| Northernlion | 23 Oct 2014 6:55 a.m. PST |
Ok I can't remember where I heard this, probably some weird website, but I distinctly remember that someone at one point said that many ancient gods could have been inspired by an actual person. I remember the example given was that there may have been a real life person who gave the inspiration for Hermes the greek messenger god. But apparently said person either moved around or had his words traveled around so other cultures also morphed him into their own gods. To Egypt I think he turned into Thoth and for the Scandinavians he turned into……Odin as the info claims. I don't know about you, but having Hermes turn into Odin is a really odd connection. Unless I'm mistaken about their roles or something. I mean it seems that there would be a better greek god turned into norse god comparisons. And of course this could be a whole load of hogwash about "everyone's religion has the same origins". |
 Saber6   | 23 Oct 2014 7:20 a.m. PST |
The pigs do look cleaner… |
| 21eRegt | 23 Oct 2014 7:26 a.m. PST |
I tend to associate Hermes with Loki rather than Odin. Both were tricksters, though Loki took it to a whole new level and Hermes was never responsible for the death of another "god." |
| GurKhan | 23 Oct 2014 7:59 a.m. PST |
"…someone at one point said that many ancient gods could have been inspired by an actual person…" Euhemerus, originally, in the 4th century BC. "Hermes the greek messenger god … for the Scandinavians he turned into …… Odin" "Oddly enough, the Greek and Roman historians who looked into the matter did not usually identify Odin with Zeus (Jupiter), but with Hermes (Mercury) as the god of wandering." – link Plus
link
link
link – the paper isn't uploaded, but the title itself gives the link! |
| Tgerritsen | 23 Oct 2014 8:35 a.m. PST |
There are two types of Norse gods- The Aesir and the Vanir. It's my theory that the Aesir are the original Norse gods and that the Vanir are the Roman/Greek Gods when the Norse came into contact with the Romans. That's just my theory though. |
| John the OFM | 23 Oct 2014 9:21 a.m. PST |
I think that Apollo is the original and most bad ass of the gods. |
| jowady | 23 Oct 2014 12:30 p.m. PST |
Hermes, the bureaucrat character from Futurama? I can see Bender as the inspiration for Loki. |
| jakethedog | 23 Oct 2014 12:31 p.m. PST |
Apollo? He's stuck in his damn chariot driving around the earth on a 24 hour cycle.
well we didnt want another repeat when someone else used the chariot! |
| leidang | 23 Oct 2014 12:33 p.m. PST |
No, Odin is Santa Claus….. link |
| Wombling Free | 23 Oct 2014 2:05 p.m. PST |
I think that Apollo is the original and most bad ass of the gods Pah, Apollo is a wimp beside Freya. She is clearly the most powerful god ever, because she can get two cats to pull in the same direction at the same time. Like GurKHan wrote, Roman historians identified Odin with Mercury/Hermes, probably because both are seen as psychopomps as well as wanderers. This comparison is fossilised in the days of the week now. |
| John the OFM | 23 Oct 2014 7:51 p.m. PST |
Diomedes attacks Ares, the friggin' GOD OF WAR, and stabs him in the belly. Ares goes whining back to Zeus.
Diomedes makes an gesture towards Apollo, who says "Do you know who I AM??????"
Diomedes immediately says "Why don't I just attack some random Trojan instead?"
Apollo says "Smart boy". |
| Bob Runnicles | 24 Oct 2014 7:43 a.m. PST |
Let's not forget that Apollo was also on Classic Star Trek – not many Gods can make that claim! |
