I hope you all know how to say SEGUE - 'cos obviously I don't know 'How To' segue!
I jumped from The Greek Gods all the way to Spiderman/Superheros without even creating a lead-in, bridge, whatever............segue!
(BTW-this often works on the comedy stage - but - definitely not in blogging lol)
Segue (segg - way):
Means - to make a transition smoothly from one section, theme, discussion or topic!
So - since I missed the opportunity, I'm going to head right straight back to OLDER mythology and characters again. Spideyboy will have to wait until I can learn how to transition better!
Here is a correspondence of Greek to Roman deities:
(from the Olympian, II-Generation group)
Greek: to Roman:
Zeus to Jupiter
Poseidon to Neptune
Hades to Pluto
Hestia to Vesta
Hera to Juno
Ares to Mars
Athena to Minerva
Apollo to Apollo
Aphrodite to Venus
Hermes to Mercury
Artemis to Diana
Hephaestus to Vulcan
Here are the correspondences from the I-Generation (1st) group:
Greek: Roman:
Gaea to Terra
Asclepius to Aesculapius
Cronus/Kronus to Saturn
Demeter to Ceres
Dionysus to Bacchus
Eros to Cupid
Hypnos to Somnus
Rhea to Ops
Uranus to Uranus
Nike to Victoria
Saturday, April 28, 2007
Sunday, April 15, 2007
Modern Heroes!
Hey - I found a fun SUPERHERO QUIZ!!
I'm SPIDERMAN.......(definitely my FAVORITE, anyway, I'm happy to say!)
It's not Zeus and Hera - or Ursa Major or Minor - but it is FUN.
Try it, too - see what kind of SUPERHERO YOU ARE!
Your results:
You are Spider-Man
Click here to take the Superhero Personality Test
I'm SPIDERMAN.......(definitely my FAVORITE, anyway, I'm happy to say!)
It's not Zeus and Hera - or Ursa Major or Minor - but it is FUN.
Try it, too - see what kind of SUPERHERO YOU ARE!
Your results:
You are Spider-Man
| You are intelligent, witty, a bit geeky and have great power and responsibility.  |
Click here to take the Superhero Personality Test
Saturday, April 14, 2007
Myth and The Stars
The Ancient Greeks placed their deities in the night skies. Perseus, Poseidon, Oceanus and Cassiepoiea are just a few of the Greek deities whose symbolic representation in the night sky have carried right through into our age.
Most people recognize what we call 'The Big Dipper' and also 'The Little Dipper' which are both 'sets' or 'patterns' of stars called constellations by both scientists and storytellers.
The 'tail' of the Big Dipper is actually the tail of 'The Great Bear - Ursa Major.' (Approximate physical location - for those who are astronomy buffs: right ascension 10.67 hours, declination 55.38). The tail of The Great Bear can be used to connect the viewer's eye with another important constellation which will be explained shortly. The Ancient Greek myth, wrapped up within the Ursa Major - Great Bear star pattern, is as follows:
Zeus had another wife 'on the side,' named 'Callisto' - besides also having his more 'famous' wife, Hera. When Hera found out about Callisto (also spelled, Kallisto), and after Callisto had a son with Zeus, Hera then turned Callisto into a bear! As Callisto's son grew, he became a skilled hunter. One day, Hera - still seeking revenge over Zeus' adulterous past - put Callisto out in the open to be killed by the skilled hunter-son, named Arcas. Zeus, realizing what was happening in time and seeing that Hera intended for Callisto to be killed by their (Zeus' and Callisto's) own son - snatched Callisto in her bear form, and placed her in the sky among the stars! At least there, she was safe from harm.
Ursa Major=The Great Bear is Callisto, another of Zeus' wives, placed into the sky - safe forever.
Ursa Minor, which most of us call 'The Little Dipper,' (approximate location: right ascension 14.78 hours, declination 74.36) is also known as 'The Lesser Bear.'
The Lesser Bear is conveniently and directly related to The Greater Bear, and is said to be Callisto's son, also and later placed into the sky by Zeus.
More deliberately than through these Greek tales, the constellations are important because they are part of the first accurate navigational system ever used. Even to use them to navigate on land or sea, one must 'navigate the eye' through the two constellations. Navigation with the eye through the 'Greater' constellation allows you to find the more important star in the 'Lesser' constellation that will allow one to find their way on earth or by sea.
