From: lsmith@myria.cs.umn.edu (Lance "Squiddie" Smith)
Subject: Re: Sandman - Old Gods
Organization: Correspondence Squids of the Poor
Date: Tue, 22 Dec 1992 01:56:19 GMT

In article <oc91VB11w165w@Micor.OCUnix.on.ca> panda@Micor.OCUnix.on.ca (Elizabeth Holden) writes:
>lsmith@peca.cs.umn.edu (Lance "Squiddie" Smith) writes:
>
>> So looking up capax in the Oxford Latin Dictionary (another BIG dictionary)
>> we find similar defintions to those of the OED. However, the fourth 
>> definition along is "able to deal with or endure." That seems to suit Bernie.

I just noticed that if we abbreviate the Oxford Latin Dictionary in the 
same way we abbreviate the Oxford English Dictionary, we get OLD. There's
a very clever joke lurking in there, I just know it.

>Thanks for the information.... but where does it lead??  I have the 
>feeling I *should* be able to put the jigsaw of ideas together now and 
>come to a Conclusion, but damned if I can find it.....

OK, this is my reading of the matter and remember I'm usually wrong.
Since Bernie was very old, he's probably picked his own names over the
years. As one who has endured fifteen thousand years, the adjective 
"capax" seems appropriate, at least if we use the above definition.
No doubt Bernie has picked up Latin if he's spent that much time in 
Europe.

Anyway, unlike the other three  he doesn't seem to be a figure that fits
into any particular mythology. (Leib-olmai and Ishtar are definitely 
the people upon which their myths are based. Still not sure about Etain.)
So, I'm assuming his name is just descriptive. I'm afraid it's not quite as 
satisfying as Ishtar's history.

>> the Romans likened to Jupiter, though it may have been a death goddess.
>> Tarani is sanskrit for savior and is a title for the sun.)
>
>So is Tarani simply Death under another name?

That should be Taranis. (Also Taranus.) It's all sort of confusing. The 
usual description of Taranis is one that sounds something like Thor, 
with the god described as being male, hirsute and having a tendency to
throw thunderbolts. A few sources that I've stumbled across suggest 
that the Romans got it all wrong and describe Taranis as some sort of
goddess of death. It's not really my area so I'm not sure which source
is reliable. 

Tarani is separate from the above. I just mentioned it as it seemed close
to the possible origin of Taramis. (He is wearing a turban.)

As a side note, I've been meaning to post some of the avatars of Death.
Maybe I'll get to it before the High Cost of Living makes it out. (Last
I heard the first issue may be late due to production delays.) None of
the standard figures quite fit Gaiman's Death, but many are quite 
interesting. 
 
>>>> ObReminder: Don't forget to write quality Sandletters to DC this month.
>>>> Let the sterling work of Elizabeth Holden (in issue #44) serve as an examp
>
>Huh?  Who, me?  Aw.... blush (grinning with delight: "sterling" he said. 
>Sterling!  Blushing a pleased sort of silver.....

As Elizabeth burnishes, I'll just remind you that there are only nine mailing
days left. It's too late for Christmas cards, so finish up your Sandletters
instead and get them in the mail.

Happy Solstice!

-----------------------------
  Lance "Cr2O3.2H2O" Smith  | "I guess you're right. The town would be better
    (lsmith@cs.umn.edu)     |  off if you had never been born. Now, I'll never
    Formerly disgusted.     |  get my wings. Well, what are you waiting for?
     Now just amused.       |  Go ahead and jump!"       _It's a Wonderful Nut_
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