Suikoden and Greek Mythology

[Carbunc]

Okay I don't think I've seen any other topics like this so here goes:

I'm taking a Mythology of Ancient Greece class and since taking it I have noticed a lot of ideas from greek mythology presenting themselves in American culture; although the link may not have been done on purpose (such as the Eagle which represents Zeus in mythology)

Now my question is whether or not anyone can see signs of greek mythology presenting themselves in the Suikoden Series beyond monsters showing up like the minataur or griffon.

I'll also be looking for signs and posting any signs I find.
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DUCK!!
Ha, that cracks me up every time.

[Acheron]

Well, not really Greek mythology exclusively. There's elements of many different mythos in Suikoden. My mind's numb right now so I can't remember any specific examples but there are some elements in Suikoden but none that are really with deep seeded meaning. Now God of War has some elements of Greek mythology in it..... :D

[Barbarossa Rugner]

Yes i took a class on Greek Mythology about a year ago, but i am not sure i was able to draw any direct comparisons to Suikoden. There are several underlying simularities that i am sure can be drawn, but i will have to give it more thought.
As far anything directly relating to Suikoden, I wasn't able to. Then again it could have just been my teacher, or the fact that my main puropse wasn't really to try and draw Suikoden comparisons. If something major would have been discussed though, I am pretty sure i would have picked up on it.
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The Rune on my Sword, the Dragon King Sword, is protected against any form of magic, Even the rune of the Gate - Barbarossa Rugner

[Sophita]

Suikoden uses a lot of mythological concepts, though not a lot of it is greek/roman in origin. For example, Lorelai is almost certainly named after the German siren Lorelei (especially considering it's pronounced the same as Lorelai). And just like the greek sirens, the Lorelei's hypnotic music lured sailors to their deaths. (I've always been amused by the fact Lorelai usually comes in to your army with a drain rune...)

The only one I can really think of off the top of my head for being Greek is Achilles - Odessa's ex-fiance, probably named after the famous Greek hero. (And Odessa is a Greek name as well.)
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[VikiFanatic]

You know what, i've always thought of comparing the Gods presented in Greek Mythology to that of the the True Runes. Supposedly, in the Suikoverse, the True Runes are those that govern the world, right? Some believe that these Runes are sentient and have their own area of coverage, same as that as the Gods of Greek Pantheon...

However, up to that, i can't compare the individual True Runes to any individual God since mostly, their uses are much different. I could always refer to True Water = Poseidon but that wouldn't be much of a comparison, since the former MADE the water and the latter GOVERNS it... :|
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[Carbunc]

ah ok thanks guys i'll continue to think on it...my brain is also fuzzy today
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DUCK!!
Ha, that cracks me up every time.

[Ujitsuna]

To me it's kind of along the lines that the Sword and Shield made the world when they collided, and the True Runes mearly allows certain elements/feelings to be in the Suikoworld... Like how the Dragon Rune allows for Dragons to exist in the lands.

I don't think the developers really put in any Greek mythology as such, but have definately been influenced by that kind of thing.

[Vextor]

There are a few other references to Greek Mythology such as Hecatonchires (although this was renamed as "Abomination" in the English version). Also, Sierra Mikain's last name should have perperly been translated as Mycenae, which is a Greek city that was governed by Agamemnon from the Trojan War fame.

Otherwise, Kamandohl's weapon is called "Hermes Staff" at its highest level. Hermes' staff is traditionally called the Cadceus, and is also a symbol of medicine (and also has important meanings within alchemy).

[Bright Shield Rune bearer]

Suikoden obviously has most conections to Nordian mythology (Runes anyone) :? .
About greek mythology..idk. Usually they use names for monsters, and as some of you previously mentioned... weapons for characters, their names etc.
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Forgiver's Sign

[Solitude]

I've never actually thought of making connections between Greek Mythology and Suikoden. It's true that whenever I heard of Odessa's late husband that I thought of Achilles from the myths but other than that I've never tried to make any kind of connections. Right now I can't think of any either other than the ones that have been mentioned above. I don't I guess my brain doesn't seem to want to work today either. Ah well its early in the morning what can one expect.

[Flare]

A crapload of weapon's have names that derive from all sorts of mythology. Flare's bow is called Hathor at one point and Lino's is named Horus or something like that, I can't remember for sure. One of his weapon names is an Egyptian god. Neclord is similar to the mythical Dracula, obviously. Lino's trident is appropriate since Poseidon had one, and Lino is kinda a king of the ocean...There's more but I can't think of any at the moment.
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The immortal chickens shall rule the world!!

[Caleb Cunningham]

I was thinking Suikoden 1 was a bit like the Roman Empire with Emporer Barbarossa being the name of an actual Roman Emperor and the fact th Scarlett Moon Empire used to be part of the Holy Kingdom of Harmonia shows that it is similar to the Holy Roman Empire.

[Zelphiel]

[Flare]

S5 had a crapload of Egyptian influence in it as it was. Did anyone else notice the eye on the ships? Definitely of Egyptian origin. Plus the names of the bosses and the music definitely had an Egyptian feel to it. That's prolly one of the reasons that I liked that game as much as I did. I absolutely love ancient Egypt.....well ancient cultures altogether, but Egypt especially.
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The immortal chickens shall rule the world!!

[Zelphiel]

Yeah, the things that were associated with the sun rune definately were... but I didn't think many of the bosses had heavily Egyptian sounding names. Which ones are you talking about?
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