Actually, the stars of Ursa Minor are quite hard for the naked eye to pick out - however, the last star in the tail of of the constellation (remember - also called 'Lesser Bear') is fairly distinct and bright to us down on Earth, once we know where to be looking for it.
This star in the Lesser Bear tail is The North Star. The North Star has guided everyone from ancient peoples, the Magi, and sailors of old. It is still an excellent emergency marker for anyone who gets lost at sea or on land in our day and age.
Because the smaller, dimmer constellation is harder to see, when trying to locate the North Star, one should look for Ursa Major - The Big Dipper - first. Then locate where the two stars in 'the cup' of the Big Dipper are opposite the tail.....and follow them straight out. The first star that you will come across is the North Star, which is in the constellation Ursa Minor - The Lesser Bear - The Little Dipper.
From this star you will always be able to find your way, and always know what direction you’re facing. It never sinks below the horizon, so it is always able to be seen...which brings us back to MYTH again...
Hera was more than upset that Zeus saved Callisto/Kallisto. Hera was infuriated that Zeus had made Callisto 'forever eternal' and that Callisto would be honoured and noticed by everyone looking to the stars for all time. Hera went to Olympian brother, Poseidon, and convinced him (more likely, 'tricked him') to make sure that Callisto would never have the luxury of ever bathing in the sea again.
This is why the North Star never sinks below the horizon, according to Mythology.
To the ancient Greeks, the point at which the eye could view the horizon was, to their knowledge, where Poseidon's Realm and Zeus' Realm joined - that is, Sky and Sea joined at the horizon. Since Zeus controlled the realm of Sky and Poseidon, the vast areas of the Seas, Hera made sure that if Callisto was going to live forever in Zeus' sky - she wouldn't have the option of also touching Poseidon's Seas to bathe. Poseidon forbade Callisto to ever touch his waters. Thus, The Greater Bear never wanders low enough to breach the horizon, to dip in Poseidon's seas, and we can always see it.
The common modern name of 'The Big Dipper' also has some connection back to the ancient myth, for some say that Callisto often 'wanders' near to the sea, to ask Poseidon to change his mind and let her 'dip' into the sea to bathe. Poseidon always refuses her request, afraid that Hera will find out and punish him. This added piece corresponds with the need to explain the motion of the constellations to our sight - how the constellations appear to 'shift' during certain seasons and how stars appear to 'sink' lower in the sky or 'drop into the ocean.' It explains why some stars actually disappear from view during certain seasons (they are in Poseidon's sea, they are being cleansed by the Poseidon, or they are deities/heroes who visit Poseidon for part of the year).
There are, of course, several other versions of mythical explanation surrounding the Great and the Lesser Bear constellations. Another version has Artemis as the angered deity who transforms Kallisto into a bear. Here, Artemis' reason for being upset was that due to Kallisto's sexual relationship with Zeus, Artemis lost a chaste and pure companion...so the 'constellation explanation,' this second version - probably acted as a multiple message about 'sexuality,' 'virginity,' and 'loyalty,' at one time as well.
Most people recognize what we call 'The Big Dipper' and also 'The Little Dipper' which are both 'sets' or 'patterns' of stars called constellations by both scientists and storytellers.
The 'tail' of the Big Dipper is actually the tail of 'The Great Bear - Ursa Major.' (Approximate physical location - for those who are astronomy buffs: right ascension 10.67 hours, declination 55.38). The tail of The Great Bear can be used to connect the viewer's eye with another important constellation which will be explained shortly. The Ancient Greek myth, wrapped up within the Ursa Major - Great Bear star pattern, is as follows:
Zeus had another wife 'on the side,' named 'Callisto' - besides also having his more 'famous' wife, Hera. When Hera found out about Callisto (also spelled, Kallisto), and after Callisto had a son with Zeus, Hera then turned Callisto into a bear! As Callisto's son grew, he became a skilled hunter. One day, Hera - still seeking revenge over Zeus' adulterous past - put Callisto out in the open to be killed by the skilled hunter-son, named Arcas. Zeus, realizing what was happening in time and seeing that Hera intended for Callisto to be killed by their (Zeus' and Callisto's) own son - snatched Callisto in her bear form, and placed her in the sky among the stars! At least there, she was safe from harm.
