#caeneus

[amalias-whatsoever]

what the heck was kaos on netflix???

until like the last episode I wasn't sure if I liked it, like fun and smart and all, but I thought I wasn't entirely convinced

and then Orpheus and Riddy see each others again and they leave each others for good because they know it's the best thing to do, because sometimes beautiful things end and it's okay, they still happened you'll move on. and I was SOBBING, like ACTUALLY CRYING MY EYES OUT.

I don't know when I last cried for a TV show.

so yeah it's good I recommend it.

[it-is-elias]

I love it when trans actors play trans characters because they do it perfectly (of course). And when they get to play a romantic lead, I’m going bonkers.

I’m talking about Misia Butler as Caeneus in Kaos, on Netflix, he did it perfectly.

And the series did it amazingly. HIS MUM, it’s perfect. Love this guy

[cat-in-a-mech-suit]

Transmasculinity Throughout Time: Greek Mythology

This is a relief of Caeneus from Greek Mythology getting beaten into the ground by centaurs with trees. He is one of three trans men in Greek myths that I will be discussing! Not only am I looking at actual historical trans men, but examples of transmasculine figures in myths and stories too. The next one will be FtM crossdressing and transmasculine longings written in Shakespeare - I am still wondering though, what other examples of transmasculinity in fictional myths and stories are out there?

Reiterating, I am not any kind of authority on history and am getting my information from accessible internet resources- if you want a source on something specific, ask - many sources are slightly to very problematic in how they talk about gender and transmasculinity so I prefer to not post them directly but will give them in the comments on request if you want to look into something. For this post, I am just going off of Wikipedia. Anyways, anything I post in Transmasculinity Throughout Time is my own opinions, I will talk casually and formally (I don’t really distinguish formality due to autism), and I will use the pronouns of my best judgement. If you don’t like this series for any reason, cool, don’t interact. If you like it and want to give suggestions, cool. I would like to bring transmasculine histories to light in my own way, and welcome a curious and open minded discussion.

In Greek myths, there are three trans men who are known of: Caeneus, Iphis, and Leucippus. If you read the following about Caeneus, please be aware of the content: specifically, TW for SA. Skip to Iphis and Leucippus after the break if you’d prefer to avoid it.

Caeneus was the child of Elatus and Hippea. He was born a girl, but was transformed into an invulnerable man after being raped by Poseidon. In some accounts, he asked to be transformed to avoid pregnancy. In others, it is simply so he doesn’t suffer the same thing again. This narrative is very interesting to me. Some modern sanism and queerphobia manifests as the idea of transmasculinity, lesbianism, or queerness of any kind as a response to sexual trauma. But Caeneus wasn’t a one dimensional victim turned oppressor. He was the strongest warrior of his day after he was transformed, and became king of the Lapiths. Somehow, he angered the gods, exactly how is unclear - it is suggested that it could have been worshipping or encouraging others to worship a spear instead of the gods. As punishment, they sent centaurs after him.

The most popular story involving Caeneus is actually his battle with the centaurs, not his gender transformation. It was called centauromachy, a battle between Lapiths and centaurs. Because he was invulnerable, none of the centaurs weapons worked on him, and he was difficult to defeat - to kill him, they had to actually bury him in the earth by beating him down with stones and uprooted trees. These centaurs were transphobic too. They said:

“Shall I put up with one like you, O Caeneus?

For you are still a woman in my sight.

Have you forgot your birth or that disgrace

by which you won reward—at what a price

you got the false resemblance to a man?!

Consider both your birth, and what you have

submitted to! Take up a distaff, and

wool basket! Twist your threads with practiced thumb!

Leave warfare to your men!” (Ovid, Metamorphoses).

“Transandrophobia isn’t real” “trans men have no historical presence” Meanwhile greek mythology be like… anyways.. So .. Then.. the centaurs were defeated by him! He was invulnerable. But they could still beat him into the ground with uprooted trees. It is described in Races’ translation of Argonautica, Apollonius of Rhodes: “They rallied against him, but were not strong enough to push him back nor to kill him, so instead, unbroken and unbending, he sank beneath the earth, hammered by the downward force of mighty pine trees.” This makes me think about how transmasculinity is buried in history.. Onto the next myths!

