The goddess of the night in all her shadowy glory as depicted by Gustave Moreau. It is said by Homer than even Zeus fears to upset this primordial divinity who rules the darkest of times.
This fresco depicts Polyphemus and the nereid Galatea in a landscape. Galatea is sometimes also the name of the statue that Pygmalion creates, though these were likely different story traditions…
#Ares gave him a push that sent him into the dirt of the agora. "On all fours, dog." #Sisyphos got up on his hands and knees as Ares had commanded.
"Good boy," Ares said with a cruel grin. "We are going to pay Lord #Thanatos a visit. Down in the underworld where you belong."
Hephaestus’ capacity in creative endeavours in metal working and carpentry sees him become the go to Olympian for armour. Here Hephaestus presents the new for Achilles' armor to Thetis (Iliad 18.617).
The death of Orpheus has fascinated artists. Although not as famous as the story involving the fate of his wife Eurydice, Orpheus’ death is notable. He was thought to have been torn apart limb-from-limb by Maenads in a Bacchic frenzy…
Ovid tells an infamous tale of Midas’ ‘golden touch’ wherein the king’s wish - granted to him by Dionysus - becomes the bane of his life. The tragedy bound up in Midas’ wish.
This painting captures Midas’ sense of feeling his wish become a curse…
If you know the artist, do let me know so I can appropriately credit them!
A powerful figure from Greek myth here depicted by Tyler Miles Lockett slaying two centaurs after they attempted to rape her. Atalanta was a devotee of Artemis and like the huntress herself sought a life of independence.
A powerhouse woman from myth with exceptional skills in pharmaka, Circe looms large in Homer’s Odyssey. This tale sets in motion a reception of Circe that endures even now. This painting by Waterhouse is superb: her power so clear.
Hesiod’s account of Pandora and her role in opening the pithos which contained all the evils that plague humanity sets the scene. Here Sebastian Becker captures the malign nature of the contents slowly drifting out of an opened box…
The famous god of healing is depicted here in Poynter’s 1880 painting ‘A Visit to Aesculapius’ as examining the injured Venus. She is accompanied by the Graces while the woman drawing water is thought to be Hygieia.
The painting is based on a poem by Thomas Watson and so we have layers of reception here as Watson used the Latin names of gods though the origin of these divinities is quite Greek!
I wrote a "fix it fic" for Ikaros and Phaëthon back in December 2020, when we all could use something uplifting instead of the well-known tragedy. In the story, Ikaros takes flight on the same day as Phaëthon gets to drive his father's sunwagon. How can the two escape their fates?
A devastating myth of a father and son and the tragedy of loss. This painting ‘The Lament for Icarus’ by Herbert James Draper (1898) reimagines the grief at the heart of this myth.
8: Icarus effugit (escaped) from Crete with his father on alae machinatae (contrived wings), but he flew too near the sun, and now, cera liquefacta (wax melted), pinnae solutae (feathers loose), he plummets... #ClassicsTober23#MinimusLatin
Jason owed his heroic successes to Medea. In this moment from their story, Waterhouse reimagines the moment Medea uses her skill in pharmakia to aid Jason on the quests set by Aeëtes.
Known famously as the tutor of Achilles, his wisdom set him apart from the other centaurs. I love the gorgeous artistry of @tylermlockett in bringing together this classic scene complete with astrological reference (a skill of Chiron’s).
5: Chiron is a centaurus sapientissimus (very wise centaur) who taught young heroes to use arcum sagittisque (a bow and arrows), herbae salutares (healing herbs) and music. #ClassicsTober23#MinimusLatin
It's #ClassicsTober!
🍂✏️🏺🖊️🍂
Join in by making any kind of post - text, story, photo, illustration, video, ANYTHING - and tagging #ClassicsTober23!
Here is the month of prompts!
@smutstodon 3: Baths, Shower & Water Sex + Asterion
#Dionysos came closer, a small creature compared to the Bull of Minos. Asterion looked down, the horned head crowned with an ivy wreath just about reaching to his chest. There was mischief in those dark, divine eyes and #Asterion wondered if he should be scared when two soft hands picked up his flaccid cock.
"Is there any medicine for love?"
"There are herbs that can help with the physical performance of love but none that cure the mind of it."
"Can you teach us about the physical performance?" asked Meleagros, the prince from Kalydon.
Chiron sighed. Oh yes, they were of that age. Sex, sex, sex, that's all they ever think about...
"I can. If that is what you wish."
Iason struck her with his flat hand. It had a nice sting to it.
"You call that punishment, Greek boy?"
"Maybe you'd prefer choking on cock instead?"
"I'd like to see you try. That tiny chickpea couldn't choke a chicken."
He grabbed her, yanking hard. She yelped, her golden jewellery clinking. Her eyes were spitting the fire of the heavens, her grandfather Helios' light.