Greek mythology 4.

 

Heracles also was considered as a primogenitor of many tribes and peoples (Spartan kings erected to him the family tree; the Etruscans trusted, that have taken place from Hercle; the Lydians believed the founder of the dynasty of god Kandaules, a dog winner). Some of his feats were connected to town planning and such acts, as clearing stables. Hercules was considered and as the healer (it is possible, in memory that he was lost from poison of the Hydra). Sometimes him esteemed together with Hermes . It is not casual, and in Italy Hercules was also the god of enrichment and an agriculture. In Greek comedy "Bird" he appears as a comic figure - the glutton and boozed (that is usually treated as consequence late demythologisation, but can and on the contrary represent revealing ancient features of a deity). But also on a decline of antiquity Hercules keeps the position - some Roman emperors identified with him them selves. Thus, in his person we see one of the most capacious embodiments such as the Cultural Hero.

 

Heracles and Geryon. (A. Fantalov, water-colour, 2001).

The greatest Greek hero Heracles should be to accomplish 12 exploits. Tenth one of them is to obtain sacral cows of giant Geryon, who lived on the remote West. This Geryon consisted of three man's bodies. But Heracles has defeated giant and two-headed dog Orth by means bow.

Heracles is vivid embodiment of the Cultural Hero's type as a fighter against monsters. Duel between the hero and three-headed dragon is widely spread in the Indo-European traditions: Thraetaona won Aji dahaka (Zoroastrian mythology), Trita killed three-headed dragon Visvarupa of Indian mythology; Ivan Trety (Third) of Russian tales, defeated Zmey Gorynich - Serpent burning.

 

Iason and Medea. (A. Fantalov, water-colour, 2001).

This plot is one of popular plots of Greek mythology. The gold skin of sacral ram hung on the oak tree in the country of Colhs. In order to obtain it, Iason has organized wellknown Argonauts campaign in which many famous heroes have taken part. However Iason have passed the tasks of Colhs king only with help of kings's daughter Medea. She has becomen a wife of hero and gone away with him in Greece.But as Medea was a dark sorceresses, she did great harm there.

 

 

 

 

Demeter. (A. Fantalov, water-colour, 2001).

Demeter was Greek goddess of agriculture and one of variants of Great Goddess. She was venerated in Athens, where grand festivals and famous mysteries were devoted to her. Demeter's symbols are halo, torch (goddess have set fire to it when she searched her daughter Persephone kidnapped by Hades) and boar. There is in the second plan of this water-colour hero Triptolemos, whom Demeter give a chariot with winged serpent and sent to teach peoples for agriculture.

 

Hittite and Etruskan mythologies.

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