Devastationof GreekGoddesses

TRIGGER WARNING- mentions of sexual assault and rape.

By: Jessica Riley

Greek Gods and Goddesses are thought to be forged with incredible strength and ability. However, it was rarely taught that the Goddesses were often subjected to being kept from their full power and potential We know the women in Greece were oppressed, but not so much the Goddesses as well

It's thought that the first sign of Greek gods and goddesses appeared in roughly 750 B C They include Zeus, Poseidon, Hera, Hestia and Demeter and Hades Later on Apollo, Artemis, Hermes, Athena, Hephaestus, Aphrodite and Ares were added to this list.. Ever since then, there have been different versions and adaptations of them. From Hollywood's Percy Jackson to TikTok accounts claiming to speak to certain Gods. They have never fully left society's minds. However, the Greek Goddesses themselves have faced multiple issues including forms of sexualization and mistreatment from not only society, but the other Gods as well.

Medusa

Medusa is arguably one of the most misunderstood Goddesses in Greek Mythology She has been painted as a gorgon (monster) within society for many years Being described as violent and maleficent, who would easily turn anyone into stone who dared to look into her eyes. Contrary to popular belief, this is not the case at all. Medusa wasn’t ‘evil’ for no reason, and her backstory is often overlooked.

Her story is best represented through the Roman poet, Ovid, who described her as a beautiful young woman and the priestess of Athena. It is said that Posiedian became intrigued by her beauty and broke into Athenas temple to rape Medusa Athena, who believed this to be a betrayal by Medusa, turned her into a gorgon out of anger

Although this is a fictional story to many, it doesn't make it right that Medusa’s true story is overlooked because it ‘doesn’t make a good narrative’ these actions happen to many women from around the world and are treated as ‘emotional, angry liars’ when they come forward

It's important for society to understand that these stereotypes of women being overly emotional for no reason date back to ancient civilizations

Aphrodite (Goddesses of Beauty and Love)

Aphrodite was thought to be the most beautiful woman in Greek mythology. Her beauty, love and passion made many men fall for the Goddesses and ask for her hand in marriage. She was often overlooked as nothing more than a good looking woman. She was forced to marry a man she did not love as a means to stop a war Aphrodite is the Goddess of love, and it's ironic that she was in a loveless marriage

In Greek culture, women are not allowed to instigate divorces unless the husband gives permission first This led to Aphrodite being stuck in a marriage that was nothing more than a transaction between them

Forced marriages are still very common in today's society. The idea that women are a pawn to men, nothing more than a trophy to show off to others has been drilled into society's minds for decades. Even the most powerful still suffered at the hands of tradition.

Artemis (Goddess of the Hunt and Wild)

Artemis is one of the more interesting Goddesses in Greek mythology She has often been described as a ‘man-hater’ due to her lack of interaction with the male Gods She was assumed to have been a lesbian or asexual This was extremely frowned upon and she became an outcast This became an even bigger issue after she refused to wed anyone and remained a virgin This choice was where her title as the ‘man-hater’ started to show up.

She was known for killing multiple men who had attempted to assault her or other unsuspecting women. There was a lot of victim blaming around this time period, and she was thought to be very violent for ‘no reason’. She was one of the first Goddesses that began sticking up for herself and others and attempted to break the s women These included women not enough or not being good provider these stereotypes are still in place are still fighting to break them

With the amount of stories that have about Greek Mythology, it's easy t why the truth of these women was the rug. That does not mean society why these women acted the w Forcing these stereotypes is extrem women from across the globe. Wi said, it is also important to kn struggles women face today were even the most powerful thousands Knowing where these harmful discu is a way to break them in the modern

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