Part Two

The Greek Sagas

Greek Local Legends

Chapter 17: The Theban Saga

The Founding of ThebesBoeotia in central GreeceCadmusCadmeiaAgenor, king of TyreHerodotus: myth and history and the abduction of women

EuropaDaughter of Agenor, brother of CadmusZeus as bullVoyage to Crete

Cadmus, Founder of ThebesConsultation with the Delphic OracleOracle of the cowFounding of CadmeiaSpring of Ares and the guardian serpentAthena’s aidSpartoi (“sown men”)Servitude of CadmusHarmonia, daughter of Ares and AphroditeNecklace of HarmoniaCadmus and HarmoniaIno, Semele, Autonoë, and Agave.Tradition of the introduction of writingTransformation into serpents

The Theban Saga

The Families of Labdacus and LycusDeaths of Pentheus and LabdacusLaius, infant son of LabdacusLycus, regent of Thebes, son of Chthonius (one of the spartoi)Nycteus, brother of Lycus, father of AntiopeZeus visits Antiope in the form of a satyr.Twins Amphion (muscician) and Zethus (herdsman)Deaths of Lycus and of Dirce, his wifeBuilding of the walls of Thebes (Amphion’s Lyre)Amphion marries Niobe; Zethus marries Thebe.

LaiusReturn of LaiusCurse of Pelops for the abduction of his son Chrysippus

Oedipus, son of Laius and JocastaExposure on Mt. Cithaeron and wounding of anklesOedipus raised by Polybus and Merope, king and queen of CorinthOedipus (“swellfoot”)Meeting at the crossroads

Oedipus and the SphinxSphinx (“strangler”) terrorizes Thebes.Sent by HeraThe riddle of the SphinxOedipus’ success and marriage to Jocasta

The Theban Saga

The Recognition of OedipusDiffering Versions

Two Homeric passagesSophocles’ Oedipus Tyrannus

Oedipus and JocastaAntigone, Ismene, Polynices, and EteoclesPlague afflicts Thebes for failing to find the murderer of Laius.Messenger from Corinth comes to Thebes and Oedipus learns that he is not

the son of Polybus and Merope.Servant comes forward who was given Laius’ infant son to expose and

turns out to be the sole survivor of the attack at the crossroads.Truth of Oedipus’ birth laid bareJocasta’s suicideOedipus blinds himself and is banished.

The End of the Oedipus TyrannusRegaining heroic statureHuman and divine relationshipsAcceptance of the will of the godsInevitability of fatePersonal responsibility for actions committed

Sophocles’ Oedipus at ColonusProduced at Athens posthumously in 401 B. C.End of Oedipus’ lifePrecinct of the EumenidesTheseusOedipus’ guilt or innocenceTransformation to heroic statusOpposition of CreonPolynices and his expedition to take ThebesOedipus curses Polynices.

The Theban Saga

The End of the Life of OedipusThe miraculous and mysterious passing of OedipusAccorded worship after his death

Other Versions of the Myth of OedipusHomer: Oedipus dies in battle; Epicaste (Jocasta) is not the mother of children.Euripides’ Oedipus: servants of Laius blind OedipusEuripides’ Phoenissae : Oedipus not in exile when the expedition of the Seven against

Thebes comes; Jocasta sill alive; After the failure of the expedition, Jocasta kills herself over the bodies of her sons; Oedipus exiled

The Myth of Oedipus and Psychoanalytic Theory“Oedipus Complex” of Sigmund Freud, 1910Importance of dreamsSublimation and repression of the truthGradual perceptionsStrength finally to face the truth

The Seven Against ThebesThe preliminaries to the expedition

Curse inflicted upon Polynices and Eteocles by OedipusAgreement to rule in alternate yearsEteocles assumes the kingship firstPolynices goes to ArgosDecision to attack ThebesAncient treatments

Aeschylus’ Seven Against ThebesEuripides’ Phoenician WomenEuripides’ Suppliant WomenSophocles’ AntigoneStatius’ Thebaid

The Theban Saga

The Seven against Thebes: Polynices, Adrastos, Tydeus, Capaneus, Hippomedon, Parthenopaeus, and Amphiaraüs

Bribery of Eriphyle, Amphiaraüs’ wife, with Necklace of Harmonia

Incidents on the Journey from Argos to ThebesDeath of infant Opheltes; establishment of Nemean GamesOpheltes (“snake child”) becomes Archemorus (“beginner of death”)Tydeus slaughters Theban ambush party.

