Mythology Final Exam
what does Zeus turn into to impregante Perseus's mom?
a shower of gold
Heracles
mortal son of Zeus, strong and brave but lacks self-control, rises to Olympus after death
Jason & the Argonauts: Hylas
- Abducted by Nymphs, for he was so beautiful. They dragged him into their lake ◦ One of the crew members heard his cries, believing he was abducted by pirates -Heracles went searching for him, and Jason left sailed off without him
Nostos / nostoi
-tale of homecoming -The story of Odysseus is an example of Nostos
Theban Cycle: Creon
- After brothers Eteocles & Polyneices kill each other, Oedipus's line is over, therefore Creon took over ruling of Thebes - He gives Eteocles full honors & proper burial, but... ◦ Decrees that Polyneices was a traitor & refuses to give him proper burial ◦ Left unburied on the battlefield, to be lost in Limbo, never to go to the underworld & for the animals to desecrate his body
Theban Cycle: Ismene
- Believes Antigone is mad for wanting to go against Creon's decree - Is worried to go against him because of what happened to their father Oedipus
Trojan War/ Illiad: Leda/Swan
- Children from different eggs -
Jason & the Argonauts: Clashing Rocks
- Enormous rocks that closed off the passage to the sea - Phineas tells them to bring a DOVE with them, if it survives the flight, then it is safe for the ship to go through - With the help of Hera, The Argo passes through, but the stern gets clipped off
Jason & the Argonauts: Medea
- Medea known for her powers with pharmakia - Promises to help him IF he swears to bring her to Greece as his wife ◦ She also helps Jason take back control of Iolchus when they return...
Jason and Madea
- Medea known for her powers with pharmakia - Jason came "begging [Medea] to use [her] magic to help [him]", Ovid Heroides
Perseus: Chimera
- Perseus's first quest, kill the Chimera - Chimera: mythical creature with the bod of a goat, head of a lion, serpents tail, and breathes fire
Trojan War/ Iliad: Eris
- Resentful Eris ("strife") rolls apple into the wedding, for the most beautiful goddess ▪ Kaliste ▪ Hera, Aphrodite, and Athena claim it
Trojan War/ Illiad: Iphigenia
- Sacrifice of Iphigenia - • Greek army assembles, sails to Mysia - Telephus, son of Hercules, tries to drive them off. - Achilles wounds and later heals Telephus • "Only that which harmed you can cure you" • Delayed by winds at Aulis - Agamemnon had once boasted he better at killing deer than Artemis - sacrifices his daughter Iphigenia to appease an angry Artemis - Pretends she is to marry Achilles, tricks Clytemnestra his wife - Instead of exacting retribution, Artemis replaced Iphigenia with a deer
Jason & the Argonauts: Argo
- Supposedly the first ship, ever (according to myth & legend) - huge ship with 50 oars - Made with assistance from Athena
Trojan War/ Iliad: Menelaus
- The problem of Helen's many young, dangerous, headstrong suitors - Odysseus, Ajax, Menelaus, Philoctetes, Patroclus, etc. - The problem of Helen's many young, dangerous, headstrong suitors - Odysseus, Ajax, Menelaus, Philoctetes, Patroclus, etc.
Trojan War/ Iliad: Peleus and Thetis
- Wedding of Peleus and Thetis - Married her off to the mortal, Peleus, who had some fame as a hero of sorts - Worked with Jason & the Argonauts, worked with Hercules in war against Amazons - Originally rejects Peleus, but Proteus told him to find her while sleeping and hold onto her while she shape-shifts
Perseus: Pegasus and Chrysaer
- When Perseus decapitate Medusa, out pop two creatures from her head, supposedly the children of Poseidon - one is a Chrysaer- a golden man and the other is Pegasus
Syncretism
- a blending of beliefs and practices from different religions into one faith -ex. Gilgamesh and the Great Flood
Sophocles
- focus democracy, the gods are not involved
Xenia (how is it portrayed, good and bad, in the Odyssey)
- hospitality), loyalty, cleverness, identity, justice for actions - When Penelope's suitors overstayed their welcome in her home by eating all her food, sleeping with the maids, and abusing son, and got slaughtered when Odysseus returned home
Jason & Argonauts: King Aeetes
- rules over Colchis, and sacrificed the ram and hung up the fleece in the Grove of Ares
Theseus: Procrustes
- tortured travelers on his "one-size-fits-all" bed - he would stretch people who were too short and chop the limbs off of those who were too long - Theseus killed him on his bed on his way to Athens
Symplegades
-"Clashing Rocks" that barred access to the Black Sea - Heeding Phineus' words, Jason let loose a white dove. With bated breath, the Argonauts waited to see if she would have a safe passage through the rocks. Luck favored them as the dove flew through without mishap. However, the Argo just about managed to scrape through. As the ship pulled clear, the rock started closing in on it but Goddess Athena appeared and held the cliffs apart.
