lecture 10 & ch. 8

Question 1

What is the main takeaway of the Homeric Hymn to Hermes?

Answer 1

The main takeaways understanding:
- how the gods interact
- the politics of Mount Olympus
- relevance of negotiation

Question 2

What is Pan notorious for?

Answer 2

He is notoriously horny (lol).

Question 3

What are the three most important relationships that Pan has? Briefly explain.

Answer 3

1. Syrinx - a nymph also his pan pipe; while chasing after her, she prayed for transformation and was transformed into a river read. Pan was cutting the reeds to find her and then used the reeds to create the pan pipe.
2. Echo - a nymph; she angers Hera and is cursed so that she can only repeat what others say.
3. Daphnis - a boyfriend

Question 4

Pan is the origin of what word? Why is this the case?

Answer 4

Origin of Panic.
- Panic is what you may feel if you are lost in the woods; Pan is usually found in the countryside.

Question 5

Hephaestus is associated with which island? Why?

Answer 5

Lemnos
- There are several reasons, the most notable is that Zeus was mad and through Hephaestus out of Olympus and he landed on Lemnos.

Question 6

What is the name of the god associated with metalwork and smithing?

Answer 6

Hephaestus

Question 7

What are two causes for Hephaestus’ deformity?

Answer 7

1. Zeus fucking yeeting him out of Olympus
2. Hera creating and birthing him by her lonesome, but she’s not Zeus therefore Hephaestus is not “perfect.”

Question 8

Hephaestus was famous for making armor, who did he make armor for that’s most notable?

Answer 8

Achilles

Question 9

Walk through the sequence of events regarding Hephaestus and his attempt on Athena.

Answer 9

1. Hephaestus decides he wants Athena.
2. Athena is not interested, therefore perhaps he decided to attempt to force her due to his loneliness or his heartbreak.
3. After being refused, he ejaculates onto her leg.
4. Athena wipes away the semen with wool and then drops the wool on the ground.
   - From the wool and semen came the Athenians.

Question 10

Who is considered to be the wife of Hephaestus?

Answer 10

Aphrodite

Question 11

What is a common theme regarding the myths that involve Ares?

Answer 11

He often doesn’t fit in; he doesn’t enjoy being on Olympus because he would rather be on the battlefield.

Question 12

What is the sequence of events regarding Ares’ affair with Aphrodite?

Answer 12

1. They have an affair, Helios sees it and tells Hephaestus.
2. Hephaestus decides to make a net; he forges it from pieces of metal that are so fine and delicate they are virtually invisible.
3. After Hephaestus catches Aphrodite and Ares in the midst of an affair, he tells Zeus and Zeus calls all the other gods.
   - the male gods go to laugh at this exposed affair.

Question 13

What is the biggest difference between the Olympians and humans? Which ancient author makes this incredibly clear?

Answer 13

The Olympians are free from consequence.
- Homer acknowledges that while the gods are anthropomorphic, humans and the gods are fundamentally different.

Question 14

What is Hermes the god of? Why is he special?

Answer 14

God of:
- Thieves
- Guides
- Travelers
- Merchants
- Speed

He is special because he is also a psychopompos; he is a guide for spirits entering the underworld.

Question 14

What child comes from the affair of Aphrodite and Hermes?

Answer 14

Hermaphroditus; an intersex god

Question 15

What is Hermes the god of? Why is he special?

Answer 15

He is the god of:
- Merchants
- Thieves
- Speed
- Guides
- Travelers

He is special because he is a psychopompos; he guides spirits into the underworld.

Question 16

What is one of the greatest achievements of Hermes?

Answer 16

Receiving the title of argeiphontes upon slaying Argus.

Question 17

Within artwork, Hermes can be identified through 6 different features. What are these features?

Answer 17

1. CADUCEUS - the staff of Hermes
2. Petasos - a travelers hat
3. Chlamys - a cloak; worn over his shoulders
4. Often bearded
5. Wings - representative of his swiftness; can be seen on his boots or his hat
6. His boots often have a lip? fabric flopping over the top? idfk what it’s called

Question 18

What is Hermes seen as the embodiment of?

Answer 18

Herms - road sign

Question 19

What are three features of a herm?

Answer 19

1. a bust
2. an inscription
3. a phallus

Question 20

The Homeric Hymn to Hermes depicts Hermes as a creator. What are the depictions that lead to this conclusion?

Answer 20

Throughout the hymn he creates:
- lyre
- sandals
- fire (don’t think about Prometheus)
- panpipes (don’t think about Pan)

Question 21

What are 4 traits that the Homeric hymn to Hermes exhibits in relation to Hermes?

Answer 21

1. Creator
2. Thief
3. Deceit
4. Resourcefulness

Question 22

The Homeric hymn to Hermes starts with his conception and his birth. What are aspects of his character on display during the conception as well as the first moments of his life?

Answer 22

1. The secrecy of his conception - Zeus moves swiftly during the night without the knowledge of Hera. He finds Maia in her cave; her cave is described as a ‘shadow.’
2. Hermes was born within darkness as a secret; no one knew.

Question 23

The Homeric hymn to Hermes depicts what desire of Hermes?

Answer 23

His desire is to be recognized as a god.

Question 24

What are the two plots that occur within the Homeric Hymn to Hermes?

Answer 24

1. The invention of the lyre
2. The theft of Apollo’s cattle

Question 25

Which two gods are considered to be social and political opposites?

Answer 25

Hermes and Apollo

Question 26

In which region did Pan roam?

Answer 26

Arcadia

Question 27

Who is the god of the best preserved Greek temple of today?

Answer 27

Hephaestus

Question 28

In an alternate version, Hephaestus was thrown from Olympus by who? What events followed?

Answer 28

In the Iliad, Hera throws him.
- Enraged by what Hera did, Hephaestus forged a throne and attached a net so strong that only he could reopen it.
- Hera sat on the throne, was captured by the net.
- Hephaestus refused to return to Olympus, Dionysus went to him and got him drunk.
- Dionysus then led Hephaestus back to Olympus and Hephaestus freed Hera from his net.