Greek Mythology Questions and Answers
Greek Mythology
What is the moral lesson of the myth about Persephone?
As with most of the Greek myths, the overriding moral is not to defy the gods. The gods are presented not as moral exemplars but as capricious and amoral tyrants, shamelessly using mortals to get...
Greek Mythology
I need a hook for my topic Greek Mythology.
A hook refers to an interesting or surprising element in the introduction meant to grab the reader's attention. The hook is one part of the introduction and usually leads into the thesis statement....
Greek Mythology
What is the main theme in "Prometheus and his gift to mankind"?
The story of Prometheus's theft of fire is one of the most famous myths of the Ancient Greeks. Prometheus was one of the Titans of Greek mythology, said to have previously sided with the gods in...
Greek Mythology
What are the names of the four children of Oedipus?
Oedipus had four children with his wife, Jocasta—who was also, of course, his mother. Oedipus had no idea that the woman he married had also given birth to him so many years before. Oedipus's...
Greek Mythology
How did Theseus die?
According to myths and legends, Theseus lived in the Late Bronze Age, about a generation (20–30 years) before the start of the Trojan War, which according to myth occurred at some time in the...
Greek Mythology
Why does the Florist FTD have a logo of Hermes? I know they deliver quickly, but is there anything else I should know?
Florists' Transworld Delivery (FTD) was founded in 1910 under the name Florists' Telegraph Delivery. It took advantage of what was then the radical new technology of the telegraph, which enabled...
Greek Mythology
Based on myth, compare the qualities of Uranus, Cronus, and Zeus. Are these qualities similar to the god or gods of...
Uranus, Cronus (also spelled Cronos or Kronos), and Zeus represent three generations of Greek gods. They are mentioned in many different literary and mythological works, but the most detailed...
Greek Mythology
What is Athena's connection to astrology?
The Greek goddess Athena was also called “Pallas Athena.”.\ She adopted the second name in honor of her friend, Pallas, whom she regretted killing in a heated argument. Athena (or “Minerva” to the...
Greek Mythology
Is Zeus mortal or immortal?
Zeus is the Greek sky god, ruler of Olympus, and supreme arbiter among the gods, so he is most certainly immortal, and there are definitely stories that demonstrate this quality. To begin with, you...
Greek Mythology
Does the myth of Theseus and the Minotaur have a moral? If so, what is it?
It is anachronistic and often counterproductive to view Greek mythology through the modern lens of moral allegory. While such stories did exist in the ancient world, like Aesop's Fables which are...
Greek Mythology
What is the Theban Saga?
The Theban Saga is a collection of sagas, or legends, that focuses on important events in mythology around the founding of Thebes, a major city in Boeotia which is a region in mainland Greece. It...
Greek Mythology
How was Prometheus different from Epimetheus?
Prometheus and Epimetheus are titans and brothers, but that's pretty much where the similarities end. Whereas Prometheus is highly intelligent, cunning, brave, and resourceful, Epimetheus is...
Greek Mythology
What did Prometheus want to give to man and why?
In Greek mythology, the Titan Prometheus was tasked by the gods with providing mankind with the comforts that were needed to thrive. Prometheus recognized that humans were suffering naked and...
Greek Mythology
What are some "Modern Day" tasks for Hercules to accomplish?
This is a real interesting idea. I think that Hercules' labors could have modern application. Obviously, physical strength would have to be a part of this. Building off of the idea of bringing...
Greek Mythology
What are some Greek Myths that have community as a central value?
Several Greek myths have community as a central value. Ancient Greek societies valued loyalty, hospitality, and family, all of which contribute to a strong community. Whether approaching battle,...
Greek Mythology
Explain briefly how "Phaethon and Helios" addresses the relationships between fathers and children.
Phaethon was the son of Helios and Klymeme. In Greek mythology, he begged his father to allow him to drive the chariot of the sun. At first Helios said "no," because Phaethon was too young and...
Greek Mythology
What is the main point of Zeus’s argument against Prometheus?
Zeus's main argument is that giving fire to humans, as Prometheus has done, is the wrong thing to do, as it will make humans stronger, and that's the last thing that the almighty king of the gods...
