- Our contemporary critical investigation of the cultural importance of an ancient narrative utterance (study of myths) - Greek mythology includes stories of Zeus ruling Mount Olympus, Prometheus stealing fire for humanity, and Persephone’s abduction explaining the seasons. - It serves as the framework for understanding the world, the gods, and human nature within Greek civilization

- “A particularly valuable token of distinction conferred on a warrior by his peers” - In The Trojan War, Agememnon had taken Chryseis, his geras, and Achilles’ geras was Briseis, but there was a fight between the two, leading to Achilles withdrawing from fighting in the war - In summary, geras in Greek mythology is significant because it encapsulates the values of honor, personal achievement, and social recognition that were central to the heroic ethos. It symbolizes the idea that a warrior’s legacy is built not only on his battlefield successes but also on the respect and distinction bestowed upon him by his peers.

- Central rite in Greek religion (hair to rivers, fruit grain and cakes, burnt animal parts, smoke offerings); A significant way human mortals communicated with gods; The first sacrifice is both the first feast (meeting of mortals and immortals) and the first division - Aitiology for Greek Sacrificial Practice - Meal at Mecone (first sacrificial feast): Greeks made sacrifices to the gods on Olympus in return for divine favor (animals slain at altars by priest, cut into portions, burned on the altar) - Sacrifice was central to religious practice, symbolizing devotion, purification, and the balance between mortal and divine realms. It also reflected themes of duty and fate.

- Competition, conflict, rivalry, strife - Eris not invited to the wedding of Thetis and Peleus, but still arrives with an “apple of discord” to be given “to the fairest”, causing trouble (The Trojan War) - In summary, Eris is significant in broader Greek mythology because she personifies the disruptive power of strife that can trigger both personal and epic transformations. Her actions illustrate how discord is woven into the fabric of existence, acting as a catalyst for dramatic change and underscoring the delicate balance between order and chaos in the world of gods and men.

- “That which is heard, reputation, report, fame” - metonym that can refer to both the medium and the message of epic poetry; A form of immortality, a recompense for the hero’s death as continued existence in future song - “The muse stirred the aoidos to sing the famous actions (klea andron) of men on the venture, whose fame (kleos) goes up to wide heaven” - Homer, Odyssey // In the Trojan War, Athena offers Paris kleos as she wanted the prize of the apple “for the fairest” - Kleos is incredibly significant as it represents what heroes yearn for, despite being mortal, they value their reputation and being able to prove themselves, providing reasoning as to why heroes are able to do such extreme feats, in order to uphold and receive kleos

- Divine combat, gods fighting gods - Iliad 21, under Zeus, the gods fight each other as they watch the mortals fight as well; At the end, Zeus is laughing with joy - Theomachē is significant in broader Greek mythology because it encapsulates the idea that conflict—be it among mortals or deities—is a fundamental aspect of the cosmos. It humanizes the gods by reflecting their participation in rivalries similar to those of humans, emphasizes the interconnectedness of divine and mortal realms, and serves as a narrative mechanism to explore themes of power, order, and the eternal struggle between chaos and harmony.

- The belief that a people or group originated from the very land they inhabit, without migration or external influence. In Greek mythology, this often refers to figures who were said to have sprung directly from the earth with no parents. - The Athenians claimed to be autochthonous, tracing their origins to the mythical king Cecrops, who was said to have emerged from the earth itself. - Autochthony provided a powerful foundation for claims of political legitimacy and cultural superiority. It reinforced the idea of a deep, sacred connection to the land and justified territorial and ancestral pride.

