h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

...are definitely the coolest. I rather like Dionysus for the fun factor, and Hephaestus is rather intriguing. Zeus is definitely not a role model to aspire to, and the number of his offspring is certainly mind-boggling.

I could talk about Greek mythology for ages, but I can't think of anything to start the conversation off. How about those naughty Romans, stealing the Greek pantheon and changing the names in the hope that no-one would notice?

And talking of the Romans stealing the Greek pantheon, the introduction refers to Hercules, which is, of course, his Latinised name. The Greek one was Herakles.

The Vikings kind of stole a few of the Greek gods too, although perhaps they made them even cooler?

Oooh, a controversial statement if ever I heard one!

And the Greek/Roman thing is particularly annoying in Disney's 'Hercules', where all the gods (Zeus, Hera, Hades et al) have their Greek names, but Herc has his Roman name instead of the previously mentioned Heracles/Herakles. I suppose no-one would know what a film called 'Herakles' was about, and in a Disney film, there would be some interesting issues regarding the god of the underworld being called Pluto.

*is imagining Pluto as ruler of the Underworld*

Too funny....

" Zeus is definitely not a role model to aspire to, and the number of his offspring is certainly mind-boggling."

One of my favorite bits of information is that according to some scholars, Zeus acquired so many lovers because, when Greek myth met with local beliefs, Zeus would slowly melt into the shape of the local god and his partner would be the wife of the local god. This would get around, and the wife would become one of the many notches on Zeus's bedpost.

I like Apollo, myself.

Hecate was my favourite
I notice Hera gets a bad 'press' usually, alittle unfair given what a lousy husband Zeus was

I would not be too sure about the theiving of Greek Gods, most likely they were already second hand via those pesky Romans. However I would agree that the Norse Pantheon is cooler Well, maybe it is just the Norse suits my temprement more. I am just not for all that swanning around in the sun Then again Athena had her moments, and Loki's precursor Eris had her moments. All Hail Discordia!
BCNU - Crescent

Disney were'nt the only ones who mixed Greek and Roman names in the same movie. In Jason and the Argonaughts (with the Herry hausen Creatures) all the gods had their Greek names, yet there was still a Hercules. Also, don't forget Hercules; The Legendary Journeys (Kevin Sorbo). Their names are mixed all over the place. Not only is their Hercules, but there is Cupid (instead of eros) and Ulysses (instead of Odysseus). Zeus, Hera, Ares and Aphrodite all have their Greek names.