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Vangelis

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So recently I have been really enjoying watching videos from Professor Fransesca Stavracopoulou and I wanted to share one of my favourite videos on youtube. She is a professor of Hebrew Bible and Ancient Religion at the University of Exeter. She examines the bible from a professional archaeological point of view, showing how many of the bible stories are not historically verifiable or even misrepresent the actual historical accounts. My personal realisation is that the current Greek religion is just another mythology just as the 12 Greek gods were.

 
So recently I have been really enjoying watching videos from Professor Fransesca Stavracopoulou and I wanted to share one of my favourite videos on youtube. She is a professor of Hebrew Bible and Ancient Religion at the University of Exeter. She examines the bible from a professional archaeological point of view, showing how many of the bible stories are not historically verifiable or even misrepresent the actual historical accounts. My personal realisation is that the current Greek religion is just another mythology just as the 12 Greek gods were.

love the archaeological stories around the bible. Have you read anything by James Tabor, the Jesus Dynasty is fascinating
So recently I have been really enjoying watching videos from Professor Fransesca Stavracopoulou and I wanted to share one of my favourite videos on youtube. She is a professor of Hebrew Bible and Ancient Religion at the University of Exeter. She examines the bible from a professional archaeological point of view, showing how many of the bible stories are not historically verifiable or even misrepresent the actual historical accounts. My personal realisation is that the current Greek religion is just another mythology just as the 12 Greek gods were.

I love the archaeological stories around the bible. Have you read anything by James Tabor? The Jesus Dynasty is a fascinating read, though I’m not knowledgeable enough to have an opinion about how viable the hypotheses are.
 
I love the archaeological stories around the bible. Have you read anything by James Tabor? The Jesus Dynasty is a fascinating read, though I’m not knowledgeable enough to have an opinion about how viable the hypotheses are.

No, I haven't read anything by James Tabor but I have read the New Testament 3 times and large swathes of the Old Testament. Many of the stories in them are apocryphal and to Professor Stavrakopoulou's point, they actually are not archaeologically verifiable. Many of the "scholars" in this field appear to have an agenda to try to prove the stories in the bible actually transpired but the archaeological evidence just isn't there. It is good to see hard investigation in this field rather than those that are trying to make the existing evidence fit the stories. There is no doubt that the xtian bible stories therefore constitute a mythology no different to the Egyptian and Greek mythologies.

What do you think, Laura?
 
No, I haven't read anything by James Tabor but I have read the New Testament 3 times and large swathes of the Old Testament. Many of the stories in them are apocryphal and to Professor Stavrakopoulou's point, they actually are not archaeologically verifiable. Many of the "scholars" in this field appear to have an agenda to try to prove the stories in the bible actually transpired but the archaeological evidence just isn't there. It is good to see hard investigation in this field rather than those that are trying to make the existing evidence fit the stories. There is no doubt that the xtian bible stories therefore constitute a mythology no different to the Egyptian and Greek mythologies.

What do you think, Laura?
In principle, archaeology and other fields of investigation cannot prove much of what is written in the Testaments; they are irrelevant to human deeds/events of the past. For instance, WHAT could prove that Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey? Or that he founded his own church? Probable evidence could be supplied by eye/ear witnesses or photo/sono-graphs. The real ancient existence of Jerusalem and donkeys prove nothing. Rather, text logical analysis shows that many statements/claims cannot be true; they are mythical in nature.
 
In principle, archaeology and other fields of investigation cannot prove much of what is written in the Testaments; they are irrelevant to human deeds/events of the past. For instance, WHAT could prove that Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey? Or that he founded his own church? Probable evidence could be supplied by eye/ear witnesses or photo/sono-graphs. The real ancient existence of Jerusalem and donkeys prove nothing. Rather, text logical analysis shows that many statements/claims cannot be true; they are mythical in nature.
It's true that small events such as a person riding into a town on a donkey or even what that person did and said at various stages of their lives cannot be archaeologically verified. The bible, however, mentions many events such as the Jews working as slaves in Egypt and the subsequent mass exodus and the "great flood" both of which have zero archaeological evidence to support them. The vast majority of the bible is basically apocryphal.
 
