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Greek religion > 1.1 The nature of the Olympian gods > Flashcards

1.1 The nature of the Olympian gods Flashcards

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1
Q

define polytheism

A

the belief and/or worship of more than one god

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2
Q

where did the olympian gods live?

A

on Mount Olympus in northern Greece

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3
Q

when did Homer date to?

A

8th century BC

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4
Q

when did Hesiod date to?

A

700 BC

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5
Q

what are the two main works of Homer?

A

the Odyssey and the Iliad

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6
Q

what are the two main works of Hesiod?

A

Works and Days and the Theogony

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7
Q

what was Works and Days about?

A

taught farmers how to live a good and productive life

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8
Q

what was the Theogony about?

A

described the gods’ origins and family tree

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9
Q

what did the historian Herodotus say about the influence of Homer and Hesiod?

A

‘Homer and Hesiod are the poets who composed theogonies and described the gods for the Greeks’

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10
Q

when were the homeric hymns dated to?

A

700BC

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11
Q

what are the homeric hymns about?

A

the creation of the gods, and cause of any religious cults for them

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12
Q

how is Athena described in homeric hymn 11?

A

‘Protectress of cities … that fearsome goddess who cares with Ares for warlike works’

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13
Q

how is Athena described in homeric hymn 28?

A

‘it was Craft-filled Zeus himself who gave birth from his sacred head to her already in armour of war’

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14
Q

give the date of the Panathenaic amphora

A

333 BC

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15
Q

give the style of the Panathenaic amphora

A

black figure

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16
Q

what is depicted on the front of the panathenaic amphora?

A

armed Athena striding forward

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17
Q

what is depicted on the back of the panathenaic amphora?

A

three athletes running

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18
Q

what is the significance of the panathenaic amphora?

A

reveals the goddess’ presence in Athens’ festival and her anthropomorphic depiction

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19
Q

what advice does Hesiod give in Works and Days on how to worship the gods?

A

‘never pour gleaming wine to Zeus in the morning with unwashed hands, or to the other immortals, for then they pay no heed, and spit out your prayers’

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20
Q

define anthropomorphism

A

the attribution of human characteristics and emotions to non-human forms

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21
Q

how is Odysseus treated negatively by the gods in Homer’s Iliad?

A

Poseidon punishes him by creating a storm at see in revenge for Odysseus stabbing the eye of his son, Polyphemus the cyclops, ‘he roused the stormy blast of every wind that blows’ book 5

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22
Q

how is Odysseus favoured by the gods in Homer’s Odyssey?

A

Athena protects Odysseus from Poseidon’s sea storm, ‘she flattened the waves in the swimmer’s path, so that Odysseus, favourite of Zeus, may be rescued from the jaws of death’ book 5

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23
Q

how does Hesiod describe the powers of Zeus in Works and Days?

A

‘easily he makes strong, and easily he oppresses the strong … there is no way to evade the will of Zeus’

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24
Q

what advice does Hesiod give in Works and Days on how to honour the gods appropriately so you receive support in return?

A

‘appease the immortal gods with libations and burnt offerings, both when you go to bed and when the holy light returns, so that they may have a gracious heart and spirit towards you’

