Gods of the Earth 2 - Edith Hamilton

Which word came from the god, Pan?

"panic" and fear arose; sounds heard in a wilderness at night by the trembling traveler were supposed to be made by Pan

Greek Archetype of a Hero: Quests

- A hero MUST go on a quest - Overcome obstacles and return with greater knowledge and experience - Make the world a safer place

Greek Archetype of a Hero: Prophecy/Abandonment at Birth

- A prediction is made about the hero's future - Often not raised by their mortal birth parent who abandons them out of fear

Greek Archetype of a Hero: Becoming a Legend

- Recognized as great by Greek society because of their courage and the flaws that they share with all humans

Greek Archetype of a Hero: Favored by the Gods

- The gods looked out for heroes because they were related - Often given magical gifts or help in times of need

Greek Archetype of a Hero: Shameful Death

- Their human flaws case their downfall

Greek Archetype of a Hero: Born of Royalty

- Usually the child of a princess or queen - The immortal parent sometimes tricked the mortal parent

The Sirens

- had enchanting voices - signing lured sailors to their death

Janus

- originally one of the Numina, "the god of good beginnings" - his chief temple in Rome ran east and west, where the day begins and ends, and had two doors, between which stood his statue with two faces, one young and one old - these doors were closed only when Rome was at peace

The Fates

- there where three of them: - Clotho, the Spinner, who spun the thread of life - Lachesis, the Disposer of Lots, who assigned to each man his destiny - Atropos, she who could not be turned, who carried "the abhorred shears" and cut the thread of death

Sleep & Death

- they were brothers - dwelt in the lower world - dreams ascended from there to men - they passed through two gates, one of horn (true dreams passed through) and one of ivory (false dreams passed through)

The Gorgons

- they were earth-dwellers - there were three of them, two of which were immortal - dragon-like creatures with wings - men turned to stone when they look at them - their father was Phorcys, son of the Sea and the Earth

The Centaurs

- they were half man, half horse - savage creatures, more like beasts than man - Chiron, was known everywhere for his goodness and wisdom

The Graiae

- they were sisters; three gray women - shared one eye - lived on the farther bank of Ocean

What happened to Persephone?

Hades captured her and brought her to the underworld in order to make her his wife. Hades tricked her into returning to the underworld by having her ear 6 pomegranate seeds which forced her to live in the underworld for six months of the year and the other six up above on earth with her mother.

What happened to Demeter when Persephone was taken?

She left Olympus; she dwelt her earth, but so disguised that none knew her. Nothing grew on earth; no seed sprang up. It seemed that the race of men would die of famine.

labyrinth

complicated paths; a maze

What is a quest? What is an example:

definition: a hero's journey or test to find something of greater significance Example: Hercules must prove he is worthy of being a god

Who was a Greek hero? Who was an example?

definition: a human with supernatural powers who represents qualities that Greek society valued like courage, strength, and wisdom Example: Hercules

What is an Archetype? Identify an example.

definition: a plot, pattern, image or character type that appears throughout literature Example: the damsel in distress—helpless female rescued by the male hero

What is a myth?

definition: a traditional story rooted in a particular culture. It is religious in nature and seeks to explain beliefs, rituals, or natural phenomenon

What is Greek mythology? What is an example?

definition: traditional stories told about gods and heroes that were a part of Greek religion and expressed the values of Greek society Example: the myth of King Midas and the golden touch

disinterested

fair, impartial, and unbiased

steadfast

firm, faithful, fixed

contemptible

hateful, disgraceful, or despicable

tribute

payment to a nation or person; in Ancient Greece, it was like a sacrifice to the gods

Who was Demeter's daughter?

she only had one daughter, Persephone, the maiden of the spring

What two stars are said the represent the twin, Castor and Pollux?

the Gemini, the Twins

bane

the cause of ruin, death, or destruction

By what Greek name are the twins, Castor and Pollux, are known by?

they are called the Dioscouri, meaning "the striplings of Zeus"

afflicted

to be stressed or upset in some way or some form

vanquish

to conquer or defeat

expedition

to leave by way of foot; a journey or voyage

Aeolus

• King of the winds • lived on earth on an island named Aeolia • he was only regent of the Winds, viceroy of the Gods

