Yesterday, I made a trip to National Museum of Singapore to witness the Greek Masterpieces. It's the second last day so Atiqa and I decided that we should probably not missed this opportunity. I mean you can't possible save all the money in the world to make your way to the Louvre. In a space of an hour I learnt a lot about Greek Mythologies and I will try my best to type everything that I have learn and of course I will need help from internet sources because I can't possible memorise all the Greek names.
This marble captures the birth of Gaia, which means Earth. So this is the birth of Mother Earth. On your right hand side is Aphrodite or commonly known as Venus by the Romans. (On a side note, Romans usually change the names given by Greeks. ANother example is Poseidon. Poseidon is named by Greeks and the Romans changed it to Neptune.) On the left hand side is Aphrodite's husband Haphaestus, who is a violent and even-tempered man. Haphaestus is the God of Weaponry. Just beside Haphaestus is Athena, the Goddess of Virgin.
One day, Athena came to see Haphaestus to ask him to make weapons for her as she wanted to go to war. Haphaestus in return asked for her love. Since she is the Godess of Virgin, she did not want to get involved with Haphaestus. He then ejaculated and his semen landed on Athena's thigh. Athena then took a piece of cloth, wipe the semen away from her thigh and threw it on the ground. From where the semen landed, a baby came out of the Earth and this is the birth of Gaia.
This marble is another interpretation of how Athena look like, usually with an arm and shield, preparing for war.
This matble depicts the myth of how the now Athens got its name. There was a piece of land unnamed and two Gods, namely Athena and Poseidon wanted the land to be named after them. In return of course, the citizens asked the Gods what they would provide them.
Poseidon said he will provide water since he is the God of the Sea. He used his spear and force it to the ground and out came water. But the water was salty.
Athena said that she would provide the citizens with an Olive tree. The Olive for fruit and oil, the bark of the tree for wood for fire and the tree for shade.
Three male Gods and three female goddesses voted and the female of course voted for Athena. Zeus, God of the World decided he will not take part. The citizens also voted and since there were more female than males, Athena won and this was how Athens got her name.
Out of anger, Poseidon cursed that from then onwards, no one will take the name of their mother and this is the myth on why we take the name of our fathers and not our mothers.
This is the sad love story of Orpheus and Eurydice. Orpheus is the one on the right and Eurydice the female in the center. These two were much in love and they got married. One day, Eurydice got bitten by a snake when she was taking a walk with Orpheus, and she died. Since Eurydice's death, Orpheus, a chief of poetry and music played malancholic music using his lyre.
Prometheus (i think), Zeus' wife was touched by his music and convinced Zeus to grant Orpheus one wish. Zues agreed and called Orpheus into the underworld to grant him one wish. Orpheus wanted Eurydice to come back to him forever, in return for his music to Prometheus.
Zeus granted him his wish on one condition. When he made his way from the underworld to the current world, Orpheus shall not look back. Orpheus agreed. Along the way to the current world, Orpheus felt taps on his back (Eurydice) however a few more steps into the current world, Orpheus lost his faith and looked back. As soon as he did, Hermes (the one on the left), one of the guards of the underworld, pulled Eurydice from Orpheus and he lost her the second time.
This one...i dunno who she is, Atiqa told me to take a pic of her because she looked lost and waiting for her lover.
This is Medusa, who is believed to be naturally beautiful. The Romas wrote that she was raped by Posidon in Athena's temple. The enraged Athena then transformed her beautiful hair into snakes and her face so terrible to look at that the mere sight will turn any man into stone.
This is Nike. Nike is a greek Goddess who personifies victory. I guess now you'll wonder how Nike...the sports brand got the name from.
This is Eros, otherwose known as Cupid.
This is Aphrodite, presented in another way. I also found some inscription on the wall, said by Homer, an ancient Greek epic poet, in 700 bc:
"She (Aphrodite) spoke and loosened from her bosom the embroidered girdle of man's colours into which all her allurements were fashioned, in it was love and in it desire and in it blandishing persuasion which steals the mind even of the wise"
This bust is of a veil women, In Greek classical times, Greek women who are married wears a veil.
I save the best for last. David...I know that is his name but i dunno who he is.
So that's all I have. I hope it's as intersting for those who are reading as it is for me.
