Chapter Seven,
Lecture One
Myths of the Olympians
Male Deities
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Reflect range of activities consistent with the
roles Greek men played in their society
Zeus-ruled family and all humankind-male rules
Greek family
Hades-King of death ruled under world familymale rules Greek family
Apollo-guide to higher knowledge, only open to
males
Poseidon-storms and sea, sailors-male
Hephaestus-smiths-male
Ares-warriors-male
Hermes-merchants-male
Greek Men
Poseidon, Lord of the Deep
 Husband
(posis)
 An Indo-european male fertility god
 This explains the tangle of his
competencies
– original: springs, horses, earthquakes
– acquired: sea
 Married
to “Amphitrite”
 Father of Triton-merman, blew conch
shell and the sea calmed
Poseidon and Amphitrite
Triton-their son
Poseidon and Amphitrite
Poseidon and Demeter
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One of the most notorious love affairs of
Poseidon involves his sister, Demeter.
Poseidon pursued Demeter and to avoid
him she turned herself into a mare. In his
lust for her, Poseidon transformed himself
into a stallion and captured her. Their
procreation resulted in a horse, Arion.
Poseidon is Greek for "Husband" (possibly
of wheat), and therefore it is thought that
he and Demeter (goddess of wheat) are a
good match because they reign as the god
and goddess of fertility.
Poseidon and Demeter
Poseidon, Lord of the Deep
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The competition in Athens
– He offers the Athenians salt water??
Lost also in Argos
 Impregnated Medusa
 Pegasus born when Medusa killed by
Perseus
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Poseidon VS Athena
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The two Olympian gods who were particularly interested in the
patronage were Poseidon (Neptune), the god of the Seas and
Athena(Minerva), the goddess of Wisdom and Skill. They
presented themselves in front of Cecrops and Cecrops asked from
them to offer a gift truly valuable for Athens.
Poseidon came first: he powerfully struck the earth and created a
well with his trident; immediately streaming water shot forth, but
water turned out to be salty and not very useful for the
population.
Next, it was goddess Athena’s turn. Athena stepped forward,
struck her spear in the ground and then she kneeled and planted
an olive branch in it, creating this way an olive tree as a
symbolization of peace and prosperity on earth.
Cecrops was very impressed by Athena’s gift- much more than
that from Poseidon- so he chose Athena to lay claim of the city of
Athens and Athens was named after her. God Poseidon, however,
was not pleased by the decision of Cecrops and cursed the city of
Athens to never have enough water from then on; after that, a
major problem of water shortage started in Athens, which
continues until nowadays.
Poseidon VS Athena
Poseidon and Medusa
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Before Medusa was turned into a monster,
she was very beautiful. Medusa and
Poseidon had an affair and decided to
make love in Athena’s temple. Athena was
so offended she turned Medusa into a
monster with snakes for hair. Athena then
helped Peruses kill Medusa. After cutting
off Medusa’s head, two offspring came
out, Chrysaor and the flying horse
Pegasus.
Pegasus and Medusa
Poseidon-sorrow of seamen
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Odysseus offended
Poseidon;
therefore, Poseidon
sent storms to sea
and diverted
Odysseus from
getting home.
Poseidon and the Trojan War
 Gold-mane
horses pull chariot
 golden armor and a golden whip
 Achilles set out to avenge his friend,
killing many Trojans and driving
them back towards city in a rout.
Poseidon, who normally favoured the
Greeks, saved Aeneas from Achilles.
Poseidon told the Trojan hero that he
was destined to rule Troy.
Poseidon
Hades, King of the Dead
 the
invisible” (Helmet from the
Cyclops)
 “Pluto” (wealth)
 The enricher-materials in the Earth
 Lord of the dead who inhabit the top
layer of soil
 Abduction and Marriage to
Persephone (daughter of Demeter),
discussed in Chapter 11
 Rape of Persephone
Rape of Persephone
Apollo, the Far-Darter, God of
Prophecy
 One
of the most complex
 His competencies are a tangle of
different areas
 His history is complex and
inconsistent
 His role at Delphi makes him, next to
Zeus, the most important Olympian
 Apollo Cartoon
Apollo
Apollo-sun God, archer god-arrows of
sickness
Lord of Mice- daughter of Chryses
captured and the priest prays to
Apollo who sends a plague of
sickness
Apollo- the archer
Apollo, the Far-Darter, God of
Prophecy
Sender of plagues
 God of mice
 Healing
 Asclepius and the
story of Coronis
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Leto
Leto
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Leto is the daughter of Coeus and Phoebe. She was an
early and favorite lover of Zeus. Zeus married Hera while
Leto was pregnant. While the pregnancy began before the
marriage Hera was still jealous of Leto. For the duration of
Leto's pregnancy Hera created problems. First Leto was
pushed out of Olympus. As she wandered no place would
allow her to stay for fear Hera would be offended. Hera had
the dragon Python chase her. Zeus saved her by sending
the North Wind Boreas to carry her out to sea.
