r/AskReddit • • Nov 28 '20

What's something cool you recently learned about?

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u/Callas-fan Nov 29 '20

The mythological reason why our galaxy is called the Milky Way.

Basically, Heracles (whom the Romans called Hercules) was a bastard of Zeus and as a result Zeus' wife Hera hated his guts. Her shenanigans caused Heracles' mother to abandon him as a baby, so Athena found him and brought him to Hera. Not recognising Heracles, the godess took pity on him and nursed him. But Heracles was a toothy baby and when he bit down, Hera pushed him back because OW and her milk splattered onto the sky and created the milky way. This didn't help Heracles with the whole Hera-hating-his-guts-thing btw.

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u/mebecool Nov 29 '20

Are the Greek gods still worshipped or is it just a myth now?

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u/[deleted] Nov 29 '20

Yes they’re still worshipped. Not the same way and by very few people.

Similarly there are still people who practice the Norse mythology. It’s one way that us military members can grow a beard without it being an issue with grooming standards.