Ganymede, the son of King Tros of Troy, was an exceptionally handsome young man. Zeus found him desirable, and changed himself into the form of an eagle to abduct him from Troy. He snatched Ganymede into the air with his claws, and carried him to Olympus, much to the annoyance of his wife Hera (Juno). Annoying Hera further, Zeus made Ganymede the cupbearer to the gods, a task which was previously carried out by Hebe, the daughter of Zeus and Hera. Zeus went further still, commemorating his love for Ganymede in the constellation Aquarius, the water-bearer.
The Rape of Ganymede - painting by Anton Domenico Gabbiani (1700)
This affair is believed to be a religious justification for homosexuality within Greek culture. Others state that it’s merely a reflection of Greek life at that time – Plato used this myth to justify his sexual feelings towards his male pupils. This myth did serve to increase tolerance for sodomy, which till then was only accepted as an external for of goddess worship – Rhea’s (Mother of Gods – also the Goddess of Caverns and earth in its primitive state, known in Roman mythology as Cybele) male devotees tried to achieve unity with her by castrating themselves and dressing like women.
In the 19th century, homosexuality was attributed to moral degeneracy, mental illness and 'congenital anomaly'. Come 20th century, we are still not completely rid of such theories, but scientific research done on the subject states hormonal imbalance, psychosocial influences and biological factors (difference in brain structures & genetic reasons) named as possible suspects.
The most interesting reason (according to me) was the one given by Appollodorus (Greek historian and scholar, to whom the ‘Bibliotheke' or Library of Greek mythology is attributed). According to him, this myth emphasized the victory of patriarchy over matriarchy, showing that men don’t need the attentions of women and they did not need women to exist!
*Gags in disbelief*
Whatever the reasons behind homosexuality, the question that nags most of us is whether it is normal?
But then what is normal?
That, which is accepted as the norm by the majority and enforced on the minority? That which comes “naturally”? Or that which the Gods intended us to be? And if the Gods themselves indulged in homosexuality…umm?
All said and done, I say - live and let live!
Sources: Mythology – Myths, Legends, & Fantasies, Ed. Parker Janet, Stanton Julie
© Global Book Publishing Pty Ltd, 2003
"Ganymede." Encyclopedia Mythica from Encyclopedia Mythica Online
[Accessed October 29, 2004].
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6 comments:
I had my doubts reg. this phenomenon's existence when I heard of "hoplite phalanx" formations used in spartan warfare.Now this extends to that of even Zeus.Thats newsI knew Zeus was after every hot chick in the greek universe (some legend even had it that he transformed himself into a horse but lets not go there..).
I believe in the indian pantheon the conception of this god "Ayyappa" fallus under the same category .Legend says he is begat from both Shiva (Hara) and Vishnu(Hari)
Finally coming to this century's issue of tangling the scientific with the moral issues with homosexuality .Lets face it.A segment of our society was experimenting with a lifestyle and as far as I could see it didnt work.They got sick.(The immune system will fight but the numbers of the infectious organisms will eventually bog it down).Of course this could be mitigated by restricting a single partner but in the long run this does not seem to be a model that nature is gonna bless.I dont judge people by their preferences of sexual orientation.To each his own..
I had my doubts reg. this phenomenon's existence when I heard of "hoplite phalanx" formations used in spartan warfare.Now this extends to that of even Zeus.Thats newsI knew Zeus was after every hot chick in the greek universe (some legend even had it that he transformed himself into a horse but lets not go there..).
I believe in the indian pantheon the conception of this god "Ayyappa" fallus under the same category .Legend says he is begat from both Shiva (Hara) and Vishnu(Hari)
Finally coming to this century's issue of tangling the scientific with the moral issues with homosexuality .Lets face it.A segment of our society was experimenting with a lifestyle and as far as I could see it didnt work.They got sick.(The immune system will fight but the numbers of the infectious organisms will eventually bog it down).Of course this could be mitigated by restricting a single partner but in the long run this does not seem to be a model that nature is gonna bless.I dont judge people by their preferences of sexual orientation.To each his own..
Greek or Geek ?
Happy Halloween
Gee...have you read about Electra and Oedipus (maybe you remember those names from the good old days of Developmental Psychology)? I suggest you do, and another tip: don't read about that right after eating!
Very interesting post . I know this is not related but isn't The Rape of Ganymede at the Uffizi,firenze.Its a nice painting I think it's Baroque Era .
A.Diddy - yeps ofcourse I've read the bits on Electra and Oedipus; I've finished the section on Greek/Roman mythology - I'd actually read the plays before I read it as a part of the Greek mythology....didn't quite sicken me, perhaps coz I already knew the story and also coz I've read worse! (Try reading Blasphemy - no myth, hard-core reality. I don't think you'll want to eat for the next 3-4 days...)
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