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> a Phoenician hero walked along the shore and discovered that the molluscs that crushed beneath his feet created a purple hue This can be taken littorally, bu
by pvaldes 3y ago
> a Phoenician hero walked along the shore and discovered that the molluscs that crushed beneath his feet created a purple hue
This can be taken littorally, but not literally. Is clearly speech beautification.
In ancient times it was probably understood by the public that the narrator talks about a task that is impossible (or really difficult at least). Is clearly a metaphor to stress that a character has heroic qualities like strength and, in particular, a high tolerance to pain.
- debo_ 3y agoI didn't intend for it to be interpreted literally. I wrote "derived from stories of."
- pvaldes 3y agoWe are talking about this snail. Is related with Hercules in a different way, as some are said to be shaped like the Hercules club: http://www.idscaro.net/sci/04_med/class/fam3/species/bolinus_brandaris1.htm http://www.idscaro.net/sci/04_med/class/fam3/species/bolinus... Can't fall to mention that the Cerne Abbas giant has been drawn holding a club that is spiny also.
- debo_ 3y agoAre you ok?