Greek Myth Flashcards
How did the myth of Jason and the Argonauts come about? (first began)
In a crisis of destabilization, one factor was the dispute succession in the Thessalian city of Iolkos. King Kretheus was suppose to succeed Aison (father of Jason) but it was taken by Pelias (Jason’s Uncle).
Pelias was warned by the oracle ‘to beware of a stranger wearing only one sandal’. Jason presents himself in front his uncle with one sandal (having lost the other one while crossing the river). Pelias sends him away on a impossible mission. (quest for the Golden fleece-talismanic treasure)
Describe how the Argo came about?
Jason needed a ship, the Argo. The Argo is made with the help of the Gods (scared oak from Zeus’ oracle at Dodona. The Argo’s crew had various great heros from the generation of the Trojan War, including Heracles.
On their journey what was the first destination of Jason and the Argonauts? & what happened?
They first stop in Aegean island of Lemnos where the population was all women because the women’s husband turned away from them in favour of slave girls, then the wives went on a murderous revenge killing all husbands, slave girls and all male population. The men on the ship of Argo wanted to stay in Lemnos but Heracles reminded then of their quest so they left.
What was the second destination of Jason and the Argonauts’ journey?
Land of the Mysians. Whe Heracles had a young squire, Hylas, to go in search for a spring to draw water. Greek spring were scared and when Hylas found one a Nymph drew him down beneath the water. Heracles found out Hylas was missing remained behind in search of him when the Agro sailed on. (Note: there is little doubt about the homoerotic intensity of Heracles and Hylas’ relationship)
What happened when the Argo’s voyage proceeded eastwards?
They meet a blind seer named Phineus and with his advice the Argonauts managed to maneuver its way through the Clashing Rocks at the entrance to the Black Sea.
What happens when the Argo arrives in Colchis?
Jason must perform tasks in order to win the Golden Fleece. With the help of Athena & Hera, Aphrodite sends Eros to shoot Medea, making her fall in love with Jason. Medea helps with the means to yoke the bulls, the teeth were sown, and armed men were defeated. Medea also lulled to sleep the serpent that guarded the fleece and Jason claims the Golden Fleece.
What is the name of Medea’s brother? & What does Medea do to her own brother?
One story is that she lured her pursuing brother Apsyrtos into an ambush & turned her eyes aside as Jason slew him. Another story is that Medea butchered Apsyrtos & dismembered his corpse into sea for her father to find him and delay the pursuit.
What’s the last encounter when the Argo is heading back home?
The meet one last outlandish creature, the giant Talos which is made of metal. Talos has a weak point which are his ankle. Medea overpowers Talos by her gaze causing him to stumble and landing in a position that threatens its life.
What happens when Jason returns home?
In one version he discovers that his uncle has killed his father. Medea tricks Pelias’s daughter by magical power cutting up boiling a ram in a cauldron seeing it rejuvenated, the daughters thought the same would happen to the father. Instead they kill him, chopped up & boiled.
What happens when Jason returns home?
In one version he discovers that his uncle has killed his father. Then, Medea tricks Pelias’s daughter by magical power cutting up boiling a ram in a cauldron seeing it rejuvenated, the daughters thought the same would happen to the father. Instead they kill him, chopped up & boiled.
What happened after Pelias was killed?
Jason and Medea escape to Corinth. Medea is now known for disrupting families and Jason decides to put her aside to marry the daughter of Kreon (King of Corinth)
How does Medea take her revenge on Jason?
Medea sends a poisoned robe to (Glauke-name uncertain) the daughter of the King and it eats her flesh. Medea also kills Jason’s children to inflict more pain. Medea than escapes to Athens on a serpent-borne chariot lent by her grandfather, the Son God.
Why is Heracles famous & recognizable character?
One answer is his suffering and partial failures. His story veers from achievement to failures, tragedies & back to final triumph. Second answer was his distinctive personalty.
What was Heracles’ personality like?
Jovial, generous, fearless, basically dumb, childlike, impetuous, and destructive rage
Does Hercules have a grave?
No, no localized therefore whenever help was needed one could call out for Heracles.
What does Heracles often do as a hero rather than other heros?
He pushes the limit of humanity.
What is the name of Heracles ‘mortal’ father?
Amphitryon
How does Hercules get forced into doing the 12 labours?
Heracles marries Kreon’s daughter Megara. Hera’s jealously causes Heracles to go mad making him kill his wife & children. Then he is required to serve man weaker than he-Eurystheus by performing a series of Labours according to his instructions.
What was Heracles first Labour?
Went to Northwest of Mycenae to Nemea, where he overcame an invulnerable lion, throttling it. The skin of the beast became part of Heracles’ characteristic clothing.
What was Heracles second Labour?
He exterminated a monstrous water snake called Hydra by severing it & burying it under a boulder.
What is a Hydra?
A water snake that had between 9-50 heads that can self-regenerate where it can grow 2 heads when it only had 1 head.
What was Heracles Third Labour?
Ordered to bring back the Keryneian hind; a golden-horned doe sacred to Artemis. Heracles can not kill the animal so he pursues it for a year until the hind becomes exhausted.
What was Heracles’ Fourth Labour?
He captures a fearsome boar which lived near Mount Erymanthos in Arcadia.
What was Heracles’ Fifth Labour?
In Peloponnese, he was told to cleanse the dung-clogged stables of Augeias, King of Elis.