Untitled Flashcard Set

Mount Olympus

The highest mountain in Greece and home to the twelve Olympian gods in Greek mythology. It is a real geographic location, often used as a metaphor for an unattainable level of greatness, divinity, or supreme challenge.

Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse

Allegorical figures described in the Book of Revelation (Chapter 6, Verses 1-8) in the New Testament. They appear as harbingers of the Last Judgment, each representing a specific form of widespread destruction: the White Horse (Conquest or Pestilence), the Red Horse (War), the Black Horse (Famine), and the Pale (or Ashen) Horse (Death).

They represent Conquest (or Pestilence), War, Famine, and Death

Mars

The Roman god of war, second only to Jupiter in importance. He was revered as a protector of Rome and an agricultural guardian before becoming primarily associated with warfare. He embodies masculinity, military prowess, and protective strength, often contrasted with the more aggressive Greek Ares.

Lot’s Wife

A figure from the biblical Book of Genesis (Chapter 19). During the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, Lot, his wife, and two daughters were instructed by angels not to look back. Lot's wife disobeyed, turning into a pillar of salt, symbolizing disobedience and the danger of longing for a sinful past.

Aeneas

A Trojan hero in Greek and Roman mythology, son of the prince Anchises and the goddess Aphrodite (Venus). He is the central figure in Virgil’s epic Latin poem, the Aeneid, which recounts his journey from Troy to Italy and his role in the founding of Rome, embodying duty, piety, and perseverance.

Forbidden Fruit

Refers to the fruit of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil in the Garden of Eden, as described in the biblical Book of Genesis (Chapter 2-3). Adam and Eve were forbidden by God to eat it; their disobedience led to their expulsion from Paradise and the introduction of sin into the world, symbolizing temptation, illicit desire, and loss of innocence.

Pandora’s Box

From Greek mythology, a myth where Pandora (the first human woman, created by Hephaestus and Athena) was given a jar (often mistranslated as a 'box') containing all human evils. When she opened it out of curiosity, all the miseries, illnesses, and strife flew out, leaving only Hope trapped inside. It symbolizes an act that unleashes a multitude of unforeseen and severe problems.

Song of Solomon

Also known as the Song of Songs, it is a book of the Old Testament and Hebrew Bible. It is a unique collection of lyrical love poems celebrating the beauty and passion of romantic love between a bride and groom. It is often interpreted allegorically as God's love for Israel or Christ's love for the Church.

Jason & the Argonauts

A major epic tale in Greek mythology revolving around the hero Jason and his band of heroes, the Argonauts, who sailed on the ship Argo. Their quest was to retrieve the Golden Fleece from Colchis. The story is a quintessential journey narrative, symbolizing teamwork, courage, adventure, and the challenges of leadership.

Loaves and Fishes

Refers to two miracles performed by Jesus Christ, recounted in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. In these accounts, Jesus miraculously multiplies a small amount of bread (loaves) and fish to feed thousands of people (5,000 in one account, 4,000 in another). It symbolizes abundance, divine provision, and Christ's miraculous power.

Venus

The Roman goddess of love, beauty, desire, fertility, and prosperity. She was considered the divine ancestor of the Roman people through her son Aeneas. Often depicted with doves, apples, and mirrors, she represents aesthetic beauty, sensuality, and the power of attraction.

Holy Trinity

A central doctrine in most Christian denominations, affirming that there is one God existing as three co-equal, co-eternal, and consubstantial Persons: God the Father, God the Son (Jesus Christ), and God the Holy Spirit. This concept underpins the Christian understanding of God's nature.

Io

A mortal priestess of Hera in Greek mythology, beloved by Zeus. To conceal their affair from his jealous wife Hera, Zeus transformed Io into a white heifer (cow). Hera, suspicious, then tormented Io by sending a gadfly to endlessly pursue her, forcing her to wander across the world until she reached Egypt. Symbolizes human suffering and resilience

“House has many rooms”

This phrase originates from the Gospel of John (Chapter 14, Verse 2) in the New Testament, where Jesus tells his disciples, 'In my Father’s house are many mansions [or rooms]: if it were not so, I would have told you.' It symbolizes the expansive and inclusive nature of heaven, divine hospitality, and acceptance for all believers.

