Greek Mythology in Context, Classics 45B UCI

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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?

athloi Signup and view all the answers

What is the Greek word for side labors?

parerga Signup and view all the answers

What is the Greek word for side deeds?

paraxis Signup and view all the answers

What are the patterns found in Heracles' story?

<ol> <li>Murder -> exile -> purification through deeds; 2. Hero has to conquer death (visiting the underworld and coming back); 3. Journey takes hero all over the world, sometimes even the underworld.</li> </ol> Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'glory' refer to in Greek mythology?

cleos Signup and view all the answers

What was Heracles' first labor?

Killing the Nemean lion. Signup and view all the answers

How is Athena depicted in art?

As a protector of heroes with an Aegis and shield. Signup and view all the answers

Who is Heracles' second wife?

Deianira Signup and view all the answers

What is the title of Sophocles' play where Heracles marries Deianira?

The Women of Trachis (Trachianae) Signup and view all the answers

From where do plays often get their names?

The chorus Signup and view all the answers

What was Heracles' conflict with Deianira?

He brought back Iolaus, the slave, which made Deianira jealous, leading her to accidentally kill Heracles with a tainted love potion. Signup and view all the answers

What is the alternative happy ending for Heracles?

He lives happily ever after on Mt. Olympus, married to Hebe, daughter of Hera. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'myth' mean in Greek?

mythos: utterance or speech, story about a god/hero/mortal given with a sense of authority. Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for a storyteller or performer in Greek mythology?

mythologos Signup and view all the answers

What is a folktale?

Not necessarily a myth (non-historical narratives). Signup and view all the answers

What are the origins of myths?

Fluid, oral tradition, originating at some point in art/writing. Signup and view all the answers

What did early attempts to study myths aim to do?

Find intersections of religions: gods (sun, moon, etc.), and kings/heroes. Signup and view all the answers

What period is referred to as the Archaic period?

8th-6th century BC. Signup and view all the answers

What is the Classical Period?

4th-5th century BC, characterized by advancements in art and democracy. Signup and view all the answers

What does Hellenistic period refer to?

3rd-2nd century BC. Signup and view all the answers

What is the Roman period?

2nd century BC - 3rd century AD. Signup and view all the answers

How can heroes be identified?

They are stylized and have certain patterns, making them recognizable. Heracles wears a lion's skin cape, and Hermes has a traveler's hat and staff. Signup and view all the answers

What does iconography entail?

Unchanging attributes, actions, and qualities. Signup and view all the answers

What does mythic refer to?

Stories that transcend sources. Signup and view all the answers

What does cultic refer to in relation to heroes?

The way people thought of, worshiped, and celebrated gods/heroes. Signup and view all the answers

What are the five traits of Greek heroes?

<ol> <li>Heroes die; 2. They perform extraordinary deeds; 3. Heroes die prematurely or mysteriously; 4. They were worshiped; 5. They attain immortality through song and stories.</li> </ol> Signup and view all the answers

What does 'erring' mean?

To wander and make mistakes. Signup and view all the answers

What are epics?

Poems from the Archaic period. Signup and view all the answers

What are tragedies?

Plays from the Classical period. Signup and view all the answers

How was the Greek world organized?

Into city-states, like Athens. Signup and view all the answers

What is Athens known for?

The myth of Theseus as the prehistory/establishment. Signup and view all the answers

What is the Parthenon?

Temple of Athena at the top of the Acropolis in Athens. Signup and view all the answers

What is the Hephaesteion?

Temple of Hephaestus in Athens. Signup and view all the answers

How did the Athenians decide on their patron god/goddess?

Athena offered them an olive branch while Poseidon created salt water, and they chose Athena for the olive oil. Signup and view all the answers

What did Athenians think of Theseus?

He was going to unify Attica, the region around Athens. Signup and view all the answers

Who were Theseus' parents?

Father Aegeus and mother Aethra. Signup and view all the answers

What is a pattern in Theseus' story?

Grows up fatherless like Heracles. Signup and view all the answers

Where did Theseus grow up?

In the palace of Pittheus. Signup and view all the answers

What was Theseus' sixth labor?

Procrustes: he killed him after a journey involving manipulating people's sizes. Signup and view all the answers

What is the story of the Minotaur?

Minotaur: half man, half bull; Theseus volunteered to kill him, aided by Ariadne with a silver string. Signup and view all the answers

What happened on the way back from Theseus' journey?

He forgot to change the black sails to white, causing Aegeus to think he died. Signup and view all the answers

What was Heracles originally called?

Alcides Signup and view all the answers

Who were Oedipus' parents?

Laius and Jocasta of Thebes. Signup and view all the answers

Who cursed Laius and why?

He raped Elis' son and was warned by the Oracle at Delphi that his child would kill him. Signup and view all the answers

What was the time and plot of Sophocles' tragedy?

Oedipus Tyrannus 429 BC; Oedipus kills his father, marries his mother, leading to his tragic discovery and downfall. Signup and view all the answers

Discuss the theme of knowledge in Oedipus Tyrannus.

The gods and the oracle are all-knowing; protagonists cannot foresee the future, highlighting the futility of their efforts. Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the epic poem about Achilles?

The Iliad by Homer. Signup and view all the answers

What is the epic cycle?

Lost epic poems that survive mainly in fragments or summaries. Signup and view all the answers

Who are Achilles' parents?

Goddess Thetis and mortal Peleus. Signup and view all the answers

What ignited the feud between Achilles and Agamemnon?

Achilles is upset with Agamemnon, leading to his withdrawal from the war. Signup and view all the answers

Who wrote The Aeneid and what was it about?

Virgil; it is about the beginnings of Rome and Aeneas' journey from Troy. Signup and view all the answers

Who were the three female heroines?

Helen of Troy, Clytemnestra, Hecuba. Signup and view all the answers

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.