Zeus, you might say, had the JOB of basically screwing all the women - but that's a little RUDE of me to say......however, he did have sex with MANY MANY females, both deity and human
(and also, at least one inanimate OBJECT that Hera 'animated' to trick Zeus *shaking my head* Ahhhh those deities and their games!). I like to say that he is the God of ADULTERY!
*Note - sorry 'bout the terminology - 'screwing' - but face it, your sensibilities WILL BE DISTURBED if you don't understand RIGHT NOW that the Greek Gods did a LOT of things that seem 'far-out- there' to us now-a-days. (Be THANKFUL I favour the Greek Gods on this blog - over 18th Century British Literature - or you'd be more than 'screwed'!). If you can deal with the fact that I started this post with that BLUNT term, you'll be okay once I get to the myths where 'fertility celebrations' are commonplace.
Now - back to what ROLES the deities played in the grand scheme of things.
Zeus is the 'father' of both deities and of men.
Hera - is Zeus' sister AND Wife. She presides over matters
involving families.
Poseidon is ruler of the seas.
Hestia - the 'hearth-keeper', fire-watcher (domestic).
Demeter - sister to Zeus, in charge of fertility on earth.
Hades - ruler of the great Underworld which is usually also
called 'Hades.'
Hephaestus (there's a glitch here - Hephaestus is Hera's son but
not Zeus' son...but Hera did not commit adultery. Hephaestus
was born from Hera alone).....he is the eternal craftsman, brings
inspiration to metal-workers and 'smiths.'
Ares holds sway over WAR.
Athena governs practicality, operates in the realm of women's
skills, and is even involved in the 'Arts of War.'
Apollo is often called by an alternate name, Phoebus, and is the
god of healing and prophecy. (Very COMPLEX dude, as far as
God-dudes go!).
Artemis - the Huntress, guardian over wild animals.
Hermes - The Trickster and god of wide open spaces - the
traveller god, master of COMMERCE........also, conveniently,
master of lies and deception.
Well, well....that's TWELVE so far...
That's not the end though!
Aphrodite - goddess of sexual love, sexual attraction.
Dionysus - god of wine, instinct, life force (fertility, sometimes,
'zest for living' other times).
Okay - so again we have extras. But they're important.
It is highly probably that Dionysus was a 'lesser' personality for a long time while most of the aforementioned deities grew in popularity...until such a time as he displaced Hestia and filled
her 'greater' Olympian role.
A decline in the popularity of Hestia seems apparent by the lower count of myth-stories that revolve around her, as compared with other Olympians. Likely, the other goddesses represented 'enough' domesticity and femininity at a certain early time - and Hestia's need to represent these things became less pronounced.
Actually a 'decline in popularity' might be a dishonorable thing to say about the goddess, Hestia...rather, her 'persona' may have been stunted somewhere along the line while other female deities were allowed to blossom in 'personality' and grow more complex. Hestia isn't really LESS IMPORTANT, in the grand design - it's just that SOMETHING HAPPENED in Greek society and in the formations of myth...to include her less and so that her character didn't become more intricately wrapped about the other deities.
There are certainly some interesting details about Hestia in numerous mythological accounts - and she is still considered one of the more benevolent 'true domestic' goddesses.
Maybe, like a lot of women in ancient times, she just faded into the background as Heroes emerged to take the spotlight, as children grew up and displayed antics and had children of their own.....
And that is why I've dedicated several paragraphs to mentioning Hestia's presence among the Olympians while saying only a few words about some of the other deities.....it's because Hestia will basically 'fade away' as I continue this blog. I will re-visit her 'persona' from time to time, however, other personalities and 'events' will simply emerge.
Dionysus - that little, WILD, rascal! Out-positioning Hestia...
More later...
Showing posts with label Greek Gods. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Greek Gods. Show all posts
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
Thursday, March 15, 2007
Before Delving Into The Olympians
The Greek paradigm of deities is often criticized as having too many contradictions, too many 'versions of story' and other shortcomings. These things are TRUE, however, should not be considered 'shortcomings.' If you think of a little bit of history BEHIND the creation of Greek myth, characters, deities, etc., then the discrepancies in versions of myth, character representation, and other slight confusions will no longer hinder your enjoyment of learning about the Greek pantheon of Gods and Goddesses.
Just as a reminder - histories and hints BEHIND the 'creations' are found in the real lives of the creators who lived so long ago. If they were at a loss to understand certain events happening in their time, they had to start testing out 'explanations' that helped their minds rest more at ease in the face of great amounts of unexplained phenomena.
