NationStates Jolt Archive

I've been curious about a lot of things recently, and right now I'm curious about what mythologies you all are familiar with and which has your favorite stories, races, deities, etc.

I've always been interested in pre-christian European religions. They seemed to be more fun when I was a kid. Especially the ancient Greeks. I've read the Illiad three times, the Odyssey, the Aenead (really Roman) and many of the other myths. Even now there are little statues of Athena, Aphrodite and a Corinthian Helmet on my mantlepiece.

It's not just the Greeks though. I've also read bits and bods of the various Celtic and Norse myths.

CuChullian is pretty cool.

Read: "Edith Hamilton: Mythology" You can't beat it. If you wan't a cool game play: "Zeus: Master of Olympus" It's a city building game of epic proportians. Then get "Posiden" the official expansian pack. Mett all your favorites: Zeus, Hera, Hercules, Medusa, The MAENADS! *shivers*, Jason, Theseus, Agamemnon...fight the Trojan War! You can't really find them on the market anymore, but try searching for 'em online. I LOVE THE GAME. BUILD YOUR TEMPLES, FIGHT YOUR WARS! ENJOY!:D

I've been exposed to many mythologies, mostly in miniscule amounts, though. My favorite are the Norse myths, though the Celtic, Greek, and Roman interest me a lot also. Finnish/Lapp and the Middle Eastern mythologies are things I look into from time to time, but I never remember much I read about them.

The Roman theogony is where it's at. You've got the kick ass Olymipan gods imported from Greece coupled with a host of native everyday gods for every occurance. Problem with nighttime lightning? Propitiate Summanus.

Read: "Edith Hamilton: Mythology" You can't beat it. If you wan't a cool game play: "Zeus: Master of Olympus" It's a city building game of epic proportians. Then get "Posiden" the official expansian pack. Mett all your favorites: Zeus, Hera, Hercules, Medusa, The MAENADS! *shivers*, Jason, Theseus, Agamemnon...fight the Trojan War! You can't really find them on the market anymore, but try searching for 'em online. I LOVE THE GAME. BUILD YOUR TEMPLES, FIGHT YOUR WARS! ENJOY!:D

I have the Age of Mythology games, but my stupid computer is worth absolutely nothing and refuses to run them for whatever reason. They got kind of old very quickly, though.

Norse mythology, I like.

I'm fairly partial to Norse mythology. All the gods spend most of their time kicking the crap out of something.

I'm fairly partial to Norse mythology. All the gods spend most of their time kicking the crap out of something.

Although it does have some really bizzare stuff. Like Loki, the God, not Goddess but God of Mischief giving birth to a six legged horse.

I have the Age of Mythology games, but my stupid computer is worth absolutely nothing and refuses to run them for whatever reason. They got kind of old very quickly, though.

Phbt, that's because like... Zeus gets boring. Pharaoh and Emperor are where it's at.

And my favourite mythology is Japanese Buddhist mythology :D.

My own.:D

So far, I (with inspiration from a couple of weird "story games" on a few forums, and the online friends that participated) have thought up the following:

http://uncyclopedia.org/wiki/The_Holy_Broken_Chair_of_Fluffiness (the ultimate divine artifact and deity!)
http://uncyclopedia.org/wiki/Radioactive_cheese (a highly cheesy substance, prone to violent behavior)
http://uncyclopedia.org/wiki/Microsoft_certified_nuked_railroads (oh, the horror!)
http://uncyclopedia.org/wiki/Homicidal_screaming_carrots (there is no escape; they are after you!)

And then, the three universal elements:
http://uncyclopedia.org/wiki/Fluffiness
http://uncyclopedia.org/wiki/Evilness
http://uncyclopedia.org/wiki/Holiness

And the dreaded process known as fluffalization that a friend of mine wrote an article about:
http://uncyclopedia.org/wiki/Fluffalization

And two articles originally written by someone I don't know, but which have now been adopted into it all:
http://uncyclopedia.org/wiki/Fluffies
http://uncyclopedia.org/wiki/Flufese


That's all, so far, but I'm thinking of adding a section to my own site about Divine Fluffinessism, which would contain things like the above, as well as a massive load of cynical, misanthropic, and slightly nihilistic philosophy written in as maniacal a manner as possible. It would also go further into detail and in addition to these kind of articles, contain quite a bit of made-up-on-the-spot crackpot mythology which goes long back in history and claims to be the ultimate thruth.

Although it does have some really bizzare stuff. Like Loki, the God, not Goddess but God of Mischief giving birth to a six legged horse.
Ya, you gotta wonder what the vikings were smoking when they thought that one up. Loki certainly got around, wasn't Fenrir his child too?

Ya, you gotta wonder what the vikings were smoking when they thought that one up. Loki certainly got around, wasn't Fenrir his child too?

Yeah. I think so. Or so my Marvel comics tell me.

