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Posts Tagged ‘Greek Myths’

Meet Poseidon

Saturday, December 17th, 2011

Here’s my Poseidon.

Love him or hate him – Gerard Butler embodies my take on the Greek God of the Seas.

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Maybe it’s the eyes…

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The twist of the mouth… But he’s it. He IS My Poseidon. What do you think? Not too shabby, huh ;) ?

Now, I have a huge favor for you. I cannot find my Aphrodite!

I know, I know, everyone thinks sex and sensuality. And while that’s true, she’s the Goddess of LOVE. So I’m looking for a woman that embodies love, and all it’s various forms… It’s not easy. So, I’m hoping you’ll take a minute or two and share your top picks!

THANK YOU!!! :)

More Mythic Monsters

Thursday, December 8th, 2011

Another delightfully unique creature from ancient Greece lives (or does it?) and serves the Lord of Death. With three heads and a nasty territorial streak, Cerberus is one ugly guard dog.

Descriptions vary – though he’s always three headed. (Side note – I have an explanation for the three heads in my Hades story :) ) Aside from his three heads, he’s had serpent tails, a mane of vipers, jaws that drip with venomous spittle, and claws capable of ripping the skin from humans with ease. His only job is to keep the Underworlds inhabitant inside the Underworld. He lets shades (ghosts) pass with ease, but doesn’t take kindly to human visitors. If you want to get Cerberus really fired up – try to leave. It very rarely happened.

Hades was fond of his dog. He must have been. Hercules last task was to bring Cerberus from the Underworld to Mycenae. When the hero asked Hades for permission, Hades said yes – with one condition: Hercules could not harm or injure Cerberus. Hercules agreed and carried the dog out or the Underworld. Cerberus was returned, safe and sound, to Hades a short time later.

All ugliness aside, he wasn’t all bad. He had a weakness – cake. Even the fearsome guardian of the Underworld would look the other way for some of this sweet goodness. Both Psyche and Aeneas gained entrance to Hades’ realm with this simple offering. A three-headed dog after my own heart. To incur Hades’ wrath, it must have been exceptional cake. For Cerberus’ sake, I hope so :) !

 

Villains & Monsters Cont.

Monday, December 5th, 2011

Who or what was Scylla? Well, she/it is also from Odysseus adventures. Poor Odysseus…

 A stranger monster is harder to imagine. According to Edith Hamilton, “Out of her body grew serpents’ and fierce dogs’ heads. The beastly forms were a part of her… She stood rooted to a rock…”

It’s not too hard to imagine this creature full of hate. Who would want to be cursed AND stuck to a rock. If she took out every ship that crossed her path, it might have been out of anger… Or boredom. After all, how would you fill your days stuck to a rock?

Apparently the rock she was stuck to wasn’t some isolated little thing. No, poorScylla is trapped in the middle of an ocean thoroughfare for those sea faring heroes seeking fame and fortune. Odysseus wasn’t the only one who suffered from Scylla’s fits, Jason and his Argonauts, and Aeneas did too.

Anyone know why Scylla was cursed?

In tragic mythological fashion, Scylla’s fate was determined by a woman scorned. The very beautiful witch Circe was envious when a man grew greatly enamored with Scylla (she was not covered in snakes and dogs when this affection was discovered.). Scylla, never a romantic, wasn’t interested in the man, so the man sought out Circe’s help with wooing. When Circe heard the man wax poetically about his beloved Scylla, Circe wanted him. But guess what, he wanted only Scylla.

Fast forward – Circe scorned – Circe cursing Scylla – Scylla becomes the sea monster on a rampage.

Aah, love. Ain’t it grand? ;)

Monsters & Villains of Greek Mythology

Tuesday, November 29th, 2011

After discussing possible motivation for the Medusa, I thought I’d touch on a few more monsters and villains that play a part in Greek mythology.

‘…a most beautiful and most dangerous witch,” Circe.

 

 

Why was she so dangerous? She turned all she met into animals. Once changed, her victims were still aware of who (man) they were and what had happened to them.

When she invited the long voyaging crew of Odysseus to her home for feasting, Odysseus and a handful of his crew stayed with his ship. Which was a smart move considering his crew were turned to pigs, penned, and fed acorns to fatten them up. I’m assuming she’d invited them to serve as the main course, not to serve the main course to? :)

Once Odysseus hears of his mens’ fate, he sets off to rescue them. (He is a hero, after all.) Does he stop to think that he might meet the same fate as his men? Um, no. But the Olympians do. And, since Odysseus is favored, Hermes is sent to caution and protect the rather foolish, if well-intentioned, Odysseus from swine-dom.

Eating the herbs Hermes provides, Odysseus is immune when Circe would enchant him. Better still, Circe falls completely in love with the man that thwarted her magic. She frees his men and invites them to stay, rest and feast with her. And they do, for a year, before returning to the sea.