Atalanta #3 (Centaurs Attack)

As the girl blossoms into a young woman, she grows powerful and wild, like her patron goddess Artemis. And as a loyal devotee of the virgin Goddess, Atalanta also chooses to remain chaste. While trekking the hills of Mount Parthenium, she comes upon two centaurs, Rhoecus and Hylaeus, who, lusting after the girl, give chase. But the centaurs choose their prey poorly, for Atalanta is no helpless maiden, and she turns her fine archery skills upon them with brutal efficiency.

Centaurs (Kentauroi) were savage, lustful, half-man half-horse creatures that roamed the wilds, of Mount Pelion of Thessaly. The line of Centaurs begins with a mortal, King Ixion, who Zeus, suspecting of foul intention with his wife, tricks into laying with a cloud version of Hera. Strangely the race of centaurs are born from this union. For his transgression, Ixion is sent to Tartarus in the underworld for punishment, and tied to a burning, spinning wheel for eternity.

In the myth of the Centauromachy, king Peirithous of the Lapiths, sharing heritage of Ixion as father, invites the centaurs to his wedding celebration. However, the centaurs become drunk off the wine, and attempt to rape and kidnap the women of the party. The Lapiths fight back, and the heroes Jason and Theseus, being invited guests, help to fight off the creatures, finally driving them off.

Another centaur, Nessus, has the distinction of killing the great hero Hercules. When the centaur attempted to rape Hercules wife, Deanira, the hero used arrows tipped with the poisonous blood of the hydra to kill him. But as he lay dying, his blood soaking his vest, he told Hercules wife to use the vest as a love charm.

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Odyssey's ship leaving Ithaca (2024)

Penelope and Telemachus look at Odysseus's ship sailing away... Illustration for Homer's Odyssey

The last Kiss before the Battle

In ancient Greece, homosexuality was not taboo. In fact, it was sometimes even encouraged. The Greeks believed that male love made warriors stronger and more determined.

The Sacred Band of Thebes, also known as the Theban Sacred Band, was a notable military unit in the 4th century BC. This elite unit consisted of 150 warriors, all of whom were members of the noble class. Under the leadership of Epaminondas, a brilliant Theban general, the Sacred Band was trained to be a formidable fighting force. It was also known for its openness towards homosexuality.

Its fame is primarily based on its outstanding performance in the Battle of Leuctra in 371 BC. In this historic conflict, they managed to defeat the then-powerful Spartans. Epaminondas encouraged his men in this decisive battle with inspiring words: "We will either defeat the Spartans today or die in battle." These words are testament to the determination and courage that characterized the Sacred Band.

Another significant moment in its history took place in the Battle of Mantinea in 362 BC. Here, Pelopidas, who was leading the Sacred Band at the time, is said to have encouraged his men with the words: "We are the best warriors in Greece, and we will fight for our freedom today." This commitment to freedom and self-belief helped to solidify the unit's legendary reputation.

At the time of the Sacred Band and the Battles of Leuctra and Mantinea, homosexuality was viewed differently in Greek society than it is today. In fact, it was sometimes even encouraged, especially among the Spartans, who believed that love between men enhanced their fighting prowess. In ancient times, Greek culture was known for its acceptance and openness towards same-sex relationships. This cultural aspect allowed such love relationships, like the one between the two lovers, to be lived in a certain way freely, without the social stigmas that arose later in history.

Can we get an F in the chat for Hades?

"A fool is known by his speech, and a wise man by silence."

Pythagoras, a Greek mathematician and philosopher, lived around 570-495 BCE. While much of his life is shrouded in mystery and legend, here are five lesser-known or potentially rare facts about Pythagoras:

Secretive Cult-Like Community: Pythagoras founded a secretive and exclusive community in Croton, Italy, known as the Pythagorean Brotherhood. The members of this community were bound by strict rules, including a vow of silence and a communal way of life. The group was not only interested in mathematics but also philosophy, mysticism, and religious practices.

