Greek & Roman Mythology Midterm #2 Study Guide

What are the five traits of a hero?

strength, courage, intelligence, loyalty, and honor

What is another word for Troy?

Ilium or Ilion

Dactylic hexameter

a poetic meter commonly used in ancient Greek and Latin poetry, consisting of six "feet" per line, where each foot can be either a dactyl (one long syllable followed by two short syllables) or a spondee (two long syllables)

Achilles

Son of Peleus and Thetis. Fought in the Trojan war on the Greek side. Killed Hector to avenge Patroclus.

Agamemnon (Iliad)

• king of Mycenae (or sometimes referred to as Argos) and the leader of the Greek forces during the Trojan War.

• Known for his pride and arrogance.

• Took Chryseis as a war prize, didn’t give her back, this caused Apollo to send a plague upon the Greek army. He finally gave back Chryseis but then took Achilles prize, Briseis.

• Sacrificed his daughter, Iphigenia, so that the winds could blow and they could sail to Greece.

Menelaus

• The king of Sparta and the younger brother of Agamemnon in The Iliad.

• Married to Helen

• Fights Paris and would have killed him but Aphrodite steps in and saves him

• After the Iliad he returns with Helen to Sparta

Atreus

• king of Mycenae and the father of Agamemnon and Menelaus

• he killed Thyestes' sons, cooked them, and then served them to Thyestes at a feast without telling him.

Calchas

• famous prophet (seer) in The Iliad, known for his ability to interpret the will of the gods and foresee the future

• He was part of the Greek army during the Trojan War and often gave advice to the Greek leaders, especially Agamemnon and Achilles.

Apollo

• god of the sun, music, prophecy, plague, archery, and healing, and he often intervened in human affairs during the Trojan War

• Fought on the side of the Trojans

• Chryses prayed to hum for revenge, and he answered — he unleashed a deadly plague on the Greek army, killing many soldiers

Chryseis

• During a raid on a Trojan city, Agamemnon (the leader of the Greeks) claimed her as his war prize and refused to let her go, despite her father's pleas

Chryses

• Trojan priest of Apollo

• he loved his daughter and was desperate to get her back, so he offered a ransom to Agamemnon (the Greek king) in exchange for her freedom

Priam

• He succeeded his father as king of Troy, ruling the city during the events of the Trojan War

• father of Hector and Paris

• He goes to Achilles to ransom the body of his son Hector. In an act of great humility and sorrow, kneels before Achilles and begs for the return of Hector's corpse, offering him gifts in exchange

Briseis

• a Trojan princess from the city of Lyrnessus, which was allied with Troy during the Trojan War

• During a Greek raid on Lyrnessus, Achilles sacked the city, killed her family, and took her as a war prize (essentially making her his concubine).

Nestor

• the King of Pylos

• the oldest and wisest of all the Greek leaders during the Trojan War

• When Agamemnon and Achilles began fighting over Briseis, it was he who stepped in to try and calm them down

Athena

• on the side of the Greeks during the war

• divine ally to Achilles

• encourages Odysseus to outsmart the Trojans, notably helping him conceive the idea of the Trojan Horse

• plays a crucial role in the death of Hector. She deceives Hector into thinking he is going to fight Achilles alone, while in reality, she aids Achilles during the final fight.

• the constant supporter of Odysseus throughout The Odyssey, offering him wisdom, protection, and the means to overcome obstacles. She also acts as a mentor to his son, Telemachus, guiding him in his search for his father

Peleus and Thetis

• The marriage of Peleus and Thetis was a key event in Greek mythology, as it was arranged by Zeus to end a prophecy that their son would be greater than his father

• Zeus originally wanted to marry Thetis himself, but when it was prophesied that any son she had would be stronger than his father, he decided to marry her off to Peleus, a mortal, to prevent the potential threat to his power

Helen

• daughter of Zeus and Leda, the queen of Sparta. According to some versions of the myth, Zeus seduced Leda in the form of a swan, which led to her giving birth to her

• was initially married to Menelaus, the king of Sparta, but was then taken by Paris (or fell in love with him and willingly left)

• Is one of three women that speaks of Hectors death at the end of the Iliad

What is another word for Greeks?

• Achaeans, Argives, or Danaans

What is another word for Trojans?

