NATURE OF ZEUS WEEK 2

Podcast Beta

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

What is the central idea in Protagoras' statement 'Of all things the measure is Man: of things that are, how they are, and of things that are not, how they are not'?

Man is the ultimate authority in determining moral values.

The concept of truth is relative to human perception.

Man is the standard for measuring the existence or non-existence of things. (correct)

Man is the center of the universe and all things revolve around him.

What is the tone of Greek humanism, as described in the text?

Realistic pessimism with no sense of optimism.

Idealistic optimism with no sense of pessimism.

A sense of fatalism with no hope for human achievement.

Idealistic optimism paired with realistic pessimism. (correct)

What is the primary difference between Greek humanism and Calvinism, as described in the text?

Greek humanism emphasizes the power of the gods, while Calvinism emphasizes the power of God.

Greek humanism emphasizes the importance of free will, while Calvinism emphasizes predestination.

Greek humanism is a philosophical system, while Calvinism is a religious system.

Greek humanism emphasizes the struggle between fate and free will, while Calvinism emphasizes the struggle between God's omnipotence and human free will. (correct)

What is the characteristic of ancient Greek religion, as described in the text?

A sense of innocence and religious freedom, open to many gods and ideas. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main critique of Morford et al.'s approach, as described in the text?

They rely too heavily on literary evidence. Signup and view all the answers

What is the best description of the Greek concept of fate, as described in the text?

A vindictive god or fate that dispenses horrible disasters at any moment. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main idea in Sophocles' statement 'Wonders are many, and none is more wonderful than man'?

Man is a unique and remarkable creation in the world. Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic of Greek humanism, as described in the text?

A emphasis on the beauty and wonder of mortal achievement, despite the power of the gods. Signup and view all the answers

Who was the primordial god of the sky in Greek mythology?

Ouranos Signup and view all the answers

Which god is associated with wine and festivity?

Dionysos Signup and view all the answers

What substance flows in the veins of Greek gods instead of blood?

Ichor Signup and view all the answers

Which animal is paired with Poseidon?

Horse Signup and view all the answers

What is the food of the Greek gods called?

Ambrosia Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a characteristic of the Greek gods' superhuman knowledge?

They have superhuman knowledge but are not omniscient Signup and view all the answers

Which goddess is associated with the peacock?

Hera Signup and view all the answers

Which description best represents Zeus in the hierarchy of gods?

Supreme god upholding moral values and order Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the functions of Zeus according to Hesiod and Homer?

Imposes hospitality Signup and view all the answers

Which other god is known to thwart Zeus's plans?

Hera Signup and view all the answers

Which pre-Socratic philosopher rejected anthropomorphism and suggested the existence of one supreme being?

Xenophanes Signup and view all the answers

How does Hesiod depict Zeus in 'Works and Days'?

As an Old Testament prophet Signup and view all the answers

What is a key aspect of Humanism according to the provided definition?

Highlighting individual and social potential Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following authors' works show a changing concept of God/Zeus over time?

Hesiod Signup and view all the answers

Which text should be referenced with caution when using the term 'sophisticated'?

CM p. 138 Signup and view all the answers

In the abstract hierarchical structure of Christianity provided, which entity is placed directly under God?

Devil Signup and view all the answers

What is Herodotus commonly known as?

Father of History Signup and view all the answers

What is a key aspect of Herodotus' world view?

The gods are in the same world as humans Signup and view all the answers

What is the story of Croesus about?

A king who questions the meaning of happiness Signup and view all the answers

What happened to Tellus the Athenian?

He lived a great life, had kids, fought for Athens, and won Signup and view all the answers

Why did Croesus send away Solon?

Because Solon's uppity self-worth threatened him Signup and view all the answers

What event led to the death of Atys?

A boar attack while hunting Signup and view all the answers

What was Adrastus guilty of breaking?

Several rules, including killing his brother Signup and view all the answers

What did Croesus invoke in response to Atys' death?

The power of Zeus Signup and view all the answers

What event triggers Adrastus to kill himself?

Atys’ tomb Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of Croesus recalling Solon's words?

It leads to his epiphany Signup and view all the answers

What role does the oracle play in the fall of Sardis?

Its ambiguous prophecy misleads Croesus Signup and view all the answers

What helps Apollo mitigate Croesus’ fate?

His divine intervention Signup and view all the answers

Which phrase is highlighted in the tales of Herodotus?

The assumptions of Herodotus Signup and view all the answers

How were poets mythically saved from pirates according to the tales?

By dolphins Signup and view all the answers

What does the name Atys mean?

Under the influence of Ate (doom) Signup and view all the answers

What does the Delphic reply 'You will destroy a mighty empire' exemplify?

Ambiguous prophecy Signup and view all the answers

How was the position of a priest typically obtained in ancient Greek religion?

By appointment or election Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the main responsibilities of seers in ancient Greek religion?

Interpreting signs from sacrifices or unusual events Signup and view all the answers

Which of these was a fundamental tenet of mystery cults in ancient Greek religion?

