Questions and Answers
Who are Heracles' parents?
Zeus, disguised as Amphytrion, and Alcmene
Who is Heracles' twin?
Iphicles
What role did Hera play in Heracles' life?
Caused Heracles to go mad and kill his wife Megara and their three kids, and he was exiled to Tiryns to serve Eurystheus to perform the 12 labors.
What is the Greek word for labors?
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What is the Greek word for side labors?
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What is the Greek word for side deeds?
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What are the patterns found in Heracles' story?
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What does the term 'glory' refer to in Greek mythology?
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What was Heracles' first labor?
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How is Athena depicted in art?
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Who is Heracles' second wife?
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What is the title of Sophocles' play where Heracles marries Deianira?
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From where do plays often get their names?
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What was Heracles' conflict with Deianira?
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What is the alternative happy ending for Heracles?
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What does 'myth' mean in Greek?
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What is the term for a storyteller or performer in Greek mythology?
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What is a folktale?
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What are the origins of myths?
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What did early attempts to study myths aim to do?
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What period is referred to as the Archaic period?
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What is the Classical Period?
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What does Hellenistic period refer to?
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What is the Roman period?
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How can heroes be identified?
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What does iconography entail?
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What does mythic refer to?
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What does cultic refer to in relation to heroes?
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What are the five traits of Greek heroes?
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What does 'erring' mean?
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What are epics?
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What are tragedies?
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How was the Greek world organized?
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What is Athens known for?
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What is the Parthenon?
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What is the Hephaesteion?
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How did the Athenians decide on their patron god/goddess?
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What did Athenians think of Theseus?
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Who were Theseus' parents?
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What is a pattern in Theseus' story?
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Where did Theseus grow up?
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What was Theseus' sixth labor?
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What is the story of the Minotaur?
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What happened on the way back from Theseus' journey?
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What was Heracles originally called?
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Who were Oedipus' parents?
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Who cursed Laius and why?
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What was the time and plot of Sophocles' tragedy?
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Discuss the theme of knowledge in Oedipus Tyrannus.
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What is the name of the epic poem about Achilles?
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What is the epic cycle?
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Who are Achilles' parents?
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What ignited the feud between Achilles and Agamemnon?
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Who wrote The Aeneid and what was it about?
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Who were the three female heroines?
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Study Notes
Heracles and His Labors
- Parents: Zeus (disguised) and Alcmene.
- Twin brother: Iphicles.
- Hera caused Heracles to murder his family, leading to his exile and the completion of the Twelve Labors.
- First labor: Killing the Nemean Lion; he wore its skin as a trophy.
Greek Mythology Terms
- Labors (Greek: athloi) relate to athletics and challenges.
- Side labors: parerga; side deeds: paraxis.
- Glory (cleos) is central to a hero's identity.
Patterns in Heroic Tales
- Common hero pattern: murder -> exile -> deeds for purification.
- Heroes often confront death, symbolized by journeys to the underworld.
- Heracles embodies universal themes of struggle and achievement.
Tragedy and Myth
- Athena portrayed in art as a guardian of heroes, often shown with an aegis and shield.
- Deianira was Heracles' second wife; her tragic story involves jealousy and misjudgment, leading to Heracles' death.
- Alternative mythic ending: Heracles ascends to Mt. Olympus and marries Hebe.
Characteristics of Myths and Stories
- Myth (Greek: mythos) refers to authoritative narratives about gods and heroes.
- Storyteller: mythologos.
- Folktales differ from myths, being non-historical narratives.
Origins and Evolution of Myths
- Myths evolve from fluid oral traditions, with roots in early art and literature (Homer and Hesiod).
- Studying myths was an attempt to reconcile various religions and their narratives.
Historical Periods of Greek Culture
- Archaic Period (8th-6th century BC): known for epics like the Iliad and Odyssey.
- Classical Period (4th-5th century BC): notable for the red-figure painting technique and advancements in democracy in Athens.
- Hellenistic Period (3rd-2nd century BC) and Roman Period (2nd century BC - 3rd century AD) marked significant cultural developments.
Heroic Iconography
- Heracles and Hermes recognized through specific attributes, such as Heracles’ lion skin and Hermes’ hat and staff.
- Iconography emphasizes unchanging traits and qualities of heroes.
Traits of Greek Heroes
- Heroes sometimes die and become deified.
- They achieve extraordinary deeds that average individuals cannot accomplish.
- Worshiped by communities, heroes attain immortality through legend and narrative.
Theseus and His Journey
- Parents: Aegeus (mortal form of Poseidon) and Aethra; he grows up without a father.
- Overcomes challenges and performs six labors on his way to claim his heritage in Athens.
- Minotaur story: Theseus, with help from Ariadne, defeats the beast and navigates the Labyrinth using a silver thread.
Tragedy of Oedipus
- Oedipus' parents: Laius and Jocasta, cursed after Laius' actions against the king of Pelops' son.
- Oedipus, fated to kill his father and marry his mother, unwittingly fulfills the prophecy.
- Themes of knowledge and fate explored as Oedipus grapples with his identity and actions.
Poetic and Literary Works
- The Iliad, attributed to Homer, centers on Achilles, his anger, and the consequences of his withdrawal from battle.
- The Aeneid by Virgil narrates the story of Aeneas, a Trojan hero who played a vital role in founding Rome.
Prominent Female Figures
- Key heroines in mythology include Helen of Troy, Clytemnestra (wife of Agamemnon), and Hecuba (mother of Hector).
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Test your knowledge of Heracles and key figures in Greek mythology with these flashcards from Classics 45B at UCI. Learn about familial connections, significant events, and terminology related to Heracles' life and labors. Perfect for students looking to deepen their understanding of ancient myths.