Numerical Mysticism: Pythagoras and his followers believed in the mystical significance of numbers. They thought that numbers held inherent qualities and mystical properties. For example, they associated odd numbers with masculinity and even numbers with femininity. The number 10 was particularly significant and seen as a perfect and divine number.

Pythagorean Theorem was known before Pythagoras: While Pythagoras is credited with the famous Pythagorean Theorem, which relates the lengths of the sides of a right-angled triangle, evidence suggests that the theorem was known to the Babylonians and Indians before Pythagoras. Pythagoras, however, is often credited with its formal proof and popularization in ancient Greece.

Vegetarianism and Taboos: Pythagoras and his followers were known for their strict dietary restrictions. They practiced vegetarianism, believing that it was essential for purifying the soul. They also had various food-related taboos, such as avoiding beans, possibly due to their belief in the impurity associated with certain legumes.

Pythagorean Cup: Pythagoras is associated with the invention of the Pythagorean cup, also known as a "greedy cup" or "tantalus cup." It's a clever drinking vessel with a hidden mechanism that causes the cup to drain its contents if filled beyond a certain level. This invention is often attributed to Pythagoras as a symbolic lesson in moderation and self-control.

The Naked Olympics: The True Story of the Ancient Games

The Naked Olympics is a quick and cinematic read that brings an ancient tradition to life with colorful writing. Unlike many other books available on the Greek Olympics that are marketed towards children, Tony Perrottet’s approach does not shy away from gritty details and adult themes. Perrottet is an author and avid traveler with a history degree and has published a number of popular books related to both history and travel. His writing style is immersive, jovial, and, at times, even comical. It is clearly his goal to entertain, as he often makes comparisons between the ancient Olympics and a modern-day festival.

Continue reading...

"Remember to wipe all the river off your feet before going in the house, son."

the one thing no one discussing about archaeology is the amount of times you will cry.

oh studying prehistory? bam family burial.

oh studying art history/ material culture? bam the presentation of a deep love between a couple forced apart by their society.

studying ancient literature? LITERALLY THE WORST OF ALL THERES SO MANY EMOTIONS.

there are so many times I have cried over these ancient societies, many have sent me into existential crises, yet I will never stop

"Chthonic Ascent" (# in my Orpheus and Eurydice series), illustrated by me,

The Odyssey (Wine Dark Sea) 2023

Another Illustration to the epics of Homer

Minimalist Greek Pattern Customizable II Coffee Mug

Deep Love and Connection

In ancient Greece, love was not bound by gender but by the beauty of the connection between two souls. This culture did not know our modern terms of homosexuality or heterosexuality. Rather, love was experienced as a multifaceted spectrum that could include all people.

Especially in the world of warriors, this freedom of emotional bonding was pronounced. The famous Sacred Band of Thebes consisted of pairs of men of the same age, whose mutual love was considered a source of their strength. Their bonds were not only strategic in nature but also deeply emotional. Such relationships were publicly acknowledged and respected, as they were seen as an expression of the highest virtue and harmony.

In the education of young men, pederasty was a socially recognized form of relationship between an adult man and a male youth in ancient Greece. These relationships often had an educational component and were an important part of the social structure. Peer-aged pairs were also common. It was a world where men could freely express their affection and admiration for one another without the strict labels that later emerged.

The ancient stories of Achilles and Patroclus or of Alexander the Great and Hephaistion offer examples of profound bonds between peer-aged warriors. The martial culture of ancient Greece, where strength and virtue were highly valued, provided fertile ground for the emergence of such deep emotional connections. For a warrior, the companion at his side was not just a fellow combatant in battle but also a partner in life, with whom all joys and sorrows were shared.

In our modern world, where we still struggle for acceptance, these ancient traditions remind us that love in human history has always been complex and boundless. It awakens in us the memory of a time when love was free from prejudice and definitions and celebrated for what it truly is: a deep connection between people.

Text supported by Chat GPT-4 Images generated with SD-1.5, overworked with inpainting and composing.

Hera should really be in charge TBH