Talk:Mythological references/Archive 1

Greek Gods should be merged here. --Peter Farago 20:30, 13 September 2005 (EDT)

Irrelevant or Redundant Content?

Since we're not a general encyclopedia, do we need to go into detail into Greek tragedy here? Any useful information here might be best as a subsection in the Religion in the Twelve Colonies article. I also questioned the point of view of the article. It seemed slanted, somehow. --Spencerian 11:27, 13 September 2006 (CDT)

There are references to greek culture in places and character names that go beyond religion. So those might have a place in their own article.
But I agree that article seems somewhat NPOV. Greek tragedy? Maybe, but that could be said for hundereds of other stories. Greek drama is still a rough, maybe unconscious, template for many modern stories --Serenity 11:42, 13 September 2006 (CDT)

I can't quite place the slant here either, though I like having a central point for the mythological references. Perhaps the page would work better as a general Mythology page listing the current Greek, followed by non Greek references? I can think of both Roman and Norse mythology referenced in the show and there isn't an easy way to find them right now. I think that might be a bit more neutral. Tyrus 14:52, 7 December 2006 (CST)

A very good point, Tyrus. A general mythology page would, in my view, work better than what we have currently. -- Joe Beaudoin ^{So say we all - Donate} 22:31, 7 December 2006 (CST)

Thanks. Do you think it would be better to rename this page or should I just start a new one and move the information over? Tyrus 07:41, 8 December 2006 (CST)

A rename (actually a "move" in wiki terms) would probably be the smoothest transition, as it would automatically redirect all the existing links to the new article. What would the new article name be? Mythology? Mythological references? --Steelviper 09:01, 8 December 2006 (CST)

I was working on a modified version of the article that would merge Greek Gods to this one under the new name "Mythology." But I'm wondering how much of this is redundant to Religion in the Twelve Colonies. Or, should this article summarize the gods as they relate in RDM, with links to detailed pages if there are any? I was also adding the Egyptian references from TOS, too. --Spencerian 14:11, 8 December 2006 (CST)

Cleanup / Merge

If noone objects I'd rename this article into "Mythology (RDM)" and divide it into "Greek mythology", "Roman mythology" and maybe "Other" (for such things as Ragnar and Valkyrie). At present that is at Religion in the Twelve Colonies, but this information isn't really strictly religious and as such doesn't all belong there. For example "ships with greek names" isn't a religious topic.

The only problem I see, is a confusion with the mythology of the show as whole, like the Final Five, search for Earth and all that. Maybe calling it"Mythological references" is better

Greek Gods could probably be deleted outright. --Serenity 15:16, 12 January 2007 (CST)

I concur. Battlestar Wiki is not here to give history lessons on Greek mythology, only to note the mentioned ones as Lords of Kobol and their significance. If you or someone else doesn't do this one, I will be soon. --Spencerian 22:34, 12 January 2007 (CST)

I can do it. But I should we have a general "Mythology" article or expand the existing Religion article as you indicated in the deletion note? A in-universe list of mythological references is somewhat extensive, as there are a lot of ships (also in the LDYB tally board) with greek names. And an own article for it, can be linked to in the Religion article.

For now I'll just go ahead and make the list, as it can just be copied into "Religion" if necessary... --Serenity 05:39, 13 January 2007 (CST)

This is perfect, Serenity. Out-of-universe voice works fine here. Maybe I should "smash and bash" articles more often to generate the right results.. ;) --Spencerian 11:20, 13 January 2007 (CST)

Seperate TOS and TNS sections

I think combining both shows like this is kinda confusing. I tried to seperate them with additional headers, but there are a few items that are shared between both series. Kobol originates in TOS, but is also present in TNS. TNS Caprica also has pyramids in Caprica City.

Maybe just a third section called "Both Series" or something? I don't think seperate articles are needed, but at the moment you have to look a bit to keep the shows apart --Serenity 10:54, 17 January 2007 (CST)

Sounds reasonable; I'll "race" you to it. --Spencerian 13:05, 17 January 2007 (CST)

It's just a bit bloated. For example we'd have two "judeo-christianty" sections then. But in light of some shared items, that's preferable to completely seperate articles --Serenity 13:07, 17 January 2007 (CST)

Proper placement for Greek antecedent to the name "Cylon"?