- A narrative that explains the existence (reason) of something, particularly religious or mythological. Explains a practice, a ritual, an event, a tradition, a monument or natural formation - Aetiology for womanhood in Ancient Greece: Birth and Infancy -> Puberty -> Marriage -> Motherhood -> Old Age - Provides reasoning for many happenings in Greek Mythology, without it, there would be less context and more confusion

- “A system of ideas that explains and gives legitimacy to the actions and beliefs of a social, religious, political, or corporate entity” - The myth of Zeus defeating the Titans justifies his supreme rule and establishes the Olympian order as divinely legitimate. - By embedding ideology into myths, Greek culture reinforces its worldview, ensuring that these ideas remain authoritative, traditional, and narratively compelling across generations.

- Pandora was the first woman created by the gods, crafted by Hephaestus and endowed with gifts from various deities. She is known for opening a jar (later mistranslated as a box) that released all evils into the world, leaving only hope inside. - The myth of Pandora appears in Hesiod’s Works and Days, where she is used to explain the origin of human suffering. - Pandora symbolizes curiosity, the consequences of disobedience, and the dual nature of divine gifts—both beneficial and harmful. Her story serves as an origin myth for human misfortune.

- “What ancient Greeks called themselves” - idea that all “Greeks” or “Hellenes” have certain things in common, despite local or regional differences (language, myths, rituals) - The Oracle of Delphi was believed to speak for Apollo, and Greeks from all over sought guidance there, strengthening Apollo’s Panhellenic status. - Panhellenism ensured that Greek mythology was not just a collection of local myths but a shared cultural foundation that united the Greeks. By providing common gods, heroes, festivals, and religious sites, mythology became a powerful force for Greek identity, helping different city-states see themselves as part of a single civilization.

- Hērōs - “Exceptional mortals from the past, possibly related to the word hōrā, ‘season, seasonal, life cycle, on time’ - the hero is a figure embedded in time, with an allotted cycle”; Different from ordinary people, larger than life; Afforded special honor and privilege in their community; Deeply concerned with their own mortality and its limits; Driven by a desire for glory as a means to overcome their mortality - Phoenix to Achilles: “[Peleus] sent me along with you to teach you all these matters, to make you a speaker of words and one accomplished in action” - Iliad // “Supposing you and I, escaping this battle, would be able to live on forever, ageless, immortal” - Mortality separates the heroes from the gods, but heroes are significant in their own way as, despite being mortal, they continue to strive for glory

- “To hand down, to transmit” - Myths are ‘handed down’ generation by generation (Oral Poetry of Homeric Hymns, Dramatic Performances reinterpret myths) - Mythology preserves cultural identity by passing down foundational beliefs across generations.

CLA204 Key Terms Flashcards by mattea go

Mythology

Our contemporary critical investigation of the cultural importance of an ancient narrative utterance (study of myths)
Greek mythology includes stories of Zeus ruling Mount Olympus, Prometheus stealing fire for humanity, and Persephone’s abduction explaining the seasons.
It serves as the framework for understanding the world, the gods, and human nature within Greek civilization

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Geras

“A particularly valuable token of distinction conferred on a warrior by his peers”
In The Trojan War, Agememnon had taken Chryseis, his geras, and Achilles’ geras was Briseis, but there was a fight between the two, leading to Achilles withdrawing from fighting in the war
In summary, geras in Greek mythology is significant because it encapsulates the values of honor, personal achievement, and social recognition that were central to the heroic ethos. It symbolizes the idea that a warrior’s legacy is built not only on his battlefield successes but also on the respect and distinction bestowed upon him by his peers.

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Sacrifice

Central rite in Greek religion (hair to rivers, fruit grain and cakes, burnt animal parts, smoke offerings); A significant way human mortals communicated with gods; The first sacrifice is both the first feast (meeting of mortals and immortals) and the first division
Aitiology for Greek Sacrificial Practice - Meal at Mecone (first sacrificial feast): Greeks made sacrifices to the gods on Olympus in return for divine favor (animals slain at altars by priest, cut into portions, burned on the altar)
Sacrifice was central to religious practice, symbolizing devotion, purification, and the balance between mortal and divine realms. It also reflected themes of duty and fate.

