Lecture 6

Question 1

What are Homeric Hymns?

Answer 1

Poems of praise for the gods

Question 2

What were some symbols associated with Zeus?

Answer 2

Lightning bolt
 Eagle
 Sceptre
 Oak Tree
 Aegis

Question 3

What were the functions of Zeus?

Answer 3

 Preserver and ruler of the
cosmos
 Sky/weather god
 Upholder of civilization (polis), justice, law, oaths
Prophecy (Dodona)
 Patriarch - literally father of many of the Olympian gods and heroes

Question 4

What were some other names that Zeus would be known by?

Answer 4

Father, Lord/King
 Kosmetas - “Orderer”
 Cloud-gatherer
 Polios - “of the city”
 Eleutherios - “of freedom”
 Horkios - “of oaths”
 Xenios - Protector of
strangers/guests

Question 5

Who did Zeus have affairs with?

Answer 5

Divine: Metis, Themis, Mnemosyne, Hera
 Mortal:
 Io - Herakles, etc.
 Semele – Dionysos 
 Ganymede

Question 6

What were Sisyphos’ crimes?

Answer 6

Killed guests and travelers

Question 7

What was Sisyphos’ punishment from Zeus?

Answer 7

Condemns to carry an enchanted boulder

Question 8

Who is Ixion?

Answer 8

He is brought to Olympus by Zeus

Question 9

What was Ixion’s crime?’

Answer 9

He tried to sleep with Hera

Question 10

What was Ixion’s punishment?

Answer 10

Zeus blasts him with thunderbolt and binds to a burning wheel