Leto
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Finally, the desolate rocky island of Delos, which had little
to lose, accepted her. The other goddesses gathered to help
Leto as she gave birth. Hera stayed away and managed to
detain Eileithyia, goddess of childbirth, until Iris fetched
her. Leto first gave birth to Artemis and then after another
nine days of labor to Apollo.
Still fleeing Hera's wrath she went to Lycia. The peasants
tried to prevent her from drinking from their well, so she
turned them into frogs. Initially Leto's problems continued.
But, now she had her two fast developing children, both of
whom became powerful archers, to protect her. When four
days old Apollo was able to slay Python. Then the Euboean
giant Tityus tried to rape Leto only to be killed by the
children. As they grew into their full power the twins
become willing to avenge Leto's honor as well as to protect
her safety. Niobe boasted that she was more deserving of
adulation then Leto because she had borne seven sons and
seven daughters. The twins replied to this by slaying all but
one of Niobe's children.
Arguments
Leto promised visitor, wealth, riches, and
food if a temple to Apollo were built
 Delos afraid Apollo will scorn the island
and leave it or destroy it.
 Delos waterless island that bobbed
beneath the surface and did not always
see the “light of day” as Hera had decreed
no place the saw the “light of day” could
have Leto give birth there.
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Leto and the Twins
Apollo and Artemis kill Tityus
Apollo’s function in Greek society
 Prophesy,
oral poet, represents
aristocracy
Apollo and Delphi
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The Python of Delphi was a creature with the body of a snake which was
dwelling on Mount Parnassus in central Greece. Wherever it went, it would
diffuse obnoxious smell and spread mischief and death.
Python was once sent out by Zeus’ wife Hera to chase Leto, Zeus lover,
when she became pregnant from him, so that she couldn’t settle anywhere
to give birth.
By the time Apollo was only 4 days old, he decided to take revenge and
went to the creature’s cave Python to seek after him. At the moment the
creature faced Apollo, it started boiling with rage and lunged at Apollo to
devour him. But Apollo was faster and managed to throw an arrow to
Python, piercing him right on its forehead.
Apollo and Delphi
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Python cried of terror and his screaming could be heard all
over the canyons of Mount Parnassus. It struggled hard to
survive but in the end it surrendered to death.
This filled Apollo with joy and he happily took his lyre and
started playing a song of victory, giving joy to people all
around. This was the moment Apollo became the god of the
Music. Right after he finished his song, Apollo took the
creature and buried it under the slopes of Mount
Parnassusl; on its surface he built the oracle of Delphi, also
known as the "Pythia".
However, Apollo had committed a crime and according to
the laws of Mount Olympus he had to be purified. So Zeus
ordered from Apollo to institute the Pythian Games at
Delphi so that host athletical and musical competitions
could be hosted. So Apollo did and took part himself in the
games; from then on, the Pythian Games were being held
every four years in Apollo’s honor .
Apollo VS the Dragon
More Apollo and the Python
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Apollo's first achievement was to rid Pytho (Delphi) of the
serpent (or dragon) Python. This monstrous beast
protected the sanctuary of Pytho from its lair beside the
Castalian Spring. There it stood guard while the "Sibyl"
gave out her prophecies as she inhaled the trance inducing
vapors from an open chasm. Apollo killed Python with his
bow and arrows (Homer wrote "he killed the fearsome
dragon Python, piercing it with his darts"). Apollo not only
took charge of the oracle but rid the neighboring
countryside of widespread destruction, as Python had
destroyed crops, sacked villages and polluted streams and
springs.
Apollo and Python
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However, to make amends for killing Python, as the
fearsome beast was the son of Gaia, Apollo had to serve
king Admetus for nine years (in some versions eight) as a
cowherd. This he did, and when he returned to Pytho he
came in the guise of a dolphin bringing with him priests
from Crete (Apollo's cult title "Delphinios" meaning dolphin
or porpoise, is probably how Delphi was so named). After
killing Python and taking possession of the oracle, the god
of light (Phobus) became known as "Pythian Apollo". He
dedicated a bronze tripod to the sanctuary and bestowed
divine powers on one of the priestesses, and she became
known as the "Pythia". It was she who inhaled the
hallucinating vapors from the fissure in the temple floor,
while she sat on a tripod chewing laurel leaves. After she
mumbled her answer, a male priest would translate it for
the supplicant. Delphi became the most important oracle
center of Apollo, there were several including Clarus and
Branchidae.
