Homeric Hymn 2 Structure Flashcards
1-32
Persephone carried off, the earth gaped open and Hades sprang forth on his chariot
33-90
Demeter wanders the earth for nine days. Discussion with Hecate and Helios
91-117
Wanders the earth in anger, comes to Eleusis, met by the four daughters of Celeus
118-168
She tells the daughters that she has been captured by pirates from Crete and brought to Thoricos from whence she has escaped. She asks to be a nurse or a house keeper
169-211
Metaneira consents and they run back and lead Demeter to the palace. She sits in silent sorrow until Iambe makes her laugh. She accepts a drink of barley and water
212-255
Metaneira welcomes her, asks her to nurse Demophon, she promises to keep him from harm. Metaneira watches and detects and cries out, Demeter is angry and snatches him from the fire
256-274
Demeter condemns mankind for their folly. Demophon will have an annual ceremony in his honour. She orders a temple to be built, promises to teach the Eleusinians her rites.
275-304
They’re all terrified. All night they try to expropriate the goddess. Celeus is told what happened and they build the temple
305-345
Terrible famine, Zeus sends Iris but Demeter rejects her, at last he sends Hermes to bring back Persephone
346-374
Hades consents to letting her go, promising that she will have great honours as his wife. He gives her a pomegranate seed to eat
375-433
Mother and daughter reunited, Demeter asks if she has eaten and how she was carried off. Persephone answers.
434-458
They spend the day in happy reunion. Zeus sends Rhea to ask them to come to Olympus - Persephone will love their two thirds of the year.
459-482
Rhea gives the message and Demeter consents. Life returns to the fields, she teaches her solemn rites to the princes of Eleusis, which are secret and guarantee to the initiate a happy life after death.
483-489
The goddesses go up to Olympus, happy is the man on earth whom they favour
490-495
Final invocation
