Did You Know.... One Of The Most Extravagant Pizzas
The most expensive pizza in the world is sold in Italy and costs $12,000. This is not your average pizza since your kitchen chef makes the dough to perfection. Yes, you read that correctly. The chef visits your home and prepares the pizza from scratch. Among the components are three varieties of caviar, lobster, Cilento mountain oregano, mozzarella cheese, and grains of pink Australian sea salt from the Murray River.
Coffee use was previously a capital offence.
Coffee was thought to have mind-altering properties throughout the Ottoman Empire's 17th century. The monarch of the time considered it a form of drug and prohibited its use in public.
Coffee consumption reduces suicide risk.
It has been shown that drinking two to four cups of coffee every day reduces the risk of suicide by 50%. Non-coffee drinkers had a greater number of attempted suicides than coffee drinkers.
Chocolate has an odd effect on our brains.
The scent of chocolate induces theta brain waves, which result in relaxation. In fact, research done at Hasselt University throughout Belgium found that when the aroma of chocolate was dispersed in bookstores, book sales increased, particularly for romantic novels. Yes, relaxation! Chocolate also includes tryptophan, which the brain needs to make serotonin, a hormone that induces feelings of well-being. So eating chocolate actually makes you happier!
Walt Disney Was Afraid of Mice
The man responsible for the creation of arguably the most well-known cartoon character in the world, Mickey Mouse, was afraid of mice! Does it get any more ironic? Walt Disney had a deep-seated fear of the four-legged creatures. But he also saw them as sympathetic. That was why he choose to base Mickey on a mouse. It turned out to be a solid decision from Disney. Mickey Mouse helped turn Disney into one of the world’s biggest entertainment companies.
Tom Hanks Helped Pay To Get Forrest Gump Made
Proving his credentials as Hollywood’s Mr. Nice, Tom Hanks revealed he paid for some of the production costs of Forrest Gump out of his own pocket. As reported by The Hollywood Reporter, Hanks discussed his contributions on In Depth With Graham Bensinger. When director Robert Zemeckis approached him and told him the studio wasn’t going to let them shoot the run across America scene, Zemeckis told Hanks to trust him and put up the money with him.
“And he said, ‘Well, this run is going to cost X amount of dollars.’ And it wasn’t cheap. And I said, ‘OK’. He said, ‘You and I are going to split that amount, and
“And he said, ‘Well, this run is going to cost X amount of dollars.’ And it wasn’t cheap. And I said, ‘OK’. He said, ‘You and I are going to split that amount, and
The Oscars Are Held in the Dolby Theatre in Downtown Hollywood
Keeping things as Hollywood as possible, the Academy Awards are held at the impressive Dolby Theatre in the Ovation Hollywood shopping mall every year. Located on Hollywood Boulevard and Highland Avenue, the auditorium first opened in 2001 and has been the home of the Oscars since then. Originally known as the Kodack Theatre, Dolby Laboratories signed a 20-year naming deal in 2012.
Muhamad Ali Is the Only Person Whose Hollywood Walk of Fame Star Is Not on the Ground
Even though he has never been part of the film industry, boxing great Muhammad Ali got a Hollywood Walk of Fame Star in 2002. It was adjudged that boxing is a live performance, which is one of the categories for getting a star. But unlike everyone else, Ali’s star isn’t on the footpath. His is installed on the wall of the Dolby Theatre. According to The Guardian, Ali didn’t want his name stepped on by “people who have no respect for me,” so it was put on the wall.
Michael Myers Wore a William Shatner Mask in Halloween
This is an oldie but a goodie. As the budget was so tight while filming Halloween, John Carpenter and his crew couldn’t afford to splash out on expensive props. This meant the team had to get creative. Tommy Lee Wallace, who filled the roles of production designer, art director, location scout, and co-editor, was in charge of creating the mask for killer Michael Myers. To save time and money, he picked up a $1.98 mask of Captain Kirk from a shop on Hollywood Boulevard. The mask was based on the face of William Shatner. Shatner was playing Kirk at that time on Star Trek. Wallace widened the eye holes and spray-painted the mask white. This resulted in one of the scariest masks in horror history.
Leonardo DiCaprio Did Not Do the Drawing in Titanic
This one might not come as much of a surprise as Leonardo DiCaprio isn’t known for his drawing abilities. What might raise an eyebrow is a stand-in who drew the picture was the actual director of Titanic, James Cameron. Well known for his artistic side, Cameron is the one who drew Kate Winslet. The only problem is he and Leo write with different hands, so they had to use a mirror image of the actual shot in the movie to keep the continuity.
James Bond Wore a Toupe
Throughout his run as British Secret Service agent James Bond, actor Sean Connery wore a toupe. Despite being just 31 years of age, the Scottish legend was balding. Not wanting the suave and sophisticated Bond to have a bald patch, Connery was given a toupe to wear. To be fair, it actually looks pretty good considering the time the films were made. Plus, the Bond franchise probably wouldn’t have been as successful if sex symbol Connery didn’t have a full head of hair.