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Eris (Strife)

Competition, conflict, rivalry, strife
Eris not invited to the wedding of Thetis and Peleus, but still arrives with an “apple of discord” to be given “to the fairest”, causing trouble (The Trojan War)
In summary, Eris is significant in broader Greek mythology because she personifies the disruptive power of strife that can trigger both personal and epic transformations. Her actions illustrate how discord is woven into the fabric of existence, acting as a catalyst for dramatic change and underscoring the delicate balance between order and chaos in the world of gods and men.

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Kleos

“That which is heard, reputation, report, fame” - metonym that can refer to both the medium and the message of epic poetry; A form of immortality, a recompense for the hero’s death as continued existence in future song
“The muse stirred the aoidos to sing the famous actions (klea andron) of men on the venture, whose fame (kleos) goes up to wide heaven” - Homer, Odyssey // In the Trojan War, Athena offers Paris kleos as she wanted the prize of the apple “for the fairest”
Kleos is incredibly significant as it represents what heroes yearn for, despite being mortal, they value their reputation and being able to prove themselves, providing reasoning as to why heroes are able to do such extreme feats, in order to uphold and receive kleos

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Anthropomorphism and Abstraction

“Having human characteristics”
The Greek Gods are anthropomorphized, meaning they are imagined to look and act like human beings; However, the earth and sky also look and act like the earth and sky in the abstract (the boundary is not strictly maintained, gods can be both)
Greek mythology blends human qualities with cosmic forces, making the gods both approachable and divine, relatable and abstract. This combination allows myths to function as both stories about people and explanations for the universe, giving Greek mythology its unique depth and richness.

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Theomachē

Divine combat, gods fighting gods
Iliad 21, under Zeus, the gods fight each other as they watch the mortals fight as well; At the end, Zeus is laughing with joy
Theomachē is significant in broader Greek mythology because it encapsulates the idea that conflict—be it among mortals or deities—is a fundamental aspect of the cosmos. It humanizes the gods by reflecting their participation in rivalries similar to those of humans, emphasizes the interconnectedness of divine and mortal realms, and serves as a narrative mechanism to explore themes of power, order, and the eternal struggle between chaos and harmony.

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The Eleusinian Mysteries

Mysteries or secret rites known only by the initiates of the cult of Demeter at Eleusis; Participation in the mysteries seemed to foster a sense of community, ensured the growth of grain, and promised a happy afterlife
Homeric Hymn to Demeter: Demeter reveals the way to perform the sacred rites “Blessed among earth-bound mortals is he who has seen these things”
Eleusinian Mysteries are significant to broader Greek mythology because they encapsulate essential themes—regeneration, the intimate link between nature and the divine, and the hope for a blessed afterlife—that permeate much of Greek myth and religious practice. They illustrate how mythology was not only a narrative framework for explaining natural phenomena but also a practical guide to living harmoniously within the cycles of nature and the expectations of a community.

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Autochthony

The belief that a people or group originated from the very land they inhabit, without migration or external influence. In Greek mythology, this often refers to figures who were said to have sprung directly from the earth with no parents.
The Athenians claimed to be autochthonous, tracing their origins to the mythical king Cecrops, who was said to have emerged from the earth itself.
Autochthony provided a powerful foundation for claims of political legitimacy and cultural superiority. It reinforced the idea of a deep, sacred connection to the land and justified territorial and ancestral pride.

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Aetiology

A narrative that explains the existence (reason) of something, particularly religious or mythological. Explains a practice, a ritual, an event, a tradition, a monument or natural formation
Aetiology for womanhood in Ancient Greece: Birth and Infancy -> Puberty -> Marriage -> Motherhood -> Old Age
Provides reasoning for many happenings in Greek Mythology, without it, there would be less context and more confusion

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Ideology

“A system of ideas that explains and gives legitimacy to the actions and beliefs of a social, religious, political, or corporate entity”
The myth of Zeus defeating the Titans justifies his supreme rule and establishes the Olympian order as divinely legitimate.
By embedding ideology into myths, Greek culture reinforces its worldview, ensuring that these ideas remain authoritative, traditional, and narratively compelling across generations.

