Originally Posted by
Montana Smith
I think it was just an elaboration of the El Dorado myth ('the golden one') as set out here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/El_Dorado
I also think that the myth is linked to the Golden Fleece legend, which is based on the practice of placing a fleece or wolf pelt into a gold-bearing river, so that over time the fleece or pelt collects the gold dust. This was a method of collecting gold used in the Black Sea area (where the Golden Fleece is located in myth) and in other parts of Russia. A similiar method may have been used in South America, giving rise to the legend of the golden man.
The Arms of Gold giving a chief superhuman powers is also inspired by the ancient astronaut/ancient alien intelligence ideas of von Daniken, which were then used in KOTCS.
That sounds cool Montana and makes alot of sence out of things.
I was digging around in some of my old files after reading this, looking for El Dorado information and actually found a bit of information on Inca Emperor, Pachacuti. Legend says that Pachacuti had the power to shape the rocks (like the power of the arms in the comic). This myth came about during an invasion of Cuzco by the Chankas, the Incas' traditional tribal archenemies. While his father (the emperor) and brother (the
next rightful emperor) fled Pachacuti rallied the army and prepared for a desperate defence of his homeland. In the resulting battle the Chankas were defeated so severely that legend tells even the stones rose up to fight on Pachacuti's side. Thus "The Earth Shaker" won the support of his people and the recognition of his father as crown prince and joint ruler. In Quechua Pachacuti even means: "He who remakes the world". So this icould be the basis of the power of the arms.
And then there is Inca tradition which was that the dead were preserved in wrappings, like mummy's, and parade around as honoured guests and treated like the living- except the evil doers who were coincidently buried in the ground for their sins!
It is quite possible that Emperor Pachacuti was wrapped up and then put into golden armour as a sign of power and wealth before being praised and honoured. This golden armour could have easily come from the legend of El Dorado and
the golden one. Then the legend concept evolves to into the story that the armour inhibited the emperor?s powers to shape and control the stones and the earth.
