specific myths

Question 1

What is the brief version of the Judgement of Troy? How does this relate to Fulgentius’ interpretation?

Answer 1

-Troy was asked to judge a beauty contest with three goddesses as the contestants.
-The three goddesses are supposedly representations of three sperate lifestyles: Hera - active, Athena - contemplative, Aphrodite - love and pleasure.
-Troy declares Aphrodite the winner therefore choosing a life of pleasure for himself.

Question 2

Describe the story of Ovid’s Lycaon.

Answer 2

1. Jupiter (parallel to Zeus) is frustrated with humanity’s wickedness.
2. Jupiter, disguised, goes to the home of Lycaon, a man that is a cannibal, and makes it known that Lycaon is in the presence of the divine.
3. Lycaon tries to feed Jupiter meat from humans and then to test if there is really a divine presence, he begins plotting to kill Jupiter.
4. Jupiter knows and enraged, splits the table in half with lightning.
5. Jupiter goes back to the Olympians where they discuss what must be done with humanity.
6. They agree to wipe out humanity with a flood, sparing only Deucalion and Pyrrha (children of Prometheus and Epimetheus).
7. Once humanity is wiped out, D & P go to a prophet that tells them to “throw the bones of their ancestors over their shoulders”
8. They interpret the prophecy correctly and throw stones on the earth, resulting in the creation of humanity.

Question 3

What are the main events that resulted in the creation of Pandora?

Answer 3

1. Feast at Mecone
2. Zeus is angry at humanity because of Prometheus’ actions and makes life hard.
3. Prometheus steals fire from the gods and gifts it to humans to make their lives easier.
4. Zeus is mad at Prometheus again and creates Pandora as a punishment, unleashing all the bad things of the world.

Question 4

What events happened at Mecone resulting in Zeus being angry with humanity?

Answer 4

1. Man was feasting with gods.
2. Prometheus divides the portions into meat concealed in a stomach and bones covered by fat. He offers Zeus to choose which portion he’d like.
3. Zeus knows this is a trick and chooses the bones, he resents humanity for receiving meat and he holds a grudge against Prometheus for attempting to deceive him.

Question 5

How is Prometheus punished for gifting fire to humans?

Answer 5

Zeus chains him to a rock at the top of a mountain for two reasons:
1. He is subjected to torment, he is restrained. Everyday an eagle eats a piece of his liver.
2. He is as far removed from humanity as he can be.

Question 6

How was Pandora created?

Answer 6

Zeus ordered for the creation and all of the gods helped:
1. Hephaestus - molded her from clay and water
2. Athena - taught her weaving
3. Aphrodite - taught her heartbreak, desire and love.
4. Hermes - taught her how to lie and deceive