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Discover captivating myths from Mesopotamia, Egypt, Greece, and Rome revolving around fertility and the underworld. Explore the tales of Inanna and Dumuzi, Isis and Osiris, Aphrodite and Adonis, and more, reflecting beliefs in sexuality, life, and rebirth in ancient civilizations.
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Inanna and Dumuzi • Mesopotamian goddess of fertility • Represents sexuality and fertility of earth and all living things including humans • Mother Earth / Goddess myths common in agricultural societies.
Isis and Osiris • Osiris is the giver of laws and civilization • Isis gives life, and teaches people agriculture and domestic tasks • Osiris buried away. • Isis searches for him • When found Osiris is torn apart and reassembled • Osiris comes back from the dead to impregnate Isis
Cybele and Attis • Goddess of hunting and fertility • Cybele - Agdestis - Attis • All men around her end up castrated • Her priests (Galli) were castrated • An orgiastic cult which shocked Romans, but found plentiful followers
Aphrodite and Adonis • A primarily hellenistic myth, modelled on the oriental mother goddess myths. • Handsome Adonis is killed accidentally and Aphrodite mourns him • The death of Adonis celebrated by women.
Demeter and Persephone • A more sophisticated version of the Goddess / Dead Lover motif • Persephone ends up spending time in the underworld as the queen of the dead • Wife of Pluto/Hades