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John Stefan

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Why could Humans never go to the Underworld alive? And if they did would they be allowed back up?
 

amygdalE

Active member
Why could Humans never go to the Underworld alive? And if they did would they be allowed back up?
According to the myth of Orpheus and Eurydice, Orpheus (a human minstrel of the gods) went to the Underworld and returned from it. However it's true that, generally, humans did not go there, probably because of the fear that they would die there (since it is the home for the dead). Odysseus, who wanted to consult Theiresias in Hades, went as far as one of its gates [entrance caves], where he summoned that prophet to come up and talk to him. Return from Hades was not impossible in principle, since Kore does every year, though with the assistance of Hekate phosphoros and of Hermes (with a chariot -- in some pinakes, relief sculptures, like those in Western or Italic Lokroi). // It's a pity that the Demetrion at Lokroi Epizephyrioi was never restored, and neither was the one at Eleusis.
 
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Was Santorini Really Atlantis?

I am getting a big kick studying stories from Greek Mythology. The Lost Kingdom of Atlantis has always fascinated me, mainly because some speculate that it was a real place that no longer exists. Some speculate that the portion of Santorini that collapsed into the sea after the volcano erupted thousands of years ago was actually Atlantis. It's one of the theories, anyway. I heard there's even a museum to visit on Santorini about it!

Does anyone here know about this theory and the museum? I would love to hear your input. Are there any other places in Greece that might be Atlantis?

Prove the mythological gods do not exist

or that they exist

Eros the God of Love

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!

Mythological Places in Greece to Visit?

I didn't know if I should put this here or in the travel forum but I am curious... where should I visit in Greece if I want to be in touch with Greek Mythology? I understand that there are some notable places. Here is a list of what I have come up with. Can you think of anything to add?

  • Mount Olympus - pretty fun that it is a real place!
  • Cave of Zeus in Crete - where supposedly he was raised
  • Archeron - you can actually visit the river mentioned in the stories, as being a gateway to the underworld?
  • Delphi - where the fabled oracle did her thing!
I can't think of anything else....

Getting into the mindset of Ancient Greek religion

I really want to learn and understand about the Greek mythological stories and gods and goddesses... but I just realized that I have been missing the point somewhat. I think of this as literature. It wasn't to them. It was part of their every day lives and was their "religion".

I want to understand this mindset a little more because I think it will help me as I go through and lear about the stories, gods and goddesses, monsters, etc.

This, at the moment, feels overwhelming. Do you guys have any advice as to how I can approach it?
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