It Costs $40,000 for a Hollywood Walk of Fame Star
Being selected to have your own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame is a big deal. It’s the ultimate sign of respect from the Academy and proof that you have truly made it. It’s also an expensive process. One of the many interesting facts about the Walk of Fame is that it costs money to have a star on the Walk of Fame. When a person is nominated, a benefactor must also pay for the star. How much does it cost you ask? Just a cool $40,000.
In Old California Is the First Film Shot in Hollywood
While The Count of Monte Cristo (1908) is recognized as the first film completed in Hollywood, it wasn’t actually the first movie made there. That award goes to a little-known film called In Old California. This film is a silent, black and white movie about the Mexican era in California. The entire movie was shot in and around Los Angeles. The 17-minute film was officially released on March 10, 1910. There is a monument that was erected at 1713 Vine Street, just north of Hollywood Boulevard, to commemorate the film.
Arnold Schwarzenegger Made $21,428 Per Word In the Terminator 2: Judgement Day
Arnold Schwarzenegger really got a good deal when he signed on for Terminator 2: Judgement Day. The Austrian Oak was paid the huge sum of $15 million. Arnie only speaks 700 words in the blockbuster hit, which equates to $21,428 per word. It might seem excessive, but considering the film went on to make around $520 million worldwide, it seems like a smart investment by the studio.
A Group of Famous People Saved the Hollywood Sign
First erected in 1923 to advertise real estate in the area, the Hollywood sign now stands as a monument to the local film industry. As the original sign wasn’t meant to remain for so long, by 1978 it was in disrepute and almost falling. Despite the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce doing its best to keep the sign in good condition, they didn’t have the money or workforce to continue with the upkeep. So a group of famous Hollywood celebrities based in Los Angeles got together and raised funds to help save the sign. Led by Hugh Hefner, the founder of Playboy magazine, nine donors raised $250,000 to restore the sign to its glory days. It is now protected and promoted by the nonprofit organization The Hollywood Sign Tru
A Famous Pulp Fiction Scene Was Shot Backwards
Pulp Fiction was one of the great 90s flicks, but there are a few facts about the film you might not be aware of. One such fact about the Quinten Tarantino film is that one of the scenes was shot in reverse. When Uma Thurman’s Mia Wallace suffers an OD and must be brought back to life with a shot of adrenalin, John Travolta’s Vincent Vega plunges a needle into her chest. To avoid any injury, this scene was actually shot in reverse. Travolta was filmed pulling the needled out of Thurman’s chest. Who would have known?
Thales Of Miletus (c.625-c.546 BCE)
Like his fellow thinkers from Miletus (Anaximander and Anaximenes), Thales was interested in natural philosophy. Aristotle considered Thales to be the first philosopher in the Greek tradition and consequently of the western canon. The Milesian was additionally included amongst the seven sages of Greece.
Thales came up with a system where water was the origin of all matter. In addition, he famously predicted the solar eclipse of 585 BCE and introduced geometry from Egypt to Greece, as well as other inventions. Thales calculated the height of Egypt’s pyramids and the distance of ships from the shore using geometry. He is also attributed with developing the ‘Thales Theorem.’<
Thales came up with a system where water was the origin of all matter. In addition, he famously predicted the solar eclipse of 585 BCE and introduced geometry from Egypt to Greece, as well as other inventions. Thales calculated the height of Egypt’s pyramids and the distance of ships from the shore using geometry. He is also attributed with developing the ‘Thales Theorem.’<
Medusa Gave Birth to Pegasus
When Perseus took Medusa’s head, we are told that something extraordinary happened. When Medusa was raped by Poseidon, it seems that she got pregnant but for some reason, never gave birth. Consequently, when her head was removed, two children sprang from the opening. These were Chrysaor and Pegasus. Chrysaor became the father of the three-headed (or three-bodied) giant Geryon who is mainly known for his fight with Hercules. Pegasus was a winged horse and one of the most famous mythological beings. So why did Gorgon Medusa give birth to a horse? This must have to do with the fact that Poseidon was, amongst others, the god of horses.
Perseus Used Medusa’s Head to Neutralize His Enemies
Perseus carried Medusa’s head to present it to Polydektes, the king of the Greek island of Seriphos. On his way back, Perseus faced many adventures that threatened his life. If it was not for Medusa’s head, he may not have made it back to Seriphos.
The first time he used it was against the titan Atlas. When the titan saw the head he was petrified, becoming the Atlas mountains in northern Africa. Returning to Greece, Perseus passed from Aethiopia where he fell in love with Andromeda who was being threatened by the sea monster Keto. Perseus turned the monster into stone with Medusa’s head and then did the same with a suitor of Andromeda named Phineus.