• Dardanians

mênis

• meaning “rage” or “wrath”

• In the context of the Iliad, mênis refers to the fury and anger of Achilles, which becomes the driving force of the narrative. Its the first word in the Iliad.

timê

• signifies the respect or esteem that one holds in the eyes of others. It is closely tied to a person’s reputation and how they are valued by their peers or society

• it is earned while you are still alive

geras

• refers to a prize of honor, typically a material reward given to someone for their achievements, especially in battle or feats of strength. It is a physical manifestation of one's status and respect

Big Ajax (Ajax the Greater)

• Son of Telamon (the king of Salamis) and Periboea

• Known for his immense size and strength, he is described as a giant of a man, and one of the most powerful Greek warriors

Little Ajax (Ajax the Lesser)

• Son of Oileus, the king of Locris

• quick and nimble in battle

• He is involved in the abduction of Cassandra from the temple of Athena during the sack of Troy, a sacrilegious act that leads to a curse on him and his people

Clytemnestra (Iliad)

• daughter of Tyndareus, the king of Sparta, and Leda

• Agamemnons wife

• she or her lover, Aegisthus, kill Agamemnon for sacrificing their daughter

Hecuba

• Queen of Troy and wife of Priam, King of Troy

• One of the three women that speaks during Hector’s funeral

Andromache

• wife to Hector and mother to Astyanax

• She tries to persuade Hector not to return to battle but to defend the city from a strategic point instead, but he doesn’t listen, goes back to the war and dies

Diomedes

• Greek warrior

• exchanges armor with Glaucus on the battlefield to show honor and respect and to show friendship

• granted divine assistance by Athena, who helps him in battle and even provides him with the ability to see and fight gods

xenia

• ritualized hospitality

• When travelers arrive at someones house (elite travelers), they are fed, bathed, asked what they need

• The host gives the traveler (xenos = foreigner, outsider, stranger) a gift

Odysseus

• Initially feigned insanity so that he wouldn’t have to join the Trojan war

• known for his cleverness

• One of the three men that convinces Achilles to to return to the battlefield after Patroclus’ death

• The Trojan horse was his idea

Phoenix

• fought for the Greeks

• mentor and father figure to Achilles

• too old to fight but offered wisdom in battle

• One of the three men that convinces Achilles to to return to the battlefield after Patroclus’ death

kleos

• "fame," "glory," or "renown"

• referres to the immortal glory or reputation that a hero gained through great deeds, especially in battle

Paris

• Son of Priam (King of Troy) and Hecuba

• Caused the Trojan War by abducting Helen of Sparta

• Fights Menelaus over Helen, almost died, but was saved by Aphrodite at the last second

• (with Apollo’s help) shoots an arrow that strikes Achilles in his heel - killing him

Patroclus

• Best friend / lover of Achilles

• Taken in by Peleus, Achilles father

• Asks to borrow Achilles armor to lore the Greeks away from the ships. Achilles agrees but tells him not to chase them all the way into the city. He becomes overconfident and pursues the Trojans all the way to the gates of Troy. This is a mistake as he is killed by Apollo and Hector who then take his armor.

Death and Funeral of Hector

• Andromache, Hecuba, and Helen each speak

• final event in the Iliad

Agamemnon (Odyssey)

• killed by his wife or by his wives lover for killing their daughter for the sake of the war

• Tells Odysseus to trust no woman when they meet in the underworld

Aegisthus

• born into the house of Atreus

• he was born because Thyestes tricked his own daughter, Pelopia, into sleeping with him

• He was Clytemnestra’s lover while Agamemnon was away at war

• He was killed by Agamemnon’s son, Orestes, who had been in exile after his father’s murder

Eurycleia

• She was the first person to recognize Odysseus when he returned home in The Odyssey.

• she was a slave/nursemaid in the household of Odysseus, but she was also treated with great respect — almost like a family member

• she is the one that told Penelope that Odysseus had returned

The suitors

• a group of noblemen from Ithaca and surrounding islands who attempted to: marry Penelope, Claim Odysseus’ throne in Ithaca while he was away at the Trojan War, and control Ithaca’s wealth and resources

• they were Feasting daily on Odysseus' livestock and wine, spending his wealth, plotting to kill Telemachus, pressuring Penelope to remarry even though she didn’t want to

• 108 of them in total

• Antinous and Eurymachus were the worst

• Amphinomus was the “nice” one

Phemius

• he was was the bard (singer/poet) in Odysseus' household

• His role was to entertain guests in the palace with songs and stories

• he was spared during the slaughter because Telemachus assured Odysseus that he was inoccent

nostos

• a Greek word that means "homecoming" or "return journey" after a long adventure or war.