Ursa Major=The Great Bear is Callisto, another of Zeus' wives, placed into the sky - safe forever.
Ursa Minor, which most of us call 'The Little Dipper,' (approximate location: right ascension 14.78 hours, declination 74.36) is also known as 'The Lesser Bear.'
The Lesser Bear is conveniently and directly related to The Greater Bear, and is said to be Callisto's son, also and later placed into the sky by Zeus.
More deliberately than through these Greek tales, the constellations are important because they are part of the first accurate navigational system ever used. Even to use them to navigate on land or sea, one must 'navigate the eye' through the two constellations. Navigation with the eye through the 'Greater' constellation allows you to find the more important star in the 'Lesser' constellation that will allow one to find their way on earth or by sea.
Actually, the stars of Ursa Minor are quite hard for the naked eye to pick out - however, the last star in the tail of of the constellation (remember - also called 'Lesser Bear') is fairly distinct and bright to us down on Earth, once we know where to be looking for it.
This star in the Lesser Bear tail is The North Star. The North Star has guided everyone from ancient peoples, the Magi, and sailors of old. It is still an excellent emergency marker for anyone who gets lost at sea or on land in our day and age.
Because the smaller, dimmer constellation is harder to see, when trying to locate the North Star, one should look for Ursa Major - The Big Dipper - first. Then locate where the two stars in 'the cup' of the Big Dipper are opposite the tail.....and follow them straight out. The first star that you will come across is the North Star, which is in the constellation Ursa Minor - The Lesser Bear - The Little Dipper.
From this star you will always be able to find your way, and always know what direction you’re facing. It never sinks below the horizon, so it is always able to be seen...which brings us back to MYTH again...
Hera was more than upset that Zeus saved Callisto/Kallisto. Hera was infuriated that Zeus had made Callisto 'forever eternal' and that Callisto would be honoured and noticed by everyone looking to the stars for all time. Hera went to Olympian brother, Poseidon, and convinced him (more likely, 'tricked him') to make sure that Callisto would never have the luxury of ever bathing in the sea again.
This is why the North Star never sinks below the horizon, according to Mythology.
To the ancient Greeks, the point at which the eye could view the horizon was, to their knowledge, where Poseidon's Realm and Zeus' Realm joined - that is, Sky and Sea joined at the horizon. Since Zeus controlled the realm of Sky and Poseidon, the vast areas of the Seas, Hera made sure that if Callisto was going to live forever in Zeus' sky - she wouldn't have the option of also touching Poseidon's Seas to bathe. Poseidon forbade Callisto to ever touch his waters. Thus, The Greater Bear never wanders low enough to breach the horizon, to dip in Poseidon's seas, and we can always see it.
The common modern name of 'The Big Dipper' also has some connection back to the ancient myth, for some say that Callisto often 'wanders' near to the sea, to ask Poseidon to change his mind and let her 'dip' into the sea to bathe. Poseidon always refuses her request, afraid that Hera will find out and punish him. This added piece corresponds with the need to explain the motion of the constellations to our sight - how the constellations appear to 'shift' during certain seasons and how stars appear to 'sink' lower in the sky or 'drop into the ocean.' It explains why some stars actually disappear from view during certain seasons (they are in Poseidon's sea, they are being cleansed by the Poseidon, or they are deities/heroes who visit Poseidon for part of the year).
There are, of course, several other versions of mythical explanation surrounding the Great and the Lesser Bear constellations. Another version has Artemis as the angered deity who transforms Kallisto into a bear. Here, Artemis' reason for being upset was that due to Kallisto's sexual relationship with Zeus, Artemis lost a chaste and pure companion...so the 'constellation explanation,' this second version - probably acted as a multiple message about 'sexuality,' 'virginity,' and 'loyalty,' at one time as well.
Saturday, April 7, 2007
2 Common Sources For Information on Mythology
If you want well-rounded information about MYTHOLOGY, 2 authors come to mind:
Barry B. Powell
and
Edith Hamilton
I studied a (THICK) Powell text ("Classical Myth") at University level for a Classics course (some of it, not for the queasy - Powell doesn't cut out the 'gore' of certain early Greek tales or of Roman battle).
