Classics - Test 4 Flashcards
Enkidu
- creation of Gilgamesh
- first primitive mortal man
Gilgamesh
- one oldest cycle stories in world
- basis for hero legends across east and west
- mate of Ishtar
Humbaba
- guardian of the forest
Utnapishtim
- hebrew Noah
Perseus
- hero who was born of Danaë and imprisoned with mother by grandfather
- saved by Dictys
- sent by Polydectes to slay medusa
- founded Mycenae
Io
- mistress of Zeus whom Hera turned into a cow out of rage and is guarded in Mycenae by Argus (100 eyed monster)
Danaïds
- fifty daughters of Danaus who were betrothed to their fifty cousins
- 49 killed their husbands on their wedding night
- sentenced to impossible deed in the Underworld - Hypermnestra spared
Acrisius
- king of Argos
- father of Danaë
- grandfather of Perseus
Danaë
- mother of Perseus with Zeus as the father
- impregnated by golden rain
Polydectes
- brother of DIctys
- persued Danae
- defeated by Perseus
Medusa
- gorgon who was killed by Perseus
- bore Pegasus and Chimera out of neck when beheaded by Perseus
Graeae
- sisters of gorgons who helped Perseus find his way to slay Medusa
Andromeda
- princess chained to rock because her mother was boastful of her beauty
- saved from sea monster by Perseus
catasterism
transformation into constellation
Alcmena
- mother of Heracles with Zeus who took the form of her husband
Eurystheus
- father of Amphitryon (biological “father” of Heracles)
Amphitryon
- biological “father” of Heracles and pure father of Iphicles
Megara
- princess of Thebes
- first wife of Heracles
- killed with her children in Heracles rage caused by Hera
Nemean Lion
- Lion of Nemea Heracles killed as one of the 12 labors
Lernaean Hydra
- multiple-headed serpant that regrew heads after previous ones were severed
Ceryneian Deer
- sacred deer of artemis Heracles injured then returned per order of his half sister/brother
- artemis forgave him since he was ordered to do it and not attempting to intentionally kill the sacred animal
Erymanthian Boar
- boar Heracles was sent to capture for 12 labors deed
Chiron
- centaur whom Heracles wounded with poison arrows
Augean Stable
- stables Heracles had to clean for King Augeas as 12 labor deed
Stymphalian Birds
- dangerous and annoying birds Heracles lured out of forest and shot with arrows
Cretan Bull
- bull Heracles captured and brought back to peloponnese
- later wandered to Isthmus where Theseus killed the bull
Diomedes Horses
- flesh eating horses Heracles was sent to capture
Admetus
- apollo ordered to serve under him for a year
- treated god well = given a gift of not dying if he could find someone to die in his place
Alcestis
- died for husband’s eternal life (Admetus)
Hippolyta Girdle
- belt of amazonian Heracles was sent to fetch
Geryon Cattle
- three-headed monster whose cattle were the tenth task of Heracles
Hesperides Apples
- Heracles held up the world for atlas while he took the apples from the golden tree that zeus gave to Hera as a wedding present
- atlas tried to trick him but no such luck
metopes
- 12 stone panels that depict the 12 labors of Heracles
- mounted near Olympian temple of Zeus
Iole
- daughter of Eurystheus
- originally offered to be prize of archery contest but when Heracles won, the king refused
- Heracles killed Iole’s brother Iphitus as a result
Omphale
- lover of Heracles for 3 yrs
- liked to watch him prance in negligee and spin thread
Cercopes
- two ruffians who robbed a passerby
- treated cruelly when caught by Heracles
- “Black Butt”
Deianira
- last wife of Heracles
- poisoned husband with robe and later killed herself
Achelous
- river god Heracles wrestled to defend Deianira
Nessus
- centaur who ferried travelers across a river
- took liking to Deianira and tried to rape her
- defended by Heracles
- tricked Deianira into taking his blood –> downfall of heracles
epic
long narrative poem primarily about heroes mostly written in dactylic hexameter
hero cult
ritual(s) used to celebrate the supernatural/exemplary powers of heroes after they have died
