The God Pan

Because today is the Spring equinox and because Easter is coming (both being related), I thought I would share a picture that I associate with either. I took it from a book we have at my parents' home, a book on Greek mythology. I always associate Greek myths with Easter and spring. Might be my Pagan side. Anyway, you can see here the god Pan, surrounded by nymphs. He is not my favourite Greek god, but Pan is associated with fertility and spring, so he is just perfect for today.

Aquila on Greek Mythology

 Every month, Wolfie receives Aquila Magazine. That's one of the reasons why why I say he recceives the best mail.And this was no exception this month: the theme for the May issue is Greek myths. With a very cool (if a bit cartoony) picture of the Minotaur on its front cover. I love Greek mythology, I always have, I gathered or was gifted many books about it over the years. Now I hope to enjoy it with my son and make him discover it.

Gladiators

As it is getting closer to Easter, I tend to get into a Mediterranean mood and read and watch stuff about Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome, for some reason. Maybe because I associate Easter to old swords and sandals films that were often featured on television next to the Biblical ones when i was a child, I don't know. Anyway, I once received, either at my birthday or at Christmas, a book about Ancient Greek and Roman history(ies). I often read it during the Easter holidays. It had a few very impressive images, including this one, of gladiators fighting animals in the Coliseum. It's just intensely dramatic and, well, absolutely gorgeous, so I remember it to this day. My father took this picture, at my request.

Lire gréco-romain

Pâques est maintenant dans un peu moins d'un mois. Je ne sais pas trop pourquoi, mais quand Pâques s'en vient, je me mets en mode gréco-romain. Je m'explique: je me mets à lire sur la mythlogie et l'histoire grecque, sur la mythologie et l'histoire romaine, je regarde des documentaires sur le sujet, je regarde des peplums, etc. J'imagine que j'associe Pâques avec la Méditerranée. Enfin bref, il y avait un livre que je lisais enfant, La Grèce et Rome, qui justement décrivait la vie à l'époque de la Grèce et la Rome antiques. C'était l'un de mes livres de chevets alors que Pâques arrivait. J'ai demandé à mon père de m'envoyer des photos du bouquin afin de les partager ici, il a gentiment accepté de le faire. Ce sera le sujet de bien des billets dans les jours à venir. Ah, et cette image représente des guerriers troyens, je crois.

Labyrinth (the beer)

I try as much as I can to drink products from Rebellion Beer, as it is one of the closest mocrobreweries I have from home and because they brew some really nice ales. And I didn't want to end January without trying their beer of the month. It's called Labyrinth and it is inspired by Greek mythology, like every beer of the month in 2025. I guess I will have to buy one every month. Anyway, Labyrinth is the kind of dark, flaboursome ale I enjoy and has a cool Minotaur on its label.

Kallikantzaros (Christmas Monster)

I learn something new every day. Concretely, Monstrum has released a video about Kallikantzaros, a monster from Greece, associated with Christmas. Because Christmas can be spooky. And what a cool critter it is. Anyway, Kallikantzaros may be a mouthful(it took me a few tries to spell it and pronounce it), but this is our word of the day.

Medusa in a Zoom meeting

You may know that I love all things regarding Greek mythology and that Medusais by far my favourite Greek monster. So when I saw this meme, it really made me laugh. I thought I could share it today to brighten up your Monday. Although, I must say, from a pure geeky point of you, I don't think this is accurate at all: Medusa's reflection is harmless, in fact this is how Perseus kills her, using the back of his shield as a mirror to find her and chop her head off. But anyway, what do you think about it? Worth the risk?

Greek Mythology for Easter

 Looking for something to read this Easter? How about some Greek myths? I don't know why, but I often associate Easter with Greek mythology. Maybe because of the true Pagan origins of the celebration and its imagery, maybe because I find Springtime celebrations more fitting a Meditterranean setting. Be that as it may, I have started this book from Roger Lancelyn Green. I bought it for Wolfie, but truly it is for me. And it has a great Medusa on its cover. I know all the stories, but I don't care: it's just fun to rediscover them on a new perspective.

Ouzo

I was thinking about something recently: in spite of a certain history with the Greek community from my time at uni, I never took into ouzo. Even though there was always a bottle available at parties and gatherings, or simply at dinner time. I drank some, I even drank on that fateful night when I met my wife, but I never developed a taste for it. It is true that I don't drink spirits all that much, now even less than when I was younger. And when I do drink spirit, it is generally whisky, sometimes to accompany a beer. I just think whisky tastes something, even the cheapest brands. Ouzo and other similar drinks, I don't know, I never thought it tasted all that much except, well, alcohol. For those who drink ouzo among you, what makes it stand out as a spirit? How would you recommend drinking it?

Medusa the Gorgon

This image was taken from Gods, Men and Monsters from the Greek Myths. We had many of them growing up. For some reasons, I associate Greek mythology with Easter. Maybe because I find it a more Mediterranean holiday? Be that as it may, I thought I shared this picture on the blog today. Medusa is by far my favourite monster that was created by the Ancient Greek's imagination and this is one of the best rendition of Medusa, so all the more reason to share it. She is absolutely terrifying.

Gyros (and a great unknown line)

Sometimes, we feel too lazy to cook. And sometimes we buy our meals from a food van. Which is what we did yesterday for dinner.We bought a gyros with halloumi in it. My wife had been curious about the stand so we decided that we'd try it. Also, we have a thing for all things Greek, see this post if you are wondering why. The gyros was okay, nothing great, but the staff was friendly and, from what I could tell, authentically Greek. It is because of our interaction with them that I wanted to blog about the whole experience. When I asked if I could pay the old fashioned way in cash, the cook replied: "Certainly, you can pay by cash, card or even bitcoins if you'd like." I thought it was funny and it deserves to be a great unknown line. Gotta love Mediterranean humour.

