CMLT316 Lecture Notes - Lecture 9: Panathenaic Games, Morality Play, Lapiths
3 Jun 2018
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Class 9 Notes: The Greek Pantheon, cont; Athena and Aphrodite
Athena (Roman: Minerva)
● Depicted with war helmet
● Shield (aegis of Zeus) with Gorgons
● Long peplos (dress)
● In stories: a perennial virgin (like Artemis)
● Domains:
○ Textile production
○ Military strategy
○ Wisdom in general
○ Patron of heroes (often assists them in stories)
Athena, Daughter of Zeus and Metis (‘Cunning’)
● Zeus heard prophecy from Gaia that he and Metis would produce a son that would
overthrow him
● Zeus swallowed Metis to prevent this
● After realizing his hastiness, Zeus was assisted by Hephaestus to “deliver” the child
Athena and Arachne
● Rare story of a vengeful Athena
● Arachne praised as magnificent weaver, but did not acknowledge Athena’s assistance
● Athena visits Arachne to warn her about insolence
● Arachne ignores advice
● They begin a competition
● Athena weaves a tapestry depicting humans being punished by the gods
● Arachne weaves a tapestry depicting instances of gods behaving badly
● Seeing Arachne’s tapestry, Athena beats the maiden
● The maiden hangs herself
● Athena transforms Arachne into a spider
Athena and Arachne: What’s Going On?
● A morality tale, of sorts
● An instance of gnothi seauton (“know thyself”)
● Arachne has committed hubris by not acknowledging the benefaction of the goddess
● Arachne is punished
Athena in Athens: The Contest
● Early in Athens’ legendary history, the city named “Cecropia” after first king
● Competition began for “patron” of the city, waged between Poseidon and Athena
● Poseidon promised horses (or salt water); Athena promised the olive tree
● Alternatively, outcome decided by a footrace between the gods to the top of the
Acropolis
○ Athena wins
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Document Summary
Class 9 notes: the greek pantheon, cont; athena and aphrodite. Patron of heroes (often assists them in stories) Zeus heard prophecy from gaia that he and metis would produce a son that would overthrow him. After realizing his hastiness, zeus was assisted by hephaestus to deliver the child. Arachne praised as magnificent weaver, but did not acknowledge athena"s assistance. Athena visits arachne to warn her about insolence. Athena weaves a tapestry depicting humans being punished by the gods. Arachne weaves a tapestry depicting instances of gods behaving badly. Seeing arachne"s tapestry, athena beats the maiden. An instance of gnothi seauton ( know thyself ) Arachne has committed hubris by not acknowledging the benefaction of the goddess. Early in athens" legendary history, the city named cecropia after first king. Competition began for patron of the city, waged between poseidon and athena. Poseidon promised horses (or salt water); athena promised the olive tree.
