#Divine genealogies

[blueheartbookclub]

"Unveiling the Mystique of Antiquity: A Journey Through 'The Myths and Legends of Ancient Greece and Rome' by E. M. Berens"

In the realm of classical mythology, E. M. Berens' "The Myths and Legends of Ancient Greece and Rome" stands as a venerable guide, beckoning readers into the enchanting tapestry of gods, heroes, and timeless tales. As I embarked on this literary odyssey, I found myself captivated by the author's adept storytelling and his ability to breathe life into the ancient narratives, making them accessible and engaging for a contemporary audience.

Berens' comprehensive exploration begins with the origins of the Greek and Roman pantheons, tracing the lineage of deities and the epic events that shaped their divine realms. The book then unfurls a rich tableau of myths, ranging from the birth of the cosmos to the heroic exploits of figures like Hercules, Perseus, and Odysseus. Each narrative is meticulously crafted, with Berens providing insightful commentary that delves into the symbolic and cultural significance of these tales.

What sets Berens' work apart is his knack for blending academic rigor with a storyteller's flair. He navigates the intricate genealogies and complex relationships of the gods with clarity, ensuring that readers, whether well-versed in classical mythology or newcomers to the subject, can easily follow the intricate narratives. The prose is eloquent, evoking the grandeur of ancient civilizations while maintaining a modern accessibility that makes the myths feel vibrant and relevant.

One of the standout features of the book is Berens' meticulous attention to detail. He not only recounts the well-known myths but also unearths lesser-known stories, providing a holistic view of the ancient mythological landscape. The inclusion of lesser-known tales adds depth to the reader's understanding, creating a nuanced portrayal of the diverse characters and themes that populate the classical mythos.

"The Myths and Legends of Ancient Greece and Rome" also serves as a valuable cultural resource, shedding light on the moral and philosophical underpinnings of these ancient societies. Berens explores how these myths were interwoven into the fabric of daily life, shaping religious practices, artistic expressions, and even political ideologies. This contextualization enriches the reader's appreciation for the enduring impact of classical mythology on Western culture.

While Berens' work is undoubtedly a comprehensive and illuminating resource, it is not without its limitations. The book, originally published in the late 19th century, reflects the perspectives and biases of its time. Some readers may find aspects of the text to be outdated or culturally insensitive. Additionally, the absence of in-depth analysis or critical engagement with the source material may leave scholars wanting more scholarly depth.

In conclusion, "The Myths and Legends of Ancient Greece and Rome" by E. M. Berens is a captivating journey through the timeless narratives of classical mythology. Berens' storytelling prowess, coupled with his dedication to presenting a comprehensive overview, makes this book a valuable companion for anyone seeking to explore the rich tapestry of ancient Greek and Roman myths. The author's ability to strike a balance between academic rigor and engaging storytelling ensures that this work remains an enduring classic in the realm of mythological literature.

E. M. Berens' "The Myths and Legends of Ancient Greece and Rome is available in Amazon in paperback 16.99$ and hardcover 23.99$ editions.

Number of pages: 422

Language: English

Rating: 9/10                                           

Link of the book!

Review By: King's Cat

[blueheartbooks]

"Unveiling the Mystique of Antiquity: A Journey Through 'The Myths and Legends of Ancient Greece and Rome' by E. M. Berens"

In the realm of classical mythology, E. M. Berens' "The Myths and Legends of Ancient Greece and Rome" stands as a venerable guide, beckoning readers into the enchanting tapestry of gods, heroes, and timeless tales. As I embarked on this literary odyssey, I found myself captivated by the author's adept storytelling and his ability to breathe life into the ancient narratives, making them accessible and engaging for a contemporary audience.

Berens' comprehensive exploration begins with the origins of the Greek and Roman pantheons, tracing the lineage of deities and the epic events that shaped their divine realms. The book then unfurls a rich tableau of myths, ranging from the birth of the cosmos to the heroic exploits of figures like Hercules, Perseus, and Odysseus. Each narrative is meticulously crafted, with Berens providing insightful commentary that delves into the symbolic and cultural significance of these tales.

What sets Berens' work apart is his knack for blending academic rigor with a storyteller's flair. He navigates the intricate genealogies and complex relationships of the gods with clarity, ensuring that readers, whether well-versed in classical mythology or newcomers to the subject, can easily follow the intricate narratives. The prose is eloquent, evoking the grandeur of ancient civilizations while maintaining a modern accessibility that makes the myths feel vibrant and relevant.

One of the standout features of the book is Berens' meticulous attention to detail. He not only recounts the well-known myths but also unearths lesser-known stories, providing a holistic view of the ancient mythological landscape. The inclusion of lesser-known tales adds depth to the reader's understanding, creating a nuanced portrayal of the diverse characters and themes that populate the classical mythos.

