Untitled Flashcards Set

Theogony

A foundational mythological text by Hesiod explaining the origins of the gods and the universe.

Titanomachy

The war between the Titans and Olympians.

Nostos

The theme of homecoming in the Odyssey.

Xenia

The concept of hospitality and how it's depicted in the Odyssey.

Kleos

The pursuit of glory, prominent in Greek heroic literature.

Prometheus

A trickster who stole fire from the gods and was punished by Zeus.

Cycle of vengeance

The ongoing cycle of revenge depicted in Aeschylus’s works.

Miasma

Ritual pollution that occurs due to murder or grave crimes in Greek mythology.

Areopagos

The court established in Athens to settle blood feuds and administer justice.

Athena

Goddess of wisdom and justice; she plays a pivotal role in Orestes's trial.

Orestes

Son of Agamemnon who avenges his father's murder.

Klytaimestra

Mother of Orestes; she murdered her husband, Agamemnon.

Aigisthos

Klytaimestra’s lover and conspirator in Agamemnon’s murder.

Elektra

Daughter of Agamemnon who assists Orestes in seeking revenge.

Erinyes

Ancient deities of vengeance that pursue Orestes for matricide.

Divine intervention

The influence of gods on human affairs and fate, a key theme in both the Odyssey and Theogony.

Fate vs. Free Will

A significant theme in the Odyssey exploring the influence of destiny versus individual choice.

Zeus

King of the gods in Greek mythology, ruler of Olympus.

Kronos

Titan who overthrew Ouranos and was later overthrown by Zeus.

Gaia

The personification of the Earth and progenitor of the gods.

Ouranos

Sky god who was overthrown by his son Kronos.

Polyphemos

The Kyklops blinded by Odysseus during his journey.

Kalypso

Nymph who holds Odysseus captive on her island.

Sirens

Mythical creatures whose singing lures sailors to their doom.

Skylla and Charybdis

Two sea monsters that Odysseus must navigate.

Apollon

God who defends Orestes during his trial and represents the new divine order.