Life — July 29, 1909 — page 9: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# "Who's Who on Olympus" - Life Magazine Satire This page presents satirical character sketches of prominent early 20th-century figures, using classical mythology as a framing device. The illustrations depict figures from high society and government as Greek gods and goddesses. The entry for "Mars" describes Major-General Olympian (son of George W. Jupiter), presenting him as a military figure with exaggerated accomplishments, satirizing his prominence and self-importance. "Venus" appears to be Sara Aphrodite, daughter of Jupiter, characterized humorously as a socialite known for beauty and modeling, mocking high-society women and their pursuit of fame through appearance. The satirical approach—naming real people after classical deities—mocks the pretensions of the wealthy and powerful, suggesting they regard themselves as godlike while the magazine treats them with irreverent humor.