M is for Mount Olympus

YAY, WE'RE AT THE HALF WAY MARK! :)

This is a challenge to post every day in April (except on Sundays) blogging thematically from A to Z. Go HERE for details. My A-Z theme this year is Greek Mythology inspired by the book The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan that I recently read.  Please be aware that what I write is my interpretation of my findings and may not necessarily be accurate are straight quotes.

Also, "Featured Book" at the end of these posts are books I've reviewed in this book blog, coinciding with the letter of the day.

Mount Olympus of Greek Mythology:

• Regarded as the "home" of the Twelve Olympian gods of the ancient Greek world.
• It formed itself after the gods defeated the Titans in the Titan War, and soon the palace was inhabited by the gods.
• It is the setting of many Greek mythical stories.
• Zeus ruled Mount Olympus, calling the gods who did not reside on the Mount Olympus to attend his court when summoned.
• Goddesses named Seasons kept the gate of clouds that would permit the divine beings to enter and exit Olympus
• In words of Homer:  "Olympus was not shaken by winds nor ever wet with rain, nor did snow fall upon it, but the air is outspread clear and cloudless, and over it hovered a radiant whiteness."
• Lines from Odyssey:  "So saying, Minerva, goddess azure-eyed,
  Rose to Olympus, the reputed seat
  Eternal of the gods, which never storms
  Disturb, rains drench, or snow invades, but calm
  The expanse and cloudless shines with purest day.
  There the inhabitants divine rejoice
  For ever." (Thomas Bulfinch)

Real Mount Olympus of today's Greece:

• The highest mountain in Greece, located in the Olympus Range on the border between Thessaly and Macedonia, about 100 kilometres (62 mi) away from Thessaloniki, Greece's second largest city.
• It has 52 peaks. The highest peak Mytikas, meaning "nose", rises to 2,917 metres (9,570 ft). It is one of the highest peaks in Europe in terms of topographic prominence
• Noted for its very rich flora with several species.
• It is a National Park of Greece and a World's Biosphere Reserve

 

Sources:
Wikipedia
Yelena Casale

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Featured Book:

Mr. Monk is Cleaned Out by Lee Goldberg

Rating: 4