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amygdalE

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or that they exist
 
I can't weigh in either way but I have been studying mythology lately and what has been on my mind is - the people who brought these stories to life (the Ancient Greeks) believed that the gods and goddesses exist. So... it has changed my perspective while reading about them!
 
If you are interested in learning about an alternative perspective on the gods, visit geographicalimagesofthegods.org. There I show how the ancients interpreted geographical imagery to create gods and myths.
 
If you are interested in learning about an alternative perspective on the gods, visit geographicalimagesofthegods.org. There I show how the ancients interpreted geographical imagery to create gods and myths.

I have already replied...... Sorry again; your perspective does not prove or disprove the existence of gods,
 
or that they exist
The question whether they exist or not is a philosophical question , which applies a fortiori [all the more] to the belief in one GOD, whether it is called ZEUS or simply THEOS. Update: Theodosius banished polytheism and, unwittingly, any theism. The Christian iconoclasts did the same. Why should we be concerned at all? [Sorry, if I am going beyond the bounderies of THIS mythology forum.]
 
I can't weigh in either way but I have been studying mythology lately and what has been on my mind is - the people who brought these stories to life (the Ancient Greeks) believed that the gods and goddesses exist. So... it has changed my perspective while reading about them!
they believed in deities for some reasons! they, i think, were not irrational believers.... i asked these questions to hear from contemporary Greek philosophers/thinkers -- you and you [reader]
 
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Recently I learned that some modern Greeks tried to revive some ancient Gr. religion, e.g., the 2005 ELLINAIS [q.vide in WIKIPEDIA]. Maybe some of you know more about it: Do the members actually believe in some ancient gods, or are they lovers and commemorators of Hellenismos? // I love my recent internet discovery, the ruins of the temple of the Olympian Zeus in Athens.
 
I bet you these people can answer your questions. They look like they are setting up for an ancient ceremony. This was snapped on Filopapou hill on a full moon day.

Filopapou Hill Ceremony 2019s.jpg
 
I bet you these people can answer your questions. They look like they are setting up for an ancient ceremony. This was snapped on Filopapou hill on a full moon day.

View attachment 1168
Wow, that must have been a fascinating moment to witness!
 
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I can't weigh in either way but I have been studying mythology lately and what has been on my mind is - the people who brought these stories to life (the Ancient Greeks) believed that the gods and goddesses exist. So... it has changed my perspective while reading about them!
The fact of belief does not imply that they exist and, as far as I know, nobody has ever constructed proofs. Timaeus, Aristotle, et al,
I can't weigh in either way but I have been studying mythology lately and what has been on my mind is - the people who brought these stories to life (the Ancient Greeks) believed that the gods and goddesses exist. So... it has changed my perspective while reading about them!
Belief is not proof..... Timaeus, Aristotle, et al., argued for some supreme god, unrelated to any ethnic god, for an abstract monotheism. THIS went well with Christian monotheism, which arose from blundering translators of the Hebrew Bible: Genesis-1 posits, as in the Cananite Ugarit, the ELOHIM [= GODS] , who decided to produce Man in their own image -- one male and one female; whereas Genesis-2 posits one male god, YAHWEH, who produced ADAM out of clay and breathed life into it. The translators used THEOS for both the Elohim and Yahveh -- a linguistic monism.


















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I love my recent internet discovery, the ruins of the temple of the Olympian Zeus in Athens.
I was lucky enough one year to have my room upgraded at the Royal Olympic Hotel to a massive room with a view to the temple of Olympian Zeus. Every morning I would wake up and open my curtain to this view (also, small tip, go to google maps and hover your cursor over the icon of the temple of Zeus to see a 360 view):

Temple of Zeus small.JPG
 
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While it may be impossible to prove the gods have never existed, if geographicalimagesofthegods.org demonstrates that many myths concerning the gods are based on the interpretation of geographical imagery, what might that tell us about the gods?
 

Summary of the Nine Muses of Greek Mythology

I've been studying about Greek Mythology and I bumped into some information about the 9 muses. I thought I would give a summary of who they are and what they represented. I feel like the Muses are often forgotten!

In Greek mythology, the Muses were goddesses who presided over the arts and sciences, inspiring creativity and knowledge in humans. There were originally nine Muses, each with her own domain of expertise. Here's a summary of who they were:
  1. Calliope: The Muse of epic poetry and eloquence. She was often depicted with a writing tablet or a scroll.
  2. Clio: The Muse of history. She was often depicted holding a scroll or a set of tablets, symbolizing the recording of historical events.
  3. Euterpe: The Muse of music, song, and lyric poetry. She was often depicted holding a flute or a double flute.
  4. Thalia: The Muse of comedy and bucolic poetry. She was often depicted with a comic mask, a shepherd's crook, or a wreath of ivy.
  5. Melpomene: The Muse of tragedy. She was often depicted holding a tragic mask and a sword or club.
  6. Terpsichore: The Muse of dance and choral poetry. She was often depicted holding a lyre and dancing.
  7. Erato: The Muse of love poetry and lyric poetry. She was often depicted holding a lyre and a wreath of roses.
  8. Polyhymnia: The Muse of sacred poetry, hymns, and eloquence. She was often depicted in a pensive or meditative pose, sometimes holding a finger to her lips.
  9. Urania: The Muse of astronomy and astrology. She was often depicted holding a globe and a compass, symbolizing the study of celestial bodies and their movements.
Together, the Muses served as sources of inspiration for poets, musicians, artists, and scholars, guiding and nurturing creative endeavors in ancient Greek culture.