Dionysus

• Roman name: Bacchus • also known as the God of the Vine • one of the supreme deities of the earth and of great importance in Greek and Roman mythology

Demeter

• Roman name: Ceres • daughter of Cronos and Rhea • also known as the Goddess of the Corn • one of the supreme deities of the earth and of great importance in Greek and Roman mythology

Pomona and Vertumnus

• began as Numina, as Powers Protecting Orchards and Gardens • they were later personified and a story was told about how they fell in love with each other

Sileni

• creatures part man and part horse • they walked on two legs, but they often had horses' hoofs instead of feet, sometimes horses' ears, and always horses' tails

Pan

• he was the chief • he was Hermes' son • known for being a noisy and merry god characterized with goat's horns and hoofs • also known as the gatherer's god and the shepherds' god, as well as the gay companion of the woodland nymphs • all wild places were his home • he was a wonderful musician and played the reed pipes

Quirinus

• name of the deified Romulus, the founder of Rome

Zehpyer

• one of the four chief winds • known as the West Wind • had a second Latin name, Favonius

The Lemures or Larvae

• spirits of the wicked dead and were greatly feared

The twins

• their names were Castor and Pollux • said to live half their time on earth and the other half in heaven • they were the sons of Leda • usually represented as being gods, the special protectors of sailors, Saviors of swift-going ships when the storm winds rage over the ruthless sea • sometimes Pollux is said to be divine/a god, and Castor is only a mortal who won a half-and-half immortality because of his brother's love • always represented as riding splendid white horses

The Satyrs

• they were goat men (like Pan) • like Pan they had their home in the wild places of the earth

The Manes

• they were the spirits of the good dead in Hades • sometimes they were regarded as divine and worshiped

What is a hero/heroine? Who was an example?

Definition: the main character in a myth is often descended from the gods. He/she faces difficult tasks and overcomes them using smarts, strength, and courage Example: Odysseus from The Odyssey

Who were the two supreme deities?

Demeter and Dionysus were the supreme dirties of the earth and of great importance in Greek and Roman mythology

Summarize the story of Demeter.

Demeter was known as Ceres to the Romans and the goddess of corn. She was the daughter of Cronos and Rhea. She, along with Dionysius, was one of the supreme deities of the earth and of great importance in Greek and Roman mythology. It was natural that the divine power which brought forth the grain was a goodness and not a god because the business of men was hunting and fighting and the care of the field belonged to the women.

Summary of Dionysus/Bacchus

Dionysus is the God of Wine and the son of Zeus and the Theban princess Semele, but she died from Zeus' burning light when she asked to see him in his full splendor as king and lord of the thunderbolt (it was Hera who put that wish on her heart). Even though Zeus knew that no mortal could behold him and survive but he couldn't stop because he swore on the River Styx. Before she died Zeus snatched from her the child in her that was near birth, and when it came time for it to be born Hermes carried it to be cared for by the nymphs of Nysa. When he was older, pirates captured Dionysus because he looked like a son of kings who would pay a great ransom. Instead, wine ran down the deck and grape vines covered the sails; he transformed into a lion and the pirates changed into dolphins. Later on in his life, he cam across Adriadne, the princess of Crete and saved her & fell in love with her until she tied. Dionysus longed for his mother, Semele, who he had never seen, that he traveled to the lower world to seek her. When he found her he brought her to live on Olympus and even though she was a mortal, she was the mother of an immortal so she was fit to live there. Like Demeter's daughter Persephone, Dionysus died with the coming of the cold and it was his joyful resurrection the ancient Greeks celebrated in his theater. The terrible deeds done by men under his influence were never forgotten. Therefore, he was more than a suffering god, he was a tragic god.

Greek Archetype of a Hero: Facing Death

- Confront some sort of darkness or death and turn stronger - Often travel to the Underworld (hell)

Greek Archetype of a Hero: Unusual Birth/Conception

- Half mortal (human) and half immortal (god or goddess) - Strange complications at time of birth

Greek Archetype of a Hero: Performing Extraordinary Feats at a Young Age

- Heroes show their strengths or talents at a young age - Foreshadows the great things or troubles ahead

Greek Archetype of a Hero: Marry a Princess

- Marry a princess as a reward - Often leads to unhappiness (princess dies, etc.)

architect

a person who designs buildings