Female Olympians (handout)

Classical Mythology

English - March 19, 2013 22:34 - ★★★★ - 18 ratings
Courses Education History la trobe university chris mackie christopher mackie greece greek history history ancient history rhiannon evans classical mythology Homepage Download Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Overcast Castro Pocket Casts RSS feed

Previous Episode: Male Gods

Next Episode: Female Olympians

The two generations of female Olympians include various figures who represent aspects of ancient Greek female experience: Artemis, associated with young women; Hera with marriage; Demeter with marriage; and Aphrodite with illicit sexuality. This lecture further explores the variant versions of Aphrodite's origin in Hesiod (from Ouranos' castrated genitals) and Homer (from Zeus and Dione), to suggest that goddesses can pose a troubling challenge to Zeus' authority. The power of a goddess' anger is investigated in depth through the myth of Demeter's search for her daughter, as she effectively holds Zeus and the other gods to ransom until her demands are fulfilled.