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So recently I have been really enjoying watching videos from Professor Fransesca Stavracopoulou and I wanted to share one of my favourite videos on youtube. She is a professor of Hebrew Bible and Ancient Religion at the University of Exeter. She examines the bible from a professional archaeological point of view, showing how many of the bible stories are not historically verifiable or even misrepresent the actual historical accounts. My personal realisation is that the current Greek religion is just another mythology just as the 12 Greek gods were.

I really like this perspective. I think that the more approaches we can take to religion, the better we will be able to analyze it and understand it at face value. It's always good to critically think about the information presented to us before we make conclusions.
 
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Learning About Dionysius

I have recently been studying about Dionysius. I feel like I hav been forgetting about him! Beyond the basics that he is the Greek god of wine, festivity, and ecstatic celebration, I’m eager to peel back the layers and understand his role and significance across different cultures and historical epochs.

What piqued my interest initially was how Dionysius seems to embody a dual nature – both bringing joy and chaos. This duality, along with his followers, rituals, and the influence on arts and culture, presents a fascinating study. I am particularly interested in the Dionysian festivals!

Curious to hear people's thoughts...

Hestia Greek Goddess Information

We don't talk about Hestia much... but I just remembered that my yiayia did! I wondered why, so I researched her. Here is what I found... I think it has something to do with the fact that she was a housewife and she loved her family.. Looking at what she represents, it kind of makes sense. Here's what I found about her:

The Greek goddess Hestia was revered as the goddess of the hearth and home. In ancient Greek mythology, she was known to be a benevolent deity, who brought warmth and comfort to the home. Through her presence, she blessed the family and provided them with a sense of safety and security.

Hestia was the first-born child of Cronus and Rhea, and she was the sister of other Olympian gods such as Zeus, Poseidon, and Hades. Unlike her brothers and sisters, she did not engage in any power struggles or battles. She preferred to remain neutral and instead focused her attention on her household duties. Hestia was considered one of the most important deities, as the hearth represented the heart of the home. People would light a fire in her honor and worship her by placing offerings of food and drink on their hearth.

In ancient Greek culture, a hearth was often considered the most important part of the home. It was where food was cooked, and family members gathered to eat, share stories, and bond. Hestia's role in domestic life was crucial, and she was responsible for creating the warmth and sense of security felt within the home. Her presence was believed to bring good luck and happiness to the family.

About My Favorite Greek Goddess Aphrodite

I have been researching Aphrodite, one of my favorite goddesses. I put this together based on my research.

Aphrodite was the goddess of love, beauty, and sexuality. She was regarded as the most beautiful and desired goddess in all of Greek mythology. (I think that might be why she fascinates me!)

Aphrodite's origin story is interesting. It's said that she was born from the sea foam created when the Titan Cronus cut off the genitals of his father Ouranos. She was the goddess of love, beauty, and sexuality, with her appearance at times described as pure beauty itself. She is often depicted with a flowing garment that barely covers her curves, and barefooted standing on a pedestal, highlighting her goddess-like beauty.

According to Greek legends, Aphrodite fell in love with many gods, mortals, and even animals, which often resulted in chaotic and tragic events. It is said that she helped cause the Trojan War by causing the love triangle between Paris, the Prince of Troy, and Helen, who was the wife of the Menelaus of Sparta. The story proved her power's influence and the chaos that follows her love.

Aphrodite was also a patron of love and marriage, and apparently married to the god Hephaestus, who fell in love with her beauty alongside all the Greek gods. This marriage was a politically motivated decision of Hera, whose husband Zeus had numerous affairs and that caused constant jealousy between their married life. Needless to say, Aphrodite was having none of it, with her notable lovers being Ares, Adonis, and Anchises.

Aphrodite's influence can be seen even today with countless works of art inspired by her beauty. That is why I love lear about her. She seemed to embody the feminine spirit.

goddess-aphrodite.jpg

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?

Different Gods and Goddesses in Different Parts of Greece?

I had thought that the pantheon of gods and goddesses was a standardized concept throughout Greece, but it appears as if that might be incorrect thinking on my part.

In learning about the different Greek islands and regions of Greece, I see that there might be regional myths, gods, and goddesses that might not be present in other parts of Greece.

I can't think of specific examples. I am just writing this post to confirm to you guys whether this is true or not... For example, I get the feeling that some of the stories on Crete may not have been part of the stories in other places in Greece - like the Minotaur - was that Crete specific?

Maybe there's no way to really know....?
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