Edith Hamilton material was permitted in addition to Powell material when essays were due for my Classics course, and I was lucky to find her material at SparkNotes (which alleviated a LOT of cost, since I didn't have to purchase more textbooks at the time!).
If you're interested:
www.sparknotes.com
Barry B. Powell is both an Egyptologist and a classicist who gained graduate degrees at both Berkeley and Harvard. He is also an internationally recognized expert on the poet Homer, a poet himself, a screenwriter and a novelist ("Ramses in Nighttown" 2006).
Edith Hamilton (1867-1963) was headmistress at the first school (in Baltimore, MD) in the United States designed to prepare young women for college. Her book, "Mythology" was published in 1942. Not always taken as serious scholarly information, her contribution is nonetheless considered to have made the greatest effect of any work of its time - in making 'classical tradition' popular. The book is not solely written by her but rather, is a compilation or collection of mythical tales from various sources which Hamilton then interprets.
If you're brand new to or just becoming curious about the topic of Mythology and are looking to enjoy some great 'story' type mythology and try to sort out the myriad of deities, particularly from the Greek and Roman cultures, Hamilton's work should more than suffice to hold your interest and give you a basic view of deities and heroes.
If you're looking for more 'historical' or 'scholarly' view of the Gods and Goddesses, perhaps a more objective view - along with some Greek/Mediterranean history to put things in context, then you'll want to check out Powell's material.
Again - if you're interested, here's the Spark Notes link:
Spark Notes
Once there, type 'Edith Hamilton' into the available search box at Spark Notes. The Spark Notes site is really easy to navigate. If you look around, you'll also find some of the Greek Classics that both Hamilton and Powell refer to in their work.
A few items relating to Mythology and Classics that you'll easily find at Spark Notes are:
Homer's "The Odyssey"
Euripides' "The Bacchae"
Sophocles' "Electra"
Sophocles' "Oedipus" Plays
Just to name a few...
Barry B. Powell
and
Edith Hamilton
I studied a (THICK) Powell text ("Classical Myth") at University level for a Classics course (some of it, not for the queasy - Powell doesn't cut out the 'gore' of certain early Greek tales or of Roman battle).
Edith Hamilton material was permitted in addition to Powell material when essays were due for my Classics course, and I was lucky to find her material at SparkNotes (which alleviated a LOT of cost, since I didn't have to purchase more textbooks at the time!).
If you're interested:
www.sparknotes.com
Barry B. Powell is both an Egyptologist and a classicist who gained graduate degrees at both Berkeley and Harvard. He is also an internationally recognized expert on the poet Homer, a poet himself, a screenwriter and a novelist ("Ramses in Nighttown" 2006).
Edith Hamilton (1867-1963) was headmistress at the first school (in Baltimore, MD) in the United States designed to prepare young women for college. Her book, "Mythology" was published in 1942. Not always taken as serious scholarly information, her contribution is nonetheless considered to have made the greatest effect of any work of its time - in making 'classical tradition' popular. The book is not solely written by her but rather, is a compilation or collection of mythical tales from various sources which Hamilton then interprets.
If you're brand new to or just becoming curious about the topic of Mythology and are looking to enjoy some great 'story' type mythology and try to sort out the myriad of deities, particularly from the Greek and Roman cultures, Hamilton's work should more than suffice to hold your interest and give you a basic view of deities and heroes.
If you're looking for more 'historical' or 'scholarly' view of the Gods and Goddesses, perhaps a more objective view - along with some Greek/Mediterranean history to put things in context, then you'll want to check out Powell's material.
Again - if you're interested, here's the Spark Notes link:
Spark Notes
Once there, type 'Edith Hamilton' into the available search box at Spark Notes. The Spark Notes site is really easy to navigate. If you look around, you'll also find some of the Greek Classics that both Hamilton and Powell refer to in their work.
A few items relating to Mythology and Classics that you'll easily find at Spark Notes are:
Homer's "The Odyssey"
Euripides' "The Bacchae"
Sophocles' "Electra"
Sophocles' "Oedipus" Plays
Just to name a few...
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