The Flood Study Notes

The Flood

Agenda & Objectives

  • Flood Myth

  • Daily Question (1pt):

    • a) Question about lecture(s)

    • b) Question about reading(s) OR c) What flood myths do you know about?

  • Reading Check (1pt)

  • Creation of Humans – Finish

  • Flood – Greek

  • Flood – Roman (Lycaon)

  • After the flood – more humans

  • Discussion

  • ICA 3: Paper 1 Workshop

  • ECOR (1pt)

  • Thursday, 2/12: AIA Lecture (5:30pm - Kirkhof Center room 2270)

  • Friday, 2/13: Intro to Heroes

    • Readings:

    • BB (Campbell’s Hero’s Journey/Cycle)

    • BB (Heroes in G-R Myth)

Lecture on the Flood

  • COZA/COSANO/COZANO:

    • Socio-Economic Interactions among Middle Republican Cities in Central Italy

  • Save the Date! February 12th:

    • Guest Speaker: Dr. Melissa Ludke, GVSU Anthropology alumnus, will give a talk using numismatic evidence and geospatial analysis related to socio-economic interactions.

    • Guests encouraged to attend, co-sponsored by the Archaeological Institute of America, local chapter & GVSU Archaeological Society.

Reading Check (1pt)

  • Instructions:

    • Choose at least one of the assigned readings and answer:

    • A) How does it influence your interpretation of the ancient myth or culture?

    • B) How does it resonate with your personal experience, modern-day events/issues, or other works?

    • C) Why is Lycaon’s trick deemed offensive to the gods?

    • Requirement: Include at least one specific example from the reading (direct reference, not citation).

    • Completion: 1-2 sentences for full credit.

Greek Flood: Apollodorus

  • Key Figures:

    • Deucalion: Son of Prometheus

    • Pyrrha: Daughter of Epimetheus and Pandora

  • Context:

    • Elimination of Bronze Age humanity

    • A few survived, saved by high mountains (including Deucalion and Pyrrha).

    • Their role was to repopulate the Earth.

  • Etiology:

    • The term “people” is derived from “stone”.

Ovid: Metamorphoses - Lycaon

  • Event: Jupiter reviews the new men and gathers gods to determine their fate.

  • Milky Way and Giants are perceived as a threat.

  • Plot:

    • Lycaon prepares cannibalistic feast for Jupiter.

    • Jupiter responds with retaliation:

    • Lycaon is transformed into the first werewolf.

    • Jupiter's anger leads to punishment for all mortals.

  • Cultural Connection:

    • Reference to lycanthropy in popular culture (Teen Wolf), noting connections to engravings by Goltzius from the 16th century CE.

Council of the Gods

  • Jupiter's Concerns:

    • Contemplates using thunderbolts to destroy humanity, fears total world destruction.

    • Concludes that sending a flood would be a better solution.

    • Promises to create a superior race afterward.

Great Flood

  • Jupiter's Action: Sends a devastating flood.

    • Mechanism: Releases the South wind (storm winds); Iris raises moisture into clouds.

  • Consequences:

    • Destruction of crops.

    • Jupiter desires more water, appeals to Neptune.

    • Deucalion and Pyrrha are saved from the catastrophe.

Deucalion & Pyrrha

  • Characteristics:

    • Pyrrha: Daughter of Epimetheus

    • Deucalion: Son of Prometheus, described as pious.

  • Context:

    • They are the flood survivors, depicted in art by Peter Paul Rubens.

Post-Flood Events

  • Landed Location: Their boat arrives on Mt. Parnassus.

  • Aftermath:

    • Jupiter eventually ceases the storm and observes Deucalion and Pyrrha.

    • References to Prometheus and the requirement of sacrifice to Themis through the oracle.

    • Discusses creation of a new race from stones; first as statues, then as flesh.

    • Quote:

    • “I believe that the stones in the body of earth are called her bones. We are ordered to throw these behind our backs.” (lines 381-394)

Discussion Prompts

  • Topics of Discussion:

    • Comparison between Greek and Roman flood myths.

    • Examination of why Lycaon’s actions were considered offensive to Jupiter and the gods.

    • Discussion on the reasons behind Zeus sending the flood against humanity (Bronze Age).

    • Examination of Deucalion and Pyrrha’s selection as survivors.

    • Exploration of the creation of humans in the Iron Age.

    • Comparison of flood myths with Hesiod’s descriptions of the ages of mankind.

End of Class Mini-Quiz

  • Quiz Question: In both flood versions (Greek and Roman), who sends the flood?

    • a) Hermes/Mercury

    • b) Poseidon/Neptune

    • c) Lycaon

    • d) Zeus/Jupiter/Jove

    • e) I have no idea