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“Since often enough in war it is surer and safer to quest for food with sword and buckler than with all the instruments of husbandry” Xenophon Why would the Greeks go to war in the first place? Moreover, why would small farmers participate in the phalanx rather than cultivate their crops and earn income? The … Read more
Afterlife is a common topic everywhere we look – in television shows, in movies, in our everyday lives, and even in books. Our own portrayal of life after death comes from others’ perceptions that stick with us. In literature, this is no different. In Dante Alighieri’s Inferno, we are exposed to one of the more … Read more
Throughout Greek tragedies, there is a well-defined line between male and female gender roles. The men are seen as money makers, punishers, and protectors; whereas women are seen as caregivers, peacekeepers, and nurturers. A man’s job held more importance than a woman’s. In the patriarchal society seen in Greek culture, women were expected to follow … Read more
French author, George Bernanos once said “It’s fine to rise above pride, but you must have pride in order to do so. ” Bernanos believed that it is necessary for everyone to have pride in order to succeed. But, those who succeed may become too proud and will lose everything. Bernanos believed that pride is … Read more
Heroes are the best-known part of Greek mythology. what makes a hero in Greek Mythology are battling tyrants and conquering dangerous journeys and completing difficult tasks. These heroes who conquered their obstacle’s, deserve to be recognized. Thave chosen to highlighted my two favorite Greek heroes, I believe have shown incredible strength through every turn of … Read more
In Unit 10 under the Instructor’s Emphasis Medusa, American culture generally imagines Medusa being born as snake headed monster whom Perseus destroyed with the assistance from the gods. Another theory says that Medusa was once a mortal woman that Poseidon raped in the temple of Athena. Athena made Medusa suffer because of her jealousy by … Read more
Agnodice’s legacy is a very peculiar one, and whether it is true or not has been debated over and over, time and time again. Any and everything we know about her life comes from the Latin author, Gaius Julius Hyginus. He wrote her story in his collection titled, “Fabulae”, which is the only surviving record … Read more
When studying modern mythos in terms of comic books, I kept myself in the lense of female superheros being the goddesses of today. I use the comic books as the goddesses’ mythic narrative, but it also moves beyond written and into a visual medium which seems to be a very intriguing thing to the culture … Read more
Some of the most intriguing moments in The Oresteia come from the brief moments of prophecy. A form of prophecy appears in all three plays and all in different ways. However, both Cassandra’s prophecy and Clytaemnestra’s dream point strongly to the future, as well as the past, while the prophecy of the Pythia simply states … Read more
There are many different ways to look when studying Ancient Greece, the view of the wars, the views of the different cities, the views of the armies, the views of women or men in that time, etc. Each one has an influence on the other, so while looking at one you need to take into … Read more
Long ago, people lacked knowledge on why certain things happened. Without scientific answers, like we have today, the Ancient Greeks created their own answers about the world and an individual’s place in it. These tales were known as myths. They described the feelings and values that bound the members of society. There are two types … Read more
Goddess, wise crone of the crossroads protectress to Witches, Hecate! Hold before me the mirror of the dark moon, that I may see my true self in its reflection. I call to your wisdom as I stand before the before the three- pronged path, the time for decision has come, help me choose that which … Read more
The youngest son of Cronus and Rhea, Zeus was the supreme ruler of Mount Olympus and of the gods who lived there. Zeus was a supreme leader that upheld law, justice and morals, and with this made him the spiritual leaders of gods and mortals. Zeus was associated with being a weather god, his main … Read more
The Greeks believed that the earth was formed before any of the gods appeared. The gods, as the Greeks knew them, all originated with Father Heaven, and Mother Earth. Father Heaven was known as Uranus, and Mother Earth, as Gaea. Uranus and Gaea raised many children. Amoung them were the Cyclopes, the Titans, and the … Read more
It has been known that the Romans and the Greeks have had many interactions with each other, whether it would be due to trading or just plain traveling, the stories of their myths have crossed each other in one way or another. This is may be the reason why there are many similarities between Greek … Read more
Hercules, in Greek mythology, was a hero known for his strength and courage and for his legendary adventures. Hercules is the Roman name for the Greek hero Heracles. He was the son of the god Zeus and a human mother Alcmene, wife of the Theban general Amphitryon. Hera, Zeus jealous wife, was determined to kill … Read more
In Greek mythology, Theseus can truely be thought of as the greatest Athenian hero. He was the son of Aegeus, king of Athens, and Aethra, princess of Troezen, and daughter of Pittheus, king of Troezen. Before Theseus was born his father Aegeus left Aethra in Troezen of Argolis and returned to Athens before he was … Read more
