#RomanMythology

[whencyclopedia]

Laocoön: The Suffering of a Trojan Priest & Its Afterlife

The sculpture group of Laocoön and His Sons, on display in the Vatican since its rediscovery in 1506, depicts the suffering of the Trojan prince and priest Laocoön (brother of Anchises) and his young sons Antiphantes and Thymbraeus and is one of the most famous and fascinating statues of antiquity. In his Natural History, Pliny the Elder states that the Laocoön, created by the eminent Rhodian sculptors Hagesander, Polydorus, and Athenodorus, “is a work of art to be preferred to any other painting or statuary” (36.37). Among art historians, the sculptural group has received near-universal acclaim ever since its rediscovery under questionable circumstances in 1506.

Is the statue famously shown since its discovery in the newly designed Belvedere Garden at the Vatican Palace actually the ancient sculpture mentioned by Pliny, or rather a clever Renaissance forgery? If the latter, who may have contrived this masterful deception? If the former, is it an original, or a marble copy of a Hellenistic bronze made for a Roman patron?

Beware of Greeks Bearing Gifts

In the most famous version of the story, as told by Virgil (70-19 BCE) in his Aeneid, Laocoön had warned his fellow citizens against the Greeks “even if they bear gifts,” and had tried to expose the true nature of the wooden horse by striking it with a spear (the wooden horse in question, of course, being the notorious “Trojan Horse”, left by the Greek forces on the coast so as to provide access into the city to the troops hidden inside the construction). When later two serpents emerged from the sea to kill the priest and his sons, the Trojans interpreted their horrific deaths as an act of divine retribution and promptly decided to move the wooden horse into the city, believing the contraption to be an offering to Minerva (Athena).

According to Arctinus of Miletus, the earliest tradition of the tragedy (surviving only through later citations), Apollo had sent the two serpents to kill Laocoön and only one of his sons; while the later author Quintus of Smyrna maintains that the serpents killed both sons but spared the father.

Servius, another late authority (c. 400 CE), tells us how Laocoön managed to incur the wrath of Apollo by sleeping with his wife before the cult statue in the god's temple. An even later source, the Byzantine scholar Tzetzes, adds that the scene of Laocoön's death took place in the very temple of the Thymbraean Apollo – appropriately setting the punishment at the scene of the crime.

The 5th-century BCE Greek playwright Sophocles produced a tragedy on the subject, of which only a few fragments survive in later citations. Apart from the sources mentioned above, Hellenistic poets Apollodorus and Euphorion, the historian Dionysius of Halicarnassus, the Roman novelist Petronius, the Latin fables attributed to Hyginus, and a few other fragments, all provide various details of the tragic story.

Despite this appearance in ancient literature from the post-Homeric to Byzantine traditions, artistic representations of Laocoön's suffering are few and far between. Depictions appear in some Greek vase paintings (5th to 4th centuries BCE) and in two frescoes at Pompeii (c. 25-75 CE). The marble statue group of Laocoön and His Sons, therefore remains the most exceptional portrayal of only a handful of ancient works illustrating the suffering of Laocoön.

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[punkbarnes2]

DAY 03 - MYTHOLOGY

My commissions are still open babies, and you can also support me on Ko-fi <3

[olivermarinkoski]

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Mercury © Oliver Marinkoski 2022

[vestigegg]

With Percy Jackson and The Olympians Priemering Today here are some changes that would have made more sense with Greek Mythos than what Rick did (I love him but holy hell is none of it Accurate):

The big 3 would not have stopped having kids cause WWII (and I pray they change it in the show. it gives me the ick). Personally either, use Nazi's to have used Demigods as weapons against their will and have the gods agree no more kids to protect them, or WWI (it's a less fucked up idea, but aligning with countries over trade and political tensions is better than Nazi's). Also cold war could work but only to an extent. I know the prophecy was also a reason but good god let's get rid of the nazi's, please!

