Is Using a Minotaur to Gore Detainees a Form of Torture?

This is hilarious...

Is Using A Minotaur To Gore Detainees A Form Of Torture?

Promethus

You know, I can think of a lot of funny things in mythology - all the bickering and arguing, Edith Hamilton's really bad dialogue in the Cupid and Psyche story, Prometheus getting his liver eaten out every day.  Ha!  That Prometheus...

I ran across this web comic strip today about Prometheus.  You would think that a strip where a guy is tied to a rock every strip would only last about 5 strips - 10 if you're clever.  However, this strip has gone on a long time!  I started reading them through and thought they were pretty funny.  

The interaction between the eagle and Prometheus is like something out of a Peanuts strip.  You also have the wife, angry for him not being around, the son who feels his dad has abandoned him, and the protesters who come to protest against his imprisonment every so often, but never really help him.

My review - 4 lightning bolts out of 5.

I highly encourage you to check out the web comic home page at prometheuscomic.wordpress.com.    

You can also read the strip from the start at this link:  

prometheuscomic.wordpress.com/the-whole-prometheus-enchilada/

The Penelopiad

The following is NOT my review.  I have not read the book; however, it seems fun enough.  The review is by Allison Spooner at the Denver Book Review Examiner.  The original review is the link below, plus you get a picture of Alison.  Please click the link to read the entire review.  

http://www.examiner.com/x-5799-Denver-Book-Reviews-Examiner~y2009m8d16-The-Penelopiad-a-treat-for-Greek-Mythology-fans

If you are a fan of Greek myths, specifically The Odyssey or The Illiad, then you will highly enjoy “The Penelopiad” by Margaret Atwood. The book takes the story of Odysseus and his many triumphs, and puts the spotlight on his wife, Penelope, left alone at home for twenty years.

While putting a modern spin on the story, Penelope narrates her tale from Hades, where she wanders the after life, lamenting over her past life. She tells us the real story; how she and Odysseus met, how she was treated in his castle and their married life. Then she explains the motives behind the events we are familiar with; the murder of the suitors and the maids, and Odysseus’s homecoming.

Those familiar with Greek mythology will enjoy seeing the names of familiar Gods and Goddesses and finding out what Penelope and her peers really though of them. With poems and songs by the Maids intertwined through the chapters, the story is a quick read and a highly enjoyable tale. 

 

Anyone who has read this book, I would love a comment from you with your opinion.

Mythological Family Tree

I've always thought it would be neat to try and map out a family tree for the Greek gods and goddesses.  I had envisioned making my students do it, but as it seems that I will not get the chance to teach a mythology course for a while, I just put it on hold.  But then I started stumbling on the web (it is great, you need to try it - really makes wasting time on the Internet much more efficient - www.stumbleupon.com) and stumbled across one already done.  Now, it is too big to show here, so click the image and go see the original.

The Horses of Neptune

The Horses of Neptune by Walter Crane in 1892

I enjoyed it, thought you might.  Looks like the scene in Fellowship of the Ring right as the Dark Riders try to cross the river.

Have a good weekend!

The Dangers of Fig Trees

This is why I won't have a fig tree in my yard:

If Australian Aborigine parents wanted to ensure that their children did not wander too far from the camp, they would tell the story of the Yara-ma-yha-who, a small but very nasty demon who lives in the crowns of fig trees. The Yara-ma-yha-who feeds firstly upon blood, which it slurps up through octopus-like suckers on its hands and feet, and then eats its victim. Later, after a drink of water and a nap, it is violently sick and the eaten person is restored, albeit a bit shorter and a bit redder. Should the victim be unfortunate enough to suffer several of these attacks, they will eventually become a Yara-ma-yha-who themselves. Looking like a small hairy red man with an enormous head and a wide toothless mouth, the Yara-ma-yha-who cannot run very fast, having a slow, rolling gait like a parrot or Johnny Vegas.

Thanks to: http://stevyncolgan.blogspot.com/2009/01/odd-gods-mythological-sods.html

Asatru

I found this on Rick Riordin's  blog and found it so interesting, I had to pass it on.  It is a news article about Asatru, the current name for belief in the Norse gods.  Seems that they are still worshipped in places - and I don't mean cold places.  Try Virgina, for instance.  Looks like I'm going to have to redefine my definition of mythology as a religion no longer worshipped.

