#eurylochus pass me the torch

[nothing-impt]

Ody be providing food for his family through the Ocean Drive thru

thank you SO MUCH to everyone who was on the livestream!!!!! i loved doing this, and defnetly will do again!!!!

<3

[the-coffee-fandom]

I was rewatching the animation the other day for Scylla (EPIC the Musical Thunder Saga) and realized something

Did anyone else notice that Eurylochus had a torch?

HE HAD A TORCH

I had watched the trailer and it didn’t hit me until then and I realized, why didn’t he die then?

But the animation is INCREDIBLE!!!

He had passed off the torch to someone else when he’d “saved” him, therefore carving his fate onto him. That’s when he realized what exactly Odysseus was playing at.

Perhaps this was the true set up for Mutiny.

Maybe it wasn’t about the fact that Odysseus was willing to sacrifice six of their men.

Maybe it was just because Odysseus was willing to sacrifice him.

After everything they’d gone through.

And right after Eurylochus came clean about having been the one to open the wind bag. Odysseus didn’t respond more than with the command to light up six torches. Ensuring that Eurylochus would have one of those torches.

It wasn’t about six men.

It was about them.

[betaray-jones]

So what would have happened if Polites had survived until Scylla?

If we assume that his survival wouldn't have changed anything until that point here's what I think are the potential options.

Continue reading at your own risk. Be aware that it's a tragedy.

So I don't think it would have changed anything at all.

For me there are three potential things that could have happened:

1. Polites dies to Scylla

Eurylochus almost certainly would have given a torch to Polites as one of the people he trusts so unless Odysseus intervenes he would sacrifice Polites in order to get home.

2. Polites dies during the mutiny

Odysseus would of course be able to save Polites from Scylla by making up some reason for him to pass the torch on. If Odysseus does interfere that makes his sacrifice even more obvious and would add the level that he would be willing to sacrifice some but not all members which would be a further knife in the back especially for Eurylochus. So the mutiny would definitely still happen. The big question would then be which side Polites would fall on. Does he stand with his best friend knowing the length he is willing to go for? That he just bought Polites live using a victim that Polites himself chose by passing on the torch? Or does he stand with the crew despite the threat against the life of his oldest friend? Does he try to stop it despite knowing that the loss of trust in Odysseus on the side of the crew is absolute?

Either way he runs a real risk of getting caught in the crossfire getting wounded or potentially even losing his life.

3. He dies to Zeus

At the end of the day it doesn't matter. Even if he does stand with Odysseus during the mutiny, stays true to him through it all and puts all his trust into him if Odysseus is asked to choose between the crew and his family the choice is clear and Polites even faultless and blameless dies by way of lightning bolt.

[cowboys-tshot]

I keep seeing people call Eurylochus a hypocrite, and while I kinda agree, I also kinda disagree. Hear me out.

So, people's main thing with Eury is that he gets mad at Odysseus for sacrificing six men to Scylla, but he doomed all of the crew by opening the wind bag, and wanted to abandon 22 men-turned-pigs on Circe's island. (For anyone wondering where I'm getting that number, it's from The Odyssey).

But these events aren't really the same, or comparable. Let's take them one by one. (This is gonna be a long one, so I'll cut the post here for the sake of your timelines)

The wind bag. I fully understand why people are pissed at Eurylochus for doing this, and I am too. But you have to remember that he did not do this out of malicious intent. He did not know this would end in the eventual deaths of the entire crew. Even though Eurylochus was warned about the storm being inside the bag, none of them knew it would take them right to the Laestrygonians. He had no idea Poseidon was pissed off at Odysseus for blinding Polyphemus. It was a stupid decision, certainly, but the following events were not intentional on his part.

Circe's island. Eurylochus had no reason to believe there was any way of rescuing those 22 men. Circe's a goddess/witch. What the fuck are two human dudes gonna do about that? Odysseus didn't even know what he was going to do. He would not have had any solution if not for Hermes, which is not something Eurylochus could've predicted. It's pretty reasonable for him to think that those men were a lost cause.

Scylla. So far, all of the deaths have been "accidental:" 14 from Polyphemus, 543 from Poseidon/Laestrygonians, and 1 from Circe (RIP Elpenor). I am not attributing the 543 deaths to Eurylochus for the reasons detailed above. No one knew these deaths would happen. They were all sudden/unexpected. Let's take these next sixth deaths moment-by-moment:

Odysseus redirects the ship, using directions that no one else knew (Odysseus was reading the siren's lips, but everyone else was too busy catching the other sirens, and all of them had beeswax in their ears). Odysseus tells Eurylochus to light six torches.

One by one, Eurylochus watches every man that he handed a torch get brutally eaten. He himself is almost eaten, but he passes his torch off to someone else before he notices the correlation. He only realizes what's happening as the sixth man is about to die, and Eurylochus is too late to save him.

Odysseus won't even gaze at the blood left behind. But it's all Eurylochus can look at.

These deaths were planned. Odysseus knew what he was bringing his men into, and not only did he keep it from them, he sacrificed his men that didn't even know what was happening. And Eurylochus likely feels part of the blame, having been the one to light the torches, even if he didn't know the consequences of it.

Eurylochus has a right to be upset, to be angry. These are the first deaths that could have been prevented, because Odysseus could've simply not taken his men through Scylla's territory. But that's the only way to get home. Odysseus sees it as a necessary sacrifice, but Eurylochus sees it as needless. Because at this point, Eurylochus has given up hope that they'll ever get home. What is the point of sacrificing these men for a goal we will never achieve?

This is not a situation where one person is at fault. Odysseus and Eurylochus are both to blame. Like Scylla says, "There is no price we won't pay." Odysseus himself says, "You know you'd have done the same." People do stupid, dangerous, bad shit to survive. Odysseus sacrifices his men. Eurylochus still wants to live, he just doesn't see the point in trying to return to Ithaca. That's why he kills Helios's cattle. He is starving and he wants to live, even though he knows the consequences.

The whole point of all this is that people will do awful and/or stupid things to survive. Not just Odysseus.

[nothing-impt]

AHHHHH I LOVE THEM SO MUCH

Redownloaded crk yesterday and wanted to goof today :D

[cb-writes-stuff]

I just had a thought.

What if “Scylla” is from Scylla’s perspective? Think about it. We hear Scylla singing in the beginning, but neither Odysseus nor the rest of the crew reacts. Because she’s watching them, they’re sailing through her lair.

“You know that we are the same.” … “You hide a reason for shame.” She’s observing Odysseus, seeing that he’s the leader, that he knows what’s up, and that he’s willing to make sacrifices.

“Leaving them feeling betrayed, breaking the bonds that you made,” … “There is no price we won’t pay.” She does horrible things to live, snatching men from passing ships and consuming them. “We both know what it takes to survive.” She had to cross lines and learn how to survive, and she recognizes the need for the same in Odysseus.

“We only care for ourselves.” She recognizes that all that matters is their own—for Scylla, that’s herself, and for Odysseus, that’s his family.