Greek Mythology
What is the Trojan Saga?
The Trojan Saga refers to the events that led to the Trojan War, the events which occurred during the war, and the aftermath of the conflict. The Trojan War was a conflict between the Achaeans...
Greek Mythology
What did Cronus do to his father, Uranus? How were the furies born and what do they do? Who is Aphrodite and how...
Cronus and his siblings had been imprisoned in the Earth by their father, Uranus. Uranus had feared that his son Cronus, in particular, would usurp his throne, and in a theme often seen in Greek...
Greek Mythology
How does Demeter find out what happened to Persephone?
Demeter, the goddess of harvest and fertility, has always been very protective of her daughter Persephone, whom she had by Zeus, the father of the gods. Many suitors have come knocking at...
Greek Mythology
What are the realms of Hades and Elysium?
Hades and Elysium are both realms of the afterlife. Hades as a realm takes after the god Hades. Hades, the brother of Hera, Demeter, Hestia, Poseidon and Zeus, was the eldest son of Cronus, the...
Greek Mythology
What imagery is there in the myth Persephone (and Demeter)? Please can you include if it creates an atmosphere too?
Because you don't mention which specific text you are reading to learn the myth of Persephone and Demeter I am not sure what specific imagery that author is using to tell the story. That said, the...
Greek Mythology
Compare and contrast Greek mythology's view of nature to ours.
For the most part, modern society preaches a respect for the environment. While it might not be followed to the greatest of extent, individuals are taught to display respect for the ecology....
Greek Mythology
Why is the story Theseus important to the Greeks?
Theseus is an important, legendary figure in Athenian history. He was revered as the Athenian king who unified Attica under Athenian hegemony. Numerous stories about Theseus slaying monsters on the...
Greek Mythology
Who were the children of the Greek gods Polyphemus and Orion?
Polyphemus and Orion according to Greek Mythology were sons of the Greek Lord Poseidon. Polyphemus was one of three Cyclops, who were one-eyed giants. He was the progeny of Poseidon and a nymph...
Greek Mythology
Do Greek myths offer one cohesive vision of the role of women in Greek society, or is there different roles women play?
I think that there are many different conceptions of women offered in the Greek myths. This is similar to how there are many different conceptions of men offered in the narrative of Greek...
Greek Mythology
What was Hephaestus' domain?
Hephaestus (Vulcan in the Roman form) was the Greek god of blacksmithing, craftsmanship and metallurgy. Thus, his domain was fire, smithing, and forge. According to the prevailing Greek myth as...
Greek Mythology
What different ways did Zeus punish Prometheus?
The Titan Prometheus committed what the gods regarded as a very serious crime. Feeling sorry for man’s weak and servile state, he broke into the workshop of Hephaestus and Athena on Mount Olympus...
Greek Mythology
What is an example of the Greek gods being presented as anthropomorphic?
The claim that Greek gods are anthropomorphic means that they appear to have human form. The term "anthropomorphic" actually derives from two Greek words, "anthropos", meaning "human", and...
Greek Mythology
Discuss the attituded towards gender and sexual norms that Greek myths reflect.
The Greek myths reflect the patriarchal norms of Greek society, in which men are in charge and women are sex objects at their disposal. As scholar Jane Harrison noted, a pantheon of powerful female...
Greek Mythology
What is a common theme shared by the myths of Persephone and Demeter, and Theseus and the Minotaur?
One common theme between the Greek myth of Persephone and Demeter and that of Theseus and the Minotaur is the sacrifices that people or gods make for love and for causes greater than their personal...
Greek Mythology
According to Greek mythology, how were the world and mankind created?
The key creation myth in Greek mythology can be found in Hesiod's Theogony. It depicts a succession of power struggles between various divine forces as the universe gradually moves away from the...
Greek Mythology
How does Echo try to communicate her love to Narcissus?
Ovid relates the tragic story of Echo and Narcissus in his Metamorphoses. Echo is a beautiful nymph used by Zeus to distract his wife, Hera, with her chatter when Zeus goes off to pursue other...
Greek Mythology
What is Zeus's tree?
Trees have placed a central role in most mythological and theological lore because they symbolize life, nature, and the mystery of time. Trees branch out, they their lifespan is interminable, and...
Greek Mythology
Why do Roman gods have different names compared to Greek mythology?
What you should remember is that Roman culture and religion did evolve separately from that of the Greeks and involved different assumptions and religious practices. Thus, you should keep in mind...
Greek Mythology
How were the greek gods and goddesses like humans?
The Greek gods and goddess were like humans in almost every way. Indeed, there are far more similarities than differences. The gods are immortal and have magical, though limited, powers. They live...
Greek Mythology
Prometheus What would the relationship between Prometheus and Zeus be? Based on some research, I know that Prometheus...
In terms of "relationship," I would look at this more as to how they got along rather than how they were "related." There seems to be no connection in terms of Zeus being Prometheus' father, etc....
Greek Mythology
What was the fate of sailors that heard the Sirens' song in ancient mythology?
In Book XII of Homer's epic poem, The Odyssey, the hero, Odysseus, gets some advice from an immortal nymph named Circe about how to survive the rest of his journey home. She tells him that he and...
Greek Mythology
How can I create a hook for my essay about Hephaestus?
Without knowing in exactly which direction the essay is going to go, I can't dial in a perfectly tailored hook for the essay. However, I can help get you started by briefly discussing four...
Greek Mythology
Why do you think the Greek creation myth, with its emphasis on the birth of Eros and on the conflict and violence in...
When we study the Greek creation myths, we notice that there is plenty of sex and violence, and this likely reflects the experiences of the human beings that developed those myths. Let's look at...
Greek Mythology
Where did Daedalus fly after Icarus's death?
Daedalus is the mythological figure who created two pairs of gigantic wings in which he and his son, Icarus, could use to fly. Before doing so, Daedalus warned Icarus to fly neither too high nor...
Greek Mythology
Compare Apollo and Daphne and Apollo and his lyre.
In both myths about Apollo and Daphne and Apollo and his lyre, Apollo deals with gods taking the form of a child. In Apollo and Daphne, the god deals with Eros (Cupid), a god depicted as a...
Greek Mythology
Explore the motives, themes, values, and messages of Greek myths.
Greek mythology is packed full of motifs, themes, values, and messages. We'll explore a few of these to get you started on this assignment. You might look closely at the theme and value of heroism....
Greek Mythology
What are Theseus' major conquests or deeds?
At 16, Theseus lifted the rock under which his father Aegus had placed the the sword and sandals that would identify Theseus as his son, and travelled to Athens to reclaim his birthright.On the way...
Greek Mythology
What makes Theseus a heroic character?
The Greek heroes all conform to a fairly narrow archetype which we find in Homer. They are categorized to such an extent that we can rank the heroes of the Iliad and, to a lesser extent, the...
Greek Mythology
What prediction does the priestess make to Acrisius?
According to Greek mythology, Acrisius was the son of Abas, king of Argos. Acrisius had a twin brother named Proteus that he exiled so he could seize the inheritance and take over the kingdom....
Greek Mythology
What are two myths of two different origins (non-Greek) that relate to any Greek myth and how is it similar? I'm...
In the Indian epic, the Ramayana, we find a scene that reminds me of Homer's Odyssey. In the Ramayana, the person who marries Sita must be able to pick up Shiva's bow and string it. Rama does so...
Greek Mythology
How has Greek mythology affected or been integrated into modern society?
Allusions abound in modern literature! Knowing what a pomegranate has to do with springtime might serve you in understanding a lot of poetry. Knowing that Cupid isn't just a cute creature of love...
Greek Mythology
Why did the Greeks make myths?
This is a great question. There is no one reason for mythologies. So, let me name a few of them. First, there is something in humans that need to explain the world around them. In light of this...
Greek Mythology
Who were the people that Theseus fought on the road to Athens?
There is perhaps no better source to consult on matters of ancient Greek history and mythology than the historian Robert Graves, so it is to him that we turn for an answer to the question of who or...
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