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Did you know that Chronos (Greek god of time) is the father of the Olympians?

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francescool

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Chronos who is the Greek god of time actually had children! And many as many Greek gods and goddesses do, he had many! He had six children who are known as the Olympians. Their names are Chiron, Zeus, Hera, Posiden, Hades, Hestia and Demeter. They are perhaps some of the most important figures in Greek mythology, which is why it shocks me that so few people know that they are all Chronos' children. Not surprisingling, there was a lot of drama and incest that occurred between these siblings. Let me know if you'd like for me to post more about them!
 
I totally forgot that Chiron was one of the Chronos children. I would love to hear more information about him!
 
francescool said:
Chronos who is the Greek god of time actually had children! And many as many Greek gods and goddesses do, he had many! He had six children who are known as the Olympians. Their names are Chiron, Zeus, Hera, Posiden, Hades, Hestia and Demeter. They are perhaps some of the most important figures in Greek mythology, which is why it shocks me that so few people know that they are all Chronos' children. Not surprisingling, there was a lot of drama and incest that occurred between these siblings. Let me know if you'd like for me to post more about them!
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Please do post more and, if available, any information about this myth or theogony: Author or Greek tribe, location, historical period. It's strange that the children were called Olympians while Demeter is the grain-vegetation goddess and Hades is the king of the Underworld. Of course, many myths about a given deity are often inconsistent. E.g., Kore was generated by Zeus and Demeter, while vegetation generation is non-sexual.
 
Chronos is one of the words we use for "time" when speaking Greek.

Δεν έχω χρόνο (den exw hrono) = i don't have time
 
ellinasgolfer0320 said:
Chronos is one of the words we use for "time" when speaking Greek.

Δεν έχω χρόνο (den exw hrono) = i don't have time
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You're right and indeed other languages use "chron-" for "time" in the general sense of the word, as in "chronology" [time-line], but the above post spoke of the myth of personified Time as having children -- whom I found to be logically inconsistent. At the same time, I am not sure of the sense of "having children" when speaking of personified things. For example, in the Latin expression, "Veritas filia temporis" [Truth is the daughter of time], having that daughter means that the truth [the opposite of a lie] will come out sooner or later [will come out in the course of time]. Could it be that the ancient Greek myth-maker meant that the aforementioned six gods were born in time [successively?] on Mount Olympus? In that case, Zeus, Hades, and Poseidon were thought of dwelling on Olympus before they resolved the issue of their governance the universe (which we know from other myths), and before Zeus and Demeter were in charge of the earth [Chthon/KhthoniE], wherefore they were thought as the parents of KorE.
 
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I was under the impression that Chronos and Cronos were two different immortal beings. Chronos was the god of time, while Cronos was the King Titan. And Cronos' godly domain was the harvest. That was the one who fathered the elder Olympians. But maybe I am wrong
 
ndatta said:
I was under the impression that Chronos and Cronos were two different immortal beings. Chronos was the god of time, while Cronos was the King Titan. And Cronos' godly domain was the harvest. That was the one who fathered the elder Olympians. But maybe I am wrong
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That's because they are. They are spelled differently and pronounced differently too.

Chronos is spelled Χρόνος in Greek.. In English, the Greek letter Χχ (chi) is denoted by using "ch" in English, and it is pronounced like an "H" from the back of your throat- it's pronounced more like hronos.

Kronos is spelled Κρόνος in Greek, and Κκ (kappa) is denoted by using a "K" in English, not ch or c because a "ch" represents chi and there is no "C" in Greek. It is pronounced the same way we pronounced a "K" in English.
 
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Thesmorphia - Ancient Greek Thanksgiving Festival

I have heard this festival described as an "Ancient Greek Thanksgiving" so I thought I would look it up. Very interesting! I don't see the "Thanksgiving" connection (not the way we in the US think of it) but I thought it was interesting because it goes to show you that gratitude-related festivals are an ancient concept. And it is a harvest festival, just like our US Thanksgiving is...

Some information I have gathered:

The Thesmorphia festival was celebrated on the 11th of Pyanepsion, which corresponds to late October or early November in the modern Gregorian calendar. The festival was a three-day affair, and it was observed mainly by women. During the festival, women were not allowed to sleep with their husbands, and purification rituals were performed at the temples of Demeter and Persephone. On the first day, the first fruits of the harvest were offered to Demeter, and a feast was held in her honor. On the second day, a procession was held, and women walked around the fields carrying torches, symbolizing the power of Demeter. The third day was a joyous celebration, and the remnants of the feast were donated to the poor.

The Thesmorphia festival was significant for many reasons. Firstly, it celebrated the end of the harvesting season, and it was a time to give thanks for a good crop. The festival was also a time for women to come together, and it was an opportunity for them to assert their power and influence in the society. Women played a significant role in the festival, and they were responsible for the preparation of the feast and various other aspects of the festival.

The festival was also significant in terms of its religious and mythological significance. Demeter was the goddess of agriculture, and Persephone was her young daughter, who was kidnapped by Hades, the god of the underworld. The story of Persephone reflects the cycle of life, death, and resurrection. The festival of Thesmorphia was an opportunity to honor these two goddesses and their mythology, which highlighted the importance of the harvest and the cycle of life.

Another reason why the Thesmorphia festival was significant was that it was a time for the community to come together and celebrate. The feast was an opportunity to share food, drink, and stories and build camaraderie amongst members of the community. During the festival, people forgot their differences and came together to celebrate the bounty of the harvest.

12 Olympian Gods and Goddesses

I love mythology and I thought I'd make list of the 12 Olympian Gods and Goddesses. This is my best guess. Do you know that I have seen different versions of this? What do you think?
  1. Zeus: The king of the gods, ruler of the sky and thunder, and the god of law, order, and justice.
  2. Hera: The queen of the gods, Zeus's wife and sister, and the goddess of marriage and childbirth.
  3. Poseidon: The god of the sea, earthquakes, and horses, often depicted with a trident.
  4. Demeter: The goddess of agriculture, fertility, and the harvest, responsible for the cycle of life and death in crops.
  5. Athena: The goddess of wisdom, warfare, strategy, and crafts, often associated with strategic warfare and civilization.
  6. Apollo: The god of music, poetry, prophecy, healing, and archery, known for his wisdom and beauty.
  7. Artemis: The goddess of the hunt, wilderness, childbirth, and virginity, often depicted with a bow and arrows.
  8. Ares: The god of war, violence, and bloodshed, embodying the brutal aspects of conflict.
  9. Aphrodite: The goddess of love, beauty, pleasure, and procreation, born from the sea foam and known for her irresistible charm.
  10. Hephaestus: The god of fire, blacksmiths, craftsmen, and volcanoes, renowned for his skill in metalworking.
  11. Hermes: The messenger of the gods, associated with travel, commerce, communication, and trickery.
  12. Dionysus: The god of wine, fertility, ecstasy, and theatre, representing the joyous aspects of life and celebration.
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Are there influences of Greek mythology in our modern culture?

I've been deeply fascinated by Greek mythology for as long as I can remember—its epic tales, deities, and heroes that have influenced countless aspects of Western culture. Recently, I've started to ponder more deeply about its presence and influence in our contemporary life and culture. From literature and movies to expressions and brands, it seems Greek mythology has woven itself into the very fabric of our daily experiences.

I'm curious to hear your thoughts and observations on this topic. Have you noticed any interesting or surprising ways Greek mythology manifests in today's society? Perhaps in ways we might not even immediately recognize due to how integrated they are?

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

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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