What do you think?
Rate this book
Eros and Psyche: A Fairy-Tale of Ancient Greece Retold After Apuleius
An excerpt from the PREFACE:
THE story of Eros and Psyche reflects the religious life of classic antiquity more strongly than any other book, poem, or epic, not excepting the works of Hesiod and Homer. The "Theogony" of Hesiod tells of the origin of the gods and invests them with definite shape; Homer introduces them as actors in his grand epics; but the popular tale of Eros and Psyche reflects the sentiment with which the gods were regarded, and describes the attitude of man toward the problems of life, especially that problem of problems - the mystery of death and the fate of the soul in the unknown beyond.
The orthodox Greek religion consisted in the performance of certain rites, which were administered by the priests in the name of the state for the public benefit. Neither faith nor morality was required; the sole thing of importance was to accord to the gods their due, according to established tradition, and thus to fulfil the duties men owe to the invisible powers, upon whose beneficence their welfare depends. But the performance of sacrifices and other ceremonies left the heart empty; they were conducted in a perfunctory way by persons duly selected according to descent or station in life and were kept up simply from fear that some deity might be offended by the neglect. The people, however, demanded the satisfaction of the religious cravings of the heart, and this resulted in the origination of a new religious movement based on the new thoughts imported from Thrace, Egypt, Chaldsea, Phoenicia, and Syria, and finding at last definite expression in the mysteries and secret teachings of Orpheus, Dionysos, and other deities.
THE story of Eros and Psyche reflects the religious life of classic antiquity more strongly than any other book, poem, or epic, not excepting the works of Hesiod and Homer. The "Theogony" of Hesiod tells of the origin of the gods and invests them with definite shape; Homer introduces them as actors in his grand epics; but the popular tale of Eros and Psyche reflects the sentiment with which the gods were regarded, and describes the attitude of man toward the problems of life, especially that problem of problems - the mystery of death and the fate of the soul in the unknown beyond.
The orthodox Greek religion consisted in the performance of certain rites, which were administered by the priests in the name of the state for the public benefit. Neither faith nor morality was required; the sole thing of importance was to accord to the gods their due, according to established tradition, and thus to fulfil the duties men owe to the invisible powers, upon whose beneficence their welfare depends. But the performance of sacrifices and other ceremonies left the heart empty; they were conducted in a perfunctory way by persons duly selected according to descent or station in life and were kept up simply from fear that some deity might be offended by the neglect. The people, however, demanded the satisfaction of the religious cravings of the heart, and this resulted in the origination of a new religious movement based on the new thoughts imported from Thrace, Egypt, Chaldsea, Phoenicia, and Syria, and finding at last definite expression in the mysteries and secret teachings of Orpheus, Dionysos, and other deities.
136 pages, Paperback
First published January 10, 2010
13 people want to read
About the author
Paul Carus
685 books12 followersPaul Carus, Ph.D. (18 July 1852 – 11 February 1919) was a German-American author, editor, a student of comparative religion, and professor of philosophy.
Carus considered himself a theologian rather than philosopher. He is proposed to be a pioneer in the promotion of interfaith dialogue. He explored the relationship of science and religion, and was instrumental in introducing Eastern traditions and ideas to the West. He was a key figure in the introduction of Buddhism, to the West.
Carus considered himself a theologian rather than philosopher. He is proposed to be a pioneer in the promotion of interfaith dialogue. He explored the relationship of science and religion, and was instrumental in introducing Eastern traditions and ideas to the West. He was a key figure in the introduction of Buddhism, to the West.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
March 26, 2026
a lovely retelling of my favorite greek myth. I’m pretty sure I read some of it for school six years ago, but I could never find the version. I saw a single page on pinterest today and snd was ecstatic to read it. featuring love, desire, secrets, envy, youthfulness, and the endurance of marriage, Eros and Psyche is simply beautiful. contrary to many marriages in greek mythology, Eros and Psyche truly love each other. yes, there were lies and manipulation on Eros’ part, but it came from a place of fear for his wife’s life and his desire to be with her forever. he never hurt her in any way and was patient any time she sought his true face. gods are often very cruel to goddesses, let alone mortal women, yet his gentle, passionate love for Psyche shone through the little pages of the story given.