The first time he used it was against the titan Atlas. When the titan saw the head he was petrified, becoming the Atlas mountains in northern Africa. Returning to Greece, Perseus passed from Aethiopia where he fell in love with Andromeda who was being threatened by the sea monster Keto. Perseus turned the monster into stone with Medusa’s head and then did the same with a suitor of Andromeda named Phineus.
Perseus Took Medusa’s Head
Before confronting Medusa, Perseus equipped himself with an adamantine sickle, a kibisis (a bag or wallet to place Medusa’s head), the helmet of Hades, which could make its wearer invisible, and a set of winged sandals lent by Mercury. Acquiring these objects was no easy task. Alone, Perseus would not even come close to obtaining them. But the hero had Athena’s help. She led him to the three Graeae, who knew the secret location of the Stygian nymphs. After tricking the Graeae, Perseus found the nymphs who equipped him with all the objects mentioned previously. Additionally, Athena gave him a shield.
Perseus left fo
Perseus left fo
Medusa’s Appearance Changed Throughout the Centuries
There are many different versions of Medusa’s tale, from Archaic Greece to Late Antiquity. These different versions did not only record different storylines but also offered varying descriptions of Medusa’s appearance.
The Library of Apollodorus was written sometime during the 2nd CE century and is considered one of the canonical versions of Medusa’s story. Apollodorus writes that the Gorgons had, amongst others, tusks and golden wings! Still, the best place to look for a description of the Gorgon Medusa’s appearance is an ancient art. In the Archaic Greek Period, Medusa’s head was extremely popular as a decoration with apotropaic abilities on houses, temp
The Library of Apollodorus was written sometime during the 2nd CE century and is considered one of the canonical versions of Medusa’s story. Apollodorus writes that the Gorgons had, amongst others, tusks and golden wings! Still, the best place to look for a description of the Gorgon Medusa’s appearance is an ancient art. In the Archaic Greek Period, Medusa’s head was extremely popular as a decoration with apotropaic abilities on houses, temp
She Was One of the Three Gorgons
Medusa was not the only Gorgon. She had two sisters named Stheno and Euryale. The parents of the Gorgons were Phorcys and Keto. Not much is known about the other two Gorgons other than that they were immortal, whereas Medusa was not. Probably Medusa was mortal to serve the storyline of her beheading by Perseus because no further explanation is provided for this weird fact.
Although the sources do not mention how the other Gorgons looked, we can assume that their appearance was similar to Medusa’s. At least, this is how ancient artists depicted them. Interestingly, in many of these early depictions, the Gorgons appeared with wings. But this apparently did not remain the same throughout the ages.&
Although the sources do not mention how the other Gorgons looked, we can assume that their appearance was similar to Medusa’s. At least, this is how ancient artists depicted them. Interestingly, in many of these early depictions, the Gorgons appeared with wings. But this apparently did not remain the same throughout the ages.&
Athena Turned Her Into a Beast
In any case, Athena had to avenge her house’s desecration. However, Poseidon was immortal and older than her. Therefore, Medusa had to take the punishment even though she was the victim. Athena turned Medusa from a beautiful maiden into a hideous beast, unable to stare someone in the eye without turning them into stone. The hair that once attracted compliments as the source of her beauty became venomous snakes. Medusa was now a Gorgon.
Did you Know? Athena Hated Medusa
If you thought that Athena was done with Medusa after turning her into a Gorgon, you are mistaken. Though she was the goddess of wisdom, Athena was a rare example of cold-bloodiness and cruelty even for a Greek God.
Athena held a grudge against Medusa and was not satisfied even after punishing her. So when the hero Perseus was tasked with bringing Medusa’s head to the king of Seriphos, Polydektes, Athena gladly offered her help. In the end, Perseus successfully slew the Gorgon Medusa (more on that below) but was he really the one who killed her? If we look at the myth closely, we will realize that Athena was the true mastermind, but this will become evident in the next section.
Athena held a grudge against Medusa and was not satisfied even after punishing her. So when the hero Perseus was tasked with bringing Medusa’s head to the king of Seriphos, Polydektes, Athena gladly offered her help. In the end, Perseus successfully slew the Gorgon Medusa (more on that below) but was he really the one who killed her? If we look at the myth closely, we will realize that Athena was the true mastermind, but this will become evident in the next section.
Athena Has Gorgon Medusa’s Head on Her Aegis
After Perseus returned to Seriphos, his mission was complete. There was no reason for him to carry Medusa’s head any longer. Besides, Athena was now interested in it. The goddess of wisdom took the head of her sworn enemy and placed it either on her Aegis (shield) or armor. This way she appropriated Medusa’s powers and proclaimed her triumph.
Athena, a goddess of civilization and an idealized role model for the virtuous woman within the patriarchal Greek society, had finally exterminated the threat of the dangerous Medusa, a symbol of the power of the natural and the feminine.
Athena, a goddess of civilization and an idealized role model for the virtuous woman within the patriarchal Greek society, had finally exterminated the threat of the dangerous Medusa, a symbol of the power of the natural and the feminine.