Midas

A king in Greek mythology famous for his 'golden touch.' Granted a wish by the god Dionysus, Midas asked that everything he touched turn to gold. He soon regretted his wish when he couldn't eat or drink, and even his daughter turned to gold. It symbolizes the dangers of greed and the ironic consequences of poorly considered desires.

Methuselah

A biblical patriarch mentioned in the Book of Genesis, noted for his extraordinary longevity. He is recorded as dying at the age of 969, making him the longest-living person in the Bible. His name has become synonymous with great age or extreme longevity, often used to describe someone very old ('as old as Methuselah').

Helios

The Greek personification of the Sun, depicted as a god who drives a four-horse chariot across the sky each day, bringing daylight. In mythology, he is sometimes associated with caution and hubris, notably in the story of his son Phaethon, who disastrously attempts to drive the sun chariot himself, leading to widespread destruction.

Cain & Abel

The first two sons of Adam and Eve, as told in the biblical Book of Genesis (Chapter 4). Cain, a farmer, murdered his brother Abel, a shepherd, out of jealousy when God favored Abel's offering over his own. This tragic story symbolizes sibling rivalry, jealousy, betrayal, and the origins of human sin.

Tower of Babel

A biblical story from the Book of Genesis (Chapter 11) where humanity, speaking a single language, attempts to build a tower 'with its top in the heavens' to make a name for themselves. God, seeing their pride and ambition, confuses their languages, scattering them across the Earth and halting the construction. It symbolizes human pride (hubris), divine judgment, and the origin of diverse languages and miscommunication.

Salome

A biblical figure from the New Testament Gospels of Mark (Chapter 6) and Matthew (Chapter 14). She was the daughter of Herodias and stepdaughter of Herod Antipas. At a banquet, she danced for Herod, who promised her anything she desired. Influenced by her mother, Salome requested the head of John the Baptist on a platter. She often symbolizes dangerous female seduction and manipulation.

Elysian Fields

A concept in Greek mythology, referring to a paradise-like afterlife for heroes, the virtuous, and those favored by the gods. It existed in the Western edge of the world by the stream of Oceanus, and later as a section of the Underworld ruled by Hades. It symbolizes a blissful, peaceful, and glorious reward in the afterlife.

12 Apostles

The twelve chief disciples of Jesus Christ, chosen by him to follow and learn directly from him, and later to spread his teachings after his resurrection. They include figures like Peter, John, and Judas Iscariot. They represent core loyalty, the foundation of the Christian Church, and tragically, foreshadowed betrayal (by Judas).

Poseidon

One of the twelve Olympian deities in Greek mythology, he is the god of the sea, earthquakes, storms, and horses. Known for his trident, he is a powerful and often tempestuous deity who can cause both great calm and devastating catastrophes, representing immense power, unpredictable forces of nature, and sometimes destructive anger.

Walking on Water

A biblical miracle performed by Jesus Christ, recounted in the Gospels (Matthew 14, Mark 6, John 6). After feeding the five thousand, Jesus sent his disciples ahead in a boat while he went to pray. He later walked across the Sea of Galilee to meet them during a storm, astounding his disciples. This act powerfully symbolizes divine power over nature, faith, and the miraculous intervention of Jesus.

Hades

In Greek mythology, Hades is both the god of the underworld and the name of the underworld itself. He is often depicted as a grim and stern figure, associated with death, darkness, and wealth (from the minerals of the earth). He famously abducted Persephone, making her queen of the underworld, symbolizing the inescapable nature of death and hidden riches.

“By Bread Alone”

This phrase comes from the biblical Book of Deuteronomy (Chapter 8, Verse 3) and is later quoted by Jesus in the Gospels (Matthew 4, Luke 4) during his temptation in the wilderness. The full quote is 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.' It signifies that humans need more than just physical sustenance; spiritual and moral nourishment are essential for true life.

“Through a Glass Darkly”

A phrase from the New Testament, 1 Corinthians (Chapter 13, Verse 12): 'For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.' It means to perceive or understand something imperfectly, obscurely, or indirectly, like looking through an ancient, poorly made mirror, implying that full clarity and understanding await a future, more perfect state.

having an obscure or imperfect vision of reality, or knowing something only in part.