Early Depiction of Cronus
Cronus (also Kronos) was the Titan god of time and the ages. According to Greek myth / legend he ruled the cosmos, after deposing his father, in the early of days of the so-called the Golden Age. In fear of a prophecy that he would be overthrown by one of his own sons, Cronus swallowed each of his children as soon as they were born. Rhea, his queen and sister, managed to save the youngest son, Zeus, by hiding him away on Crete , largest of the Greek islands. She is said to have accomplished this remarkable feat by somehow convincing Cronus that a stone that she had apparently wrapped in the swaddling clothes of an infant, was in actuality Zeus.
The Golden Age was a time of perfect peace and harmony, which lasted as long as he reigned, which was reportedly one full generation. The Age of Gold (as opposed to Silver, Bronze, or Iron) by the way was considered the first and purest age; taws’ when no labor was required and the weather was always agreeable. It was a time of pleasant surroundings; abundance was the norm and people occupied all their time in satisfying pursuits. Shucks, it’s even said that throughout this time birds, creatures of the sea, and four-footed beasts could talk with a human voice. In other words, to borrow a well known literary phrase “it was the best of times”; things of need were furnished in abundance, and the growth of everything needed was spontaneous.
Cronus you see was the eldest of the Titans, therefore he, by natural birth rights, became king, immediately after he deposed his father who was king before him; he soon caused all men who were his subjects to change from a rude way of living to civilized life.
His legacy was adopted by the ancient Romans who believed him to be their god Saturn, who ruled over this Golden Age. As you would expect some unknown time after this “Golden Age” ended a festival was established by the Romans in memory of his reign, it was called the Feast of Saturnalia and was held every year during the Winter Solstice.
It was said by the ancient Greeks that King Cronus reigned during the early days of Earth; his most noted symbol was the sickle; his consort was his sister and queen Rhea; he had a host of siblings, totaling 11; and was father to 7 children, including Zeus who would replace him as king.
Because of the exceptional public obedience to laws of the era, no injustice was committed by any one; all subjects of rule lived a life of purity and cleanliness; toss in a good measure of happiness and you have the recipe for the Golden Age.
Sources:
http://www.theoi.com/Titan/TitanKronos.html http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cronus http://tgsfree4allinfo.blogspot.com/2011/06/roman-colosseum.html
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