The World of Ancient Archery

In response to:The god Hermes

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 23:40:57 +0100

Happy Birthday 2009 , Artemis :)

May you be well, happy and laugh a lot !

X :wave: X

In response to:The god Hermes

Sat, 10 Jan 2009 13:18:27 +0100

Not seen you for a long time. Miss your thoughts. Happy New Year.

In response to:Odysseus' bow

Thu, 11 Dec 2008 23:13:53 +0100

um, yeah, so not to rain on anyone's parade, but a few corrections: the dog, Argos, was a puppy when Odysseus left, however in his absence, Argos was ignored by the servants and became sick and elderly. he is apparently supposed to represent Ithaca in it's sickened state. after he sees and recognizes Odysseus, he dies. it's probably one of the saddest parts in the story. also, just to clarify, it was Athena who disguised him, as an elderly but powerfully built beggar. finally, as a side note, Penelope did pull of a trick with her tapestry, however it only lasted four years. A/N- i am in no way a certified authority on The Odyssey or Homer, but I have been reading and analyzing The Odyssey in two off my classes for several months, and am currently discussing the homecoming of Odysseus in my classes. :D

In response to:Yew trees in cemeteries

Fri, 05 Dec 2008 18:14:43 +0100

Among the vikings the Yew tree was sacred and dedicated to Ullr, the Archer God. He was also regarded as the Winter God - and because of this, with Death. His name means "Glory".

In response to:Odysseus' bow

Sun, 23 Nov 2008 08:12:47 +0100

it is because one of the gods (i think it was athena) disguised him as an elderly man

In response to:When did we discover effective armour against bolts and arrows?

Mon, 22 Sep 2008 16:08:02 +0200

An interesting read. I've been studying archery in western Europe, in particular, during the later medieval period. I generally concur with your findings on the defensive nature of the armour types. However, I've never found mail armour locking an arrow in place. Generally, it blows the rivets, splitting the rings apart, leaves a good sized hole and sends bits of rusting mail armour (and linen shirt - hence the need for silk) into the wound to fester nicely. Yum, yum. Plate armour is effective right up until the introduction of the gun. Arrows don't go through it - unless you are five metres away and aiming flat. A few more experiments with scale armour would be interesting though. Many thanks.

In response to:When did we discover effective armour against bolts and arrows?

Sun, 31 Aug 2008 21:45:25 +0200

I'm looking for research-based information, so far without much luck, to build up a more detailed picture generally of archery in the Persian Wars, and specifically on the effective range and penetration power of the arrows used which, it appears from the arrowheads I've seen, were pretty light, and also on the national identity/ies of the archers who fought on the Greek ships at Salamis and alongside the Athenian hoplites at Plataea. Any guidance most welcome!

In response to:The god Hermes

Thu, 28 Feb 2008 19:31:46 +0100

Great to have you back among us :yes:

One of my ships, HMS Bulwark, was a Hermes class carrier... so Hermes has a kind of special place in my heart... all together now... Ahhhhh.... :))

In response to:The god Hermes

Thu, 28 Feb 2008 18:50:51 +0100

and god ofof shepherds and cowherds, got about a bit did hermes...nice that you are back..nice rest...i had better shut up it could have been something bad..|-|

In response to:The god Hermes

Thu, 28 Feb 2008 17:32:42 +0100

Good to see you back at the blogging.

In response to:Hymn to Hermes

Thu, 28 Feb 2008 17:10:34 +0100

Hello Mayanic,

I am sorry for not replying to your question about Hermes sooner. I have just posted a blog about him and hope you can pop in. Have a nice weekend :)

In response to:Athena and her shield

Thu, 28 Feb 2008 16:31:56 +0100

Hello Miramize,
A belated Happy New Year to you too!! I am sorry to not have got around to blogging sooner, hopefully I will get back into the swing of things! :)

In response to:Athena and her shield

Thu, 28 Feb 2008 16:29:20 +0100

'is that where this phrase finds it's roots

Discretion is the better part of valor'

- it might well be - interesting thought - thanks!

In response to:Athena and her shield

Thu, 28 Feb 2008 16:27:37 +0100

Thankyou Mayanic, you learn something new everyday! :))

In response to:Athena and her shield

Thu, 28 Feb 2008 16:25:08 +0100

Hello Moonwoman,
I am sorry I have not been blogging sooner but thankyou for raising such an interesting question. So why is Athena renowned for her wisdom?

