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amygdalE

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or that they exist
 
I can't weigh in either way but I have been studying mythology lately and what has been on my mind is - the people who brought these stories to life (the Ancient Greeks) believed that the gods and goddesses exist. So... it has changed my perspective while reading about them!
 
If you are interested in learning about an alternative perspective on the gods, visit geographicalimagesofthegods.org. There I show how the ancients interpreted geographical imagery to create gods and myths.
 
If you are interested in learning about an alternative perspective on the gods, visit geographicalimagesofthegods.org. There I show how the ancients interpreted geographical imagery to create gods and myths.

I have already replied...... Sorry again; your perspective does not prove or disprove the existence of gods,
 
or that they exist
The question whether they exist or not is a philosophical question , which applies a fortiori [all the more] to the belief in one GOD, whether it is called ZEUS or simply THEOS. Update: Theodosius banished polytheism and, unwittingly, any theism. The Christian iconoclasts did the same. Why should we be concerned at all? [Sorry, if I am going beyond the bounderies of THIS mythology forum.]
 
I can't weigh in either way but I have been studying mythology lately and what has been on my mind is - the people who brought these stories to life (the Ancient Greeks) believed that the gods and goddesses exist. So... it has changed my perspective while reading about them!
they believed in deities for some reasons! they, i think, were not irrational believers.... i asked these questions to hear from contemporary Greek philosophers/thinkers -- you and you [reader]
 
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Recently I learned that some modern Greeks tried to revive some ancient Gr. religion, e.g., the 2005 ELLINAIS [q.vide in WIKIPEDIA]. Maybe some of you know more about it: Do the members actually believe in some ancient gods, or are they lovers and commemorators of Hellenismos? // I love my recent internet discovery, the ruins of the temple of the Olympian Zeus in Athens.
 
I bet you these people can answer your questions. They look like they are setting up for an ancient ceremony. This was snapped on Filopapou hill on a full moon day.

Filopapou Hill Ceremony 2019s.jpg
 
I bet you these people can answer your questions. They look like they are setting up for an ancient ceremony. This was snapped on Filopapou hill on a full moon day.

View attachment 1168
Wow, that must have been a fascinating moment to witness!
 
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I can't weigh in either way but I have been studying mythology lately and what has been on my mind is - the people who brought these stories to life (the Ancient Greeks) believed that the gods and goddesses exist. So... it has changed my perspective while reading about them!
The fact of belief does not imply that they exist and, as far as I know, nobody has ever constructed proofs. Timaeus, Aristotle, et al,
I can't weigh in either way but I have been studying mythology lately and what has been on my mind is - the people who brought these stories to life (the Ancient Greeks) believed that the gods and goddesses exist. So... it has changed my perspective while reading about them!
Belief is not proof..... Timaeus, Aristotle, et al., argued for some supreme god, unrelated to any ethnic god, for an abstract monotheism. THIS went well with Christian monotheism, which arose from blundering translators of the Hebrew Bible: Genesis-1 posits, as in the Cananite Ugarit, the ELOHIM [= GODS] , who decided to produce Man in their own image -- one male and one female; whereas Genesis-2 posits one male god, YAHWEH, who produced ADAM out of clay and breathed life into it. The translators used THEOS for both the Elohim and Yahveh -- a linguistic monism.


















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I love my recent internet discovery, the ruins of the temple of the Olympian Zeus in Athens.
I was lucky enough one year to have my room upgraded at the Royal Olympic Hotel to a massive room with a view to the temple of Olympian Zeus. Every morning I would wake up and open my curtain to this view (also, small tip, go to google maps and hover your cursor over the icon of the temple of Zeus to see a 360 view):

Temple of Zeus small.JPG
 
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While it may be impossible to prove the gods have never existed, if geographicalimagesofthegods.org demonstrates that many myths concerning the gods are based on the interpretation of geographical imagery, what might that tell us about the gods?
 

Athena and the Story of Athens

I’m planning a trip to Athens later this year, and I realized I’d love to refresh my memory on the story behind the city, especially how it’s connected to Athena.

I remember that there was some kind of contest between Athena and Poseidon for control of the city, but I’m a little fuzzy on the details. I think it had something to do with gifts they offered, but I’d love a clearer version of the story.

For those who know Greek mythology well, how does the myth actually go, and what’s the significance behind it? Does it still show up in the city today in any meaningful way?

Would love to hear a simple breakdown or any insights before I go!

Which Olympian god would you most want to meet?

If you could meet one of the Olympian gods from Greek mythology, which one would you choose? I think this is a difficult question because so many of them would be fascinating to talk to, although some would definitely be safer choices than others!

Athena would probably be near the top of my list. I’d love to hear her thoughts on wisdom, strategy, warfare, and the way humans make decisions. Hermes would also be interesting because of his connection with travel, communication, cleverness, and his role as a messenger between different worlds.

Apollo might be another good choice because of his associations with music, prophecy, healing, and the arts. On the other hand, meeting Zeus or Poseidon could be a little intimidating.

Which Olympian god or goddess would you most want to meet, and why? What would you want to ask them if you had the chance?

Understanding Hades and the Greek Underworld

I’ve been spending some time reading Greek mythology purely out of curiosity, and I keep coming back to Hades and the Underworld. It’s often portrayed as something dark or frightening, but the more I read, the more complex it seems. Hades himself doesn’t always come across as evil so much as stern, bound by rules, and responsible for maintaining order among the dead.

I’m curious how others interpret the Greek Underworld as a whole. How did ancient Greeks actually understand it? Was it mainly a place of punishment, or more of a neutral destination for most souls? I’ve come across references to different regions like the Asphodel Meadows, Elysium, and Tartarus, and I’m trying to understand how these fit together in the broader belief system.

If you’ve studied this topic, read specific myths, or have favorite sources or interpretations, I’d love to hear how you make sense of Hades and the Underworld.

Apollo and Artemis Personality Contrasts

I’ve always been fascinated by Apollo and Artemis, especially the contrast between them as twins. On the surface they share so much, archery, associations with youth, strong connections to nature, but symbolically they seem almost like opposites in some ways. Apollo often represents order, reason, light, music, and prophecy, while Artemis feels more wild, instinctive, independent, and tied to the untamed natural world.

I’m curious how others interpret their relationship and balance. Do you see them as complementary forces, like civilization and wilderness, or more as two expressions of similar divine energy? And are there specific myths that you think best highlight their differences or similarities?

I’d love to hear perspectives, especially from people who study mythology more deeply or look at the symbolic meanings behind the gods.

Role of Women in Greek Myths?

Greek mythology is full of powerful stories, but lately I’ve been thinking about the role of women within those stories and I’d love to hear everyone’s interpretations.

Women in Greek myth are everywhere: goddesses, queens, witches, victims, heroes, catalysts. Yet their roles can be wildly contradictory. We have figures like Athena, symbolizing wisdom and strategic power, alongside Aphrodite, who shapes fate through desire. Then there’s Hera, often portrayed as jealous, but also deeply tied to marriage and sovereignty. Mortal women, like Penelope, Helen, Medea, or Ariadne, each carry a different kind of strength, suffering, or agency.

Some myths elevate women as creators or protectors; others reduce them to cautionary tales. And in some stories, women seem to drive the entire narrative even when the focus is supposedly on male heroes. So what do you think? What is the role of women in Greek myths?
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