I am reading the Homeric Hymns in Ancient Greek with help from Loeb Homeric Hymn to Dionysus ·      The suggestion that Dionysus was born in the deep-whirling Alpheus, recalls the fated-birth of Apollo and Artemis in the Peleus River in the Valle of Tempe. ·      Line seven in the Greek; “Father of men and gods”.  In English “Father of gods and men” ·      Dionysus birth in hiding from Hera recalls Zeus’ from Cronus.  The Curetes and Orphic Titans playing different roles from one another. Homeric Hymn to De ..read more

As a birthday present, my oldest son (with whom I am well pleased) and his wife bought me “Kinship Myth in Ancient Greece” by Lee E. Patterson.  These are the stories that Ancient Greek people and peoples told one another who they were in the world by remembering who they were related to.  Most famously in Book 6 during the bragging that preceded Iliadic duels the hero Glaucus in bragging up his lineage touched upon a story from the family saga of the hero Diomedes, “the heart of Diomedes of the great war cry was glad. He planted his spear in the ground, and spoke to him with frien ..read more

Recently I had the privilege of reading this heroized” edition of Aeschylus’ Seven Against Thebes” produced by my friends at the Kosmos Society and Center for Hellenic Studies.  Great job everyone your efforts add so much to my understanding of the nuisances of the play.  https://kosmossociety.chs.harvard.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/PyrgiTheban.jpg Here are my notes so far; Zeus and Earth, and gods that guard our city, [70] and Curse,2 potent agent of my father’s vengeance, do not destroy my city [polis], ripping it up from its foundations, captive of the enemy ..read more

I recently ran across a copy of “Artemis: Virgin Goddess of the Sun & Moon” by Sorita D’Este. It was a modest paperback with a cover that might lead one to think it was a “New Age” study of “The Goddess”. Rather it is a well written study of the Greek goddess Artemis and heavily referenced.  That is to say, every known reference.  Wow!  A great resource! D’Este suggests that; Artemis’ bow was created by the Cyclops; I never thought about that.  Atsma says “Her bow, quiver, and arrows, were made by Hephaestus” Artemis temple at Brauron was flooded by the River Eura ..read more

Below is Persephone’s first-person account of what took place with her and her companions moments before her uncle/husband abducted her;  “All we were playing in a lovely meadow, Leucippe and Phaeno and Electra and Ianthe, Melita also and Iache with Rhodea and Callirhoe [420] and Melobosis and Tyche and Ocyrhoe, fair as a flower, Chryseis, Ianeira, Acaste and Admete and Rhodope and Pluto and charming Calypso; Styx too was there and Urania and lovely Galaxaura with Pallas who rouses battles and Artemis delighting in arrows: [425] we were playing and gathering sw ..read more

Moses appointed leaders to various groups "to decide their quarrels and assist them in every way.  I instructed them to be perfectly fair at all times, event o foreigners"  Deu 1:15-16 Pindar, Pythian Ode 4 ep 4 : “Indeed Tityos (Tityus) by Artemis was hunted down with darts from her unconquerable quiver suddenly sped, so that a man may learn to touch only those loves that are within his power.” “Whenever a message elevates receiving over giving, hoarding over helping, self over service, beware! “ Christ in our Home October 31, 2019 HHto Demeter:347 "Dark-haired Hades, ruler ove ..read more

I noticed a couple of black guys waiting to get their hair cut.  I did not think much about it.  No saying who will come to Emperors barbershop at a Southcenter Mall.  The place was busy!  The first chair was a big black guy with a black customer.  “Need a haircut? “ He asks loudly and cheerfully as he waves me in. There is a black guy and dark-skinned Asian lounging at the end of a busy line of chairs.  The black guy, named Ethan, waved me back.  I asked for it short but still touching the top of my ears.  Usual chit-chat and then to business. &n ..read more

I like Ruben’s painting “The Rape of Leucippus’ Daughters”.  I always have, but today I wondered why. Thought I would try a little analysis. Basic story is two big beautiful women out skinny-dipping get snatched up by two guys on horseback. The girls look distressed Symbolically voluptuous women represent the fertility and abundance of the land.  And these babes are wearing expensive jewelry and carrying beach towels of rich material. One man is dressed in armor the other looks like a working man.  Aristocrat and commoner?  Metis and Bia? And horses, they are steal ..read more

                                                                                                Petersburg, AK    ..read more

  I recently read an inspiring paper on classical reception by Dr. Amanda Potter (Visiting Research Fellow with the Open University.)  From a Cow in Walking Boots to Queen Victoria: A Greek mythology tour of Brighton I wondered if I could do something at home in Petersburg, Alaska.   I touched bases with a local tour company just for logistical details.  No real plan to do the tour.  The title would be; “Hubris, the Difference between Them and Us: A Greek Mythology Tour of Petersburg”. The tour would start at the beautiful Petersburg Public Library where curre ..read more