An introduction to the art of
Harris Varsakis

Their story concerns the overcoming of obstacles to the love between Eros (Latin Cupido, "Desire" or “ Love") and Psyche,("Soul", or “Butterfly) and their ultimate union in marriage.

Psyche was considered extremely beautiful. Her beauty and consequent suitors cause Aphrodite’s jealousy and she orders her son Eros to work her revenge. But Eros falls in love with her and desires to possess her for himself.

Aphrodite tries to prevent this marriage of her son with a beautiful mortal and obstructs wherever she can.

At last Eros takes his case to Zeus, who gives his consent in return for Eros’ future help whenever a choice maiden catches his eye. Zeus warns Aphrodite to back off, and gives Psyche ambrosia, the drink of immortality, so the couple can be united in marriage as equals. “The child born to the couple is Hedone ("Pleasure.").

Prometheus is a Titan, the son of Lapetus and Clymene, and brother to Atlas

Prometheus played a trick against Zeus: At a sacrificial meal marking ‘the settling of accounts’ between mortals and immortals, he placed two sacrificial offerings before the Olympian;

A selection of beef hidden inside an ox’s stomach (good food hidden inside an unattractive exterior), and the bull’s bones wrapped completely in glistening fat (something inedible hidden inside an attractive exterior). Zeus chose the latter, setting a precedent for future sacrifices.

From then onwards, humans would keep the meat for themselves and burn the bones wrapped in fat as an offering to the gods. This irritated Zeus, who kept his fire from humans in retribution.

Prometheus in turn, stole fire from the gods and gave it back to mankind, which angered Zeus enormously and caused his severe punishment of Prometheus.

In Greek mythology, Pandora was the first woman on earth. Zeus ordered Hephaestus, the god of craftsmanship, to create her and so he did, by using water and earth. The Gods offered her many gifts: Athene gave her clothes, Aphrodite beauty and Hermes speech.

When Prometheus stole fire from the gods, Zeus took revenge by presenting Pandora to Prometheus brother Epimetheus. For dowry Pandora was given a beautiful box, which she was not to open under any circumstance. Driven by curiosity, given to her by the gods, Pandora opened it and all evil it contained escaped and spread all over the world. She quickly closed the lid, but the whole content had escaped, except for one thing that laid at the bottom: the Angel of Hope.

Pandora was deeply saddened by what she had done and afraid that she would have to face Zeus’ anger, since she had failed her duty. But Zeus did not punish Pandora, because he had wanted this to happen.

Today to open Pandora’s box means to create evil that cannot be undone.