@AimeeMaroux
@mythology @antiquidons @pagan

I had just read Circe by Madeline Miller last year so I actually knew quite a few of these! Great book! And a wonderful (and thorough) article from you too!

#greekgods #hellenicpolytheism #mythology #greekmythology #paganism #ancientGreekreligion

#Zeus Teleios and #Hera Teleia are #gods that are made perfect in their #marriage. Their surnames quite literally translate to mean "having reached its end, finished, complete, perfect, entire, fulfilled" (LSJ).

#Hesiod says of Zeus: "Lastly, he made Hera his blooming wife: and she was joined in love with the king of gods and men, and brought forth #Hebe and #Ares and #Eileithyia" (Theogony, 921). She is His FINAL wife; a goddess chosen specially by Zeus to help him govern the cosmos.

In their #book "The Hera of Zeus: Intimate Enemy, Ultimate Spouse," scholars Gabriella Pironti and Vinciane Pirenne-Delforge describe the will of Zeus as being identical to that of Hera. This truth is exemplified in the #Iliad—Hera, who is lobbying for a #Greek victory at #Troy, steers Zeus's mind when she feels he is acting in ways that contradict his will.

In the introduction to Richmond Lattimore's translation of the Iliad, it is mentioned how early in the Epic Cycle, Zeus decided the winners of the #Trojan war centuries before it even took place. Despite this, he favors the Trojans over the Greeks because of their unwavering piety. He additionally considers saving his son—Sarpedon—from dying on the battlefield, but Hera reminds him that in doing so, the rest of the deathless gods would have free reign to save their children, too.

Hera frequently challenges Zeus in this way. And #Homer describes these interactions as being explosive, with Zeus often threatening violence which sends Hera fleeing. Regardless of this, though, he eventually succumbs to her wishes, knowing full well that Her will is His, and the pair reconcile.

Gabriella Pironti and Vinciane Pirenne-Delforge posit that the constant back-and-forth between the two divine sovereigns—Their endless falling apart and coming back together—serves as a cycle of renewal that balances the cosmos in perpetuity.

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🌬🪶 #AncientGreekReligion #HellenicPagan #HellenicPaganism #HellenicPolytheism #HellenicPolytheist 🌬🪶

“Τῳ Διί ὓπάτῳ,” or “To Zeus the Highest.”

I commissioned an artisan to make this Archaic–style temple key some months back; in #Homer’s day, priestly officials used these same keys to open sacred precincts, just as #Athena’s priestess Theano does in the #Iliad (6.297 – 301). (:

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🪞🌬 #AncientGreekReligion #HellenicPagan #HellenicPaganism #HellenicPolytheism #HellenicPolytheist #Zeus ⚖️🪶

Apparently, St. Paul once described #Athens, #Greece as a city 'over–run with idols' (Acts 17.16).

He'd be disappointed to know this hasn't changed! When #traveling to Athens, I was astounded by the number of ancient statues available for purchase in the square (:

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🏛🦉 #AncientGreekReligion #Athena #HellenicPagan #HellenicPaganism #HellenicPolytheism #HellenicPolytheist 🦉🏛

I'm currently in the trenches of my seasonal depression. Once it passes, though, I'm gonna try to be more active on here!

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🌬🪶 #AncientGreekReligion #HellenicPagan #HellenicPaganism #HellenicPolytheism #HellenicPolytheist 🌬🪶

#Hera, #Demeter, and #Athena letting me rest my head on their laps while I #meditate >>>>

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🌬🪶 #AncientGreekReligion #HellenicPagan #HellenicPaganism #HellenicPolytheism #HellenicPolytheist 🌬🪶

I'm not wholly satisfied with this piece, but #Athena encouraged me to share it nonetheless!

Many thanks to #Zeus Aithiops for being the subject of my #anatomy practice. (: 🤍

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🌬 #AncientGreekReligion #Art #GreekMythology #HellenicPagan #HellenicPaganism #HellenicPolytheism #HellenicPolytheist 🌬

#November is a month I personally dedicated to #Athena (or #Athene), the #Greek #goddess of #wisdom, good counsel, war, defense, #weaving, #pottery—the list goes on, really.

All month long, She's been encouraging me to create, create, CREATE. Under Her auspices, I've produced more #art in the last six days than I have in the past year!

She's also given me a better idea of who She is; She isn't the solemn, stoic goddess She's so often made out to be. She's a true #trickster, cut from the same cloth as #Hermes Lord! Athena is elusive, likening Herself "to all things" as #Odysseus says in #Homer's #Odyssey. I love and appreciate Her so so much! 🤍

Hail, Glaukopis!

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🦉 #AncientGreekReligion #HellenicPagan #HellenicPaganism #HellenicPolytheism #HellenicPolytheist 🦉