Names of Greek, Roman Gods, responibilities and iconography + creation story Flashcards
Responsibilities of Zeus?
- controls earth (after defeating Cronos, his father)
- the unquestionable king of Gods
- has power over others
- seen as the keeper of justice
- God of skies, fate of man
What were the responsibilities of Poseidon?
brother of zeus, God of sailors and journeys (sea), features in a lot of greek iconography
What were the responsibilities of Hades?
he is a chthonic diety and ruler of the underworld. Not mentioned a lot in Greek literature
What were the responsibilities of Hera?
wife of Zeus, Queen of Gods, and responsible for marriage and women, childbirth, and family. She was known as strong independent and powerful.
What were the responsibilities of Athena?
Goddess of war, wisdom, military intelligence
What were the responsibilities of Demeter?
Sister of Zeus, Goddess of agriculture and harvest (for survival)
What were the responsibilities of Hestia?
Goddess of the home and hearth (fireplace kept in the home). She was vital to the ancient Greeks as she was a symbol of security in the city, and power for officials
What were the responsibilities of Hephaistos?
God of metalworking, fire, craftsmen, and son of Zeus and Hera. He has a foot injury because Zeus threw him off of Mnt. Olympus
What were the responsibilities of Artemis?
Goddess of hunting, wildlife, and childbirth. She is Appolo’s twin sister, therefore is associated with the moon
What were the responsibilities of Aphrodite?
Goddess of love and beauty. She was born from the sea. Noone can resist her affection apart from Athena, Artemis, Hera
What were the responsibilities of Apollo?
God of Music, the arts, education, archery, prophecies, (wide range of responsibilities). Associated with the sun.
What were the responsibilities of Hermes?
God of travel, trade, trickery, jokes, messenger of the the Gods, only God apart from Dionisys that can travel to the underworld with the consort of Hades
What were the responsibilities of Ares?
God of war, gives men courage to stand their ground and uphold fo their peace, merciless, raw violence and fighting
What were the responsibilities of Dionysus?
God of wine and theatre. Son of Zeus and Theban mortal called Semele. Attracted the wrath of Hera, forcing Zeus to hide him from her. He was an outsider and original Olympian, however popular with Greeks and pillar to celebrations (had his own festival called Dionysia)
Describe the iconography of Zeus.
bearded, wields a lightning bolt, holding an eagle, seated on a throne with a sceptre, bull, oak
Describe the iconography of Poseidon.
bearded man with trident (+sea)
Describe the iconography of Hades.
usually had a cornucopia (a horn shell containing endless food and drink), Persephone, (dolphin, Bident-A two-pronged weapon that resembles a pitchfork , Narcissus: A flower that symbolizes early death and is associated with Hades and Persephone
Pomegranate: The sacred fruit of Hades, and a symbol of his relationship with Persephone, cerberus)
Describe the iconography of Hera.
usually wearing a diadem (crown associated with Gods and kings)
Describe the iconography of Athena.
depicted as an owl, helmet, spear, aegis (breastplate with a gorgon engraved), Nike (God of Victory)
Describe the iconography of Demeter.
wears a diadem and holds a bunch of wheat/grain/flowers
Describe the iconography of Hestia.
rarely depicted in art. veiled head
Describe the iconography of Aphrodite.
Rising from the sea in shell, depicted naked
Describe the iconography of Artemis.
depicted with bow, arrow, wild animals
Describe the iconography of Apollo.
bow, arrow, lyre, depicted in eternal youth
Describe the iconography of Hermes.
traveller’s cap which is broad-rimmed, winged sandals, caduceus (traveller’s staff w a snake wrapped around it)
Describe the iconography of Ares.
wears armor.
Describe the iconography of Dionysus.
depicted with Thyrsus (dionysus’ staff), vines, animal skin, and his companions - maenads (female followers), satyrs (half man, half goat)
what does chthonic mean?
relating to or inhabiting the underworld aka a term used in Greek mythology to describe mythical beings that dwell within the Earth, specifically within the Underworld.
Apollo oracle vs Apollo lyre?
oracle- Apollo is the patron deity of the Delphic Oracle, where he speaks through oracles to offer wisdom and foresight. The oracle at Delphi was a major cultural and religious experience that helped unite the Greek world.
Apollo as the god of music
lyre- Apollo is the patron of music and is often depicted playing the lyre. The lyre is a symbol of Apollo’s connection to the arts and his civilized nature
where are apollo’s cult centres?
IN delos where he was said to have been born and in delphi, the is one of the biggest oracle in the Greek world
what is an oracle?
an utterence, often ambiguous or obscure, given by a priest / priestess, said ot be speaking the owrds of God
what is a lyre?
a small greek harp consisting of a sound box with two curved arms connected by a crossbar from which the strings are attatched
what is a cadecus?
a traveller’s staff mostly associated with the God Hermes (mercury)
what is Thebes?
an ancient city in Greece that is the focus of many mythological stories e.g., Dionysus’ mother Semele ws Theban.