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25
what does Hesiod say in Works and Days about Zeus exacting justice?
'if a man is willing to say what he knows to be just, to him wide-seeing Zeus gives prosperity .. for those who occupy themselves with violence and wickedness and brutal deeds, Kronos' son, wide-seeing Zeus, marks out retribution'
26
how did the Greeks honour the gods?
sacrifices, libations, prayers, and votive offerings
27
define votive offering
a dedication to a god by a individual as part of a reciprocal relationship with a mortal
28
what was the role of Zeus Agoraios?
Zeus of the agora - had oversight over those buying and selling goods, ensured the administration was just, and that deals were sealed by swearing oaths
29
which epithet of Zeus had oversight over those buying and selling goods, ensured the administration was just, and that deals were sealed by swearing oaths?
Zeus Agoraios
30
what was the role of Zeus Phratrios?
Zeus of phratries - had oversight over the phratries in Athens (each Athenian citizen belonged to an phratry within their tribe)
31
define phratry
a 'brotherhood' - a subdivision of the Athenian tribes
32
what was the role of Zeus Philios?
had oversight over the well-being of individuals and households, and prosperity and purification. he was usually consulted about matters regarding property, marriage and childbirth
33
which epithet of Zeus had oversight over the well-being of individuals and households, and prosperity and purification. he was usually consulted about matters regarding property, marriage and childbirth?
Zeus Philios
34
what was the role of Zeus Herkeios?
Zeus of the fence/courtyard - a protector of families
35
which epithet of Zeus was a protector of families?
Zeus Herkeios
36
what was the role of Zeus Panhellenios?
protector of all greeks
37
which epithet of Zeus was a protector of all greeks?
Zeus Panhellenios
38
what was the role of Athena Polias?
patron goddess of Athens
39
what was the role of Athena Promachos?
Athena fighting on the front lines
40
define heroisation
the process by which a person becomes/is made a hero
41
give an example of a hero who comitted good deeds
Herakles, carried out twelve labours to help people from various threats - such as a hydra
42
give an example of someone who achieved hero status after committing bad deeds
Cleomedes, killed his opponent in the pankration at the Olympic games so was disqualified. in his rage, he destroyed an entire school, killing 60 children and himself
43
where were hero shrines constructed?
around the supposed tomb of the hero
44
how were heroes worshipped in hero cults more localised than the immortals?
hero-shrines were often constructed around the supposed tomb of the hero, resulting in the hero being closely linked to that place and thus ‘far more localized than a god’
45
where was Pelops worshipped by hero cults and why was it here?
the Pelopeion (his supposed tomb) at Olympia, because he inspired the Olympis Games after the chariot race between him and Oenomaus
46
why were heroes worshipped by hero cults?
if the hero had significantly benefitted the community in life - such as removing miasma of undergoing great suffering - they would be worshipped as protectors of the city. if the hero had been a criminal in life, they were worshipped as a way of preventing them from becoming unhappy and causing harm to the living population.
47
what was the role of Athena Chalkioikos?
Athena of the bronze head in Sparta
48
what was the role of Athena Pronoia
Athena of Forethought in Delphi
49
what was the role of Athena Lindia?
named after the city of Lindos on Rhodes
50
how was Heracles worshipped as a household god?
his statue stood outside many houses to ward off evil
51
for what purpose did people worship Heracles at the Panhellenic sanctuary at Olympia?
athletes worshipped him because his strength and endurance probably inspired their training, and because he was the founder of the games
52
in the Homeric hymn to Demeter, what epithet is given to the goddess that shows what her role as a goddess is?
'Demeter, bringer of seasons'
53
how does the Homeric hymn to Demeter explain the origins of the Eleusinian mysteries?
‘She showed the conduct of her rites and taught them all her mysteries’
54
what epithet is given to Athena in the second Homeric hymn to Athena?
'Pallas Athene, guardian of the city'
55
according to the Homeric hymn to Athena, what does the goddess 'love'?
'she loves the deeds of war'
56
how does the Homeric hymn to Artemis describe the goddess?
‘Shooter of stags, who delights in archery’
57
what is said in Hesiod's 'Works and Days' about Zeus' role as god of justice?
'True judgement which is of Zeus and is perfect'
58
what is said in Hesiod's 'Works and Days' about the knowledge of immortals compared to humans?
'the gods keep hidden from men the means of life'
59
what is said in Hesiod's 'Works and Days' about the creation of Pandora?
'all they who dwelt on Olympus gave each a gift, a plague to men'
60
what is said in Hesiod's 'Works and Days' about the will of Zeus?
'there is no way to escape the will of Zeus'
61
according to Hesiod's 'Theogony', what name do gods and men give Aphrodite that links to her birth?
‘The foam-born goddess … because she grew amid the foam’
62
according to Hesiod's 'Theogony', how did Cronos attempt to prevent being killed by his children?
'swallowed down his children'
63
what does Hesiod's 'Theogony' say about the role and authority of Zeus?
'rules over mortals and immortals'
64
In Homer's 'Odyssey', how does Athene defend Odysseus to Zeus?
“Did he not offer you constant sacrifice?”
65
In Homer's 'Odyssey', how is Zeus' authority depicted?
'sovereign above them all'
66
how is the reciprocal relationship between gods and mortals demonstrated in book one of the Iliad?
“if ever I built a temple that pleased you, if ever I burnt you offerings of the fat thighs of bulls or goats, grant me this wish” Chryses to Apollo
67
in Homer's Iliad, how is impiety punished by the gods?
'for nine days the god's arrows rained on the camp'
68
in Homer's Iliad, how is the authority of Zeus among the other immortals demonstrated?
'They all stood up as he came in' (to the assembly)
69
in Homer's Iliad, where are immortals seen saving mortals from harm/death?
'Aphrodite hid Paris in a dense mist and whisked him away'
70
in Homer's Iliad, where are the immortals seen orchestrating war together?
"are we to stir up evil war again ... or shall we make peace between the two sides"
71
in Homer's Iliad, what epithet is given to Zeus by the mortals that reflects his complete control?
'Zeus, crontroller of war on earth'
72
in Homer's Iliad, where is the importance of purification before prayer demonstrated?
"a man cannot pray to Zeus ... when he is bespattered with blood and filth" Hector to Hecabe
73
in Homer's Iliad, where is divine favour as a result of worship presented?
“I have a warm place in my heart for this man … he has burnt the thighs of many oxen in my honour” Zeus about Hector
74
Define ‘cult’
A system of religious worship expressed as a ritual, devotion or homage to a person or thing
75
When did hero-cults become widespread and normal?
8th century BC onwards
76
What rituals took place after an important person had died?
- procession - formalised lamentations sung at the tomb - offerings to the dead that continued beyond the actual funeral at regular intervals
77
Who would be involved in honouring someone who had benefited the local or wider community?
regular citizens as well as family
78
How did heroes differ from the gods?
They had died and were now living as shades or ghosts in the underworld
79
What offerings were given to heroes by the cults that worshipped them?
Holocausts (all sacrificial animals burnt up completely) and libations - often of blood - poured into the earth
80
Who received hero-cults?
People who had shown prowess in battle, bravery, or had affected the local community
81
How did Theseus redeem himself in the eyes of Athenians?
- united all the small towns around Athens under his control - introduced democracy - began the Panathenaic games - performed heroic labours
82
Why did Heracles become a hero?
He carried out the twelve labours set by his cousin, King Eurystheus, to redeem himself for killing his wife and three children
83
Why did Asclepius become a hero?
He was the son of Apollo and had the skill of healing, however he was killed by one of Zeus’ thunderbolts when he brought a dead man back to life. He became known as a god of healing.
84
What offerings were given to Asclepius by his hero-cults?
Votive offerings in the shape of the body part that needed to be healed
85
what two heroes were worshipped at shrines all over the Greek world?
Heracles and Asclepius
86
define 'hero cult'
the ritualised worship of a dead person
87
during which time periods were hero cults given to figures who had died a long time ago?
archaic and classical
88
when did heroization become more common?
4th century onwards
89
why did Cleomedes become a hero?
he was disqualified from the Olympic games for killing his opponent then attacked a school in anger, killing himself and sixty children. he became a hero to prevent him being angered and affecting peoples' lives negatively

Greek religion (13 decks)

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