• pecifically refers to the hero’s difficult and often dangerous journey home after being away for a long time, especially from war

• Greek figures are often choosing between this and Kleos ( dying young but achieving eternal fame)

The Cattle of the Sun

• a sacred herd of immortal cattle belonging to Helios, the sun god

• Odysseus and his men were warned by Circe AND the ghost of Tiresias in the Underworld not to go near these sacred creatures

• While Odysseus was asleep, Eurylochus (the second-in-command) convinced the crew to kill the creatures because its better to die at sea than to starve on land

• Helios begged Zeus to take revenge: Zeus shot a lightening bolt through Odysseus ship. All of Odysseus’ men drowned — except Odysseus himself, who clung to debris and drifted to Calypso’s island

What is another name for Helios?

Hyperion

Polyphemus

• A cyclops and son of Poseidon

• Uncivilized — lived in a cave, without laws, government, or any structured society

• Tended sheep and goats, drank milk, and ate humans when they trespassed

• Odysseus was rude to him so he trapped them in a cave, and ate two of Odysseus men

• Odysseus told him his name was “noman”

• Odysseus and his men blinded him in his sleep, to esacpe unseen; Odysseus tied his men to the bottom of sheep. They got to the ship successfully but Odysseus could not resist taunting the monster. He told him his real name causing the monster to pray to Poseidon to curse him. This is why Odysseus did'n’t make it home for so long.

Hermes

• Messenger of the Gods

• After Odysseus was trapped on Calypso’s island (Ogygia) for 7 years, the gods finally agreed to let him go, and ___ was the one that told Calypso to let him go

• Thanks to his help, Odysseus was immune to Circe’s enchantments, allowing him to save his men

• He escorted the souls of the dead suitors down to Hades. This is a key symbol of his connection with death and the afterlife

Ino

• a minor sea goddess (or sea nymph) in Greek mythology who saved Odysseus during his journey home in The Odyssey

• was originally a mortal princess and queen of Thebes but she jumped into the sea to esacpe her husband. Poseidon turned her into a sea goddess who is a protector of shipwrecked sailors and travelers lost at sea

• Gives Odysseus a magical vail when he is almost killed by Poseidon on his way home from Calypsos island. This saves Odysseus and enables him to get home.

Alcinous

• the King of the Phaeacians, a mythical sea-faring people who lived on the island of Scheria (also called Phaeacia)

• welcomes Odysseus after he was shipwrecked and offered him. ship and safe passage to Ithaca

Arete

• Queen of the Phaeacians and the wife of King Alcinous

• she has more influence than her husband

• Odysseus went to her for help before he went to the king

Phaeacians

• famous for their; Incredible shipbuilding and navigation skills, Unmatched hospitality (xenia) towards strangers, and close relationships with the Gods (especually Poseidon)

• They live on the Island of Scheria (Phaeacia)

• imagined to be a utopian island paradice

• they heald a great feast in Odysseus honor

• Poseidon got angry with them because they helped his moral enemy, Odysseus, he turned their ship to stone and threatned to bury their island under rubble. They never helped a stranger again.

Demodoucs

• he was a blind bard (singer/poet) who lived among the Phaeacians in The Odyssey

• He sings three songs: the first brings Odysseus to tears therefore revealing his identity

• often seen as symbolism of Homer himself for a few reasons; one being they’re both blind

• he was a symbol of divine inspiration, storytelling power, and truth-telling.

Nausicaa

• The Phaeacian princess

• famous for rescuing Odysseus after he was shipwrecked on Scheria

• Athena appeared to her in a dream suggesting that she go to the river to wash her clothes and that she may meet her future husband there

• she instantly admired Odysseus for his intelligence, charm, and royal bearing

Atremis

• goddess of the hunt, wild animals, the wilderness, childbirth, and virginity

Cicones

• After leaving Troy, Odysseus and his men said to Ismarus, attack the city, kill the men, and take the women, cattle, and treasure. Odysseus advises his men to leave quickly, but they refuse. His men get drunk, feast, and refuse to sail away.

