Homer and hesiod Flashcards
What did Homer and Hesiod do?
they preserved, developed and conveyed the religious, economic and social truths and assumptions of the time
Homer and hesiod’s accounts usually explain what?
How the world came to be
what did Homer and Hesiod organise the gods into?
they organised the large mass of existing gods into the ‘olympian pantheon’
What years did Hesiod live in?
around the same time as Homer (8th-7th century BC)
what did Homer and Hesiod establish?
Greek religious doctrines and customs and the way the gods were portrayed
why were Myths created by the Greeks?
to provide an allegorical explanation for all the phenomena in life, such as weather changes, storms, earthquakes, disease and death
what did myths have an influence over?
Greek traditions and culture
According to the Greeks, what was the role of the gods?
gods were immortal and omnipotent (having unlimited power) and they could control every mortal being in the world, they could control fortunes, relationships, birth and death. The gods also created the idea of the perfect human
In homer’s stories, what do the gods do?
they commit theft, adultrey, deception, and everything that among humans would be considered a shame
where were gods usually worshiped?
in sanctuaries
where were sanctuaries usually found?
on areas of the acropolis or the agora ( a public open place like a market)
what did sanctuaries feature?
a temple, a cult statue, and alters where ceremonies were held
Homeric gods are portrayed as:
anthropomorphic- although some can shape into different forms and animals
What is an example of Hesiod’s influence in Greek religion?
Hesiod believed in his Theogony that Athena was born from the head of Zeus after he swallowed her pregnant mother metis. Hesiod’s idea is depicted on the East pediment of the Parthenon, which would be visible to all who came to visit Athena
What are some direct examples of the influence of Homer in Greek religion?
- His anthropomorphic depictions of the olympian gods were taken on board everywhere- he described the gods as essentially appearing as normal mortals and acting like them but simply having omnipotent powers. This depiction can be seen in contemporary art, statues such as the Athena promachos and Athena Parthenos on the Acropolis, and even the panathenai amphora
- The homeric hymns were composed which were written in the same style as Homer’s iliad and Odyssey and were performed at the panathenaia festival in honour of Athena
- Sung recitations of Homer’s iliad and the Odyssey were performed before the Paralympic games and the panathenaia festival