Apollo and Prophesy
Oracle functioned under Apollo for over
1000 years
 Pythia was a medium, meaning her body
served as an instrument of divine
communication
 Pythia sat on a bronze tripod in the temple
and was possessed by the god
 A question would be put to her from a
male priest after a sacrifice; she would
answer, and the priest would put the
answer in a poetic form for the seeker
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Delphi
 “Know
Thyself”
 “Nothing too much”
 Be self aware and everything done
moderately
 Encouraged restraint and
cautiousness
Delphi
Apollo, the Far-Darter, God of
Prophecy
 Acquired
features of a sun god
 The god of male beauty
 Apollo’s list of failed romances
Apollo and Cassandra
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Cassandra was the most beautiful of the daughters of Priam
and Hecuba, the king and queen of Troy. She was given the
gift of prophecy by Apollo, who wished to seduce her; when
she accepted his gift but refused his sexual advances, he
deprived her prophecies of the power to persuade. At the end
of the Trojan War, Cassandra foresaw the danger posed by
the Trojan horse; the people of Troy ignored her warnings
and the Greek soldiers hiding inside the horse were able to
capture the city. During the sack of Troy, Cassandra was
raped by the Locrian (or "lesser") Ajax, and was then given
as a war prize to Agamemnon. She returned to Greece with
Agamemnon, and tried to warn him of the danger which
awaited him there; once again her prophecy was ignored,
and both she and Agamemnon were murdered by
Clytemnestra and Aegisthus.
Cassandra
Apollo and Sibyl
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Ovid (Metamorphoses 14:130-153) tells how the
Sibyl of Cumae, in southern Italy, was loved by
Apollo.He bribed her by offering to prolong her
life for as many years as there were grains in a
heap of dust, in return for her embraces. She
refused him and although he kept his word, he
denied her perpetual youth, so she was
commanded to centuries as a wizened crone.
In the painting the Sibyl, a young woman is
shown standing before the sitting Apollo holding
out her cupped hand which contains the heap of
dust.
Apollo and Sibyl
Sibyl
Apollo and Daphne
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Daphne was Apollo's first love. It was not brought
about by accident, but by the malice of Eros.
Apollo saw the boy playing with his bow and
arrows; and being himself elated by his recent
victory over Python, he said to him, "What have
you to do with warlike weapons, saucy boy?
Leave them for hands worthy of them. Behold the
conquest I have won by means of them over the
vast serpent who stretched his poisonous body
over acres of plain! Be content with your torch,
child, and kindle up your flames, as you call
them, where you will, but presume not to meddle
with my weapons."
Apollo and Daphne
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Aphrodite's boy heard these words and rejoined, "Your arrows
may strike all things else, Apollo, but mine shall strike you." So
saying, he took his stand on a rock of Parnassus and drew from
his quiver two arrows of a different workmanship, one to excite
love, the other to repel it. The former was of gold and sharp
pointed, the latter blunt and tipped with lead. With the leaden
shaft he struck the nymph Daphne, the daughter of the river god
Peneus, and with the golden one Apollo, through the heart.
Forthwith the god was seized with love for the maiden, and she
abhorred the thought of loving. Her delight was in woodland
sports and the spoils of the chase. Many lovers sought her, but
she spurned them all, ranging the woods, and taking no thought
of Eros nor of Hymen. Her father often said to her, "Daughter, you
owe me a son-in-law; you owe me grandchildren." She, hating the
thought of marriage as a crime, with her beautiful face tinged all
over with blushes, threw her arms around her father's neck and
said, "Dearest father, grant me this favor, that I may always
remain unmarried, like Artemis." He consented, but at the same
time said, "Your own face will forbid it."
Apollo and Daphne
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Apollo loved her and longed to obtain her; and he who gives oracles to all
the world was not wise enough to look into his own fortunes. He saw her
hair flung loose over her shoulders and said, "If so charming in disorder,
what would it be if arranged?" He saw her eyes bright as stars; he saw her
lips, and was not satisfied with only seeing them. He admired her hands
and arms, naked to the shoulder, and whatever was hidden from view he
imagined more beautiful still. He followed her; she fled, swifter than the
wind, and delayed not a moment at his entreaties. "Stay", said he,
"daughter of Peneus; I am not a foe. Do not fly me as a lamb flies the
wolf, or a dove the hawk. It is for love I pursue you. You make me
miserable, for fear that you should fall and hurt yourself on these stones,
and I should be the cause. Pray run slower, and I will follow slower. I am
no clown, no rude peasant. Zeus is my father, and I am lord of Delphos
and Tenedos, and know all things, present and future. I am the god of
song and the lyre. My arrows fly true to the mark; but alas! an arrow
more fatal than mine has pierced my heart! I am the god of medicine, and
know the virtue of all healing plants. Alas! I suffer a malady that no balm
can cure!"