Iphis and Leucippus both have very similar stories. Iphis was born of Ligdus and Telethusa. Ligdus only wanted a son, and said he would only let the child live if it was male. The goddess Isis asked Telethusa to keep the child regardless of how it is born, and promised her aid in the future. Iphis grew up raised as a boy, and was “officially” transformed by Isis before marrying a girl, Ianthe. From Ovid, Metamorphoses:

“Her face seemed of a darker hue, her strength seemed greater, and her features were more stern. Her hair once long, was unadorned and short. There is more vigor in her than she showed in her girl ways. For in the name of truth, Iphis, who was a girl, is now a man!”

Leucippus’ tale is almost the same, he was born of Lamprus and Galatea, Lamprus would only accept a male child, and Galatea concealed Leucippus’ birth sex from her husband, giving him a masculine name and referring to him as her son. Upon puberty, he was changed physically into a man by the goddess Leto. This story actually inspired a male rite of passage in Phaistos dedicated to Leto, and inspired a wedding custom where brides would lie next to an image or statue of Leucippus before weddings. Two customs in an ancient greek city being inspired by a story about a trans man is an important and cool fact methinks.

[emziess]

Misia Butler as Caeneus KAOS, S01E02

[cestacruz]

the argonauts og post:

[drabbles-mc]

will be thinking about eurydice and caeneus for a long time, i think

[fox-with-ferns]

Mythology studies

[hecates-corner]

Isn’t homophobia just hilarious?

I mean, 750 BC was when the Iliad was thought to have been written. 750 BC. And people still argue gay people are a fad.

Hm. Right.

[thomtrebond]

kaos has done a fucking phenomenal job of incorporating a trans character and their transness into a broader narrative frame. it is shocking in its grace. i am floored.

[azuvist]

Will forever die on the hill that Caeneus is the freak in the relationship and it always threw Poseidon off.

Most of his lovers were respectful and reverent, 'it's an honor to be your lover' kind of shit.

And then there's Caeneus.

Chased him down once like some animal in rut, Poseidon forgot he was stronger.

[jadealatus]

I will defend the relationship between Eurydice/Riddy and Caeneus with my life

I've seen people say they can't understand how they can root for them as a couple when we see Orpheus struggle to save her.

Literally one of the first things we see is that Riddy has lost feelings for Orpheus and doesn't know what to do. Next thing we see her die and somehow are stuck in the underworld. How can you blame her for falling for someone else and call it "cheating" when she is dead and as far as she knows, not really married anymore? And not to mention she was planning to leave her husband the day she died.

It's 100% possible to feel bad for Orpheus while also rooting for Riddy and Caeneus' happiness at the same time.

[pukaon]

Caeneus and Fotis

[nerdasaurus1200]

Another Trans!Telemachus idea, what if Caenus is like his all time biggest hero besides Odysseus? Cause he's like the only person in all of Greece that's just like him, that could possibly understand his struggles.

Until...

the day Telemachus actually meets Caeneus in person. And as he's fanboying Caeneus is like "Kid, why are you making such a big deal about me? I'm YOUR biggest fan, you're Athena's Champion for crying out loud."

[multifandom-gif]

RIDDY & CAENEUS in KAOS 🖤

[weeby-monster-the-bastard]

my top ten greek mythology couples

Patroklos and Achilleas

Apollo and Hyacinthus

Odysseus and Penelope

Telemachus and Pisistratus (some say they were lovers, its debatable)

Ares and Aphrodite

Hermes and crocus

Orpheus and Eurydice

Sappho and Ariadne

caeneus (he doesn't need a lover to be on this list, even if he did have a lover OTHER THAN POSEIDON)

hades and Persephone

Dionysos would've been here but i still don't know how factual that he was with hermaphroditus

[cestacruz]

i cant believe there was a sequel caeneus you have to start keeping your thoughts to yourself... og post again