Giglamesh
-2/3 mortal (mother a goddess, father a mortal man)
Vergil
-Aeneid -writes about propaganda, Augustus
Jason & the Argonauts: Dioscuri (Castor & Pollux)
-Brothers of Helen & Clytemnestra ◦ Often called the Dioscuri ◦ Known for being good horsemen/equestrians
Perseus: Danae
-Danae was said her son will kill he father, so Danae was locked. -Zeus came along as a shower of gold and , and have Perseus with Danae. - When king found he was angry, he tried to kill Perseus by sea, but later he was saved, and killed his grandfather
Homer
-Illiaid -Odyssey (begins in the middle)
Judgement of Paris
-Paris chooses Aphrodite over Athena and Hera, and wins Helen of Troy and the goddesses begin to fight
Judgement of Paris
-The incident that ultimately brought on the Trojan War. -A contest between the three most beautiful goddesses of Olympos--Aphrodite, Hera and Athena--for the prize of a golden apple. Aphrodite won by offering Helen to King Paris of Troy.
Theban Cycle: Tiresias
-Tiresias is blind but knows the truth (that Oedipus is the one who killed King Lauis, his father) Oedipus & the senators can see, but are ignorant. •Oedipus treats Tiresias horribly & Tiresias tells him that he will regret learning the truth - that HE is the one he is looking for!
Theban Cycle: Jocasta
-When Laius returns to Thebes, the usurpers have died, and he becomes king. - Because of his lack of xenia (abducting his host's son, Chrysippus), Laius is cursed. - King Laius marries Jocasta and rules Thebes -He receives an oracle from Delphi: If he has a child, his child will kill him and marry his wife
Theban Cycle: Oedipus
-When born, Laius orders a servant of his to expose the baby on Mount Cithaeron ◦ After his father, king Lauis heere's oracle he bounds his and pierces his feet together- thus making his feet permanently swollen ◦ This is where Oedipus gets his name - which means "Swollen Foot" in Greek The Servant INSTEAD gives him to the King and Queen of Corinth to be adopted (since they were barren)
Mt. Cithaeron
-a mountain between Thebes and Corinth -Bacchic revels were held and where the infant Oedipus was exposed and rescued
Trojan Horse
-a wooden horse said to have been used by the Greeks during the Trojan War to enter the city of Troy and win the war - Odysseus and his men hid inside of the horse, and the Greeks pretended to sail away, and the Trojans pulled the horse into their city as a victory trophy. That night, the Greek force crept out of the horse and opened the gates for the rest of the Greek army, and the victory was their!
Amazonomachy
-battle between greeks and amazons - Hercules is told to bring the war belt of Hippolyte (originally Ares'), queen of the Amazons, back to Mycenae b/c Eurystheus' daughter wanted it, but Hera comes down, in disguise as an Amazon, and tells the people that Heracles was abducting queen. So Hercules and his men were attacked, Heracles thought there was some treachery on Hippolyta's part - kills her & takes the belt
Labrys
-double headed axe -When Odysseus shot an arrow through a labrys to show Penelope it was him and win her over all the other suitors
Pharmakia (examples of when used and by whom)
-drugs, herbs, potions. associated with magic. - Circe tries to put a spell on Odysseus and his men by making a potion as a drink and she whips out her wand and turns his men into pigs -Medea gives Jason a fire protecting belt so he can go up against the fire breathing bulls
Euripides
-focuses on the psychology of the female characters, what drives them to do what they do
Sphinx
-head of a women -body of a lion
Theban Cycle: Antigone
-her Duty to the Gods, to divine law (that bodies must be properly buried), for their power lasts over her even in death o Polynices died an honorable death & should be honored o If she is killed for holding up the law of the gods, it will be an honorable death
Panhellenic Hero
-known all over Greece - Heracles is known as a Panhellenic hero because his 12 labors take him all over Greece!
Autochthonus (and the stories around it)
-mortals who have sprung from the soil, rocks and trees. -Cecrops- sprung from the earth, as half a snake, known as the founder of Athens
Hero Culture
-run by a group of hard-working, highly talented "heroes" on sheer strength, will and knowledge. -
Jason & the Argonauts
-sailed on the Argos, Jason went with 50 other heroes on a ship to get the golden fleece - Medea, who he fell in love with, gave the dragon guarding the fleece a sleeping potion, and they took the golden fleece.