Roman, because I like Greek and like the Emperor is God thing.

Although it does have some really bizzare stuff. Like Loki, the God, not Goddess but God of Mischief giving birth to a six legged horse.

That was because Loki was a shape-shifter, he was in effect whatever he wanted to be..you know, like Gozer the Gozarian.

Japanese Shinto/Buddhist mythology is the best. My second favorite is Roman/Greek mythology.

I went with Greek!

I have the Age of Mythology games, but my stupid computer is worth absolutely nothing and refuses to run them for whatever reason. They got kind of old very quickly, though.
"Age of Mythology" is left in der' dust by "Zeus." DO NOT try to compare the two. Your comp should run "Zeus" by der' way.

Phbt, that's because like... Zeus gets boring. Pharaoh and Emperor are where it's at.

And my favourite mythology is Japanese Buddhist mythology :D.
"Pharaoh/Cleopatra" and "Ceaser" would be good if they didn't have so many darn rules. I just got "Emperor" a few days ago from "BIG LOTS!" for $4.:D I'M LOVE'N IT!:cool:

I tend to think of the Catholic canon of saints as analagous to a pantheon.

"Thou shalt have one god"

But patron saints of everything else that comes to mind. My personal favourite being Fiacre: patron saint of taxi drivers and venereal diseases.

Does Undead Mythology count?

[QUOTE=Llanarc]I've always been interested in pre-christian European religions. They seemed to be more fun when I was a kid. Especially the ancient Greeks. I've read the Illiad three times, the Odyssey, the Aenead (really Roman) and many of the other myths. Even now there are little statues of Athena, Aphrodite and a Corinthian Helmet on my mantlepiece.

I don't find mythology "fun". I think its disgusting that people actually believed such nonsense once. Zeus is a total chauvinist and rapist, yet he's the chief god. Other legitimately deviant behavior abounds in other mythologies as well. Mythology is one thing humanity is better off without.

I am fascinated and curious by the earliest European mythologies that produced symbolic patterns carved on stones and grave mounds like Newgrange, and built structures to record and mark the movements of the sun and moon, like Stonehenge.

[QUOTE=Llanarc]I've always been interested in pre-christian European religions. They seemed to be more fun when I was a kid. Especially the ancient Greeks. I've read the Illiad three times, the Odyssey, the Aenead (really Roman) and many of the other myths. Even now there are little statues of Athena, Aphrodite and a Corinthian Helmet on my mantlepiece.

I don't find mythology "fun". I think its disgusting that people actually believed such nonsense once. Zeus is a total chauvinist and rapist, yet he's the chief god. Other legitimately deviant behavior abounds in other mythologies as well. Mythology is one thing humanity is better off without.

Hey man don't dis on mythology, I love this stuff, I think it's fascinating to read all the explanations we once came up with for how the world works, it's certainly better than the mundane boring explanations we're stuck with nowadays.:sniper:

There was a time when the thunder and lightning was Thor riding his chariot and swinging his hammer, defending our world from the evil Giant-kin, Nowadays its just a glorified display of static cling. Personally I prefer the mythological explanation, wrong as it may be.

[QUOTE=Roblicium]

Hey man don't dis on mythology, I love this stuff, I think it's fascinating to read all the explanations we once came up with for how the world works, it's certainly better than the mundane boring explanations we're stuck with nowadays.:sniper:

While I agree looking back on mythology has its merits, I think the world would have been far better off if it never existed. "Fascinating" does not outweigh the fact that it encourages the acceptability of rape, incest, etc.

[QUOTE=Nagapura]

While I agree looking back on mythology has its merits, I think the world would have been far better off if it never existed. "Fascinating" does not outweigh the fact that it encourages the acceptability of rape, incest, etc.

I'll bet your one of these people who thinks videogames are destroying the fabric of our society.:headbang:

I much like but is kind of finnished with norse(best) and greek religion.
Egyptian and mesopotamiam pre-islam mythologies are excremely good.

Loved slavic mythology but ran out of books.
Celtic mythology is rich but very dry and too somber.
I prefer more life and magic awesomeness.

Shinto is now by favoirite mythologi and the incan are my new interest.

You read one mytholgy.
Know it and then take next and next.

I know lots but I'm kind of forgetful.

I got into demonology and quit becouse it was too subjective and instable.
Changing all the time.
Some mideaval satanic mythologies where kind of cool.

For example satan where though riding storms to steal away dead souls
just like Oden.
Or that thunder meant Satan hit his wife.

Originally posted by Roblicium
I don't find mythology "fun". I think its disgusting that people actually believed such nonsense once. Zeus is a total chauvinist and rapist, yet he's the chief god. Other legitimately deviant behavior abounds in other mythologies as well. Mythology is one thing humanity is better off without.
It was a different time and people wouldn't be fobbed off with pale stories of goody two shoes characters they couldn't relate to in the real world.

