#greek celebrity

[duckysprouts]

odysseus’s ultimate dream is to hand the work over to his very capable wife who was the only backbone of ithaca for the past 20 years and become a househusband who drinks wine and watches soap operas everyday

modern au where odysseus got drafted lmao

[sunshines-child]

some Chthonic designs

[mpetovergas]

I just love him so much😍😭🥺

[antikristvs]

Ave Satanas, Lucifer!

[wonderrosss]

Happy Birthday Percy Jackson 🔱

You'll always be a part of my story

[illustratus]

Troy (2004)

[drawfee-quot3s]

this little mouth of mine

this little mouth of mine 🎵

i'm gonna let it shine

me when i swallow a flashlight

- jacob, nathan, + karina

[katerinaaqu]

Hey katerinaaqu,

I was wondering if you might know something about apotheosis/deification of mortals in greek mythology. Specifically how it was decided what domain they would become a god of. From what I've gathered it seems like actions in their mortal lives tends to lead to what their domains in divinity is.

Thanks for any help/info you can provide!

Oh that is a very good question. I believe there are indeed plenty of examples in greek mythology of Apotheosis.

Arguably the first one is Dionysus himself. Given how Dionysus is born out of a mortal mother (Semele) and an Olympian god (Zeus). According to Orphic traditions, Dionysus was probably set for divinity since he was born once more as Zagreus before dying and being reincarnated through Semele. It seems like he would prbably be another demigod like Heracles if it weren't for Zeus to finish the pregnancy himself by sewing him into his hip so in a way he got extra divine essence from Zeus. After that he experienced the persecution of Hera and madness induced by her before earning his place as a god among the Olympians

Ever since Dionysus we do see other examples of humans turning into gods. There also seems to be a difference between an Apotheosis and a worship of a hero. For example Heracles was known to become a god after death but not others like Achilles at least in Homer it is not implied that Achilles becomes a god and yet along with Patroclus and Antilochus he is given offerings to his tomb, worshipped more as a hero rather than as a god.

So what is the factor that makes a mortal a god? Well there are many. It could be the mortal's connection to a god as a parent (see Dionysus, Heracles etc) or marriage (Ariadne and Dionysus) or other reations (Dionysus reviving Semele and giving her immortality). For others it seems like it has to do with their heroic deeds on earth. For example we have Heracles who arguably became the greatest hero of Greek mythology or Diomedes who spread Greek culture to Italy by founding plenty of cities. It could also be linked to a mortal have some sort of attribute that is considered sacred or divine in the first place. A good example is Ganymedes who was having the attribute of beauty and youth that are on their own divine properties, thus leading Zeus take interest in him and thus offering him immortality and making him his cup brearer.

Now when it comes to Dionysus for example yes his attributes seem to be reflecting his life. He was the god of rebirth and regeneration of nature (due to his Orphic tradition of dying as Zagreus and coming back to life) or god of madness since he was induced to madness himself. Now for the culivation of vine and winemaking of course depending on the myths involving him like the beautiful satyr, Ampelus could be an indicator. Also the vine is a plant that comes out during late summer and early autumn which again is linked to the regeneration of nature. Also the wine-making as coming from the crushing of grapes and passage of time for alcohol to froment also rings to me the bell of Dionysus's story of regeneration (almost the opposite of Persephone who comes out of the Underworld with Spring, Dionysus is celebrated a lot in winter (see his celebration of Dionysia in December), symbolizing the constant mystery of nature. With his connection to nature seems to be also reflecting his madness and his several roaming about the world in a mad and disoriented state thus he is also considered god of wilderness and several of his followers are satyrs and Maenades, reflecting his roaming and primitive state at that time. The induced madness and alcoholic beverange association and in his life also links to his attributes of divine ecstasy, disoriantation, confusion and daresay savagery. He was also linked to prophetic powers on occasion since he is also known for coming and going from the Hyperborean lands due to his trips in mythology and taking over from Apollo to the sanctuary of Delphi thus sharing the sanctuary. Consequently to that of course and with the above he is also linked to theater; while roaming in the wild he was not himself the same much as the sacred nature of theater is also linking him to rituals and offerings. A sample of theater is the full masks and costumes, which resembles a lot ancient rituals in which masks or even skulls are involved to cover one's face and linked to dancing, singing, unifying of masses etc. Arguably some of the dionysian celebrations of that kind are some of the most ancient known celebrations in Greece and certain festivals even nowadays are said to have the roots to them. All in all he is linked a lot to thinks that have to do with humanity and that is probably because he comes from it himself.

So, having in mind examples such as Dionysus whenever a mortal turns into a god might or might not get an attribute but I believe most of time their attribute or fields are determined by their life story or their mythology. They are also heavily inspired by local traditions in regards to the hero (for example if they are worshipped as city-protector, as protector of youths etc) so it depends on what kind of mythology they have behind. On the occasions we discover offerings or hymns attributed to the deified mortal we can also make assumption on their worship. Oftentimes a sanctuary is also linked to a hero's death or life stops. One example that comes to my mind is a series of mentions to the sanctuary of Protesilaus, the man that stepped first in Troy and losing his life first. The sanctuary is placed in several places according to the sources and they seem to memorize the hero's courage in battle.

So yes it seems that by n large their mortal lives or local myths do determine their domains and attributes. I hope the examples help a bit. I will be happy to dig deeper if you want.

[achillesapple]

i have to draw achilles looking miserable every so often or i will explode

[mrskennedy]

Jackie Kennedy poses for cameras at the Tatoi Palace in Greece during her trip on October of 1963. With her are Queen Fredericia, Princess Irene, and Lee Radziwill.

[beautyofaphrodite]

Aphrodite Celebrations and Holidays

Decided to make this because I often don’t know about any holidays where Lady Aphrodite is celebrated.

Here I will put some basic info about celebrations and if I have made a post or do make a post specifically a certain celebration, I will link it here.

Aphrodisia

Aphrodisia is a celebration honoring Aphrodite Pandemos (goddess of all) that I personally celebrate on July 13, though when it was celebrated and for how long is vague.

Post I made about it

Adonia

Adonia was a festival practiced specifically by women to mourn the death of Aphrodite’s consort, Adonis. This was usually celebrated in Spring, when the river Adonis became “blood-red” because of earth washing down from the mountains.

4th of Every Month

The fourth day of every month is sacred to Lady Aphrodite and is a good day to just spend some time with Her.

Fridays

Fridays are also sacred to Her and a good time to spend some time with Her

Other

There are many other festivals and holidays where Aphrodite is celebrated, but these are ones where it’s mainly about Her.

If I missed any, please let me know!

Sources

- my previous post on Aphrodisa

- theoi.com

- Link

- Link

- Post

[asocial-skye]

as the holidays come to a close, i'm left to wonder....

how does religion work in the pjo universe?

[devieboii]

My full moon activities fluctuate from being these super elaborate rituals to being like “Hey Hekate can I just play video games in your honor for an unreasonable amount of time tonight 🥺” and She’s always like: “👍 go for it kid”

[mpetovergas]

He's literally me🥺🥺👉👈

[machetelanding]

[legendaryfugitives]

Odysseus, Telemachus, and their descendent, Ulysses, in Legendary Fugitives be like...

Odysseus: Then I'll become the Monster

I will deal the blow

And I'll become the Monster

Like none they've ever known

Telemachus: Give me sirens and a cyclops

Give me giants and a hydra

I know life and fate are scary

But I wanna be legendary

Ulysses: Soon may the Wellerman come

To bring us sugar and tea and rum

One day, when the tonguing is done

We'll take our leave and go