Chapter 14 - Demeter Flashcards Preview

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Flashcards in Chapter 14 - Demeter Deck (38)
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1
Q

Genealogy of Demeter

A

Daughter of Cronus and Rhea

- sister of Zeus

2
Q

Who is Demeter the mother of?

A

Persephone

3
Q

Historical origins of Demeter

A

De- “Wheat”

Meter - “mother”

4
Q

What is Demeter’s roman name?

A

CERES

- hence “Cereal” because grain

5
Q

Etymology of Persephone’s name

Epithets

A

Unknown;

Epithets: “Kore” (daughter or girl)

6
Q

Roman name for Persephone

A

Proserpina

7
Q

Divine functions and Powers of Persephone

A

Fertility of Crops

8
Q

Persephone and Demeter together are referred to as:

A

The two Demeters

or

the two goddesses

9
Q

Rape definition (classical greek definition compared to today)

A

Rape in archaic sense of “seizure” or “abduction”

10
Q

Who abducts persephone?

A

Hades

11
Q

Who condones the abduction of Persephone?

A

Zeus

12
Q

Who sees the abduction of Persephone?

A

Helius and Hecate

13
Q

How does Demeter deal with her daughter’s disappearance?

A

9 days of fasting, no bathing, torches at night to search

14
Q

Demeter @ Eleusis: what is demeter disguised as when she takes refuge?

A

An old woman

15
Q

Demeter @ Eleusis: where does Demeter take refuge?

A

Celeus’ palace near the maiden well

16
Q

Demeter @ Eleusis: who does Demeter become a nurse to?

A

Celeus and Metaeira’s Son

  • cheers him up with IAMBE
  • “Demophoon”
17
Q

Demeter @ Eleusis: Iambe definition

A

Lascivious jokes -

cf. iambic poetry

18
Q

Demeter @ Eleusis: What does Demeter drink instead of wine?

A

Concoction of Barley and Mint

- KYKEON

19
Q

Demeter @ Eleusis: What does Demeter feed Demophoon?

A

Nectar and Ambrosia

20
Q

Demeter @ Eleusis: what is burned away at night in Demophoon?

A

Demophoon’s mortal parts; However, she is caught in the act and revealed as a goddess.
Demands temple in her honour

21
Q

Demeter @ Eleusis: what temple was brought up with Demeter’s demands?

A

the Eleusinian Temple complex

22
Q

Homeric Hymn to Demeter: Demeter withdraws due to Persephone

A

Famine comes upon the land

23
Q

Homeric Hymn to Demeter: Zeus intervenes

A
  • sends the gods to fetch demeter and to bring fertility back
  • Hermes is sent to Hades to try and convince him to give back persephone
24
Q

Homeric Hymn to Demeter: Hades Relents

A
  • He says okay but secretly makes Persephone eat pomegranate seeds
  • she is no longer innocent
25
Q

Homeric Hymn to Demeter: Since Persephone ate the pomegranate seeds, what happens?

A

1/3 of year she will be in Hades

- relates to Adonis and the life cycle of plants

26
Q

Eleusinian Mysteries established: What happens after Demeter restores fertility?

A

She establishes a mystery cult; secret initiation; promise of HAPPY AFTERLIFe

27
Q

Eleusinian Mysteries established: Triptolemus; who was is?

A

Messenger of Demeter; pass on agricultural wisdom; merges with Demophoon
- Judge of Dead in Plato’s story

28
Q

Interpretation of Homeric Hymn: Agricultural allegory?

A

Hades = earth
Persephone = seed grain
- However does not work with winter wheat vs. kore returning in spring time

29
Q

Interpretation of homeric Hymn: Structuralist interpretation

A

Great Goddess and Dying Lover - mother and daughter relationship

30
Q

Ritualist interpretation of Homeric Hymn to Demeter:

Rite of passage for young girl

A
  • Kore (daughter/girl)
  • Parthenos (virgin)
    Cf. Arranged Marriage and condoning of abduction
31
Q

Ritualist Interpretation of homeric Hymn to Demeter:

Symbolic gesture behind pomegranate seeds

A

symbol of sexual union

32
Q

The Eleusinian Mysteries:

Mystery Religion

A
  • open to all people but have to be initiated

- provides etiology for word mystery

33
Q

Greek word:

“Myo”

A

“To squint”

34
Q

Greek word:

“Mystai”

A

“squinters”

or

“Initiates”

35
Q

The Sanctuary of Demeter @ Eleusius:

The Telesterion, what was it?

A

The Hall of Initiation

36
Q

The Sanctuary of Demeter @ Eleusius:

The Hierophant

A

The revealer of sacred things

  • things said, things shown, things done
  • Hiera = sexual intercourse
  • Hiera = male and female genitialia
37
Q

Kykeon definition

A

barley-meal, mint, and water

38
Q

The Sanctuary of Demeter @ Eleusius:

3 stages of initiation

A

lesser mysteries - preliminary initiation
greater mysteries - full initiation
epopteia - the beholding