Roman Myth
October 11, 2005 10:05 AM   Subscribe

In a roman myth, Apollo is walking on a beach. Evening is coming and he needs a place to spend the evening. He sees an old man and women ands asks if he could spend the night with them. They take him into their home and give up everything that they own for his comfort. In the morning Apollo wants to reward them for their generosity but does not want to reveal his identity. He decides his gift will be for them to pass away together. Who are these people? Does this myth have a name? How can greek and roman myths be referenced through a description such as this?
posted by Raybun to Religion & Philosophy (7 answers total)
 
Baucis and Philemon

On a certain hill in Phrygia stand a linden tree and an oak,
enclosed by a low wall. Not far from the spot is a marsh,
formerly good habitable land, but now indented with pools, the
resort of fen-birds and cormorants. Once on a time, Jupiter, in
human shape, visited this country, and with him his son Mercury (he of the caduceus), without his wings. They presented themselves at many a door as weary travellers, seeking rest and shelter, but found all closed, for it was late, and the inhospitable inhabitants would not rouse themselves to open for their reception. At last a humble mansion received them, a small thatched cottage, where Baucis, a pious old dame, and her husband Philemon, united when young, had grown old together. Not ashamed of their poverty, they made it endurable by moderate desires and kind dispositions.


I think this is what you are refering to. Sometimes you just need the right search terms for google. I remembered this tale and recalled the two were turned into two trees. GIS two.trees myth.
posted by Mr T at 10:26 AM on October 11, 2005 [1 favorite]


sorry for the bad formatting. Copy and paste blues.
posted by Mr T at 10:28 AM on October 11, 2005


Having the wrong god name will really lead you astray.
posted by smackfu at 10:37 AM on October 11, 2005


Take the plunge. Get a copy of Ovid's Metamorphoses.
posted by IndigoJones at 10:57 AM on October 11, 2005


Read the Ovid, you won't regret it.
posted by OmieWise at 11:28 AM on October 11, 2005


Thirding the Ovid.
posted by rxrfrx at 1:22 PM on October 11, 2005


Fourthing.
posted by languagehat at 4:03 PM on October 11, 2005


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