Greek mythology in Bioshock SPOILERS

[Stratman93]

There's tons of it. Despite practically every place in Bioshock being named after Gods (Prometheus, Neptune, Apollo, Olympus and advertisements for "Athena's glory" and "Poseidon Pilsner" as well as many others). Also there is Atlas. In ancient greece this was the accepted summary of the story.

Atlas betrayed Zeus (Andrew Ryan) the owner of Olympus and caused a war. Atlas was punished for this by having to eternally hold up the sky. Zeus also gave birth to Heracles/Hercules (Jack) through an illegitimate relationship (Jasmine Jolene). Atlas later betrays Heracles and so on and so forth.

But it is interesting considering Ryan claimed there was "No Gods" in rapture. Maybe it implies that Ryan wanted to become a God.

Also in the mythology, Atlas is associated with an underwater utopia: Atlantis.

If anyone finds this interesting and has anyone thoughts on it then post them!

[TheHuntersMinion]

DAmnit When you said spoilers you meant it!
Ryan is Jacks dad???!?!

[kglaser]

But it is interesting considering Ryan claimed there was "No Gods" in rapture. Maybe it implies that Ryan wanted to become a God.

That's exactly what I was thinking when I played it! "No gods"? Yeah, right...that place is crawling with 'em!
I love the thought and research that went into this game. (I almost certainly never would have known who Hephaestus was had I not played it.)

[Stratman93]

DAmnit When you said spoilers you meant it!
Ryan is Jacks dad???!?!

I'm really sorry but I tried to warn you.

[BioShock Freak]

WOW! That actually makes TOOOOONS of sense! He DID act like a god, like, Oh, I am creator of Rapture, follow my rules otherwise you'll end up pinned to the wall like all the others. Weird. But I never really caught on to all the Greek names. It's SOOOOO awesome! It all keeps getting BETTER AND BETTER!

[Rapture_Cult_Bouncer431]

wow i never really payed that much attention to it but several of the levels are named after greek gods...thats pretty neat

[prateeko]

DAmnit When you said spoilers you meant it!
Ryan is Jacks dad???!?!

Dunno what you expected.

[yogibbear]

DAmnit When you said spoilers you meant it!
Ryan is Jacks dad???!?!

... this long after and it's still a spoiler.. AND he told you so.

Would you kindly go finish bioshock so we can no longer spoil it for you

[Stratman93]

So, what does everyone think about the inclusion of the mythology p.s any answer is a good one

[Panek]

I think everybody should avoid any topic on these forums BEFORE completing the game. After doing that and discovering all of the plot twists, they should start readin' and postin'.

[esipode]

wow i never really payed that much attention to it but several of the levels are named after greek gods...thats pretty neat

I feel stupid for not noticing it earlier.

[kglaser]

In answer to stratman93, I would say the inclusion of Greek mythology in this game adds a huge amount of dimension and provokes much thought...not surprising to me in a game already so obviously lovingly-designed and gorgeously planned. It is clear with every level that here is a game into which much planning and speculation has gone. The designers and programmers were obviously determined that the game must stand out, not just now, when it's hot, but years down the road, as a groundbreaking experience.

I kinda like it can ya tell?

[Demitasse]

Why is it called Greek Mythology? It used to be their religion. I guess we should now start including Mythology at the end of each religion. It only seems fair.

Catholic Mythology
Christian Mythology
Hindu Mythology, etc.

Sure, Jesus was real, but his spiritual father isn't.

[zoegrmon]

Doc also kept referring to Aphrodite, and Cohen to the Muses. Hephaestus is also a god.

[kglaser]

When I read about Hephaestus the god, I couldn't believe over how many things he had dominion: technology, blacksmiths, craftsmen, artisans, sculptors, metals and metallurgy, and fire. Wow! (source = Wikipedia)

[Stratman93]

BUMP! Is this thread dead or something.

[ChellyTots]

I'm just waiting for a three headed Big Daddy or even a Big Daddy/Splicer born

Seems to be enough mythology going on why not add a Hydra Daddy?

There is also enough drink in the game, Dionysus must be somewhere (I love Dionysus, My Favourite). While he's the God of Wine, he also represents madness and the effects alcohol has on society.

I'd say Madness come into Rapture somewhere.

[BioShock Freak]

I think it's pretty freaking creative! But then again, the ENTIRE game is just the best creative game ever!
~Mari.

[V1olentNinja24]

Isn't Dr. Steinman obsessed with Aphrodite and Beauty?

[BioCraft]

There's tons of it. Despite practically every place in Bioshock being named after Gods (Prometheus, Neptune, Apollo, Olympus and advertisements for "Athena's glory" and "Poseidon Pilsner" as well as many others). Also there is Atlas. In ancient greece this was the accepted summary of the story.

Atlas betrayed Zeus (Andrew Ryan) the owner of Olympus and caused a war. Atlas was punished for this by having to eternally hold up the sky. Zeus also gave birth to Heracles/Hercules (Jack) through an illegitimate relationship (Jasmine Jolene). Atlas later betrays Heracles and so on and so forth.

