A brief Greek Mythology lesson

[DarkLantern]

-----------
Posts from “The Enemy Below (some spoilers)”:

“And whoever is doing the scriptwriting doesn't understand Greek Mythology very much; i wish WW would stop pleading to Hera.”

“WW has always pleaded to Hera....she's the one who needs lessons in Greek Mythology”

-----------

Um, Hera *is* from Greek Mythology. If WW was shouting “Great Juno!”, then we’d have a problem.

-----------

“IS Wonder Woman Greek?”

“to add to that, what exactly is an amazon?”

-----------

In the silver age (pre-George Perez) books and the old SuperFriends show, Wonder Woman would call the gods by both Greek and Roman names (i.e. “Great Zeus!” “Thunderbolts of Jove!”), to which I blame the writers. Wonder Woman should have stuck to Greek names then, as she does now.

Why? Because Wonder Woman is Greek, in a way, for the Amazons themselves are a legend of Greek mythology -- a warlike tribe of women descended from Ares, the god of war, and the nymph Harmony. Their home was the country of Themiscyra, which was on the River Thermodon along the Black Sea.

Sounds like the writers of JL are following Greek mythology fairly well, so far.

As far as the “pleading to Hera” is concerned, it’s just a reflection of her religion, which is another unique facet about her character. “Hera help him” is the equivalent of one of us saying “God help him.” -- which doesn’t sound too strange, does it? I can see how pleading to the gods in the midst of battle may seem a bit odd or corny to some -- but ancient warriors used to pray before and during battle all the time (not that I’m speaking from first-hand experience... I am not *that* old). At least we don’t have exclamations of “Great Hera!” as part of her regular conversation. I’m hoping it’s gone the way of the old “Great Scott!”, “Great Gotham!”, or “Great Galaxies!” SuperFriends dialogue.

Dark Lantern

[Russkafin]

My girlfriend said the Amazons would cut off their breasts so they wouldn't get in the way of firing their bow and arrows.

:(

Guess Wonder Woman isn't a true Amazon! LoL

[Kylewayne]

Greek mythology: The Amazons were a warlike tribe of women descended from the god of war, Ares (and the nymph Harmony), and were founders of the town of Themiscyra on the River Thermodon.


There is a persistent belief that the word Amazon means "breastless," although no convincing etymology has been established. Allegedly Amazons surgically removed their right breasts, the better to draw the bow and throw the javelin. There is, though, not a single bit of evidence in Greek art that they considered their neighbors to be mutilated. On the contrary, Amazons are invariably shown with one breast bare, and both quite visibly intact. Once or twice a year the Amazons had intercourse with men from surrounding tribes, and/or male captives of their frequent wars, keeping their daughters and returning the sons to the tribe of origin - or possibly killing or crippling the boys.


Hippolyta (Hippolyte)

Hippolyta was on of the greatest queens of the Amazons and one of the most beautiful and strongest women of her time. She wore the golden girdle of Amazonian queenship, a gift from her father, Ares (Her mother was Otrera). This royal belt became the object of Heracles' ninth labor. Hippolyta was attracted to Heracles and was ready to give him the girdle until Hera, Heracles' nemesis, disguised herself as an Amazon and spread the rumor that the queen had been robbed by him. The Amazons rose to assist their queen and a fight ensued. In the battle, Heracles, believing Hippolyta plotted against him, killed her, took the girdle and left.


This should enlighten some people on the Amazons. I haven't seen JL but from what I have heard she is portrayed ok. But the only thing that annoys me is... why she calls out to Hera! Hera in greek Mythology is the patron of marriage and queen of the heavens. She is also known as Juno (Roman). Wonder Woman should be calling out to Artemis, the goddess of the hunt and animals. She is one of the virgin godesses and is not to fond of man. Therefore, I say that WW should be asking for Artemis' help and not Hera. Artemis can be as vengeful as Hera but Artemis is the worst in punishing man when mankind comits an injustice. No man can get near her. The only man (Actaeon) who succeded in gazing at her when bathing in the nude was turned into a animal and hunted down by his own hunting dogs.^^

Well does anyone agree on WW calling out to Hera?

[Failure]

Hey Smithers might've thought Wonder Woman was part of the group of women that killed his dad.

[The Green Hornet]

the main problem with her calling to Hera is that battle and protection really isnt Hera's sphere of influence--weddings and the home are as well as a few other things

However it seems that Hera is the dominant goddess in her culture so I can see why it makes sense to call on her most of the time

[Silver_Angel]

Originally posted by TheFastestManAlive
the main problem with her calling to Hera is that battle and protection really isnt Hera's sphere of influence--weddings and the home are as well as a few other things

However it seems that Hera is the dominant goddess in her culture so I can see why it makes sense to call on her most of the time



I agree. Though if you listened to Diana durring Secret Origins she did do the classic "Artimis, guide my hand."