Athena is the virgin goddess. It's one of her epithets, Parthenos, the virgin Athena (what the Parthenon is named after). No kids, she has no time for romance. Now Artemis and Hestia? They're both virgin goddesses, with it being sacred, but Hestia being a goddess of the Family and hearth, and having kids would make sense (also fire Annabeth and Water Percy), whilst it's not clear if Artemis is 100% no romance (The Orion myth where their in love is only one retelling and it's the one I hate the most), but whether through her maidens, or as her role as a goddess of childbirth, or she's just a lesbian and sometimes they want kids, it's more likely than Athena. Honestly, the demigods of Artemis being the children Artemis helped birth from victims of assault would be a cool concept, the kids could be left at camp halfblood at an early age, and when the hunters visit, they could see their mums and aunts, whilst the mums could heal and know their kid is safe. Anyways, I'm 100% Athena is no romance, no sex, but loves friendships. She and Telemachus are besties, so she def has mortal friends. She and Paul would be good friends. New AU, Athena sets Paul up with Sally, cause she was already friends with Paul and is like "they'd be happy". Aphrodite is jealous that she didn't get it first.

Dinoysis should not be camp director, banished or not. What would make more sense: Ares camp director. The Greeks (Sparta and their colonies are the exception, not the rule) kinda hated Ares but in most of the myths he's in he's at best actually helping win wars, or at worst, the problem child (and the whole jar incident where he got trapped and Artemis and Hermes rescued him. Ares was hated because he represented the brutality of war, along with the revenge and cost with the eventual victory, whilst Athena was the tactics, strategy and cunning that brings victory. Regardless, in Mythos, Ares is a pretty chill guy (just not on the Battlefield.) Ares loves training, battle, and his kids. He is a girl dad (the Amazons are his kids, and he adores them), and would probably love any kid who showed an interest in fighting and battle, no matter the weapon. And it's in line with his character. He does something, gets kicked off Olympus for a bit, and gets thrusted to camp halfblood, and all the gods are like "Yeah lol, he hates kids, he's gonna hate it", but then he's there and he's like "I'm gonna teach you how to spear 3 horses in a row!" His kids love having him there, and he just kinda adopts the kids who's parent hasn't claimed them. He also will escort demigods home and threaten neglectful/shit parents. He will adopt kids who's mortal parent has abandoned them/died. Ares is camp father, and he's a damn good one. Though maybe he does get a little riled up by captue the flag.

I know the Amazons are in Heroes of Olympus, ha ha Amazon joke, but Amazon is an evil company and I hate it. The Amazon's also live in camp halfblood as trainers, friends, family, and loyal daughters of Ares. Most daughters of Ares get integrated into the Amazon's and they go on yearly retreats to Circe's island.

In later mythos Apollo became a god of the sun, and Artemis the moon, but Selene and Helios are still important players with interesting myths, and I know the whole "mortals forget" thing but Renaissance art did not. Have a plot about Endymion, Selene's forever-asleep boyfriend, Circe is a daughter of Helios, he could have other, powerful witches in their own right. Medea being a grandaughter of Helios is critical to her power and downfall. In mythos she never dies, merely disappears. Why is she evil? She is misunderstood and fuck Jason.

My hatred of Zeus runs deep and is too complicated to get into, but he is the true antagonist of Greek mythology, and I hate him. Everyone should hate Zeus.

Persephone and Hades relationship is too strained, and they never cheat on each other (Thesus and Pirithous. Once again, Rick is too kind to absolute dicks of mythology). The only time they have was Adonis and that one is weird and possibly mistranslated, but yeah, only times they cheat is when Zeus...assaulted his daughter *gags*, though in other translations the results of those unions are Hades. Hades though? Has never cheated on her. If one fell in love with a mortal, the more likely (and in my opinion sweeter outcome) is polyamory. Or have Hades and Persephone be the patron gods of any and all children of underworld gods (Thanatos, Melione ect)

On the Persephone thing, Persephone being a nature goddess is...loose? Demeter brings spring when reunited with her daughter, making Persephone's role not really nature goddessey. More interestingly greeks use the title Dread Persephone, and her role in stories aligns her as an underworld goddess. If you want an interesting deep dive into this watch OSP: Hades and Persephone on YouTube, its super interesting and goes into it better. Also fuck lore Olympus while I'm here.

