Definitions Flashcards
(26 cards)
Hellas
Translates to Greece. It is used to describe the general area where most of these myths are taking place.
Panhellenic
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”
Theogony (term)
The genealogy of a group or system of gods (the family tree of the Greek gods)
a(etiology)
The investigation or attribution of the cause of reason for something, often expressed in terms of historical or mythical explanation.
Pantheon
All the gods of a people or religion collectively.
Anthropomorphic
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.
Titan
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.
Chthonic
Associated with, belonging to, or inhabiting the underworld/earth. Born from the earth as well?
Olympian
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.
Cult
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).
Icongraphy
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.
Athanatoi
Translates to ‘immortals’.
Ambrosia
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.
Mystery Cult
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.
Mustēs
Connected with the mysteries/private/secret.
Metamorphosis
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.
Liminal/liminality
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.
City (or Great) Dionysia
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.
Maenad
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).
Orgia
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).
Ekstasis
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).
Sparagmos
To tear, rend, pull to pieces. The act of rending, tearing apart, or mangling, usually in a Dionysian context.
Synoecism
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)
Hero Cult
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.
