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Last updated article version on 6.5.2001
In ancient greek religion, Persei(/Pur-sei, ‘Pe-r-ci/;Ancient Greek: Περσεῖος, Περσέι, Romanized: Persei) is the god of loyalty, the coastline, bloody battle and therapy. He is one of the 13 olympians and advisor Zeus.
Read also:
Minor fertility god1 And worship.
War times2 and battle prowess.
Pop 3 culture.
Virgin hood.4
Persei
Epitheths:
Advisor of Olympus, (𝑠ý𝑚𝑣𝑜𝑢𝑙𝑜𝑠)
The loyal one, (Π𝜎𝜏𝜄𝜍)
Others.
Symbol: Red goblet, Anaklusmos, pure white chiton
Sacred Animals: Chickens, Killer whales, others
Abode: Olympus, The island Kalymnos, The island Lefkada
Children: Raised: Dionysus, Athena, others.
Spouse: None
Equivalents: Persei(roman version)
He was born on the island of Crete, where shortly after meeting Zeus(Hesiod’s theogony), he became the god’s advisor and dear to him. He plays a role in the Iliad, where he very explicitly allies with the Trojans. Playing against the Greeks every step of the war.
He is greatly respected by the other gods. Taking a caretaking role for some of them. Acting as a parental figure to Dionysus in some of the versions of his tale, Rasing Athena for a time, Helping Apollo and Artemis and is explicitly stated as Caring for Ares in his younger years.
His main centre of worship was Lefkada, where the iconic Ναός της Παλίρροιας(‘Temple of the tide’) was built on the islands shore. As a call to -majorly- Persei and -minorly- Poseidon. The resplident statue of the god standing bent forward and holding his red goblet with a soft smile, is still being kept there today. The 38 feet tall statue is thought to be symbolic of loyalty beckoning someone to take part in it. To drink from the red goblet and is to take part in battle, to pray is to accept loyalty and to turn back is to leave with betreyal.
Most of his primary priests were older women and men, to show that they have lived their life justly till then. While it was required they retain their virgin hood, his followers were picked as young adults. Making claims on them treated very seriously.
In the majority children as young as 5-14 were sent to his temples on the regiluar by their parents. As it was believed the god would listen to, and bless the young.
The god is also sitied as the god of therapy. Though this is a split domain from madness, it is said that whenever the god Dionysus got to rowdy and caused to much insanity. People would flock in his steps to Persei, where they would be healed of it and allowed to relax with him and the other god on the river bank, (Euripides).
The name ‘Percy’ is derived from the god ‘Persei’ and the roman pronaunciation of it.
In greek mythology the demigod Perseus was named after him, so that the gods may favour him.
people: Percy Lavon Julian, Percy Harvin, Percy sledge, exc.
1. There are explicit ties still recovered today relating to the fertal aspect of his worship. Most comonly found in greecian islands were minor stone engravings of his face on boats, stables, and others. So that the sea may be fertile and give fish. Though it is debated as they could be carving of Demeter, it is commonly agreed to be the former. Hearts of chickens were said to be sacrificed to the god, so that he may bless them with new begginings and abundity.
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2. During the greco-persian wars. There were found almost no records of his worship. The posibility of it being a coincidence is acknowledged. But many speculations exist on it still. Some historians say thet the greeks did not want to call upon a bloody battle, and have it directed twoards them.
His worship in Athens skyrocketed during the early stages of its reforms. Painted vases of Athena usually had a miniature rendering of the other god just behind her. Signaling that the lady of Athens had the attention of Zeus and olympus, and the backing of loyalty on her side. He remained a key god in Athens, even with the frequency of the worship slowly dwindling. While his role in the Iliad is to this day disputed and questioned on the basis of Homers own opinion on the god, it was safe to say he was not a friendly face. It is said in the text that when the greeks finally reached Troy, he screamed so loudly that the sea itself shook with the tremor, making the soldiers drop their spears and even killing some of their servants..return to text
3. In pop culture nowaday he is represented as a calm and composed individual. As refined as the shoulder of Olympus needs to be, fair and upright in everything.
Gentle, nurturing, before quickly turning judging and erratic upon even the smallest hint of conspiricy. Beffiting a figure most known for wanting to keep peace. In most media he is used as a parental figure. Though others have assigned him a more manipulative role. As is commonly seen in movies, like Disney’s Hercules where he joins Hades and betrays Zeus’es trust.
These interpertations, as all, should be taken as grains of salt.
People and historians express anger these tellings and urge that they not be conflated with actual mythology. return to text
4. Often dubbed ‘The only male vrgin god in greek myths’ him not having lovers is clear. However, calling him a virgin isn’t. That status is not as set in stone as the virgin godesses. Rather, it only exists as an extention of there being no myths of him having lovers. He is never explicitly called a virgin. Just that he would never lay next to a human. Ergo, that status isnt sacred, and people in the myths have seen him naked with minimal consequence. It would be more acurate to say he can’t fornicate. As his duties as the advisor to olympus, and Zeus himself keep him from it. The myths are very clear about it on that end.
In short terms, the title ‘the proverbial virgin’ would only be aplicable in human terms. return to text