Friday, Apr. 22, 2011
Gaia
While the ancient Greek poet Hesiod didn't use the words "Captain Planet" to describe Gaia, if anyone deserves the title, it's her. Hesiod writes in his Theogony that she showed up after, but is not the child of, Chaos. "Broad-bosomed Earth (Gaia), sure-standing place for all / The Gods who live on snowy Olympus' peak" creates the sky, the mountains, and the sea. That sky (Uranus), "an equal to herself," is not just her offspring; he also becomes her husband. Despite this, she has won a rightful spot on another of our lists: Best Moms.