"The Myths and Legends of Ancient Greece and Rome" also serves as a valuable cultural resource, shedding light on the moral and philosophical underpinnings of these ancient societies. Berens explores how these myths were interwoven into the fabric of daily life, shaping religious practices, artistic expressions, and even political ideologies. This contextualization enriches the reader's appreciation for the enduring impact of classical mythology on Western culture.

While Berens' work is undoubtedly a comprehensive and illuminating resource, it is not without its limitations. The book, originally published in the late 19th century, reflects the perspectives and biases of its time. Some readers may find aspects of the text to be outdated or culturally insensitive. Additionally, the absence of in-depth analysis or critical engagement with the source material may leave scholars wanting more scholarly depth.

In conclusion, "The Myths and Legends of Ancient Greece and Rome" by E. M. Berens is a captivating journey through the timeless narratives of classical mythology. Berens' storytelling prowess, coupled with his dedication to presenting a comprehensive overview, makes this book a valuable companion for anyone seeking to explore the rich tapestry of ancient Greek and Roman myths. The author's ability to strike a balance between academic rigor and engaging storytelling ensures that this work remains an enduring classic in the realm of mythological literature.

E. M. Berens' "The Myths and Legends of Ancient Greece and Rome is available in Amazon in paperback 16.99$ and hardcover 23.99$ editions.

Number of pages: 422

Language: English

Rating: 9/10                                           

Link of the book!

Review By: King's Cat

[mybeautifulchristianjourney]

God Promises Deliverance

1 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Now you will see what I will do to the king of Egypt. I will use my great power against him, and he will let my people go. Because of my power, he will force them out of his country.”

2 Then God said to Moses, “I am the Lord. 3 I appeared to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob by the name, God All-Powerful. But they did not know me by my name, the Lord. 4 I also made my agreement with them to give them the land of Canaan. They lived in that land, but it was not their own land. 5 Now I have heard the cries of the Israelites. The Egyptians are treating them as slaves. And I remember my agreement. 6 So tell the people of Israel that I say to them, ‘I am the Lord. I will save you from the hard work the Egyptians force you to do. I will make you free. You will not be slaves to the Egyptians. I will free you by my great power. And I will punish the Egyptians terribly. 7 I will make you my own people, and I will be your God. You will know that I am the Lord your God. I am the One who saves you from the hard work the Egyptians force you to do. 8 I will lead you to the land that I promised to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. I will give you that land to own. I am the Lord.’”

9 So Moses told this to the people of Israel. But they would not listen to him. They were discouraged, and their slavery was hard.

10 Then the Lord said to Moses, 11 “Go tell the king of Egypt that he must let the Israelites leave his land.”

12 But Moses answered, “The Israelites will not listen to me. So surely the king will not listen to me, either. I am not a good speaker.”

13 But the Lord told Moses and Aaron to talk to the king. He commanded them to lead the Israelites out of Egypt.

Families of Israel

14 These are the leaders of the families of Israel:

Israel’s first son, Reuben, had four sons. They were Hanoch, Pallu, Hezron and Carmi. These are the family groups of Reuben.

15 Simeon’s sons were Jemuel, Jamin, Ohad, Jakin, Zohar and Shaul. Shaul was the son of a Canaanite woman. These are the family groups of Simeon.

16 Levi lived 137 years. These are the names of his sons according to their family history: Gershon, Kohath and Merari.

17 Gershon had two sons, Libni and Shimei, with their families.

18 Kohath lived 133 years. The sons of Kohath were Amram, Izhar, Hebron and Uzziel.

19 The sons of Merari were Mahli and Mushi.

These are the family groups of Levi, according to their family history.

20 Amram married his father’s sister Jochebed. Jochebed gave birth to Aaron and Moses. Amram lived 137 years.

21 Izhar’s sons were Korah, Nepheg and Zicri.

22 Uzziel’s sons were Mishael, Elzaphan and Sithri.

23 Aaron married Elisheba. She was the daughter of Amminadab and the sister of Nahshon. Elisheba gave birth to Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar.

24 The sons of Korah were Assir, Elkanah and Abiasaph. These are the family groups of the Korahites.

25 Eleazar son of Aaron married a daughter of Putiel. And she gave birth to Phinehas.

These are the leaders of the family groups of the Levites.

26 This was the Aaron and Moses to whom the Lord spoke. He said, “Lead my people out of Israel in their divisions.” 27 Aaron and Moses are the ones who talked to the king of Egypt. They told him to let the people of Israel leave Egypt.

God Repeats His Call to Moses

28 The Lord spoke to Moses in the land of Egypt. 29 He said, “I am the Lord. Tell the king of Egypt everything I tell you.”

