Greek Mythology Exam 1 Review

Flashcards covering key vocabulary, divine iconography, mythological narratives, and critical concepts for Greek Mythology Exam 1.

Iconography

The visual symbols, attributes, and conventional imagery used to identify and recognize gods and figures in myth and art.

Reception

The ways in which Greek and Roman material has been transmitted, translated, excerpted, interpreted, rewritten, re-imagined, and represented, highlighting active two-way engagement rather than passive, unidirectional influence.

Tradition (Classical Tradition)

A framework that considers the ancient world dead and static, focusing primarily on the unidirectional influence of antiquity on the modern world and fostering an uncritical elevation of ancient culture.

Epithet

A descriptive, geographic, or characterizing phrase used alongside or in place of a proper name to denote specific attributes, associations, or myths of a divinity or hero.

Aetiological Myth

An explanatory myth that accounts for the origin of a natural phenomenon, the establishment of a cult charter, or why a deity is worshipped in a specific location.

Phoebus

A cult title and epithet of Apollo meaning "shining," referencing his association with sunlight, visual clarity, and prophetic foresight.

Delos

A tiny, barren island of approximately $\frac{1}{2}\,\text{square miles}$ that agreed to host the birth of Apollo after Leto promised it would become a famous, wealthy pilgrimage and temple site.

Eileithyia

The Greek goddess of childbirth whom Hera attempted to isolate so Leto could not deliver Apollo, until Iris secretly brought her to Delos.

Zeus

The King of the Gods associated with the sky, weather, thunder, and lightning, who possesses universal power but must maintain cosmic balance and fate.

Aphrodite

The goddess of erotic desire, sexuality, political harmony, fair sailing, and city defense, frequently depicted semi-nude or nude with jewelry, Eros, flowers, and doves or sparrows.

Anchises

A Trojan prince whom Zeus caused Aphrodite to fall in love with as retribution; later struck by lightning and disabled after boasting of their sexual union.

Tithonus

A mortal lover of Eos (Dawn) granted eternal life by Zeus without eternal youth, causing him to age continuously until he transformed into a cicada and was locked in a cage.

Ganymede

A Trojan youth carried off by the gods to serve as cupbearer on Mount Olympus, cited by Aphrodite to reassure Anchises about relationships between gods and mortals.

Artemis

The twin sister of Apollo and virgin goddess associated with hunting, dancing of young women, female fertility, childbirth, and transitional life stages, often dwelling in wild borderlands, woods, and marshes.

Actaeon

A mortal hunter depicted on Greek pottery who transgressed against Artemis and was torn apart by his own hunting hounds.

Athena

The "city-saving virgin" goddess of defensive war, strategy, justice, meticulous planning, and crafts such as weaving, who was born fully armed from Zeus's forehead.

Birth of Athena

The mythological event in which Athena emerges fully grown and armored from the forehead of Zeus after Hephaestus strikes Zeus's head with an axe.

Metis

The embodiment of "cunning intelligence" and the mother of Athena, who was swallowed by Zeus prior to Athena's birth.

Apotropaic Image

A protective image or symbol intended to ward off or "turn away" evil, harm, or bad luck.

Gorgoneion

An apotropaic image representing the severed head of the Gorgon Medusa, received by Athena as a gift from Perseus and displayed on her aegis or shield.

Hestia

The virgin goddess of the hearth, house, home, and family; she rarely leaves the domestic space and is traditionally depicted veiled and holding torches.