It was during the Classical period of Greece (5th century) that Athena became known for her wisdom. During the fifth century Athens experienced a philosophical movement and as Athena was the patron saint of the city it seems obvious that she would become associated with this movement.

She was regularly called upon to settle disputes and was known for her knowledge of weaving, metal-working and also protected Odysseus who was known for his cunning intellect.

I hope this gives you more insight into Athena! :))

In response to:Athena and her shield

Thu, 17 Jan 2008 09:52:19 +0100

Hello ArtemisToxia;

I don't know if you've ever had chance to visit my blog, but one of my great 'loves' is archery. I've been a competitive archer for many years, and ultimately aspire to learning the Moorish technique on a beautiful Ottoman Turkish bow -- using the thumb-ring of course.
Another great love since childhood has been for Greek mythology. Do you know how Athena got in Zeus's head to begin with?
I would love to co-author some work with you, and would like to invite you to become a 'friend'.
Please come visit over at DefinitelyNOTtheVillageIdiot.
I look forward to hearing from you.

Zoe(jb)

In response to:Athena and her shield

Tue, 08 Jan 2008 23:10:24 +0100

How interesting !
"Vis consili expers
Mole ruit sua.

‘Strength without wisdom falls by its own weight’

Latin is cool ... will try and learn :yes:

Thanks and happy new year !
XX

In response to:Athena and her shield

Sat, 22 Dec 2007 18:28:45 +0100

Vis consili expers
Mole ruit sua.

‘Strength without wisdom falls by its own weight’

is that where this phrase finds it's roots

Discretion is the better part of valor

In response to:Athena and her shield

Thu, 20 Dec 2007 17:34:56 +0100

In Kabbalah Athena is connected with the second Sephira on the Tree of life. That second Sephira is called (in hebrew) Chokmah, when translated means Wisdom.
"The second path is that of illuminating intelligence; it is the Crown of Creation, the Splendour of the Unity, equalling it, and it is exalted above every head, and named by the Kabalists the Second Glory."-32 paths of wisdom

In response to:Hymn to Hermes

Thu, 20 Dec 2007 16:57:45 +0100

I would love to hear more about Hermes. I am studying Kabbalah and greek gods and myths are a part of it, at this moment I am very interested in Hermes and your post was very precious to me, maybe also because my real name is Maia.:)
Thanx for this story
and hope you'll have time to tell more about Hermes

In response to:Athena and her shield

Wed, 19 Dec 2007 13:40:03 +0100

You have been meme-tagged.

In response to:Athena and her shield

Wed, 19 Dec 2007 00:06:38 +0100

Oh, you have just explained something else I always wondered about. Athena's often seen with an owl! I have such an affinity for owls and have to go outside when I hear them hooting hauntingly at night. Oh my gawd ... and thunderbolts - she had the keys to the thunderbolts! I'm making all kinds of connections here! Thunderbolts means being struck by sudden inspiration in other traditions. Awesome!

In Athens, Greece, at the Acropolis Athena's statue showed her with her shield and the owl sitting on her shoulder. I was awestruck by the beauty of that statue particularly.

So why is Athena renowned for her wisdom? Now you have me even more curious?

Thank you so much for this fabulous research! What an awesome gift!

In response to:Athena and her shield

Tue, 18 Dec 2007 20:20:17 +0100

Very interesting. :)

In response to:Athena and her shield

Tue, 18 Dec 2007 19:29:25 +0100

Another winner. :yes:

Now I come to think of it, I know a battle-rousing, untiring Lady,
whose only pleasure appears to be fighting... does this mean I'm living with a goddess? 88|

In response to:When did we discover effective armour against bolts and arrows?

Tue, 18 Dec 2007 19:21:29 +0100

Oh yeah, that sounds like a plan. :yes:

In response to:Athena and her shield

Tue, 18 Dec 2007 18:57:33 +0100

Great post -thanks! :)

In response to:Athena and her shield

Tue, 18 Dec 2007 18:05:50 +0100

horace knew what he was talking about, didn't he?

In response to:When did we discover effective armour against bolts and arrows?

Tue, 18 Dec 2007 17:21:03 +0100

I have just posted on Athena hope you can pop in.

In response to:When did we discover effective armour against bolts and arrows?

Tue, 18 Dec 2007 17:20:22 +0100

Would have loved to have gone to Greece maybe next time you and your camera can come with me?!! :))

In response to:Hymn to Hermes

Tue, 18 Dec 2007 14:58:48 +0100

No pressure, but I assume there are more to come?