I also haven't read All Things Are Full of Gods, so I can't really say much, but there's something strange about making any of the gods materialists. That's such a modern philosophy. I would imagine that, for ancient people, working with the transformative power of fire (as in a forge, pottery kiln, or glass work) must have seemed almost magical. The creation of automatons (and also of Pandora, although there were other gods involved in that story) shows how impressive his techne was. His artistry is at such a level that he's almost able to create life.
Perceptive as usual, Emily! I've always believed--maybe without basis--that the relative stability of technological change in the ancient world stemmed from a sense that techné is a property of the divinities, not to be messed with by mere mortals. The ancient attitude toward new technology I think is well represented by that story from the Satyricon in which an inventor shows a ruler a vessel of unbreakable glass--basically the idea of plastic--and is executed because "if the use of this became widespread, gold would be as cheap as mud."
Pandora is another example of Hephaestus's creative abilities and corresponds with the fiction writer's gift of creating characters that come to life through artfully-placed words. Thanks for your insight!
I like this caracter you described with so much sympathy (yes, I mean it) and the apt characterization. Ancient technology and mythology. I'll have to reread at least those passages mentioned and some more. The Iliad et al. are there, beckoning. Thank you.
Thanks for reading! The Iliad is such a fascinating document, especially for being 2,700+ years old. I never get tired of reading it.
I also haven't read All Things Are Full of Gods, so I can't really say much, but there's something strange about making any of the gods materialists. That's such a modern philosophy. I would imagine that, for ancient people, working with the transformative power of fire (as in a forge, pottery kiln, or glass work) must have seemed almost magical. The creation of automatons (and also of Pandora, although there were other gods involved in that story) shows how impressive his techne was. His artistry is at such a level that he's almost able to create life.
Perceptive as usual, Emily! I've always believed--maybe without basis--that the relative stability of technological change in the ancient world stemmed from a sense that techné is a property of the divinities, not to be messed with by mere mortals. The ancient attitude toward new technology I think is well represented by that story from the Satyricon in which an inventor shows a ruler a vessel of unbreakable glass--basically the idea of plastic--and is executed because "if the use of this became widespread, gold would be as cheap as mud."
Pandora is another example of Hephaestus's creative abilities and corresponds with the fiction writer's gift of creating characters that come to life through artfully-placed words. Thanks for your insight!
I like this caracter you described with so much sympathy (yes, I mean it) and the apt characterization. Ancient technology and mythology. I'll have to reread at least those passages mentioned and some more. The Iliad et al. are there, beckoning. Thank you.
Yes, indeed. I, for one, would like to add the Odyssey too. And ... no need to repeat them. I like or love them all. Thank you. All the best.