Conflict between good and evil Signup and view all the answers

What type of religious act was considered most significant in ancient Greek religion, especially when involving cows?

Sacrifice Signup and view all the answers

What role did women have in the cults of female divinities in ancient Greek religion?

Greater role compared to male divinities Signup and view all the answers

Which religious officials in ancient Greek religion were expected to travel to satisfy market demand?

Travelling seers Signup and view all the answers

What did the sacred texts of mystery religions in ancient Greek religion lay down?

Ritual rules Signup and view all the answers

Which artifact depicts King Aegeus of Athens consulting the Delphic Pythia?

Attic red-figure kylix Signup and view all the answers

What role did Homer and Hesiod's writings play in ancient Greek religion?

They were fundamental and pervasive sources for the development of religion Signup and view all the answers

How was religion integrated into ancient Greek civic and social spheres?

Religion permeated all facets of society with no truly secular part of Greek life Signup and view all the answers

Why is it challenging to define 'religion' in the context of ancient Greece?

There was no single word in Greek for ‘religion’ Signup and view all the answers

What phenomenon does the Panathenaic festival demonstrate about ancient Greek religion?

It illustrates the integration of religion into civic and social spheres Signup and view all the answers

What element of ancient Greek religious practice is highlighted by hero cults?

Hero cults were specific to certain locations and often connected to a polis Signup and view all the answers

How did the polis system influence Greek religious views?

Different poleis could have different pantheons and religious practices Signup and view all the answers

What is indicated by the dense calendar of religious festivals in Athens?

Religion had a very prominent role in the social and civic life of Athens Signup and view all the answers

What was the significance of epithets in Greek religion?

They showed the varied and multifaceted nature of gods Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Greek Humanism

Idealistic optimism paired with realistic pessimism
Emphasis on the beauty and wonder of mortal achievement, despite the power of the Fates and pain of human existence
Bundle of tragic ironies pitted against a belief that mortals can reach glorious heights

Greek Religion

No strict dogma with accompanying sense of sin and codified religious text
Sense of innocence and religious freedom, open to many gods and ideas (polytheism)
Moral relativism of ancient Greeks
Development of divine nature: Ouranos (Uranus) as the primordial god of the sky and Gaia (Gaea) as the earth

Anthropomorphism

Gods as idealized humanity, relating to both form/looks and character/behaviour
Elements of the divine, both positive and negative, intensifying humanity
Gods live in settlements and houses, with Olympians on Mount Olympus and Hades in the underworld
Ambrosia as food, Nectar as drink/wine, and Ichor as a substance in their veins
Immortal but suffer physical torment, with Zeus subject to the Fates
Superhuman knowledge but not all-omniscient

Animal Affiliation

Each god has a particular animal pairing, e.g., Zeus with an eagle, Hera with a peacock, Poseidon with a horse, Athena with an owl, Aphrodite with a dove, sparrow, or goose, and Ares with a boar
Animals not worshiped as sacred

Hierarchy

Zeus as the supreme deity, with other gods and goddesses below
Nereids, Oceanids, Muses, Demigods, and Heroes in a hierarchical structure

Zeus and Monotheism

Supremacy – father, husband, lover, sky, and lightning
Upholds and represents the highest moral values, order of universe, and protects family and clan
Sovereign deity in Hesiod and Homer, with a sense of monotheism emerging and tied to anthropomorphic Zeus and abstract theories of supreme power developing over time

Christian Hierarchy

God, Devil, Demons, Jesus, Divine, Seraphim, Cherubim, Holy Spirit, Mortals, Pope, Priesthood, Saints, etc.

What is Religion Without a Dash of Philosophy?

Humanism: emphasizes individual and social potential and agency of human beings, whom it considers the starting point for serious moral and philosophical inquiry
No Greek philosopher coined the term humanism, with material remains of what people actually did, turning attention to ritual and practice
21st Century academic approaches to ancient religion/myth, deploying theoretical frameworks of other disciplines

Nature of Religion in Ancient Greece

Shared Religious Viewpoint rooted in the epic tradition and cycles
Homer and Hesiod's writings became a fundamental and pervasive source constantly drawn upon in the development of religion
Broadening of religious views as polis system began to wane

Polis and Religion

No single word in Greek for 'religion', with a deeply ingrained presence in all facets of society and social life
No truly secular part of Greek life
Polis as central key element in identity, with temples, shrines, and sanctuaries permeating the Greek landscape
Dense calendar of religious festivals and ceremonies

Cult of the Dead

Specific worship to heroes, often connected to a polis
Activity happens at a single cult location where the hero died
Ubiquitous, with thousands of local hero cults across Greece
Rites are chthonic in nature, earthly

Herodotus and Tales

Complex mixture of fact and fiction
Grammatical construction often pushes things into assumption that Herodotus is recounting tales
Names mean things, e.g., Atys – "under the influence of Ate (doom)", Adrastus – "the one who cannot escape"

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Description

Learn about the development of divine nature in Greek mythology, including the gods Ouranos and Dionysos, and their roles in the Greek pantheon.