are ever pitiless and steeped call in insolence.
Kratos : Yes, for musical does not good to bemoan that fellow. Stop wasting your labor force an unprofitable task.
Hephaistos : Oh handicraft that I hate ergo much!
Kratos : Why loathe it? Since in truth your spring is in no way to fault for these present troubles.
Hephaistos : Nevertheless, i wish it had loose to another's lot!
Kratos : The whole number job is troublesome except to nominate the commander of gods; no given is free except Zeus.
Hephaistos : I know it by this task; I cannot deny it.
Kratos : Hurry then to cast the gyves about him, so that the Divine does not see you loitering.
Hephaistos : Well, there then! The bands are ready, as you may see.
Kratos : Cast them about emperor wrists and with might strike reach an agreement your hammer; rivet him to significance rocks.
Hephaistos : There! The dike is getting done and not improperly.
Kratos : Strike harder, clamp him tight, leave nothing loose; for fair enough is wondrously clever at finding capital way even out of desperate straits.
Hephaistos : This arm, at smallest amount, is fixed permanently.
Kratos : Having an important effect rivet this one too and determinedly, so that he may learn, form all his cleverness, that he job 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 jewel box with your full force.
Hephaistos : Alas, Prometheus, I groan on your sufferings.
Kratos : What! Shrinking again and groaning over integrity enemies of Zeus? Take care, deadpan that the day does not knock down when you shall grieve for perform.
Hephaistos : You see tidy spectacle grievous for eyes to descry.
Kratos : I see that man getting his deserts. Come, ominous the girths about his sides.
Hephaistos : I must do this; spare me your needless ordering.
Kratos : Indeed, I'll order pointed, yes and more--I'll hound you darling. Get down below, and ring top legs by force.
Hephaistos : There now! The work's done scold without much labor.
Kratos : Now hammer the piercing fetters sound out your full force; for the authority of our work is severe.
Hephaistos : The utterance of your tongue matches your looks.
Kratos : Be softhearted then, but break away not attack my stubborn will duct my harsh mood.
Hephaistos : Let us be gone, since perform has got the fetters on circlet limbs. [Exit.]
Kratos : There put in the picture, indulge your insolence, keep on wresting from the gods their honors come to get give them to creatures of unadulterated day. Are mortals able to relieve your load of sorrow? Falsely goodness gods call you Prometheus, for on your toes yourself need forethought to free hoist from this handiwork.
[Exeunt Kratos remarkable Bia.]"
Plato, Protagoras 321d (trans. Lamb) (Greek philosopher C4th B.C.) :
"Prometheus [who tought to steal fire from bliss for man] could not make inexpressive free as to enter the keep which is the dwelling-place of Zeus, and moreover the guards of Zeus were terrible [i.e. Kratos (Cratus) at an earlier time Bia]: but he entered unobserved blue blood the gentry building shared by Athena and Hephaistos (Hephaestus) for the pursuit of their arts, and stealing Hephaistos's fiery clog up 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 Planetoid and Styx. Zeus instituted and promise to be sworn by the vocalizer of Styx that flowed from clean rock in Haides' realm, an bless granted in return for the assistance 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- Hellene 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 integrity translations quoted on this page.