30 But Moses answered, “I am not a good speaker. The king will not listen to me.” — Exodus 6 | International Children’s Bible (ICB) The Holy Bible, International Children’s Bible® Copyright© 1986, 1988, 1999, 2015 by Thomas Nelson. Cross References: Genesis 12:7; Genesis 15:18; Genesis 17:1; Genesis 17:7-8; Genesis 26:3; Genesis 35:11; Genesis 46:9-10; Exodus 1:11; Exodus 1:14; Exodus 2:1-2; Exodus 2:11; Exodus 3:10-11; Exodus 4:1; Exodus 4:10; Exodus 5:1; Exodus 6:13; Exodus 7:2; Exodus 7:4; Exodus 24:1; Leviticus 10:1; Leviticus 10:4; Numbers 3:1; Numbers 3:17-18; Numbers 3:19-20; Numbers 3:30; Numbers 16:1; Numbers 25:7; Numbers 26:11; Joshua 24:33; 1 Chronicles 4:24; 1 Chronicles 6:2; 1 Chronicles 6:17-18; 1 Chronicles 6:22-23; 1 Chronicles 6:37-38; 1 Chronicles 23:21; Isaiah 6:5; Jeremiah 1:6; Acts 13:17; Revelation 10:6

Exodus 6 Bible Commentary - Matthew Henry (concise)

Key Passages in Exodus 6

1. God renews his promise by his name JEHOVAH 9. Moses vainly attempts to encourage the Israelites 10. He and Aaron are again sent to Pharaoh 14. Genealogies of Reuben, Simeon and Levi, of whom came Moses and Aaron 26. The history resumed

[andromeda-sapphire]

I haven’t posted on here in a while but I got a new tarot deck and I just had to share this witchy ancestor experience I had tonight!

So I got the Darkside Skeleton tarot deck specifically for ancestor work, and I asked the cards which of my blood ancestors was here with me tonight and upon drawing the first of three cards I immediately knew it was my paternal 2nd great grandfather John. The cards were the 7 of swords, page of wands, and the magician reversed. These cards all have kind of a playful trickster/thief meaning to them and this ancestor stole cattle from neighboring farms in the 1870s to fuel his butcher business. 😂 Not only that but then I opened up Instagram and immediately the first thing I randomly see in my feed is an Irish tourism ad. I haven’t looked at travel sites to Ireland or anything lately, this was super random. But he was Irish, he migrated to New Zealand for the gold rush in the 1860s.

I feel so touched, he was one of the first ancestors I felt a real connection to and found a lot of information about in my genealogy research. I am so happy he’s reaching out to me!

☠️ btw Happy Samhain ☠️

[gingernut1314]

Good Omen

Kyojuro Rengoku x F!Reader

Summary: The Rengoku genes are hard to fight against, but your newborn child finds a way.

Warnings: gendered terms (wife, husband, female, male), reader has a baby (not shown)

Word Count: 840+

A/N: First time writing for Kyojuro and I don't know why I haven't before this because I LOVE that man too much. He is one of my many, dearly beloved husbands ✋😩. I hope you all enjoy!

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You had pushed out a carbon copy of Kyojuro Rengoku.

You had thought maybe--maybe your genes would stand a chance in the creation of your child.

You thought that maybe the sweet new life you would bring into this world might have your nose or your eyes or even your cheekbones.

You, of course, thought wrong. 

You didn’t know why you had hoped so passionately for your child to look like you, not when the entirety of the Rengoku line looked like one person had transported himself through time to live with himself from various different ages.

Bushy and wild yellow hair already grew from your sweet babes head. Bright, red and yellow-rimmed, owl-wide eyes blinked up at you. Pointed nose, high cheekbones, strong grip around your finger, and small but dark eyebrows.

This baby was your husband's clone, just as he and his brother had been clones of their father, and their father a clone of his father. 

The one thing you had gifted your baby--the one thing that seemed to have fought tooth and nail through the overwhelming power of Rengoku genealogy had you worrying your lip between your teeth. 

Your baby was born female. 

Female when generation after generation of Rengoku and Flame Hashira had been male. 

You couldn’t help the bit of panic that wound tightly in your chest as you turned your gaze from your baby to your husband, who burst into your room eyes shining and smile so wide you thought the corners might brush the lobe of each ear. 

“How is my darling wife?” Kyojuro’s voice boomed through the room, making your midwives cringe and shush him. You, nor it seemed your child, cared. You were used to it, comforted by its consistent optimism, and your baby seemed to feel the same way. 

Kyojuro noticed the shushes and whispered an apology back. A whisper that still managed to be projected further than your midwives cared for. 

“Sweetheart,” You started as Kyojuro gracefully knelt next to where you sat. 

“Yes?” He murmured, softer now that he was leaning closer to gaze upon his baby. You moved her so that you could present her sleeping face to her father. 