[ether_lad]

i agree too....i think WW just calls out to hera for three reasons:
a) she's the queen of the gods
2) the writers might be making her references a little more viewer-friendly, and by using hera, a much more recognizible goddess than artemis, viewers aren't alienated and sent running to their encyclopedias...
III) it's a little throwback to the SUPERFRIENDS WW...."great hera"

it doesn't bother me all that much, but i would like to see her "pray" to other gods and goddesses...i wonder if ares will make an appearance any time soon?


ether_lad

[Toddman]

Originally posted by kylewayne



This should enlighten some people on the Amazons. I haven't seen JL but from wahat i have heard She is portrayed ok. But the onlu thing that annoys me is why she calls out to Hera! Hera in greek Mythology she is the patron of marriage and queen of the heavens. She is also known as Juno (Roman). Wonder Woman should be calling out to Artemis Artemis, the goddess of the hunt and animals. She is one of the virgin godesses and is not to found of man. Therefore, I say that WW should be asking for Artemis' help and not Hera. Artemis can be as vengeful as Hera but Artemis is the worst in punishing man when mankind commits an injustice. No man can get near her. The only man (Actaeon) who succeded in gazing at her when bathing in the nude was turned into a animal and hunted down by his own hunting dogs.^^

Well does anyone agree on WWcalling out to Hera?

The comic book (and TV) creators and writers who have written WW in the past have always played it kind of fast and loose as far as Greek Mythology is concerned. I mean if your going to analyze her background for strict adherence to Greek Mythology, the most gaping hole is the fact that her name is Diana (the Roman name for Artemis).

The George Perez relaunch of the character in 1987 was probably the truest interpretation of the Amazon myth, and even that storyline took a lot of artistic license. It was explained why WW is named Diana, though. And now, I think we will see an entirely different interpretaion of both Greek and Wonder Woman mythology in JL.

Toddman

[Naraht]

I dunno....it's all greek to me...

[Silver_Angel]

Ha ha ha ;)

[Karkull]

Originally posted by TheFastestManAlive
the main problem with her calling to Hera is that battle and protection really isnt Hera's sphere of influence--weddings and the home are as well as a few other things.

That's right, she'd have better luck praying to Artemis (the Goddess of the hunt and her namesake) or Athena (a goddess of wisdom and battle--the opposite of her "God of War" enemy Ares).

When did she pray to Artemis in the pilot, Silver_Angel? I only heard her pray to Hera twice.

[metaphysician]

Well, the first obstacle to true portrayal is that the historical amazons worshiped Ares, being the god of war and such. ;)

Frankly, I agree that Athena would be a better patron, seeing as Wonder Woman seems to be linked to her in the comic. Also, being the goddess of war, wisdom, and defense would fit her nature more.

[Silver_Angel]

Originally posted by Karkull

When did she pray to Artemis in the pilot, Silver_Angel? I only heard her pray to Hera twice.



It was durring one of the many fights with the alien walker thingies, I don't remember which one. She did her rodeo trick with the catching of the legs.

[Salvor]

Originally posted by TheFastestManAlive
the main problem with her calling to Hera is that battle and protection really isnt Hera's sphere of influence--weddings and the home are as well as a few other things

However it seems that Hera is the dominant goddess in her culture so I can see why it makes sense to call on her most of the time
Actually it doesn't make any sense. Kylewayne made quite a point here, Greek gods are attached to very specific realms, and I don't see why anyone would call on Hera at all... She has nothing to do with wars or hunts, she's just basically Zeus' jealous wife, ready to do anything to keep him from "fooling around" :). The myths Hera appears in mainly consist in plain jealousy/love stories.

For instance Heraklès' 12 labors stem from Hera's vengeance against Alcmène, with whom Zeus slept after turning into an exact replica of her husband Amphitryon (those are French names, I don't know the English spelling). Hera made Zeus and Alcméne's son (Alcée--Heraklès) go mad and had him kill his own family. In order to redeem himself, Heraklès worked for Eurysthée and started the whole "12 labors" thing.

By the way Heraklès means "Hera's glory".

Anyway I could speak about Greek mythology for hours but I got stuff to do :) Just keep in mind WW shouldn't give a damn about Hera!

[Kylewayne]

Originally posted by Salvor

Kylewayne made quite a point here, Greek gods are attached to very specific realms, and I don't see why anyone would call on Hera at all... She has nothing to do with wars or hunts, she's just basically Zeus' jealous wife, ready to do anything to keep him from "fooling around" . The myths Hera appears in mainly consist in plain jealousy/love stories.


Yay!...finaly, someone agrees with me :)

[Lodoss War Fan]

My guess is since Hera is the queen of the gods ( Zeus the king of the gods, her husband ) she is like the mother of the Amazons.
One of the superior ones. That's my guess :)

[ether_lad]

i can't believe i'm actually gonna type this, but...

since when does everything have to be historically accurate?
it's just a cartoon! (ether_lad falls to the floor convulsing)

just be glad we have a wonder woman at all in this!

ether_lad

[BeastBoyWonder]

i've been quoted several times at the beginning, and to clarify, what I meant to say was that WW needed to pick some other idol than Hera, or have some diversity in her pleas...

[The Guard]

I was under the impression that Hera was the goddess of motherhood, virginity, and naievity or something like that as well as Zeus's wife and mother of the gods...

[batwing53]

Very interesting... :)

[The Green Hornet]

honestly i would very much prefer for her to call on Pallas Athena-- would make a LOT more sense than Hera IMHO

even more calls to Artemis would be cool

[Nick K.]

Hey, Im Greek, so here are my thoughts. Wonder Woman calling to Hera is fine. She is the Queen of the Gods! And a fierce and lethal women, like the amazons. In conclusion, Hera is fine and there is no need to change her name to artemis are athena. Also, Herakles is Hercules in Greek as well.

[Karkull]

JLKID2588, please refrain from posting on old threads, especially one that hasn't been active for almost two years. If you want to discuss it please start a new thread. Linking to an older thread, however, is okay.