Child Abuse in Greek Mythology: a Review C Stavrianos, I Stavrianou, P Kafas
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Homeric Time Travel Erwin F
Trinity University Digital Commons @ Trinity Classical Studies Faculty Research Classical Studies Department 7-2018 Homeric Time Travel Erwin F. Cook Trinity University, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.trinity.edu/class_faculty Part of the Classics Commons Repository Citation Cook, E.F. (2018). Homeric time travel. Literary Imagination, 20(2), 220-221. doi:10.1093/litimag/imy065 This Post-Print is brought to you for free and open access by the Classical Studies Department at Digital Commons @ Trinity. It has been accepted for inclusion in Classical Studies Faculty Research by an authorized administrator of Digital Commons @ Trinity. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Homeric Time Travel In a recent pair of articles I argued that the Odyssey presents itself as the heroic analogue to, or even substitute for, fertility myth.1 The return of Odysseus thus heralds the return of prosperity to his kingdom in a manner functionally equivalent to the return of Persephone, and with her of life, to earth in springtime. The first paper focused on a detailed comparison of the plots of the Homeric Hymn to Demeter and the Odyssey;2 and the second on the relationship between Persephone’s withdrawal and return and the narrative device of ring-composition.3 In my analysis of ring-composition, I concluded that what began as a cognitive and functional pattern, organizing small-scale narrative structures, evolved into an aesthetic pattern, organizing large blocks of narrative, before finally becoming an ideological pattern, connecting the hero’s return to the promise of renewal offered by fertility myth and cult. -
The Hellenic Saga Gaia (Earth)
The Hellenic Saga Gaia (Earth) Uranus (Heaven) Oceanus = Tethys Iapetus (Titan) = Clymene Themis Atlas Menoetius Prometheus Epimetheus = Pandora Prometheus • “Prometheus made humans out of earth and water, and he also gave them fire…” (Apollodorus Library 1.7.1) • … “and scatter-brained Epimetheus from the first was a mischief to men who eat bread; for it was he who first took of Zeus the woman, the maiden whom he had formed” (Hesiod Theogony ca. 509) Prometheus and Zeus • Zeus concealed the secret of life • Trick of the meat and fat • Zeus concealed fire • Prometheus stole it and gave it to man • Freidrich H. Fuger, 1751 - 1818 • Zeus ordered the creation of Pandora • Zeus chained Prometheus to a mountain • The accounts here are many and confused Maxfield Parish Prometheus 1919 Prometheus Chained Dirck van Baburen 1594 - 1624 Prometheus Nicolas-Sébastien Adam 1705 - 1778 Frankenstein: The Modern Prometheus • Novel by Mary Shelly • First published in 1818. • The first true Science Fiction novel • Victor Frankenstein is Prometheus • As with the story of Prometheus, the novel asks about cause and effect, and about responsibility. • Is man accountable for his creations? • Is God? • Are there moral, ethical constraints on man’s creative urges? Mary Shelly • “I saw the pale student of unhallowed arts kneeling beside the thing he had put together. I saw the hideous phantasm of a man stretched out, and then, on the working of some powerful engine, show signs of life, and stir with an uneasy, half vital motion. Frightful must it be; for supremely frightful would be the effect of any human endeavour to mock the stupendous mechanism of the Creator of the world” (Introduction to the 1831 edition) Did I request thee, from my clay To mould me man? Did I solicit thee From darkness to promote me? John Milton, Paradise Lost 10. -
Sophocles, Ajax, Lines 1-171
SophoclesFourTrag-00Bk Page 2 Thursday, July 26, 2007 3:56 PM Ajax: Cast of Characters ATHENA goddess of wisdom, craft, and strategy ODYSSEUS a Greek commander from Ithaca AJAX the son of Telamon and a Greek commander from Salamis CHORUS of Salaminian warriors TECMESSA a Phrygian captive, wife of Ajax MESSENGER from the Greek camp, loyal to Teucer TEUCER the half-brother of Ajax, son of Telamon and Hesione, a Trojan MENELAUS the youngest son of Atreus and a Greek commander from Sparta AGAMEMNON the eldest son of Atreus from Mycenae and the supreme commander of the Greeks at Troy Nonspeaking Roles EURYSACES the young son of Ajax and Tecmessa ATTENDANTS Casting In the original production at the Theatre of Dionysus, the division of roles between the three speaking actors may have been as follows: 1. Ajax, Agamemnon 2. Athena, Messenger, Teucer 3. Tecmessa, Menelaus, Odysseus After line 1168, a nonspeaking actor played the role of Tecmessa. This translation is based on a version developed by Peter Meineck for the Aquila Theatre Company in 1993 for a U.S. tour. The original cast included Donald T. Allen, Tony Longhurst, James Moriarty, Yasmin Sidhwa, and Andrew Tansey. Division of roles: The parts can also be divided as follows: (1) Ajax, Teucer; (2) Odysseus, Tecmessa; (3) Athena, Messenger, Menelaus, Agamemnon. 2 SophoclesFourTrag-00Bk Page 3 Thursday, July 26, 2007 3:56 PM Ajax SCENE: Night. The Greek camp at Troy. It is the ninth year of the Trojan War, after the death of Achilles. Odysseus is following tracks that lead him outside the tent of Ajax. -
