lecture 8 & ch. 6

Question 1

List both the Greek and Roman names of the children born of Cronus and Rhea, according to Hesiod.

Answer 1

IN BIRTHING ORDER
1. Zeus/Jupiter
2. Hera/Juno
3. Poseidon/Neptune
4. Hades/Pluto
5. Demeter/Ceres
6. Hestia/Vesta

Question 2

Who are the seven other canonical Olympians NOT born from Cronus and Rhea? What are the Greek AND Roman names for them?

Answer 2

1. Aphrodite/Venus
2. Phoebus Apollo/Apollo
3. Artemis/Diana
4. Hephaestus/Vulcan
5. Ares/Mars
6. Hermes/Mercury
7. Athena/Minerva

Question 3

What are three major icons associated with Zeus?

Answer 3

1. Eagle
2. Thunderbolt
3. Aegis
4. The Bull

Question 4

What is Zeus’s primary responsibility?

Answer 4

To ensure that everything in the universe is functioning properly; he is most concerned with the ordering of the cosmos.

Question 5

Within the human world, what are two other principles of order?

Answer 5

1. Xenia - The law of hospitality.
2. Ritual behavior of accepting a guest or asking for shelter.

Question 6

What is considered to be the most important violation of xenia?

Answer 6

The story of Paris and Helen:
- Helen is married and Paris shows up at her house as a guest; he is accepted because of the law.
- He seduces her and they run off together.
- After noticing her disappearance, her husband goes to war for her for ten years.

Question 7

List six notable affairs of Zeus. How did Zeus accomplish the affair? Who or what came from each affair?

Answer 7

1. Leda - he appeared disguised as a swan; Castor (m), Polydeuces (m), Clytemnestra (f), Helen (f).
2. Danae - he appeared as a golden shower; Perseus
3. Europa - he appeared as a bull; many children are conceived- Minos is most notable.
4. Alcmene - he appeared as her husband; Heracles
5. Ganymede - taken by Zeus, sometimes as an eagle; no children as he is male.
6. Eurynome - no transfiguration; three graces.

Question 8

Who is the autonomous figure for the continent of Europe?

Answer 8

Europa

Question 9

Zeus and Mnemosyne create?

Answer 9

The muses

Question 10

Zeus and Themis create?

Answer 10

The fates

Question 11

Is Zeus subject to fate or destiny? Explain.

Answer 11

No he is not.
- In ancient Greek context, fate/destiny is only related to death, Zeus can’t die therefore he is not subject to fate.
- In a more modern context, fate is equivalent to events being predetermined. Predetermination is contradictory to the idea that Zeus controls cosmic order.

Question 12

In an ancient Greek context, fate is equal to what?

Answer 12

Mortality

Question 13

Who is Zeus’s most important wife in mythology?

Answer 13

Hera

Question 14

What are some examples of what Hera is associated with?

Answer 14

1. ARGOS
2. Olympia - “Zeus’ double”
3. Marriage
4. Fertility? kind of? maybe? maybe not?
5. PEACOCK

Question 15

What children do Zeus and Hera have together?

Answer 15

1. ARES - THE ONLY UNIVERSALLY AGREED UPON CHILD
2. Eileithyia? - divine midwife
3. Hebe? - becomes married to Heracles
4. Hephaestus?

Question 16

What is the defining feature of Hera?

Answer 16

She is always on the lookout for what Zeus is up to.

Question 17

What is Poseidon most associated with?

Answer 17

1. The sea
2. Horses
3. Earthquakes

Question 18

What is the most notable mythological account of Poseidon?

Answer 18

Poseidon v. Athena to be patron of Athens.

Question 19

Why does Poseidon hate Odysseus?

Answer 19

Odysseus blinded Polyphemus, Poseidon’s son.

Question 20

After what event do the three sons divide the Cosmos?

Answer 20

After defeating the Giants.

Question 21

What is Hades most associated with?

Answer 21

1. Death
2. The Underworld

Question 22

Regarding Hades, what is most significant about him?

Answer 22

HE IS NOT AN OLYMPIAN.

Question 23

Above all, what custom did Zeus protect?

Answer 23

XENIA