Classical Studies 2200 Lecture Notes - Lecture 7: Athamas, Greco-Roman Mysteries, Melicertes

• School: Western University
• Department: Classical Studies
• Course: Classical Studies 2200
• Professor: Aara Suksi

Document Summary

Hera tricked semele, who was destroyed by a lightning bolt. Hermes convinced semele to see zeus in his true form, but the power was too great and she was blasted by thunderbolts. Hermes rescued the fetus from semele"s womb, who put it in zeus" thigh and was later born again (twice-born) Nysa, raised by nymphs and changed into a goat. Hermes haves the infant dionysus to athamas and ino who raised him as a girl. Athamas hunted and killed his older son learchus (thought he was a deer) Ino threw herself and her son melicertes into the sea. Dionysus was born in thebes on the greek mainland. Grew into manhood in the foreign lands east of greece. Driven insane by hera, he is healed by his initiation into the mystery rites of cybele (the phrygian mother-goddess) Look for eastern dress, pipes, tambourines, satyrs (ears and tail), wild animals (ie. riding wild animals), staff of wild fennel.