Mystical World Wide Web
King Arthur Fact, Semi-legend or Myth?
aka
Artaius. Artegal. Arthgallo. Arthur. Artor. Artorius.
High King of Britain. Emperor of Britain.
Dux bellorum - Leader in war
'The Flower of Kings' - Bishop of Winchester
The Sleeping Lord
INTRODUCTION
Historical Fact, Semi-legend or Myth?
Having surfed the
net you have probably realised when it comes to King Arthur many sites
at first glance appear to be contradicting each other. Let us assure
you that in many instances this is not the case, the problem is that
over the centuries the legends connected with the stories of 'Arthur
and the Knights of the Round Table' have been manipulated. This has
caused many variations of story lines to change and in some instances
complete change of names.
Here at Mystical-WWW we have put together a complete crash course
in all the names and legends along with the key people that were to
alter and adapt through their writings the famous King. No site should
claim to be complete regarding 'did Arthur exist?', as scholars and
historians are still discovering many facts and so it must be stated
that this section of the site is not complete and will always be under
review.
You are advised to read all 6 parts along with the summary of Arthur
in this section before surfing the 'Arthurian A2Z', this will give
you a good basic understanding of why so many legends and names/characters
change. We hope you enjoy this Special Feature Edition of Mystical
Wolrd Wide Web, please feel free to email us if you spot any bad links
or would like to add your own information. To the devotees of Mystical-WWW
that sent us odd facts we hope you now enjoy along with the other
readers the hard work planning and programing that has taken place
over the months. Read on and enter the mystical world of Arthurian
Legend, sort the facts from the fiction.
Arthur as historical fact first emerges in around the fifth-century,
and over the ensuing centuries appears in some form in practically
all languages in Europe, but mainly in mythology or legend. It appears
that pre-Christian belief is what lies at the root of Arthurian legend.
Arthur appears as the defender of what was left of Roman Christian
civilisation in Britain after the revolt against the Romans, and the
consequent struggle of the people of Britain with the Saxons.
The whole Arthurian cycle begins at 'Stonehenge' (See Arthurian Places)
according to Professor Gwyn A. Williams. Stonehenge was built as least
two thousand years before Arthur appears to have existed. In the fourth-century
BC, a Greek, probably describing the Island of Britain, referred to
Stonehenge as 'a temple to Apollo - the Sun God'. Tradition says that
the 'Mother of Apollo' was born here and for that reason the inhabitants
venerated Apollo more than any other God. Professor Gwyn A. Williams
states 'Apollo passed from Roman into Celtic Britain and thence into
the Welsh Arthurian romances' (See Apollo). Apollo's messenger was
'Abaris' who was said to ride on a golden arrow. After being initiated
by 'Pythagoras', Abaris was seen as a holy man and was reputed to
be a Druid in Britain, where it is likely that he was associated with
Stonehenge, it being a place known to be connected with Apollo.
As the symbolism of Stonehenge, of the 'Stone Beliefs', and of the
'Earth Mother', began to be interwoven with the Cycle, early Arthurian
legends can be seen to have been packed with Gods, or their descendants.
Both the Celtic and pre-Christian rituals and belief in the Gods can
be seen to be the immediate forerunners to the later Christian belief.
The fourth-century is the fundamental transition period, when change
in religious practice can be seen to have torn at the very roots of
the Arthurian cycle, and transported Arthur of historical fact to
a semi-legend.
One such Arthurian legend connection can be seen in ancient Egyptian
mythology, when the qualities and duties of 'Osiris, God of the not-dead'
reflect an Arthur that has become familiar to us (See Osiris). The
ancient Egyptians believed that it was necessary for Osiris to periodically
return to the 'Underworld', to 'Amenti', also thought to be the 'Astral
Plane', perhaps 'Annwn' as referred to by the Welsh bard 'Taliesin'
(See Taliesin). The books of Osiris were said to detail such information,
like Arthur's understanding of the arcane who was believed able to
return from sacred quests, and ultimately from 'Avalon'. Osiris's
journey to Amenti was thought necessary in order for him to control
all who dwelt in the Underworld, to learn the secrets, schemes, plans
and coded words so that all could travel safely through this plane
to divinity, to a 'golden realm' where it was believed a soul/person
could live forever. Could this be a place similar to Avalon?
Osiris/Arthur is slain by his brother 'Set', perhaps equating with
'Mordred', and then taken across the Nile by 'Isis' and 'Nephthys',
his sisters. A sacred barque takes Osiris and his sisters to 'Aalu
in the West', in the same way as Arthur to Avalon, or perhaps to the
'Island of the Blessed' as referred to in the early Celtic Church,
said to be to the West. Aalu is described, in similar terms to Avalon,
as 'a place of plenteous fruits and grain' (See Avalon). It is here
in Aalu that Osiris is to wait until his resurrection, like Arthur
in Avalon who awaits the call of Britain for him to return with his
sword. Both are further connected with bull cults, the Apis bull being
associated with Osiris. In Taliesin's poem, 'The Spoils of Annwn'
(See Taliesin) Arthur is associated with the sacred ox.
The 'God Horus' too in ancient Egyptian mythology, was seen to be
Osiris is a new resurrected form who led many warriors just as Arthur
led many Knights. It is known that Horus was committed to seeking
out and 'ending the lives of evil monsters'. If we look at Arthur's
historical commitment to defending the Britons we see a connection.
If we consider Arthur's pursuance of the Holy Grail as described in
legend (yet of arcane significance), we see a man as defender of Christianity,
a man who succeeds against supposed insurmountable odds, an Arthur
of legend that can be seen to resemble both ancient Egyptian deities.
Whilst it will be seen that many of the Arthurian stories were, it
seems, no more than legend, perhaps being based on composite ancient
mythologies, what we do begin to see is the beginning of the revelation.
Revealed is an ancient Britain, steeped in mysticism known both to
the ordinary and ecclesiastical alike across the Island. What we see
later is the emergence of a man known as Arthur who is documented
and revered, not just on the mainland, but across to the West and
to the East, perhaps a 'once and future king'.
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