Ornithological Approaches to Greek Mythology: the Case of the Shearwater
Ornithological Approaches to Greek Mythology: The Case of the Shearwater In the Odyssey 5.333-337, Ino-Leucothea rescues Odysseus from a terrifying storm while in the shape of an αἴθυια (aithyia) and gives him a magic veil so he can reach the land of the Phaeacians. But what bird is an aithyia, and, perhaps more importantly, can this information help us understand this passage of the Odyssey and other ancient texts where the bird appears? Many attempts at identifying Ino-Leucothea’s bird shape have been made. Lambin (2006) suggests that the name of byne that is occasionally (e.g. Lyc. Al. 757-761) applied to the goddess highlights her kourotrophic functions. In a more pragmatic way, Thompson (1895) suggests that the aithyia is a large gull such as Larus marinus. This identification is based on Aristotle (H.A. 7.542b) and Pliny (10.32) who report that the bird breeds in rocks by the sea in early spring. However, in a response to Thompson’s identification of a different bird, the ἐρωδιός (erôdios) as a heron, Fowler stresses that this bird nests in burrows by the sea (Pliny 10.126-127) and therefore must be Scopoli’s shearwater, Puffinus kuhli, now renamed Calonectris diomedea. The similarities between the aithyia and the erôdios prompted Thompson not only to reconsider his identification of the erôdios as a shearwater but also to argue that other bird names such as aithyia, memnôn, and mergus must also correspond to the shearwater. Thompson (1918) comes to this conclusion by taking a closer look at the mythological information concerning these birds. -
Sea Monsters in Antiquity: a Classical and Zoological Investigation
Sea Monsters in Antiquity: A Classical and Zoological Investigation Alexander L. Jaffe Harvard University Dept. of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology Class of 2015 Abstract: Sea monsters inspired both fascination and fear in the minds of the ancients. In this paper, I aim to examine several traditional monsters of antiquity with a multi-faceted approach that couples classical background with modern day zoological knowledge. Looking at the examples of the ketos and the sea serpent in Roman and Greek societies, I evaluate the scientific bases for representations of these monsters across of variety of media, from poetry to ceramics. Through the juxtaposition of the classical material and modern science, I seek to gain a greater understanding of the ancient conception of sea monsters and explain the way in which they were rationalized and depicted by ancient cultures. A closer look at extant literature, historical accounts, and artwork also helps to reveal a human sentiment towards the ocean and its denizens penetrating through time even into the modern day. “The Sea-monsters, mighty of limb and huge, the wonders of the sea, heavy with strength invincible, a terror for the eyes to behold and ever armed with deadly rage—many of these there be that roam the spacious seas...”1 Oppian, Halieutica 1 As the Greek poet Oppian so eloquently reveals, sea monsters inspired both fascination and fear in the minds of the ancients. From the Old Testament to Ovid, sources from throughout the ancient world show authors exercising both imagination and observation in the description of these creatures. Mythology as well played a large role in the creation of these beliefs, with such classic examples as Perseus and Andromeda or Herakles and Hesione. -
A Language-Exercise in Dramatization
A LANGUAGE-EXERCISE IN DRAMATIZATION EMMA SIEBEL No material presented for a language-exercise and no form of language-work has awakened in the children a more intense interest or provoked them to greater effort than have the stories of the gods and the Trojan war, and especially the writing of the play which follows. The exercise is classwork, and all the children are represented, some contributing more than others; all, however, working with earnestness and each doing his part. There was quite a heated discussion as to the subject to be chosen-some favoring the "Wedding Feast," others contending that that would be too simple, that it would only necessitate allow- ing the characters to say "in their own words" what the story had told them. They wished to "make up" their play, and the suggestion that we write on "Laomedon's Broken Promises," that being a story from which "a good lesson could be learned," carried the day. I had some misgivings as to the outcome, but would not discourage their enthusiastic effort. The story of Cinderella, so familiar to all, was acted out to give them the "play-idea" and to familiarize them with the terms "exit," "enter," "act," "scene," "speech," "action," etc. We then spent one lesson "practicing," as they said, "the language of the gods," and another in changing sentences, "to make them sound more poetical." The suggestion to substitute "Persons of the Play" for "Cast of Characters" came from a little girl who thought that "we are only children, and we want it to be all our own." They then selected the characters needed, deciding that we could easily add others should we have need of them. -