Here, the music recedes a bit, and Scylla sings the line differently than the others. She heard Odysseus give the order to light six torches, and what she’s only been assuming thus far is confirmed. “We’re lonely demons from hell.” Until this point, Scylla only sang in one voice, with one head, showing a human-like appearance. But now she sings in several voices with all her heads. She reflects what Odysseus did by giving that order, showing who she is “Deep down”—a monster—and bringing it to the surface.

As indicated by Eurylochus’s line, “Captain. Something approaches,” she starts approaching the ships. Before, no one noticed her; she observed unseen, hence why no one reacted to her singing. She then greets Odysseus almost politely, as one would a peer or an equal. “Hello.”

Odysseus shouts at the crew to “Row for your lives!” Scylla pursues, claiming the sacrifices one by one, as can be heard throughout her verse. She sees that Odysseus is running, failing to completely be the monster that he is. So, while she feasts, she tells him what it means to be a monster, but also gives him advice on how to live as a monster, how to live with himself.

“Drown in your sorrow and fears. Choke on your blood and your tears. Bleed ‘til you’ve run out of years.” Essentially, she’s saying “Go ahead, cry about it.” She says those things rhetorically, presenting them as options neither of them actually have, because “We must do what it takes to survive.” As monsters, they must survive. Giving up is not an option.

“Give up your honor and faith.” She stopped caring about right and wrong. She sees that Odysseus is a soldier with strong moral values, and that he must do the same and abandon those values. “Live out your life as a wraith.” Life is hardly worth living anymore, for her. But she’s come too far to simply let herself die. So she’s become an empty husk of herself, surviving for the sake of it. Odysseus will inevitably need to do the same. “Die in the blood where you bathe.” A reference to her transformation into her current state. The old Scylla died in that moment, leaving only the monster. War is sometimes called a “bloodbath”, and Scylla suggests that Odysseus has already killed so many that his journey could be considered one. He must undergo a similar transformation, letting the old Odysseus die (which he has not completely done yet) and embracing the new monster. She then reinforces the reason for doing these things: “We must do what it takes to survive.”

Finally, she talks to Odysseus directly. “We are the same you and, I.” Odysseus responds, harmonizing at “I”, meaning he can hear her. He can’t bear to admit what he is, since he still hasn’t fully become the monster he declared himself to be, which is why he doesn’t harmonize for the entire line.

I am such a nerd for this musical. Still, I don’t get everything right. Feel free to add anything or correct me in the comments.

[epicthemusical]

Haunted Thunder pt 1

WARNING THUNDER SAGA SPOILERS CANNON BLOOD AND DEATH

Time didn't work as it used to and Polites was left to float around aimlessly in the bleak underworld.He faintly remembers seeing Odysseus but already it was fading from his mind, how long has he been here? Minutes? Months? Years? He has no idea.

He is jolted out of his endless wandering and finds himself on a boat with…Odysseus?! Polites shakes himself out of his shock before rushing to hug his friend only to find himself unable to touch him only passing through him. He tries again to grab Odysseus’s arm and again he passes through his friend.

“Odysseus!” Nobody hears him though and as Polites sinks to the deck he hears singing coming from the ocean. Odysseus starts responding to a voice..wait it can't be possible. Penelope has no way of being out at sea like this so what? The answer hits him hard ...no please don't be sirens!

All Polites can focus on is stopping Odysseus from answering the siren's call. Any attempt is ignored until Odysseus raises his bow and…shoots at the siren? Polites breathes a sigh of relief as Odysseus reveals he had known all along about the sirens. The sirens had been caught and Polites couldn't help but smile.

His friend always has a plan and this time was no exception. The sirens call for mercy and Polites waits for Odysseus to convince the sirens to leave and not bother them only to freeze at the order shouted to the wind.

“Cut off their tails and throw them back in the water. Let them all drown.” Polites just stands there in shock before flinching as the crew obeys the order. Blood and screams fill the air. He slumps to the deck and sees Odysseus, cold and uncaring as he watches the sirens be thrown back into the sea before sailing on leaving behind a sea of blood and bodies.Polites feels sick to his stomach.

-------------------------

Everything fades away revealing another scene. They seem to be sailing through a dark cave and a haunting tune fills the air leaving the entire crew on edge.Odysseus orders for 6 torches to be lit and passed out to crewmembers.

Polites tenses as six monstrous heads centering around a terrifying body emerge from the inky depths of the cave. He rushes towards someone holding a torch unaware of the monster behind him wishing desperately to save them. It was a meaningless effort as he passed through them only able to watch as blood splatters the deck and soon Polites screams mix in with the screams of the crew being picked off and eaten.

One of the feathers from Julien’s ankle wings, a broken claw necklace from Nox, a scrap of Charis’s scarf.

Everything is soaked in blood as Polites sobs and screams at all the death. He knows the names of everyone that was eaten.

Julien who always put up an unbothered and mischievous front to hide his fear of hurting people he cared about.

Nox who often used his silent footsteps and cat eyes to scare the crew.

Charis who loves to sew as a way to be close to his dead mom.

Lykos who only wanted to explore the world outside of the forest they grew up in.

Almi the quarter water nymph who gifts any scales he sheds to people he trusts and loved swimming with dolphins.

Therme who welcomes hugs and cuddles using his above average temperature to keep everyone warm with a smile.

Huedo with his calming aura letting crew members sleep in his room to keep nightmares away. They are all dead now, life ended brutally and abruptly. Polites throws up as he sobs and grieves.

----------------

Polites is pulled out of his grief by Eurylochus’s voice.

“Please tell me you didn't know that would happen. Look me in the eyes Captain and tell me you didn't just sacrifice 6 men!” Polites stared at Eurylochus in shock. How could he ever think that about Odysseus he would NEVER. But the silence drags on

“SAY SOMETHING!” Eurylochus was breathing hard and Odysseus sharply turns to face him

“I CANT.” Polites stares at Odysseus in disbelief. Now that he thinks about it Odysseus had not reacted at all to the men being eaten almost like….like he had expected it…

Polites covers his mouth as his eyes tear up, feeling sick again. Odysseus didn't actually sacrifice 6 of the crew right? He watches Eurylochus face harden

“then you leave me no choice.” Eurylochus draws out the giant sword from his back and faces Odysseus.

“Please brother don't make me fight you!” Odysseus is panicking but as Eurylochus charges he pulls out his own sword to block with gritted teeth. Polites feels himself start shaking as he watches the fight.

What could have happened after he had died?! How could this happen?! Eurylochus is knocked down and Odysseus raises his sword for the final strike

“I won't let you get in my way!” Before he can deal the final blow he starts coughing up blood and he turns and sees that another crew member had stabbed him in the back with tearful eyes. Odysseus’s eyes fill with pain both emotional and physical

“My brothers…why..” He falls forward landing on the deck with a thud. Polites cries out and stumbles over to his fallen friend. Once again his hands phase through Odysseus and he sobs, unable to do anything to help.

Polites watches them patch up Odysseus before tying him to the mast. Polites stares blankly into the distance wondering how everything could have gone so wrong.

