Thoughts on Greek Mythology stories?

It’s important to address a few things with rape in myth.

First of all, its meaning: it’s changed over the centuries. Rape in the Hellenic world actually more so meant “abduction” without the approval of one of their parents (e.g., think Plouton taking the Kore, approved by Zeus and causing misery for Demeter, or the Abduction of the Sabine Women). The consideration of the actual victim was not really taken into account.

But of course there’s still the connotations of sexual assault. So let’s talk of this. The Gods don’t rape or murder anyone-- this is a clear understanding in the ancient world.

“If the Gods do shameful acts, they are not Gods.”

-Euripides, frag. 294

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