The Failure of the Attack on ThebesFulfillment of curseAtoning suicide of Menoeceus, son of CreonEteocles and Polynices kill one another.Death of other heroes; barbarity of Tydeus

AmphiaraüsAdrastus saved by swift steed, ArionAmphiaraüs swallowed by the earth along the river IsmenusAmphiaraüs, cult hero

AntigoneSophocles’ AntigoneDenial of burial to Polynices by CreonAntigone’s refusal to submitAntigone buried aliveDefiance and suicide of AntigoneHaemon, Creon’s son and fiancé of Antigone, kills himself.Eurydice, Creon’s wife, kills herself.

The Theban Saga

The Burial of the Seven against Thebes

The Epigoni, Sons of the Seven against ThebesAlcmaeon, son of AmphiaraüsEpigoni (“later generation”)Thebes destroyed a generation before Trojan War

Alcmaeon, Eriphyle, and the Necklace of HarmoniaAlcmaeon kills Eriphyle for her treachery.Flight to ArcadiaFlight to region where the sun had not shone when Alcmaeon killed his motherDeath of AlcmaeonDedication of necklace in Delphi

TiresiasDescended from the SpartoiOracular vision/blindnessLived for seven generationsTraditions about his loss of sight

Ovid’s MetamorphosesCallimachus

Death of TiresiasTiresias in the Underworld

Chapter 18: The Mycenaean Saga

Pelops and TantalusPelops, son of Tantalus, from Asia MinorSuitor for Hippodamia, daughter of Oenomaüs, king of PisaHero cult of Pelops at OlympiaTantalus’ offense against the gods

Dismemberment of PelopsOffers his son as a feast for the godsPunishment in UnderworldCannibalism and sacrificial ritualsDemeter alone partakes of feast.Pelops’ ivory shoulderPindar’s version: Poseidon’s love for Pelops

The PelopionSacrifices to Zeus and PelopsEponymous hero of the Peloponnese (“island of Pelops”)Temple of Zeus at Olympia, west pediment: chariot race between Pelops and

OenomaüsThe Race and the origin of the curse

Variant: bribery of Myrtilus, son of HermesDemand of Myrtilus and his deathCurse of Myrtilus

Atreus and ThyestesPelops becomes King of PisaQuarrel between Thyestes and Atreus over MycenaeThe Possession of the golden-fleeced ramThyestes’ seduction of Aërope, Atreus’ wifeAtreus’ return and exile of ThyestesBanquet of Thyestes’ children and Thyestes’ curse

The Mycenaean Saga

Agamemnon, Clytemnestra, and AegisthusAegisthus, son of Thyestes and his daughter PelopiaAgamemnon, king of Mycenae, husband of ClytemnestraAgamemnon and ClytemnestraIphigenia, Electra, Orestes, and ChrysothemisAgamemnon, leader of the Greek expedition against Troy

Sacrifice of Iphigenia at AulisRole of ArtemisAeschylus’ AgamemnonEuripides’ Iphigenia in Aulis

Adultery of Clytemnestra with AegisthusAgamemnon murdered, along with Cassandra, by Clytemnestra and

AegisthusHomer’s Version: murder committed by Clytemnestra and AegisthusAeschylus’ Version: Clytemnestra acts alone.

