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31
General Discussion / Re: Mythology
« on: April 14, 2010, 02:36:25 pm »
Luckily, Hades isn't a jerk. The only people he cast into Tartarus of his own initiative were the man that tried to steal his wife, and the man who resurrected the dead and emptied his domain. Most others are sentenced by the Judges, or ordered down by Zeus. Hades doesn't care about anything of that nature, but he would acquiesce should Zeus condemn someone.
Besides, is it so impious to honor Hades? I'm still trying to find an instance of him ever abusing his powers. Still no luck.
Besides, is it so impious to honor Hades? I'm still trying to find an instance of him ever abusing his powers. Still no luck.
32
General Discussion / Re: Mythology
« on: April 14, 2010, 02:10:35 am »
By most accounts of Heracles' trials I've read, he asked Hades if he could just take the dog. Hades gave his blessing, but only if Heracles' could defeat Cerebus without any weapons. Heracles won, so he was allowed to lead Cerebus out alive, and then return it.
I'm going to have to check out these books. Thanks!
I'm going to have to check out these books. Thanks!
33
General Discussion / Re: Mythology
« on: April 14, 2010, 12:17:21 am »
The thing that best sets Hades apart from the Christian hell is that it also contains the Greek equivalent of Heaven.
The Underworld is a vast place where all souls go to be judged by three sons of Zeus; the Judges Minos, Rhadamanthys and Aecus. These three determine the worth of a soul, and where they will ultimately end up. Good souls and heroes go to Elysium, also called the Elysian Fields and the Blessed Isles. This is a paradise where virtuous souls came to rest as long as they wished, before they reincarnated. The specifics on the Island of the Blessed vary greatly between myths, but a search of Theoi for Elysium can explain in greater detail.
Next is the Asphodel Plains. This area is much like Purgatory, or Homer's notion of a condensed Underworld. Here go the souls who weren't evil, but also weren't remarkably good. There is no punishment, but neither is there paradise or pleasure. Asphodel is an area of contemplation, where a soul can study his life, see where he went wrong, and learn lessons for his next reincarnation.
Third, and most notorious, is Tartarus. This is the area most like hell, where truly vile souls are sent to be tortured, and where the Titans and Giants who did not bow to Zeus are imprisoned.
It's hard to use your religion's hell to spread fear when it also encompasses heaven, yet people still fear this region most of all.
What would things have been like if Hades and Zeus, while keeping their respective personalities, got eachother's realms when they drew lots?
The Underworld is a vast place where all souls go to be judged by three sons of Zeus; the Judges Minos, Rhadamanthys and Aecus. These three determine the worth of a soul, and where they will ultimately end up. Good souls and heroes go to Elysium, also called the Elysian Fields and the Blessed Isles. This is a paradise where virtuous souls came to rest as long as they wished, before they reincarnated. The specifics on the Island of the Blessed vary greatly between myths, but a search of Theoi for Elysium can explain in greater detail.
Next is the Asphodel Plains. This area is much like Purgatory, or Homer's notion of a condensed Underworld. Here go the souls who weren't evil, but also weren't remarkably good. There is no punishment, but neither is there paradise or pleasure. Asphodel is an area of contemplation, where a soul can study his life, see where he went wrong, and learn lessons for his next reincarnation.
Third, and most notorious, is Tartarus. This is the area most like hell, where truly vile souls are sent to be tortured, and where the Titans and Giants who did not bow to Zeus are imprisoned.
It's hard to use your religion's hell to spread fear when it also encompasses heaven, yet people still fear this region most of all.
What would things have been like if Hades and Zeus, while keeping their respective personalities, got eachother's realms when they drew lots?
34
General Discussion / Re: Mythology
« on: April 13, 2010, 05:58:41 pm »
Faerie is another interesting realm. The most I know of it is from various Neil Gaiman works. The concept of "fairy" has evolved quite a it over the years. Fairies used to be vile little creatures that played tricks on people and stole babies from their cribs. Somehow, they became these friendly little things that grant wishes and frolic through the woods. It's a very baffling jump. Myths and perspectives do change over time, but I'd like to know how such an extreme shift could happen.
Some reading on the subject: http://www.endicott-studio.com/rdrm/rrfairies.html
Some reading on the subject: http://www.endicott-studio.com/rdrm/rrfairies.html
35
General Discussion / Mythology
« on: April 13, 2010, 02:14:33 am »
As there are many intellectuals, historians, and artists here, I figured a discussion of mythology would be the best marriage of the three.
After reading the Sandman series, and noticing the similarities between this and certain video games, I realized just how rich the various bodies of mythology are. My interest had been piqued, so I took to studying Greek mythology, which most saturates our modern world. As expected, what I knew of Greek myths (especially what Disney has taught me) was completely wrong. I've studied quite a bit so far, but I know that I am missing quite a bit.
The point of this thread is to share resources for studying myths, legends, and poems (even modern ones), and hopefully to discuss our varied views one these subjects.
To get us started on the collection part of things, a few items of interest:
Theoi Greek Mythology, a very in-depth encyclopedia of the Greek gods. I have yet to explore it completely, but it's a great resource.
The River Styx. Nowhere near as professional as Theoi, but it contains nice summaries if Theoi proves tl;dr.
Homer's works, in various translations. I haven't read them yet, but they're on my list.
These are great beginning places, including a scan of google and wikipedia, and a trip to your local library.
