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xmelissaa

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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!
 
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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.......
 

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.

List of fun Greek mythology topics

I really love Greek Mythology. I thought I would share with you all some of my favorite topics:

  1. Birth of the Olympians and how they came to power
  2. Different heroes of Greek mythology
  3. 12 Labors of Hercules
  4. Trojan War
  5. Iliad and the Odyssey and all the stories in them
  6. The story of Persephone
  7. Pandora's box
  8. Different creatures - like the Minotaur and Hydra
What are yours?

Janus - God of Beginnings

I learned recently of Janus, the Roman God of Beginnings. The month January, I believe, is named after this God.

Many of the Roman Gods and Goddesses have Greek counterparts. Does Janus?

If so, I think that would be an interesting god to learn about. I have to be honest - I am not sure there is a counterpart. I have been searching but there either isn't enough information online, or there really is no equivalent.

Do you guys have any idea?

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.

Was the Trojan War real?

I have been wondering, was the Trojan War real? I decided to explore the topic. I still don't know. What do you guys think?

Let's start with the basics. According to ancient Greek mythology, the Trojan War was fought between the Greeks and the Trojans over Helen of Troy. Helen, the wife of King Menelaus, was said to be the most beautiful woman in the world. When she was kidnapped by Paris of Troy, her husband called upon the Greek army to help him get her back. The war lasted ten years, according to the myth, and ended with the Greeks claiming victory when they used a wooden horse to get inside the walls of Troy.

It's easy to dismiss this story as nothing more than a legend, but there is some archaeological evidence that suggests that there may be some truth to the tale. In the 1870s, a German businessman named Heinrich Schliemann claimed to have found the site of ancient Troy in modern-day Turkey. He found evidence of a walled city with multiple layers of ruins, which might have been the result of multiple attacks over time. Whether or not this was the site of the Trojan War is still up for debate, but it's clear that Schliemann believed that he had discovered the home of king Priam and the legendary Trojan horse.

That said, not everyone agrees with Schliemann's findings. In fact, some scholars argue that the city he found wasn't actually Troy at all, but another nearby city with a similar name. Others point out that the ruins he found don't quite match up with the descriptions of the city in the Iliad. Additionally, there is evidence that suggests that the Trojan War didn't happen exactly as it was told in the myth. For example, it's possible that the conflict arose over economic disputes rather than the kidnapping of Helen.

Despite the disagreements among scholars, one thing is for sure: The Trojan War has had a lasting impact on culture and has become one of the most well-known stories from Greek mythology. It has been retold in countless books, movies, and TV shows over the years, and the characters from the story continue to inspire us today. The Trojan hero Hector, for example, has become synonymous with bravery, while Odysseus's journey home has been the inspiration for many other epic tales.
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