Aphrodite and Hephestus being together is not always present in written works of Greek mythos. In Homer's Illiad Aphrodite is unmarried and a consort of Ares, whilst Hephestaus has his own wife, Charis. Then Homer contradicts himself (tbf, might not be a real guy) and states Aphrodite and Hephaestus are married and Ares is Aphrodite's homewrecker. So not even one (supposed) guy can keep it straight. It varies from myth to myth. Hell, at the end of some retellings of Aphrodite and Ares in chains in Hephestaus's bed, they straight up divorce. This is less nitpicky of Rick because Greek mythos has no cannon and everything is a constant mess, but with all the... less than stellar relationships within the pantheon and wider worship, it's ok to have a pairing that while is thought of, have a canonical divorce.

Also, Cupid would out Nico, Eros would not, and Psyche would punch him.

Why is Medusa solely based off of Ovid's terrible interpretation?IDK I'm not particularly fond of Ovid's retellings of myth, because of his...baggage issues. I know it's the more popularised one, but Ovid's entire story of Perseus is...so fucked up. This is also my anger toward wider mythos fans who argue whether Athena did a cool feminist thing or punished Medusa for being assaulted. In the older retellings, she was just a monster and it's so less fucked up.

Where is Ariadne? If we ignore my Ares rant, why is she not with her husband? or at least frequently visiting him? And why is she not called up in Balle of the Labyrinth? She is the patron goddess of it. Give her a cookie Percy, It'll help.

I have more but they relate to specific parts of the plot of a book, but if people are interested I can and will complain more. Sea of Monsters is the main one that comes to mind, but I'm rereading the series atm, so I can make ongoing lists. Also, I do love Percy Jackson, but I cannot think of it as having any relationship to actual Greek mythos or history or I'll scream. If you want to write an AU with any of these ideas please let me know, I love Greek mythos and I love interpretations of stories told for thousands of years.

[lonnetrix-fine-wire-art]

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Medusa is ready for battle! 🏹 Embrace her mesmerizing elegance and dive into ancient Roman and Greek myth and artistry!

www.Lonnetrix.com

[biffmitchell]

Coming Soon!

For two millennia, the mortals have turned the Earth into a disaster zone and now the Gods of Rome want it back.

Asleep for 2000 years from a spell cast to stop, Jupiter, the King of the Roman Gods, from having sex with the mortal women, the gods awaken and the ensuing war threatens to destroy all life on Earth.

Set in bars, heaven and hell, and a world of mass destruction, Oops is a hilarious extension of Roman mythology into the 21st Century.

Are there enough seedy bars and Scotch to save the world?

Check https://biffmitchell.com/books for announcements.

[michael-svetbird]

: • MINERVA's Head [or of the Goddess Roma]: Marble, 2 AD . Museo Civico Archeologico di Bologna | MCA http://www.museibologna.it/archeologicoen @bolognamusei . AGM | Phs©MSP | 02|23 6300X4200 600 The photographed object is the collection item of MCA Bologna and subject to the copyrights. [no commercial use | sorry for the watermarks] . 📸 Part of the "HEADS.Sculpture" MSP Online Gallery: . 👉 D-ART: https://www.deviantart.com/svetbird1234/gallery/78520831/heads-sculpture . 👉 FB Alb: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1400262423675664&type=3 . . #bologna #museocivicoarcheologicobologna #bolognamusei #archaeologicalmuseum #artmuseum #ancientsculpture #ancientart #arthistory #roman #sculpture #scultura #antiquity #archaeology #museology #mythology #romanmythology #ancientrome #ancient #head #goddess #minerva #menrva #μινέρβα #photography #photogallery #archaeologyart #sculpturephotography #museumphotography #archaeologyphotography #michaelsvetbird MCABologna @bolognamusei 02|23 ©msp @michael_svetbird (at Museo Civico Archeologico di Bologna) https://www.instagram.com/p/CqAeRQ5Ie4D/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[jenbro27]

