Greek and Roman Myth midterm

Who is the Hero in Greek mythology?

- Usually a man - Actionable - opposed to sitting back - Respectful towards traditions and Gods - Knowing how to use language to persuade and achieve their goals - Go on journey of self discovery and face challenges that make them into a hero

Homer's poetry was understood to be divinely inspired... a. ...insofar as the poet himself claimed the Muse was just using him as a mouthpiece. b. ...and so it was received as a Sacred text and read literally by ancient Greeks.

a. ...insofar as the poet himself claimed the Muse was just using him as a mouthpiece.

1. Myth is something that has carried many different definitions over time. Check all that were mentioned in lecture. a. A story with a truth specific to some particular culture. b. A special language spoken among gods and goddesses. c. A story with a truth about something universal to all of humanity d. A primitive form of thought e. Anything spoken f. A story with a profound truth in it g. A Tall tale h. A lie

All except B a. A story with a truth specific to some particular culture. c. A story with a truth about something universal to all of humanity d. A primitive form of thought e. Anything spoken f. A story with a profound truth in it g. A Tall tale h. A lie

1. This thinker re-introduces the Greek term "mythos" into modern European language. Up til then, terms from the Latin "fabula" were the most common way of referring to the ancient tales. a. Fontenelle b. Herder c. Hume d. Heyne

d. Heyne

What are some characteristics of the greek religion?

- Gods never reveal themselves - they are always disguised when in the human realm - There is no priestly caste, however, there are priests of specific temples/dieties - If people want something from the gods, they must provide an offering - There are more than 40 names of minor or major divinities

1. What are the main differences between the Olympian Gods and human beings?

- Gods were immortal - Gods held special powers - Gods exercised their powers on one another, humankind, etc. - When the Gods interact with humans, they are disguised - Gods may come down in dreams; - Gods may come down in a vision during the day with some kind of disguise on. - Gods can represent themselves as a mortal girl, old man or whatever might be. - When the Gods are around is because they have important things to do. They are interested in «You and I».

1. Why is Greek religion known also as polis religion?

- Religion provided the framework and the symbolic focus of the polis. - Religion was the very centre of the Greek polis. - It is a model articulating a cosmic order guaranteed by a divine order which also grounds human order

1. Why is the Mycenaean age important in studying Greek mythology?

- Their syllabic script, the LINEAR B, offers the first written records of the Greek language - Viewed as the "age of heroes" - Provides the historical background to many stories told in later Greek mythology, including Homer's epics

2. Of all those possible definitions of myth in question 1), we are not going to use (check all that apply) a. A story with a profound truth in it b. A lie c. A primitive form of thought d. A story with truth about something universal to all humanity e. Anything spoken f. A thing that floats around in space g. A story with a truth specific to some particular culture

B, E, F b. A lie e. Anything spoken f. A thing that floats around in space

1. True or False: Although there are many versions of myths, there is always one definitive version.

False

1. Evaluate the following statement: "The versions of myth we see on contemporary television shows are not authentic. a. This statement is false b. This statement is true

This statement is false

1. Here is the definition we are going to be using in class as the most modern one and accurate one. Who is the scholar who developed it? "Myth is a traditional take with a secondary partial reference to something of collective importance" a. Fontenelle b. Burkert c. Herder d. Heyne

b. Burkert

1. Match the statement with the most appropriate theorist / theory from antiquity. The myths a culture chooses to tell, have an influence in shaping the values of that culture a. Allegory b. Plato c. Xenophanes

b. Plato

10. Homer's text likely emerged from the following context: a. A class of patrons that set out to get a pro-Greek epic produced. b. Oral performances by professional bards for the people. c. Oral performances by professional bards for wealthy clients. d. A learned scribal culture that found a new medium for preserving cultural memory. e. Warrior poets who wanted to make sure their exploits in war were remembered.

c. Oral performances by professional bards for wealthy clients

1. The reason why question 3) has the answer it does is because: a. The TV shows play so fast and loose with the real mythology, they can't even be measured via the category of authenticity. b. The Romans already corrupted the authentic Greek versions, so when later Europeans inherited these stories and passed them on to Hollywood, they are already so inauthentic that you can't really blame the TV shows for getting the true versions wrong. c. To measure any version of a myth, even TV shows, as not authentic (or as authentic) assumes that there is some one authentic, authorized version of these myths against which they succeed Tor fail, and there really isn't one.

c. To measure any version of a myth, even TV shows, as not authentic (or as authentic) assumes that there is some one authentic, authorized version of these myths against which they succeed Tor fail, and there really isn't one.

1. Contemporary scholars have identified the number of poets behind the Odyssey, which has been traditionally attributed to Homer, to be: a. 6 b. 2 c. 4 d. 7 e. We are not entirely sure, but given the overall coherence of the story, we tend now to credit the work to a single editorial hand endowed with great poetic insight.

e. We are not entirely sure, but given the overall coherence of the story, we tend now to credit the work to a single editorial hand endowed with great poetic insight.