When I said "fun" I also mentioned I was a kid. Children love stories of heroes, monsters and magic. Just look at the popularity of fantasy fiction.

By the way, the Christian mythology is full of foul, deviant behaviour. Does your dislike extend to the bible?

Zoroastrianism is quite cool, though I prefer Egyptian and Norse

Originally posted by Roblicium
Other legitimately deviant behavior abounds in other mythologies as well.
What exactly is "legitimately deviant behaviour" exactly ;) .

What exactly is "legitimately deviant behaviour" exactly ;) .

Presumably outlawed deviant behaviour.

I really like Greek. But, as it seems in all mythology, WHAT'S WITH THE INBREEDING?!!You look at many of the gods' "family trees" and they never split! Except for when someone cheats, ON HIS SISTER!:confused:

While I agree looking back on mythology has its merits, I think the world would have been far better off if it never existed. "Fascinating" does not outweigh the fact that it encourages the acceptability of rape, incest, etc.
I don't think it does though, in something of a contrast to more obviously 'moral' modern religions. Christianity and Islam et al. consciously set up examples to emulate - 'what would Jesus do' etc. So if Jesus engaged in rape or incest then these would be seen as things to mimic. In these mythologies though, especially Greek - I don't really know about the others - the Gods are presented as entirely separate from mortals. The key difference is that these gods enjoy freedom from the consequences of their actions, no remorse, no higher authority, and as such can get away with all sorts of heinous activity that the hoi polloi should have nothing to do with.

[QUOTE=Nagapura]

While I agree looking back on mythology has its merits, I think the world would have been far better off if it never existed. "Fascinating" does not outweigh the fact that it encourages the acceptability of rape, incest, etc.
Apollo in one case yes, but it was harshly chastised by the people in the story and the people of the time. I hardly think anyone who partaked in such activities need mythology to encourage them, they'd do it anyhow. "Uh, gee well ZEUS did it so I thought..."

pfffftt...Indians (Hindus) have the most elaborate, antique and incomparable mythology with great epics like Ramayana and Mahabaratha..

I chose Greek. I am a fan of Ares, the god of battle, bloodlust, and brutality. He also had and affair with Aphrodite, who was married to Hephaestus.

Although Greek mythology has always been my favorite, I have always loved Egyptian, very earthy and mystical.

Misanthropic foriegners. :mp5: Western capitalists bagh!!! :upyours: Surely you've read something of the rest of Eurasian mythos other than the Euro part? :p
As was previously stated by A-- the Indian subcontinent is full of gods and godlets. Many of them have traveled the world...via trade routes, missionaries, and general cultural diffusion. China has an interesting Imperial Heaven...the kingdom of the Jade Emperor was broken down into bureacratic portfolios mirroring the state of affairs in the Middle Kingdoms. Prior to the Islamic conquests of Central Asia there were some very interesting mixing of south, east, near east and west.

For the frst few centuries of Buddhism. The Buddha had no image. It just wasn't done. The Graeco-Bactrians were the first...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhist_art

One of my favorite things was the views neighbors had of their neighbors gods. The Persians thought they we good and the devas were evil. The Indians thought that the Persians had it reversed.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asura

Now aint thata sumin?:fluffle:

I love all mythology.

If I had to pick one it would have to either be Norse or Japanese, though.

My favorite mythology is the one where other people explain my actions to me the morning after...

Greek, Roman, Arthurian.....

I don't find mythology "fun". I think its disgusting that people actually believed such nonsense once. Zeus is a total chauvinist and rapist, yet he's the chief god. Other legitimately deviant behavior abounds in other mythologies as well. Mythology is one thing humanity is better off without.

I hope you're a theist, because the irony would be delicious.

Its got to be Greek Mythology becauase there are so many of them.

this should have been an 'all that apply' rather then a 'radio button' question.

i would have to say celtic AND native american AND egyptian.
how can anyone not love the mischivous, often anoying, coyote, whome many credit for our very existence as humans?

not to mention in many different ways, depending on which local culture is telling it, participating in giving us the dry land we walk on, without which we'd be having to swim under the ocean like dolphins or something and would never have been able to build lodges or fires.

or the egyptian warrior goddess shekmet, or the celtic triple gods and goddessess without whome christerism would never have invented its 'trinity' nonexplanation.

not to mention the goddess (brigid) who was 'sainted' who was also her own grandmother? and why does no one ever mention the french or galithian pantions? all i know about the french/la tene, is they called their 'little people' ludens, like the coff drops.

all i know about galithia is the milsians appearently seem to have come from there, a much earlier invading influence on the british isles then even the sea axians.

=^^=
.../\...

Norse Mythology is fucking cool. The Poetic Edda is a worthwhile read for anyone. :D

Of those listed, I like the Norse the best, and Greek and Roman are nice as well.

I'm more interested in East-Asian (Japanese/Korean/Chinese) mythology though.