Hesiod's Theogony: Gods and Creation

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Questions and Answers

In Hesiod's Works and Days, the Age of Heroes is distinct from the other ages of humankind primarily because it:

represents a decline in morality and an increase in suffering.
is marked by the absence of any need for labor or sustenance.
is characterized by constant warfare and strife among humans.
features demi-gods and legendary figures. (correct)

How does Hesiod's portrayal of Pandora in Works and Days differ from the portrayal in his Theogony?

In *Works and Days*, Pandora is not depicted as negatively as in *Theogony*. (correct)
In *Works and Days*, Pandora is depicted as a source of beauty and joy, whereas in *Theogony*, she is a bringer of suffering.
In *Works and Days*, Pandora's creation is attributed to different gods than in *Theogony*.
In *Works and Days*, Pandora is given more agency and control over her actions than in *Theogony*.

In the Homeric Hymn to Hermes, what motivates Hermes to steal Apollo's cattle shortly after his birth?

A direct order from Zeus to test Apollo's vigilance.
A need to obtain resources to sustain his mother, Maia.
A divine prophecy foretelling his destiny as a god of thievery.
His mischievous nature combined with a desire for meat. (correct)

In the Homeric Hymn to Hermes, what is the significance of the exchange of gifts between Apollo and Hermes?

It symbolizes the resolution of conflict and the establishment of a harmonious relationship between the two gods. (D) Signup and view all the answers

In the Homeric Hymn to Aphrodite, why does Zeus cause Aphrodite to fall in love with the mortal Anchises?

To prove that no one, not even a goddess, is immune to love's power and humiliation. (B) Signup and view all the answers

In the Homeric Hymn to Aphrodite, what concern does Anchises express when Aphrodite reveals her true identity?

He worries about the potential repercussions of a mortal being involved with a goddess. (B) Signup and view all the answers

In the context of Hesiod's Works and Days, what broader theme does the inclusion of the myth of the Ages of Man serve to emphasize?

The decline of morality, the increase in suffering, and the necessity of hard work in the present age. (A) Signup and view all the answers

How does Hermes trick Apollo in the Homeric Hymn to Hermes?

By using reverse footprints and hiding the cattle. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of invoking the Muses at the commencement of poems, according to Hesiod's Theogony?

To establish the poet's authority and claim divine inspiration for the narrative. (A) Signup and view all the answers

How does the violent overthrow of Ouranos by Kronos, and subsequently Kronos by Zeus, reflect broader societal concepts?

It symbolizes the cyclical nature of power and the inevitable challenges that arise when new generations seek control. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Aphrodite's birth from the foam after Ouranos's castration is symbolic of what aspect of her nature as a goddess?

Her embodiment of love, desire, and the raw power of sexual attraction. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Based on Hesiod's account, what was Prometheus's primary transgression that led to his severe punishment by Zeus?

Deceiving Zeus with a trick involving sacrificial offerings and stealing fire for mankind. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Why was the maiden (Pandora in other accounts) created and sent to mankind by the gods?

To punish humankind for accepting the gift of fire from Prometheus, introducing suffering to the world. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What fundamental issue sparked the conflict between the Titans and the Olympian gods, according to Theogony?

The question of which group of deities would hold dominion over the cosmos. (D) Signup and view all the answers

In Hesiod's Theogony, what is the consequence for a god who breaks an oath sworn on the river Styx, and what does this punishment primarily entail?

A year-long isolation, including a coma-like state and deprivation of ambrosia and nectar. (D) Signup and view all the answers

How does Athena's birth from Zeus's head reflect her inherent nature and attributes?

It indicates that she is the embodiment of wisdom and strategic thought, born directly from Zeus's intellect. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Role of the Muses

Sources of inspiration, often invoked at the beginning of poems.

First Deities

Chaos, Gaia (Earth), Tartarus (Underworld), and Eros (Desire).