Part 2 here

[nothing-impt]

Hi! You're really cool, and the things you draw give so much happiness, I wanna give you this fanart of your AU :D

For someone who drinks gallons of alcohol Dyonysus

Dionysius

Dyson has great hair

Also not sure if they're floating on an evaporated wine cloud or magic or both but it just happened

Wish you a nice day 🙌✨

AHHHHHHHH!!! OMG I LOVE THIS SO MUCH!! The colours and everything is so perfect and you drew Dyson so perfectly! I love your art so much too! Your Eurymene drawings always make my day :) (I’m so happy rn I cant hardly put it into words so have this image instead)

(I’m keeping this art with me forever)

[nothing-impt]

I'M DEAD. Y'ALL ARE THE BEST HAHAHAHAH

Antibiotics and Telophase fighting in Little Wolf

[just-avocado]

THINGS I NOTICED YAY

Okay so there are two very interesting things I noticed while relistening to the Thunder Saga that I have to get out before I go to bed

1)Epic’s danger motif was not in the song Scylla, not even when she was mentioned by the siren

In Suffering despite being surrounded by sirens Odysseus knew he was not speaking to Penelope from the start and thus was never in danger

In Different Beast Ody and his crew have the upper hand, it’s the sirens in danger so no motif

In Mutiny the danger motif plays as Odysseus battles Eurylochus, his life is being threatened, it also plays after Eurylochus slits the cattle’s throat and they have to run from Zeus

At first I was thinking maybe Jorge just couldn’t fit the theme in because it would distract from Scyllas actual theme but if that was the case he would’ve just added it when her name was brought up like how the theme plays when we know Zeus is coming but I couldn’t hear it in the actual Thunder Bringer song

All this to say from the moment Odysseus knew they would have to pass through Scyllas territory he made peace with his choice to sacrifice 6 men knowing full well that as long as he drew attention to certain crew members (via torches) he would be completely safe, at the end of the song Odysseus and Scylla even share a verse about how alike they are like?? She was never a threat to him despite the absolute carnage she rained on his ship and I find that brilliantly fucked up

2)Second thing I noticed is that Eurylochus calls Odysseus “Ody” while he was trying to convince him not to kill the cattle “Ody, we’re never gonna get to make it home, you know it’s true.” were his words, I’m pretty sure this is the only time in the musical someone actually calls him Ody, that’s more of a fan things so to me it goes to show just how tired and vulnerable he was feeling

This is also slightly unrelated to the second point but I really think there was a part of Eurylochus that knew he was dooming himself by killing that cow but that he was so tired from the constant tragedies and despair from probably never getting home again that he killed the cow anyway, the hunger really just embodied those feelings 

But yeah that’s my two cents at least I didn’t cry this time yippee

[ghostofmyth]

Ermmmmm, chat I think I just unlocked some hidden meanings in Epic: the musical's song 'No Longer You"? And It reveals what already happened in the Thunder saga and what's going to happen in future saga's like 'Vengeance' and 'Ithaca'-

idk if it was intentional or not, but Mr.Jalapeño had REALLY outdone himself on this one 👍

Ok so there's a lot so let me break it down:

I was trying to figure out the chorus at the end of 'No Longer You' when I realized some things that are happening in the song.

The prophet is literally telling us what is going to happen (Thunder + Vengeance + Ithaca saga's), the chorus in the background at the end is giving us hints of when these events will happen in future songs, and the prophet is directly telling Odysseus that he will make it home and what is going to happen when he gets home.

1) Now most of the prophet's lines are directly referencing to the Thunder saga, that much is very obvious. Let me go through each one to show you.

"I see a song of past romance"

This line is referencing to the siren songs 'Suffering' and (maybe?) 'Different Beast', because the siren pretending to be Penelope is trying to lure Odysseus (and his men) into the water by singing, but since Odysseus and the crew had wax in their ears they were able to resiste the song and thus Odysseus commands her and the rest of the sirens to be killed right after he gets his needed information.

"I see the sacrifice of man"

This line is referencing to the third song 'Scylla', where Odysseus tells Eurylochus to light up six torches after he tells Odysseus that he was the one who had opened the bag, the fact that the 'man' is singular and not plural speaks volumes, that means that Eurylochus was going to be the sacrifice to Scylla but instead he passed around the torches, sacrificing six other men to Scylla unintentionally. Odysseus was, either way, ready to sacrifice his crew.

"I see portrayals of betrayal and a brothers final stand"

This line is referencing to the first half of 'Mutiny' and here's why. Eurylochus feels so betrayed by Odysseus because he gave up six of their men to Scylla that he decides to fight him to the death, Odysseus loses and almost dies while fighting Eurylochus (the two called each other brothers in multiple past songs, including this one), that is when the crew fully sides with Eurylochus, betraying their original captain for another, if not worse, captain. Also to mention it was Eurylochus that betrayed Odysseus first because he was the one that opened the bag that set them off course from Ithaca and right towards Poseidon.

"I see you on the brink of death"

This line is referencing to the second half of 'Mutiny', Odysseus almost dies but since he was healed by Eurylochus he lives. That's when things start to go down hill.

"I see you draw your final breath"

Now this line would be referencing to the very end of 'Thunder Bringer', where (as seen in a trailer to the Thunder saga) Odysseus is drowning after Zeus strikes a lightening bolt at the ship, thus killing everyone except for him.

"I see a man who gets to make it home alive, but it's no longer you."

Now the very last line has nothing to do with the Thunder saga. It has more connection with the 'Vengeance' and 'Ithaca' sagas (not the Wisdom saga though, that one is Athena trying to convince the other god's to free his dumb self from Calypso's island). All that we know from this line is that he is alive, he is going home, and that he is the monster rawr rawr rawr. (Also doesn't Scylla say that she and him were alike? Monster era fr 🦖)

2) Now to the chorus part, I can't really hear very well so I can't tell what have of it is saying after lighting bolt, but I do have a good theory on what it could be telling us.

At the very end, while the prophet is retelling his prophecy thing, we hear the chorus, which is telling us what events are going to happen in songs.

"I see you on the brink of death" is connected to the 'Siren song' and 'Scylla throat' part. In the first three songs of the Thunder saga, Odysseus is facing murderous monsters like sirens and Scylla who are actively trying to kill him and his crew. The monsters could be shown as the brink of death because of how dangerous both are.

"I see you draw your final breath" has the 'Mutiny' and 'Lightning Bolt' part of the chorus, the last two songs in the Thunder saga happen to have Odysseus draw his final breath twice, first in "Mutiny" while fighting with Eurylochus and second while he is drowning and passes out at the end of "Thunder Bringer" (as seen in the trailer).

It seems the lyrics are what is going to happen to Odysseus and the chorus is what songs its going to happen in. That's why we hear more than one word during the last lines "I see a man who gets to make it home alive, but it's no longer you". It's multiple song names that are going show the aftermath of Thunder saga through the not yet released saga's.

3) Now the very last one is a doozy so bare with me here-

In the beginning/middle of "No Longer You', after the prophet tell's Odysseus his future, Odysseus says,

"This can't be, we suffered and sailed through the toughest of hell's now you tell us our efforts for nothing?!"

