The Best Greek Myths

Corbulo · Apr 13, 2013

Mandate of Heaven said:
I think it's clear he was more concerned about staying alive than defying anyone. If Poseidon didn't want him dead, he would have still tried to stay alive. Neither Circe nor Polyphemus was god. And I don't understand your explanation for how Odysseus questioned everything one bit. Other than it's your own interpretation.

Well Circe or "Kirke" although she is called a "witch" in some later accounts (Victorian) is actually a Goddess of magic, Calypso was also a nymph. "Polyphemus" is the son of Posideon and Thoosa a Nymph (Probably the Goddess of dangerous swift currents) So having two divine parents would sorta make you a God no?

With regards to defying Posideon he knew the latter wanted to punish him !! If he truly just wanted to stay alive he could have happily stayed with Circe or Calypso?? He knew the moment he took to the sea again Posiedon would have him !!...

And yes As i have said the character of Odysseus is open to interpretation that was exactly the author/s intent?

machinecult · Apr 13, 2013

Mandate of Heaven said:
Agammenon was a hero and fully mortal. So was Hector, Ajax and others.

Let me ask you which god did Odysseus defy? And which god did he deceive? Where in Odyssey says he questioned EVERYTHING?

He did outwit minor goddesses Calypso (secrecy) and Circe (magic), and I think a wind deity too (forgot the name) to blow his ship homeward. Athena was really the only deity who helped him all throughout and Hermes though a small part. He just wanted to go home but he unintentionally angered Poseidon (who in the Iliad wanted the Trojans to win) and blinded his son, Polyphemus but he already hated him from the start after his Trojan horse plan. And Odysseus being a master tactician using his own know-how (and some divine intervention) that he was able to defy these hardships inflicted upon him and his men by Poseidon and his monsters. When he visited the underworld it was only there he finds out why Poseidon is angry at him but also knew that he could not kill him.

Corbulo · Apr 13, 2013

I think ?? and these are my thoughts !! That Prometheus the god that gifted fire to the world !! If he had been alive at the time then Odysseus whould have been his chosen recipiant!!

Theodoric · Apr 13, 2013

I haven't thought about this one in a very long time.

I will probably come up with another later, but: Procne and Philomela stands out, simply because it was both incredibly sad and disturbing. It is certainly very tragic.

Mandate of Heaven · Apr 13, 2013

Nymph is not a goddess nor is a Titan. A god is a theos which none of them are.

Lee-Sensei · Apr 14, 2013

I liked the myths about medea. Reading the play I genuinely felt bad for the character... Until she killed her kids.

Ealasaid · Apr 14, 2013

Dreamhunter said:
My favourite is the one about Zeus in the form of a bull kidnapping Princess Europa of Phoenicia and carrying her on his back over the waves to Crete, then making her his queen.

I can imagine all the things he does to her in claiming her as his bride, and I get quite a horn.

I have seen artwork of this for the sign of Taurus. How interesting.

Asher · Apr 18, 2013

Mandate of Heaven said:
I typed quite a bit of how Zeus was extremely interesting, but I felt I was probably just wasting my time. So, whatever suits you.

I'm sorry you (apparently) deleted what you wrote. I would have been interested to read it. Zeus, being an egotist (perhaps I'm unfairly judging him), would doubtless have been gratified to have engendered such strong emotions among faithless humanity.

Micheal Weston · Apr 18, 2013

I'm a big fan of Aeneas and Odysseus. I remember i had to write a big report on both of them so I had to read them so many time.

Corbulo · Apr 18, 2013

Mandate of Heaven said:
Nymph is not a goddess nor is a Titan. A god is a theos which none of them are.

Both Circe and Calypso are originally minor Goddesses and as for the "Titans" They are God's and Demi-God's ..Just not Olympians !! "Kronos", Rhea, Gaia, Uranus !! Still God's dude !! alright Polyphemus was not the sharpest tool in the box!! But neither was Vulcan !!

Lee-Sensei · Apr 18, 2013

Corbulo said:
Both Circe and Calypso are originally minor Goddesses and as for the "Titans" They are God's and Demi-God's ..Just not Olympians !! "Kronos", Rhea, Gaia, Uranus !! Still God's dude !! alright Polyphemus was not the sharpest tool in the box!! But neither was Vulcan !!

Vulcan is the god of fire, blacksmiths, stonemasons, technology, and volcanoes.

ghostexorcist · Apr 18, 2013

What is the best book on Greek myths? Is there one that has been written by a scholar?

Ealasaid · Apr 18, 2013

ghostexorcist said:
What is the best book on Greek myths? Is there one that has been written by a scholar?

I would say the one by Robert Graves is very popular and good.

[ame="http://www.amazon.com/The-Greek-Myths-Complete-Edition/dp/0140171991"]Amazon.com: The Greek Myths: Complete Edition (9780140171990): Robert Graves: Books@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51y8RVdGNYL.@@AMEPARAM@@51y8RVdGNYL[/ame]

ghostexorcist · Apr 18, 2013

Ealasaid said:
I would say the one by Robert Graves is very popular and good.

Amazon.com: The Greek Myths: Complete Edition (9780140171990): Robert Graves: Books

Thanks. Although I specialize in Asian cultures, it was actually Egyptian and Greek mythology that got me interested in history in the first place. I felt the need to reconnect with my love for Greek mythology when I saw this thread.

Ealasaid · Apr 18, 2013

ghostexorcist said:
Thanks. Although I specialize in Asian cultures, it was actually Egyptian and Greek mythology that got me interested in history in the first place. I felt the need to reconnect with my love for Greek mythology when I saw this thread.

You are welcome. I am more interested in Greek Mythology than Roman Mythology but I enjoy Roman History more than Greek.

Egyptian Mythology & Celtic (Welsh) Mythology are two other favorites.

Mandate of Heaven · Apr 18, 2013

Ealasaid said:
You are welcome. I am more interested in Greek Mythology than Roman Mythology but I enjoy Roman History more than Greek.

Egyptian Mythology & Celtic (Welsh) Mythology are two other favorites.

Greek tragedies and epics have by far the best mythology.

Ealasaid · Apr 19, 2013

Mandate of Heaven said:
Greek tragedies and epics have by far the best mythology.

Mythology of angering the Gods and blood lust are just as good. Love and betrayal as well.

The Story of Sekhmet is one of the best for Egyptian Mythology.
The Story of Blodeuwedd, of Welsh Mythology, which is one of my favorites.

Mandate of Heaven · Apr 19, 2013

Ealasaid said:
Mythology of angering the Gods and blood lust are just as good. Love and betrayal as well.

Can't beat the House of Atreus then.

The Story of Sekhmet is one of the best for Egyptian Mythology.
The Story of Blodeuwedd, of Welsh Mythology, which is one of my favorites.

Please do try to share if you feel so inclined.

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The Best Greek Myths

Corbulo

machinecult

Corbulo

Theodoric

Mandate of Heaven

Lee-Sensei

Ealasaid

Asher

Micheal Weston

Corbulo

Lee-Sensei

ghostexorcist

Ealasaid

ghostexorcist

Ealasaid

Mandate of Heaven

Ealasaid

Mandate of Heaven

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