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Pandora

Pandora was the first woman created by the gods, crafted by Hephaestus and endowed with gifts from various deities. She is known for opening a jar (later mistranslated as a “box”) that released all evils into the world, leaving only hope inside.
The myth of Pandora appears in Hesiod’s Works and Days, where she is used to explain the origin of human suffering.
Pandora symbolizes curiosity, the consequences of disobedience, and the dual nature of divine gifts—both beneficial and harmful. Her story serves as an origin myth for human misfortune.

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Panhellenism

“What ancient Greeks called themselves” - idea that all “Greeks” or “Hellenes” have certain things in common, despite local or regional differences (language, myths, rituals)
The Oracle of Delphi was believed to speak for Apollo, and Greeks from all over sought guidance there, strengthening Apollo’s Panhellenic status.
Panhellenism ensured that Greek mythology was not just a collection of local myths but a shared cultural foundation that united the Greeks. By providing common gods, heroes, festivals, and religious sites, mythology became a powerful force for Greek identity, helping different city-states see themselves as part of a single civilization.

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Hero

Hērōs - “Exceptional mortals from the past, possibly related to the word hōrā, ‘season, seasonal, life cycle, on time’ - the hero is a figure embedded in time, with an allotted cycle”; Different from ordinary people, larger than life; Afforded special honor and privilege in their community; Deeply concerned with their own mortality and its limits; Driven by a desire for glory as a means to overcome their mortality
Phoenix to Achilles: “[Peleus] sent me along with you to teach you all these matters, to make you a speaker of words and one accomplished in action” - Iliad // “Supposing you and I, escaping this battle, would be able to live on forever, ageless, immortal”
Mortality separates the heroes from the gods, but heroes are significant in their own way as, despite being mortal, they continue to strive for glory

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Tradition

“To hand down, to transmit”
Myths are ‘handed down’ generation by generation (Oral Poetry of Homeric Hymns, Dramatic Performances reinterpret myths)
Mythology preserves cultural identity by passing down foundational beliefs across generations.

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The Homeric Hymns

33 poems that celebrate the lives and timai of various gods, performed at festivals (heortai), regular celebrations/competitions, in honor of a god
Homeric Hymn to Hermes, Homeric Hymn to Apollo, etc.
Give context on the different gods and what timai they have, how they achieved their timai, relationships with other gods, stories about their upbringing. Provides backstories on the gods and why they may behave the way they do

Pantheon

“All gods”; the group of the most important gods in Greek myths (Anthropomorphic, not subject to old age or death)
Aphrodite, Apollo, Ares, Artemis, Athena, Demeter, Dionysus, Hephaestus, Hera, Hermes, Poseidon, Zeus, *Hestia
The Greek Pantheon is more than just a collection of gods—it is a symbol of order, human nature, and cultural unity. It serves as a divine government, a way to explain the world, and a reflection of human strengths and flaws. Through its gods, Greek mythology continues to shape philosophy, literature, and culture, making it one of the most enduring mythological traditions in history.

Catalogue

“Lengthy lists of persons, places, or things”
Greek Epic Poetry (poetry that is written in dactylic hexameter, presented orally in memorization - “look at how much I know, look at how I can recite without a break or an error the enormous number of the gods” // Many births in the Theogony are presented in an epic catalogue
Demonstrates an ordering of the world, despite the many various gods, there is a growing structure

Prophecy

A prediction or revelation of future events, often delivered by oracles or seers who were believed to be divinely inspired.
The Oracle of Delphi predicted that if King Croesus waged war against Persia, he would destroy a great empire—unaware that the empire destroyed would be his own.
Prophecy underscores the power of fate and the limitations of human understanding. Many myths revolve around misunderstood or unavoidable prophecies, such as Oedipus fulfilling the prophecy of killing his father and marrying his mother.

