Illustration by A.J. Garces


Issue: Spring 2003

Mything Link

In Pericles’ time as in Milton’s, cultural literacy meant mastery of the mythologies of peoples past and present. These days, few folks know much folklore. Classics majors, here’s your chance to shine.

1. Daughter of Poseidon, this sea monster created deadly whirlpools by gulping down vast mouthfuls of water and spewing them forth – visiting calamity upon mariners off the Sicilian coast.

2. Of the trimurti, this benevolent form of the godhead in Hindu mythology possesses four arms – holding a club, a lotus, a discus and a shell.

3. A mountain in Boeotia, the heavenly haunt of the Muses, from its lofty peaks flowed a mystical spring believed to be the divine source of poetic inspiration.

4. Hero, demi-god and Sumerian king, in combat he defeated his rival only to become his enemy’s dearest friend – even following to the nether world when they were separated by death.

5. She dreamed of her husband’s shipwreck, and next day his corpse washed ashore. Casting herself into the sea in despair, she skimmed over the waves – miraculously transformed into a kingfisher. As she clasped her beloved in her wings, he revived also in bird’s form. Ever after, when the kingfisher nests, winter seas are calm and sailors are safe from storm.

6. Sometimes called the second cradle of the human race, this mountain of eastern Turkey is said to be the spot where Noah’s ark touched land as the flood waters receded.

7. A blessed and happy land at the world’s end, ruled by Rhadamanthus, judge of the dead. Fanned by the delightful breezes of Zephyrus, here a select few favored by the gods enjoyed an easy existence untroubled by snow, storm or rain.

8. This flying beast had the face of a woman, the body of a horse and the tail of a peacock. According to the Quran, the prophet Muhammad dreamed of a midnight ride astride this magical steed, journeying to the “further mosque,” whence he ascended to heaven.

9. The first of all living things, father of the giants, he was slain by his offspring. According to Scandinavian lore, parts of his body make up the universe – earth, sky, sea, forests and mountains. From the sweat of his left armpit were born the first man and woman.

10. God of the wind, ruler of a floating island, he extended his hospitality to Odysseus returning from the Trojan Wars. His name, over time, has come to be associated with music – specifically, the natural minor diatonic scale.

11. This spot, in a valley south of Jerusalem, is associated with hell in ancient Israelite folklore. Here priests sacrificed children as burnt offerings to the Canaanite god of fire, Moloch.


Contest Rules

1. We are looking for names of the deities, monsters, fantastical beasts, heroes and heroines and/or legendary locales corresponding to our 11 clues.

2. Up to five $30 gift certificates from Borders Books and Music will be awarded to the mything persons who correctly identify each classical allusion. If more than five correct entries are received, winners will be drawn by lot.

3. Send your answers by no later than March 10 to:

The Last Word
c/o USC Trojan Family Magazine
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA 90089-2538

Submissions by fax (213-821-1100) and email <magazines@usc.edu> are welcome.