Saturday Fun Fact! #romangods #romanmythology #greeknames #greekmythology #saturdayfunfact https://www.instagram.com/p/Cn95n7rvoyS/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[jumananounou]

Probably someone greek #greek #greekmythology #photo #myth #mythology #roman #romanmythology #artwork #art #sculpture #baronpalace #book #books #bookstagram #bookgram #booktok #photography #photoediting #cairo #egypt #reading #read #readersofegypt #review #bookrecommendations #bookreview #zeus #aphrodite #medusa #photography #photoediting (at Cairo, Egypt) https://www.instagram.com/p/ClG7kmRoVdb/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[provokingdrama]

"Three Graces" c.2006 acrylic on canvasboard. This was another painting I did during a couple of months where I was experimenting with primarily monochromatic color. This was white. I also wanted to do something peaceful, as opposed to my usual style. I did a lot more experimentation like this into the following year (this is from the end of 2006) and had a lot of fun in the process. #art #artlife #threegraces #peace #monochromatic #simple #experimentalart #surrealart #surrealism #baldgirls #meditation #prayer #goddesses #greekmythology #romanmythology #blueandwhite #acrylicpainting #acrylicart #acrylicartist #quiet #artistoninstagram #artistsofinstagram #artistontumblr #instagramart #igart #acrylicpainter #paintersofinstagram #instaart #instaartist #peaceful https://www.instagram.com/p/CkwNSzoSKFD/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[whencyclopedia]

4 Maps of Epic Ancient Quests

In this gallery, we cross the ancient Mediterranean world four times to follow the adventures of four great heroes from Greek and Roman mythology. Here are visual representations of timeless tales of heroism, divine challenges, and fearsome monsters: the Labours of Hercules, Jason's quest for the Golden Fleece, the interminable voyage of Odysseus, and the destiny-shaping journey of Aeneas.

Continue reading...

[olivermarinkoski]

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[biffmitchell]

Coming 2024!

For two millennia, the mortals have turned the Earth into a disaster zone and now the Gods of Rome want it back.

Asleep for 2000 years from a spell cast to stop, Jupiter, the King of the Roman Gods, from having sex with the mortal women, the gods awaken and the ensuing war threatens to destroy all life on Earth.

Set in bars, heaven and hell, and a world of mass destruction, Oops is a hilarious extension of Roman mythology into the 21st Century.

Are there enough seedy bars and Scotch to save the world?

Check www.biffmitchell.com for announcements.

[laurence-guillerm]

Hi, here is my interpretation of Aphrodite (Venus, if you're more into Romans). Goddess of love and beauty, I always like her because she often represents the power of love upon war (Ares/Mars) 🕊️❤️. And you, how do you see her?

[xphaiea]

"altogether disgusting; they snore with repulsive breaths, they drip from their eyes hateful drops; their attire is not fit to bring either before the statues of the gods or into the homes of men" • Pythian Priestess of Apollo, from Aeschylus, Eumenides "Bird-bodied, girl-faced things they are; abominable their droppings, their hands are talons, their faces haggard with hunger insatiable" "Many monstrous forms besides of various beasts are stalled at the doors of the Underworld, Centauri and double-shaped Scyllae, and the hundredfold Briareus, and the beast of Lerna, hissing horribly, and the Chimaera armed with flame, Gorgones and Harpyiae, and the shape of the three-bodied shade Geryon." • both from Virgil, Aeneid ••• Harpy textile art doll, with soft body and wired wings and feet. Feathers are individually wired and cut. Body and face is handpainted with yarn hair and shimmering metallic elements throughout SIZING: 10" (approx) Designed to be displayed on your wall, this doll has a sewn hanging loop attached to the reverse. Comes in a textile bag with handmade label and distressed ribbon/skull head charm. ••• #xphaiea #greekmyth #greekmythology #ancientgreece #romanmythology #esoteric #occult #folklore #witchcraft #magick https://www.instagram.com/p/CiNc5HdNp4e/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=