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Category: Moral and Cautionary Tales

  • Greek Mythology Curses

    Greek Mythology Curses

    Notorious Greek Curses Picture being immortal yet feeling stuck on the world's worst treadmill. That's Prometheus for you. He boldly stole fire from Zeus, thinking humans needed warmth and light. Zeus, however, wasn't the understanding boss you'd want. Instead of a stern talking-to, he chained Prometheus to a rock, where an eagle feasted on his…

  • Greek Myths of Hubris

    Greek Myths of Hubris

    Icarus' Fall Icarus' Fall: The Tale of Wax and Wings Daedalus, the master inventor, and his son Icarus found themselves locked up after creating the Minotaur's labyrinth. Not one to sit idle, Daedalus crafted two sets of wings from wax and feathers. He advised Icarus, "Fly the middle path." Too high, and the sun would…

  • King Midas Myth

    King Midas Myth

    King Midas and the Golden Touch King Midas, a figure from ancient Greek mythology, was famous for his golden touch. As the king of Phrygia, he lived lavishly but was defined by his unquenchable craving for gold, believing it would bring true happiness. One day, Dionysus, the god of wine, offered Midas a wish for…

  • Greek Myths of Divine Punishment

    Greek Myths of Divine Punishment

    Greek mythology blends defiance, punishment, and progress in tales that offer timeless lessons. The trials of figures like Prometheus, Sisyphus, Arachne, Tantalus, and Ixion reveal insights into the human condition and the consequences of challenging divine order. Prometheus' Eternal Torment Let's dive into the story of Prometheus, the Titan who stole fire from the gods…

  • Hubris and Divine Punishment in Myths

    Hubris and Divine Punishment in Myths

    Greek mythology offers timeless tales that resonate with our human experiences, blending the extraordinary with lessons that still hold relevance today. From the cautionary adventures of Icarus to the tragic hubris of Achilles, these stories remind us of the delicate balance between ambition and humility. Let's journey through these ancient stories and uncover how they…

  • Narcissus and Echo

    Narcissus and Echo

    Greek mythology offers profound insights into human experiences. The myth of Narcissus and Echo stands out, exploring self-love, unvoiced emotions, and relationship complexities. By examining their story through various lenses, we can uncover timeless lessons that remain relevant today. The Myth of Narcissus and Echo In this tale, Narcissus is the heartthrob of his time,…

  • Pandora’s Box and Evil Origin

    Pandora’s Box and Evil Origin

    Greek mythology is full of stories that offer insights into human nature and society. Among these tales, the story of Pandora and her infamous box stands out as a reminder of curiosity's double-edged sword. The Genesis of Pandora and Her Box Zeus wasn't exactly known for his chill. When Prometheus gave fire to humans, it…

  • Pentheus and Dionysus Clash

    Pentheus and Dionysus Clash

    Pentheus and His Authority as King Pentheus, newly crowned king of Thebes, strides into his role with zeal. He's eager to prove himself, eyes blazing with authority, and a mind set on making sure everyone knows who's boss. What grabs his attention? The wild, ecstatic rites dedicated to Dionysus, the god of wine and revelry.…

  • Lycaon: First Werewolf King

    Lycaon: First Werewolf King

    Lycaon's Rule and Family Lycaon, the ancient king of Arcadia, held a reign marked by bubbling streams, fertile lands, and prosperous citizens. But Lycaon and his 50 sons were far from ideal role models, with their pride and impiety threatening their success. Lycaon's family tree is intricate. He was the son of Pelasgos, believed to…

  • Ixion: First Murderer and Eternal Punishment

    Ixion: First Murderer and Eternal Punishment

    Ixion's Background and Crime Ixion, the infamous king of the Lapiths, married Dia, Deioneus' daughter, with a promise of valuable gifts to his father-in-law. But Ixion failed to deliver, sparking a chain of events that would echo through Greek mythology. Deioneus, in retaliation, seized the king's prized horses. Seething with rage, Ixion plotted revenge. When…

  • Phaethon’s Fateful Ride

    Phaethon’s Fateful Ride

    Phaethon's Parentage and Quest for Validation Phaethon, a name meaning "the shining one," was the son of Helios, the Sun God, and a mortal woman named Clymene. His golden hair sparkled like the first rays of dawn, a characteristic gift from his celestial father. Phaethon didn't live a charmed life on Olympus; he lived on…