Since the days when man lived in caves and struggled to survive, he has wondered about the world that surrounds him. What makes the sun rise and set? Why are there seasons? Where do things go when they die? To the ancient Greeks, there were simple explanations to all these questions it was the gods! … Read more
Sisyphus, one of the biggest tricksters of all time lived like what seems as a seemingly short life, he was pursued by many Gods wanting to punish him for some trick or prank that he had pulled, but they never got him, finally Hermes captured him though and put him under the control of Hades. … Read more
Aeschylus is primarily concerned with the nature of justice. In the trilogy The Oresteia, the Akhaians evolve from an older, more primitive autocratic form of justice, to a new concept of civil justice devised by Athena. He confronts the contrast between the old and new orders, the lives of the members of the House of … Read more
Homer was the god who wrote three famous poems, the Illiad, the Oddessy, and the Beowulf. The Illiad was the story of the Trojan war. Here’s how the trojan war went. Helen, Clytemnestra’s sister, was married to Menelaus. A while later, Menelaus went hunting, and Paris from Troy came and took Helen away. Agamemnon heard … Read more
Hercules, in Greek mythology, was a hero known for his strength and courage and for his legendary adventures. Hercules is the Roman name for the Greek hero Heracles. He was the son of the god Zeus and a human mother Alcmene, wife of the Theban general Amphitryon. Hera, Zeus’ jealous wife, was determined to kill … Read more
The Ancient Greeks believed in a series of myths which explained nature, set up a moral code for the people, and were just folk lore of the people. In this paper, the beginnings of myths, the Greek gods themselves, and several myths concerning morals, nature, and old lore of the Ancients will be discussed. Because … Read more
When one ponders the Greek mythology and literature, powerful images invariably come to mind. One relives the heroes’ struggles against innumerable odds, their battles against magical monsters, and the gods’ periodic intervention in mortal affairs. Yet, a common and often essential portion of a heroic epic is the hero’s consultation with an oracle or divinity. … Read more
The role of the king in the time of Greek tragedies was simultaneously desired and dreaded because of the kings responsibility to the people and because of the effects of the position on the kings character. Creon reveals such ambivalent thoughts towards the kingship in his speech defending himself from Oedipuss conspiracy accusation in Oedipus … Read more
Oedipus is a very interesting character in Greek mythology. He encounters many episodes on his journey, escaping the dangers of the prophecy he was told. Oedipus the King us the is quite exciting to the readers because of the dramatic irony Sophocles uses throughout the trilogy. Dramatic irony is when the audience is aware of … Read more
The Greeks believed that the earth was formed before any of the gods appeared. The gods, as the Greeks knew them, all originated with Father Heaven, and Mother Earth. Father Heaven was known as Uranus, and Mother Earth, as Gaea. Uranus and Gaea raised many children. Among them were the Cyclopes, the Titans, and the … Read more
In Euripides’ Medea, the main character of the same name is a controversial heroine. Medea takes whatever steps necessary to achieve what she believes is right and fair. She lived in a time when women were expected to sit in the shadows and take the hand that life dealt them without a blink of their … Read more
Media was a very diverse character who possesses several characteristics which were unlike the average woman during her time. As a result of these characteristics she was treated differently by members of the society. Media was a different woman for several reasons; she possessed super natural powers , she was manipulative, vindictive, and she was … Read more
There are many pieces of literature that may entail more than one theme throughout the story. The tragedy, Medea, by Euripides is very good example of this. Throughout this story, the themes of betrayal and love, revenge, and women’s rights arise. Euripides brings these points up to help the reader to realize that women are … Read more
“Let me hear no smooth talk of death from you, Odysseus, light of councils. Better, I say, to break sod as a farm hand for some poor country man, on iron rations, than lord it over all the exhausted dead.” Right before restless Odysseus leaves Circe, she tells him that he must go down into … Read more
Ask yourself this, Is this world biased against a particular gender? Do we mainly focus on women’s issues or men’s? What would your answer be? I bet most of you would say no, we aren’t biased at all. And, in many cases, that would be correct. But look at some of the other parts of … Read more
In ancient Greece women were viewed as many things. They were not viewed as equivalent to males by any means. Women were portrayed usually as submissive domestic, and controlled. They played supporting or secondary roles in life to men, who tended to be demanding of their wives, but expected them to adhere to their wishes. … Read more