“The baby…she’s--well she’s a girl.” You heard Kyojuro take a small inhale of breath and your panic spiked. There hadn’t been a single girl in his family for generations. Not one and here you were, giving him a female heir. 

You had never known your husband to grow angered. To get mad at you but--maybe this was the line? Maybe it was the line and you were panicking to know what he was thinking. 

“Perfect!” He boomed spooking the midwives, some of who gave strangled yelps. “Perfect!” He repeated proudly. “A girl? Are you sure?” He turned to look back at you in his excitement, yellow and red eyes--they were brimming with tears as they looked at you. You felt your own eyes burn in relief. In your utter love for the man kneeling beside you. 

“Yes, I’m sure. You’re not mad?” Kyojuro gave a barking laugh at such a thought.

“Mad? No. I’m ecstatic!” You gave your own laugh, your tears spilling from your eyes. Kyojuro brushed his calloused thumb over your cheeks, clearing them both of the racing droplets. “You know there hasn’t been a single female Rengoku since the beginning of our family line.” You nodded, giving a humming “mm-hmm” that caught in your throat, which had tightened painfully in your fear. “Many believed we were divinely blessed for this, but I always felt it was a curse.” 

“Do you want to hold her?” 

“More than anything.” Kyojuro beamed. You gently passed your baby to her father, her dark brows furrowing at the sudden change. 

Kyojuro never once took his eyes off his child. Didn’t stop to brush his own tears away as he took in every last detail of your daughter's face, a look of such love in his eyes it was overwhelming. 

“You are special. A good omen.” He whispered down to her. “And I love you. Oh dear--how my heart bursts for you.” 

Your own heart felt like it would flutter so hard it would explode right from your chest at the words he gifted his daughter. He was a good man and already a good father.

You brushed your own fingers over his cheeks, clearing them of his tears and running them through his wild hair. 

“Want to invite Senjuro in?” 

“Only if you wish, dear.” You nodded your head and Kyojuro took a few more, unhurried minutes to hold and watch over his child before passing her back to you. As soon as she was securely within your hold once more, he was popping up to his feet. 

“Senjuro!” He called, giving the midwives another frightful start. You watched your husband rush out of the room, lips in a near-painful smile as you chuckled at his excitement. “Senjuro! My baby is a girl! She’s a girl!” 

You had been completely foolish to worry. 

You and your daughter were in very good and loving hands.

[evermore-grimoire]

The Evermore Grimoire: Greek Mythology

Khaos (Χαεος meaning "Gap" or "Chasm") was the first of the primeval gods to emerge at the creation of the universe in Greek Mythology. Personified as a female, she was the primal feature of the universe, a shadowy realm of mass and energy (mostly negative and dark) within the world that would stem forth in later genealogies. In the beginning, Khaos was all that there was, the dark majesty and mystery of creation incarnate. It was from her that the first three primordial gods sprang forth: Gaia (goddess of earth), Tartarus (the Underworld) and Eros (god of love), the fairest among the deathless gods. Gaia would go on to become the mother of everything beautiful within the world; Khaos however would not be as fortunate. Out of herself, she would give birth to two more children: Erebus (god of darkness) and Nyx (goddess of the night). Their sexual union produced the luminous offspring, Aether (god of the divine air) and Hemera (goddess of the day). However it would her daughter Nyx that would bring fear to the almighty god, Zeus (king of the gods).

artwork by Yliade

[trikaranos]

TRIKARANOS CHAPTER II: THRESHOLD (part 1)

TRIKARANOS is a comic about Crassus until it isn't. Intended for an adult audience.

SO! Chapter 2 clocked in at over 20 pages, which means I'll be posting it in batches of like, five or six pages as I finish lettering because trying to format 20 pages in a single photoset is a nightmare and I'm not going to do that lmao

⭐ Trikaranos will always be free to read. In the near future, you’ll have the option to support this comic & my ability to spend time making it through Patreon! currently, I have a tip jar!

⭐ There is no set update schedule (chapters vary in length and will be posted as I finish working on them)

⭐ alternative places to read it (coming soon!)

CREDITS all additional art used are in the public domain, and the specific images used are open access, etc

📌 The Mouth of a Cave, Hubert Robert

📖 PREVIOUS CHAPTER | START HERE | ToC (under construction!)

UNDER THE CUT entirely optional: the creator’s commentary, ancient citations, stuff I thought was neat, etc.

on the topic of legendary ancestors and gods and heroes, T.P. Wiseman's Legendary Genealogies in Late-Republican Rome is a really fun read

also have you ever noticed that caves are fucking weird. like. what's up with caves. however: caves perform the same function as a forest (and a maze)

Nel mezzo del cammin di nostra vita mi ritrovai per una selva oscura, ché la diritta via era smarrita.

