Comments on: A Primer on Greek Mythology: Part I — The Gods and Goddesses

By: F. T. Kettering

F. T. Kettering — Sat, 13 Apr 2013 20:48:36 +0000

Having been thinking and writing about mythology for thirty years, I was excited to come across this excellent article and thread. Many of these comments reinforce my belief that Greek myths were the foundation of a real and vivid religion in antiquity — a culture-shaping religion based more on imagination than on “belief.”
There are two outstanding books by scholars who saw Greek religion in this light: “The Homeric Gods” by Walter Otto (if you can wade through a dense translation); and “Greek Gods, Human Lives” by Mary Lefkowitz. My own books are NOT scholarly — no footnotes, no citations (no posh office!) — but the last one connects directly to the theme of manliness. It’s called “Oracle and Sun,” and no, it’s not about Silicon Valley, but about Apollo and his modern sanctuary in California (all five books available on amazon.com).

By: trey

trey — Wed, 13 Feb 2013 16:07:08 +0000

athena was not a weaving god. that was her roman side. in greek she was the god of wisdom and battle stratagy.

By: CENSORED

CENSORED — Sun, 06 Jan 2013 15:25:26 +0000

That was great, and it was my first art of manliness article. I am going to be sure to read more of this stuff!

By: Isaiah

Isaiah — Sat, 27 Oct 2012 17:49:57 +0000

With regard to the Gigantomochy, there is very little information about it, and it is usually used in an allusive way. If you look hard you can find some of the giants names, and one of the most mentioned facts is that Heracles was called upon to help the gods win the war.

Also if any of you are wondering about the relationship between Christianity and mythologies, G. K. Chesterton has a great chapter addressing this in his book, ‘Heretics.’

It is chapter 11: Science and the Savages.
http://www.gutenberg.org/files/470/470-h/470-h.htm#chap11

By: James B

James B — Wed, 10 Oct 2012 03:13:40 +0000

Some more back ground on Hermes’s special staff. If you are a civilian doctor, then no the caduceus is not your symbol. However, the military uses the caduceus. It is the center of all the possible medical badges, patches, and branch identifiers.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/68W

Even the famous combat medic badge hosts it right in the center.

By: Kirk

Kirk — Sun, 07 Oct 2012 22:55:42 +0000

Good write-up. I learned a lot.

By: Jack

Jack — Sat, 06 Oct 2012 17:21:57 +0000

I associate mythology with the late, great, Joseph Campbell, who taught me what religion was all about.

By: Ian

Ian — Tue, 11 Sep 2012 00:35:55 +0000

@Derek’s post #46: I agree. But the classic Greek myths have held sway and influence much more than Greek folktales. In my studies, I’ve found that to be the norm in all cultures.

Folktales tend to be local, where myths tend to be cultural.

By: Rich

Rich — Fri, 07 Sep 2012 00:04:38 +0000

That was cool.. When’s part 2 coming?!

By: Mark

Mark — Mon, 03 Sep 2012 12:44:37 +0000

This is exactly the kind of article that makes this website so cool.