Phrixus and Helle
Phrixus and Helle In Orchomenus, a site in ancient Boeotia, king Athamas lived happily with his wife and their two children, Phrixus and Helle. Alas, the queen’s death put an abrupt end to their happiness. Athamas could not stand being alone for long, so he took a second wife, Ino. The new queen was terribly jealous of Phrixus and Helle and laid out an evil plan. She summoned the women of the land and gave them the following advice: “Here’s how you can make your husbands happy and secure their love and respect: take the seeds they are about to sow and bake them in the kiln. Your crops will double and your men will be forever grateful to you!” 6 The women believed the queen’s words and did as they were told. That year the fields yielded absolutely nothing. “Some god is punishing us,” the men muttered to themselves in despair. Athamas decided to ask the oracle of Delphi for help. His envoys, already bought off by Ino, brought back a terrible answer: “The gods are very angry at us! Our fields will remain barren unless you sacrifice your firstborn to Zeus!” “How could I ever do such a thing to my child?” cried out the desperate king and shut himself in his palace. But the news spread quickly and soon the famished people gathered outside his doors. Angry voices came from the mob. “O, king, obey the oracle, otherwise we are all going to starve to death!” Athamas had to give in to pressure. He took his unsuspecting son to Zeus’s altar. -
Folktale Types and Motifs in Greek Heroic Myth Review P.11 Morphology of the Folktale, Vladimir Propp 1928 Heroic Quest
Mon Feb 13: Heracles/Hercules and the Greek world Ch. 15, pp. 361-397 Folktale types and motifs in Greek heroic myth review p.11 Morphology of the Folktale, Vladimir Propp 1928 Heroic quest NAME: Hera-kleos = (Gk) glory of Hera (his persecutor) >p.395 Roman name: Hercules divine heritage and birth: Alcmena +Zeus -> Heracles pp.362-5 + Amphitryo -> Iphicles Zeus impersonates Amphityron: "disguised as her husband he enjoyed the bed of Alcmena" “Alcmena, having submitted to a god and the best of mankind, in Thebes of the seven gates gave birth to a pair of twin brothers – brothers, but by no means alike in thought or in vigor of spirit. The one was by far the weaker, the other a much better man, terrible, mighty in battle, Heracles, the hero unconquered. Him she bore in submission to Cronus’ cloud-ruling son, the other, by name Iphicles, to Amphitryon, powerful lancer. Of different sires she conceived them, the one of a human father, the other of Zeus, son of Cronus, the ruler of all the gods” pseudo-Hesiod, Shield of Heracles Hera tries to block birth of twin sons (one per father) Eurystheus born on same day (Hera heard Zeus swear that a great ruler would be born that day, so she speeded up Eurystheus' birth) (Zeus threw her out of heaven when he realized what she had done) marvellous infancy: vs. Hera’s serpents Hera, Heracles and the origin of the MIlky Way Alienation: Madness of Heracles & Atonement pp.367,370 • murders wife Megara and children (agency of Hera) Euripides, Heracles verdict of Delphic oracle: must serve his cousin Eurystheus, king of Mycenae -> must perform 12 Labors (‘contests’) for Eurystheus -> immortality as reward The Twelve Labors pp.370ff. -
University Microfilms International 300 N
INFORMATION TO USERS This was produced from a copy of a document sent to us for microfilming. While the most advanced technological means to photograph and reproduce this document have been used, the quality is heavily dependent upon the quality of the material submitted. The following explanation of techniques is provided to help you understand markings or notations which may appear on this reproduction. 1. The sign or “target” for pages apparently lacking from the document photographed is “ Missing Page(s)”. If it was possible to obtain the missing page(s) or section, they are spliced into the film along with adjacent pages. This may have necessitated cutting through an image and duplicating adjacent pages to assure you of complete continuity. 2. When an image on the film is obliterated with a round black mark it is an indication that the film inspector noticed either blurred copy because of movement during exposure, or duplicate copy. Unless we meaht to delete copyrighted materials that should not have been filmed, you will find a good image of the page in the adjacent frame. If copyrighted materials were deleted you will find a target note listing the pages in the adjacent frame. 3. When a map, drawing or chart, etc., is part of the material being photo graphed the photographer has followed a definite method in “sectioning” the material. It is customary to begin filming at the upper left hand corner of a large sheet and to continue from left to right in equal sections with small overlaps. If necessary, sectioning is continued again—beginning below the first row and continuing on until complete. -