Now that that's out of the way, the discussion part! I have a question for all of you, before you spoil your mind with the knowledge above:
What do you know of Hades, and what are your thoughts on the lord and his realms?
After reading the Sandman series, and noticing the similarities between this and certain video games, I realized just how rich the various bodies of mythology are. My interest had been piqued, so I took to studying Greek mythology, which most saturates our modern world. As expected, what I knew of Greek myths (especially what Disney has taught me) was completely wrong. I've studied quite a bit so far, but I know that I am missing quite a bit.
The point of this thread is to share resources for studying myths, legends, and poems (even modern ones), and hopefully to discuss our varied views one these subjects.
To get us started on the collection part of things, a few items of interest:
Theoi Greek Mythology, a very in-depth encyclopedia of the Greek gods. I have yet to explore it completely, but it's a great resource.
The River Styx. Nowhere near as professional as Theoi, but it contains nice summaries if Theoi proves tl;dr.
Homer's works, in various translations. I haven't read them yet, but they're on my list.
These are great beginning places, including a scan of google and wikipedia, and a trip to your local library.
Now that that's out of the way, the discussion part! I have a question for all of you, before you spoil your mind with the knowledge above:
What do you know of Hades, and what are your thoughts on the lord and his realms?
36
General Discussion / Re: Stuff you LOVE, baby
« on: April 12, 2010, 07:37:53 pm »
While I don't remember the difference between Alien and Aliens due to how long it's been since I've watched either of them, I love them both. Many people in my school still use the iconic alien creature as a subject for their paintings in Color Theory and Photoshop classes. In my mind they're both classics, as they are both awesome and created before I was born.
37
Site Updates / Re: Multiple vendors offering CT "Formation Arts" figurines for pre-order
« on: April 09, 2010, 11:21:03 pm »
That's actually quite cheap by figurine standards. Anyway, it looks like they'e $30-40 for the whole set. I can't see a menu for selecting a specific figurne on any of those sites, so they should come in a bundle.
38
Chrono / Gameplay Casual Discussion / Re: CHRONO COMIX
« on: April 09, 2010, 11:07:32 pm »
I'm betting the drunk Guru is Melchior. The bald guy can be Gaspar cause he dresses snappily.
Or are these the three Gurus that preceded the three we know? I declare them the Gurus of Sweatervests, Turbans, and Drunkenness, respectitvely! (this was during Zeal's college party days.)
Or are these the three Gurus that preceded the three we know? I declare them the Gurus of Sweatervests, Turbans, and Drunkenness, respectitvely! (this was during Zeal's college party days.)
39
Chrono / Gameplay Casual Discussion / Re: Has SE C&D'd any other fan projects NOT related to Chrono?
« on: April 09, 2010, 05:36:18 pm »
While not quite a 'fangame', per se, Super Smash Brothers Brawl was unable to put Geno - one of the most popular Mario characters - into their roster because SE got bitchy about him being their character. Weird thing is, he should be co-owned by Nintendo. Geno was only ever in one game, and it's very unlikely that Square and Nintendo will ever work together again. It's disheartening that Nintendo didn't fight harder for custody of that character.
40
General Discussion / Re: Humanity: Good News, Bad News
« on: April 09, 2010, 02:31:27 pm »
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_sex_ed_wisconsin
If I'm getting this right, there's a new law in Wisconsin that sex ed teachers have to teach proper use of contraceptives, benefits of abstinence, and the penalties for underage sex. However, this Southworth guy warns that teachers will be taken to court for contributing to student delinquency if they teach the use of contraceptives, and he has a lot of support. Seems kind of backwards.
If I'm getting this right, there's a new law in Wisconsin that sex ed teachers have to teach proper use of contraceptives, benefits of abstinence, and the penalties for underage sex. However, this Southworth guy warns that teachers will be taken to court for contributing to student delinquency if they teach the use of contraceptives, and he has a lot of support. Seems kind of backwards.
41
General Discussion / Re: Official Chrono Trigger toys for sale
« on: April 08, 2010, 11:18:30 pm »
There were tons of fanservice figurines like that at Sakuracon, actually. Some of them were quite beautiful. Even for boyish characters, the posing figurines are very pretty. I'd like a few myself.
42
General Discussion / Re: Official Chrono Trigger toys for sale
« on: April 08, 2010, 09:46:13 pm »
I think this is more news-worthy than General.
If I had forty bucks I'd totally order that. The dragon on top of Magus' castle is so cute!
If I had forty bucks I'd totally order that. The dragon on top of Magus' castle is so cute!
43
General Discussion / Re: Stuff you LOVE, baby
« on: April 08, 2010, 09:43:13 pm »
Nope, it was snow. I went out and checked. It wasn't solid at all, as soon as you touched it it just fell apart. Hail doesn't splat when you throw it, either. As my grandma would say, it's "corn snow".
44
General Discussion / Re: Stuff you LOVE, baby
« on: April 08, 2010, 04:51:14 pm »
Today in Redmond, it snowed for six minutes, in big huge clumps. It's still over forty degrees, too. It's like the sky was saving the snow all through the winter and decided to just dump it all on us now. It was bright and sunny earlier in the day, and now it's not even raining. Just melting.
I love Washington's fucked up weather.
I love Washington's fucked up weather.
45
General Discussion / Re: The "WTF? Check this link out!" thread!
« on: April 08, 2010, 04:16:00 pm »
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EvB-lIcHHPQ&feature=related
Geno is awesome. It's true.
Geno is awesome. It's true.