Greek Myth Exam 3

ARGONAUTICA (by Apollonius, 3rd BC)

Wandering Rocks

Dangerous moving rocks sailed by Jason and the Argonauts.

Sirens

Creatures who lured sailors with irresistible music and voices.

Phaiacians

Island-dwellers famed for aiding travelers in myth, including Jason.

Phrixus & Helle

Siblings who escaped on the golden ram; Helle fell into the Hellespont.

Hellespont ("sea of Helle")

The strait named for Helle's fall into the sea.

Jason

Greek hero, leader of the Argonauts, quested for the Golden Fleece.

Chiron

Wise centaur who tutored many heroes, including Jason.

Ship Argo ("swift")

The ship constructed for Jason's voyage.

Fifty Argonauts ("Minyae")

The group of heroes who accompanied Jason.

Orpheus

Legendary musician among Argonauts; calmed the crew and overcame the Sirens.

Admetus

King granted the chance by Apollo to evade death.

Mopsus (an augur)

Seer who interpreted omens for the Argonauts.

Peleus (father of Achilles)

Hero and Argonaut, later fathered Achilles.

Hercules & Hylas (his squire)

Hercules—a famous strongman hero; Hylas was lost to nymphs during the journey.

Idmon (an augur)

Another Argonaut seer and interpreter of omens.

Castor & Polydeuces (Pollux) ("Dioscuri" sons of Leda)

Twin brothers; skilled in boxing and horsemanship.

Augeias

Owner of the Augean stables, cleaned by Hercules.

Meleager

Hero in myth, leader of the Calydonian Boar Hunt, Argonaut.

Zetes & Calais ("sons of Boreas"—boreads)

Argonauts with the gift of flight.

Argus (builder of Argo)

Crafted Jason's ship.

Hypsipyle (on Lemnos)

Queen who aided Jason.

Cyzicus, King of the Doliones

Meet with Argonauts, killed by accident.

Halcyon

Sea bird, symbol of peace at sea.

Rhea ("Magna Mater")

Mother goddess in Greek myth.

Amycus (boxer)

King, challenged Argonauts to boxing.

Phineus

Blind prophet plagued by Harpies, aided by the Argonauts.

Harpies ("Snatchers")

Monsters who stole Phineus's food.

Iris

Messenger deity, sometimes involved with the Argonauts.

Cyaneae Rocks = Symplegades

Clashing rocks, a key obstacle for the Argonauts.

Tiphys (helmsman)

Original pilot of the Argo.

Amazons

Warrior women encountered by heroes.

Chalybes, etc.

Metallurgical people encountered in the myth.

Ares' birds

Man-eating birds encountered by Argonauts.

Argus (Aeetes' grandson)

Another mythic Argus, linked to Colchis.

Prometheus

Titan punished by Zeus; referenced in Argonautica.

King Aeetes

Ruler of Colchis, possessor of the Golden Fleece.

Aspsyrtus

Son of Aeetes, slain by Medea.

Chalciope

Daughter of Aeetes, aided Argonauts.

Medea

Sorceress, daughter of Aeetes; helped Jason.

Hecate

Goddess of magic; Medea's patron.

Circe

Witch, relative of Medea; purified Jason and Medea.

Thetis (one of the Nereids)

Sea goddess, mother of Achilles.

Scylla & Charybdis

Sea monsters—Scylla (multi-headed dog), Charybdis (whirlpool).

Antigone (Theban legend)

Antigone

Daughter of Oedipus, defied Creon, symbol of civil disobedience.

Haemon

Antigone's fiancé, Creon's son, defends Antigone.

Eteocles & Polynices

Oedipus's sons, fought for control of Thebes, both killed.

Miasma (= plague or pollution)

Spiritual/symbolic pollution for breaking divine law.

Constellations

Aries

Zodiac constellation, Golden Ram in myth.

Gemini

Zodiac; twins (Castor & Pollux).

Cygnus

Swan, associated with Zeus's transformations.

Taurus

Zodiac bull, linked to several myths.

Navis Argo

The ship Argo, honored in the stars.

Draco

Dragon, often guarding treasures in myths.

Study Map Locations

Thessaly

Region, Jason's homeland.

Iolchos (2)

City in Thessaly, Jason's starting point.

Lemnos

Island of exiled women, Jason visited.

Hellespont (12)

Strait named for Helle's fall.

Propontis

Sea between Hellespont and Bosphorus.

Euxine Sea (= Black Sea)

Sea near Colchis; Jason sailed it.

Bosphorus

Strait, part of the journey.

Caucasus Mts

Mountain chain, Prometheus's place of punishment.

Colchis

Land of the Golden Fleece, King Aeetes's realm.

Aea

Colchis capital, goal of quest.

Phasis

River in Colchis, Danube's other name.

Ister (= Danube)

Major river in Europe.

Mt. Etna

Volcanic mountain in Sicily, mythic monster lair.

Thrinacia*

Island of the Sun (Helios).

Isle of Phaiacians*

Helped mythical travelers, including Jason.

Libya

Region Jason visited.

Garden of Hesperides*

Place of golden apples.

Crete

Island of the Minotaur.

Corinth

Greek city in many myths.

Athens (18)

Center of Greek learning, mythic home to heroes.

Thebes

Powerful Greek city-state, home to Cadmus, Oedipus.

Boeotia

Region of Thebes.

THEBES (mythic figures)

Cadmus

Founder of Thebes, credited with bringing writing.

Europa

Cadmus's sister, abducted by Zeus.

Spartoi ("Sown Men")

Warriors sprung from dragon's teeth, Thebes's ancestors.

Autonē

Cadmus's daughter.

Actaeon

Hunter turned into a stag by Artemis.

Semele

Mother of Dionysus, destroyed by Zeus's lightning.

Dionysus ("god of Nysa")

God of wine and ecstasy.

Bromius ("Thunder")

Dionysus, as he's also associated with thunder.

Bacchus

Roman name for Dionysus.

Liber ("free")

Roman aspect of Dionysus.

Tiresias

Blind prophet of Thebes.

Ino

Sister of Semele, later a sea goddess.

Athamas

King, husband to Ino.

Tisiphone

One of the Furies.

Agave

Mother of Pentheus, driven mad by Dionysus.

Pentheus

King, opposed Dionysus.

Actaeon

Repeated, see above.

Satyrs

Half-goat, half-human followers of Dionysus.

Maenads

Frenzied female followers of Dionysus.

Bacchantes, Bacchae

Devotees of Dionysus.