Apollo and Daphne
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The nymph continued her flight and left
his plea half uttered. And even as she fled
she charmed him. The wind blew loose her
garments, and her unbound hair streamed
loose behind her. The god grew impatient
to find his wooings thrown away, and,
sped by Eros, gained upon her in the race.
It was like a hound pursuing a hare, with
open jaws ready to seize, while the feebler
animal darts forward, slipping from the
very grasp.
Apollo and Daphne
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So flew the god and the virgin - he on the wings of love and she
on those of fear. The pursuer is the more rapid, however, and
gains upon her, and his panting breath blows upon her hair. Her
strength begins to fail, and, ready to sink, she calls upon her
father, the river god: "Help me, Peneus! Open the earth to enclose
me, or change my form, which has brought me into this danger!"
Scarcely had she spoken, when a stiffness seized all her limbs;
her bosom began to be enclosed in a tender bark; her hair
became leaves; her arms became branches; her foot stuck fast in
the ground, as a root; her face became a treetop, retaining
nothing of its former self but its beauty. Apollo stood amazed. He
touched the stem, and felt the flesh tremble under the new bark.
He embraced the branches and lavished kisses on the wood. The
branches shrank from his lips. "Since you cannot be my wife," said
he, "you shall assuredly be my tree. I will wear you for my crown.
I will decorate you with my harp and quiver; and when the great
Roman conquerors lead up the triumphal pomp to the Capitol, you
shall be woven into wreaths for their brows. And, as eternal youth
is mine, you also shall be always green, and your leaf know no
decay." The nymph, now changed into a laurel tree, bowed its
head in grateful acknowledgement.
Apollo and Daphne
Apollo and Daphne
Apollo and Coronis
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In Greek mythology, Asklepios (Asclepius) was
the god of healing. He was the son of the
Olympian god Apollo and a mortal woman named
Coronis. There is a legend surrounding the birth
of Asklepios. According to some ancient sources,
Apollo's twin sister Artemis caught the pregnant
Coronis having an affair with another man.
Artemis punished the betrayal of her brother by
killing the woman, but either Hermes or Apollo
rescued the unborn child. As an infant, Asklepios
was sent to live with the wise centaur Chiron, and
in time it was Chiron who taught Asklepios the
art of medicine and healing.
Apollo and Coronis
 Adultery Woman
killed “deservedly”
 men left to do as he pleased
 death seems a harsh punishment
Apollo slaying Coronis
Apollo and Marpessa
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Another women Apollo chased to no avail
was Marpessa, who was engaged to Idas,
son of Poseidon. Apollo and Idas fought
over Marpessa, so Zeus had to step in to
put a stop to it. To settle the fight, Zeus
allowed Marpessa to choose her mate.
Marpessa chose Ida, figuring that since
Apollo was a god, he would most likely tire
of her. She reasoned that since Ida was a
mortal he would be more likely to remain
with her.
Apollo and Marpessa
Apollo and Hyacinthus
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Hyacinthus was the son of the muse Clio and the King of
Macedonia Pierus.
He was considered to be the partner both the Greek god
Apollo and Zephyrus, the god of the winds; those two
deities were competing each other who will gain the favor
of the handsome young man.
One day, Apollo was teaching Hyacinth how to throw the
discus and, on his striving to impress his lover, Apollo threw
the discus with all his force. Immediately, Hyacinth tried to
run after the discus, but was unfortunate enough to get
struck by it and injure himself severely!
Despite Apollo's effort to save the young man's life with
herbs, in the end the young man passed away. From the
blood that was shed, Apollo created a beautiful flower, each
petal of which had the letters "AI" inscribed- they were
symbolizing Apollo's painful cry...
Apollo and Hyacinthus
Apollo, the Far-Darter, God of
Prophecy
 Cassandra
 Sibyl
of Cumae (like Tithonus): “As
many years as grains of sand she
could scoop up in her hands.”
 Daphnê (laurel tree)
 Marpessa
 Hyacinth
Apollo and Inspiration
 Male
seers saw hidden meanings
behind appearances and could heal
the sick
 Females were mediums and their
bodies were taken possession of
either willingly or against their will,
loss of consciousness
Apollo
 embodied
order against barbarism
and reason against irrational
 connected to shamans or medicine
men because he is a healer and
prophet
Next Time
Hephaestus
Ares
Hermes