The Story of Deucalion

The Greeks used to tell their children that Deucalion, the leader of the Thessalians, was a descendant of the gods. For each part of the country claimed that its first great man was the son of a god. It was during Deucalion's reign that another flood took place. This one was even worse than the flood of Ogyges, and all the people in the neighborhood fled in haste to the high mountains north of Thessaly, where they were kindly received by Deucalion.

When all danger was over and the water began to recede, they followed their leader down to the plains again. This soon gave rise to a wonderful story, which you will often hear. It was said that Deucalion and his wife Pyrrha were the only people left alive after the flood. When the water was gone, they went down the mountain and found that the temple at Delphi, where they worshipped their gods, was still standing unharmed. They entered, knelt before the altar, and prayed for help.

A mysterious voice then bade them go down the mountain and cast their mother's bones behind them. They became very troubled when they heard this, until Deucalion said that a voice from heaven could not have meant for them to do anything evil. While he pondered the true meaning of the words he had heard, he said to his wife that since the earth is the mother of all creatures, her bones must mean stones.

Deucalion and Pyrrha therefore slowly went down the mountain and cast the stones behind them. The Greeks used to tell that strong men sprang up from the stones Deucalion threw, while beautiful women came from those Pyrrha threw.

The land was soon peopled by the children of these men, who always proudly declared that the story was true, and that they were descended from the people who owed their birth to this great miracle. Deucalion ruled over this people as long as he lived, and when he died, his two sons, Amphictyon and Hellen, became kings in his stead.

The first stayed in Thessaly, and when he heard that some barbarians called Thracians were about to come over the mountains and drive his people away, he summoned the chiefs from all the different states to a council to ask their advice about the best means of defense.

All the chiefs obeyed the summons and met in a place in Thessaly where the mountains approach the sea so closely that there is only a narrow passage between them. In the pass there are warm springs, and therefore it was called Thermopylae, or the Hot Gate.

The chiefs who were assembled there called this gathering the Amphictyonic Council, in honor of Amphictyon. After making plans to drive the Thracians back, they decided to meet once a year, either at Thermopylae or at the temple in Delphi, to discuss all important matters.