Classics 110 Midterm

Chaos

a state of complete disorder and confusion, often considered the origin of the universe in Greek mythology.

Gaia

the personification of the Earth in Greek mythology, regarded as the mother of all life and the source of all that exists.

Tartarus

a deep abyss used as a dungeon of torment and suffering in Greek mythology, often associated with the underworld.

Uranus

the personification of the sky in Greek mythology, often considered the father of the Titans and a primordial deity.

Cronos

the leader of the Titans in Greek mythology who overthrew his father Uranus and was later defeated by his own son, Zeus.

Rhea

the mother of the Olympian gods, wife of Cronos, and daughter of the Earth goddess Gaia.

Titans

a race of powerful deities in Greek mythology, descendants of Uranus and Gaia, who ruled during the Golden Age before being overthrown by the Olympian gods.

Zeus

the king of the Olympian gods, god of the sky and thunder, and the son of Cronos and Rhea.

Hera

the goddess of marriage and family, sister and wife of Zeus, and queen of the Olympian gods.

Aphrodite

the goddess of love, beauty, and desire, known for her enchanting beauty and associations with various love stories in Greek mythology.

Prometheus

a Titan who defied the gods by stealing fire from Olympus and giving it to humanity, symbolizing the quest for knowledge and the consequences of that pursuit.

Epithemeus

the brother of Prometheus, often associated with foolishness and blame for humanity's hardships due to his role in accepting Pandora.

Pandora

a woman created by the gods, who opened a box that released all evils into the world, leaving only hope inside.

Io

a mortal woman loved by Zeus, transformed into a cow to escape Hera's jealousy, and subjected to constant torment by a gadfly.

Demeter

the goddess of agriculture, harvest, and fertility, known for her role in the seasons and as the mother of Persephone.

Hades

the god of the underworld, ruling over the deceased and known for his wealth and the realm of the dead.

Persephone

the goddess of spring and the queen of the underworld, known for her dual role in the cycle of life and death as the daughter of Demeter.

Charon

the ferryman of the dead in Greek mythology, responsible for transporting souls across the river Styx to the underworld.

Cerberus

the three-headed dog that guards the gates of the underworld, preventing the dead from leaving and the living from entering.

Sisyphus

a figure in Greek mythology who is punished to roll a boulder up a hill for eternity, only for it to roll back down each time he reaches the top, symbolizing endless struggle.

Triptolemus

A mythological figure associated with agriculture and the Eleusinian Mysteries, known for teaching humanity the art of farming and spreading the cultivation of grains.

Hephaestus

the god of fire, metalworking, and craftsmanship in Greek mythology, known for creating weapons and armor for the gods and heroes.

Ares

the god of war in Greek mythology, representing the violent and chaotic aspects of conflict and battle.

Eros/Cupid

the god of love and desire in Greek mythology, often depicted as a winged infant or young man, capable of inciting romantic attraction among gods and mortals.

Hermes

the messenger of the gods in Greek mythology, known for his speed and cunning, also associated with trade, thieves, and communication.

Hestia

the goddess of the hearth, home, and domesticity in Greek mythology, symbolizing the warmth and comfort of family life and sacred fire.

Anchises

a Trojan prince and the father of Aeneas, known for his affair with the goddess Aphrodite.

Aeneas

a Trojan hero and the son of Anchises and Aphrodite, who played a central role in the founding of Rome according to Roman mythology.

Romulus and Remus

the legendary founder of Rome and its first king, raised by a she-wolf alongside his brother Remus, he is known for establishing the Roman Empire's foundational laws and institutions.

Julius Ceaser

a military general and statesman who played a critical role in the events that led to the demise of the Roman Republic and the rise of the Roman Empire. He is famously known for his conquest of Gaul and his dictatorship before being assassinated in 44 BC.

Augustus

the first emperor of Rome, known for establishing the Pax Romana and significantly expanding the Roman Empire.

Athena

the ancient Greek goddess of wisdom, warfare, and craft. She was a protector of cities and was often depicted with an owl and a shield.

Poseidon

the ancient Greek god of the sea, earthquakes, and horses. He is often depicted with a trident and was known for his volatile nature and rivalry with other gods like Zeus.

Erichthonius (Erechtheus)

a mythical figure in Greek mythology, considered a king of Athens and born from the earth. He was associated with the goddess Athena and was often depicted as a serpent or as having serpent-like features.

Myth

a traditional story, often involving supernatural beings or forces, that explains natural or social phenomena.

Legend

a traditional narrative often rooted in historical events and embellished with imaginative details, serving to convey cultural values or beliefs.

Folklore

the body of traditional beliefs, customs, and stories of a community, typically passed down orally.