Likely, ZEUS (with his symbolic THUNDERBOLT) was a partial explanation behind 'why are there storms?' Quite notably, Zeus' personality has an unstable quality - just like the weather often does as it changes from pleasant to stormy. Zeus' moods are unpredictable like the weather - and he has problems with controlling his temper. When Zeus loses his temper (which is often!), he is described in much the same way that we describe stormy weather...violent winds (Zeus darting around, ranting and raving), lightning strikes (Zeus pounding his thunderbolt on the ground in a terrible fit), and howling wind (Zeus yelling and screaming).
Zeus is typically considered the 'Father' of all the Olympian deities, yet he doesn't ACT very responsible. His words are considered 'the final words' yet he often changes his mind about 'final decisions' once they're made. If comparing to 'weather' - Zeus is, again, much like the weather. The present state of weather is indisputable like the 'final words' of Zeus....however, the weather is bound to change - much like Zeus is apt to change his mind about things. If comparing Zeus' personality and characteristics to 'real people,' then Zeus is also very much like a real person. Many Fathers don't always act responsible. Many fathers are authorities in the household, yet will change their mind often about rules of the house.
One of the most notable quirks in Greek myth - is the account of arrival of one of Zeus' daughters. Even Ancient people knew quite a bit about the birds and the bees, reproduction, and other gender or sexual matters, however, one of Zeus' daughters is birthed directly from Zeus - without having a mother! One account says the daughter is born out of Zeus' thigh, which even the ancients would not have truly believed as fact.
The reason why an account of this would be taken in and 'believed' (passed on as an integral part of the story - from generation to generation):
To account for MALE AUTHORITY in Ancient times. The myth isn't designed to explain the gods and goddesses. The myth is created to explain social, power and gender positioning! Therefore - though the account sounds ridiculous - it serves a very important and serious purpose - to have males strive to take responsibility or positions as fathers, to place men at the top of power structures in society and in families, to re-assert MALE DOMINANCE in a society that did, indeed, have women in power positions from time to time. Within the vast pantheon of Greek deities, there are a great number of powerful, respected WOMEN. An account of Zeus birthing a child on his own places the male Zeus in a very mighty position, making a very strong statement about the power of men over children, the existence of men as individuals. (Wife, Hera also birthed a child completely without Zeus, in certain accounts involving the birth of Hephaestus).
These are just bare examples of the discrepancies that occur in Greek myth. To tell the truth, I've become more interested in studying 'discrepancies' than in detailing particular accounts of Greek mythological characters and events. The discrepancies hold great value to me - of explaining what the Ancient Greeks were like, why they decided to alter details of their stories, what characteristics and materials they valued years ago, which qualities they considered human vices, what kind of social positions they valued, etc. I will never be without material to study in this area. I have a long list of 'versions' to compare and of discrepancies to investigate concerning the Greek gods and goddesses. It it likely that I will know much more about the myriad of characters (thousands!) and their notable actions as a whole - well before I ever get even half-way finished my list of research items, simply because Greek myth is inherently FULL OF discrepancies and alterations.
I don't believe that one can go barging into Greek myth WITHOUT understanding the presence of 'discrepancy' in accounts. To stumble in blindly - expecting mostly 'whole' and 'reasonable' accounts of the deities would be akin to blindly expecting to learn Greek language within a day - without first the basics of how English works.
That all said, my next post will outline the Greek 'Olympian' deities and many of their interesting, mis-fitted discrepancies.
tr~~
Just as a reminder - histories and hints BEHIND the 'creations' are found in the real lives of the creators who lived so long ago. If they were at a loss to understand certain events happening in their time, they had to start testing out 'explanations' that helped their minds rest more at ease in the face of great amounts of unexplained phenomena.
Likely, ZEUS (with his symbolic THUNDERBOLT) was a partial explanation behind 'why are there storms?' Quite notably, Zeus' personality has an unstable quality - just like the weather often does as it changes from pleasant to stormy. Zeus' moods are unpredictable like the weather - and he has problems with controlling his temper. When Zeus loses his temper (which is often!), he is described in much the same way that we describe stormy weather...violent winds (Zeus darting around, ranting and raving), lightning strikes (Zeus pounding his thunderbolt on the ground in a terrible fit), and howling wind (Zeus yelling and screaming).