Paganism gaining popularity in prison

By KRISTEN GELINEAU, Associated Press Writer Sun Jul 23, 2:39 PM ET 

STAUNTON, Va. - A pagan religion that some experts say can be interpreted as encouraging violence is gaining popularity among prison inmates, one of whom is scheduled to be executed this week for killing a fellow prisoner at the foot of an altar. 

Michael Lenz is scheduled to die Thursday for the death of Brent Parker, who was stabbed dozens of times at Augusta Correctional Center during a gathering of inmates devoted to Asatru, whose followers worship Norse gods. At his trial, Lenz testified that Parker had not been taking the religion seriously and had to die to protect the honor of the gods.

Other followers call the religion misunderstood and say most adherent inmates do not use it to further violent agendas.

Asatru has been gaining popularity among inmates, say religious leaders and prison experts who believe its roots in Viking mythology attract prisoners seeking power, protection and unity.

The gang culture in prison also contributes, said theologian Britt Minshall, a former police officer and Baltimore pastor who ministers to inmates. Some white inmates who felt threatened by black prison gangs formed their own gangs and sought out a belief system they felt would provide additional security, he said.
"It's a way of grouping together for safety," he said. "And you have to have a god in the middle of that to really keep you safe."

Asatru is often referred to as Odinism, although some followers believe the two are separate religions. It is a polytheistic, pre-Christian faith native to Scandinavia whose adherents worship gods including Thor and Odin.

It emphasizes a connection with one's ancestors and values honor, loyalty, generosity and truth.

An estimated 10,000 to 20,000 people in the United States consider themselves Asatruars or Odinists, said Stephen McNallen, director of the Asatru Folk Assembly, a leading Asatru group.

No national statistics are kept on how many inmates follow Asatru. But experts say its popularity enjoyed a boost from the Supreme Court, which last year sided with an Asatru inmate by upholding a federal law requiring state prisons to accommodate prisoners' religious affiliations.

Asatru is often associated with white supremacy, although most Asatru leaders bristle at suggestions of such a relationship.

A 1999 FBI report on domestic terrorism described Odinism as a "white supremacist ideology that lends itself to violence."

"What makes Odinists dangerous is the fact that many believe in the necessity of becoming martyrs for their cause," the report said.

Such comments are typical of those who don't understand Asatru, said Jane Ruck, who runs the National Prison Kindred Alliance and ministers to Asatru inmates. White supremacists make up only a small portion of Asatruars, and most inmates who follow the religion do not use it to push hate-filled, violent agendas, she said.
"There might be some white supremacists who consider themselves Asatruars, but they're not (Asatruars) because they're not following our beliefs," Ruck said. "We don't hate anybody; we just want to take pride in our heritage."

Lenz and another inmate, fellow Asatruar Jeffrey Remington, stabbed Parker a combined 68 times with makeshift knives. Remington was also sentenced to death but committed suicide in 2004.

According to Art Jipson, who studies white racial extremism and directs the University of Dayton's criminal justice studies program, Lenz's belief that fatal force was warranted is not surprising.

"If he believes the fight was necessary, whether or not it was legal is the least of his concerns," Jipson said. "If he's a truly devout practicing Odinist or Asatruist, he's doing what he must do. And it would be a shame — it would be a black mark on his soul, his spirit ... for him to be cowardly and not to fight." 

That kind of warrior mentality can exacerbate the tense environment behind bars, said Mark Potok, a leader at the Southern Poverty Law Center in Montgomery, Ala., which monitors hate groups. 

"It's a theology that celebrates raw physical power and domination, and that is why I think it is so popular among prison inmates," Potok said. "The kind of inmate who might be attracted to this is a white man who is looking for justification for extreme violence, who is looking for an ideology which explains why he should be the boss."

How Many Gods Is Enough?

I have reviewed Bernard Cornwell's books before. I have two series of his that I love. The first is the King Alfred series. That is pretty heavy historical fiction. The other series is about King Arthur (told you I've been on a King Arthur kick lately). This takes a different approach than most King Arthur stories. It mingles the legends with a historical mindset and merges the two. You see familiar characters and they act in a familiar fashion, but they take a life of their own. I love how he portrays Lancelot as a coward (never did like the guy).

This is not really a book review (although if it was I'd rank it a 4 lightning bolts out of 5 - once you get into it, you're hooked, however, getting into it may take a little bit of patience). No, I'm going to point out one thing about it that I like. In both of these series, you get a good look of what it is like to be a follower of mythology - not a fan like we are, but a believer. What is life like on a daily basis? How does a belief in Mithras or Woden affect the choices you make? Good stuff like that. If you are interested at all in either Norse or Celtic gods and goddesses, you ought to pick up one of these series (King Alfred for the Norse ones).