You can tell in these lines that Odysseus is at the point of giving up, he thinks he might never make it home after hearing the prophets words. But the prophet continues.

"I see your palace covered in red, faces of men who have long believed your dead"

This line could be a reference to either the Vengeance saga or Ithaca saga, but what is happening is that the all the suitors are killed, hence the covered in red part.

"I see your wife with a man who is hunting, a man with a trail of bodies."

Again, could be referencing to either the Vengeance or Ithaca saga. But the prophet is saying that Penelope is with the man who hunted down and killed all the suitors, leaving a trail of bodies in his wake, and that they are reunited/are together.

Oh course, Odysseus doesn't understand what he is talking about so he asks "WHO", who is with Penelope? But the prophet DOES tell him who the mysterious man with blood on his hands is, who the man that Penelope is with. Multiple times in fact.

When the prophet repeats himself he is emphasizing his words. "I see you" is sung more stronger than the last time and at the end "I see a man who gets to make it home alive, but it's no longer you" the last word is sung more slower. The prophet is telling Odysseus that it's him "You".

Basically to sum it up, when Odysseus says "our efforts for nothing", he thinks that "om-gods this was worthless I'm never going to make it home". The prophet is like "Uh what, you do make it home it says right here?" Then Odysseus is like, "WHO IS THAT MAN WITH MY WIFE? I'LL KILL HIM!" Then the prophet is like, "DUDE CHILL OUT ITS YOU???"

The prophet is telling him that he will in fact get home, and tells him what's going to happen when he gets home.

Ta-da, that's what I figured out! Either that or I'm just going insane! (My thought process on this whole thing has been going on since 1am, it is currently 5:30am)

Now that I have shared my thoughts with the world, I shall now go finally sleep, night!

[magicalmyths]

i decided why not share with you what i have so far for my fic Haunted Thunder where Polites as a spirit watches the events of the thunder saga for Scylla i used my EPIC OCs for the dead men so if you want to know more about them just ask and i will send link

Time didn't work as it used to and Polites was left to float around aimlessly in the bleak underworld.He faintly remembers seeing Odysseus but already it was fading from his mind, how long has he been here? Minutes? Months? Years? He has no idea. He is jolted out of his endless wandering and finds himself on a boat with…Odysseus?! Polites shakes himself out of his shock before rushing to hug his friend only to find himself unable to touch him only passing through him. He tries again to grab Odysseus’s arm and again he passes through his friend. “Odysseus!” Nobody hears him though and as Polites sinks to the deck he hears singing coming from the ocean. Odysseus starts responding to a voice..wait it can't be possible. Penelope has no way of being out at sea like this so what? The answer hits him hard ...no please don't be sirens! All Polites can focus on is stopping Odysseus from answering the siren's call. Any attempt is ignored until Odysseus raises his bow and…shoots at the siren? Polites breathes a sigh of relief as Odysseus reveals he had known all along about the sirens. The sirens had been caught and Polites couldn't help but smile. His friend always has a plan and this time was no exception. The sirens call for mercy and Polites waits for Odysseus to convince the sirens to leave and not bother them only to freeze at the order shouted to the wind. “Cut off their tails and throw them back in the water. Let them all drown.” Polites just stands there in shock before flinching as the crew obeys the order. Blood and screams fill the air. He slumps to the deck and sees Odysseus, cold and uncaring as he watches the sirens be thrown back into the sea before sailing on leaving behind a sea of blood and bodies.Polites feels sick to his stomach.

Everything fades away revealing another scene. They seem to be sailing through a dark cave and a haunting tune fills the air leaving the entire crew on edge.Odysseus orders for 6 torches to be lit and passed out to crewmembers. Polites tenses as six monstrous heads centering around a terrifying body emerge from the inky depths of the cave. He rushes towards someone holding a torch unaware of the monster behind him wishing desperately to save them. It was a meaningless effort as he passed through them only able to watch as blood splatters the deck and soon Polites screams mix in with the screams of the crew being picked off and eaten. One of the feathers from Julien’s ankle wings, a broken claw necklace from Nox, a scrap of Charis’s scarf. Everything is soaked in blood as Polites sobs and screams at all the death. He knows the names of everyone that was eaten.Julien who always put up an unbothered and mischievous front to hide his fear of hurting people he cared about. Nox who often used his silent footsteps and cat eyes to scare the crew. Charis who loves to sew as a way to be close to his dead mom. Lykos who only wanted to explore the world outside of the forest they grew up in. Almi the quarter water nymph who gifts any scales he sheds to people he trusts and loved swimming with dolphins. Therme who welcomes hugs and cuddles using his above average temperature to keep everyone warm with a smile. Huedo with his calming aura letting crew members sleep in his room to keep nightmares away. They are all dead now, life ended brutally and abruptly. Polites throws up as he sobs and grieves.

Polites is pulled out of his grief by Eurylochus’s voice. “Please tell me you didn't know that would happen. Look me in the eyes Captain and tell me you didn't just sacrifice 6 men!” Polites stared at Eurylochus in shock. How could he ever think that about Odysseus he would NEVER. But the silence drags on “SAY SOMETHING!” Eurylochus was breathing hard and Odysseus sharply turns to face him “I CANT.” Polites stares at Odysseus in disbelief. Now that he thinks about it Odysseus had not reacted at all to the men being eaten almost like….like he had expected it… Polites covers his mouth as his eyes tear up, feeling sick again. Odysseus didn't actually sacrifice 6 of the crew right? He watches Eurylochus face harden “then you leave me no choice.” Eurylochus draws out the giant sword from his back and faces Odysseus. “Please brother don't make me fight you!” Odysseus is panicking but as Eurylochus charges he pulls out his own sword to block with gritted teeth. Polites feels himself start shaking as he watches the fight. What could have happened after he had died?! How could this happen?! Eurylochus is knocked down and Odysseus raises his sword for the final strike “I won't let you get in my way!” Before he can deal the final blow he starts coughing up blood and he turns and sees that another crew member had stabbed him in the back with tearful eyes. Odysseus’s eyes fill with pain both emotional and physical “My brothers…why..” He falls forward landing on the deck with a thud. Polites cries out and stumbles over to his fallen friend. Once again his hands phase through Odysseus and he sobs, unable to do anything to help. Polites watches them patch up Odysseus before tying him to the mast. Polites stares blankly into the distance wondering how everything could have gone so wrong.

After everything that he has seen so far, Polites' heart aches for his friend. He does not know what had happened but the rest of the fleet being missing promises a heartbreaking answer. Whatever it was that happened changed Odysseus so much that he can hardly recognize his friend. The Odysseus he knows always has a spark of mischief in his warm eyes. He always tries his best to avoid unnecessary fighting and bloodshed. He always puts his all into keeping everyone alive and safe, never asking them to do anything he himself would not do. The Odysseus he knew is nowhere to be seen anymore. The spark of life in his eyes has all but faded, becoming cold and calculated. This Odysseus shows no mercy, only cruelty. He is willing to sacrifice his men to a monster. This new Odysseus is a monster himself willing to do anything to survive. If Polites had survived would things have been different? If he had not died to the cyclops would his friend have been able to laugh and smile still? Polites leans against the mast next to his friend and grieves the broken person Odysseus had become.