Orestes and ElectraClytemnestra and Aegisthus usurp throne.Orestes grows to adulthood in exile at the court of Strophius, King of Phocis.Orestes’ duty to avenge his father’s murderApollo’s command and Electra’s encouragementHomer’s Odyssey: Orestes praised for avenging his fatherSophocles’ Electra : matricide is a just ordinance of Apollo.Aeschylus’ Libation Bearers: and Euripides’ Electra : matricide elicits feeling of revulsion.Orestes pursued by the Furies (Erinyes)Exile and redemption at Athens

The Mycenaean Saga

Aeschylus’ Oresteia: Agamemnon, Libation Bearers, and EumenidesMovement from blood guilt and vengeance to justice of law courts, from darkness to light, from chthonian to olympianAgamemnon : Curse reinvigorated against AgamemnonLibation Bearers : Curse moves against Clytemnestra and Aegisthus, and through their deaths, against OrestesEumenides : trial of Orestes and acquittal

Orestes at DelphiCommand of Apollo sends him to Athens and AthenaCourt of the Areopagus created by Athena; citizen juryApollo’s defenseClaim of the ErinyesAthena’s deciding voteErinyes appeased and become the Eumenides (“kindly ones”)Establishment of Zeus’ will

Sophocles’ ElectraElectra as focal pointMatricide accepted as divinely ordained

Euripides’ ElectraDebasement of figuresElectra’s sexual jealousyElectra and Orestes act together in the murder of Clytemnestra.

Euripides’ Iphigenia in TaurisOrestes commanded to go to the land of the TauriSacrifice of foreignersIphigenia, discovered as priestess of ArtemisCleansing of matricideIphigenia and Orestes return to Greece.

The Mycenaean Saga

Orestes, King of MycenaeMarriage with Hermione, daughter of Helen and MenelaüsRole in murder of Neoptolemus, son of AchillesBuried at Tegea

Electra marries Pylades, son of Strophius.

Additional ReadingOrestes and the three Electras

Aeschylus’ Libation Bearers (Choephori)Sophocles’ ElectraEuripides’ Electra

Chapter 19: The Trojan Saga and the Iliad

The Children of LedaLeda and Zeus (as a swan)Castor and Clytemnestra (mortal egg); Helen and Polydeuces (immortal egg)

The Dioscuri (“sons of Zeus”)Castor, tamer of horses and mortalPolydeuces (Roman Pollux), skilled in boxing and immortalQuarral with Idas and Lynceus

Rape of the Leucippides (“daughters of Leucippus”)Death of CastorShared immortality of Castor and PolydeucesPatrons of Sailors (St. Elmo’s Fire)

HelenMenelaüs, king of Sparta and HelenHermioneParis (Alexander), son of Priam and Hecuba, the king and queen of TroyThe seduction of Helen and the start of the Trojan WarVariant: Stesichorus’ Palinode: the real Helen and the phantom Helen

The Judgment of ParisWedding of Peleus and ThetisEris, goddess of discord and the golden apple (“for the most beautiful”)Hera, Athena, and Aphrodite vie for honorParis chosen by Zeus to settle dispute

Hecuba’s dream: Paris as firebrandExposure as an infantHermes leads goddesses to Paris for his judgment.Aphrodite wins with offer of Helen.

Lucian (Dialogue of the Gods 20)

The Trojan Saga

Troy and its LeadersLaomedon

King of TroyApollo and Poseidon commissioned to build walls of TroyPlague and sea monster sent as punishmentExposure of HesioneHeracles and the first Greek expedition to TroyPriam (Podarces) becomes king of Troy

Priam and Hecuba50 Sons and 12 (or 50) daughtersHecuba as tragic figure

Paris (Alexander)Paris and Oenone, a nymph with power to healParis grows to maturity and is received back into Priam’s house.Favorite of AphroditeVanity and sensualityParis will ultimately kill Achilles.

Hector, Andromache, and AstyanaxHector, brother of Paris

Greatest of Troy’s defendersAndromache, Hector’s wifeAstyanax, infant son of Hector and Andromache

Helenus, Deïphobus, and TroïlusHelenus, prophet who knew the course of the war’s end

Caught by Odysseus; survives warMarries Andromache

Deïphobus, husband of Helen after death of ParisTroïlus, killed by Achilles; story of Troïlus and Cressida a later development

The Trojan Saga

Cassandra and PolyxenaCassandra, daughter of PriamProphetess, though never believedKilled by Clytemnestra

Polyxena, final virgin sacrifice before the tomb of Achilles

AeneasSon of Anchises and AphroditeProphecy about Aeneas and his descendants: future rulers of TroySignificant in Roman legends

