PS268 Lecture Notes - Lecture 25: Homeric Hymns, Origin Myth, Minoan Religion
Document Summary
Still entertain; re ect human concerns that transcend politics, language and religion. Evidence for myths found in literary genres of poetry and drama: myths are highly exible with many variations of the same myth. Remote settings; deities are larger than life; patriarchal society. Zeus swallowed athena"s mother (mantis: goddess of intelligence) because he heard her prophecy that her child would overthrow him to become the new supreme god. Her myth used to justify persecuting women- single woman"s vote for athena caused poseidon to lose and since he lost he persecuted the athenians so they ruled women could no longer vote. Virginal but gave birth to athens king after hephestus tried to rape her but came on her leg. Represents irrational force of human nature and physical nature. Zeus turned dionysos" mortal mother into a crisp by accident but the fetus was saved and sewn into zeus" thigh. Greeks were polytheistic: worshipped gods in temples.