You're evil omg why would you do this to me holy crap

I love angst though so thanks for this 😭

This definitely hurt to read

[midnightmah07]

YESS!!!! *Explodes but in a cute and silly way*

So in Greek mythology, whenever someone passes through Scylla's lair, Scylla will only kill six people. This is referenced in Scylla from Epic where Odysseus tells Eurylochus to light up six torches to tell Scylla that these are their sacrifices to make it through. Also, Scylla doesn't attack monsters. Imagine you're on a boat and Scylla literally skips you

Anyway, for Scylla's unique magic, I feel like bringing that reference in and the fact Scylla's a blot monster. So I feel like making his unique magic The ability to take others magic and swap it with blot. And he's only going to go for six people, and he's always gonna be on the verge of overblotting when deciding to make this swap, which would be another reason why others are scared of him

I can't help but find it funny if Ruggie was one of his magic and blot trade victims, which would also be why he doesn't like the fact he and Daisy are hanging out totally not bcus he's jealous. Also, Scylla wouldn't remember whose magic he took from, he'd only remember that he took magic from someone, but he won't remember who

UUUUUGGHHHHH Scylla makes me unwell, I feel like beating someone up whenever I mention Scylla smh. Sry this was so long btw, have a lot of things to say and IDK how to explain them in less words

Ohhh I see, it's an interesting power for sure!! Having it relating to blot as well is very creative 🙇🏻‍♀️

[that-angry-noldo]

8. What song would make a great fic (to either write or read)? (mostly because of the epic brainrot <3 but pick something else if you prefer!)

and

15. What’s your favourite AU that you’ve written?

8.

oh boy which song would make a great au? fair lady allow me to RAMBLE

since you asked about epic, i'm gonna say it. i would MURDER to read epic / odyssey inspired children of hurin fic!! it's on my "to write" list and i WILL get to it someday. Just think about the potential!! Morwen as Penelope, surrounded by a crowd of merciless men in dangerous situation yet still unwavering; aerin as her servant, in dire circumstances herself but still holding a torch for morwen when she unweaves her work during the nights; sador as euricleya - he watches over young turin (telemachus) while morwen is busy with the suitors; rian, who passed away from grief after the news of huor's death (was he eaten by cyclops as polites or did he die later as eurylochus?); and HURIN, the odysseus, the MAN HIMSELF, who will do EVERYTHING to return to his wife and family (you want more bloodshed? then set him free; to get to his homestead, he'll make everybody bleed!)

If we're talking about a singular song, I'd pick "God Games" from Epic and make it about Finrod - maybe one of the Valar (Aulë? Ulmo?) thinks Finrod should be an exception from the Doom and be allowed to become alive again. I picked this song mostly because it would allow me to use the lines "what kind of sick coward holds back his power while his friends get devoured?/he didn't even fight scylla - didn't even try to kill her!/hides inside a wooden horse to get the job done!/never handles things upfront!/pathetic and weak like his son!" in relation to Finrod and oohh boy does it SLAPS in relation to Finrod

also a minute of shameless self-promotion but i do have a fic in progress that is finarfin-centric and is inspired by the cyclops saga - it's called "Hey Cyclops" and is the only tolkien fic i posted on ao3 :D

15.

I think I'm not going to surprise anyone by saying "werewolf au"?

It's not perfect and it's a horrible mess, but I enjoy writing it. It's basically a giant sandbox for me to play in! I can write anything anytime because i feel like it, without worrying about style or form. do i want to write finrod having an Absolute Worst, Bad, No Good day in Angband? Do I want to write Maedhros not letting Finrod eat raw meat? Do I want to write Finrod spending time with Hurin's family, or being Dior's godfather, or sleeping with his pack? This au and format makes it all possible and I love everything about it. besides, i'm glad i get to have fun creating something other people enjoy. also i think werefinrod slaps.

thank you for the ask! hope you had a good day today <3

[sirtravisjacksonoftexas]

Was Jesus a Mythical Figure based on the Greek Hero Odysseus? Um, NO, and here is why.

Odysseus (Roman Ulysses) was a mythical king of Ithaca who fought in the Trojan War. For 10 years Odysseus and the other Greeks stormed the lands of Troy, soaking its soil with blood and filling its air with the wails of mourning widows and mothers. Despite this, the walls of Troy held, its armies holding its own against the Greek horde. Eventually Odysseus came up with a way to crush Troy once and for all.

The Trojan Horse.

This was a giant hollow wooden horse that was presented to the enemy Trojans as a “peace offering”. Thinking that the Greeks had given up, the Trojans took the horse into Troy, where a massive party was held. However, after almost everyone passed out or went to bed…Greek soldiers poured out of the horse, eventually opening the city gates. The night shook with the  collective battle cries of thousands of ferocious Greek warriors, who rushed into the city with murder in their eyes. Arrows and javelins crisscrossed in the air as houses were put to the torch and drunken Trojan soldiers were put to the sword. Civilians fared no better as the city came down, as the Sons of Greece howled in victory.

Odysseus was now a hero, a man admired by all the Greeks. He looked forward to going back home to Ithaca, to his wife Penelope and his son Telemachus. Their faces must have been on his mind as his ship sailed away from the Trojan shore, his battles now behind him.

Or so he thought…

On his way home, Odysseus stumbled upon an island that at first seemed just like that of any other in the Mediterranean region. However, after entering a cave filled with food, they soon discovered that the island was inhabited by cyclopes, one eyed giants with more attitude than a Pitbull that’s just been neutered. 

One of these, Polyphemus, actually lived in the cave that Odysseus and his men had found. Enraged, Polyphemus kept them prisoner in the cave, eating several of them. Eventually, Odysseus decided to get Polyphemus drunk, where he would be vulnerable. As Polyphemus drank, he asked Odysseus his name.  Odysseus lied, saying that his name was “Nobody” or “Noman” (depending on the translation). Once the brute succumbed to the wine, Odysseus and his men rammed a large, freshly made spear into Polyphemus’ eye. Polyphemus roared like a pride of lions, which prompted his oversized brothers to walk towards his cave, asking him what was going on. Remembering the name Odysseus gave him, Polyphemus became to Greek Mythology what Moe the Bartender is to the Simpsons:

“Noman is killing me by fraud; 

no man is killing me by force.”

Hearing the term “Noman”, the other Cyclopes concluded that no one was hurting Polyphemus and that he was sick. Realizing that he’d been dumped, Polyphemus removed the stone door and stood at the opening of the cave, feeling around with his hands to make sure that none of the Greeks escaped. However, Odysseus looked at Polyphemus’s sheep, suddenly getting an idea. He and all his men got underneath the sheep, holding onto their fleece for dear life as the beasts crawled under the wrathful cyclops, who didn’t bother to check their undersides. Later, as Polyphemus tore the top of a mountain off and threw both it and a temper tantrum, Odysseus called out to him from his ship, revealing his true name.

