Olympian Gods and Religion Objectives: 1. Learn Zeus’ character and role as the lord of gods and men.
2. Learn about Zeus in the context of Ovid’s Metamorphoses.
3. Learn about the Twelve Olympian gods.
4. Learn about the nature of the gods and ancient Greek Religious practices (esp. sacrifice)
Outline: Zeus’ establishment as supreme god Pantheon of gods: The Twelve O lympians Hestia, Goddess of the Hearth and its Fire The Diverse Character of Zeus: A Mirror for Heroes Zeus and Hera, earth and sky once again Sanctuary of Zeus at Olympia The story of Ganymede in Homeric Hymn to Aphrodite The story of Ganymede in Ovid’s Metamorphoses The story of Europa in Ovid’s Metamorphoses 4 Children of Zeus and Hera The Muses and Fates (important figures for literature) Anthropomorphic nature of the gods Myth, Religion and Philosophy Sacrificial Rites Important Terms/Names: The Twelve Olympians: Zeus (Jupiter), Hera (Juno), Poseidon (Neptune), Hades (Pluto), Hestia (Vesta), Hephaestus (Vulcan), Ares (Mars), Apollo, Artemis (Diana), Demeter (Ceres), Aphrodite (Venus), Athena (Minerva), Hermes (Mercury), and Dionysus (Bacchus). Hestia (Vesta): Firstborn of Cronus and Rhea; goddess of chastity and of the hearth and its sacred fire; her name mean “hearth.” She is known to the Romans as Vesta. Olympia: Sanctuary in Elis w here the O lympic Games were held, beginning in 776 B.C. Hera (Juno): Consort and sister of Zeus; goddess of marriage; stern and vengeful; associated with the peacock. Her Roman counterpart is Juno. Ganymede: Trojan youth, loved by Zeus and taken up to Olympus to replace Hebe as cupbearer to the gods. 4 Children of Zeus and Hera: Eileithyia, Hebe, Hephaestus, Ares. Eileithyia: Daughter of Zeus and Hera; goddess of childbirth. Hebe: Daughter of Zeus and Hera; goddess of “youthful bloom”; becomes wife of Heracles when he is taken up to Olympus as a god. Hephaestus (Vulcan): Son of Zeus and Hera; god of fire and forge; either is congenitally lame or becomes lame later; he w as cast out o f O lympus for angering Zeus; the “Return” of Hephaestus to Olympus becomes an important theme; consort o f Aphrodite. Ares (Mars): Son of Zeus and Hera; cult partner w ith Aphrodite; origins in Thrace; represents the brutality of war; his Roman counterpart is Mars. The Nine Muses: The nine daughters of Zeus and Mnemosyne; they are the goddesses of the arts; their name means the “reminders.” Fates (Moirae/Parcae): The goddesses of destiny; three daughters of Zeus and Themis; represented as aged spinners. Their Greek name, Moirae, means “apportioners;” their Roman counterparts are the Fates, or Parcae. anthropomorphism: The conception of the gods in terms of human form and character, though idealized. Stuff of Gods: Ambrosia, nectar, Ichor Zeus and M onotheism Herodotus (5th century bc): Greek historian. Known as “the Father of History,” he w as the first historian to collect his materials systematically, test their accuracy to a certain extent, and 1 arrange them in a w ell-­‐constructed and vivid narrative.