Greek, Egyptian, and Near Eastern Mythology Lecture Notes

Flashcards covering the iconography, domains, and family relations of Greek, Egyptian, and Near Eastern deities as described in the lecture notes.

Return of Hephaestus

A mythological scene featuring Hera tied to a chair, Dionysus with a cup, and the god Hephaestus riding a donkey while drunk.

Contest between Athena and Poseidon

A competition for the patronage of Athens where Athena created an olive tree and Poseidon created a spring of water.

Birth of Dionysus

The 'twice born' son of Zeus, often depicted standing on the thigh of a man holding a wine cup.

Deception of Rhea

A myth where the Titan Rhea presents a stone wrapped as a child to her husband Kronos to prevent him from eating Zeus.

Birth of Athena

The emergence of the goddess Athena from the head of Zeus, fully armored with a spear and shield.

Prometheus

The figure who stole fire for humans and was punished by being chained while an eagle pecked at his liver.

Atlas

A Titan depicted standing in front of Prometheus holding up the world.

Pandora

The first woman, made of clay, often depicted being dressed by Athena and delivered to Epimetheus by Hermes.

Apep (Apophis)

The giant snake embodiment of Chaos (Isfet) and enemy of Ra who tries to swallow the sun each night.

Shu

The Egyptian god of air and wind who is often depicted holding up the sky goddess Nut to separate her from the earth god Geb.

Nut

The Egyptian goddess of the sky and stars, often depicted with an arched body covered in stars.

Geb

The Egyptian god of the earth and vegetation, often shown in a recumbent pose lying under the sky.

Osiris

The Egyptian god of the afterlife and judge of the dead, depicted as a mummified man with green skin and an Atef crown.

Isis

The Egyptian goddess of magic and motherhood, identified by a throne hieroglyph or cow horns and a Sun Disk.

The Ogdoad

A collection of 8 Egyptian gods and goddesses; the gods have frog heads and the goddesses have snake heads.

Khnum

A ram-headed Egyptian god who is shown creating new life on a potter's wheel.

Sekhmet

The Egyptian goddess of destruction and war, characterized by a lioness head and a sun disk.

Ishtar (Inanna)

The Near Eastern goddess of love and warfare, symbolized by an 8-pointed star, the planet Venus, and a lion.

Ea (Enki)

The Near Eastern god of oceans, wisdom, and crafts; depicted with two rivers and fish flowing from his arms.

Marduk (Bel)

The patron god of Babylon and king of all gods, depicted with a rod-and-ring symbol and a snake-dragon animal.

Anu (An)

The Near Eastern god of the sky and 'Father of the Gods,' identified by a horned crown.

Enlil

The Near Eastern god of wind and air, known by epithets such as 'Great Mountain' and 'Bond of Heaven and Earth'.

Nanna (Sin)

The Near Eastern god of the moon, identified by the crescent moon and the sacred bull.

Shamash (Utu)

The Near Eastern god of the sun and justice, often depicted holding a saw and identified by a winged sun disk.

Adad (Ishkur/Hadad)

The Near Eastern god of thunderstorms and fertility, symbolic for holding thunderbolts while standing on a bull or lion-dragon.

Nabu

The god of literacy and scribes, identified by the stylus (reed writing tool) and the Mušḫuššu dragon.

Zeus (Jupiter)

The Greek King of the Gods and god of thunder; his symbols include the lightning bolt and eagle.

Hera (Juno)

The Greek Goddess of Marriage and Queen of the gods, associated with the peacock, cow, and crown.

Ares (Mars)

The Greek god of chaotic and violent war, associated with the vulture, dog, and a bronze helmet.

Hephaestus (Vulcan)

The Greek god of blacksmithing and tools, identified by his physical deformity, hammer, and anvil.

Aphrodite (Venus)

The Greek goddess of love and beauty, identified by a magical girdle, mirrors, and the scallop shell from her birth.

Apollo

The Greek god of music and prophecy, identified by the lyre and bow; twin of Artemis.

Artemis (Diana)

The Greek goddess of hunting and wild animals, identified by the bow, deer, and hunting dogs.

Hermes (Mercury)

The Greek god of messengers and travelers, identified by winged shoes, the caduceus wand, and the petasos hat.

Hades (Pluto)

The Greek god of the Underworld and wealth, characterized by Cerberus and the bident.

Atum

The Egyptian 'Self-Created' sun god of Heliopolis, representing the sun at sunset and the source of all existence.

Anubis

The Egyptian god of mummification and embalming, depicted with a jackal head.

Ptah

The Egyptian god of craftsmen and architects who created the world through thought and speech.