*talking About Achilles*

The thought that you exist is so divinely blissful in itself that it is ridiculous to talk about the everyday sadness of separation – a week’s, ten days’ – what does it matter? since my whole life belongs to you.

— Vladimir Nabokov, Letters to Véra

Greek mythology from A to Z:

[H] - Hygieia (Ὑγιεία) was the goddess of good health, cleanliness and hygiene.

Iris by William Savage Cooper (1893)

Greek mythology from A to Z:

[H] - Helios (Ἥλιος) was one of the Titans and personification of the Sun.

Norse mythology from A to Z:

[V] - Vǫrðr is a warden spirit, believed to follow from birth to death the soul (hugr) of every person.

Zeus: Don't you have something to say to your sister?

Apollo: *sigh* I'm sorry I flicked flour in your face.

Zeus: Artemis?

Artemis: I'm sorry you're my brother.

art honoring Hermes

here's the third set in the series i'm doing on art honoring the gods as i finish my art history degree; Apollon and Artemis can be found under these links. here are my favorite pieces honoring Hermes :>

Disclaimer: Most artists throughout the neoclassical period (in particular, but not limited to) used Hermes/Mercury interchangeably for a myriad of cultural and religious reasons. I do understand that Hermes and Mercury are syncretized deities with very different aspects in Greek and Roman society respectively.

In order: 1) Souls on the Banks of the Acheron by Adolph Hiremy-Hirschl, 1898, Belvedere Palace, Vienna. 2) Detail from Palazzo Clerici Ceiling Fresco by Giovanni Battista Tiepolo, 1740, Milan. 3) Hermes (Engraving) by William Blake Richmond, 1866, University of Toronto Library. 4) Mercury Attaching his Wings by Jean-Baptiste Pigalle, c. 1744, on display in the Louvre, Paris. 5) Hermes by Jules Alexis Coulan, 1914, Grand Central Station. 6) Elevation of the Great Elector to Olympus by Charles-Amedee-Philippe van Loo, 1751, City Palace, Potsdam, Germany. 7) Detail from Mercury Exhorting Aeneas to Leave Carthage by Giovanni Battista Tiepolo, 1757, Palazzina di Caccia, Stupinigi. 8) Mercury and Psyche by Reinhold, 1857, Staatliche Museum, Berlin.

Homer Couples as Weird Stock Photos

Norse mythology from A to Z:

[O] - Odin

Greek mythology from A to Z:

[E] - Enyo (Ἐνυώ) was the goddess of war and destruction, sister and companion of Ares.