Bad move.

You see, Polyphemus wasn’t just some run-of-the-mill fantasy monster; he was the son of Poseidon, wrathful god of the sea.

To avenge his son, Poseidon condemns Odysseus to wander the sea for ten years. During this time Odysseus has many adventures, encountering anything from ghosts and ogres to goddesses and sea monsters. Eventually, he reaches home, where he finds that dangerous men are putting pressure on his wife Penelope to marry one among them. Together with Telemachus, Odysseus slays them, regaining control of his homeland. 

The story of Odysseus is one of the greatest tales of Greek Mythology. Odysseus is a thinking hero, one who uses his mind instead of brute force to tackle obstacles of every conceivable kind. He is no son of a god, but a man of mortal parents who braves both beasts and the divine in order to make his way home. But did his story inspire the creation of new gods? Indeed, was he the basis for Jesus Christ? Was Jesus a mythical figure based on this Greek hero?

Let’s see why this isn’t the case. 

1. Incarnate God?

No, Odysseus was all mortal.

 2. Son of God?

No, both his parents were mortal.

 3. Trinity?

No, once again, he was a mortal man. He was not a god, let alone a person within a trinity.

 4. Born of a virgin?

No, his parents had sex.

5. Star proclaimed his birth?

No.

 6. Visited by wise men after his birth?

No.

7. Someone sought his death after he was born?

No.

 8. Taught in a temple as a boy?

No.

 9. Baptized?

No.

 10. Tempted by the Devil?

No.

 11. King?

Yes, Odysseus was a king. Jesus is too, though not of any earthly kingdom (John 18:36-37). He is the true King of the Jews (Isaiah 9:6-7, Matthew 2:2, Luke 23:3, John 1:49-50, 18:36-37) as well as the divine king (Revelation 19:16).

BTW: so, what? Are we going to say that Odysseus was based on Gilgamesh, Minos, Saul or Solomon, because they, like Odysseus, were also kings?

12. Carpenter?

Yes, just like Jesus…and countless other people throughout history, big deal. There were also a lot of kings. Once again… are we going to say that Odysseus was based on Gilgamesh, Minos, Saul or Solomon, because they, like Odysseus, were also kings?

 13. Preacher?

No.

14. Prophet?

No.

 15. Miracle worker?

No. Odysseus did eat a plant called Moly that made him immune to the Witch Goddess Circe’s powers, but this a far cry from performing a miracle. Was the Dread Pirate Roberts a miracle worker when he swallowed a magic pill that brought him back from being “mostly dead” in the movie “Princess Bride”? 

Was Alice of “Alice in Wonderland” a miracle worker when she ate food that made her grow and drank a potion that made her shrink? 

Ingesting a magic pill or magic food and potions doesn’t make them miracle workers, anymore than ingesting a real life pill makes a mechanic a doctor.

16. Multiplied bread and fish?

No, see above.

 17. Walked on water?

No, see point 15 again.

18. Raised the dead?

No. Once again, point 15.

 19. Healed the sick?

No. Once again, Point 15!

 20. Cast out demons?

NO! POINT 15!!!!

21: Had supernatural enemies?

Oh wow! Supernatural enemies? That’s very hard to find in stories about heroes from both religious texts and myths!

I mean, that’s got to be so RARE!

Who would have thought?

Okay reader: time to do an eyeroll. Just get it out of your system, it helps when being exposed to Jesus Mythicist stupidity.

22. Had disciples?

No, he had soldiers, and they numbered far more than twelve (he had an army).

 23. His “followers” acted Foolishly at times?

Yes, but once again, remember that Odysseus had soldiers, while Jesus had Disciples (meaning “students” in Greek).

 24. Debated religious leaders of his day?

No.

 25. Betrayed?

Odysseus was no stranger when it came to betrayal.

Once, when his last ship (the others being destroyed) reached the Island of the Sun God Helios, he made his crew swear not to kill any of Helios’ sacred cattle on the island. He had been warned by the ghost of the prophet Tiresias that if they killed them, then a catastrophe would occur. His men swore, but while Odysseus slept, Eurylochus, one of his soldiers, convinced the others to kill the cattle. Facing starvation, the men broke their vow. This ticked off Helios, which in turn ticked off Zeus, and…A storm at sea killed the rest of Odysseus’ men. 

  Odysseus was also betrayed by the suitors, men who wanted to marry Penelope. Their acts of rape and inhospitality was a stain on his honor. They had also tried to kill his son, and had even led some of his servant women to commit crimes against the state. Later, when he revealed himself to the suitors, Melanthius, one of his own goatherds, supplied them with weapons. 

Jesus likewise was betrayed by Judas over thirty pieces of silver. A similarity…but not enough for Jesus Mythicists to make their case. 

Indeed, how many people in the world have been betrayed? 

26. Betrayer died soon after?

Eurylochus and the rest of Odysseus’ men died soon after killing Helios’ cattle. Likewise, Melanthius died soon after providing the suitors with weapons. However, both the suitors and the servant women carried out their betrayal for years before being stopped by Odysseus. Indeed, Melanthius had been allied with them for a while before the day when he gave them weapons to fight Ulysses.

27. Crucified?

No, Odysseus died of old age. In one version, he died defending his shepherds from Telegonus, his son by Circe. Telegonus afterwards learned that the man he killed was his father, who he had been searching for. In other versions he was exiled, in one dying of old age, in another his fate unknown. In the Odyssey, it indicates that his life will have a happy, fairy tale-style ending. 

There is not one version where he is crucified.

Some Jesus Mythicists might state “but the story where he goes to Italy, one where his final fate is not known…he could have been crucified! It’s a possibility!!!”

Actually, no. You see, for one, such an argument would be an Appeal to Possibility, a logical fallacy where one tries to state that something is true because it is possible. Might as well say that he was mauled by a bear, because it’s possible, or hunted down by the Sirens because it is possible, or struck by Zeus’ thunderbolts because it’s possible, or clubbed to death by a prostitute in retaliation for him not paying her adequately enough because hey, its possible. 

All of these possibilities hold the same amount of  weight. 

None. 

Two, it’s also an Appeal to Ignorance fallacy, accepting something as true based on lack of evidence that shows otherwise. Imagine if someone not only claimed that a giant clone of Zooey Deschanel is in a secret underground government lab, but that, since this claim is not disproven, therefore it is true! 

And three, it’s actually NOT possible, because the story of Odysseus existed before the invention of crucifixion. Crucifixion was invented in Persia in the 6th century BC. Homer’s Odyssey, on the other hand, was written about the 8th-7th century BC. True, Plutarch, who mentions the version of Odysseus going to exile in Italy, wrote in the second century, but let’s remember…he wrote in the second century. When was the New Testament written?

First century AD. 

Now, you may be wondering where Jesus Mythicists got the idea that Odysseus was crucified.

Prepare to shake your head.

Odysseus once had to sail pass the isle of Anthemoessa, home of the Sirens. Sirens were singing sea nymphs who had the heads of women and the bodies of birds. 

