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xmelissaa

Active member
I love to research Greek mythology. Because it is Valentine's Day, the day of love, I thought I would research Eros, which, from what I understand, is the Greek God of love (and kind of similar in concept to the Roman cupid).

Here's some info I found from the Eros wikipedia entry:

Eros appears in ancient Greek sources under several different guises. In the earliest sources, he is one of the primordial gods involved in the coming into being of the cosmos. In later sources, however, Eros is represented as the son of Aphrodite, whose mischievous interventions in the affairs of gods and mortals cause bonds of love to form, often illicitly. Ultimately, in the later satirical poets, he is represented as a blindfolded child, the precursor to the chubby Renaissance Cupid, whereas in early Greek poetry and art, Eros was depicted as a young adult male who embodies sexual power, and a profound artist.

Interesting!
 
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I love to research Greek mythology. Because it is Valentine's Day, the day of love, I thought I would research Eros, which, from what I understand, is the Greek God of love (and kind of similar in concept to the Roman cupid).

Here's some info I found from the Eros wikipedia entry:

Eros appears in ancient Greek sources under several different guises. In the earliest sources, he is one of the primordial gods involved in the coming into being of the cosmos. In later sources, however, Eros is represented as the son of Aphrodite, whose mischievous interventions in the affairs of gods and mortals cause bonds of love to form, often illicitly. Ultimately, in the later satirical poets, he is represented as a blindfolded child, the precursor to the chubby Renaissance Cupid, whereas in early Greek poetry and art, Eros was depicted as a young adult male who embodies sexual power, and a profound artist.

Interesting!
Going from the Age of Myths to the Age of Reason: Plato sees that eros is a man's DESIRE for the other half -- obviously referring to the ancient myth that "Anthropos" [grammatically either masculine of feminine -- ho/hE -- in classical Greek] was split into two parts. Sorry, this myth has to be researched. Which god was involved in this?
a find: https://allthatsinteresting.com/plato-symposium
 
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Going from the Age of Myths to the Age of Reason: Plato sees that eros is a man's DESIRE for the other half -- obviously referring to the ancient myth that "Anthropos" [grammatically either masculine of feminine -- ho/hE -- in classical Greek] was split into two parts. Sorry, this myth has to be researched. Which god was involved in this?
a find: https://allthatsinteresting.com/plato-symposium
The link doesn't work!

Plato discussed eros as a philosophical concept. The Eros (God) of mythology isn't the same as Plato's eros (a concept). Eros (God) is a child of Aphrodite and Ares.
 
The link doesn't work!

Plato discussed eros as a philosophical concept. The Eros (God) of mythology isn't the same as Plato's eros (a concept). Eros (God) is a child of Aphrodite and Ares.
Well, yes and no.... IF a male seeks his other half, eros is a driving force. This is the inevitable concept of it, which has been called also LOVE. I am reminded of the words in La Traviata: ...di quell'AMOR ch'e` palpito dell'universo intero: ...of that LOVE which is the palpitation [pulsation] of the entire universe. // Indeed, in one myth, Eros is the son of A. and A. , but who are they? She is the personification of beauty [that which is loved]; Ares is the powerful lover. // Other myths....
 
Well, yes and no.... IF a male seeks his other half, eros is a driving force. This is the inevitable concept of it, which has been called also LOVE. I am reminded of the words in La Traviata: ...di quell'AMOR ch'e` palpito dell'universo intero: ...of that LOVE which is the palpitation [pulsation] of the entire universe. // Indeed, in one myth, Eros is the son of A. and A. , but who are they? She is the personification of beauty [that which is loved]; Ares is the powerful lover. // Other myths....
To add: Even though Plato was not a physicist, in his Symposium he dealt with human love in the context of Love/Eros as the cosmic principle of attraction, which was recognized by the elementarists [Empedocles etc.].
 
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xmelissa, it's not just you; it's a very old tradition to SPEAK in this manner: the god OF love, the father OF the Olympians, etc. Thus it seems that love and the god are distinct. No, EROS = love, but as personified, it is called a god. As a drive, Socrates called it a Daimon. Chronos = time/Time. Philosophers are still struggling to define time.......
 

Learning About Cronus of Greek Mythology

I’ve been learning more about Cronus lately and realized that I only knew the most basic parts of his story. I knew he was one of the Titans and the father of Zeus, but there is much more to his role in Greek mythology.

Cronus overthrew his own father, Uranus, and later became ruler during what was sometimes described as a Golden Age. He was also warned that one of his children would eventually overthrow him, which led to the famous story of him swallowing each of them after they were born. Zeus, of course, escaped that fate and eventually defeated him.

I’m curious how others view Cronus. Do you think of him mainly as a villain, or as a more complicated figure shaped by fear and prophecy? Are there any lesser-known stories about Cronus that you think are especially interesting or important to understanding him?

Unsung Heroes of Greek Mythology?

Greek mythology is full of larger-than-life figures like Heracles, Odysseus, and Achilles, but I’ve always been fascinated by the lesser-known heroes who don’t get as much attention. There are so many incredible stories that fly under the radar: Meleager and the Calydonian Boar, Bellerophon taming Pegasus, or even Diomedes, who faced the gods themselves in battle.

I recently came across the story of Atalanta again, the only woman among the Argonauts, raised by a bear, unbeatable in a footrace, and I can’t believe she isn’t talked about more! These “side characters” often feel more human and relatable than the famous ones.

Which lesser-known hero (or heroine) stands out to you? Do you have a favorite overlooked myth or backstory that deserves more love? I’d love to hear which of these hidden legends captured your imagination and why.

Which Greek myth feels most relevant to modern life?

I am curious, which Greek myths feel the most relevant to you in modern life? I’ve been thinking about this lately and I’m curious how others see it.

For me, the myth that feels most relevant right now is Narcissus. The focus on reflection, self-image, and the need for validation feels very familiar in a world shaped by social media. So much of modern life revolves around how we look, how we’re perceived, and how much attention or approval we receive.

The story feels less about vanity and more about becoming absorbed in an image and losing real connection in the process. That idea seems especially timely.

What about you? Which Greek myth feels most relevant to modern life, and what makes it stand out to you today?

Creation Stories of Greek Mythology

I’ve been spending a lot of time researching the creation stories of Greek mythology, and I find them endlessly fascinating. What draws me in is how there isn’t a single, fixed origin story—everything shifts depending on the source. Between Hesiod’s Theogony, the Orphic traditions, and later philosophical interpretations, the beginning of the cosmos feels fluid rather than settled.

I’d love to hear how others approach these myths. Which version of creation resonates most with you, the emergence from Chaos, the role of Gaia and Uranus, or the more mystical Orphic egg? Are there lesser-known fragments, regional traditions, or scholarly sources you’ve found especially compelling?

I’m always excited to discover new angles, translations, or interpretations, especially ones that explore why the Greeks may have been comfortable holding multiple origin stories at once. Any recommendations, insights, or favorite passages would be greatly appreciated.

Favorite Greek hero and why?

I’ve been spending more time lately reading Greek mythology, and I keep coming back to how different the heroes are from one another. Some rely on strength, others on intelligence, and some seem almost defined by their flaws as much as their accomplishments. It makes the stories feel more human than I expected.

Personally, I find characters like Odysseus interesting because of the strategy and endurance involved, but I can also see the appeal of someone like Heracles with the raw physical trials. Achilles is another one who’s hard to ignore because of the intensity and tragedy built into his story.

I’m curious which Greek hero stands out most to others and what draws you to them. Is it their personality, their achievements, or the story itself?
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