  • 7 Epic Transformations in Greek Mythology

    7 Epic Transformations in Greek Mythology

    1. Daphne into a Laurel Tree In the chaotic swirl of Greek mythology, Daphne's fate stands out. She's a nymph, commitment-shy but catching the obsessive eye of Apollo, the god of many talents including making persistent romantic advances. Cupid shoots Apollo with a love arrow, and the poor Daphne gets hit with the opposite. She…

  • The Fall of Icarus

    The Fall of Icarus

    The Story of Icarus and Daedalus Daedalus, the master craftsman of Greek mythology, found himself trapped on the island of Crete with his son, Icarus, thanks to the paranoid King Minos. Part of their predicament stemmed from Daedalus' handiwork – he built a labyrinth so intricate that even he barely escaped it. The labyrinth housed…

  • The Hubris of Niobe

    The Hubris of Niobe

    Niobe's Background and Family Niobe was born into a legendary family. Her father, Tantalus, was the king of Sipylus (modern-day Turkey). Her two brothers, Broteas and Pelops, were also figures of legend. Pelops went on to give his name to the entire Peloponnese region in Greece. However, Niobe's mother remains a bit of a mystery.…

  • Generosity of Philemon and Baucis

    Generosity of Philemon and Baucis

    The Myth of Philemon and Baucis Philemon and Baucis lived a simple life in Phrygia, in a humble home with a straw-thatched roof. Despite their modest means, they shared all they had. One stormy evening, Zeus and Hermes, disguised as weary travelers, came knocking at their door. Turned away by richer households, the gods found…

  • Echo & Narcissus Myth

    Echo & Narcissus Myth

    The Curse and Its Consequences Echo, the wood nymph with a lot to say, found herself ensnared by a powerful curse from the goddess Hera. The curse allowed Echo only to parrot the final words she heard, thwarting her ability to express her love for Narcissus. Echo's love was not just unrequited; it was hindered…

  • Narcissus: Self-Love & Vanity

    Narcissus: Self-Love & Vanity

    The Myth of Narcissus Narcissus was a heartbreaker with looks that could metaphorically kill. So stunning was he that people fell in love with him left and right, but Narcissus couldn't care less about anyone's affection but his own. The gods cursed Narcissus, fating him never to know true love unless it was with himself.…

  • Is Your Partner a Narcissus?

    Is Your Partner a Narcissus?

    Myth of Narcissus The tale of Narcissus, a man entranced by his own reflection, serves as a stark reminder of the perils of self-absorption. This Greek myth illuminates the consequences of becoming so engrossed with oneself that the world around fades into oblivion. It raises the question: how often do we or those we know…

  • Rape in Greek Myths

    Rape is all over Greek myths. It’s impossible to read for more than a day and not stumble across it. D’Aulaires usually talked about men abducting women, kidnapping women, or dragging women away by the hair (in the case of Centaurs) or in less violent instances of rape they evaded the issue entirely (for example…

  • Bubo’s Blog on Fertility and Childbirth

    this is just to signal boost the awesome that is Bubo’s Blog: Hippos and Pregnant Women (Egyptian)  The Legend of the Stork (German)  Torches and Childbirth (Greek) It Just Must Not Be That Important (Norse) When in Rome, Give Birth (Roman, duh) Pregnant Rocks (Australian) Childbirth and Owls (Zuni, Saxon, Welsh, Swahili, Babylon, French, German,…

  • Women’s health – health of the mother

    Watch out, Paleothea is about to get partisan. What little readership I have does not come here for this, but this is how I see the world, and yes, I think it relates to ancient Greece. Women’s health, it is helpfully explained to us, is not like men’s health. For one thing, simply being a…

  • Aphrodite = the Virgin Mary?

    So the other day, I was sitting at the kitchen table attempting to take notes on Eliade’s book when suddenly I was surrounded by children. I had a moment of sympathy for Harriet Beecher Stowe and then gave up my academic intentions and started showing them pictures from my Gallery. My mythically inclined nephew T-,…

  • Bible stories and Greek religion

    I am in Ecuador for the next two months with the four small children of my sister-in-law. I wish I knew more Incan myths to tell them – I’m gonna spend some time on Encyclopedia Mythica soon – but since I don’t, I’ll work with what I know. My niece (the oldest, at 9 years…