If you can imagine Katy Perry and a young Dolly Parton with the bodies of oversized eagles or hawks, you get an idea of what they would have been like.

However, their singing voices were even better than those of Parton or Perry. Indeed, their voices were enchanted, luring men toward Anthemoessa’s rocky shore. This led to a lot of ships sinking and a lot of men drowning, their bodies consumed by the Sirens. Wanting to avoid the same fate, Odysseus has his men stuff their ears with wax, which rendered them immune to the Siren’s allure. However, Odysseus had his men tie him to his ships mast, so that he could safely hear the sirens. Their song was so beautiful, so hypnotizing, that his men had to put stronger straps on him. After sailing to a safe distance, Odysseus was freed from the mast.

The following is an ancient Greek vase that depicts this mythological story:

Here is a closer look:

This is their proof that Odysseus was crucified.

Um…somebody forgot to tell them that being tied to a ship’s mas doesn’t = crucifixion.

Indeed, he wasn’t even being executed; he was simply being strapped down so that he could safely listen to the siren’s song.

Now, some Jesus Mythicists will try to point out similarities between these two events; Odysseus is strapped to a ship’s mast, which is both made of wood like a cross and with a similar shape to that of a cross (especially so with the sails rolled up), all the while standing straight up. Likewise, Jesus is nailed to a wooden cross, which is lifted straight up, Jesus body being vertical as well. Both are in anguish during this (Jesus due to pain, Odysseus due to not being able to go to the Sirens).

Parallel, right?

Wrong.

Crucifixion not only was a death penalty in Jesus’ time, but, as previously stated, it was being used to execute criminals since the 6th century BC. If the Gospel writers were making the story of Christ’s death up, why would they draw inspiration for the crucifixion from Odysseus being tied to a ship’s mast…instead of crucifixion itself, which was a common form of execution at the time? Remember, Odysseus wasn’t crucified; he was simply tied to a ship’s mast.

He…didn’t…die.

Now, some will counter this by saying that some ancient Christians made comparisons between Odysseus’ being tied to a mast and Jesus being crucified. However, this doesn’t mean that Christians were inspired by Odysseus’ tale to invent the crucifixion of Christ, any more than historians making comparisons between Alexander the Great and Achilles (both of whom share many parallels with each other) means that historians were inspired by Achilles to invent Alexander the Great. Andre the Giant, the late professional wrestler, bore many striking similarities with the mythic Hercules. If I note these similarities(which I did in another article, see the sources section below)...does it mean that I think that Andre the Giant didn’t therefore exist? No, it just means that I noted their similarities.  I likewise wrote an article on the fem chatbot Tay, noting its striking similarities with Frankenstein’s monster (as well as with many other similar creatures in cinema, folklore and myth. See sources section below). Does that mean that I therefore  think that Tay was a fictional character, not a real computer program? Anybody reading my article on Tay would know that wasn’t the case. Heck, people have compared the sinking of the Mignonette to “The Narrative of Arthur Gordon Pym of Nantucket” by Edgar Allan Poe, due to both also sharing many parallels (Poe’s novel predates it by decades). Does this mean that someone was inspired by Poe’s novel to invent the story of the Mignonette? Likewise, many have compared the Titanic disaster to the novella “Futility/Wreck of the Titan” by Morgan Robertson, both of which also share many parallels (Robertson’s book written 14 years before the Titanic was put to sea). Does this mean that someone was inspired by Robertson’s book to invent a fictitious Titanic?

Then why would Christians making a comparison between Jesus’ crucifixion and Odysseus being tied to a mast be evidence that Christians were inspired by the latter to come up with the former?

Keep in mind; the three examples I’ve cited above have FAR, FAR, FAR, FAR, FAR, FAR more parallels between them than Jesus’ crucifixion and Odysseus’ being tied to a mast have. Indeed, the similarities between Christ’s crucifixion and Odysseus being tied to a mast are far outweighed by the fact that one was a crucifixion and the other is not, one is an execution, the other an attempt to avoid death yet still hear the Siren’s song. One’s nailed to a cross to die for our sins, another is tied to a mast in order to both learn and survive a mystery. 

Yep, they’re about as similar as Reese Witherspoon and Alice Cooper.  

Folks, there is no crucifixion here, let alone something that inspired it.  

 28. Went to the Underworld?

Yes, Odysseus did, though he didn’t die in order to go there. He went there while still alive so that he could speak with Tiresias. After Jesus died, he went to the “heart of the earth” (meaning Hades (Old Testament “Sheol”), the abode of the dead) for three days (Matthew 12:40, Acts 2:27-31). One could say that they both went to Hades, due to the fact that the Hebrews borrowed the Greek name for the Underworld, replacing Sheol with it, but the differences in the story are far more startling than the similarities. Odysseus went to the Underworld while alive and left, while Jesus died, went there, and then resurrected.

29. Resurrected?

No, see points 27 and 28

 30. Ascended into Heaven?

No.

 31. Second coming?

Odysseus did return to Ithaca, just as Jesus will return one day to earth. However, Odysseus returned, while Jesus will return. There is not an enormous amount of theological significance to Odysseus returning to Ithaca as there is with Jesus returning to Earth. Its more akin to Robin Hood’s return from the Crusades than Jesus’ Second Coming.

33. Went in supernatural disguise?

After Odysseus returned to Ithaca, Athena disguised him as an old man, which allowed him to go unrecognized by the suitors. This was done to save his life; the suitors would have killed Odysseus if they saw him returning home. His true identity was later revealed when, out of all the suitors, only he was able to bend his own bow (one that he left in Ithaca before sailing off to the Trojan War) and firing an arrow through the heads of twelve axe handles. After this, both Odysseus and his son slew the suitors. Likewise, after Jesus resurrected, he encountered Mary Magdalene, who didn’t recognize him until he called her name (John 20:11-18). Later, he also encountered two other followers of his on the Road to Emmaus, neither of which recognized him at first, courtesy of divine power (Luke 24:13-16). After striking up a conversation with them, Jesus sat with them at dinner. As he blessed the bread, broke it and gave it to both, the men suddenly recognized who he was...only for Jesus to vanish (Luke 24:17-31). Just as Odysseus showed signs of who he was while disguised (i.e. stringing the bow and firing it through the twelve axes), Jesus showed his unparalled knowledge of the scriptures with the men on the road to Emmaus, who felt their hearts burn as he spoke (Luke 24:25-32). 

Admittedly, there is a striking similarity between Odysseus and Jesus in this regard.

However...so what?

As I mentioned in point 27, there have been many occasions in history where a historical figure or event bore numerous striking parallels with myths or fictional tales. This isn’t evidence that the historicity of those individuals or events should be called into question. Whose going to deny the historical existence of the Titanic, Mignonette, Andre the Giant, Tay or Alexander the Great because they were prefigured by mythic or fictional accounts that bore striking similarities with them? 

Indeed, with all the mythic characters and stories,  with all the historical figures and events that have occurred in the world, one would expect that eventually, some historical figure or event would arise that would bear parallels with mythical figures and tales, or vice versa. 

This isn’t evidence of borrowing or inspiration.