AntenorBrother of HecubaCounsels return of HelenSpared by GreeksWith wife Theano, he founds Patavium (Padua) in Italy

Glaucus and SarpedonLeaders of Lycian contingentGlaucus, hereditary guest-friend of Diomedes

Killed by Ajax (son of Telamon)Sarpedon, son of Zeus and Laodamia

Zeus’ Struggle with Sarpedon’s Fate (moira )Sarpedon, second to Hector in nobility on Trojan sideExpounds the demands of heroic arete (“excellence”)

RhesusLeader of ThraciansNight Raid of Odysseus and Diomedes

The Trojan Saga

The Achaean LeadersIndependent commanders of their contingents

Agamemnon King of Mycenae“Lord of Men”Leader of expedition against TroyGreatest in prestige

MenelaüsKing of Sparta

Brother of AgamemnonHusband of Helen

DiomedesKing of Argos and a great warriorFavored of AthenaWounds Ares and AphroditeAssociated with OdysseusThe Palladium (stature of Pallas), talisman for Troy

NestorKing of PylosOldest and wisest“His speech flowed more sweetly than honey.”Survives war

Ajax the Greater of SalamisSon of TelamonBulwark of the AchaeansFoil and rival of OdysseusStraightforward, brusque

The Trojan Saga

Ajax the Less (or Lesser)Prince of Locrians, son of OïleusViolation of Cassandra and his punishment

IdomeneusLeader of Cretans, son of DeucalionVoluntary ally

OdysseusAttempt to avoid war by feigning madnessCrafty, cunning, of persuasive speech

Achilles and His Son Neoptolemus (Pyrrhus)Prince of the Myrmidons in PhthiaGreatest of Greek warriorsSwift-footed, handsomeSon of Peleus and Thetis

Thetis attempts to make him immortal.Achilles’ Heel

Educated by the centaur ChironAchilles’ Fate: early death with glory, or long life without gloryDisguised as girl and sent to ScyrosAchilles’ disguise unmasked by OdysseusAchilles and Deïdamia, daughter of Lycomedes, King of ScyrosNeoptolemus

(Pyrhhus)

Phoenix and PatroclusPhoenix, banshished by his father

Welcomed by PeleusCompanion and tutor to Achilles

Patroclus, also received by PeleusClosest companion of Achilles (perhaps lovers)

The Trojan Saga

The Gathering of the expedition at AulisAulis, on the coast of Boeotia, opposite EuboeaRoughly 1200 ShipsThe Sacrifice of Iphigenia

The anger of Artemis and the prophet CalchaCalchas’ prophecy about the length of the war

The Arrival at TroyPhiloctetes

Son of PoeasIsland of Chryse and Philoctetes’ woundAbandonment of Philoctetes on LemnosBow of Heracles and the fate of TroyPhiloctetes kills Paris.

Achilles Heals Telephus.Mysian Hero, son of Heracles“He that wounded shall heal.”

Protesilaüs and LaodamiaProtesilaüs killed by Hector as the Greeks come ashoreLaodamia’s griefBrief return of Protesilaüs and Laodamia’s suicideCycnus, son of Poseidon, turned into as swan

The Trojan Saga

The IliadFrom the quarrel between Achilles and Agamemnon to the burial of HectorChryseïs, daughter of Chryses, priest of ApolloPlague sent by ApolloBriseïs taken from Achilles as recompenseWrath of Achilles and his refusal to fightHeroic arete (“excellence”) woundedEpiphany of Athena to AchillesThetis and ZeusTruce and dual between Menalaüs and ParisThe farewell of Hector and AndromacheEmbassy to Achilles

Odysseus’ attempt to soften Agamemnon’s wordsAchilles’ responseRoles of Phoenix and Ajax

Trojan victory and fire at the Greek shipsPatroclus enters struggle.Death of SarpedonPatroclus killed by HectorAchilles’ unquenchable grief and rageShield of Achilles fashioned by HephaestusAchilles’ returnDeath of HectorMutilation of Hector’s corpsePriam’s journey to ransom the body of HectorAchilles relents.Burial of Hector