Les baklavas

Il y avait un "farmer's market" hier, il y en a un chaque premier samedi du mois. J'ai acheté des baklavas, rien que pour moi et petit loup. Ma femme n'aime guère les baklavas et puis elle sort aujourd'hui avec ses amies pour célébrer sa fête. Ca nous fera un dessert pour mon fils et moi lors de notre journée entre hommes. Wolfie en avait mangé avant, il y a un an ou deux, mais avait oublié. Il se méfiait un peu de l'allure que ça avait, puis en a mangé un et a changé d'avis.

Bloodfeud of Altheus

 My brother PJ made a great purchase recently. We've always been fascinated by Greek Mythology, so we were happily surprised to find when we were children a gamebook freely based on the myth of Theseus, titled Bloodfeud of Altheus. The first of a trilogy called Cretan Chronicles. In this version,Theseus got killed by the Minotaur and you play his brother Altheus, who goes on a revenge quest. From memory, if the rules were often iffy and difficult to apply (but we never really played the rules in a gamebook), the story was great fun, allowing the reader to live many Ancient Greek stories. The writing was also pretty good and trying for a pseudo epic feel. Anyway, that is how I remember it. Sadly, ina foolish moment I gave the book away in exchange of another one. But thankfully, PJ corrected this. We never played the other two entries of the Chronicles, apparently they are much weaker. We should still try to get our hands on them, of course.

The Mediterranean Look

Something strange, or at least unusual, happened with the hot weather we've had recently. I got a tan. It is my mother who noticed it. Now you will say there is nothing unusual about it,but I shun the sun and I tend to be fairly pale usually, even during summertime. I haven't had a proper tan in years. I guess I must have gone out more often. It gives me a somewhat Mediterranean look, like an Italian or a Greek. Back when I was younger, during my first years in the UK, I was sometimes mistaken for a Greek or an Italian during summertime. Partially because most of my friends here were either one or the other nationality, partially because of the tan.

No Lamb for Easter

A few days ago, I stumbled upon this Greek Style roast lamb and potatoes recipe on the Tom Kerridge website. It would be so perfect for an Easter meal. I love lamb, although I have stopped eating it, upon my wife's insistence. She is vegetarian, you see. I used to eat lamb for Easter every year, then I switched to something else, so all the family could enjoy the same meal. Okay so this recipe might have been beyond my skills as a chef, but it pains me all the same that I won't eat anything like this sometimes. My wife would say: at least the lamb will be happy. I might show you what we'll cook tomorrow. It's our new family tradition. It's still a Greek dish.

Athéna, Minerve et un calembours atroces

Je suis depuis longtemps un grand amateur de mythologie grecque, ça date de mon enfance. Quand je dis mythologie grecque, je suis puriste: j'utilise par exemple le nom des divinités grecques et non pas romaines. J'ai d'ailleurs souvent exprimé mon irritation sur ce blogue à propos de cette agaçante confusion: les dieux grecs et romains se ressemblent parfois, mais ils ne sont pas interchangeables. Enfin bref, j'ai récemment vu sur les réseaux sociaux quelqu'un utiliser Minerve pour parler d'Athéna, ce qui m'a fait réagir. J'ai écrit donc sur une certaine plateforme un truc du genre: "Donner à des dieux grecs leurs noms romains, franchement, ça m'innerve." Calembour atroce que j'ai commis assez souvent, y compris ici en 2015. Quelqu'un m'a répondu: "Il ne faudrait pas se fâcher pour ça, ça n'en vaut pas l'Athènes." ce qui est tout aussi épouvantable, et mérite donc d'être homologué ici pour la postérité. Si vous en trouvez un meilleur, ou enfin un pire, veuillez le commettre dans les commentaires.

The Fates: Greek Mythology's Most Powerful Deities

One of my favourite YouTube channels, Storied, which was formerly Monstrum, has come up with a new series, Fate&Fabled, about, well... Fables and myths. They started with a bang, with a great, comprehensive summary of the Greek's Moirai, aka the Fates. Maybe the mos mysterious figures of Greek Mythology. I'm inviting you to watch it now. It's about ten minutes, so it won't take much of your time. And it's worth every second of it.

Neptune? No, Poseidon!

 Here's a bit of old news which I wanted to comment on, but forgot about. It's not very old, it's from the 8th of July, but I still think it needs to be adressed. I say this because the news sort of slightly irritated me. So anyway, the BBC reported that the face of Neptune appeared in the waves during a storm in Newhaven. My initial reaction was: "Neptune? Surely this is Poseidon!" Those darn Brits conquered by the Romans and since then having no idea what the true god of the ocean is! I blame them and Caligula of course (I hope some of my readers know the historical reference here). Anyway, if this was indeed a good showing up, it was Poseidon.

Baklavas

 I mentioned a few days ago that I went briefly to a food festival and bought a box of olives, to share with Wolfie and me. I also purchased baklavas from the same stand. I haven't eaten baklavas in two years. And I don't have to share them with anyone in this household, because I am the only one who enjoys their taste, apparently. I don't know why I love them so much. Maybe because I thought they were Greek (according to Wikipedia, they are not, and these ones were purchased in a Turkish stand anyway), maybe because I justlove the mix of nut and honey.

Cerberus (myths and etymology)

I hope this does not come off as geeky, but I am a big fan of Greek mythology. I found this meme recently on the internet and I thought it was so good that I had to share it, even though I am not sure about its accuracy. Anyway, it is about Cerberus, the hound of Hades (I need to blog about the Greek God of Death one day, by the way) and the watchdog of his kingdom. Anyway, whether it's true or not, mythology is certainly not boring.