5: Zeus' Children

Question 1

Children of Zeus and Hera

Answer 1

• Eileithyia: Goddess of Childbirth, doublet of Hera
• Hebe = Youth. Cupbearer of gods on Mt Olympus and becomes wife of deified Heracles
• Hephaestus
• Ares

Question 2

Zeus and homosexuality

Answer 2

• Zeus and Ganymede
• Ganymed: mortal Trojan prince who was abducted by Zeus and becomes cupbearer to the gods (replaces Hebe)
• Greek homosexuality
  -Erastes: Lover –> Zeus
  -Eromenons: Beloved –> L. Catamite: the submissive one, name derived from Ganymede

Question 2

Hephaestus Genealogy

Answer 2

• Born from Hera alone as depicted in Hesiod’s Theogony, Cf. (compared) to Athena’s birth from Zeus alone
• Much later tradition: daugher of Zeus and Hera, Cf. to later tradition of Aphrodite (daighter of Zeus and Dione)

Question 3

Hephaestus God of what and origin and epithets

Answer 3

• God of Smiths
• Non Greek origins –> Island of Lemnos who had non greek speaking people
  -capital city is Hephaestus
  -originally a fire or volcano spirit
  -in myth, where he lands after fall from Olympus
• If Greek origins: Haph = Ignite, set on fire
• Epithets: Master Craftsman, Strong-armed, Bent-legged

Question 3

Hephaestus and Aphrodite

Answer 3

• Aphrodite (Venus) has an affair with Ares (Mars)
• In Book 8 of Homer’s Odyssey. It had immoral content so was recounted
  Hephaestus is aware of this but wants to catch them in the act so he pretends to go to Lemnos. Helios tells him that Ares and Aphrodite were making love and all the male Gods make fun of Hephaestus. Aphrodite and Ares have a bastard child, Eros (L. Cupid)

Question 3

How was Hephaestus outcast from olympus and his revenge

Answer 3

• Outcast from Olympus twice, from Homer
  1. Hera casts Hephaestus from Olympus because she was disgusted by his lameness
• Thetis and Nereids (sea woman/nymphs) rescue and nurse him and he learns metal working skills
  2. Zeus tosses Hephaestus because he took Mom’s (Hera) side in dispute
• Hephaestus’ revenge:
  He creates a golden throne for Hera to trap her by using fine gold mesh. Only Hephaestus can free her and refuses to return to Olympus. Dionysus (God of Wine) getes him drunk and brings him back to Olympus on a donket to free Hera. Hephaestus forges Achilles’ armor.

Question 4

Historical Origins and Powers of Ares

Answer 4

• God of War
• L. Mars –> where the name martial arts comes from
• Historical origins: obscure. Associated with Thrace (N. Greece) so has epithet “Thracian” –> barbaric and uncivilized
• Divine function: war and violence as personification of blood lust Cf. Athena who is Goddess of War (strategy)

Question 5

Why did Zeus have so many affairs

Answer 5

• Psychological allegory: a Sky God who is full of seed that can give life
• Physical allegory: patriarchy. One wife but can have many affairs
• Hieros Gamos: agricultural fertility
• Historical reality; patriarchy –> monogamy and adultery

Question 6

Zeus and Metis

Answer 6

• Metis = Cleverness
• Swallowed by Zeus while she was pregnant to avoid his own overthrow
• Zeus becomes pregnant instead and gives birth to Athena who is the goddess of wisdom

Question 7

Zeus and Mnemosyne

Answer 7

• Mnemosyne = Memory
• Offspring are the 9 muses: goddess of literature and the arts. Cf. opening invocation of Hesiod’s Theogony

Question 8

Zeus and Eurynome

Answer 8

• Eurynome: ‘[She with] wide dominion’
• daughters –> 3 Graces
  -G. Charites; L. Gratiae –> feminine charms, associated with Aphrodite

Question 8

Zeus and Themis

Answer 8

• Themis = Law
• 3 Fates (G. Moirai; L. Parcae)
  -Clotho: spinner
  -Lachesis: apportioner
  -Atropos: inflexible
• 3 Hours or 3 Seasons (G. Horae)

Question 9

6 (of many) of the affairs of Zeus

Answer 9

• Hera
• Ganymede
• Metís
• Mnemosyne
• Themis
• Eurynome