• The people of Ismarus attack Oysseus and his crew at dawn. Odysseus and his men barely escape, but they lose 6 men per ship in the battle

Lotus Eaters

• on an island where they ate a magical plant called the lotus flower: anyone who ate the flower would: forget their home, family, and. mission, lose all desire to leave, and only want to stay and eat more lotus

• It represents the temptation to give up. Luckily Odysseus drags his men back aboard and has everyone leave before more people can eat the lotus flower

Aeolus

• had power over the winds and could control the direction of the sea winds

• he helps Odysseus by giving him a bag of winds to guide his ship home

• Odysseus crew opens the bag of winds when Ithaca is in sight; the bag being opened creates a storm that sends them all the way bacl to Aeolus’ Island

Laestrygonians

• a race of giant cannibals who live in Telephylos; a mysterious land of endless daylight

• they destroy 11 of Odysseus 12 ships leaving only Odysseus’s’ ship

Circe

• a powerful sorceress in The Odyssey, known for her ability to transform men into animals

• daughter of Helios (the sun god) and the ocean nymph Perse

• She lived on the island of Aeaea, surrounded by magical animals and illusions

• Odysseus sends some of his men, led by Eurylochus, to explore. They find Circe’s palace, where she welcomes them with food and wine. However, the food is laced with a magical potion, and once they eat it, she turns them into pigs! Eurylochus escapes and warns Odysseus about the danger

• Hermes helps Odysseus with the plant Molly

• Odysseus ends up staying with Circe for a full year as her lover until his men convince him to leave

• Before they leave she tells him: he must visit the underworld and speak to the prphet Tiresias. She warns him about the Sirens, Scylla, and Charybdis

Elphenor

• He died accidentally on Circe’s island, Aeaea, by falling off a roof while drunk

• Later, Odysseus meets his ghost in the Underworld, where Elpenor begs for a proper burial

Eumaeus

• He was a faithful servant who never abandoned his master’s household, even after Odysseus was gone for 20 years

• He helped Odysseus reclaim his throne by aiding in the fight against the suitors

• he was born a prince but was then kidnapped and sold into slavery

• When Odysseus returns to Ithaca (disguised as a beggar), he first visits Eumaeus’ hut. Eumaeus does not recognize Odysseus but welcomes him warmly, following the Greek tradition of xenia (hospitality). He criticizes the suitors for ruining Odysseus' household and speaks fondly of his lost master, proving his loyalty

Homophrosyne

• means "like-mindedness" or "harmony of thought" between two people, especially in marriage.

• The term appears in The Odyssey when Odysseus and Penelope are portrayed as the perfect, mentally and emotionally synchronized couple

Penelope’s weaving trick

• Penelope uses a clever weaving trick to deceive the suitors and delay remarriage while waiting for Odysseus to return

• She promises to choose a new husband once she finishes weaving a burial shroud for Laertes, Odysseus’ father

• However, each night she secretly unravels the weaving, ensuring it never gets finished

The bow trick

• her final challenge to the suitors, designed to determine who will be her next husband

• She declares that she will marry the man who can string Odysseus’ great bow and shoot an arrow through 12 axe heads.

• this impossible task ensures that only Odysseus can win

The bed trick

• To test Odysseus, she orders a servant to move their marriage bed—but this is a trick, because the bed is immovable

• Odysseus immediately reacts, proving his identity by explaining why the bed cannot be moved

Ghost of Agamemnon

• This spirit is bitter and sorrowful about his death

• he says: do not trust women too easilt, return home carefully and secretly, and that Penelope is loyal

Ghost of Achilles

• expresses regret about choosing glory (kleos) over a long life

• says that he would rather be a poor farmer among the living than a king among the dead

Funeral for Achilles

• His funeral was one of the most elaborate in Greek mythology, similar to the burial of great heroes like Patroclus and Hector.

• They play games to honor him: chariot races, boxing, wrestling, javelin throwing, and running races

• he was not just a shade in the Underworld like other heroes. According to some myths, Thetis brought him to the White Island (Leuke), a paradice where he lived as an immortal warrior. There he was reunited with Patroclus, Ajax, and other fallen heros