Animism

the belief that objects, places, and creatures possess a spiritual essence, and that non-human entities can have consciousness.

Anthropomorphism

the attribution of human traits, emotions, or intentions to non-human entities, such as animals or inanimate objects.

Mycenaeans

an ancient civilization that flourished in Greece during the late Bronze Age, known for their palatial states, advanced engineering, and influence on Greek culture.

Autochthonous

referring to a population or species that is native to a particular place, having originated from that location without migration.

Parthenogenesis

a form of asexual reproduction in which an egg develops into an organism without fertilization, producing offspring that are genetically identical to the parent.

Hieros Gamos

the sacred marriage between a god and a goddess, often representing the union of heaven and earth in ancient mythologies.

Aetiology

the study of causes or origins, particularly in relation to diseases or philosophical concepts.

Cosmology

the study of the universe's origin, structure, and function, often encompassing both scientific and philosophical perspectives.

Epithet

a descriptive phrase expressing a quality characteristic of the person or thing mentioned.

Titanomachy

the series of battles in Greek mythology between the Titans and the Olympian gods for control of the universe.

Gigantomachy

the mythological battle between the Giants and the Olympian gods, often representing the struggle between chaos and order.

Mekone

a location in Greek mythology where the Titan Prometheus tricked Zeus, leading to the creation of humanity.

The Five Ages of Man

The Five Ages of Man, a concept in Greek mythology, describe a series of five periods in human history: the Golden Age, the Silver Age, the Bronze Age, the Age of Heroes, and the Iron Age. These ages depict a decline in human morality and virtue, with each age considered worse than the previous. 

Miasma

a concept in ancient Greek culture referring to a state of pollution or contamination, often associated with death or wrongdoing, requiring purification.

Hubris

excessive pride or self-confidence that leads to nemesis, often resulting in downfall in Greek tragedies.

Stxy

a river in Greek mythology that forms the boundary between Earth and the Underworld, often associated with the oaths of the gods.

Prosthesis

the addition of a limb or organ, often used in ancient contexts to refer to enhancements or replacements.

Eleusinian Mysteries

a set of secret religious rites held annually in honor of Demeter and Persephone, emphasizing themes of death and rebirth.

Thesmophorion

a sanctuary dedicated to Demeter and Persephone, where the Eleusinian Mysteries were celebrated.

Adonia

a festival held in honor of Adonis, celebrating themes of fertility and the cycle of life and death.

Acropolis

the ancient citadel located on a high rocky outcrop above the city of Athens, containing several significant ancient buildings, the most famous being the Parthenon.

Parthenon

a former temple on the Acropolis of Athens, dedicated to the goddess Athena, whom the people of Athens considered their patroness.

Autochthonous

referring to the indigenous people or originating from the land itself, especially in the context of Greek mythology and history.

Panathenaea

an annual festival celebrated in Athens to honor the goddess Athena, featuring athletic, artistic, and religious competitions.

Herms

statues representing the god Hermes, often used as boundary markers and guardians in ancient Greece.

The Judgement of Paris

a mythological story in which Paris, a prince of Troy, chooses the fairest goddess among Hera, Athena, and Aphrodite, leading to the Trojan War.

Samos

an ancient Greek island known for its significant contributions to philosophy and the arts, notably the birthplace of the philosopher Pythagoras.

Argos

an important city-state in ancient Greece, known for its rivalry with Sparta and contributions to culture and politics.

Athens

a prominent city-state in ancient Greece, known for its advancements in democracy, philosophy, and the arts, serving as the cultural and political heart of the classical world.

Eleusis

an ancient city in Greece, famed for the Eleusinian Mysteries, which were religious rites held in honor of Demeter and Persephone, central to Greek spirituality and culture.

Troy

a legendary city in ancient Greece, famously known for the Trojan War, as described in Homer's epics, the Iliad and the Odyssey.

Hesiod

One of the earliest Greek poets, often credited with writing "Theogony" and "Works and Days," which provide insights into Greek mythology and agricultural practices.

Homer

An ancient Greek poet renowned for composing epic poems such as the "Iliad" and the "Odyssey," which narrate key events of the Trojan War and the adventures of Odysseus.

Vergil

A Roman poet best known for his epic poem "The Aeneid," which follows the journey of Aeneas and the founding of Rome.

Ovid

A Roman poet celebrated for his narrative poetry, particularly "Metamorphoses," a mythological poem that explores themes of transformation.

Aeschylus

An ancient Greek tragedian often referred to as the father of tragedy, known for his plays such as "Agamemnon" and "The Libation Bearers," which explore themes of justice and divine law.