Definitions

Question 1

Hellas

Answer 1

Translates to Greece. It is used to describe the general area where most of these myths are taking place.

Question 2

Panhellenic

Answer 2

The idea of a political union of all Greeks. The term describing all people of Greek origin or ancestry. “Homer is a Panhellenic poet, claimed by many”

Question 3

Theogony (term)

Answer 3

The genealogy of a group or system of gods (the family tree of the Greek gods)

Question 4

a(etiology)

Answer 4

The investigation or attribution of the cause of reason for something, often expressed in terms of historical or mythical explanation.

Question 5

Pantheon

Answer 5

All the gods of a people or religion collectively.

Question 6

Anthropomorphic

Answer 6

Having human characteristics. Greek gods would have human qualities in appearance and identity that were both desirable and reproachable (beauty, mortal form and figure, wisdom, power, greed, hatred, jealousy, uncontrollable anger). Includes the previous strengths and weaknesses as well as others. The blurring of the line between mortal and immortal.

Question 7

Titan

Answer 7

The children of Ouranos (Sky) and Gaia (Earth) and their descendants. These are the pre-Olympian gods. There are 12 main Titans which are the children of Sky and Earth.

Question 8

Chthonic

Answer 8

Associated with, belonging to, or inhabiting the underworld/earth. Born from the earth as well?

Question 9

Olympian

Answer 9

The 12 gods that dwell on Mount Olympus. The immortals that came to power after overthrowing the rule of the Titans. Zeus, Ares, Demeter, Aphrodite, Poseidon, Hera, Athena, Artemis, Hephaistos, Hermes, Apollo, Dionysos.

Question 10

Cult

Answer 10

Specific niches within the greater worship of the gods that were dedicated to the worship/recognition/dedication to a specific god/dess or hero. Some were mystery cults of which little is known even today (think Dionysus).

Question 11

Icongraphy

Answer 11

The visual images and symbols used in a work of art that can be associated with specific gods, goddesses, or other figures in Greek myth.

Question 12

Athanatoi

Answer 12

Translates to ‘immortals’.

Question 13

Ambrosia

Answer 13

The divine food consumed by the Greek gods. Also had medicinal purposes. It is associated with immortality, divine health, and longevity of life/youth, youthfulness, beauty, etc. when consumed. The nectar of the Gods.

Question 14

Mystery Cult

Answer 14

Served more personal, individualistic attitudes toward death and the afterlife. Most were based on sacred stories that involved the ritual reenactment of a death-rebirth myth of a particular divinity. Often promised a better lot for members in the afterlife. Involved initiations and special knowledge for initiated members.

Question 15

Mustēs

Answer 15

Connected with the mysteries/private/secret.

Question 16

Metamorphosis

Answer 16

A change of the form or nature of a thing or person into a completely different one, by natural or supernatural means. This is symbolic of the process of transformation from an immature form to an adult form in two or more distinct stages.

Question 17

Liminal/liminality

Answer 17

The transition from an initial stage (perhaps a youthful one), to a more advanced or mature one (adulthood). Might represent growing up or even life and death. Could also define the boundary or threshold of this transition.

Question 18

City (or Great) Dionysia

Answer 18

A festival in ancient Athens in honor of Dionysos. Includes theatrical performances of dramatic tragedies and comedies. The second most important festival after the Panathenaia (which honored Athena). Featured performances at the Theater of Dionysos, a procession to the Theater bearing a wooden statue of the god, rituals dedicated to the god (dithyrambic), the sacrifice of a bull, and a communal feast.

Question 19

Maenad

Answer 19

The female followers of Dionysus. Comprised the god’s ‘posse’. Their name literally translates as “raving ones”. Characterized by their frenzied dances and induced ‘madness’ from Dionysos that causes them to live in a way opposite to the ancient Greek view of woman (challenges the patriarchy of that time).

Question 20

Orgia

Answer 20

An ecstatic form of worship characteristic of some mystery cults. Featured unrestrained masked dances by torchlight and animal sacrifices by means of random slashing (think Euripides’ Bacchae).

Question 21

Ekstasis

Answer 21

Ecstasy. To stand outside of or transcend oneself. In mysticism, it is the experience of an inner vision of a god or one’s relation to or union with the divine (think Euripides’ Bacchae).

Question 22

Sparagmos

Answer 22

To tear, rend, pull to pieces. The act of rending, tearing apart, or mangling, usually in a Dionysian context.

Question 23

Synoecism

Answer 23

The joining together or union of several towns or villages into one community. The combining of villages in Ancient Greece into city states. Etymologically the word means dwelling together in the same house. Subsequently, any act of civic union between polities of any size was described by the word synoikismos (think Theseus and Athens)

Question 24

Hero Cult

Answer 24

The cult worship of a particular group of superhuman beings whom the Greeks describe as heroes from the time of Homer. In Homeric Greek, “hero” refers to the mortal offspring of a human and a god but also included descendants of people of this nature or could have been the offspring of two mortals only. Hero rituals and myths allowed people to feel connected to this past without actually attempting to recreate or bring back these times. Heroes (as shown in this specific example but in others and quite literally in Greek myth), still had power over humans (Iron age mostly) once their race went extinct.

Question 25

Ephebe

Answer 25

A term to describe one on the cusp of manhood (still in youth)/the age that a boy is in the transitional state between youth and manhood. In ancient Greece a young man of 18–20 years undergoing military training. Comes from Hebe, goddess of youth.

Question 26

Polis

Answer 26

A city state in ancient Greece, especially as considered in its ideal form for philosophical purposes (think Theseus and Athens and his motivations).