CLA204H1 Lecture : The nature of the Gods
Document Summary
The gods are generally depicted as human in form and character but very often their appearance and their actions are to some extent idealized. Yet some gods can mirror the physical and spiritual weaknesses of human counterparts. They usually live in houses on mt. olympus or in heaven. There is a distinction between those deities of the upper air and the upper world (olympians) and those of the realm below, named chthonian (of the earth). They eat and drink but their food is ambrosia and their wine, nectar. Ichor (a substance clearer than blood) flows in their veins. They can suffer pain and torment and are worshipped and honored in shrines and temples and sanctuaries. In general, the gods are more flexible than mortals. They are able to move with amazing speed and dexterity, appear and disappear and change their shape at will. Their powers are also far greater than those of mortals. Their knowledge too is superhuman and are immortal.