The Olympian Gods in BattleIntimate involvement in conflictTheomachies (“conflicts between gods”)

The Universality of the IliadWar as universal human experience

The Trojan Saga

The Fall of TroySources: summaries of lost epics, tragedy, representations in art, and Vergil’s AeneidAchilles and Penthesilea, leader of the AmazonsAchilles and Memnon, son of Eos (Aurora), leader of the EthiopiansDeath of Achilles

Wounded in the heel by Paris with the aid of ApolloCorpse recovered by AjaxGhost of Achilles and the sacrifice of Polyxena

Odysseus and Ajax Compete for the Armor of AchillesDisgrace of Ajax, his madness, and suicideSophocles’ Ajax

The Deaths of Paris and PriamSummons of Neoptolemus (Pyrrhus) and PhiloctetesPhiloctetes kills Paris.Neoptolemus butchers Priam.Vergil’s Aeneid

The Wooden HorseEpeusHomer’s Odyssey and the song of DemodocusVergil’s Aeneid, Book 2: a detailed account of the sack of TroyOdysseus’ roleSinonLaocoön’s fear of the horse and his death, along with his two sons

The Trojan Saga

The Sack of TroyThe Wooden Horse is brought inside Troy.Greeks return from Tenedos.Slaughter of TrojansViolation of Cassandra and her eventual murderHecuba’s Transformation; Cynossema (“dog’s tomb”)

The Trojan Women of EuripidesDeath of Astyanax

The Sack of Troy in the Aeneid Witness of Troy’s death throes, Aeneas, survives sack.Anchises and Ascanius (Iulus)Creusa, Aeneas’ wife; her appearance as a ghost

Chapter 20: The Returns and the OdysseyEpic Nostoi (“returns”)

Agamemnon, Menelaüs, and NestorAthena’s anger at Ajax, son of OïleusAgamemnon’s return and murderMenelaüs, Nestor, and Diomedes set sail together.

Menelaüs in Egypt; Eidothea and ProteusReturn of Helen and Menelaüs to SpartaMenelaüs in Elysian FieldsNestor’s return to Pylos

DiomedesReturn to Argos; adultery of his wife, AegialiaSails to Italy and received by Daunus, king of ApuliaHero cult

IdomeneusReturn to Crete; adultery of his wife, Meda, and her murderUsurpation of throne by Leucus

Story of Idomneus’ sacrifice of his sonIdomenus driven to Calabria in southern ItalyHero cult

PhiloctetesReturn to ThessalyDriven to southern ItalyHero Cult

Historical and Legendary MaterialStories of exile in southern Italy may reflect movement of Greek colonization from

eighth century on.

The Returns

NeoptolemusReturn over land accompanied by Helenus and AndromacheLeaves Phthia with them and his wife, Hermione, and comes to Molossi in EpirusKilled at DelphiHero cult

OdysseusReturn of Odysseus: elements of folktale and romantic legends grafted onto the sagaAdventures of Odysseus followed by a captivity of seven years on the island of Ogygia

with Calypso, his location at the beginning of Homer’s OdysseyTen years wandering

Story of OdysseusAs the Odyssey opens: Odysseus with Calypso on Ogygia; Penelope, his wife, beset

by suitors; and Telemachus, his son, struggling to grow to adulthood in his father’s absence.

Odysseus himself will sing the song of his adventures to the Phaeacians.Poseidon’s wrathAthena’s protection

The Cicones and the Lotus EatersCicones

Thracian city of Ismarus sacked by OdysseusGift of wine for sparing Maron, priest of Apollo

Lotus EatersFruit of the Lotus which blots out the desire to return home

The Cyclopes (One-Eyed Giants)Polyphemus, son of PoseidonPolyphemus’ caveOdysseus as Nobody (outis)Blinding of the cyclopsEscape on the underside of a ramDisclosure of Odysseus’ name

Polyphemus’ curse

The Returns

Aeolus and the LaestrygoniansAeolus, keeper of the windsGift to Odysseus: bag of windsStupidity of Odysseus’ menAeolus’ refusal of additional aidLaestrygonians: sinking of all of Odysseus’ ships but his own

CirceIsland of AeaeaSorceress, daughter of the SunMen transformed into swineHermes’ aid: MolyOdysseus spends one year with Circe; birth of TelegonusCirce counsels journey to Underworld.

