Most Popular
1500 questions
5
votes
4 answers
What happened if a god or goddess had his/her head cut off?
So in mythology, most gods and goddesses are immortal. But you can't really live once you have your head cut off.
So, specifically Greek mythology, what would happen if your head got cut off, and you were an Olympian or lesser god??
bleh
- 6,719
- 5
- 31
- 74
5
votes
2 answers
How did Hades get to know Persephone?
Hades, the Underworld god, probably only knew about the Underworld.
So why would he even know about Persephone, much less be attracted to her? If he did see above the ground, please tell me how he did it.
bleh
- 6,719
- 5
- 31
- 74
5
votes
4 answers
Were any mortals made into gods?
Famous demi-gods were sometimes turned into gods. Namely:
Heracles
Dionysus
But were there any mortals that were turned into gods, or immortal?
bleh
- 6,719
- 5
- 31
- 74
5
votes
2 answers
What is the symbolism of the name of the Parcae?
According to theoi.com, Parcae/Moirai means "parts":
Their name means "Parts." "Shares" or "Alottted Portions."
Is there a symbolism behind this? Is it because Fate was split into 3?
bleh
- 6,719
- 5
- 31
- 74
5
votes
2 answers
What is this myth about Helios?
Well, there was a guy who wanted to get on the sun chariot, but eventually he died or something happened to him, but he got too close or something. What is the name of the boy, and what is the time period?
bleh
- 6,719
- 5
- 31
- 74
5
votes
2 answers
Examples of wild men or women civilized through sex?
In the beginning of the Epic of Gilgamesh, the prostitute Shamhat civilizes the wild man Enkidu through sex:
She did for the man the work of a woman,
his passion caressed and embraced her.
For six days and seven nights
Enkidu was erect, as he…
yannis
- 16,990
- 7
- 69
- 203
5
votes
4 answers
What would be an efficient data structure for cataloging deities?
I'm ready to begin building a databased-website that will provide cataloged details about the various gods, goddesses and pantheons.
I'm looking for the most efficient structure for cataloging them. Such as what data pieces / fields would be generic…
randomblink
- 393
- 2
- 9
5
votes
1 answer
Why is Roman Mythology so similar to Greek Mythology or vice versa?
It is weird to see two different mythologies so closely related to each other. Roman mythology seems to have some Greek mythology and vice versa. For example:
Greek - Zeus, Roman - Jupiter
Two of the same gods with different names. Much of the two…
Anthony Pham
- 2,075
- 3
- 19
- 41
5
votes
2 answers
Why do several myths portray snakes as good things?
In western culture, being compared to a snake is bad thing. Snakes are portrayed as lying, sneaky animals who are not to be trusted. You can refer to someone as a "snake in the grass" and snakes are not generally positive references.
Therefore I am…
SophArch
- 259
- 1
- 5
5
votes
1 answer
Is there any connection between the Three Humbled Chieftains?
In the third branch of the Mabinogion, Pryderi tells Manawydan
Your cousin is king of Island of the Mighty and although he may do you wrong' he continued 'you have never been a claimant for land or territory. You are the third Humbled…
HDE 226868
- 7,095
- 4
- 33
- 79
5
votes
0 answers
What is the source of the idea that Medusa was a priestess of Athena?
Medusa is a monster in Greek mythology known for being associated in some way with the gods Poseidon and Athena. By Poseidon she conceived a pair of twin sons, namely the winged horse Pegasus and some other kind of creature called Chrysaor. Her…
Adinkra
- 9,833
- 46
- 71
5
votes
1 answer
Did Galileo or Marius know that Callisto was tidally locked?
Jupiter IV, usually referred to as Callisto in modern times, is tidally locked to Jupiter(Zeus). Callisto of mythology attracted the attentions of Zeus (ostensibly because of her physique, according to my Classics professor in the mid-80s and hence…
Shin Bikkuriman
- 135
- 5
5
votes
2 answers
Are there any accounts of English folklore concerning walking willow trees?
"In English folklore, a willow tree is believed to be quite sinister, capable of uprooting itself and stalking travellers."
On the Wikipedia page for willow it has this single sentence under the culture tab about English beliefs, with no…
Washtun
- 141
- 5
5
votes
2 answers
What is the ancient Egyptian name for "The Book of Gates"?
The Book of Gates is an ancient Egyptian funerary text which describes the various bxn.t (gates), also known as a pylon (πυλών) in ancient Greek. I have been unable to find the full name of the Book of Gates in the actual ancient Egyptian words. The…
Walter
- 651
- 5
- 14
5
votes
1 answer
Are there major differences between Continental Germanic and Scandinavian mythology?
Continental Germanic and Scandinavian/Norse mythologies are often grouped together under Germanic mythology, usually a few deity names change but keeping the same roots, unlike Roman/Greek mythology. I am guessing that Continental Germanic is just a…
Marduk Trimegistus
- 565
- 1
- 3
- 16