Greek Mythology Midterm #2

Perseus

Son of Zeus and Princess Danae, known for defeating Gorgon Medusa and using her head as a weapon.

Hubris

Excessive pride or self-confidence, linked with the narratives of mythological heroes.

Heracles

Son of Zeus and Alcmene, embodiment of strength, and known for his Twelve Labors.

Labors of Heracles

A series of twelve difficult tasks assigned to Heracles, including slaying the Nemean Lion and capturing Cerberus.

Oedipus

Son of Laius and Jocasta, known for his tragic fate of killing his father and marrying his mother, symbolizes themes of fate and free will.

Jason

Son of Aeson and rightful King of Lolcus, known for retrieving the Golden Fleece and his complex relationship with Medea.

Theseus

A hero of Athens, known for slaying the Minotaur and his journey to unify Attica.

Katabasis

The motif of a hero's descent into the underworld and eventual return to the living world.

Andromeda

Ethiopian princess saved by Perseus from being sacrificed by a sea monster.

Medea

Princess of Colchis, a powerful sorceress who helped Jason obtain the Golden Fleece and later seeks revenge.

Sphinx

A creature with a lion's body and a woman's head, posed riddles to travelers, symbolizing fate and the conditional nature of survival.

Hydra

A multi-headed serpent defeated by Heracles, representing persistent evil and teamwork.

Potnia Theron

A title for powerful female deities or spirits associated with wild animals, seen in figures like Medusa.

Civil disobedience

The act of protesting against unjust laws or policies, exemplified by Antigone's actions in burying her brother.

Euhemerism

A theory interpreting mythological accounts as exaggerated versions of real historical events or figures.

Symbolism in Monsters

Monsters in myths often represent deeper themes such as rage, survival, and the complexity of female power.