Male spirits of profane nature; followers of the nature gods Silvanus, Faunus, Pan, Dionysus/Bacchus.
They represent untamed nature, licence and lust, and have human heads with horns and goat beard, human hands and arms, but goats’ bodies from the waist downwards.
They may wear the crowns of ivy of Dionysus and can carry his thyros; other attributes are bunches of grapes, baskets of fruit, pitchers of wine, the cornucopia and the snake; their female counterparts in the Bacchanalia were the Maenads.
Hyacinth or Hyacinthus is a divine hero and a lover of Apollo from Greek mythology. His cult at Amyclae southwest of Sparta dates from the Mycenaean era (c. 1600–1450 BC).
O Hyacinthus!” Moaned Apollo. “I can see in your sad wound my own guilt, and you are my cause of grief and self-reproach. My own hand gave you death unmerited—I only can be charged with your destruction.—What have I done wrong? Can it be called a fault to play with you? Should loving you be called a fault? And oh, that I might now give up my life for you! Or die with you! But since our destinies prevent us you shall always be with me, and you shall dwell upon my care-filled lips. The lyre struck by my hand, and my true songs will always celebrate you. A new flower you shall arise, with markings on your petals, close imitation of my constant moans: and there shall come another to be linked with this new flower, a valiant hero shall be known by the same marks upon its petals.”
Four and a half stars. This was so moving and beautiful. I read a few reviews that complained the protagonist and narrator, Tally, was too hard to empathize with because she’s so analytical, but I never felt even a hint of that. I loved the whole story. (Also, the cover is gorgeous.)
Even readers who don’t know a thing about astronomy (like myself) or Greek myths (not like myself) will be able to follow the story. It’ll be difficult to see where the plot is going, but seriously, just trust the author because she’ll get you through it in one piece.
Overall: this is an excellent read that hit all my happy buttons–friendship, growing up, stumbling around and trying to figure out Emotions while being utterly mortified by them, Greek myths, weird small towns where mystical things start to happen, and an utter lack of angst over the main character’s bisexuality. I received my copy for free at Y'All West (May 2016), but having finished the book, I would say it is absolutely worth whatever you have to pay to get your hands on a copy.
A swan between facing Sirens. Side B of an Attic black-figure neck-amphora, by the Painter of Vatican 309 (circle of Lydos); ca. 560-550 BCE. Thought to come from Etruria; now in the Museo nazionale etrusco di Villa Giulia, Rome. Photo credit: ArchaiOptix/Wikimedia Commons.
Is anyone else tired of cyclopes in media always being unintelligent and brutish like in the Odyssey. Well dnd 3.5 had stats for the greater cyclopes, the children of Gaia and Uranus, so I converted their stats to 5e. I also made a video that will be up on my channel soon.
My video out later today is on the Rust Dragon from the 3.5 draconomicon. Which I’ve brought over to 5e with these stats. Check out my channel for more videos.
Reconstruction of the east pediment of the Parthenon according to drawing by Karl Schwerzek (1896).
Athena has just emerged from Zeus’s skull fully armed and equipped. She is looking at him. The King of the Gods is looking back at her amazed and surprised. Nike is intending to put a wreath on the head of a newborn goddess. On the right, Hephaestus can be seen holding an axe with which he split Zeus’s skull.
“ToHades … all-ruling, holy god, with glory bright, thee sacred poets and their hymns delight, propitious to thy mystics’ works incline, rejoicing come, for holy rites are thine.”
She’s stunning, draped in the finest robes, accentuating every curve. Hair a curly mess that demands you to play with, ever so kissable lips, and eyes that burn into you. She truly is beautiful… and ripped?
It’s little known of the Goddess’s origins, but what is known she first met her brothers and sisters when her cult took shore in Greece. Too bad that, at the time, she was a godess of beauty, love, motherhood, and… war.
After all, love is war, and what’s war without captives?
She’s kind and sweet. Allowing you to get away with murder, so to speak. But as time continues, her patience wares thin. No longer allowing her beloved to struggle, the wrath of Aphrodite is used frequently.
“Come here, Love.” She waits barely a minute before lashing out. “I said come you petulant child. I have half the mind to send you hurtling down this forsaken mountain.” When you rush into her arms it takes but a moment for her to revert back to cooing and petting your hair.
When she must act in any official capacity, she always has you squarely in her lap. She doesn’t care that your arms covered in burns and bruises, or how you shake like a leaf, she lives to sho you off.
While she’s busy, she usually has her estranged husband take care of you. Hephaestus seems to not mind your presence, or how the goddess dotes on you. He just likes to see his wife happy.
You’ll beg him to free you, and he’ll just continue to work in his forge as he hammers another lightning bolt. His smile is ever present and he seems to be so smitten with Aphrodite, that he’ll watch his wife’s pet.
Just, don’t insult her. He wont kill you, but you’d be wishing for death by the time he is done with you.
Pulling finger nails, pulling and replacing teeth, sticking various body parts into the burning forge all common punishments.
Aphrodite only tuts when she sees the state of you. “Been a bad girl for Hephy, now?” She smiles, picking you up and waving goodbye to her husband. All while whispering “He might of gotten his revenge, but I can’t have you shitting on my image. You reflect me, and I will not allow some mortal scum ruin me, no matter how adorable. Expect this to continue when we get home”