In Excalibur, he addresses what it would be like living in an area that believed in Christianity, Saxon gods (like Woden), newer Celtic gods (like Lugh), Roman gods (like Mithras), Egyptian gods (like Isis), and older Celtic gods (like Cernunnos). This is what it would be like to live in Saxon-invaded-England-post-Roman Empire. Here is what was said when the main character, Derfel - not Arthur, finds out that before their feast, they'll have to worship a god unfamiliar to him:

"She's brought a Druid out of Demetia, and before we all eat tonight we have to worship Nantosuelta."

"Who?" Ceinwyn asked.

"A goddess," Culhwch said carelessly. There were so many gods and goddesses that it was impossible for anyone but a Druid to know all their names.

Another reason why Christianity rocks. I actually knew some things about this goddess from teaching a high school mythology class a little while back. Nantosuelta is a Celtic goddess, but to be fair to Derfel and his wife Ceinwyn, there are different generations of Celtic gods. Many of the older ones we don't have much to go on. Nantosuelta is one of those. This picture shows her with her lover Sucellus.

Her name means, “wandering river”. She was probably a fertility goddess (water being heavily associated with childbirth). In this book, she is depicted as a fertility goddess as well. She is a patron of hearth and home and she is usually seen carrying a basket of apples. Sometimes she is seen with a raven as her symbol, a symbol that some scholars think associate her with the dead. That's one thing I like about the Celtic gods - they pretty much did a little of everything.

Well, I want to get back to my book now. Merlin is up to something, the Saxons are attacking, and Mordred and Lancelot are plotting. Oh my!

Bubo Bling

I found this news article on the web about mythology and jewelry.  There is this guy named Robert Coin who is evidently a world renown jeweler (I didn't recognize his name, but then again, I don't know any jeweler by name).  He designed a line of jewelry called the Nemo line (after Captain Nemo or Finding Nemo?).  In it, he draws from the mythology of the Greeks and Phoenicians for inspiration.  Here is an excerpt from the article:

Interestingly, these endearing marine creatures are often found depicted in mythological Greek tales where Poseidon, the sea god is said to drive a chariot pulled by sea horses. They are also called ‘Hippocamp’ and often decorated mosaics and Roman baths and can be seen on the 18th century Trevi fountain in Rome.

The whole article can be read here:

http://www.fibre2fashion.com/news/fashion-news/newsdetails.aspx?news_id=75903

Another mythology inspired bit of jewelry is the Pandora bracelet.  This, however, has little more to do with mythology than the name, but deep on their website, you can find a reference to the curiosity of Pandora being the inspiration for this line.  Well, I found it once on a web site.  I can't find it on their current web site.  My wife has one of these bracelets.  It is essentially a charm bracelet, but instead of the charms hanging, they slide around the bracelet.  It is pretty neat looking.  

http://www.pandora-jewelry.com/

It Slices! It Dices!

The Knife of Llawfrodedd the Horseman 

This knife would serve 24 men - whatever the heck that means.  Does it create food enough for 24, or is the ultimate Ginzu knife and slices 24 slices at once.  Apparently there is some connection to Excalibur for this knife, but I cannot find out any more than that.  Maybe they are cutlery cousins or something like that.  The guy who drew the picture below (some chap named Vorp - poor fellow) calls it the Ornate Celtic Cheese Cutter. 

There was a contest on the Concept Art web site that challenged artists to design the 13 treasures of Britain.  You can see all the designs at:

http://www.conceptart.org/forums/showthread.php?t=133553

I cannot find any more about the knife; however, there is more about this Llawfrodded guy.  The guy is a Welsh hero.  Not only did he own the knife, but he also had Cornillo, one of the Three Prominent Cows of the Island of Britain (say that three times fast).  He is mention in the role call of heroes in a few texts dealing with King Arthur.  Probably he is one of the Men of the North and lived in the sixth century. 

Next... the Spork of the Lady of the Lake

Hanging Out by the Blood Cooler

Saw this as I stumbled along the Internet.  Thought it might be good for a laugh since we do lump vampires and such into our mythology discussion once in a while.  Apparently it is a tee shirt design and more can be found at Glennz.