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Posted By: wwh Momus - 12/19/03 07:51 PM
O.Henry tells of a middle-aged man suddenly in love with a nineteen year old girl."To such a pass had Dry Valley Johnson been brought by Cupid, who always shoots game that is out of season with an arrow from the quiver of Momus. Reconstructing mythology, he had risen, a prismatic macaw, from the ashes of the grey-brown phoenix that had folded its tired wings to roost under the trees of Santa Rosa."

MOMOS was the personification of mockery, blame, ridicule, scorn, raillery and stinging criticism.
He was expelled from heaven for his criticism and ridicule of the gods.

Parents

NYX (no father) (Theogony 214)

"And again the goddess murky Nyx, though she lay with none, bare Momos." - Theogony 214-215

"According to an old legend, the first man was made by Zeus, the first bull by Poseidon, and the first house by Athene. On the completion of their labours, a dispute arose as to which had made the most perfect work. They agreed to appoint Momos as judge, and to abide by his decision. Momos, however, being very envious of the handicraft of each, found fault with all. He first blamed the work of Poseidon because he had not made the horns of the bull below his eyes, so he might better see where to strike. He then condemned the work of Zeus, because he had not placed the heart of man on the outside, that everyone might read the thoughts of the evil disposed and take precautions against the intended mischief. And, lastly, he inveighed against Athene because she had not contrived iron wheels in the foundation of her house, so its inhabitants might more easily remove if a neighbour proved unpleasant. Zeus, indignant at such inveterate faultfinding, drove him from his office of judge, and expelled him from the mansions of Olympos." -Aesop's Fables 59 (from Babrius)

"But Momos (Blame) – let him go where Phthonos (Envy) dwells!” –Callimachus, Hymn II to Apollon 105

“Momos (Mockery) himself used to write on the walls: ‘Kronos is wise.” –Callimachus Epigrams Frag 393



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