Greek Mythology Community

What is the difference between Hades and Thanatos the god of death?

Thread starter ssherie_
Start date Apr 23, 2021

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ssherie_

Active member

I always thought that Hades was the god of death...does anyone know the difference between these two? I'm not too well versed on Greek mythology.

francescool

Active member

I think Hades is the god of the underworld

Hades is the god of the underworld and Thanatos is the god of death. Here's an article about Thanatos - https://www.greekboston.com/culture/mythology/thanatos/ - Greece's ancient history is long, and there are several levels of gods and goddesses. Many of them are from earlier times in Greece. I think Thanatos might be one of the earlier ones.

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Thesmorphia - Ancient Greek Thanksgiving Festival

cubrinj
Nov 10, 2023
Greek Mythology Forum
Replies: 1

I have heard this festival described as an "Ancient Greek Thanksgiving" so I thought I would look it up. Very interesting! I don't see the "Thanksgiving" connection (not the way we in the US think of it) but I thought it was interesting because it goes to show you that gratitude-related festivals are an ancient concept. And it is a harvest festival, just like our US Thanksgiving is...

Some information I have gathered:

The Thesmorphia festival was celebrated on the 11th of Pyanepsion, which corresponds to late October or early November in the modern Gregorian calendar. The festival was a three-day affair, and it was observed mainly by women. During the festival, women were not allowed to sleep with their husbands, and purification rituals were performed at the temples of Demeter and Persephone. On the first day, the first fruits of the harvest were offered to Demeter, and a feast was held in her honor. On the second day, a procession was held, and women walked around the fields carrying torches, symbolizing the power of Demeter. The third day was a joyous celebration, and the remnants of the feast were donated to the poor.

The Thesmorphia festival was significant for many reasons. Firstly, it celebrated the end of the harvesting season, and it was a time to give thanks for a good crop. The festival was also a time for women to come together, and it was an opportunity for them to assert their power and influence in the society. Women played a significant role in the festival, and they were responsible for the preparation of the feast and various other aspects of the festival.

The festival was also significant in terms of its religious and mythological significance. Demeter was the goddess of agriculture, and Persephone was her young daughter, who was kidnapped by Hades, the god of the underworld. The story of Persephone reflects the cycle of life, death, and resurrection. The festival of Thesmorphia was an opportunity to honor these two goddesses and their mythology, which highlighted the importance of the harvest and the cycle of life.

Another reason why the Thesmorphia festival was significant was that it was a time for the community to come together and celebrate. The feast was an opportunity to share food, drink, and stories and build camaraderie amongst members of the community. During the festival, people forgot their differences and came together to celebrate the bounty of the harvest.

Accurate movies about Greek mythology?

acamp7
Dec 6, 2023
Greek Mythology Forum
Replies: 1

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?

Learning About Dionysius

redsoxdw_
Mar 6, 2024
Greek Mythology Forum
Replies: 1

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...

12 Olympian Gods and Goddesses

ssherie_
Mar 22, 2024
Greek Mythology Forum
Replies: 1

I love mythology and I thought I'd make list of the 12 Olympian Gods and Goddesses. This is my best guess. Do you know that I have seen different versions of this? What do you think?

Zeus: The king of the gods, ruler of the sky and thunder, and the god of law, order, and justice.
Hera: The queen of the gods, Zeus's wife and sister, and the goddess of marriage and childbirth.
Poseidon: The god of the sea, earthquakes, and horses, often depicted with a trident.
Demeter: The goddess of agriculture, fertility, and the harvest, responsible for the cycle of life and death in crops.
Athena: The goddess of wisdom, warfare, strategy, and crafts, often associated with strategic warfare and civilization.
Apollo: The god of music, poetry, prophecy, healing, and archery, known for his wisdom and beauty.
Artemis: The goddess of the hunt, wilderness, childbirth, and virginity, often depicted with a bow and arrows.
Ares: The god of war, violence, and bloodshed, embodying the brutal aspects of conflict.
Aphrodite: The goddess of love, beauty, pleasure, and procreation, born from the sea foam and known for her irresistible charm.
Hephaestus: The god of fire, blacksmiths, craftsmen, and volcanoes, renowned for his skill in metalworking.
Hermes: The messenger of the gods, associated with travel, commerce, communication, and trickery.
Dionysus: The god of wine, fertility, ecstasy, and theatre, representing the joyous aspects of life and celebration.

Mythological Roots of the Olympic Games

dimi_pat
Mar 13, 2024
Greek Mythology Forum
Replies: 1

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.