muses-greek-mythology.jpg

Learning About Dionysius

I have recently been studying about Dionysius. I feel like I hav been forgetting about him! Beyond the basics that he is the Greek god of wine, festivity, and ecstatic celebration, I’m eager to peel back the layers and understand his role and significance across different cultures and historical epochs.

What piqued my interest initially was how Dionysius seems to embody a dual nature – both bringing joy and chaos. This duality, along with his followers, rituals, and the influence on arts and culture, presents a fascinating study. I am particularly interested in the Dionysian festivals!

Curious to hear people's thoughts...

Aphrodite - Greek Goddess of Love

Ahead of Valentine's Day, I thought I'd share some things that I thought were interesting about Aphrodite, the Greek Goddess of love:

1. Aphrodite Was Born from Sea Foam.
In Greek mythology, it's said that Aphrodite was born from the sea foam that formed when Cronus cut off Uranus's genitals and threw them into the ocean. As the spirit of desire and physical attraction, Aphrodite's birth story reflects the power of nature and the irresistible force of passion.

2. She Was Married to Hephaestus.
Despite her reputation as the goddess of love and beauty, Aphrodite had a less-than-romantic marriage with Hephaestus, the god of blacksmiths and volcanoes. Hephaestus was unattractive and had a limp, and Aphrodite had several affairs with other gods and mortals. To me, this seem like an unlikely match.

3. She Possessed a Magic Girdle.
To make herself even more desirable and seductive, Aphrodite had a magic girdle that could make anyone fall in love with her. It's said that she used this girdle to win the hearts of both gods and mortals and cause conflicts and jealousy among them.

4. She Had Children with Several Gods and Mortals.
Aphrodite was famous for her many love affairs, and she had children with several gods and mortals. Her most famous son was Eros, the god of love and passion, who was sometimes depicted as her lover as well.

5. She Was Worshiped throughout Ancient Greece.
As the goddess of love and beauty, Aphrodite was a popular deity throughout ancient Greece and was worshiped in many cities and temples. She was also associated with fertility, sexuality, and even war, as seen in her role as a protector of soldiers and sailor.

6. Her Symbols Included Doves, Roses, and Mirrors.
Like most deities, Aphrodite had several symbols that represented her qualities and powers. Her most common symbols were doves, roses, and mirrors, which reflected her beauty, love, and vanity.

About Theogony by Hesiod

This poem has been one of my favorites for a while. I think everyone interested in Greek Mythology should read it! I thought I'd give you a summary:

Hesiod begins by invoking the Muses to guide him in recounting the story of the origins of the gods. He describes Chaos as the initial void from which the first gods emerged. From Chaos came Gaia (Earth), Tartarus (the Underworld), and Eros (Love), setting the stage for the creation of the cosmos.

Gaia gives birth to Uranus (the Sky), who becomes her husband and the father of the Titans, Cyclopes, and Hecatoncheires (Hundred-Handed Ones). Uranus, fearing the power of his offspring, imprisons them within Gaia's womb. Gaia urges her children to rebel, and her Titan son Cronus castrates Uranus, seizing power for himself.

Cronus becomes the ruler of the cosmos but fears a prophecy that one of his children will overthrow him. To prevent this, he swallows each of his children upon their birth, except for Zeus, who is saved by his mother Rhea and hidden away. Zeus grows up and defeats Cronus, establishing himself as the king of the gods.

The poem then describes the Titanomachy, the epic battle between Zeus and the Titans, which ends with the Titans' defeat and their imprisonment in Tartarus. Zeus and his siblings, the Olympian gods, become the rulers of the cosmos.

The narrative continues with the story of the Gigantomachy, the battle between the gods and the Giants, and other myths surrounding the gods' interactions with mortals and each other.

Mythological Roots of the Olympic Games

I've recently found myself deeply fascinated with how ancient myths and legends have influenced modern traditions and events, particularly those with a global following. Among these, the Olympic Games stand out as a prime example of ancient traditions influencing contemporary world culture. I'm eager to learn more about the mythological roots of the Olympic Games and thought this would be the perfect community to turn to for insights.

From what I understand, the origins of the Olympics are deeply intertwined with Greek mythology. The games were held in Olympia, a sanctuary site for Greek gods, and featured various competitions and rituals dedicated to Zeus, the sky and thunder god in ancient Greek religion. However, my knowledge of how these mythological aspects directly influenced the establishment and evolution of the Olympic Games feels quite superficial.
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