In Medea, by Euripides, the two main characters Jason and Medea are forced to leave Lolkos and have taken refuge in Corinth. Jason has the possibility of establishing a position of standing in the community by marrying King Creons daughter. Medea is enraged by Jasons betrayal of her and their two children and she vows … Read more
Authorial information Euripedes lived from ca. 485 to ca. 406 B.C. making him younger thank Aeschylus and Sophocles, and making him the last of the great writers of tragedy in the golden age of Athens. His emphasis on human emotions and the psychology of individuals has proven more widely popular than philosophical beliefs shown in … Read more
In Greek mythology, Apollo and Dionysus are nearly opposites of one another, and as with many opposites, life would not operate just quite right without both of them. They each played a specific role for the Greeks. They had very different things associated with them. Apollo was often associated with logic and the power of … Read more
Aeschylus use of darkness and light as a consistent image in the Oresteia depicts a progression from evil to goodness, disorder to order. In the Oresteia, there exists a situation among mortals which has gotten out of control; a cycle of death has arisen in the house of Atreus. There also exists a divine disorder … Read more
Women today tend to speak assertively for their rights. However, the social structures in which we live sometimes still make it difficult for us to actualize the full range of our creative abilities. In literature as dated as fairy tales and Greek mythology, writers have used characters who exemplified the caged woman. In the fairy … Read more
Artemis was born of Leto and Zeus, on the island of Delos, later helping with the delivery of her twin brother, Apollo. Some sources state that her actual birthplace is not Delos, but an island called Ortygia. Although the two islands could be one and the same, it is not clear. In helping with the … Read more
In Greek Mythology a rivalry always occurs between certain Gods and Goddesses. In the case of Apollo and Dionysus there is no exception. They are half brothers, both sons of Zues and they compete just as most brothers do. Though the two Greek Gods, Apollo and Dionysus, were actually very similar in some ways, they … Read more
Wars are often very complex in nature and are fought for many diverse reasons. The school boy may fight in order to get money for college, the patriot may fight to bring life, liberty and justice to some poor soul, and a coward may fight because he was drafted by force. In the Iliad, powerful … Read more
Mythology was an integral part of the lives of all ancient peoples. The myths of Ancient Greece are the most familiar to us, for they are deeply entrenched in the consciousness of Western civilization. The myths were accounts of the lives of the deities whom the Greeks worshipped. The Greeks had many deities, including 12 … Read more
The Iliad is a classic story of a Greek warrior, named Akhilleus, whose anger causes many soldiers to die during the Trojan War. When Akhilleus becomes angry, there seems to be nothing that can stop him from totally destroying his enemy. While many consider anger to be the primary factor in motivating Akhilleus, the main … Read more
Hermes was a God of mischief and excitement. He was known for inventing measurement, musical instruments, and steeling cattle. Hermes was a God that everyone can relate to. Hermes did small important chores for the Gods, but his main job was delivering messages. Was Hermes a good or a bad God? Hermes the son of … Read more
The hero stands as an archetype of who we should be and who we wish to be. However, the hero has inherent flaws which we do not wish to strive towards. In literature, these flaws are not used as examples of what we should be but rather as examples of what not to be. This … Read more
“The arts of the western world have been largely dominated by the artistic standards established by the Greeks of the classical period” (Spreloosel 86). It is from the Greek word theatron, meaning a place for sitting, that we get our word theater. According to James Butler, “The Greeks were the first people to erect special … Read more
Athena, back in time when Greece was making its mark in history as one of the great civilization of the Ancient World, there was a great deal of emphasis on the Gods and Goddesses. To the Greeks the world was governed by the Gods and they were the reason many things happened in the world, … Read more
Aphrodite is the Greek name for the goddess of love and beauty. Roman mythology refers to her as Venus. She charmed gods and men and stole away even the wits from the wise (Hamilton 32). Different stories describe how Aphrodite was created in two different ways. The first tells that she was created from the … Read more
Book Review The Iliad The name Homer is synonymous with great tales of heroic poetry. Although this genre of poetry hails the distinctness of being Homeric it is not certain that Homer himself actually existed. The book Prolegomena ad Hoerum, published in 1795 CE. written by F. A. Wolf, translated The Homeric Problem, set in … Read more
In Homer’s Iliad, war is depicted as horrible, bloody, and fruitless. There are no clear winners in The Iliad. Many people die in vain because of arrogant and emotional decisions made by men. Achilles directly causes the death of his friend by first refusing to fight, leaving the Greeks at a disadvantage, and then poorly … Read more