Its evidence of math. 

And, as we’ve already seen in most of the other points, Odysseus and Jesus really don’t parallel each other that well. 

Indeed, they mostly don’t parallel at all.

34. Reign in a future age?

No, he reigned on earth in the remote past.

 The connection between Jesus and Odysseus is spurious, and yet people still promote the idea. Indeed, Dennis R. Macdonald, a scholar who wrote “The Homeric Epics and the Gospel of Mark”, not only claims in his book that much of Jesus’ story is derived from that of Odysseus, but also from other elements found in Homer’s works. Indeed, he even claims that the story of Jesus walking on water was derived from Homeric stories of Hermes…flying over water.

I’m not making this up. He actually wrote this.

He also wrote that the story of Jesus death was partially inspired by the death of Hector in the Iliad (who was slain by Achilles in battle, not crucified), and that John the Baptist’s death was inspired by myth of King Agamemnon’s death! Now, let’s look at that last one, shall we? Agamemnon was killed by his wife Queen Clytemnestra and her lover Aegisthus (some accounts its Aegisthus and twenty other men). In some ancient sources, he was killed while taking a bath. In one version, Clytemnestra threw a net on him and then twisted it, before Aegisthus swung his sword or axe (in the version where her lover has a sword, Clytemnestra strikes Agamemnon with the axe afterwards). In another version of the death-while-bathing myth, Agamemnon is wearing a shirt with sleeves that are sown up, which likewise renders him helpless against the axe). Other sources state that he was killed while sitting at a table. The only similarities between his death and that of John the Baptist is that they were killed by royalty (Aegisthus ruled Mycenae) and they were both beheaded. An interesting parallel…until you realize that beheading was a form of punishment in ancient Greece and Rome and that kings could and did command that some people be beheaded. I could also mention that Herod Antipas, who had John the Baptist beheaded, was not actually a king, bur a Tetrarch, a ruler over a quarter of a province or region (the Romans also used it to refer to someone who ruled over any portion of the empire). Though the author of the Gospel of Mark used the term “king” for Herod Antipas, he was either using the word loosely, or being sarcastic. Indeed, his wife Herodias planned to make him a real king. When Herod Antipas appealed for the title of king, he was rewarded by the Romans with exile to Gaul. Thus, he wasn’t royalty. 

And yet…Agamemnon’s death was supposed to be the basis for that of John the Baptist…

Just as Odysseus was supposed to be the basis for Jesus…

Can you say “WRONG”?

Folks, Jesus wasn’t based or even inspired by Odysseus, let alone Homer’s Odyssey or Iliad. Jesus is a historical figure, not a mythical figure. Jesus is real, not a figment of Homeric tales.

Jesus is the real deal.

Sources:

“The Odyssey” by Homer (Translated by Samuel Butler), 87-96, 110-111, 122-30, 177-78, 226-35

https://www.theoi.com/Text/HomerOdyssey9.html

https://www.theoi.com/Text/HomerOdyssey22.html

“The Ultimate Encyclopedia of Mythology” by Arthur Cotterell and Rachel Storm, 17, 19-20, 34, 60, 66-67, 74, 76, 78-79, 88

“The Penguin Dictionary of Classical Mythology” by Pierre Grimal, 19-20, 25-27, 300-06

https://www.blueletterbible.org/faq/don_stewart/don_stewart_1336.cfm

“Homer's Odyssey and the Near East” By Bruce Louden, 277

https://www.google.com/books/edition/Homer_s_Odyssey_and_the_Near_East/AKDfiWrXAx8C?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=Suitors%2BBetrayed%2BOdysseus&pg=PA277&printsec=frontcover

“Women, Crime and Punishment in Ancient Law and Society Volume 2: Ancient Greece” By Elisabeth Meier Tetlow, 25

https://www.google.com/books/edition/Women_Crime_and_Punishment_in_Ancient_La/3fnsWhZkq74C?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=Suitors%2BBetrayed%2BOdysseus&pg=PA25&printsec=frontcover

https://www.historic-uk.com/HistoryUK/HistoryofEngland/Robin-Hood/

https://www.theoi.com/Pontios/Seirenes.html

“Jesus, Paul, and Power Rhetoric, Ritual, and Metaphor in Ancient Mediterranean Christianity” By Rick F. Talbott and S. Scott Bartchy, 143

https://www.google.com/books/edition/Jesus_Paul_and_Power/yxJTAwAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=Odysseus%2BMast%2BJesus%2Bcrucified&pg=PA143&printsec=frontcover

https://sirtravisjacksonoftexas.tumblr.com/post/628287347439665153/alexander-the-great-and-achilles-examining-the

https://sirtravisjacksonoftexas.tumblr.com/post/628113211750776832/do-supposed-parallels-between-the-gospels-and

https://www.britannica.com/topic/crucifixion-capital-punishment

https://www.britannica.com/topic/Odyssey-epic-by-Homer

https://www.ancient.eu/odysseus/

https://bmcr.brynmawr.edu/2000/2000.09.16/

https://www.logicallyfallacious.com/logicalfallacies/Argument-from-Ignorance

https://www.logicallyfallacious.com/logicalfallacies/Appeal-to-Possibility

“Encyclopedia of Women in the Ancient World” By Joyce E. Salisbury, 66

https://www.google.com/books/edition/Encyclopedia_of_Women_in_the_Ancient_Wor/HF0m3spOebcC?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=Agamemnon%2Bbeheaded&pg=PA66&printsec=frontcover

https://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Beheading

https://www.britannica.com/topic/beheading

https://www.google.com/books/edition/Mortal_Republic/P2RPDwAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=Pompey+beheaded&pg=PT206&printsec=frontcover

“The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament” by Craig S. Keener, 85, 150-51.

https://www.livius.org/articles/person/herod-antipas/

“Bible Understanding Made Easy: Volume 3: Mark’s Gospel” By Anthony L. Norwood, 23

https://books.google.com/books?id=g2DkENMbNnoC&newbks=0&printsec=frontcover&pg=PA23&dq=tetrarch+roman+empire&hl=en&source=newbks_fb#v=onepage&q=tetrarch%20roman%20empire&f=false

https://www.britannica.com/topic/tetrarch-ancient-Greek-official

“Clash of the Gods” documentary series: “Odysseus: Curse of the Sea” and “Odysseus: Warrior’s Revenge” episodes

“The Portable Seminary: A Master’s Level Overview In One Volume”” by David Horton (General Editor), 281

“Quaestiones Graecae” (The Greek Questions) by Plutarch, section 14

http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A2008.01.0215%3Asection%3D14 

http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A2008.01.0215 

https://sirtravisjacksonoftexas.tumblr.com/post/615781564580773888/was-jesus-a-fictional-character-based-on-pagan 

https://sirtravisjacksonoftexas.tumblr.com/post/624904287995265024/do-so-called-similarities-between-jesus-and

“The Princess Bride” film

“Alice in Wonderland” Disney cartoon.

[nothing-impt]

Ody is trying to see if he can manwhore his way out of this one

I’ll give you this cursed thing before going on my trip.