Theseus and Aegeus
-sibling: Pallas -Rules, but power is threatened by not being able to have children, Pallas has 50
Theban Cycle: Haemon
-son of Creon -Tries to change his mind, and to allow the sisters (Antigone and Ismene) to bury both brothers
Hellespont
-the long, narrow body of water between Europe and Asia in present-day Turkey -In the story of the Golden fleece Nephele put Helle and Phrinx on a ram with a Golden Fleece, which flew them across the Mediterranean Helle fell off and drowned where we now call the
Jason short essay question
1. Said to be the son of Poseidon 2. raised by foster parents, shepherds 3. Peleus sends hum on a quest to find the golden fleece 4. several victories, bulls, serpents, skeletons, achieves golden fleece 5, uneventful rule 6. children do not succeed him because Medea has killed them
Hercules short essay questions
1. he's son of a god Zeus (go into depth about birth) 2. Early attempt on his life (go into depth) 3. raised by a different family 4. not a lot known about his early life 5. Hera drives him mad and causes him to kill his wife and children, which leads to his 12 labors 6. His children do not succeed him
Aeschylus
7 Against Thebes, Oresteia
Culture Hero
= a mythological hero specific to a group (here Greek), changes the world through invention, discovery, tasks. They affect the world after creation myths. Civilizing force. -Prometheus gives fire to humans -Thesseus kills the menatar to save the Thenians so they don't have to sacrafice anymore
Vergil
Aeneid
The first ship ever made, called the _____, carries along Jason and his crewmembers to find the Golden Fleece
Argo
Apollonius of Rhodes
Argonautica
Who gives Perseus the tools he uses to defeat Medusa?
Athena and Hermes
Gilgamesh: Enkidu
Beginning of the poem: "The man who saw everything..." • A mighty but abusive king of Uruk • Aruru creates Enkidu to temper his spirit • The wild Enkidu • Enkidu challenges Gilgamesh • Lifelong friendship
At which festival was Hercules worshiped? A) Thesmophoria B) Panathenaea C) Heracleia D) Samhain
C) Heracleia
Cadmus and Thebes
Cadmus looking for sis Europa ◦ Goes to Oracle @ Delphi, tells Cadmus to follow a cow & found a city where it lays down. - wants to sacrifice to Zeus, companions go to a spring, don't return ◦ Goes to check, finds Large Serpent - Defeat of the dragon ◦ Athena tells him to take teeth & sow them - birth of the Sparti "sown men" - aristocrats of Thebes ◦ Cadmus must serve Ares for 8 yrs as penace
Hercules: Cerberus
Cerberus, Hades' guard dog - 3 heads & serpent's tail
The twins and Oedipus are both associated with Mt. ______ at their birth.
Cithaeron
Hercules: Megara
Creon, ruler of Thebes, gave his oldest daughter, Megara, to Heracles to marry and his youngest daughter to Iphicles. Rhadamanthys (the judge) married the widowed Alceme.
Helle and Phrixus were sent away on a Golden Ram. Helle fell off at the place now called the ___________, bearing her name.
Hellespont
Gilgamesh's best friend was
Enkidu
Gilgamesh: Humbaba
Gilgamesh proposes trip to Land of the Cedars • Enkidu's fear of its guardian Humbaba • Preparations and long journey • Gilgamesh and Enkidu slay Humbaba • The storm god Enlil is furious
Jason & the Argonauts: Orpheus
He was helpful when going up against the Sirens ◦ He played music to drown out the Siren's song
Gilgamesh defeats the beast __________ and so "civilizes" the surrounding area.
Humbaba
Gilgamesh: Ishtar
Ishtar promises Gilgamesh rewards for sex • Gilgamesh mocks and reviles her • Ishtar demands the Bull of Heaven from Anu • The Bull of Heaven's rampage • Gilgamesh kills the Bull of Heaven • Enkidu's behavior offends the gods • Enkidu dies • Gilgamesh mourns
Hero of Contrasts
Known for civilizing the early Greek world, but he is not praised for his violence, excessiveness (in food, drink, & sex).
The _____ _____ did not honor Aphrodite, so they were cursed to smell bad, leading them to kill their husbands for their infidelity.
Lemnian women
Euripides
Medea, Hippolytus
Ovid
Metamorphoses
• Because of killing his wife and children (even though driven mad by Hera), Hercules has been polluted with what the Greeks called _____________.
