Greek Gods and Goddesses - I

Hello!

Before I tell you about the Olympians (Greek gods and goddesses), there's a few updates today.

One is that I watched Angels and Demons starring Tom Hanks, the sequel to the very amazing Da Vinci Code. Unfortunately, this one doesn't quite make it to my hit-list. The reason being, that though the pace and Hanks keep you in your seat, the lack of depth in the storyline and the lost grip over the climax really cheeses you off. The movie is about this demented padre who wants to become the Pope and how does he do it? By killing his own father (also the Father of the Sistine Chapel), kidnapping some important cardinals and having them murdered, while at the same time, pulling off a major stunt with some antimatter and physics shit that I just couldn't grasp. My rating - strictly 5/10, and it's 3.5 for Hanks and 1.5 for the exuberant direction.

The other update is that there's 85 pages left for New Moon to get over. And I'm wondering whether to continue my obsession with the Twilight series or just bid adieu for fear of being let down in the next sequels...

And the final one... is that I went for the Indiblogger party in Pune hosted by Fosters at Blue - Club Solaris, Koregaon Park yesterday. It was a free invite-only event, and they promised free beer and lotsa food, all on the house... How was it? Shall write a post on that later... I owe it to them, ya!!

Back to where we let off... The Olympian Greek Gods... Ready, public?!!

Here we go... In alphabetical order...

Starting with Aphrodite - the Greek goddess of Love, Lust, Beauty and Eternal Youth. Her Roman name is Venus and she is the most attractive among goddesses. Wife of Hephaestus (the smith of the Heaven and God of the Iron) and lover of Ares (the God of War), her son is Eros (winged cupid of love).

This sensual goddess is connected with the death/rebirth of nature and human beings. She was created from the foam of the crystal waters of Paphos in Cyprus, when the titan Cronos slew his father, and threw his genitals into the sea.

Most common depiction of Aphrodite: A highly attractive young woman with curled eyelashes, dressed elegantly. Her symbols and weapons: The girdle, which Aphrodite used to compel love, the seashell and the mirror. (Wiki says it is the scepter, myrtle, and dove).

Next is Apollo - God of music, prophecies, poetry, and archery. Also said to be the god of light and truth. He is associated with the sun, and referred to as the most beautiful of the gods. He is Artemis (goddess of the hunt)’s twin brother, and son of Zeus and Leto.
Apollo invented the lute but he is more popular for playing the lyre that was invented by Hermes (messenger of the gods). He also owned the precious gift of prophecy, given to him by his father Zeus in his infancy.

Most common depiction of Apollo: Handsome and youthful with impressive golden hair. His symbols and weapons: The lyre, bow, the tripod, the laurel tree and the navelstone.

Up next is Ares - God of war, murder and bloodshed (basically any kind of violence). Brother to Athena (goddess of Wisdom and Skill, also goddess of war – but only for the sake of justice), son of Zeus and Hera, his Roman name is Mars. Quite a story this youth has...

This bloodthirsty god of War had his residence up on Mount Olympus, his throne upholstered with human skin. He was accompanied by Eris, the goddess of discord and his secret mistress was Aphrodite. Their union resulted in the birth of Armonia (Harmony), which was seen as a blend of two opposing powers.

Just like his mother Hera, Ares had a very difficult character to deal with and was therefore rather unpopular among the other deities and mankind. For this reason, no Greek city wanted to have him as its patron. He often had conflicts and fights with Artemis (goddess of the Hunt) and also with his sister Athena, especially during the Trojan War. Ares was the first Greek god to be tried for murder in the hill of Areios Pagus. His symbols and weapons are: The spear and dogs, vultures, boars.

I’ve just told you about Artemis – the Greek goddess of the Hunt. She is also associated with the Moon, Childbirth and as protector of the young. Child of Zeus and Leto, Artemis is a virgin goddess. Her Roman name is Diana.

As a child, Artemis had asked from her father Zeus to remain an eternal virgin and therefore became one of the three Virgin Goddesses in Greek mythology. Artemis' twin brother was Apollo, the god of the Sun, whereas Artemis' cult was connected with the Moon. Born before Apollo, she helped her mother Leto give birth to her little brother.

This wild goddess had absolute autonomy over nature and was said to bring fertility to all places that worshipped her. Usually accompanied by Nymphs and Oceanids, Artemis loved to hunt with arrows dipped in poison.

Most common depiction of Artemis: Armed with bow and arrows and wearing a knee-high chiton. Her symbols and weapons: The bow, the snake and the deer.

Time out... More later!

Cheerio!
Anuja