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What are some examples of ten-year-long cycles?

There are some very famous decade-long cycles in Greek epic poetry: Both the Titanomachy and the Trojan War lasted for ten years, and when the latter ended it took Odysseus another ten years to return from Troy to Ithaca. To paraphrase Ian Fleming,…
yannis
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Is there an authoritative compendium of Greek mythology?

I've always been interested in Greek mythology, but in my country we don't have the kind of standalone college courses you find in the US, and I've never been able to find resources that seemed properly comprehensive. I don't want to just read…
San Diago
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Do leprechauns derive their power from gold?

I am trying to use them in a book I'm writing but I can't find a lot of details regarding Leprechauns. Do they have significant power, do they grant wishes, and if so with what magic? Any answers will help. Please don't answer if you don't know…
Anthony Gregory
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1 answer

What is the exact type of coin that Charon accepts for a ferry to the Underworld?

I am not sure whether to believe in Greek mythology or not, but I certainly don't want to spend my afterlife as a ghost, so I'm thinking of keeping a silver coin to pay that ol' Charon. But what kind of silver coin would he demand? Would any silver…
Pritt Balagopal
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What do the "runes" on this pendant say?

I found this pendant on AliExpress, and it looks pretty nice. But I'd like to know what the runes mean, if anything?
Magnus
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How far does the classical model remain a template for heroism in the modern world?

Pretty much the question. I'm doing an essay right now on the social constructions of heroes, yet I don't really know how to go about this. My basic outline (so far) is this: Introduction to what a hero is; what makes the classical model different…
Hashtag Cobalt
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Where does it says that snakes can kill birds by looking at their shadow?

I have seen several early Jewish sources (e.g. Midrash Tanhuma, Beshalah 18) refer to the idea that a snake can kill a bird by just looking at its shadow. Has this ancient belief been documented elsewhere and what other sources are there to such an…
Reb Chaim HaQoton
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Which gods have been killed in their myths?

I want to know how different cultures thought a god could be killed. So, I am trying to put together a list of gods who died in their mythology. So far I only have a short list: Baldr Jesus Quetzlcoatl Izanami-no-Mikoto. Can you help me think…
Mark Schwab
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Sirens of Thassos ... looking for sources

I'm trying to find sources to explain the "according to ancient myth" statement that opens almost every website on the island of Thassos that it is the Island of the Sirens. I guess it could just be a tourist board dream but it does seem well…
Daevid Browning
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Maruti, is this the name of Lord Hanuman or his mother Or both?

I have heard so many times that Maruti is the other name of Lord Hanuman. Also heard that Maruti Nandan (The son of Maruti) Hey dukh bhanjan Maruti nandan Sunlo meri pukar.. Which one is correct? Or Lord Hanuman is named as though his mother is…
Satrughna
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Is it the Greek primordial deity Chaos male or female?

I want to know whether the Greek creator of the universe is a woman or man. I looked at many resources and each said one or the other. Thanks in advance.
12944qwerty
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What is the meaning of Hercules' self-immolation?

Per my previous question, we've established that Heracles' had committed suicide of the pain of poison. The idea that the poison will kill him, however, is not universal. The Heracles of the Alcestis has defeated death, and there is the…
DukeZhou
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Are there any stories which are about a species that is neither human nor divine?

I am aware that some mythologies/religions include species apart from humans and gods (e.g. Islam and Norse mythology). However, are there any stories which are written about them? My definition for "stories" for this questions, will be stories…
user1385
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What difference does a different translation make?

I'm relatively a beginner at mythology, but what difference does a different translation make? As per this post Only a single translation of a given passage is offered[, which could lead to a different idea]. Well, when I learn french, some…
bleh
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Why is Indra supplanted as chief God?

Wikipedia states that "over a quarter of the 1,208 hymns of the Rigveda mention Indra, making him the most referred to deity than any other." But in the post-vedic texts his importance is greatly diminished. What are the reasons for his loss of…
DukeZhou
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