Greek Allusions V

Midas

The land of roses. Wished whatever he touched would become gold Bacchus granted him the goal. Apollo changed ___’ ears into those of a donkey’s.

Minos

One of three judges of the dead, born to Zeus and Europa. He ruled the Minoan Civilization on Crete. His son was the Minotaur. 

Minotaur

The ___ was a monster, half bull, half human, the offspring of Minos’ wife Pasiphaë and a wonderfully beautiful bull.

Morpheos

The son of the old God of Sleep, skilled in assuming the form of any and every human being. He has noiseless wings.

Narcissus

One of the most beautiful lads in the land, he attracted Echo (a nymph), and, so enamored with his own reflection, wasted away. He spawned a new species of flower, the _____.

Nausicaa

Helped Odysseus out — she was the one who helped him out when he was shipwrecked and emerged naked from the forest.

Nemesis

A goddess who is the personified emotions esteemed high of all feelings in Homer and Hesiod. Usually translated as Righteous Anger.

Nestor

An old war hero in the Iliad/Trojan War, he served as war counselor to the Argives. 

Niobe

Equated herself to Leta in beauty, made fun of her for only having two kids. Artemis and Apollo killed all of them and she went mad. 

Odysseus/Ulysses

Son of Laertes, ruler of Ithaca. Famed for being clever and witty. 20 year voyage.

Oedipus

Son of Jocasta and Laius. He murdered Laius by accident over the right of ways of their respective chariots. Married his mother, had four children with her, found out about his patricide and incest, and he gouged his eyes out.

Olympia

Site of the ancient Olympic Games.

Olympus

Home of the gods/a heaven.

Orestes

Clytemnestra and Agamemnon’s son. He murdered Cytemnestra and Aegilus because they killed Agamemnon. He had to wander around for a few years before he got catharsis.

Paris

____ judged which of Athena, Aphrodite, and Hera. ____, in favor of love, judged Aphrodite the fairest, and got Helen in return. He also got into the Trojan War. Priam’s son, Hector’s brother.

Parnassus

A mountain.

Persephone

Demeter’s only daughter. She was abducted by Hades, ate a pomegranate, and has to stay half the year in Hades now. 

Perseus

Founder of the Mycenae and the Perseid dynasty. He defeated the Gorgons and a whole lot of monsters. He also claimed Andromeda, having rescued her from a sea monster.

Polyneices

Son of Oedipus and Jocasta. He fought with his brother, Eteocles for the rule of their kingdom, and died. Antigone was his sister.

Poseidon/Neptune

He was the ruler of the sea, Zeus’ brother and second only to him in eminence. ____ had a splendid palace beneath the sea, but he was oftener to be found in Olympus.