-Dante, Divine Comedy

(it's a transformative journey) (a transformative underworld journey, even!)

speaking of which. parents. brothers. oof. can't think too hard about how crassus grew up eating meals with his whole family otherwise I'll feel like I have to walk into the woods and start screaming.

Sophocles’ Antigone (trans. Ruth Fainlight & Robert J. Littman) / Catullus 101 (trans Anne Carson)

[southernmermaidsgrotto]

Hoodoo, Rootwork and Conjure sources by Black Authors

Because you should only ever be learning your ancestral ways from kinfolk. Here's a compilation of some books, videos and podcast episodes I recommend reading and listening to, on customs, traditions, folk tales, songs, spirits and history. As always, use your own critical thinking and spiritual discernment when approaching these sources as with any others.

Hoodoo in America by Zora Neale Hurston (1931)

Mules and Men by Zora Neale Hurston (1936)

Tell my horse by Zora Neale Hurston (1938)

Let Nobody Turn Us Around: An African American Anthology by Manning Marable and Leith Mullings, editors (2003)

Black Magic: Religion and the African American Conjuring Tradition by Yvonne P. Chireau (2006)

African American Folk Healing by Stephanie Mitchem (2007)

Hoodoo Medicine: Gullah Herbal Remedies by Faith Mitchell (2011)

Mojo Workin': The Old African American Hoodoo System by Katrina Hazzard-Donald (2012)

Rootwork: Using the Folk Magick of Black America for Love, Money and Success by Tayannah Lee McQuillar (2012)

Talking to the Dead: Religion, Music, and Lived Memory among Gullah/Geechee Women by LeRhonda S. Manigault-Bryant (2014)

Working the Roots: Over 400 Years Of Traditional African American Healing by Michele Elizabeth Lee (2017)

Barracoon: The Story of the Last "Black Cargo" by Zora Neale Hurston (2018)

Jambalaya: The Natural Woman's Book of Personal Charms and Practical Rituals by Luisa Teish (2021)

African American Herbalism: A Practical Guide to Healing Plants and Folk Traditions by Lucretia VanDyke (2022)

These are just some suggestions but there's many many more!! This is by no means a complete list.

I recommend to avoid authors who downplay the importance of black history or straight out deny how blackness is central to hoodoo. The magic, power and ashé is in the culture and bloodline. You can't separate it from the people. I also recommend avoiding or at the very least taking with a huge grain of salt authors with ties to known appropriators and marketeers, and anyone who propagates revisionist history or rather denies historical facts and spreads harmful conspiracy theories. Sadly, that includes some black authors, particularly those who learnt from, and even praise, white appropriators undermining hoodoo and other african and african diasporic traditions. Be careful who you get your information from. Keeping things traditional means honoring real history and truth.

Let me also give you a last but very important reminder: the best teachings you'll ever get are going to come from the mouths of your own blood. Not a book or anything on the internet. They may choose to put certain people and things in your path to help you or point you in the right direction, but each lineage is different and you have to honor your own. Talk to your family members, to the Elders in your community, learn your genealogy, divine before moving forwards, talk to your dead, acknowledge your people and they'll acknowledge you and guide you to where you need to be.

May this be of service and may your ancestors and spirits bless you and yours 🕯️💀

[thegreatzombieartisan]

Aredhel and Turgon:

Civilization vs. Wilderness

It’s apparent that Aredhel is partly inspired by Artemis, virgin Greek goddess of wilderness, hunting, and moon (or twilight) — and right down to her fiery will.

I’m probably late to the party, but while listening to a doc on the history of poetry, it dawned on me: Tolkien partly based Turgon on Apollo — Greco-Roman god of art, music, and poetry.

The connection is not readily intuitive since Turgon isn’t explicitly characterized as a patron of fine arts. However, civilizations have been based, to an extraordinary degree, on poetry. Language creates shared awareness and memory through oral history, genealogy, hymns, lore, and law, etc. In essence, Apollo’s arts are the cornerstones of civilization.

The Greeks had the Odyssey, Euripides, and Sophocles. Chinese civilization is based on the Confucian anthology. For the Hebrews, it was the psalms and prophets of the Old Testament. Similarly, exiled Noldor civilization is based on the Quenta Silmarillion. It is Turgon’s personal legacy and “song” within the grander Music. Hence why he specifically erected Middle Earth’s first stone building (arts as “cornerstones” of civilization, get it?)

For within Turgon’s kingdom of Gondolin lived the great loremaster Pengolodh. Drawing from first-hand accounts, as well as verse and song, he chronicled the story of the exiled Noldor: the Silmarils, War of Wrath, Rings of Power, and fall of the Gondolin, etc.

