Greek god gay
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The origin of the term came about when Hermaphroditus encountered the water nymph Salmacis, who fell in love with the god and desired to never leave him, so that they could adore one another for all time. Wealthy men could delight in their homoerotic fantasies to some extent, whereas women and those with a lower status were excluded from these rights.
As explained above, so-called ‘normal’ homoerotic encounters included relations between a dominant, older man and a passive, younger man. The emperor Hadian responded to his death by having the young man considered a martyr, a hero, and a god, and held a ceremony to facilitate his ascension to divinity. Definitely a tale of loss and drama worthy of Shakespeare, and although the moral standing of a lot of his story divides opinions, the fact history still remembers Antinous’ name is undoubtedly remarkable.
#5) Apollo
Seen as the most handsome and spectacular god of all, Apollo is the patron of music, archery, truth, and healing, representing all of the most famed strengths and powers of the ancient Greeks.
Poseidon had a special bond with Pelops, even gifting him a chariot with winged horses. However, after completing a deeper analysis of these tales, it is clear that many same sex relationships are either overridden (by heterosexual love affairs in the case of Zeus and Poseidon) or undercut by tragedy (Achilles and Patroclus).
Many of us have heard the stories of ancient Greek mythology, such as the heroic portrayals of Zeus, Apollo, and Achilles. Achilles and Patroclus therefore defy stereotypical ancient Greek labels of dominant and submissive male lovers, going against contemporary societal norms and standing as anomalies in the chronicles of ancient Greek mythology.
As well as the abundance of same sex male relations evident in Greek mythology, there are also Gods who are presented as genderfluid, intersex and/or androgynous.
Sounds like a regular legend, and someone we could definitely use as an influence in today’s world.
Retrospect
Journal.
Written by Flora Gilchrist
Content warning – this piece alludes to mythological stories which involve various kinds of sexual assault, including rape.
Quite the opposite, in fact.
The word originates from the Greek God Hermaphroditus, who was the fully male son of Hermes – the messenger of the gods – and Aphrodite, mentioned earlier on this list. On top of this, there are many lesser-known stories in ancient Greek mythology that contain homoerotic undertones and gender fluid characters.
The matter is a thing of great debate between historians, but a number of classical authors have agreed that the pair shared a romantic partnership.
In discussions of gay Greek gods and their narratives, it’s interesting to note how these stories have influenced literature and culture throughout history. The Greek god Zeus is a prime example; Zeus is most famous for being the King of Gods, overthrowing his father Cronus and exploiting his thunderbolt weapon.
From his spilled blood, Apollo created the hyacinth flower.
Achilles and Patroclus
While not gods, Achilles and Patroclus are often considered central figures in Greek mythology’s exploration of same-sex love.
- The Relationship: In The Iliad by Homer, their bond is portrayed with deep emotional intensity, leading many to interpret them as lovers.
- Cultural Impact: Their story is a timeless representation of loyalty and love, resonating through history as an archetype of heroic companionship.
Dionysus and Ampelos
Dionysus, the god of wine and ecstasy, had a close relationship with Ampelos, a young satyr.
- The Story: Ampelos died tragically, and Dionysus transformed him into the first grapevine, linking their love to the divine origins of wine.
- Symbolism: This myth connects love, loss, and the celebration of life through the transformative power of wine.
Homosexuality and the Divine: A Reflection of Society
Cultural Acceptance
The myths of same-sex relationships among gods and mortals reflect ancient Greek society’s relative openness toward homosexuality.
Known for giving her energy to and taking part in her own fair share of intimate shenanigans, Aphrodite lived by impulse and freedom, and often insisted that her disciples and those under her influence did the same. This pantheon officially includes twelve principal deities, yet the myriad of legendary figures beyond this core group is vast.
Some tales record the young man being brought to Olympus by a bird under the command of Zeus, and some accounts state that this bird was Zeus.
However, the ancient world, including its narratives of gay Greek gods, presents a significantly different reality than many might expect.
He was also famously involved in many love affairs, labelled as a womaniser, even transforming into a cuckoo to rape his wife. However, it’s noteworthy that the Hyacinth flower named after this event does not match the one described in the original myth, leading to speculation and confusion regarding the evolution of the flower’s name and its significance in relation to the demise of Apollo’s most cherished love.
This does not take away from the fact that the god’s reaction and despair at Hyacinthus’ death is a common subject discussed and idolized over by historians, however, and instead only helps it be market as yet another one of Apollo’s great contributions to the history of queer relationships etched into the tomes of ancient history.
#6) Zeus
Zeus – the lord of the sky and thunder.
This article seeks to uncover the variety of Greek characters who submit to their queer fantasies, to whatever extent that may be.
Firstly, one must acknowledge the more well-known stories of Greek mythology.
Kai Ailana( Queer Literature and Pop Culture Expert )
Diving into the kaleidoscope of queer stories, amplifying LGBTQ+ authors one narrative at a time.
Many people consider the eras preceding our own, especially those before the Renaissance, as periods dominated by wars and strenuous labor.