by Liisa Eyerly
Ancient myths and plays about the Greek and Roman gods' antics, passions, and rivalries have captivated audiences for thousands of years. Even today, their influence is everywhere—blockbuster movies, video games, and best-selling books like Percy Jackson and the Olympians continue to bring these deities to life. Marvel even modeled some of their superheroes after the Olympian gods.
Have you ever seen the movie Mean Girls? If not, you’ve probably encountered real-life versions of the power-hungry cliques who rule with an iron fist—demanding loyalty, punishing defiance, and making life miserable for those who cross them. Well, the Roman gods weren’t much different.
The Gods Were Not Your Friends
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Every ancient Greek and Roman knew better than to anger a deity. These gods weren’t the benevolent, all-loving figures we might expect. They were volatile, vengeful, and wielded the power to ruin lives in an instant. Much like a school’s queen bee, they expected obedience, flattery, and unwavering devotion—or else.
Take a look at what happened to those who dared to step out of line:
- Niobe’s Fatal Boast – Queen Niobe of Thebes claimed she was superior to the goddess Leto because she had more children. Leto’s response? She had all of Niobe’s children slaughtered.
- Pentheus’s Tragic End – King Pentheus refused to honor Bacchus (Dionysus) and mocked his cult. Bacchus drove him mad, and in his delusion, Pentheus’s own mother mistook him for a wild animal and tore him apart.
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- Actaeon’s Unlucky Glimpse – While hunting, Actgeon accidentally saw the goddess Diana bathing. Furious, she transformed him into a stag, and his own hunting dogs tore him to pieces.
- Bacchus vs. the Pirates – A group of Cretan pirates captured Bacchus, unaware of his divine status. Their punishment? He turned them into dolphins.
Beyond Divine Wrath
But the gods weren’t always cruel. They could also grant incredible blessings—offering wealth, love, protection, and power to those who earned their favor.
Want to know how the Romans courted their gods’ good graces? Stay tuned for next month’s blog, where we’ll explore how people sought divine rewards in a world ruled by Mean Gods.
Actaeon By I, Japiot, CC BY 2.5, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=131777672
Pirates By GiorcesBardo53.jpg: Giorcesderivative work: Habib.mhenni (talk) - GiorcesBardo53.jpg, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=10354126
Bacchus I, Sailko, CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
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Mystery, murder, and mayhem aren’t your typical Christian themes—but why should secular authors have all the fun solving crimes in ancient Rome? My love of history, scripture, and whodunits led me to blend faith with intrigue, bringing the world of the early Christians to life. Writing from my home in the woods of northern Wisconsin, I also draw inspiration from my travels to Turkey, Greece, and Italy, where I’ve walked the same streets my characters once did. Through historical mysteries, I explore a time when faith was a matter of life and death—literally.
Step into the shadowy streets of 96 AD Ephesus, where danger lurks around every corner, and the line between friend and foe is razor-thin. Fortunes of Death, plunges you into a world where faith is tested, alliances are shattered, and one woman's courage could be the difference between life and death.
Sabina, a fierce young Christian widow, is thrust into a deadly game when a wealthy citizen is murdered. With her friend’s life hanging in the balance, Sabina must unravel a web of lies, deceit, and hidden motives. Every clue she uncovers brings her closer to the truth—and closer to becoming the next victim.
This isn't just a murder mystery. It's a gripping tale of faith, resilience, and the power of one woman standing against the darkness.
Thank you for posting today.
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