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Greek Mythology Today
CLASSICAL SAYINGS AND CLICHES FROM MYTHOLOGY PAGE THREE
I am adding a new section consisting of common sayings and clichés from mythology
Here are more classical sayings and clichés from the Trojan War

An Odyssey of epic proportions - the hero Odysseus endured a ten-year ordeal filled with extreme danger and adventure, as he attempted to sail home to Ithaca following the Trojan War. Today the term 'Odyssey' signifies a journey of great difficulty and terrific achievement.

Greeks bearing gifts - the Greeks had enough following their ten-year siege of Troy and pretended to depart, leaving behind a huge wooden horse as alleged tribute to Poseidon to guide them safely home. The Trojans fell for the ploy and brought the horse inside their walls, whereupon that evening the soldiers hidden within emerged, opened the gates, and the Greeks proceeded to slaughter the Trojans and burn down their city. The term today serves as a reminder that all presents should be regarded with a touch of suspicion, lest they be detrimental to the recepient.

To Hector - Hector was a prince of Troy, son of King Priam and brother to Paris, whose kidnapping of Helen sparked the war. Hector was a thoughtful and convincing orator, whose words of advice and admonishment carried great weight. To 'hector' someone today is to attempt to teach them in a scolding manner.

Lotus Eater - Adverse north winds blew Odysseus and his ship off course and delivered them to the Lotophagi (Lotus Eaters), who were a race of people living on an island near North Africa overgrown by lotus plants. The lotus fruits and flowers were the primary food of the island and were narcotic, causing the people to sleep in peaceful apathy. Today the term has come to signify a person who spends time indulging in pleasure and luxury rather than dealing with more practical concerns.

A Nestor -  Nestor fought on the side of the Greeks in the Trojan War. Though Nestor was already very old when the war began (he was believed to be about 110), he was noted for his bravery and speaking abilities. He often gAVE advice to the younger warriors and instructed the King Agamemnon and the great warrior Achilles to reconcile. Nestor's ability to soothe hard feelings, to use praise as a means for motivation, and to make tactful suggestions to a king were all acquired through experience. Today his name stands for a wise counselor. 

A faithful Penelope - Penelope was wife to Odysseus. She remained true to her husband even though he was gone for twenty years. During that time a boisterous and quarrelsome gang of suitors had set up camp inside her palace, demanding that she choose one of them as husband. Penelope promised to do so once her wedding dress was completed. During the day she would weave the bridal gown, but at night she would unstitch it, thus ensuring it would never be finished. The name faithful Penelope signifies a woman who "stands by her man" in spite of all adversity.

To heap Pelion on Ossa - Pelion was a mountain in Northeast Greece, in the region of Thessaly. In mythology it was the home of the half men-half horse creatures called Centaurs. When the race of Giants tried to overthrow Zeus and the Olympian gods, they were said to have piled Mounts Olympus and Ossa on the summit of Mount Pelion in their attempt to reach heaven and destroy the gods.  Today the term has come to mean 'to make matters worse', or 'to aggravate or compound a situation', or to add an extra difficulty to a task that is already onerous.

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