Zeus is typically considered the 'Father' of all the Olympian deities, yet he doesn't ACT very responsible. His words are considered 'the final words' yet he often changes his mind about 'final decisions' once they're made. If comparing to 'weather' - Zeus is, again, much like the weather. The present state of weather is indisputable like the 'final words' of Zeus....however, the weather is bound to change - much like Zeus is apt to change his mind about things. If comparing Zeus' personality and characteristics to 'real people,' then Zeus is also very much like a real person. Many Fathers don't always act responsible. Many fathers are authorities in the household, yet will change their mind often about rules of the house.
One of the most notable quirks in Greek myth - is the account of arrival of one of Zeus' daughters. Even Ancient people knew quite a bit about the birds and the bees, reproduction, and other gender or sexual matters, however, one of Zeus' daughters is birthed directly from Zeus - without having a mother! One account says the daughter is born out of Zeus' thigh, which even the ancients would not have truly believed as fact.
The reason why an account of this would be taken in and 'believed' (passed on as an integral part of the story - from generation to generation):
To account for MALE AUTHORITY in Ancient times. The myth isn't designed to explain the gods and goddesses. The myth is created to explain social, power and gender positioning! Therefore - though the account sounds ridiculous - it serves a very important and serious purpose - to have males strive to take responsibility or positions as fathers, to place men at the top of power structures in society and in families, to re-assert MALE DOMINANCE in a society that did, indeed, have women in power positions from time to time. Within the vast pantheon of Greek deities, there are a great number of powerful, respected WOMEN. An account of Zeus birthing a child on his own places the male Zeus in a very mighty position, making a very strong statement about the power of men over children, the existence of men as individuals. (Wife, Hera also birthed a child completely without Zeus, in certain accounts involving the birth of Hephaestus).
These are just bare examples of the discrepancies that occur in Greek myth. To tell the truth, I've become more interested in studying 'discrepancies' than in detailing particular accounts of Greek mythological characters and events. The discrepancies hold great value to me - of explaining what the Ancient Greeks were like, why they decided to alter details of their stories, what characteristics and materials they valued years ago, which qualities they considered human vices, what kind of social positions they valued, etc. I will never be without material to study in this area. I have a long list of 'versions' to compare and of discrepancies to investigate concerning the Greek gods and goddesses. It it likely that I will know much more about the myriad of characters (thousands!) and their notable actions as a whole - well before I ever get even half-way finished my list of research items, simply because Greek myth is inherently FULL OF discrepancies and alterations.
I don't believe that one can go barging into Greek myth WITHOUT understanding the presence of 'discrepancy' in accounts. To stumble in blindly - expecting mostly 'whole' and 'reasonable' accounts of the deities would be akin to blindly expecting to learn Greek language within a day - without first the basics of how English works.
That all said, my next post will outline the Greek 'Olympian' deities and many of their interesting, mis-fitted discrepancies.
tr~~
Mythology - Not just 'stories'
Most just people think of fictitious and light-hearted stories when they hear the word 'mythology,' however the myths of old aren't just tales, fables, stories, and fiction.
Almost all myth begins as a valid 'explanation' or the most acceptable or necessary explanation available at the time of creation. Often the myth will be deliberately symbolic and dramatic - to run home a point about something that the creator feels is important. The original myth may deal with something problematic that the 'teller' needs solved, detailed, resolved, or represented.
Ancient people created 'explanations' to tell why things occurred all around them. This gave meaning to such things as natural events (daybreak, sunset, storms, seasons), animal behaviors (migration, mating, hunting activity), and other puzzling things in the ancient world. Instead of feeling that all occurrences, events and sights around them were all random and without meaning, 'explanations' gave the Ancients some PERSPECTIVE upon the world they were viewing, living in and interacting with.
In present day, we have mythical explanations, too - even among all the technological advances, data and knowledge that we possess above what the Ancients developed years ago.
In part - none of the advances we appreciate today would have occurred without myth-making taking place as a pre-requisite. Many of the greatest scientific discoveries have happened due to scholars and scientists seeking to DISPROVE or PROVE information and concepts surrounding myth. Without the original myth or story, there remains 'lack of wonder' about life situations, lack of basis for problem-solving, lack of 'hypothesis' - simply, one does not wonder why things are the way they are. Once one does WONDER - one can create a story which will last within reason - until it is either proved as entirely acceptable - or unacceptable.