Psyche was a curious, sweet, and intelligent young woman who did not think of herself as better than anyone despite her otherworldly beauty and inquisitive mind. she loved Eros, but did not let him keep her in the gilded-cage palace he had made for her because of her desire for freedom and truth. before her older sisters manipulated her into believing Eros was a viscous dragon, she was already questioning him, already wanting to know. that’s a realistic depiction of a young woman, no matter how beautiful a home she lives in, or how wonderful her husband is to her. Psyche’s curiosity did lead to momentary downfall, but in the end, it was best—as she truly knew Eros and loved him even greater. She also became a goddess, gained the affection of Aphrodite, and had a baby girl she named Joy.
the only thing I wish the author wrote was Eros falling in love with Psyche. I’ve read different versions online—one in which he accidentally pricked himself with his own arrow, and another where he thought her beautiful and felt sympathy for her. I’m sure there are more, and I would have loved to have read it in this story.
some of my favorite quotes:
“Shouldst thou pass through the gate of death thou wilt be guarded by the spell of my thoughts. I sustain thee and cherish thee. Even if thou goest down to hell, thou shalt not perish. Thou art mine, O thou soul of my being; and I am thine-I that am love, I that am the delight of the world, I that am the giver of life."
"Fear not that monster of whom the oracle spoke," said the youth in a low whisper, "for I am he, I am the demon whom the inhabitants of heaven fear as much as do the denizens of hell. I am thy husband and thou art my bride."
"Why then," rejoined Psyche, "if thou truly art Death, the fearful ruler in the land of shades, whom even the mighty Zeus dreads, why dost thou come to me in so pleasing a disguise? Thy voice is music, thy breath the perfume of roses, and the touch of thy lips transports my soul. What shall I call thee, thou sweet dissembler?"
"Call me Love," said the voice, "for that I am!"
"I was only thinking that I had never expected anything better of the boy. He is a villain and will ever remain one;" and he added in an undertone, careful not to be heard by his wife, who was beautiful even in her anger: "Nor can he help it. He is born so; he is his mother’s son.”
“Death is the problem of life, but Love is its solution.”
Psyche was a curious, sweet, and intelligent young woman who did not think of herself as better than anyone despite her otherworldly beauty and inquisitive mind. she loved Eros, but did not let him keep her in the gilded-cage palace he had made for her because of her desire for freedom and truth. before her older sisters manipulated her into believing Eros was a viscous dragon, she was already questioning him, already wanting to know. that’s a realistic depiction of a young woman, no matter how beautiful a home she lives in, or how wonderful her husband is to her. Psyche’s curiosity did lead to momentary downfall, but in the end, it was best—as she truly knew Eros and loved him even greater. She also became a goddess, gained the affection of Aphrodite, and had a baby girl she named Joy.
the only thing I wish the author wrote was Eros falling in love with Psyche. I’ve read different versions online—one in which he accidentally pricked himself with his own arrow, and another where he thought her beautiful and felt sympathy for her. I’m sure there are more, and I would have loved to have read it in this story.
some of my favorite quotes:
“Shouldst thou pass through the gate of death thou wilt be guarded by the spell of my thoughts. I sustain thee and cherish thee. Even if thou goest down to hell, thou shalt not perish. Thou art mine, O thou soul of my being; and I am thine-I that am love, I that am the delight of the world, I that am the giver of life."
"Fear not that monster of whom the oracle spoke," said the youth in a low whisper, "for I am he, I am the demon whom the inhabitants of heaven fear as much as do the denizens of hell. I am thy husband and thou art my bride."
"Why then," rejoined Psyche, "if thou truly art Death, the fearful ruler in the land of shades, whom even the mighty Zeus dreads, why dost thou come to me in so pleasing a disguise? Thy voice is music, thy breath the perfume of roses, and the touch of thy lips transports my soul. What shall I call thee, thou sweet dissembler?"
"Call me Love," said the voice, "for that I am!"
"I was only thinking that I had never expected anything better of the boy. He is a villain and will ever remain one;" and he added in an undertone, careful not to be heard by his wife, who was beautiful even in her anger: "Nor can he help it. He is born so; he is his mother’s son.”
“Death is the problem of life, but Love is its solution.”
April 29, 2015
I'm far from an expert on myths, but I feel like this fits in well - meaning I didn't gain too much from reading it. At the same time, it was really cool to read one of the first written love stories, and it was a quick read.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews