CMLT316 Chapter Notes - Chapter 6: Kleobis And Biton, Mysians, Croesus
3 Jun 2018
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CH 6: The Nature of the Gods
Anthropomorphism
● The greeks and romans conceived of their deities as anthropomorphic
○ Human in form and character
● These gods/goddesses are idealized mortals in their physical beauty, human beings
being larger than life through the intensity of their emotions, and their superhuman
powers
● They perform extraordinary feats but appear tragically human in their pain and sorrows,
rivalries, and sins
● Ichor (not blood) runs through their veins and they feast not on mortals but instead drink
nectar and eat ambrosia
Olympian Deities
● Their home is Mt Olympus
○ Splendid houses
○ Opulent feasts
● Immortals are worshiped by mortals in temples and honored with statues, altars, and
animal sacrifices
● Priests serve them and officiate at celebrations
Chthonic Deities
● Gods and goddesses who are primarily associated with the Underworld are called
Chthonic (‘of the earth’)
● Hades is primarily a chthonic deity
○ King of the underworld
○ His wife is Persephone
● Hecate and the Furies are other examples of important chthonic deities
Zeus and Greek Monotheism
● Strong element of monotheism from the beginning
● Zeus is the sovereign deity and is concerned with moral values
○ His monotheism and patriarchy are tested by other divinities, esp goddesses
● Hera’s power is able to thwart Zeus’ plans
● Aphrodite can bend all the gods to her will except Hestia, Athena, and Artemis
● Zeus became the almighty god of morality and justice
Greek Humanism
● A belief in the inevitability of fate or the Fates created a particularly somber mood for the
development of greek literature
○ Sense of predetermined destiny for each individual was analyzed in terms of the
meaning and possibility of free and independent action
● Developed a strong and realistic awareness of the misery, uncertainty, and
unpredictability of human life ordained by the gods
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Document Summary
These gods/goddesses are idealized mortals in their physical beauty, human beings being larger than life through the intensity of their emotions, and their superhuman powers. They perform extraordinary feats but appear tragically human in their pain and sorrows, rivalries, and sins. Ichor (not blood) runs through their veins and they feast not on mortals but instead drink nectar and eat ambrosia. Immortals are worshiped by mortals in temples and honored with statues, altars, and animal sacrifices. Priests serve them and officiate at celebrations. Gods and goddesses who are primarily associated with the underworld are called. The greeks and romans conceived of their deities as anthropomorphic. Hecate and the furies are other examples of important chthonic deities. Strong element of monotheism from the beginning. Zeus is the sovereign deity and is concerned with moral values. His monotheism and patriarchy are tested by other divinities, esp goddesses. Hera"s power is able to thwart zeus" plans.
