Divine Humans Readings

Question 1

What are the two different categories of gods in the ancient Mediterranean, according to Cartlidge and Dungan?

Answer 1

The two categories are gods who are originally mortal and gods who are originally divine. The former include figures who start as humans and achieve divinity, while the latter are beings who start as divine and may become manifest in human form.

Question 2

What is the process whereby immortals become divine and immortal beings, living in heaven? From where do they start out, where do they end up, and in what ways do they try to do good for humanity?

Answer 2

This process involves a transformation or ascent, where beings start out as mortals or lesser beings and become divine through various acts or divine intervention. They end up in heaven or the divine realm. They often try to do good for humanity through miracles, guiding actions, or benevolent interventions that benefit people or promote moral values.

Question 3

Describe the second type of savior god (i.e., the eternals), which involves the epiphany, or appearance, of a heavenly god in human form. From where do they start out, where do they end up, and in what ways do they try to do good for humanity?

Answer 3

The second type of savior god starts in heaven or a divine realm and appears on earth in human form. They end up returning to heaven or continuing their divine role. They attempt to do good for humanity by performing miracles, offering divine wisdom, or redeeming people through their presence and actions.

Question 4

What stories about a divine birth are associated with these figures?
- Alexander the Great
- Caesar Augustus
- Pythagoras
- Herakles (= Hercules)

Answer 4

• Alexander the Great: Said to be the son of Zeus, with a miraculous conception involving his mother, Olympias, who was visited by Zeus in the form of a serpent
• Caesar Augustus: Claimed to be the son of Apollo, with his mother, Atia, experiencing a divine visitation that signified his divine origin
• Pythagoras: Considered to have been born of a mortal mother and the god Apollo, with various miraculous signs accompanying his birth
• Herakles (Hercules): Born of the mortal Alcmene and Zeus, who visited Alcmene in the form of her husband, Amphitryon, resulting in Herakles being a demi-god with divine heritage

Question 5

What unusual capabilities are attributed to these figures even as children (i.e., precocious powers)?
- Pythagoras
- Herakles/Hercules

Answer 5

• Pythagoras: Demonstrated remarkable intelligence and the ability to communicate with animals from a young age
• Herakles: Exhibited superhuman strength as a child, including the ability to strangle serpents sent to kill him by Hera

Question 6

What supernatural powers are attributed to the following figures?
- Pythagoras
- Vespasian
- Chanina ben Dosa

Answer 6

• Pythagoras: Attributed with miraculous abilities such as controlling animals, foreseeing future events, and performing acts of healing
• Vespasian: Known for performing miracles such as healing the blind and the lame, which were seen as signs of his divine favor
• Chanina ben Dosa: Attributed with miraculous powers such as healing the sick and performing acts of divine intervention, including making oil last longer and curing ailments

Question 7

What stories of ascent to heaven are told about the following figures?
- Romulus (three versions)
- Antinous
- Herakles

Answer 7

• Romulus: (Three versions) – Includes him disappearing in a storm and being taken to heaven, being taken up by a chariot while he was in the Forum, and being transformed into the god Quirinus before ascending to heaven
• Antinous: Said to have been deified after his death, with stories claiming he ascended to heaven, was transformed into a constellation, or was taken up by the gods due to his exceptional beauty and Hadrian’s adoration
• Herakles: Ascended to heaven by being burned on a funeral pyre, from which he was taken up to Olympus, where he was granted immortality and a place among the gods

Question 8

What role in society did most of those who were said to have ascended to heaven play during their lifetimes?

Answer 8

Those who ascended to heaven often played significant roles as leaders, heroes, or divine intermediaries. They were typically respected figures who had achieved notable deeds, offered guidance or protection, and were venerated for their contributions to society or their divine nature.