Mythology, Lore & Legend

Discussion in 'Free Thoughts' started by wegs, May 23, 2019.

  1. wegs Matter and Pixie Dust Valued Senior Member

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    There's something about Greek mythology that mystifies me. In Greek mythology, twelve gods and goddesses ruled the universe from atop Greece's Mount Olympus. These Olympians had come to power after their leader, Zeus, overthrew his father, Kronos, leader of the Titans. All the Olympians are related to one another. The Romans adopted most of these Greek gods and goddesses, but with new names.

    And, so the story begins......

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    What are your favorite myths, or legends?
     
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  3. sculptor Valued Senior Member

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    the gorgon sisters
     
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  5. Jeeves Valued Senior Member

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    Prometheus.
     
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  7. wegs Matter and Pixie Dust Valued Senior Member

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    The Gorgon sisters and Prometheus. Hmm.

    Let's see, the Gorgon sisters, who are they? The Gorgon sisters were three terrifying creatures in Greek mythology, named Stheno (strength), Euryale (wide-leaping), and Medusa (ruler or queen). Daughters of the sea god Phorcys and his sister and wife, Ceto, they lived in the west near the setting sun.

    Prometheus: He stole fire from Zeus and gave it to mortals. Known for his intelligence.

    Imagine stealing fire from Zeus and living to tell the tale?
     
  8. Jeeves Valued Senior Member

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    If you can call that living....
     
  9. wegs Matter and Pixie Dust Valued Senior Member

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    lol

    I wonder if Greek mythology operated as more of a codified religion, with rules and rituals similar to other religions today, if it would have lasted? It seemed to die out because there was no real cohesiveness to these ''beliefs.''
     
  10. Jeeves Valued Senior Member

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    It didn't die out. The beliefs and the codes worked well enough for the Greeks. When they were conquered by the Romans, their religion, as well as their system of governance and lawmaking, were co-opted by and changed to serve a culture with different priorities. The gods were in exile from the cities they had patronized.
    Even in that altered, brutalized form, it continued, but as the Roman Empire grew, it subsumed many pagan religions. The Romans were in the habit of identifying the most powerful local deity with one of their own, so that their personalities and attributes slowly disintegrated. Also, as the empire went through that period of corrupt rulership, the religion was also corrupted. Then Constantine imposed Christianity on the whole empire, and the Catholic Church went on a genocidal rampage against all other religions. The Greek pantheon went underground for a thousand years. But it still hasn't died.
     
  11. wegs Matter and Pixie Dust Valued Senior Member

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    Very true. Gnosticism (first century Christianity) was also nearly destroyed by Constantine. It's so bizarre that people throughout history have killed over philosophical differences. Ideas. Opinions. Subjective views of god or gods.
     
  12. river

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    Agreed

    They just see god as more important than their own Humanity .

    Gnosticism has nothing to do with christianity .

    In Gnostic , the center of the galaxy , our galaxy , is venerated .
     
    Last edited: May 24, 2019
  13. wegs Matter and Pixie Dust Valued Senior Member

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    Yes, I misstated that. I meant Gnosticism predated Christianity. It had an influence on Christianity, but yes, it was actually thought to be heretical and a threat to ''orthodox'' Christianity.
     
  14. river

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    Indeed

    The threat towards christianity , by The Gnostics , was knowledge .
     
    Last edited: May 24, 2019
  15. wegs Matter and Pixie Dust Valued Senior Member

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    'Lore than I've never been into...werewolves. Just find that whole concept kind of stupid. lol Never liked werewolf-themed movies or tales. The special effects can be impressive, but I just don't get the appeal.
     
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  16. Jeeves Valued Senior Member

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    It wasn't presented as an opinion or an option, but as an absolute, the only right way to think and act, or else seriously bad shit will befall you, now and forever.
    Jesus etc were the excuse; the slogan. The real cause was control.
    Get everybody under one god, one flag, one law, one rule, one big thumb.
     
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  17. LaurieAG Registered Senior Member

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    Robert Graves translated/wrote many books for Penguin Classics, including "I Claudius", and it is unfortunate that his footnotes are not available in PDF's as they reveal some real insights into the ancient Greek myths and the evolving social/religious structures of the time. In The Greek myths (422 pages below) he consolidates all available written information available from ancient Greece and Rome and then discusses the details in the context of current archaeological knowledge and other known cultures of the time.

    http://www.24grammata.com/wp-conten...rt-Graves-The-Greek-Myths-24grammata.com_.pdf

    His thinking would probably be considered heresy these days (in certain places) as he describes the older female pantheon of the gods (which were dominated by Hera) and the rise of the multiple cults of Hercules that served to wipe out the matralineal child sacrifice cults and bring in the new pantheon dominated by Zeus with Hera being reborn from Zeus thigh.

    Graves also identifies Odysseus, from Homer's classic 'Iliad' and 'Odyssey', as being at the turning point from the matrilinear succession (from Queen to Princess) to patrilinear succession (from King to Prince) when he removes his wife Penelope from her fathers home and takes her back to Ithaca instead of Odysseus going to her homeland.

     
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  18. sculptor Valued Senior Member

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  19. sculptor Valued Senior Member

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    why 12?
     
  20. wegs Matter and Pixie Dust Valued Senior Member

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    Yes, why 12?

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  21. sideshowbob Sorry, wrong number. Valued Senior Member

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  22. sculptor Valued Senior Member

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    12 in the titan pantheon
    12 in the olympian pantheon
    12 disciples of Jesus

    if you lay out disks by placing one in the center then 6 in a ring around the one then the next ring has 12 and the next 18...etc (base six)
    if base 6 is key
    why the number of the second ring?
     
  23. sculptor Valued Senior Member

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    one thing about the greek stories
    uneasy lies the head that wears the crown
    Kronos usurped the crown by castrating his father
    Zeus usurped the crown by killing his father

    poor
    King Laius and Queen Jocasta tried to circumvent that destiny---and didn't fare too well.
     

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