But it is interesting considering Ryan claimed there was "No Gods" in rapture. Maybe it implies that Ryan wanted to become a God.

Also in the mythology, Atlas is associated with an underwater utopia: Atlantis.

If anyone finds this interesting and has anyone thoughts on it then post them!

thats awesome never put it all together but i did notice all the god names

[Hoyt]

Speaking of Atlas, i think "Atlas Shrugged" by Ayn Rand has heavily influenced the story. When i was playing the game, i found references to the book around every corner.

[Garber]

i noticed all the god referances my first time playing, bioshock has a lot a basic story elements present in any book or novel.

"No Gods. Or Kings. Just Man"

there are god referances everywhere and ryan is much of a king. thats and example of irony, i also think that (going at this from a stand point where ryan is real) maybe he named it that on purpose. kinda like, "hey look i can make up gods too." like when he says "god did not plant the seeds of this arcadia, i did"

imo bioshock would have been a best selling book, or a block buster movie, just as easily as it was game of the year, just the game version is the best why to experiance it. cause its such an awsome story

[Stratman93]

Guess what! Next to the sign outside Ryan's office stating "Office of Andrew Ryan" there is a picture of a hand holding a bolt of lightning. For those of you who don't know this is the symbol of Zeus, leader of the Gods of Olympus.

[Atlas.]

i hadn't really noticed all the references to the Greek mythology before but now that you mention it, it seems obvious. Particuarly the area names and the obvious Atlas' name itself

agree with all the posts made here, they seem to fit in with everything. So Ryan wanted to play Zeus did he... lol. It all works really well


this game goes alot deeper than i had at first noticed. Alot of work must have went into all of this

[BioShock Freak]

I agree.
They put SOOOOOOOO much detail, so much creativity, effort, EVERYTHING (Except some of the special characters) and made it oh so wonderful. But each role fits in with some of those from Greek Mythology. It's awesome.
I LOVE Greek Mythology too.
~Mari.

[Rapture011191]

DAmnit When you said spoilers you meant it!
Ryan is Jacks dad???!?!

dude...this is IN GAME dissucsion...it says before you enter the FORUM that there are spoilers. on TOP of THAT it said in this thread SPOILERS...you asked for it, really.

[V1olentNinja24]

I'm really sorry but I tried to warn you.

I like the fact you apologized

[V1olentNinja24]

I agree.
They put SOOOOOOOO much detail, so much creativity, effort, EVERYTHING (Except some of the special characters) and made it oh so wonderful. But each role fits in with some of those from Greek Mythology. It's awesome.
I LOVE Greek Mythology too.
~Mari.

ME too!!!!!!!!!!

[BioShock Freak]

~Mari.

[Atlas-Puppet]

The home of the gods is olympus, and olympus was were most people lived.

[Hermes]

... and ryan is much of a king ...

Andrew : Origin: Greek / Meaning: Man
Ryan : Origin: German / Meaning: Little King

I don't think it's a coincidence. And it's the anagram of Ayn Rand (who writted Atlas Shrugged and Fountainhead), plus a "rew".

[Stratman93]

[QUOTE=Hermes;270261]Andrew : Origin: Greek / Meaning: Man
Ryan : Origin: English / Meaning: Little King[/QUOTE=Hermes;270261]

Are you serious! That is seriously cool!!!!!!!

[Stratman93]

I like the fact you apologized

Thank you "kindly".

[cryokinisis]

in the first level where the new years party was held there stands a massive statue of atlas with the globe on his shoulders.

[Davehoekst]

I actually noticed all this on my first time through. Of course I absolutely love Greek Mythology... Now, correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't there also some Roman Mythology references mixed in? (Mercury, Neptune, etc...)

Just a thought.

[Hermes]

Roman mythology, indeed.

Mercure = Hermes / Neptune = Poseidon

And there is "Christian mythology" too ; Eve, Adam, the apple, etc...

[BioShock Freak]

Yep. I noticed ADAM and EVE and the apple. That's are Christian mythology. That's pretty cool though.
~Mari.

[Hermes]

I suppose they have used of these three mythologies because they are the most well-known of all, I mean, the most "popular".

[Katfather]

Excellent, excellent thread. Thank you Stratman93. there used to be a thread like this a long time ago, but it was so long and boring no one read it. (no guys, I didn't write it). Everyone seems to enjoy it! Oh and thank you for not making that stupid mistake saying Atlas held up the Earth. I hate that!

Oh, and by the way, despite what you read in most books, it wouldn't be quite right to call Aphrodite the Goddess of Love, it would be more correct to call her a Goddess of Lust..kind of. That's why it's important to remember it was her that helped cause the Trojan War. The God of Love was Eros, who we, and the Romans, call Cupid. And yes, in a way, that fits what the Good Doctor was suffering from... Lust for the power of a God..

[WrenchMaster]

Lust for a God's powerful beauty.