CLAS/PHIL 2610. Paganism to Christianity

Lecture 2. The Greek Pantheon

I. The Big Picture

A. Anthropomorphism

1. Attribution of human characteristics to Gods

2. Boundary between human and divine blurred

a. contact through signs: animals; lightening; earthquakes

b. contact through oracles: god speaks to man

c. contact through sacrifice: man speaks to god

d. direct contact: epiphany (Pan to the Athenians)

B. Polytheism: each god unique; mediated through name; cult / rites; myths; iconography (images)

1. multiple city states (polis)

2. multiculturalism: esp. near eastern

3. fluidity and contradictions

C. Society and the sacred: each god = social purpose

II. The Twelve Olympians

Conceptual Basis for Pantheon: Homeric Epic (Iliad / Odyssey) = 8th C BC

1. Zeus

"God"; sky god; king of the gods / representative of sovreignty; victory; sexual power; Pan-Hellenic God (All greeks at his festival at Olympia)

2. Hera

Wife of Zeus / Great Goddess; temples; goddess of weddings / marriage; not mother; jealousy / wrath

3. Poseidon

Sea god; lord of earth and sea; fishing, sailing, earthquakes

4. Athena

Virgin goddess / city goddess (of Athens >> then all Greece); Armed warrior (aegis = shield); crafts (weaving) / Intelligence

5. Apollo

Universal Gk. God; Male beauty; Delos / Delphi shrines; initiation of boys (apellai); eastern elements (plagues / bow); healer; music (lyre); Oracle (Delphi)

6. Artemis

Apollo's sister; mistress of animals; huntress; virgin / temptress; initiation of girls

7. Aphrodite

Erotic goddess (aphros = foam of Ouranos' testicles); semitic elements (Ishtar)

8. Hermes

Trickster; Herma (pile of stones / boundary); messenger of gods; guides souls to underworld

9. Dionysos

Wine / intoxication (divine possession); masks / drama (Dionysia); Destruction (Bacchae)

10. Hephaistos

Fire and forge

11. Ares

Uncontrolled war; important in Roman myth

12. Demeter

Grain / Mother Goddess