Most Popular
1500 questions
8
votes
1 answer
Why is it unlucky to walk under a ladder?
If we ignore the practical safety issues, why is it considered unlucky to walk under a ladder?
Bloom
- 305
- 1
- 6
8
votes
1 answer
What did the Thebans do to cause the wrath of Dionysus?
Pausanias tells the legend of the Teumessian fox, a fox destined never to be caught sent by Dionysus to destroy Thebes, the god's birthplace according to the Zeus and Semele narrative:
9.19.1 On this highway is a place called Teumessus, where it is…
yannis
- 16,990
- 7
- 69
- 203
8
votes
3 answers
Why is Dante’s Odysseus different from Homer’s?
In Canto XXVI of the Inferno, Dante encounters Odysseus and Diomedes. Odysseus account of his exploits after Troy differ from the more familiar story in Homer’s Odyssey. Notably, Dante’s Odysseus does not return to Ithaca, deciding to travel beyond…
Girsan Virlee
- 2,990
- 3
- 21
- 53
8
votes
1 answer
Where does the idea of counting crows come from?
According to Learn Religions and many astrology websites, the number of crows you see predicts the future:
"Seeing just a single crow is considered an omen of bad luck. Finding
two crows, however, means good luck. (Three crows mean health, and
…
foggy
- 181
- 1
- 4
8
votes
2 answers
How did Cronos lose if he was god of time?
I have read in many articles where it is mentioned that Zeus overthrew the Titan Cronos who could control time.
How is it possible? Cronos could just turn back time and correct wherever he went wrong. How was Zeus able to kill him in a 10-year long…
Agent_Spock
- 191
- 1
- 4
8
votes
1 answer
The Odyssey lock scene (Book 21): Translations vs. original Greek?
Near the beginning of Book 21, most translators have used some peculiar language to describe Penelope's unlocking of the door behind which Odysseus' bow is kept. Fagles writes (lines 54–56)
At once she loosed the thong from around its hook,
…
Ari
- 83
- 3
8
votes
2 answers
Are there any instances of defying a prophecy?
In Greek mythology, there are many prophecies. Usually, in spite of someone's effort to prevent it, what is prophesized still happens.
As far as I'm aware, the only one to successfully avoid a prophecy was Zeus. He swallowed Metis and their son was…
Lymaba
- 563
- 5
- 14
8
votes
2 answers
What is the origin of these creatures in Appalachian folklore?
My family (for these intents and purposes) comes from the mountains of Appalachian southern Virginia.
The older folks told tales of three specific monsters as warning against wayward children misbehaving (like many legends begin, I assume).
The…
goodguy5
- 181
- 7
8
votes
3 answers
Why would Odin and Freyja send fallen men to Helheim?
Since it's known that when Ragnarok occurs, all of the fallen vikings who weren't worthy of Valhalla or folkvangr are sent to helheim to eventually be led by Fenrir to destroy Odin and all of the Aesier, then why would Odin allow for more men to be…
tkennedy741
- 81
- 1
8
votes
1 answer
Did ancient Egypt use the abbreviation IHS for "Isis, Horus, and Seb"?
The Chick Publications tract "Are Roman Catholics Christians?" has all sorts of questionable content (including many fundamental misunderstandings of Roman Catholicism), but there is one historical claim that I was unsure of. When talking about the…
Thunderforge
- 273
- 2
- 7
8
votes
1 answer
What were medieval European myths about redheads?
I have heard that redheads were thought to be vampires, or Judas's descendants, good for spell ingredients, etc...
What were common myths these about redheads in the medieval period of Europe (300 AD - 1600 AD)?
Amoeba
- 181
- 3
8
votes
2 answers
Is there a specific term in Norse mythology for Odin's self-sacrifice?
Norse mythology knows some terms for quite complex concepts, such as "Ragnarök". Is there a term for Odin's nine-day self-sacrifice?
AFoeee
- 183
- 3
8
votes
1 answer
How did Aphrodite's promise of Helen to Paris work?
When Paris was asked to choose a recipient for the Golden Apple of Discord, he accepted Aphrodite's bribe and gave it to her in exchange for Menelaus's wife Helen. Paris later took Helen from Menelaus by force (depending on the account she might…
J.G.
- 183
- 4
8
votes
1 answer
How were trolls created in Norse mythology?
Is there a mythical/folklore origin for them? I haven't managed to find any sources on this.
AncientSwordRage
- 237
- 3
- 7
8
votes
3 answers
Was there a hell or place of suffering after death in Norse mythology?
Was there a hell or place of suffering after death in Norse mythology. If so, was it eternal? What caused a person to go there?
theboi
- 91
- 2