Greek Gods and Heroes The ancient Greeks knew little about actual peoples, except those who lived in the countries immediately east and south of their country. Their imagination filled the rest of the earth with mystical and supernatural beings. The ancient Greeks believed that the earth was a flat, circular disk, with their country at the center. The disk was divided into two equal parts by the Sea (Mediterranean). They believed that the Ocean River flows around the world from south to north in the western part of the world and vice versa in the eastern part. The sea and all the rivers of the world have received water from it. The northern part of the earth was thought to be inhabited by a happy race called the Hyperboreans. They dwelt in infinite bliss and infinite spring. They never grew old, did not experience any disease or other unpleasant things like that. Their caves supposedly sent piercing gusts of the north wind to the Greek people. Their country could not be reached either by land or sea. On the southern side of the earth lived the Ethiopians. They were highly favored by the gods. They were happy and virtuous like the Hyperboreans. In the western part of the land there was another happy place called the Elysian Plain. Mortals favored by the gods were transported here without having to know death or anything but bliss. The place where the gods and goddesses lived was located at the highest point of Mount Olympus in Thessaly. It was hidden by a gate of clouds. Jupiter or Zues was called the father of gods and men. However it began from Saturn (Coronos) and Rhea (Ops). His parents were the children of earth and Heaven, who sprang from Chaos. the Saturn myths are not consistent and are very different. One says he started the Golden Age, while the other says he was a monster who devoured his own children. Another belief was that love existed before anything. Eros pierced and vivified everything, producing life and joy.