CLA204H1 Lecture : January 26 Lecture
Document Summary
Male deities zeus, poseidon, hades, apollo, hermes, hephaestus, ares, dionysus. Female deities hera, the muses, aphrodite, demeter, artemis, athena. Supreme god, god of sky (near eastern analogues), thunderbolt is main weapon. Depiction: main in his prime, animals: bull and eagle. Upholder of justice, amorous objects of zeus" affection are often negatively affected, many identities. Responsible for decline of humanity, but also attributed to the creation of humanity. Gives birth to faiths, graces and muses; females that impose order on the universe, oppressive nature. Model of proper greek male, adultery issues represent their issues. Marriage with themis (all that"s established): creates seasons" and fates". Wrathful; upholds all this is sacred and moral; zeus xenios. Depicted with thunder and lightning, his powers; but he is vulnerable. His authority is not supreme, always subjects to fates and the rules of the universe. Homer (iliad 1) hints at near successful revolution which was being planned against zeus by the other gods, led by hera.
