Heroic Myth Flashcards
Common motif of Heroic Myth
1) well born hero-warrior, often son of god/goddess. Birth distinguishes them, often difficulties with birth (danger, labor problems etc), often tries to become immortal. 2) Looks Heroic. 3) Must Prove to be heroic, often by falling under an enemies power
4) Must be recognized as heroic.
Heroa
cult places of worship for heroes, often where they were thought to be buried or important places to them
Tumuli
ancient tombs, home to dead heroes
Genalogy of Perseus
Descendent of Zeus and Io,
Twins in Heroic
either inseparable, or mortal enemies.
travels of Io
turned into a cow, walks to all the way to egypt, stung by a horse fly. Mothers Bospohorus
Danaus and Aegyptus
hostile twins, former has 50 daughters, the second 50 sons
Flight of Danaus
They flee from Aegyptus to Argos, look for food and water, Amymone is almost raped by a satyr, poseidon stops him and then rapes her. water springs from his trident and creates the swamps of Lerna
50 daughters and 50 sons
Danaus tells his daughters to kill their husbands on their wedding nights, because he cannot refuse to marry any of them off. The danaids are punished in hades
Acrisius and Proetus
another pair of hostile twins, descended from Danaus. Settled two new cities nearby eachother. Acrisius has no sons.
Birth of Perseus
oracle of Acrisius; “your grandson is going to kill you “
He locks up Danae (his daughter) so she cannot fuck. Zeus impregnates her as a golden shower.
Acrisius’ response to Perseus
Doesn’t want to kill her or the child, doesn’t want to let her live. Puts them in a chest, and they float out
Dictys
fisherman on the island of Seriphos, brother of the King. Sees the chest, takes in Perseus and Danae
Polydectes
in love with danae, king of Seriphos. Sends hero on a quest to go get the Gorgons head.
