Birth of the Olympians Dif. Myths

Question 1

What are the different myths about the Birth of the Olympians?

Answer 1

Theogony - Hesiod
Apollodorus

Question 2

A summary of the Theogony version

Answer 2

1. Rheia gives birth to Hestia, Demeter, Hera, Hades, Poseidon, and Zeus.
2. Kronos swallows/eats his children as they were born due to the prophecy from Earth and Heaven that his fate was to be overthrown by his child.
3. Rheia asks Earth and heaven to help her with the birth of Zeus to ensure he is not eaten.
4. Rheia gives birth to Zeus, who is sent to Crete by Earth.
5. Rheia gives Kronos a stone posing as Zeus and Kronos swallows it
6. Kronos fooled by Earth vomited up his offspring.
7. Zeus will free the Titans (Ouranos) and become ruler of the mortals and immortals

Question 3

A summary of Apollodorus

Answer 3

1. Ouranos was the first to rule the entire cosmos and married Ge.
2. They had children together including Kronos, but they are thrown into Tartaros.
3. Ge convinces her children to go against Ouranos.
4. They go against Ouranos and kill him.
5. Kronos is giving kinship and marries Rhea.
6. He is told by his parents about the prophecy that he would be deposed from power by his child, so he swallows his children.
7. Rhea angry gives birth to Zeus in Crete and gives Kronos a stone impersonating as Zeus
8. Kronos is given a drug that makes him vomit his children.
9. Zeus fights against Kronos and the titans and is able to defeat them by releasing the Cyclopes from Tartaros.
10. In the end, Zeus receives the power of the sky, Poseidon power in the sea, and Plouton power in the house of Hades

Question 4

When was the Theogony written?

Answer 4

7th or 8th BC

Question 5

When was Apollodorus written?

Answer 5

1st or 2nd AD