Gods Flashcards
Zeus
God of: thunder, lightning, justice, natural order
attributes: eagle, oak tree, lightning bolt, royal scepter
sanctuaries: Olympia, Dodona
Hera
God of: marriage, general women’s life
attributes: scepter, crown, peacock
sanctuaries: Samos, Argos
Poseidon
God of: the sea, storms, earthquakes, horses
attributes: trident, horses, dolphins
sanctuaries: Corinth, Cape Sounion
Aphrodite
God of: love, sexual desire, beauty
attributes: myrtle tree, rose, dove, swan
sanctuaries: Cyprus, Cnidus, Cythera
Ares
God of: war, bloodlust, slaughter, military power
attributes: dog, weapons, vulture
sanctuaries: Sparta, Aeropagus
Hephastus
God of: crafting, blacksmiths, metalworking, sculptures
attributes: smith’s tools
sanctuaries: Lemnos, Sicily
Demeter
God of: farming/harvesting, crops, grain, bread
attributes: cornucopia, wheat, torch
sanctuaries: Eleusis
Dionysus
God of: Grapes/wine, drunkenness, ecstasy, insanity, theater
attributes: grapes, leopards, satyrs, thyrsus staff
sanctuaries: Thebes
Athena
God of: wisdom, battle strategy, handicrafts, heroes
attributes: owl, weapons, olive tree, Aegis (snake cape)
sanctuaries: Athens, Sparta
Hermes
God of: trade/commerce, merchants, thieves, travelers/messengers
attributes: Caduceus, tortoise, ram, winged hat or sandals
sanctuaries: Mount Cyllene
Apollo
God of: music/poetry, archery, plague/medicine, the sun
attributes: bow, lyre, laurel tree, tripod
sanctuaries: Delphi, Delos, Cumae
Artemis
God of: hunting, wild animals, the moon, virginity, childbirth
attributes: bow, deer, crescent moon
sanctuaries: Brauron, Ephesus
Hades
God of: death/the dead, the underworld
attributes: Cerberus, Scepter/Bident
sanctuaries: Elis, Lake Avernus
difference between Eros and Cupid
Eros is depicted as a teenager, Cupid is the Roman adaptation of Eros, & is depicted as a baby
what festivals are related to worshipping Demeter?
Proerosia: means “before plowing”
Haloa: women-only festival that is done to ensure a good harvest after planting seeds
Thesmophoria: women-only festival meant to celebrate fertility, included harvesting crops and sacrificing pigs
what are the Eleusinian mysteries?
highly secretive initiations into the cult of Demeter & Persephone. Rituals were based around the idea of going to the underworld, gaining some knowledge, and returning.
what are some main concepts associated with Dionysus cult worship?
spiritual release through music/dance/intoxication, and sacrifice by dismemberment
how did Athena get patronage of Athens?
she win a contest with Poseidon, where they both offered divine gifts to the king of Athens, she offered an olive tree, and Poseidon offered a saltwater spring (or a horse)
what are Hermai?
road markers inspired by Hermes that are meant to protect travellers
what is Brauron?
Athenian ritual for young girls meant to symbolize transition into adulthood. Children would go out in the woods for a week, where they would give up all their toys, and dress/act like bears to honour Artemis.
what is Orthia?
ritual for young men that initiated them into the spartan military, and included flagellation & blood letting to honour Artemis
