Concept in Definition ABC

The gods of Greek mythology were immortal. This uniqueness has an explanation: the ingestion of a substance called ambrosia. In mythological accounts it is not specified precisely what exactly this substance was, but thanks to it the divinities had the gift of eternal life.

From the point of view of etymology, the Greek word ambrosia means precisely immortality.

The consumption of this substance not only provided immortality, but also gave the gods eternal youth and the cure of any disease.

At the birth of the god Zeus, it is said that this magical substance came from the horns of the nymph Amalthea, who nursed Zeus in a cave after her birth. Before the appearance of ambrosia, the gods conquered immortality by inhaling the vapors that the bodies of their enemies gave off when they died.

Gods and humans

In mythological stories it is striking that the gods have virtues and weaknesses like those of any human being. They fall in love, they are jealous, they are sometimes vindictive, some are friendly and others have bad intentions.

At first glance, gods are like humans. However, they have at their disposal a magical substance and thanks to it the passage of time does not affect them. Actually the great difference between humans and divinities is in the power of ambrosia.

An interpretation of the myth

Most myths have a dimension timeless. They are ideas that remain deeply ingrained in the human spirit. In this sense, ambrosia symbolizes the permanent struggle of man to defeat death, disease and aging.

In some Greek myths it is remembered that sometimes a man had the chance to taste the miracle substance. When this happened, he either became a demigod or got a force exaggerated physics.

In Norse, Celtic mythology, Hinduism and Taoism there are also references to magical potions that provide supernatural powers. During the Middle Ages, new stories emerged centered on the elixir of eternal youth. In the 21st century, human beings continue with this fight to defeat the inexorable passage of time. In fact, in recent years new supposedly scientific proposals have appeared that support the viability of eternal life.

The magical substances of other times have been replaced by procedures genetic and molecular advances, but the yearning for immortality is exactly the same as thousands of years ago.

Finally, it is worth remembering that the cosmetic industry and the cosmetic surgery sector are founded on the desire to slow down aging.

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