Apollo/Turgon and Artemis/Aredhel: two sides of the same coin

The friction between Turgon and Aredhel parallels Apollo and Artemis. As fraternal twins, Artemis is the moon and night whereas Apollo is the light and day. Their opposites symbolize the duality of mankind through divine expression. Apollo represents reason and order while Artemis signifies the more untamed aspects of our nature.

[sforzesco]

ANTONY: if Caesar doesn't set Sextius Baculus up in a house worthy of Lucullus for all that he did, I'll kill him myself.

so the fun thing about the Caesarians is that there is. weird stuff happening in there. a lot of focus seems to go towards non Caesarian dissent, specifically with the conspiracy of Cassius and Brutus, but there's like. stuff going on in Caesar's own camp that's very Intriguing.

There's a couple places where you can see some clear points that would be grounds for a conspiratorial falling out between Caesar and Trebonius, but from the way that Trebonius tries to seduce Antony over to conspiracy, I wonder if there was a secret third thing that was going on since Antony turned him down but. didn't snitch intriguing!

anyway, all of this is to say that this means I get to invent some shit. like, I'm drawing comics which is already invention, but this is one where I get to really start throwing stuff into the narrative soup because it has to set up three different character arcs (Trebonius, and then Antony twice)

(in theory, this would be explained in the story itself if I did the entirety of the Gallic Wars out as a comic. which I have not done because I do not want to draw horses. I wanted to fuck around with some panel layouts and not draw a single horse, so now I will provide the context and revisit this in the future)

Antony's comment about Trebonius running himself into a grave has to do with the Caesar's Gallic Wars have a lot of men doing a whole lot for Caesar that has me going. hey. hey guys. uh.

specifically, Sextius Baculus:

The War for Gaul, Julius Caesar (trans James J. O'Donnell)

and the closing comment from Antony is playing on several things: romans claiming gods on their family tree (see: Legendary Genealogies in Late-Republican Rome, T.P. Wiseman for more on this) and then divinization arc of Caesar and Octavian. Antony himself will later be taking part the same kind of god-association that has prompted his disdain in this scene

At any rate, when Antony made his entry into Ephesus, women arrayed like Bacchanals, and men and boys like Satyrs and Pans, led the way before him, and the city was full of ivy and thyrsus-wands and harps and pipes and flutes, the people hailing him as Dionysus Giver of Joy and Beneficent. For he was such, undoubtedly, to some; but to the greater part he was Dionysus Carnivorous and Savage.

Plutarch, Antony 24

and the second layer of thematic fun: Antony's later relationship with his soldiers is something similar to what Caesar had with his here, but ultimately: decayed. Antony's love affair with his military makes his failure to lead well at the end a worse betrayal. at some point I'll talk about Antony's Tormentous Military Nightmare and cite some academic sources, but Linda Bamber's description of the final tragedy of Antony and his men lives in my head rent free

Cleopatra and Antony, Linda Bamber

where's the fun in doing identity focused tragedy if you don't become unrecognizable to yourself later on! isn't that right mark antony

ko-fi⭐ bsky ⭐ pixiv ⭐ pillowfort ⭐ cohost ⭐ cara.app

[agnesandhilda]

thinking about debbie grayson having to insist to both her husband and her son that regular nonsuperpowered human beings (read: her) have important, meaningful lives and experiences, and how heroic epics like the iliad only trace genealogies down the patrilineal line, this conflation of divinity and masculinity and power that erases the women of these families from historical memory and narrative importance

[lionofchaeronea]

At the moment, I'm reading the Penguin Classics edition of the so-called Apocryphal Gospels, edited by Simon Gathercole. Specifically, I'm on the Gospel of Marcion, an influential second-century thinker who saw the vengeful God of the Old Testament and the merciful God of the New as separate deities, implacably opposed to one another. Marcion produced his own, heavily edited version of Luke's Gospel, stripping out all references to Jesus' Davidic genealogy and human relatives, as well as any mentions of divine judgment. My training is as a classicist, not as a scholar of early Christianity, so much of this is terra incognita for me. But hey, if one is never willing to learn new things, one will never grow as a person, am I right?

[littlesparklight]

The Trojan royal family tree*! (*Almost complete! I'm sure you'll forgive me for the oversight of not including all of Priam's children, either by Hecuba or other secondary wives/concubines.)

