Greek Mythology and the Iliad

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Questions and Answers

What does the author suggest made the Greek mythos a revolution in thought?

In Greece man first realized what mankind was. They made their gods in their own image.

What is the 'Greek miracle' that the author refers to?

The new birth of the world with the awakening of Greece.

What is the author's interpretation of the 'Greek Miracle'?

Something like that happened in Greece. Why it happened, or when, we have no idea at all. We know only that in the earliest Greek poets a new point of view dawned, never dreamed of in the world before them, but never to leave the world after them.

What does the author say about the Greek gods' appearance?

The Greeks made their gods in their own image. Signup and view all the answers

What is the author's opinion of the pre-Greek world's concept of gods?

The pre-Greek world worshiped. One need only place beside them in imagination any Greek statue of a god, so normal and natural with all its beauty, to perceive what a new idea had come into the world. Signup and view all the answers

What does Saint Paul say about understanding the invisible?

The invisible must be understood by the visible. Signup and view all the answers

The author claims that Greek gods were not often viewed as frightening.

True Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a trait of Greek mythology mentioned by the author?

Predominantly terror-inducing for humans Signup and view all the answers

Based on the text, what is a characteristic of the human gods' nature in Greek Mythology?

The divine inhabitants did there, what they ate and drank and where they banqueted and how they amused themselves. Signup and view all the answers

What is a key difference between the Greek gods and gods worshipped by the pre-Greeks, according to the author?

Nothing we learn about them is alien to ourselves. Signup and view all the answers

According to the author, what is the most significant change in the world due to Ancient Greek ideas?

With the coming forward of Greece, mankind became the center of the universe, the most important thing in it. Signup and view all the answers

The author believes that Greek mythologies were never fully complete.

True Signup and view all the answers

How does the author describe Hera's role in Greek mythology?

Hera was that stock character of comedy, the typical jealous wife, and her ingenious tricks to discomfit her husband and punish her rival, far from displeasing the Greeks, entertained them as much as Hera's modern counterpart does us today. Signup and view all the answers

According to the author, what is the significance of the beauty of Greek gods?

The world of Greek mythology was not a place of terror for the human spirit. Signup and view all the answers

What does the author say about irrationality in Greek mythology?

The terrifying irrational has no place in classical mythology. Signup and view all the answers

What does the author state about the role of the priest in Greek mythology?

The priest is rarely seen and is never of importance. Signup and view all the answers

What did the Greeks dislike about their mythology?

The men who made the myths disliked the irrational and had a love for facts; but it is true, no matter how wildly fantastic some of the stories are. Signup and view all the answers

What does the author suggest about the role of monsters in Greek mythology?

Of course the mythical monster is present in any number of shapes, Gorgons and hydras and chimaeras dire, but they are there only to give the hero his meed of glory. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of the heroes in Greek mythology as described in text?

They are typically portrayed as weak and cowardly Signup and view all the answers

What does the author suggest about the role of myths in understanding the natural world?

It is an explanation of something in nature; how, for instance, any and everything in the universe came into existence: men, animals, this or that tree or flower, the sun, the moon, the stars, storms, eruptions, earthquakes, all that is and all that happens. Signup and view all the answers

The author states that myths are always purely factual accounts of real events.

False Signup and view all the answers

According to the author, what is the 'pure entertainment' aspect of myths?

These tales are pure entertainment, the sort of thing people would tell each other on a long winter's evening. Signup and view all the answers

What does the author compare Greek mythology to?

A kind of Greek Bible, an account of the Greek religion. Signup and view all the answers

What does the author suggest about the development of the concept of Zeus?

He was supreme even over the sun, because rocky Greece needed rain more than sunshine and the God of Gods would be the one who could give the precious water of life to his worshipers. Signup and view all the answers

What does Zeus represent in the Odyssey, according to the author?

The needy and the stranger are from Zeus and he who fails to help them sins against Zeus himself. Signup and view all the answers

What does the author say about the concept of justice in Greek mythology, specifically in relation to Zeus?

Then Justice became Zeus's companion. Signup and view all the answers

According to the author, what is the significance of Hesiod's portrayal of Zeus?

Fishes and beasts and fowls of the air devour one another. But to man, Zeus has given justice. Signup and view all the answers

How does Chrysostom describe Zeus?

Our Zeus, the giver of every good gift, the common father and saviour and guardian of mankind. Signup and view all the answers

What is the author's final statement about the Greek perception of the divine?

The Greeks from the earliest mythologists on had a perception of the divine and the excellent. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Greek Mythology

Greek mythology is vastly different from the way early humans perceived their surroundings.
The myths demonstrate a significant evolution from primitive, brutal lives.
Early Greek myths show advancements in society and civilization.
The Iliad is the earliest written Greek record, thought to be around a thousand years before Christ.
Homer is believed to be the author, though the exact date remains uncertain.
The Iliad represents the earliest Greek literature, written with beauty, clarity and skill, in a rich and subtle language.
Greek mythology demonstrates evidence of sophisticated civilization.
Greek myths do not depict accurate historical depictions of early humankind, but are accurate representations of early Greeks.
The concept of a "Greek miracle" describes the transformative period in Greece. The awakening of Greece brought about new, beautiful and noble ideas that were never conceived before.
The emergence of Greek ideals led to a great emphasis on the visible and human aspects of life.
Greek art and culture reflected a focus on the human form, showcasing beauty.
Classical greek mythology dispenses with irrational elements of magic.
Supernatural powers are not prevalent in their descriptions; they are realistic and human-centered.
Greek myths were focused on explanations of natural processes, events, and interactions.
Myths served an educational purpose and entertainment for that era.

Greek Gods and Humanity

Gods were depicted in human forms and behaviour.
Gods were not considered terrifying or mysterious; they were engaging and likeable.
Zeus was a fun and relatable character.
Hera, as a jealous wife, was a common archetype.
Greek gods often demonstrated relatable human emotions like jealousy.
In Greek mythology, beauty in the human form is considered high praise and a focus.
The importance of human beings was central in myth, highlighting human potential and interaction.
Greek myths reflected and developed the idea that humans deserved and deserved to interact with the divine world.

Greek Mythological World

Early Greek myths reflect less on religion and more on the human understanding of the natural world and human beings.
The human-centered perspective of Greeks was new.
Myths represented an explanation of the world around and for the humans.
Myth and early science helped to clarify understandings of the universe.
The Greeks attempted to reconcile the chaotic world with their values.
Heroes, such as Hercules, embodied human strength and resilience against monsters.
Myths depict human understanding of the world around them.
Greek imagery and storytelling often explored themes of beauty, power, love, jealousy, and justice.
The mythical figures often represent characteristics and experiences of human beings.

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Description

Explore the fascinating world of Greek mythology and its evolution as reflected in early literature. This quiz delves into the significance of Homer's Iliad and how it embodies the advancements of Greek civilization. Engage with the transformational concepts of the Greek miracle and the insights into early Greek ideals.