lecture 9 & ch. 7, 8 Flashcards
main points: apollo (lovers), the homeric hymn to apollo, pan, hephaestus
Where was Apollo worshipped?
Mount Parnassus
who does Apollo share Delphi with?
Dionysus; during the winter Apollo leaves and Dionysus takes over.
What is the defining feature of Apollo?
The Oracle of Apollo
Who does Apollo speak through? How does this happen?
He speaks through the Pythia.
- The priestess is possessed by Apollo and speaks with his voice; she is the medium for his prophecies.
In relation to Apollo and the Oracle at Delphi, what are the two most prominent versions?
- Apollo FOUNDS Delphi - he establishes it
- Previous owners myth - succession myth that ends with Apollo being in charge of the oracle.
What is the previous owner’s myth? What is the order of succession?
The previous owner’s myth refers to Apollo and how he received the Oracle at Delphi.
The oracle first belonged to:
1. Gaea
2. then Themis
3. then Phoebe
4. finally, Apollo
How can the previous owner’s myth and Apollo founding the oracle at Delphi coexist?
The ancients aren’t bothered by the contradictions of myth; both of these myths would have existed and both would have been accepted.
What are the two famous inscriptions/commands that can be found at Delphi? What do they mean?
- Know thyself - If you are seeking the God’s wisdom, you must have a certain level of control over yourself.
- Nothing in excess - A command to be moderate and to not choose the paths of extreme or excess
Who are the parents of Apollo? Siblings?
Zeus & Leto; Artemis is his twin.
Regarding relationships, in what ways are Apollo and Zeus alike?
- Affairs often occur with humans
- Consent is nonexistent; because the partner is often human, they are weaker therefore at a disadvantage
In relation to Apollo, what is the best example of a power imbalance of a romantic affair? What is the outline of the myth?
CASSANDRA OF TROY - prophet, trojan princess
- apollo wants to have sex with cassandra.
- they agree that cassandra will become a prophet either as an incentive or a reward and apollo will get to have sex with her.
- something happens which results in the relationship breaking off
- but cassandra has already received the gift so apollo curses her. she remains a prophet but cursed so that no one believes her predictions
List five notable relationships that Apollo had. Briefly explain.
- Cassandra of Troy - agreement where she becomes a prophet in exchange for sex. it doesn’t happen, apollo curses her.
- Sibyl - granted a long life but then wronged Apollo. he curses her but not granting immortality.
- Daphne - escaped apollo by being transformed into a tree
- Coronis - killed by apollo because of infidelity but was pregnant, apollo revives asclepius.
- Hyacinth - boyfriend; playing discus and apollo fucking murks him with a discus throw
What is considered to be Apollo’s sacred tree? Why?
The laurel tree.
- Daphne the love of his life escaped him by praying, her prayers for escape were granted by her getting transformed into a tree.
Who stitched together the hymn to Apollo?
Rhapsode Cynaithos, 522BCE.
What are 4 notable aspects of Apollo’s birth according to the Homeric hymn?
- Hera forbids Leto from giving birth on land
- Leto negotiates with personified Delos; Delos is hesitant because word on the street is that Apollo will be arrogant and powerful but ultimately she agrees
- Hera detains Eileithyia but eventually allows her to assist in the birth
- The goddesses screamed at his birth - two fold; a way of welcoming & and a way to prevent entities from entering the space
