Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Rough Draft
With time religious beliefs alter and change. Before monotheistic faiths dominated most of the world’s way of life polytheism held sway. Today’s mythology stems from the stories of the many gods and goddesses present in the Greek and Roman religion. These deities were an integral part of daily life and none more so than the god Neptune. He was a popular god and therefore the subject of many myths and legends (Mythograhpy). (Stretch with interesting facts/ a story of Neptune) To fully understand the Roman culture in Greece, on must examine their religion. Thesis: Because of Neptune’s prominence in mythology, it is important to examine who he was, what power he possessed, and how he was worshiped.
He was pictured as a bearded man riding a seashell chariot (drawn by horses) and holding a trident (windows2universe). Neptune was moody. When he was in a good mood the seas were calm and new lands were found. When he was cranky the seas reflected it (Encyclopedia Mythica). One of 6 siblings: Hestia, Demeter, Hera, Hades, and Zeus in Greek mythology. Neptune and his brothers divided the world; Zeus got the sky, Hades the underworld, and Neptune the sea (Encyclopedia Mythica). Neptune was a male spirit of fertility (apana) and was a legendary fighter and lover (Mythography). His varied trysts created many children; some include Triton, Chrysoar and Pegasus - flying horse, Theseus, and Eumolpus (Encyclopedia Mythica). Neptune and Poseidon is the same god under different names; Poseidon is the Greek version of the Roman Neptune (Nineplanets). Greek faith became Roman religion when Rome conquered Greece (Historiasiglo20).
He is the driving force behind every phenomenon on/underneath the sea (typhoons, earthquakes, volcanoes, etc) (Greece.org). Neptune created all the sea creatures to populate his underwater kingdom. He would use his powers to inflict fear or punishment; however, he could be cooperative if the mood struck him. He loved exerting his power over women and proving to them just how masculine he could be (Encyclopedia Mythica). A large part of Neptune is his trident (created by the Cyclopes), which he uses not only to stir up the winds and the sea, but to shake the earth as well (apana). When he struck the ground with his trident, earthquakes, shipwrecks and drowning occurred (Mythography). His tendency to cause tremors in the ground gave him the nickname of “Earth Shaker” (apana).
Each Greek and Roman family had a home alter devoted to a specific god or goddess. They would pray and worship here every day, unless it was the feast day for that deity. There were feasts for each god and each god represented something integral to life (historiasiglo20). Roman sailors loved Neptune less than Greek sailors love Poseidon. Neptune was held in much higher regard as "Neptune Equester", or the god of horses, with the Romans. Sailors would sacrifice horses over the sides of their ships for the promise of a good voyage. When on land the sailors would pay their respects at the temples set up for Neptune. His temples were usually placed around horse-heavy areas (Encyclopedia Mythica).
The ancient gods were seen to be similar to humans in regards to their bodies, characteristics, and flaws with the only difference being the god’s immortality. Gods like Neptune represented a force of nature while others symbolized professions or activities (Historiasiglo20). Neptune, and many other characters in mythology, has permeated society. The planet Neptune was named in 1846 after the Roman god to continue the naming trend scientists had created. The planet is a “blue planet” or a water planet and it was named Neptune for its namesake’s connection to the sea (windows2universe). (Stretch with final story about Neptune)
He was pictured as a bearded man riding a seashell chariot (drawn by horses) and holding a trident (windows2universe). Neptune was moody. When he was in a good mood the seas were calm and new lands were found. When he was cranky the seas reflected it (Encyclopedia Mythica). One of 6 siblings: Hestia, Demeter, Hera, Hades, and Zeus in Greek mythology. Neptune and his brothers divided the world; Zeus got the sky, Hades the underworld, and Neptune the sea (Encyclopedia Mythica). Neptune was a male spirit of fertility (apana) and was a legendary fighter and lover (Mythography). His varied trysts created many children; some include Triton, Chrysoar and Pegasus - flying horse, Theseus, and Eumolpus (Encyclopedia Mythica). Neptune and Poseidon is the same god under different names; Poseidon is the Greek version of the Roman Neptune (Nineplanets). Greek faith became Roman religion when Rome conquered Greece (Historiasiglo20).
He is the driving force behind every phenomenon on/underneath the sea (typhoons, earthquakes, volcanoes, etc) (Greece.org). Neptune created all the sea creatures to populate his underwater kingdom. He would use his powers to inflict fear or punishment; however, he could be cooperative if the mood struck him. He loved exerting his power over women and proving to them just how masculine he could be (Encyclopedia Mythica). A large part of Neptune is his trident (created by the Cyclopes), which he uses not only to stir up the winds and the sea, but to shake the earth as well (apana). When he struck the ground with his trident, earthquakes, shipwrecks and drowning occurred (Mythography). His tendency to cause tremors in the ground gave him the nickname of “Earth Shaker” (apana).
Each Greek and Roman family had a home alter devoted to a specific god or goddess. They would pray and worship here every day, unless it was the feast day for that deity. There were feasts for each god and each god represented something integral to life (historiasiglo20). Roman sailors loved Neptune less than Greek sailors love Poseidon. Neptune was held in much higher regard as "Neptune Equester", or the god of horses, with the Romans. Sailors would sacrifice horses over the sides of their ships for the promise of a good voyage. When on land the sailors would pay their respects at the temples set up for Neptune. His temples were usually placed around horse-heavy areas (Encyclopedia Mythica).
The ancient gods were seen to be similar to humans in regards to their bodies, characteristics, and flaws with the only difference being the god’s immortality. Gods like Neptune represented a force of nature while others symbolized professions or activities (Historiasiglo20). Neptune, and many other characters in mythology, has permeated society. The planet Neptune was named in 1846 after the Roman god to continue the naming trend scientists had created. The planet is a “blue planet” or a water planet and it was named Neptune for its namesake’s connection to the sea (windows2universe). (Stretch with final story about Neptune)
Outline
I. Introduction
thesis: Neptune's prominence in Greek and Roman mythology it is important to examine who he was, what powers he possessed, and how he was worshiped.
II. Who is Neptune?
thesis: Neptune's prominence in Greek and Roman mythology it is important to examine who he was, what powers he possessed, and how he was worshiped.
II. Who is Neptune?
- Description
- Family Ties
- Neptune versus Poseidon
- Involving nature
- Involving creatures
- The power in his trident
- General worship in ancient roman times
- Specific Neptune worship
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