You're going to want to full-view; as complicated as this one is I didn't want to make it smaller and then make it harder to read. (Though even full view doesn't fully help so I'll try to summarise under the cut:)

-Helen and Paris' children aren't part of any main tradition, and neither is Oxynios, mentioned by Konon, but I wanted to include them! -Eriope is named as the mother of at least Hippodamia in Iliad scholia (here made the mother of all Anchises' non-demigod children). -Eurydike, daughter of Priam and Hecuba, is named this in the Kypria; otherwise known as Kreusa. - The genealogy for Lakoon comes from Hyginus' Fabula 135. -Eioneus is named by Pherekydes as the son of either Proteus (the sea god) or Sangarios. Obviously I chose Sangarios. -Tenes is the son of Proklia and Apollo, with Kyknos is nominal/mortal father. -Batia has no named mother, so while she might be a nymph or the daughter of one, I didn't colour her circle as such, since we can't know. -Elymos and Aineias' two daughters are mentioned in Roman Antiquities by Dionysios of Halikarnassos. -Ploutus is divine, while his brother Philomelos is mortal.

[tylermileslockett]

Unlike Homer, we do have some record of the poet Hesiod, as he brought details of his personal life into his work. His epic poems are invaluable reference sources for the formation of the cosmos and the genealogies of the Greek Gods.

The first major extant (still existing) work of Hesiod’s is the epic poem and invocation hymn “Theogony,” (origin of the gods, 700 B.C.E.) In the poem, while shepherding sheep upon Mount Helicon, Hesiod tells of encountering the Muses who gift Hesiod a laurel staff, a symbol of poetic authority, and breathing into him the divine breath of inspiration. In this poem Hesiod gives us the forming of the universe from Uranus (sky) and Gaia (earth) and the cyclops, giants, and Titans to follow. In this work with have the triple succession motif of sons overthrowing fathers with Cronus overthrowing Uranus, and then Zeus overthrowing Cronus in the Titanomachy (war between Olympians and titans.)

His second work, “Works and Days” is a didactic collection of pastoral poetry tales used to illustrate for his ne’er-do-well brother, Perses, how to lead a more virtuous life through hard work, humility and justice. Here we get the tales of Prometheus stealing fire from Zeus and Pandora opening the jar and releasing evil upon mankind. Hesiod also lists the fascinating fives ages of man; the Golden age, the Silver age, the Bronze age, the Heroic age, and the Iron age. The poem ends with ruminations on seasons and agricultural wisdom.

In my illustration we see the sacred fountain of Hippocrene in the background, which was said to have poured forth when Pegasus struck his hoof into the ground. The sacred stream was said to give the drinker poetic inspiration.

One tale of Hesiod’s death is that the oracle of Delphi told him he would die at Nemea, so he fled to Locris, where he, unable to escape fate, eventually died at the temple to Nemean Zeus, fulfilling the prophecy in typical ironic fashion.

Thanks for looking and reading, and for rehashing/reblogging my works you fine Tumblr folks! Happy 2023! xoxo

If you want to see more of my art, please click my linktree: https://linktr.ee/tylermileslockett

[alatismeni-theitsa]

I've got a strange question about Zeus' affairs... Do Ancient authors elaborate on these supernatural seduction stories or do they just day "Zeus seduced her taking the form of X"...

Like, do they tell us if, after catching the girl's attention Zeus goes back to a more human form, or does the "deed" take place while Zeus has an animal form (that would be more weird)?

I don't want to seem offensive / graphic, I'm just curious about how Ancient writers and storytellers tell this stories, a story can be very different depending on how you tell it and I suppose "a beautiful swan caught my eye, then turned in this handsome divine man and I wanted to bed him" is a much more compelling version of events than "a strange swan flew where I was sitting and assaulted me, that's why im pregnant".

I love your posts on Greek Myths, especially the oned related to Perseas and Medusa. XOXO

Hello! Thank you for the good words! I like those posts as well xD

Well, Greek myths were not meant to be taken that literally, or given so much thought. The deed takes place when Zeus is back in a more human form, usually, except in the case of Leda where he was in a swan form, and she birthed eggs that hatched.

But even in Leda's case, it's implied that there was some type of.... affection on her part?? Which is definitely weird because when you like a swan the next logical step is not "I want to bed it". But from what I read the coupling was more... divine in nature and beyond human logic. Like, Leda didn't bed an actual swan and she knew that it wasn't a swan. I'm just trying to explain it. I definitely don't mean that humans and swans should do anything else than look at each other in the park 😅😂😅😂😅😂

Usually, when the deity has an animal form, the children also have animal forms. (Poseidon raping Demeter as a stallion comes to mind)

Again, we are not meant to seek the logistics of these couplings. They were more like explanations than stories, and one needed the context of the time to fill in the blanks. So the story goes "Zeus wanted this woman, he seduced her in the form of X and from their coupling, she gave birth to our Hero and King. The End." It's often that simple, and the focus point is the result, aka how the hero/god/king/deity/genealogical line came to exist. The other details are unnecessary.

Sometimes we might get an extra story about how the hero/deity etc had to defend their mother from Hera or someone else's wrath which is only a means to another explanation of why a mountain/river/sea/animal exists. Again, the focus is on the result.

