mythology part 5

What horrific act did Tantalus commit with his son Pelops? Why did he do it?

Tantalus killed, boiled, and served Pelops to the gods, motivated by either hatred or arrogance.

What was Tantalus' punishment in Hades?

He endured eternal hunger and thirst, being unable to reach water and fruit.

What did Niobe arrogantly do that angered the gods?

She mocked Leto and claimed superiority for having more children.

What punishment did Niobe face for her arrogance?

Her children were killed by Apollo and Artemis, and Niobe was turned into a stone that wept endlessly.

What betrayal did Thyestes commit against Atreus?

Thyestes committed adultery with Atreus’ wife.

What did Agamemnon sacrifice to appease Artemis? Why did this anger Clytemnestra?

Agamemnon sacrificed Iphigenia for favorable winds, enraging Clytemnestra.

What was Aegisthus doing while Agamemnon was at war?

He was openly living with Clytemnestra, an affair known to all.

Why does Clytemnestra feel justified in killing Agamemnon?

She believes she was avenging her daughter’s sacrifice rather than committing murder.

How do Electra, Orestes, and Pylades enact revenge?

They return and kill Clytemnestra and Aegisthus.

What supernatural beings pursued Orestes after he killed his mother? Why?

The Furies pursued him for murdering his mother, despite acting on Apollo's command.

Who acquitted Orestes, and what did she do?

Athena acquitted him in Athens and persuaded the Furies to accept mercy.

Does Orestes' acquittal break the House of Atreus' curse?

Yes, it ends the curse and stops the cycle of revenge.

What adventure do Iphigenia, Orestes, and Pylades share?

They travel to Tauris, where Iphigenia nearly sacrifices them before recognizing them.

What did the Greeks think of human sacrifice?

They disapproved, viewing it as barbaric; Artemis provided a substitute instead.

What did Cadmus do after Europa was taken?

He went to Delphi to seek guidance instead of continuing to search for her.

How did Cadmus found Thebes using dragon's teeth?

After killing a dragon, he sowed its teeth, which sprouted armed men to build the city.

What misfortunes befell Cadmus and Harmonia's daughters?

Each suffered tragic events, including death and madness.

What tragic fate did Actaeon meet?

He was turned into a stag by Artemis and killed by his own hunting dogs.

What oracle's prophecy did Laius and Oedipus try to avoid?

Laius' son would kill him and marry his mother; they both attempted to escape their fates.

What did Apollo stipulate for the famine in Thebes to end?

The murderer of Laius must be punished.

What horror did the oracle reveal to Oedipus?

He would kill his father and marry his mother.

How did Oedipus find the truth about his origins? What did he do afterward?

He discovered he killed Laius and was not Polybus' son; he blinded himself in despair.

What happened between Oedipus' sons over the throne of Thebes?

Polyneices and Eteocles fought and killed each other in combat.

What did Creon decide about Polyneices?

He declared him a traitor, forbidding his burial.

Who defied Creon's edict regarding Polyneices? What was her punishment?

Antigone buried her brother and was sentenced to death.

How did Theseus assist in reversing Creon's decisions?

He marched against Thebes and demanded burial for the fallen warriors.

What ultimately befalls Thebes?

The city was conquered by the Epigoni, ending its prominence.

Describe Cecrops in relation to Athens.

Cecrops was the first king, half-dragon and half-human, known for his wisdom.

What determined Athena's victory over Poseidon for Athens' protection?

Athena created the olive tree, a crucial resource, while Poseidon offered salt water.

What was Poseidon's reaction to losing the contest?

He flooded the land, leading to men blaming women for the defeat.

What did Tereus do to Philomela after she rejected him?

He cut out her tongue and imprisoned her.

How did Philomela communicate her plight to Procne?

She wove a tapestry detailing her story.

What revenge did Procne take on Tereus?

She killed their son Itys and served him to Tereus.

What transformation did Procne, Philomela, and Tereus undergo?

They were turned into birds by the gods.

What caused the jealousy between Procris and Cephalus?

Aurora led Cephalus to doubt Procris' fidelity.

How did Procris and Cephalus' story end?

Cephalus accidentally killed Procris with a javelin.

Why was Orithyia's relationship with Boreas disapproved by the Athenians?

They held a bias against Northerners, recalling Tereus' actions.

What did Creüsa do with her baby, and why?

She left him to die in a cave out of shame after being raped by Apollo.

How did Creüsa prove her motherhood to Ion?

She identified his veil and cloak as hers.

Why did Xuthus consider Ion his son?

Apollo gifted Ion to him, leading him to believe Ion was his own child.

What message did Athena deliver to Creüsa and Ion?

She revealed that Ion is the son of Apollo and Creüsa, destined to rule.

Does Creüsa find peace at the end of the story?

Ion finds joy, but Creüsa's peace remains uncertain.