Greek Mythology Community

Janus - God of Beginnings

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paharo45

paharo45

Active member
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?
 
You know, I don't actually thing so!

The closest might be Cronus - God of Time or maybe Adonis - the God of Rebirth? Not sure .... I think the concept of Janus is a uniquely Roman thing.
 
Janus, the Roman god of beginnings and transitions, is unique in ancient mythology with no direct Greek counterpart. Distinctly Roman, he's often depicted with two faces, symbolizing his connection to both the past and future. His uniqueness makes him a fascinating figure, embodying concepts particularly important to the Romans.
 
Looks like there's no direct equivalent. Cronus looks like the Greek God of Time, and then there are some other time-related gods and goddesses, such as Horae - Goddess of the seasons, and indirectly Moros - which relates to Doom (which is sort of indirectly related to time). From my research:

Kronos: The God of Time

Kronos, the Titan god of time, is one of the most significant figures in Greek mythology. Sometimes depicted as an old man with a flowing beard, Kronos was often associated with the concept of time and the cyclical nature of life. He also had the ability to consume his children, which was thought to represent the inevitable passage of time and the fleeting nature of existence. In some myths, Kronos was eventually overthrown by his son, Zeus, who took his place as the king of the gods.

Horae: The Goddesses of the Seasons

While Kronos and Chronos were both closely associated with time in a general sense, the Horae were a group of goddesses who were specifically connected to the seasons and the passage of time throughout the year. There were three main Horae: Eunomia, Dike, and Eirene, each of whom represented a different aspect of the seasonal cycle. Eunomia, for example, was associated with the autumn harvest season, while Eirene was connected to the peaceful, tranquil time of winter.

Moros: The God of Doom

Finally, there was Moros, the god of doom, who played a crucial role in the Greek concept of time. Moros was responsible for determining the fate of mortals, overseeing the balance between life and death. He was often depicted as a gloomy, foreboding figure, who held the power of life and death in his hands. And yet, even as he presided over the passage of time and the eventual demise of all living things, Moros was also seen as a necessary force in the universe, ensuring that life continued to cycle in a natural, predictable manner.
 
Very fascinating - thanks for chiming in guys! I kind of wish there were an equivalent because having a "new beginning" really feels amazing. I get hopeful every year at New Year's and feel like it's an opportunity to wipe the slate clean. I wonder if this is cultural.
 
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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.

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

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?

Accurate movies about Greek mythology?

I am looking for some "accurate" movies that have Greek mythological topics. I say "accurate" because how can we really even know? Many of the stories were handed down through the generations, and some even may have been lost. I guess I mean accurate according to what has been established from works that have survived.

I found this video - has anyone watched these?

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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