Which makes sense if you think more of it like this:

Imagine if, in the tale of Snowhite, we started asking "Is there an economy of magic mirrors? Is there a theme of exploited labor when it comes to The Mirror? Does the court system work in favour of the mother or father? And can we assume there is welfare for Little people in the Snowhite universe?" These are... possibly related questions to the story, but the story chooses not to explore them, and - let's be honest - we don't ask ourselves about those. Because they are so beyond the point.

Finally, the stories weren't probably created by one random guy who wanted to entertain the kids around the fire. The stories were most likely the result of divination or oracles and visions since they were about the gods. That's why they don't have all the characteristics of a traditional tale that is meant to entertain.

The first paragraphs from this post will answer your question additionally, I think!

[propheticeve]

Prophecy and Mediumship in Hoodoo

♠️♦️♠️♦️♠️♦️♠️♦️♠️

Hoodoo, born in the Americas through the experiences of Black Americans, holds diverse meanings for different practitioners—some see it as a spiritual system, others as a way of life, and some, like myself, view it as a religion. Within the depths of hoodoo, there exists a myriad of practices, all stemming from the spiritual beliefs inherited from our ancestors, albeit tempered by the harsh realities of slavery.

A distinct spiritual trait that resonates strongly within the Black community is our innate ability to heal and see, particularly in the context of prophecy. Prophecy, often associated with characters in Christian philosophy acting out divine will, extends beyond religious boundaries. Prophets, far from being relics of ancient religions, exist in the present day. Whether you explore Black religions, spiritual systems, or those influenced by Black spirituality such as Islam and Christianity, you'll find an abundance of seers—individuals capable of sharing insights gained through spirit, dreams, or visions.

Traditional hoodoo, predating modern divination tools like cartomancy, dice, dominoes, and tarot, relied heavily on dreams and visions. Our elders would nap in prayer and awaken with revelations—a form of Black American divination. Every cultural spiritual system has its unique form of divination, and for us, it encompasses dreams, prayers, visions, and even casual conversations.

Have you ever been engaged in conversation and pieced together information seemingly from nowhere? Or encountered an elderly Black woman who warned you about potential troubles? This, too, is prophecy—an integral part of our cultural heritage.

Mediumship plays a pivotal role in hoodoo, with practitioners thriving on ancestral veneration to uplift and work with the spirits of the dead. As one progresses from a novice to a hoodoo conjurer, channels open to allow contact with spirits. Practices such as graveyard walks, visits to crossroads or forests are acts of mediumship, as conjurers commune with the spirits residing there.

In hoodoo, many of our spirits were once living, and they yearn to collaborate with us. Engaging in rituals at these sacred sites not only uplifts our spirits but also allows them to guide and support us. Authentic hoodoo practice opens channels and leads to a form of self-initiation. As you delve deeper into your journey, gifts you never knew you possessed may surface, often traced back to a specific ancestor in your family.

Genealogy, an essential aspect of our mediumship, unfolds through ancestral veneration. As you honor your ancestors, they guide you to where you need to be. Mediumship in hoodoo is not a hurried process; it's a journey of self-discovery and healing. Eventually, you may find yourself interceding for others, but first, there's a personal healing and transformation that awaits each practitioner.

prophecy and mediumship serves as a profound tool for both personal healing and acting as intermediaries for others. Those seasoned in the craft, having traversed the intricacies of life, acquire the ability to peer beyond the veil. In my understanding and based on research, it's evident that spiritual gifts are inherently woven into the fabric of most, if not all, Black Americans. Many, unknowingly, harness these gifts in their daily lives. However, for those consciously developing and nurturing these aspects, spiritual and tangible rewards unfold.

As a prophetic medium, my daily routine involves moments of meditation, reading, and yes, even napping—I have the privilege of being a stay-at-home wife, after all. During the rhythm of my household chores, I engage in the act of conjuring spirits, invoking protection, healing, and love, while simultaneously binding spirits that may pose a threat. This deliberate practice is an embodiment of mediumship.

Hoodoo, in essence, is an intricate tapestry of mediumship and prophecy. It transcends the conventional notions of a spiritual system, demanding more than the mere arrangement of altars and the creation of honey jars. Hoodoo necessitates an inward journey—an exploration of self that goes beyond the surface. At its core, there is no hoodoo without acknowledging and venerating the ancestors. In the practice of hoodoo, progression is contingent upon a profound acknowledgment of one's lineage.

For Black Americans, this work is not just a choice; it's a necessity. Generations of healing beckon us, stemming from the profound scars of slavery and other malicious acts directed towards our community. The true essence of hoodoo lies in the depth of this self-awareness and the unwavering commitment to healing the wounds passed down through generations. As we engage in this work, we embark on a transformative journey that not only heals the individual but also contributes to the collective healing of our people.

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