Mt. Olympus

Highest mountain in Greece (Anthropomorphized and Abstracted)
Where the gods live, the site of the throne of Zeus
Mount Olympus is not just a physical mountain; it is the symbolic and divine center of Greek mythology, representing the seat of the gods, the structure of cosmic order, and the bridge between mortals and immortals. It serves as the home of the Olympian gods, reinforcing their supremacy, unity, and role as the ultimate rulers of the universe.

Themis

The goddess and personification of justice, divine order, law, and custom
In another tale she warns Zeus to not marry Thetis because her son will be more powerful than his father (Achilles)
Themis is more than just a goddess of justice—she is the personification of universal order, prophecy, and divine law. Her role ensures that Greek mythology is not just about power, but about balance, structure, and wisdom. Through her guidance, the Olympian order is established, prophecy is fulfilled, and justice is woven into the fabric of the universe.

The Muses

The expression of the capacity to generate art and witness history; Divine figures who allow mortals to access stories about the divine; Figures of order, authority, and truthful accounts of the past // Invocations to the Muses is a formal request by a poetry for support in dealing with the theme or content of his poem (formal partnership)
Homeric Hymn to Hermes: First lines illustrate someone asking the muses to tell them about Hermes “Sing of Hermes, Muse, the son of Zeus and Maia, the lord of Cyllene and Arcadia rich in flocks, the immortals’ coursing messenger, whom Maia bore…” -> Calliope is the Muse of epic poetry,
The Muses embody the divine source of artistic and intellectual inspiration, emphasizing the role of the gods in human creativity and knowledge. They also represent the structured domains of art and learning in Greek culture.

Kosmogony

“Birth of the universe”; “Origins or order”
In the Iliad, Zeus’s control over fate and natural forces is only possible because kosmogony has already established him as the ruler of the cosmos.
The significance of Kosmogony to broader Greek mythology lies in its role as the origin story of the universe, explaining how order emerges from chaos and providing a cosmological framework for Greek religion, philosophy, and worldview. Kosmogony is foundational because it defines the structure of existence, legitimizes the gods’ rule, and reflects Greek ideas about power, justice, and the natural world.

Timē

The domain over which a god has authority, the honor they are due for this, the value they bring to the world with it and the status they gain by doing so
Zeus’ division and distribution creates conflict, causing the gods to fight with each other over their domains (theomachē)
Relevant as it is the identity of every god, who they are and what they do, justifying their actions and explaining what they value most

Theogony

- “Birth of the gods”; “Origin of the gods”; A story of divine dynastic succession with an evolving social order, culminating in Zeus’ supremacy - Story of the beginning of the gods + world and ordered reality + succession story of the beginning of Zeus’ rule - By explaining how the gods came to power and why Zeus reigns supreme, Theogony provides the ideological foundation for Greek thought, religion, and culture.

Narrative

- “To tell”; “To recount from beginning to middle to end” - Myths are handed down in narrative format (The hero’s journey (departure, trials, return) shapes Greek heroic myths and continues to influence modern storytelling.) - Greek myths are not random tales—they follow structured narratives that teach, explain, and reinforce values.

Myth

- Definition: “An authoritative and traditional speech act, often in narrative form, used by a culture to tell itself and its members something important about itself.”; “The ancient narrative utterance”; Myths have power and influence, they are ‘handed down’ through time in narrative format, but the content is about much more than the story - Example (from course material): Divine Myths, Human Myths (The Trojan War), Folktales (Odysseus tricking and blinding the Cyclops), Fables (Tortoise and the Hare) - Significance to Greek Mythology: Myths express, reinforce, justify and also at times challenge cultural values, practices, desires and fears, religion, culture, and identity