Miasma
Sophocles
Oedipus Rex, Antigone
Perseus: Gorgan
Of the three Gorgons, only Medusa was mortal • The 2 gorgons who were immortal, daughters of Echnida and Typhon (mythical monsters) • Stheno, Euryale, Medousa •Their heads had serpents coming out of them, large tusks , bronze arms, and golden wings (they could fly) • Whomever saw them turned to stone
Theseus: Cecrops
Origins of Athens -Cecrops, mortal sprung from the earth with the body of a snake from the waist down
• Hercules is considered a ______________ hero, meaning that many of his labors went across Greece (and beyond)
Panhellenic Hero
Hercules: Deianera
Princess Deianeira (in Greek = man-destroyer) daughter of King Oeneus of Calydon • River monster Acheloüs wanted to marry her • At her father's request, Hercules wrestles and kills Acheloüs, marries Deianeira • He accidentally hits a boy pouring water on his hands, self-imposes exile • Taking Deianeira with him, they cross a river, the centaur Nessus asks for a fee for them to cross . • Heracles entrusts Deianeria to Nessus when he gets the fee. Nessus attempts to rape her. • Heracles shoots him with a poisoned arrow in the heart • Nessus tells Deianira that his blood and seed are part of a magic love potion, she keeps some
Heracles: Queen Omphale
Queen Omphale of the Lydians, likes Hercules physique, buys him • Gender-bending: she required him to dress up in her clothes, and she in his • he joins Jason and the Argonauts in the search for the Golden Fleece • He threw a stone at a statue thinking it was real • he found Icarus' body wash up (once he had died flying too close
Hercules: Atlas
Story: The Apples of the Hesperides • Zeus' wedding gift to Hera, at the foot of Mt. Atlas • Atlas fetches the apples as Heracles holds up the sky • Heracles outwits Atlas
Oedipus curses his sons before the big battle called _________.
The Seven Against Thebes
Theban Cycle
The Theban Cycle refers to the three plays which deal with Oedipus & his family: ◦ Sophocles wrote these plays for different festivals and they did not appear together. There are inconsistencies between the three plays! ◦ Oedipus Rex ◦ Oedipus at Colonus ◦ Antigone
Homer (Iliad & Odyssey)
Two epic poems written by the poet Homer, which elude to historical events and the mythology of ancient greece.
The term _____ refers to the practice of reading the flight of birds and omens in nature to tell the future.
augury
Creon's initial decree states that the punishment for burying Polynices is _______.
death
What walks on 4 legs in the morning, 2 in the afternoon, and 3 in the evening?
human
Hercules is often depicted wearing a ______ ______, a prize from the first labor.
lion skin
At Colchis, King Aeetes challenges Jason first to _________________.
plow a field with fire breathing oxen
miasma
ritual impurity; religiously tainted because of a dishonorable murder (either accidental or of a family member). Only a king or an immortal can remove it
Perseus: the Graeae
sneaks up on the with helmet of darkness and steals their eye and says hell give it back when they corporate with him grease advice- seek medusa in africa but first seek the hesperides, live in magical garden
The ______ is the creature Oedipus defeated by answering its riddle.
sphinx
What does Oedipus' name mean?
swollen foot
Heracles: King Eurytheus
• Goes to the oracle at Delphi, asks where to go - she calls him Heracles (for the first time, Alceides) • The Pythia tells him to: • Settle in Tiryns • Serve king Eurystheus for 12 years • Complete the 10 labors Eurystheus imposes, and then he would become immortal • Heracles completes more than 10 labors, completes 12, as not all of them counted toward the 10 (if he accepted payment for it, if he had help with it, etc.
Hercules and his 12 labors
• Heracles begins heroic career as animal-slayer • Journeys to faraway realms • Earliest evidence for the Twelve Labors: the metopes of Zeus' temple at Olympia • First Six: in Peloponnesus, combat with animals • Second Six: the world beyond • Popularity of Heracles beyond Greek mainland
Trojan War/ Illiad: Achille's
• Iliad is about the anger of Achilles, not the whole story of the Trojan War - Achilles' Rage - it is the first word in the entire epic! And the poem Ends with the End of his anger NOT the end of the War.
Perseus: Medusa
•Perseus decapitates Medusa & has to hide her head in the pouch (the kibisis) • from her body, out pops Chrysaor (the golden man) and Pegasus - children of Poseidon •Medusa's sisters awake from their sleep and try to chase him, but they couldn't see him - he was wearing the helmet of invisibility. \ •Perseus returns to Seriphos and turns Polydectes and friends to stone
Perseus: Andromeda
•Perseus, seeing Andromeda chained, fell in love with her •Perseus made a deal with king Cepheus, that if he killed the monster and saved Andromeda, he would marry her • Phineus, Cepheus' brother and Andromeda's uncle, was furious, as he was supposed to marry her! He plotted against Perseus • When Perseus finds out, he shows Phineus the head of Medusa & turns him to stone •He saves Andromeda!
