by Marilla Mulwane

Created on: February 18, 2010

Often confused, and combined, with the Titan lord Kronos(Chronus), Chronos(Cronus) was the father of time, the creator of all creation. He was not born to anyone, but appeared fully formed at the beginning. He had a snake-like body and three heads. These heads were of a man, a bull, and a lion. Together with his consort, Chronos created the earth, sea, and sky. Then they began infinite time by traveling in repeated circles. Chronos is often depicted  in art as an old man with a long beard, carrying a staff. This is where we get our image of “father time”.

While Chronos’ story is rather dull, the life of the Titan lord Kronos is much more interesting. As mentioned earlier, the two gods are often interchangeable, and both are considered creators of life. It is just that Kronos began creation in a more interesting way.

-The birth of Kronos and his rise to power-

Unlike Chronos, Kronos the Titan had parents. He was the youngest child of Uranus(the sky) and Gaia(the earth). Gaia was in so much pain from giving birth so often that she wanted to stop her husband’s passion. She went to each of her children, hoping one of them would help her escape the pain. Only Kronos agreed. Kronos hid behind a tree and waited for his father to appear. Then, using a sickle, Kronos snuck up on his father and cut off his genitals.

With his father dethroned, and castrated,  Kronos took his place and placed his wife beside him. Rhea was his wife, and also his sister. Together they had many children who became gods. These children were Demeter, Hestia, Hera, Hades, Poseidon, and Zeus.

-The end of Kronos and Zeus’ rise to power-

Kronos’ reign was considered a “golden age” because there was no violence or greed, and therefore no need for laws. That all changed when Kronos learned of a prophecy that stated he would be overthrown by one of his children. To prevent that from happening, Kronos would swallow each of his offspring just after they were born. They would remain inside his body, but could not harm him.

Rhea hated seeing her children being swallowed and decided to try and save the next child, Zeus. She wrapped a stone in the baby’s blankets and gave it to Kronos to eat. He did so, believing he was eating Zeus. Rhea then sent Zeus away to Crete where he was raised by a divine goat. After Zeus grew up, he returned to his old home in order to face his father.

Zeus managed to persuade Kronos to vomit up his siblings. Kronos regurgitated them each, one by one, whole and grown. After that disgusting episode, Zeus led a revolt against Kronos and the other Titans. With the help of his siblings, Zeus was able to defeat them and banish the Titans to the pits of Tartarus. Finally, Zeus shared parts of the earth with his brothers. Zeus became god of the heavens, Poseidon became god of the seas, and Hades became god of the underworld.

-The end of the “golden age”-

With Zeus and the others in power, things changed on earth. Suddenly the “golden age” of non-violence disappeared. And with the gods of Olympus, life would prosper.

 Sources:

Atsma, Aaron. CHRONUS & AEON, The THEOI Project

Cronus, Encyclopedia Mythica

Learn more about this author, Marilla Mulwane.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.