I've been trying to find out if any of the articles here note that "Cylon" was the name of an Athenian noble who tried to make himself tyrant of Athens in the seventh century BC, but I haven't found any such reference. I'd like to add the reference somewhere, but I can't find a place where it should obviously go -- it can't go here, because Cylon is a historical, not a mythological figure; it doesn't seem to fit under "names" on the Colonial Language page, because that really only deals with proper names, and there's no clear in-universe indication of whether "Cylon" is a proper name. Any suggestions as to where it should go? Cranston 20:23, 2 May 2008 (UTC)

It wouldn't hurt to create an entirely new page entitled "historical references". -- Joe Beaudoin ^{So say we all - Donate - Battlestar Pegasus} 20:48, 2 May 2008 (UTC)

Or we rename this one to "Mythological and historical references". It already contains some religious notes that aren't strictly mythological anyways. And sometimes there's overlap between history and mythology. -- Serenity 20:51, 2 May 2008 (UTC)

I like that idea -- sounds like the most economical route to take.Cranston 04:13, 3 May 2008 (UTC)

Atlantia Named for Atlantic Ocean?

We received an e-mail from a user who has another idea on where the Battlestar Atlantia received its name. I realize the article cites the source as the name of a hamadryad. Not sure what is correct but told the user I will share his views in the talk page for discussion. His idea is below (I've only altered incorrect spelling):

"I noticed something on this page http://en.battlestarwiki.org/wiki/Mythological_references that I might be able to help with. It says >>Atlantia - The name of a hamadryad, a form of nymph and namesake of a battlestar lost in Fall of the Twelve Colonies. Could also be a reference to the legend of Atlantis, written by Plato. <<

In fact, I believe it is a reference to the Atlantic Ocean. I know that's completely illogical, but the original Galactica script for "Saga of a Star World" makes reference to a "Battlestar Pacifica" as one of the battlestars at the ambush, and the novel (unreliable, but based on an earlier version of the script) makes reference to the "Atlantia" and the "Pacifica" being sister-ships.

Yeah, stupid I know, but no stupider than a Battlestar Columbia.

In its earliest drafts, the original Galactica was set in the year 5999 AD, earth having been abandoned and largely forgotten and mythologized maybe three thousand years before. These battlestar names are probably references to something from the long-ago mostly-forgotten human homeworld. Later on in development, they decided to introduce the "Kobol" concept and make the show more-or-less contemporary (1979) rather than in the future, they kept the names they'd already come up with. So, basically, these hokey names are periscopes to an earlier version of the script." --Jonathan 01:17, 16 June 2008 (UTC)

Well, that's a valid point. Although Pacifica has quite a few meanings. For instance, it's a planet in the Star Trek universe, as well as a city in California now overseen by the Governator. Then again, I'm sure that it is probably named after the ocean, given the lack of scientific advisers in the series... Thoughts? -- Joe Beaudoin ^{So say we all - Donate - Battlestar Pegasus} 01:45, 16 June 2008 (UTC)

Isn't the Atlantic also named after Atlantis? In that case the question whether Atlantia is named after the Atlantic or Atlantis is pretty much moot. --Catrope^{(Talk to me or e-mail me)} 08:26, 16 June 2008 (UTC)

According to Wikipedia (for what that's worth), it's named after Atlas. -- Serenity 12:03, 16 June 2008 (UTC)

Serenity do you have a link to the Wikipedia article? I looked up Atlantia and Atlantea but only get the hamadryad article. I'm sure I'm missing something. As an aside, has anyone read anything from BSG that states where the name for the Battlestar Atlantia came from? Production notes, show interview, script, discussion with cast/crew, etc. To me everything mentioned as possible origins seems plausible. When I first saw the name I immediately thought of Atlantis. The user said they no longer have a copy of that script cited at the beginning of this section. But, they wondered if someone else on BSG Wiki might. That would, perhaps, solve this. Until then does anyone have a problem with me having included that a possible source of inspiration is the Atlantic Ocean? --Jonathan 03:00, 17 June 2008 (UTC)

Erm, it's just w:Atlantic Ocean -- Serenity 06:37, 17 June 2008 (UTC)