Greek Mythology: An Introduction

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What is a key difference between theogonic poetry and philosophical cosmogony?

The arrangement of statements within a framework of traditional narration

The replacement of gods with physical elements or abstract principles (correct)

The personification of abstract powers in philosophical cosmogony

The use of physical elements in theogonic poetry

What was a consequence of the disappearance of the names of the gods in cosmogonic accounts?

The release of accounts from their former bonds and associations with religious worship (correct)

The ascription of works to great poets of the past

The abandonment of the idea of physical processes underlying cosmic events

The adoption of a more traditional, suprapersonal narration style

What did the Milesian philosophers use to set their language apart from that of tradition?

Metaphors

Appellatives (correct)

Allusions

Proper nouns

What was a characteristic of the theogonic poets' innovations?

The arrangement of statements within a framework of traditional narration Signup and view all the answers

What is a key aspect of philosophical cosmogony?

The assumption that underlying cosmic events are purely physical processes Signup and view all the answers

What did the Milesian philosophers create with their new mode of expression?

A new mode of expression Signup and view all the answers

What is a key difference between theogonic poetry and the works of the Milesian philosophers?

The employment of traditional names of the gods Signup and view all the answers

What was Empedocles' enduring contribution to the history of philosophy?

The identification of the four elements: fire, water, earth, and air Signup and view all the answers

Why did Empedocles characterize the elements as gods?

To distinguish the elements from the four substances as they are perceptible to the senses Signup and view all the answers

What are the two primal forces according to Empedocles?

Neikos and Philotes Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of Empedocles' allegorical language?

To make a statement about physical reality Signup and view all the answers

How does Empedocles describe the elements?

As eternal and indestructible Signup and view all the answers

What is produced by the element water according to Empedocles?

Mortal springs Signup and view all the answers

Why did Empedocles speak in the first person throughout his work?

To distinguish himself from Parmenides Signup and view all the answers

In which century did the Greeks start questioning the cultural relevance of myth?

8th century Signup and view all the answers

What facilitated the growth of the Greek world in the 8th century?

Rise of inland trade and travel to the East Signup and view all the answers

What was the strongest single impulse behind the trend towards rational argumentation?

Emergence of the polis Signup and view all the answers

Where was the earliest piece of evidence for the boulē, the democratic council, found?

Chios Signup and view all the answers

Who wrote the poem 'On Nature' that offered a rational account of physical reality?

Parmenides of Elea Signup and view all the answers

What was unique about the poem 'On Nature' by Parmenides of Elea?

It opened with a myth about the goddess Aletheia Signup and view all the answers

What was the name of the goddess in Parmenides' poem 'On Nature'?

Aletheia Signup and view all the answers

What is attributed to Thales?

The statement that all things are full of gods Signup and view all the answers

What is implied about the Presocratic philosophers by some nineteenth-century scholars?

That they made a sudden leap from myth to logic Signup and view all the answers

What is said to be an overstatement?

That Thales made a sudden leap from myth to logic Signup and view all the answers

What is mentioned as a similarity between the theories of the Milesian thinkers and Near Eastern myths?

Their strong similarities in content Signup and view all the answers

What is said to be a characteristic of the philosophers' descriptions of physical principles?

They came close to religious language Signup and view all the answers

When did the scholars who reacted against the idea of a sudden leap from myth to logic live?

Twentieth century Signup and view all the answers

What is said to be an irrational side of Presocratic thought?

The influence of Near Eastern myths Signup and view all the answers

What is the origin of all things according to Near East myths?

Water Signup and view all the answers

Where did Thales acquire data for his prediction of the solar eclipse?

Mesopotamia Signup and view all the answers

What was Thales' perspective on water?

A physical element and a cosmic reality Signup and view all the answers

What was being developed by Thales?

A model of the world explained on rational grounds Signup and view all the answers

Why is Thales considered significant?

He abandoned the mythical mode of expression Signup and view all the answers

What was the city where Thales lived?

One of the leading commercial cities of the day Signup and view all the answers

Greek Mythology: An Introduction - Chapter 4 Part 3

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