Classical mythology, also known as Greco-Roman mythology or Greek and Roman mythology, make up the body of and the study of myths from the ancient Greeks and ancient Romans as they are used or transformed by cultural reception. Mythology, along with philosophy and political thought, is one of the major survivals of classical antiquity throughout later Western culture. The Greek word mythos refers to the spoken word or speech, but it also denotes a tale, story or narrative.
Greek myths were narratives related to ancient Greek religion, often concerned with the actions of gods and other supernatural beings and of heroes who transcend human bounds. Major sources for Greek myths include the Homeric epics, that is, the Iliad and the Odyssey, and the tragedies of Aeschylus, Sophocles, and Euripides. Known versions are mostly preserved in sophisticated literary works shaped by the artistry of individuals and by the conventions of genre, or in vase painting and other forms of visual art. In these forms, mythological narratives often serve purposes that are not primarily religious, such as entertainment and even comedy (The Frogs), or the exploration of social issues (Antigone).
Publication History #
Comics and Comic Books #
In the second half of Naked Man Comics #01, Totally Naked Man walks by an electronics store to hear about dinosaurs appearing in the southwestern part of the United States. Totally Naked Man, as his civilian identity Alzheimer Fresco, to request some vacation. Once approved, Al Fresco calls Extremely Conservative Woman to help. Extremely Conservative Woman is annoyed with Totally Naked Man because he attached an empty horse trailer to their travel car. Totally Naked Man explains that the trailer is not empty but is holding The Horseless Horse. Extremely Conservative Woman is unimpressed. The team enters an old west saloon. They are interrupted by a loud meow from a dinosaur. The old west patrons leave the saloon to capture the giant beast. A man with no name arrives on horseback to team with Totally Naked Man and his friends. Meanwhile, the Greek God Cronus reveals that he’s responsible for the time distortions. The team of Totally Naked Man ride on horseback to confront the Greek God. Cronus is impervious to their attacks until a mysterious force trips the god and forces him back through is time portal. With Cronus dispatched, the mysterious cowboy disappears along with everything else.
In the Drama of The Gods webcomic, the custody of Cronus is debated between Olympus and Tartarus. Through the confusion, The Norse Gods frees Cronus. Odin is unhappy on how the Greek Pantheon is represented in the media. Meanwhile, Zetaman and Extremely Conservative Woman talk to Totally Naked Man about his gimmick. They are interrupted by delegates from Olympus, Momus, Aura, and Delphin. They need help locating The Horseless Horse, the only power to stop Cronus. Totally Naked Man reveals his secret to contact, in the Blue Mountains The Horseless Horse. Once Totally Naked Man verifies that the cosmic being is with the heroes, they find Cronus. Cronus plans to turn Olympus into a tourist trap, thereby diluting the majesty and prestige of the location. The Norse Gods hear the plan and are frustrated with Cronus for wasting their time. A battle ensues. Cronus’ Rose City headquarters in enveloped in a ball of energy. Totally Naked Man attributes this to The Horseless Horse, which Extremely Conservative Woman disagrees with. The Norse Gods and Cronus are sent to Tartarus. Hades, frustrated with the situation, locks them all up.
Gods and Goddesses #
Cronus #
In Ancient Greek religion and mythology, Cronus, Cronos, or Kronos (/ˈkroʊnəs/ or /ˈkroʊnɒs/, from Greek: Κρόνος, Krónos) was the leader and youngest of the first generation of Titans, the divine descendants of the primordial Gaia (Mother Earth) and Uranus (Father Sky). He overthrew his father and ruled during the mythological Golden Age, until he was overthrown by his own son Zeus and imprisoned in Tartarus. According to Plato, however, the deities Phorcys, Cronus, and Rhea were the eldest children of Oceanus and Tethys.
Cronus was usually depicted with a harpe, scythe or a sickle, which was the instrument he used to castrate and depose Uranus, his father. In Athens, on the twelfth day of the Attic month of Hekatombaion, a festival called Kronia was held in honor of Cronus to celebrate the harvest, suggesting that, as a result of his association with the virtuous Golden Age, Cronus continued to preside as a patron of the harvest. Cronus was also identified in classical antiquity with the Roman deity Saturn.
Momus #
Momus (/ˈmoʊməs/; Ancient Greek: Μῶμος Momos) in Greek mythology was the personification of satire and mockery, two stories about whom figure among Aesop’s Fables. During the Renaissance, several literary works used him as a mouthpiece for their criticism of tyranny, while others later made him a critic of contemporary society. Onstage he finally became the figure of harmless fun.
Aura #
In Greek and Roman mythology, Aura (Greek: Αὔρα, translit. Aúra, lit. “breeze”) is a minor deity, whose name means “breeze”. The plural form, Aurae (Greek: Αὔραι) is sometimes found. According to Nonnus, Aura was the daughter of the Titan Lelantos and the mother, by Dionysus, of Iacchus, a minor deity connected with the Eleusinian mysteries, while Quintus Smyrnaeus makes the Aurae daughters of Boreas, the North-wind. Aurae was the title of a play by the Athenian comic poet Metagenes, who was contemporary with Aristophanes, Phrynichus, and Plato.
Delphin #
Greek sea god, the leader of the dolphins, Poseidon placed him in the sky as the constellation Delphinus.
