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Did ancient Greek religion ever become monotheistic?
Unlike modern monotheistic religions that only accept one, omnipotent and omniscient god, ancient Greek religion has a pantheon of fallible gods. Yet it was also well developed, where the pantheon has hierarchy (Zeus, king of gods) and lineage.
Was…
congusbongus
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Why is Lucifer three-faced?
In Canto XXXIV Lucifer is presented as a winged giant with three faces:
Oh, what a wonder it appeared to me
when I perceived three faces on his head.
The first, in front, was red in color.
Another two he had, each joined with this,
above…
Girsan Virlee
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16
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How are future apocalyptic events detailed so greatly?
For example,
From Wikipedia article on Ragnarök (emphasis mine):
In Norse mythology, Ragnarök is a series of future events, including a great battle foretold to ultimately result in the death of a number of major figures (including the gods Odin,…
Ero Sɘnnin
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Was Poseidon actually jealous of Zeus?
In Age of Mythology, there is a lot of fairly accurate background info on all the Gods and lore present in the game.
Obviously the story itself is fabricated, but is based around accurate lore. It's woven around events such as the siege of Troy, the…
Robotnik
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How old were Paris and Achilles at the time of the Trojan War?
Paris of Troy was presumably an adult at the time of the marriage of Peleus and Thetis and the Judgement of Paris. That would mean Paris was at least 15-20 years older than Achilles. Other than that, I have no idea how old either was at the time of…
yannis
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Mythologies with goddesses as the main deity?
In most mythologies, there is often a male god who is the chief god, like Zeus of Greek mythology and Ra of Egyptian mythology. As far as I know, the only mythology that has a female ruler of the universe is Ameteratsu, the Sun goddess of the Shinto…
user1385
16
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1 answer
Worship of Epona in the Roman Empire
Epona is said to be "the sole Celtic divinity ultimately worshipped in Rome itself" (see Wikipedia article quoting Phyllis Fray Bober).
Is there any reason this divinity in particular was worshipped in the Roman Empire and none of the numerous other…
plannapus
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Is there a connection between the use of the metaphor "black dog" for depression and the black dog of British folklore?
"The black dog" has been used as a metaphor for depression or sulking since at least 1790. Today it is used to denote depression and sometimes a broader range of mental illnesses. For example, in Britain the mental health charity SANE runs a Black…
user1637
16
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1 answer
What happened to the Fir Bolg after Ireland was conquered by the Tuatha Dé Danann?
In Irish mythology, Ireland was once inhabited by the Fir Bolg, who were descended from the earlier Muintir Nemid. The Fir Bolg were later defeated by another group of Nemed's descendants known as the Tuatha Dé Danann in the Battle of Cath Maige…
Semaphore
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What is signified by Genghis Khan being born with a blood clot in his hand?
Genghis Khan (born Temüjin), is reputed to have been born with a blood clot in his right hand.
Then Yisügei-ba’atur plundered Temüjin-üge, Qoribuga, and other Tatars. On his return, Lady Hö’elün was pregnant. They were at Deli’ün-boldaq on the…
femtoRgon
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What exactly did Apollo do with respect to the Sun?
My understanding is that Helios (a Titan) was actually the one who drove the Sun Chariot across the sky every day. But why, then, was Apollo the god of the Sun?
Am I correct in this understanding? Was Apollo (as a son of Zeus) sort of Helios's boss?…
durron597
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Why did Zeus release Cronos?
In this answer, Hamlet quotes this page:
and Cronos rules over them; for the father of men and gods released him from his bonds.
It is safe to assume that the "father of men and gods" is Zeus, as he was the king of the gods of Olympus. However, it…
HDE 226868
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Are dwarves and dark elves the same?
I remember reading somewhere that in Norse mythology dwarves and dark elves are the same thing. Then I started reading Gylfaginning and it sounded like they were different, but then later on they send someone to get help from the dwarves in…
Salvador
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Was the Mjölnir usable by only the worthy?
Present works of fiction present Mjölnir as a hammer of unbelievable power, which can only be used by the worthy.
But, when the Mjölnir is given to Thor, its properties are described:
Then he gave the hammer to Thor, and said that Thor might smite…
Ero Sɘnnin
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16
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Are "Dying and Rising Gods" Dead?
Frazer famously made popular the idea of "dying and rising" gods associated with the seasons and vegetation. In the ancient Near East and Mediterranean, common examples have included Dummuzi/Tammuz, Osiris, Attis, and Baal. The notion of a fairly…
Arthur George
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