Mêtis

- “Cunning intelligence, craftiness”; the quality of being able to use your wits and the environment to find (successful) solutions to threatening problems (manipulating a situation to your own benefit, the successful tricks, plots, disguises, or ruses undertaken for personal gain) - Zeus marries and then consumes Mêtis, his first wife, and produces Athena from his head; Here, he takes on this ability and now has exclusive control over physical might and intelligent craftiness - Mêtis is more than just cunning—it is the foundation of intelligence, strategy, and adaptability in Greek mythology. By swallowing Mêtis, Zeus ensures his rule is unshakable, and by passing her essence to Athena, he ensures wisdom remains central to divine and mortal success. The concept of mêtis explains why Greek gods and heroes do not rely solely on strength but on cleverness, deception, and strategic thinking, shaping the very nature of Greek mythological storytelling.

Oral Poetry

- Performance of long poems composed at the moment of their performance (not something made beforehand and rehearsed) - Hesiod’s Theogony, Homer’s Odyssey and Iliad, the Homeric Hymns - Serves as a continuation and way to keep these poems alive, providing context and emphasis on what happened in the past

Inspiration and enthusiasm

- “To blow into, to breath in” The muse ‘inspires’ the poet by breathing into him the capacity to produce divine voice “to experience divine inspiration” - “And they breathed a divine voice into me…” - These concepts highlight the belief that human creativity and insight were gifts from the gods, reinforcing the idea that divine forces actively shaped human culture and knowledge.

Nostos

- “Safe-return”; the successful return home, often after an extensive and perilous journey - In the Iliad, Achilles is faced with a decision: Nostos or Kleos (Nostos: return home and death at an old age), eventually choosing to not choose - In summary, nostos is significant in Greek mythology as it encapsulates the universal human yearning for safety, belonging, and renewal. It provides a counterbalance to the pursuit of eternal glory (kleos) and frames the hero’s journey as one not only of outward conquests but also of an inner, transformative return to the essence of home and identity.

Kedos and Mutilation

- “Care, concern for others, particularly for the dead” // Mutilation is the denial of care (opposite of Kedos) - In the Iliad, the body of Patroclus is brought back from the battlefield in order to have a proper burial; Hector’s body is also retrieved - In Greek mythology, kedos (care and concern for others, especially the dead) and mutilation (the denial of care) play central roles in defining honor, respect, and the consequences of hubris. The treatment of the dead reflects the broader Greek worldview on piety, social duty, and divine justice, while mutilation represents dishonor, vengeance, and the ultimate act of disrespect

The Iliad

- Epic poem in 24 ‘books’, covering a brief time period in the final year of the ten-year Trojan War - A famous passage is Achilles' duel with Hector, where Hector is slain and his body is dragged around Troy as an act of vengeance. - In summary, the Iliad is significant to broader Greek mythology because it weaves together themes of heroism, divine intervention, and human relationships to create a narrative that not only defined the heroic age of ancient Greece but also left a lasting imprint on Western literature and cultural identity.

Authority

- “Credibility, influence, power” - Myths have power and influence, but content is about more than the story (The Theogony by Hesiod serves as an "authorized" account of the genealogy of the gods, giving Zeus legitimacy as ruler of the cosmos.) - Greek mythology is not just storytelling—it carries the weight of divine and cultural truth.

Philia

- “Feeling of love/friendship”; “One who is an extension of yourself” - can be comrades, family, xenoi, lovers, life-long friends - In the Iliad, Patroclus is Achilles’ closest philos: “let me die immediately, since I did not protect my philos at his slaying… I will not return to my native land … I will slay Hector, the killer of mu dear friend. .. and win glory (kleos)” - In summary, philia in Greek mythology is significant because it encapsulates the ideals of loyalty, interconnectedness, and mutual honor. It is a concept that not only enriches the personal lives of the characters but also reinforces the cultural values of the society, driving the narratives that have come to define the heroic and communal spirit of ancient Greece.