CLS MYTHOLOGY

Theogony

The origin or birth of the gods; a creation myth

Anthropomorphic

Attributing human traits, emotions, or intentions to non-human entities, like gods.

Aetiology (or Etiology)

The study of causes, especially concerning origins or explanations for things (e.g., customs, natural phenomena).

Xenia

The Greek concept of hospitality, emphasizing generosity and respect for guests, and the reciprocal duties of both host and guest.

Hesiod's Theogony

Describes the creation of the world and the origins of the gods. It covers the genealogies of the gods and their roles in the universe.

First Three Entities

• Chaos: The primordial void.

• Gaea (Earth): The personification of the Earth.

• Ouranos (Sky): The personification of the sky.

Gaea and Ouranos' Children:

• Hundred-Handers: Giant beings with 100 arms.

• Cyclopes: One-eyed giants who crafted Zeus's thunderbolts.

Cronus and the Olympians

Cronus, a Titan, fathered the first generation of Olympian gods. His children include Zeus, Poseidon, Hera, Demeter, Hestia, and Hades.

Prometheus

Created humans and gave them fire, tricked Zeus into accepting a bad sacrifice.

Prometheus' Punishment

Zeus had Prometheus chained to a rock where an eagle would eat his liver every day (it regenerated each night).

Zeus (Roman name)

Jupiter

Zeus (Roman: Jupiter) roles

King of gods, god of the sky, weather, justice, and law. Also associated with hospitality (xenia) and oaths.

Metis (Wisdom), Zeus, and Athena:

Metis was Zeus's first wife. She was swallowed by him, and later, Athena was born from his head, symbolizing wisdom and strategy.

The Parthenon:

• Metope Myths: Panels on the Parthenon depicting various myths, including:

  • Ixion: King who tried to seduce Hera and was punished.

  • Centaurs: Often depicted in the battle against Lapiths.

• Pheidias: Sculptor of the Parthenon’s cult statue of Athena, a massive statue made of gold and ivory.

Homeric Hymn to Demeter and the Eleusinian Mysteries:

Eleusinian Mysteries: Sacred religious rites associated with Demeter and Persephone, explaining the change of seasons and the connection between life and death.

Seasonal Myth: Persephone’s descent into the underworld (winter) and her return (spring) explain the cycle of the seasons.

Aetiology Examples:

1. Seasons: Persephone's annual return from the underworld (Demeter’s grief causes winter).

2. First Sacrifice: Prometheus tricking Zeus, leading to the first animal sacrifice.

3. Ursa Major and Minor: Callisto and her son were transformed into constellations (bears).

4. Aegeus: The sea named after King Aegeus who threw himself into it when he thought his son Theseus was dead.

5. Argos and the Peacock’s Tail: Argos, the giant with 100 eyes, was turned into the peacock after his death.

Aphrodite's Birth (Hesiod):

Born from the sea foam (created when Cronus castrated Ouranos and his genitals were thrown into the sea).

Goddesses Impervious to Aphrodite's Powers:

Artemis, Athena, and Hestia are immune to Aphrodite’s influence

Eros (Cupid):

• Lead Arrow: Causes hatred or indifference.

• Gold Arrow: Causes love and attraction.

Homeric Hymn to Hermes:

• Roles: Liars, businessmen, thieves, messengers, and escorts to the underworld.

• Invention of the Lyre: Hermes created the lyre from a turtle shell.

Apollo

• God of prophecy, the sun, light, music, medicine, and plague.

• Roles: Prophecy, healing, music, and sun.

• Myth of Apollo and Daphne: Daphne was transformed into a laurel tree to escape Apollo’s pursuit.

Artemis:

• Goddess of the moon, hunt, and childbirth.

• Actaeon: Turned into a stag and killed by his own hounds for seeing Artemis naked.

Delphi and the Oracle:

• Pythia: The priestess at Delphi who gave prophecies.

• Inscription: "Know thyself" (γνῶθι σεατόν) and "Nothing in excess" (μηδὲν ἄγαν).

Dionysus roles

God of wine, fertility, and theater.

Dionysus followers

• Maenads, Satyrs, and Silenus.

Dionysus twice born

• Dionysus was born from Zeus’s thigh after his mother, Semele, was killed by seeing Zeus’s true form.

Myths and Heroes: Theseus and the Labyrinth:

Theseus, the hero of Athens, defeated the Minotaur in King Minos’s labyrinth.

Myths and Heroes: Herakles (Hercules): Son of Zeus, known for his 12 Labors, which include:

1. Nemean Lion

2. Lernaean Hydra

3. Ceryneian Hind

4. Erymanthian Boar

5. Augean Stables

6. Stymphalian Birds

7. Cretan Bull

8. Mares of Diomedes

9. Belt of Hippolyta

10. Cattle of Geryon

11. Apples of Hesperides

12. Cerberus

Perseus:

• Son of Zeus and Danae, slayer of Medusa. With the help of gods, he killed Medusa and later used her head to defeat the Kraken.

Son of Zeus and Danae

Perseus

who wants medusas head

perseus

what does athena tell perseus

Athena tells him how to find the gorgon medusa. First he must go to the grey sisters and they tell him he has to find the hesperides 

The 6 Olympians

Males

1. Zeus (greek)/ Jupiter (roman)/ King/ Weather/ God of justice

   1. Ζεύς

2. Hades (greek)/ Pluto(roman)/ God of the underworld  

   1. Ἅιδης

3. Poseidon (greek)/ Neptune(roman)/ God of the sea

   1. Ποσειδῶν

Females

4. Hera (greek)/ Juno (roman)/ Goddess of marriage

   1. Ἥρα

5. Demeter(greek)/ ceres(roman)/ Goddess of Harvest 

   1. Δημήτηρ

6. Hestia (greek)/ Vesta (roman)/ Goddess of the Hearth,home, warmth etc. 

   1. Ἑστία

ancient greek sculpter

The sculptor phidias

Your going to a party w dionysius, what are you wearing

• Animal skin

• A crown of ivy, vine or produce/grapes

• Thrysos-

• A bottle of wine

• Carrying grapes