Hesiod Theogony.Pdf
Hesiod (8th or 7th c. BC, composed in Greek) The Homeric epics, the Iliad and the Odyssey, are probably slightly earlier than Hesiod’s two surviving poems, the Works and Days and the Theogony. Yet in many ways Hesiod is the more important author for the study of Greek mythology. While Homer treats cer- tain aspects of the saga of the Trojan War, he makes no attempt at treating myth more generally. He often includes short digressions and tantalizes us with hints of a broader tra- dition, but much of this remains obscure. Hesiod, by contrast, sought in his Theogony to give a connected account of the creation of the universe. For the study of myth he is im- portant precisely because his is the oldest surviving attempt to treat systematically the mythical tradition from the first gods down to the great heroes. Also unlike the legendary Homer, Hesiod is for us an historical figure and a real per- sonality. His Works and Days contains a great deal of autobiographical information, in- cluding his birthplace (Ascra in Boiotia), where his father had come from (Cyme in Asia Minor), and the name of his brother (Perses), with whom he had a dispute that was the inspiration for composing the Works and Days. His exact date cannot be determined with precision, but there is general agreement that he lived in the 8th century or perhaps the early 7th century BC. His life, therefore, was approximately contemporaneous with the beginning of alphabetic writing in the Greek world. Although we do not know whether Hesiod himself employed this new invention in composing his poems, we can be certain that it was soon used to record and pass them on. -
MYTHOLOGY – ALL LEVELS Ohio Junior Classical League – 2012 1
MYTHOLOGY – ALL LEVELS Ohio Junior Classical League – 2012 1. This son of Zeus was the builder of the palaces on Mt. Olympus and the maker of Achilles’ armor. a. Apollo b. Dionysus c. Hephaestus d. Hermes 2. She was the first wife of Heracles; unfortunately, she was killed by Heracles in a fit of madness. a. Aethra b. Evadne c. Megara d. Penelope 3. He grew up as a fisherman and won fame for himself by slaying Medusa. a. Amphitryon b. Electryon c. Heracles d. Perseus 4. This girl was transformed into a sunflower after she was rejected by the Sun god. a. Arachne b. Clytie c. Leucothoe d. Myrrha 5. According to Hesiod, he was NOT a son of Cronus and Rhea. a. Brontes b. Hades c. Poseidon d. Zeus 6. He chose to die young but with great glory as opposed to dying in old age with no glory. a. Achilles b. Heracles c. Jason d. Perseus 7. This queen of the gods is often depicted as a jealous wife. a. Demeter b. Hera c. Hestia d. Thetis 8. This ruler of the Underworld had the least extra-marital affairs among the three brothers. a. Aeacus b. Hades c. Minos d. Rhadamanthys 9. He imprisoned his daughter because a prophesy said that her son would become his killer. a. Acrisius b. Heracles c. Perseus d. Theseus 10. He fled burning Troy on the shoulder of his son. a. Anchises b. Dardanus c. Laomedon d. Priam 11. He poked his eyes out after learning that he had married his own mother. -
Prof. Thomas Hubbard Office
Prof. Thomas Hubbard Office: WAG 9 Hours: TTh 1-1:30, F 1-3 Phone: 471-0676 E-mail: [email protected] TAs: Colin MacCormack ([email protected]) & Tim Corcoran ([email protected]) TA office hours by appointment SYLLABUS - CLASSICAL MYTHOLOGY (CC 303 - #32145) The purpose of this course is to familiarize students in depth with the major myths of Ancient Greece, which have proven so influential on art, literature, and popular imagination in Rome, Renaissance and Baroque Europe, and even the contemporary world. We shall examine the various cultural influences that shaped and transformed these stories, as well as the way that gods and heroes were embedded in religious cult and ritual. Students will also be afforded the opportunity to learn about major theories of interpretation. The format of the course will center around daily lectures, but questions and discussion are encouraged. This course carries the Global Cultures flag. Global Cultures courses are designed to increase your familiarity with cultural groups outside the United States. You should therefore expect a substantial portion of your grade to come from assignments covering the practices, beliefs, and histories of at least one non-U.S. cultural group, past or present. PART ONE: THE OLYMPIAN GODS Aug. 27 - "The Nature of Myths and their Interpretation: The Case of the Greeks" Sept. 1 - "Who Were the Greeks?" Reading: Csapo, Theories (pp. 1-36) Sept. 3 - "Myths of Creation and Cosmogony" Reading: Hesiod, Theogony (pp. 61-75); Handbook: Uranus, Ge, Cronus, Rhea, Atlas, Titans, Giants, Cyclopes, Hundred-handed Sept. 8 - "Zeus and the Establishment of Power" Reading: Hesiod, Theogony (pp.