Evil gods in mythology?
I asked this question not too long ago, because just like you, I wanted to write a novel about how there are good gods, and evil ones. It's pretty difficult to say which gods are evil or not, since some are good some point in their life--or immortal life--yet they have their evil moments. For example, Zeus was the greatest Greek god, the King of the Gods, but you know what he did? On several accounts he killed mortals such as Apollo's son for trivial reasons, and cheated on his wife countless time. I think his wife and son see him as evil there, right? Try to stick to the way older gods, like the ancient Sumerian and Egyptian ones because back then the people who worshiped the gods feared those gods. Then again, you can play around with them like I did and start assuming. For example, Loki may not necessarily be completely evil, but he was probably the worst from all the Norse gods, so I used him as one of the evil gods. The Titans weren't evil either, but since they were against the supposedly correct ones, the Olympians, they were seen as evil by the younger Greek gods. In the Titans' perspective, the Olympians were evil; for example, Selene was worshiped as the Moon Deity, but once the Olympians won, they forgot her and Artemis was worshiped. Keep playing around until you get it right!
Are all gods from different mythologies immortal?
Do you know a mythology where the gods weren't immortal. Of all the mythologies I've studied, they all say that the gods are immortal, even though there have been cases of them dying. I think I read that there was a titan in greek mythology that was turn to stone and a mountain was named after him or her. In Egyption mythology, Set killed his brother, Osiris, and he yelled "It's impossible to kill the body of a god, but I have done it!" In Norse mythology, Balder was murdered, as with the other gods during the end of the world, but I read that it was because they were offsprings of a god and a giant, or something like that. So all of this just got me thinking. Also, just for fun, tell me what's your favorite mythology. Mine is Norse.
Celtic mythology vs. Greek Mythology: Which do you find more interesting?
If you want to read mythology, what you really want to read is Norse Mythology. Its got everything, including love affairs, violence, comedy, tragedy, and even hot valkyries! And as far as the humanity of the gods, they're the most human gods of all the mythologies I know. First of all, they know they will die, they wage war against each other, they are taken over by greed, pride, lust, gluttony, sloth, wrath, envy, Loki, and some of them even cross dress. You're covered on creatures too, with a multitude of races, like dwarves, elves, giants, etc. and your usual dragons and other assorted beast of fearsome stature. So, I would say I find Norse Mythology definentely more interesting.
What should everyone know about Greek mythology?
There are a lot of Greek Myths, and by that I mean near countless. There are many that everyone should know, however. Many teach us about ourselves, some teach us about others. Here are my top choices:Heracles (Hercules): The most famous Greek Myth to ever had been told. Near everyone knows his name. His story of continuing and finishing his trials for what he believed was his crimes was a tale of relentless courage. Needless to say, everyone should, if not already, know about him.The Trojan War: Of course, one of the most known ancient wars to ever occur would be on this list. Lasting ten years, the Greeks laid siege on Troy, for Paris, the prince of Troy, had stolen Helen, the most beautiful woman on Earth, who was the king of Sparta’s wife. Of course, this myth would include the stories of Odysseus (Ulysses) and Achilles, as they were prominent figures in the war, too. Achilles for his heel, his one and only weakness. Odysseus for being a brilliant strategist and his struggle to return home, nearly twenty years after leaving.The Greek Gods: Of course, all the major gods should be known, primarily the twelve on the council, Zeus, Poseidon, Apollo, Artemis, Hera, etc. A lot of their stories have good themes that everyone should learn, too.Aside from saying everyone should know every Greek myth, I say that those are the basics. There are many more I’d like to list, but gosh, there’s a lot. Rattling off with no explanation:TantalusMidas (Gold touch)NarcissusTheseus (Minotaur)Perseus (Medusa)SisyphusAnd here are some more god related myths that everyone should know:The Titan War (And pre-gods world creation)Psyche and Eros (Cupid)Persephone (Kidnapped by Hades, explains seasons)Prometheus (Titan doomed by the gods)That’s all I can come up with for now. If you have other good suggestions, comment. Please upvote if you agree! Thanks!
Do you know an Greek Myths about natural disasters?
If you count famine you could do the myth of Persephone. When Persephone was kidnapped by Hades, her mother Demeter neglected the Earth. She became so obsessed with finding her that she failed to watch over the crops and plant life and they wilted, leading to famine. People prayed to the Gods for help and eventually Zeus decided that Hades would have Persephone for 6 months and Demeter would have her for 6 months. The 6 months she spent with her mother crops grew and life was abundant; while the 6 months spent with Hades were filled with death and lacked growth.
In Greek Mythology does Apollo decide the fate of mortals or does he just know it (he's the god of prophecy)
The way I see it, Apollo (a relative newcomer to the prophetic business) was made god of prophecy because of the Oracle at Delphi. This oracle was the supreme oracle of Greece. It was by far the most sacred of the shrines in Greece, supposed to be the center of the earth, and a holy place from antiquity. Apollo was said to have taken possession of this oracle by killing Python From then on, the oracle at Delphi was presided over by Apollo, who, at the shrine, was regarded as the mouthpiece of Zeus. So, being called the mouthpiece of Zeus, it was only a matter of time before he was hailed as a god of prophecy. Also, Apollo was said to have given Cassandra the gift of prophecy in return for her love. But when he rejected her, he nullified the gift by decreeing that nobody would ever believe her prophecies. The Morae (Fates); Lachesis, Clotho and Atropos carry out the will of the gods. Present at every birth, Lachesis measures the thread, assigning the individual his lot or fate; Clothos spins the thread; and Atropos "the one who cannot be restrained", cuts the thread of life. They above all control man's destiny in Greek mythology. Tiresias was the blind Theban seer, most famous of seers in Greek mythology. There are two accounts of his blindness (and his gift): It was said that, as a boy, he accidentally came upon Athena in her bath (lucky kid) and she splashed water in his eyes, thus blinding him. In recompense, and at the beseeching of his mother, the goddess gave him the power of prophecy, among other gifts. Then, it was said that at one time he had been changed to a woman and then later back into a man again, so that he alone of all living things knew the...ehem, experience of both sexes. He was called on to settle an argument between Zeus and Hera on the comparative pleasure that men or women enjoy in intercourse. He replied that women had nine(!!!!) times more pleasure than men. Hera didn't like that answer one bit. So she blinded him. And Zeus (who probably bribed the poor guy, though it hasn't been recorded) made amends by giving him the gift of prophecy.