JOHN STARRISON"S LITTLEKNOWN GREEK MYTHOLOGY PAGE

Hello and welcome to my webpage! My name is John Starrison, and I'm a history buff!

At this webpage, I'm going to share with you some of the lesser known greek mythology of the world. Many people know about Hercules and his 12 labors, or the legendary fights between Zeus and Hera, and the incredible Trojan War. But did you know about Helios striking down the Colossus at Rhodes, one of the seven wonders of the world?

MY FIRST TALE:

ATALAEUS, THE LESSER GOD FROM MACEDONIA:

My first story is that of Atalaeus, the Lesser God. Atalaeus was Macedonian, but taken by a Grecian and raised as a slave in Greece. Although no official records of his birth exist, it is believed he was born around 602 BC.

Atalaeus was the first of what were later known as alieni generis popularum, or "the other people." Although not a God, Atalaeus possessed an ability to control his own body and physique, and form himself into what he needed to be to succeed.

This first played a role in his freedom. At the age of 14, he challenged his master to a competition. If he could lift the heaviest rock on the farm, and carry it around his master's house quicker than his master could, he would be freed. His master agreed.

Atalaeus was rumoured to have spent two days in deep meditation and prayer, before he finally emerged, and was described to be "as fit as Hercules." He easily lifted the largest rock that could be found, and ran it around the house. The master, unable to lift even the rock, released him.

Atalaeus wandered for years, before he finally found his way to a city-state north of Athens. Working as a strongman for a living, the nobles hired him to lead their army and protect their property. Believing themselves to be more intelligent than Atalaeus, they expected nothing more than their own private Hercules.

Atalaeus, however, desired more. He believed the nobles felt themselves to be smarter than he, and he was determined to use that against them. He challenged them to a riddle. If he could create a riddle that the nobles could not answer, then he would acquire their wealth. The nobles agreed, on the grounds they could challenge him in return.

Once again, Atalaeus was rumoured to have spent multiple days fasting, meditating and praying. Upon his return, the challenge began. Although the riddles themselves are lost to the ages, it is known that Atalaeus became ruler of the city afterwards, and acquired all the wealth of the nobles.

During this time, it was made known of his ability to change his physique and intellect, and the science of alieni generis popular, or "the other people" began. Many followers of Atalaeus claimed he was equal to the children of the Gods, or a Lesser God of his own.

The majority of Grecians looked down upon these followers, however the science was known to have continued on into the Roman Empire, when it finally disappeared after the advent of Christianity.

This is a picture of a vase believed to contain a likeness of Atalaeus.

If you think that's interesting, check out World War II and the Second Species!