concerning the Maia.. - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Vinyacairwen · 04-20-2002, 10:49 AM

I was looking up something about mythology, and I saw Maia listed as a Greek & Roman goddess of the Night Sky. I wonder if Tolkien knew this, since he barrowed ideas from Anglo-Saxon myth and the like? O.o

lathspell · 04-20-2002, 12:16 PM

It might be so for he knew lots of ancient mythology. If you look for the name 'Valar' in Greek & Roman mythology you may be more certain if JRRT did copy those names of these myths.

Can't help you any further.
greetings,
lathspell

Starbreeze · 04-20-2002, 12:56 PM

I didn't know that, wow, a deeper insight into Tolkien's inspiration prehaps?

Anarya SilverBranch · 04-20-2002, 03:20 PM

Actually I've noticed that Tolkien uses a lot of stuff from European myths and languages and such. Like the word 'Orc' is really old english for demon [img]smilies/eek.gif[/img]. Wierd huh?

Arwen Imladris · 04-20-2002, 08:15 PM

Many authors, including Shakespere use(d) words and names from mythology, especially greek mythologie. Did you know that in Norse mythology, Gimli means “paradise.”? It is quite likly that Tolkien used a lot of mythologie in his books.

Quote:
'Orc' is really old english for demon

[img]smilies/eek.gif[/img] [img]smilies/eek.gif[/img]

Kuruharan · 04-20-2002, 08:31 PM

Hmm, I'd never noticed much in the way of influence from Greco-Roman myths on Tolkien's work. Northern European myths certainly, but not much from the Greeks and Romans.

Exploring the influence of Greco-Roman myth might make a good topic for a thread. [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]

Vinyacairwen · 04-20-2002, 08:52 PM

::nod:: I also heard Gimli's name meant 'star' in some language as well. I wonder which one Tolkien intended O.o.

Thalionyulma · 04-21-2002, 12:28 AM

It seems JRRT's works is like a "melting pot" of mythologies of Europe.

04-20-2002, 10:49 AM	#1
Vinyacairwen Pile O'Bones Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Lorien or California, take your pick. Posts: 16	concerning the Maia.. I was looking up something about mythology, and I saw Maia listed as a Greek & Roman goddess of the Night Sky. I wonder if Tolkien knew this, since he barrowed ideas from Anglo-Saxon myth and the like? O.o __________________ "If you love someone, set them free. If they come back, they're yours; if not, hunt them down and kill them!" ^^

04-20-2002, 12:16 PM	#2
lathspell Regenerating Ringkeeper Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Holland Posts: 757	It might be so for he knew lots of ancient mythology. If you look for the name 'Valar' in Greek & Roman mythology you may be more certain if JRRT did copy those names of these myths. Can't help you any further. greetings, lathspell __________________ 'You?' cried Frodo. 'Yes, I, Gandalf the Grey,' said the wizard solemnly. 'There are many powers in the world, for good or for evil. Some are greater than I am. Against some I have not yet been measured. But my time is coming.'

04-20-2002, 12:56 PM	#3
Starbreeze Ghost of a Smile Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Mirkwood - Middle Earth Posts: 389	I didn't know that, wow, a deeper insight into Tolkien's inspiration prehaps? __________________ Do not tamper with the affairs of wizards, they are not all that subtle - Terry Pratchett To write is to make dreams, to make dreams is to awaken the fantasy of the mind, to awaken the mind is to be a master.

04-20-2002, 03:20 PM	#4
Anarya SilverBranch Wight Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: In maiden meditation, fancy free. Posts: 245	Actually I've noticed that Tolkien uses a lot of stuff from European myths and languages and such. Like the word 'Orc' is really old english for demon [img]smilies/eek.gif[/img]. Wierd huh? __________________ Snow white! Snow White! O' Lady Clear! O' Queen Beyond the Western Seas! O' light to us that wander here amid the world of woven trees!

04-20-2002, 08:15 PM	#5
Arwen Imladris Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: In a box with a fox Posts: 1,347	Many authors, including Shakespere use(d) words and names from mythology, especially greek mythologie. Did you know that in Norse mythology, Gimli means “paradise.”? It is quite likly that Tolkien used a lot of mythologie in his books. Quote: 'Orc' is really old english for demon [img]smilies/eek.gif[/img] [img]smilies/eek.gif[/img] __________________ "Wake up! Wake up! Wake up, sleepies, we must go, yes, we must go at once."

04-20-2002, 08:31 PM	#6
Kuruharan Regal Dwarven Shade Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: A Remote Dwarven Hold Posts: 3,685	Hmm, I'd never noticed much in the way of influence from Greco-Roman myths on Tolkien's work. Northern European myths certainly, but not much from the Greeks and Romans. Exploring the influence of Greco-Roman myth might make a good topic for a thread. [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img] __________________ ...finding a path that cannot be found, walking a road that cannot be seen, climbing a ladder that was never placed, or reading a paragraph that has no...

04-20-2002, 08:52 PM	#7
Vinyacairwen Pile O'Bones Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Lorien or California, take your pick. Posts: 16	::nod:: I also heard Gimli's name meant 'star' in some language as well. I wonder which one Tolkien intended O.o. __________________ "If you love someone, set them free. If they come back, they're yours; if not, hunt them down and kill them!" ^^

04-21-2002, 12:28 AM	#8
Thalionyulma Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: across the sea Posts: 295	It seems JRRT's works is like a "melting pot" of mythologies of Europe.