5: Olympians

Question 1

Who were the first generation of Olympians

Answer 1

• 12 Olympians
• Offspring of Cronus (L. Saturn) and Rhea
  -Zeus (L. Jupiter, Jove)
  -Hera (L. Juno):
  -Poseidon (L. Neptune)
  -Demeter (L. Ceres)
  -Hades (L. Pluto): not included in canonical 12 dieties
  -Hestia (L. Vesta): not included in canonical 12 dieties, replaced by Dionysus
• Generation next: offpsring of various deities
  -Aphrodite (L. Venus): same generation as Cronus or child of Zeus. God of beauty
  -Hephaestus (L. Vulcan): god of the forage
  -Ares (L. Mars): god of war (berserk)
  -Apollo (L. Apollo): god of poetry and medicine
  -Artemis (l. Diana): twin sister of Apollo. goddess of chastity and the hunt
  -Athena (L. Minerva): goddess of war (strategy)
  -Hermes (L. Mercury): god of music, travellers, etc…
  -Dionysus (L. Bacchus): god of wine, irrationality, etc…

Question 2

Who is Hestia

Answer 2

• Hestia = L. Vesta = Hearth
• In rome: Vestal Virgins, those who tended to hearth fire
• most likely unmarried virgin sister of I.-E. (Indo-European) sky god
• Genealogy: eldest daugther of Cronus and Rhea
• Goddess of Hearth & Fire –> public and private
• Goddess of chastity
• Homeric Hymn to Aphrodite: rejects Apollo and Poseidon

Question 3

Origin and Genealogy of Zeus

Answer 3

• Zeus is the father of gods and mens
• G. Dios
  -Di = Shine, Bright, Sky
• R. Jupiter: Ju-piter = Father Sky
• Genealogy: youngest child of Cronus and Rhea
• Origins: I.-E. sky god or weather god –> Anthropomorphism, patriarchy, monogamy

Question 4

What is the home of all gods and where did the olympic games happen

Answer 4

• Home of all the Gods and Olympia: Mt. Olympus
• Olympia has a temple of Zeus where Olympic games happen

Question 5

Saying for under their protection

Answer 5

• “Under the Aegis of Someone”

Question 6

Powers of Zeus

Answer 6

• Zeus the Cloud-Gatherer
• wewather/storm god
• King of Olympus
• God of Oaths
• God of Guests/Strangeres
• Xenos: Stranger, Guest, Host
• Xenia: Guest-host relationship
• God of Suppliants

Question 7

Who wears the aegis

Answer 7

• Aegis: goat skin
• Zeus with thunderboalt and aegus
• Also worb by Athena as a symbol of storm. On Breastplate is Gorgon’s head as a gift from Zeus

Question 8

Where was Zeus Worshipped

Answer 8

1. Dodona (NW Greece)
   * associated with goddes Dionê, who is the original I.-E. consort and female equivalent of sky god. Likely the original wife of Zeus and mother of Aphrodite
   * Oracle of Zeus by rustling of leaves, burnt offerings, and cooing of doves (all from an Oak-tree)
2. Olympia (NW Peloponessus)
   * Associated with Hera. Temple of Hera older than Zeus’
   * Temple of Zeus with monumental chryselephantine (gold and ivory) statue of Zeus carved by Pheidias. Zeus carrying a figure of Nike (victory) and a scepter with an eagle on it
   * Olympic games in 776 B.C. founded by Heracles, who is the son of Zeus

Question 9

Origin, Power, and Epithets of Hera

Answer 9

• Hera (L. Juno): Queen of Heaven
• Most likely non I.-E. so possible greek world = Lady, feminine of hero
• Wife of Zeus
• Goddess of Marriage –> hieros Gamos
• Goddess of childbirth
• Epithets: Ox-eyed (fertility?), Argive (temple of hera at Argos)
• Images depict Hera wearing the Polos: a pill box hat and also a veil (denoting status as wife)
• Hera has a bird (peacock)

Question 10

Who is the messenger of Hera

Answer 10

• Iris is the messenger of Hera
• L. Hera and R.
• Hera suckles Heracles with Aphrodite and Iris