Greek Mythology — Test 1 Study Flashcards (Vocabulary Style)

A vocabulary-style set of flashcards covering primordial beings, Titans, Olympians, and key myths/themes from the notes to help study for Test 1.

Chaos

The primal void, the formless beginning from which the cosmos and order emerge; a primordial force in Hesiod’s cosmogony.

Gaia

Personification of the Earth; mother of the Titans and many other beings; the fertile ground of creation.

Uranus (Ouranos)

Personification of the sky; spouse of Gaia; father of the Titans and other beings.

Hyperion

A Titan who, with Theia, is the parent of Helios (Sun), Selene (Moon), and Eos (Dawn).

Theia

A Titaness associated with shining light and sight; mother of Helios, Selene, and Eos.

Helios

The sun god, one of the children of Hyperion and Theia.

Selene

The moon goddess, sister and child of Hyperion and Theia.

Eos

The dawn goddess, daughter of Hyperion and Theia.

Eros

God of love; in some traditions a primordial force, in others a child of Aphrodite.

Cronus (Kronos)

A Titan who overthrew his father and ruled the Titans; father of the Olympian gods.

Atlas

A Titan punished to uphold the heavens after the Titanomachy.

The Olympian gods

The later generation of Greek gods led by Zeus; gods of Mount Olympus.

Zeus

King of the Olympian gods; ruler of the sky; central figure of the Greek pantheon.

Curetes (Kouretes)

Divine attendants who protected infant Zeus from Cronus.

Muses

Daughters of Zeus and Mnemosyne; inspire the arts and sciences.

Graces (Charites)

Daughters of Zeus (and Eurynome) embodying beauty, charm, and joy; e.g., Aglaea, Euphrosyne, Thalia.

Styx

River goddess who sided with Zeus; name also the river by which gods swear oaths.

Aegis

A shield or breastplate, often with the Gorgon’s head; associated with Zeus and Athena.

Amalthea’s milk

The milk of the goat Amalthea that nursed infant Zeus in some traditions.

Nectar and ambrosia

The divine food and drink of the gods; sources of immortality; used in various infant myths for Zeus.

Hermes’ inventions (Hermes)”

Fabled inventions/discoveries credited to Hermes, such as the lyre (from a tortoise shell), winged sandals, and the caduceus.

Maia

One of Atlas and Pleione’s seven daughters; mother of Hermes.

Iris

Goddess of the rainbow and messenger of the gods; aids communication and, in myth, winds.

Omphalos

Navel stone or navel of the Earth; a Delphi sacred stone symbolizing the center of the world.

Gnothi seauton (Know thyself)

Delphic maxim inscribed on the temple at Delphi; a guiding ethical injunction.

Pythian Python

Dragon or serpent slain by Apollo at Delphi, establishing Apollo’s control over the Delphi sanctuary.

Hestia

Goddess of the hearth; her name is closely tied to the hearth and home.

Hephaestus

God of smiths and crafts; cast out of Olympus by Hera; provided aid and gifts to mortals and gods.

Apollo and Hermes (Hymn 29)

Noted together as paired deities praised in the Homeric Hymn; emblematic of harmony between solar and messenger aspects.

Lesbians

People from the island of Lesbos; term also associated with Sappho and her poetry.

Mekone (Mecone)

Myth of Prometheus’ deception at Mecone about sacrificial offerings—bones vs. meat—and the gods’ and humans’ portions.

Delphi/Delphic Maxims

Sacred site of Apollo’s oracle; Gnothi seauton is among the Delphic maxims.