Something that can be considered 'modern' myth - are 'common urban legends.' Most of these are difficult for the average person to 'disprove' or 'prove,' so information exists as 'stories' or myth, passed along from person to person - taken quite literally on 'faith' alone. Ghost stories, stories about strange coincidences, patterns of events - all fall into the large paradigm of things called 'MYTH.' Some of the urban legends seemingly more far-fetched are, in fact, mirrors of societal fears - used to serve as a heightened symbolic message with a purpose...warnings, suggestions (Don't go in the woods near the edge of town after sundown...) for some purpose of control. A virtually universal example is the societal and parental warning to children about not wandering away from home...
or else...
'The Boogeyman will get you!'
In all of this, it becomes IMPORTANT for people to value 'myth' and not disregard all myth as 'story-telling' or fiction. Much myth IS, in fact, fiction - but is symbolic, containing a bigger, more important message that often should not be ignored. There may not be a boogeyman, but it is still very definitely unwise for children to wander away from home after dark. On the other hand, if 'danger' is represented as the boogeyman, then DANGER certainly exists for children who wander away from home after dark. In any case - the myth about the Boogeyman isn't as ridiculous or fictitious as we might think, if we are the type to scoff at myth or stories.
Myth blends into urban legend, Biblical references, literature, science, health and wellness, our understanding of the animal and plant kingdoms - virtually permeating into all other realms of our existence. Not to mention the plain fact of the cathartic (the venting of stored-up emotions and the forgetting of real life for a while) value of 'stories,' in our hectic everyday lives. Certain presentations of myth are, indeed, plain old fictitious stories - designed for entertainment - however, even these can be said to have value.
I'll be back soon to post about some of the best recognized mythical characters - The Olympians.
Almost all myth begins as a valid 'explanation' or the most acceptable or necessary explanation available at the time of creation. Often the myth will be deliberately symbolic and dramatic - to run home a point about something that the creator feels is important. The original myth may deal with something problematic that the 'teller' needs solved, detailed, resolved, or represented.
Ancient people created 'explanations' to tell why things occurred all around them. This gave meaning to such things as natural events (daybreak, sunset, storms, seasons), animal behaviors (migration, mating, hunting activity), and other puzzling things in the ancient world. Instead of feeling that all occurrences, events and sights around them were all random and without meaning, 'explanations' gave the Ancients some PERSPECTIVE upon the world they were viewing, living in and interacting with.
In present day, we have mythical explanations, too - even among all the technological advances, data and knowledge that we possess above what the Ancients developed years ago.
In part - none of the advances we appreciate today would have occurred without myth-making taking place as a pre-requisite. Many of the greatest scientific discoveries have happened due to scholars and scientists seeking to DISPROVE or PROVE information and concepts surrounding myth. Without the original myth or story, there remains 'lack of wonder' about life situations, lack of basis for problem-solving, lack of 'hypothesis' - simply, one does not wonder why things are the way they are. Once one does WONDER - one can create a story which will last within reason - until it is either proved as entirely acceptable - or unacceptable.
Something that can be considered 'modern' myth - are 'common urban legends.' Most of these are difficult for the average person to 'disprove' or 'prove,' so information exists as 'stories' or myth, passed along from person to person - taken quite literally on 'faith' alone. Ghost stories, stories about strange coincidences, patterns of events - all fall into the large paradigm of things called 'MYTH.' Some of the urban legends seemingly more far-fetched are, in fact, mirrors of societal fears - used to serve as a heightened symbolic message with a purpose...warnings, suggestions (Don't go in the woods near the edge of town after sundown...) for some purpose of control. A virtually universal example is the societal and parental warning to children about not wandering away from home...
or else...
'The Boogeyman will get you!'
In all of this, it becomes IMPORTANT for people to value 'myth' and not disregard all myth as 'story-telling' or fiction. Much myth IS, in fact, fiction - but is symbolic, containing a bigger, more important message that often should not be ignored. There may not be a boogeyman, but it is still very definitely unwise for children to wander away from home after dark. On the other hand, if 'danger' is represented as the boogeyman, then DANGER certainly exists for children who wander away from home after dark. In any case - the myth about the Boogeyman isn't as ridiculous or fictitious as we might think, if we are the type to scoff at myth or stories.
Myth blends into urban legend, Biblical references, literature, science, health and wellness, our understanding of the animal and plant kingdoms - virtually permeating into all other realms of our existence. Not to mention the plain fact of the cathartic (the venting of stored-up emotions and the forgetting of real life for a while) value of 'stories,' in our hectic everyday lives. Certain presentations of myth are, indeed, plain old fictitious stories - designed for entertainment - however, even these can be said to have value.
I'll be back soon to post about some of the best recognized mythical characters - The Olympians.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