The Nekuia (Book of the Dead)Odyssey, Book 11TiresiasMeeting with old comrades

AgamemnonAchillesAjax

The Sirens, the Planctae, Charybdis, and ScyllaIn Homer the Sirens are human in form.

In the Later tradition they become birdlike, with women’s heads.The Song of the SirensOdysseus lashed to the mast; Crew’s ears stopped up with wax

“The Wandering Rocks” (Planctae)Scylla, monster with girdle of 6 dogs’ heads

Charybdis, a whirlpool

The Returns

The Cattle of the Sun (Helius)Island of ThrinaciaTheft of the cattleLoss of all of all Odysseus’ men

CalypsoDaughter of AtlasOgygiaSeven years captivity of Odysseus

The PhaeaciansApproach to Scheria, island of the PhaeaciansRescue of LeucotheaNausicaäPalace of Alcinoüs and AreteOdysseus’ taleReturn of Odysseus to IthacaPunishment of the Phaeacians

IthacaSuitors courting PenelopePenelope’s ruse of the loomTelemachus, growing to manhood, but still too young to succeed his fatherOdysseus, recognized by Eumaeus and TelemachusOdysseus’ entrance into the palace in the guise of a beggar.Ill treatment by Melanthius, a hanger-on.Argus, Odysseus old dog, recognizes his master and dies.Odysseus receives insults from the suitors and another beggar, Irus.Euryclea, Odysseus’ old nurseThe contest of the bow

The Returns

The Bow and the Killing of the SuitorsThe Suitors fail.Telemachus nearly succeeds.Odysseus strings bow and begins to kill the suitors, beginning with Antinoüs.Medon, the herald, and Phemius, the bard, are spared.Twelve maid-servants who colluded with the suitors are hanged.Melanthius is mutilated and killed.

TelemachusHero as a young manAthena’s aid as MentesWorthy son of his fatherMini-odyssey to Pylos and Sparta to learn word of his father

PenelopePerfect match for her husband, who is polytropos (“man of many twists and turns”)Penelope’s dream about her geese Penelope’s cunning and guileHer steadfastness and resourcefulnessPeriphron (“circumspect”)

The secret of the bed: a living olive tree

Naming OdysseusOdysseus from Greek odyssamenos (“causing hatred or having hatred directed at

oneself”)George Dimock’s “man of pain”Anonymity/naming of OdysseusOdysseus controls the revelation of his name (cf. Outis [“nobody”])Man of many disguises and deceptions as to his identity

The Returns

The End of the OdysseyHermes escorts souls of suitors to Underworld.Penelope praised by AgamemnonContrast with ClytemnestraRevelation to Laertes, father of OdysseusA final stuggle with Laertes, Odysseus, and Telemachus fighting alongside one anotherAthena and Zeus enforce a settlement.

Odysseus and AthenaOdysseus’ strengths of wisdom, guile and cunning are fitting complements to the

attributes of Athena.

The End of Odysseus LifeTiresias’ prophecyTelegonus, son of Circe and Odysseus, kills Odysseus.

The Universality of the OdysseyArchetype of the legendary questOdysseus (Roman Ulysses), symbol of patience, and perseverance; importance for the

StoicsPlato’s Myth of Er and Odysseus’ choice for his next life.Odysseus and Penelope: exemplars of human and heroic arete (“excellence”)

Chapter 21: Perseus and the Legends of Argos

Hera and PhoroneusArgos’ connection with Corinth and Thebes, and the eastern MediterraneanMycenaean ArgolidCenter for the worship of HeraArgive HeraeumPhoroneus establishes the kingdom of Argos.Contest between Poseidon and Hera for patronage of ArgosPoseidon’s wrath/rivers dry upInachus, river in region and father of Phoroneus

Perseus

Danaë and AcrisiusAbasProetus and AcrisiusAcrisius, king of Argos, father of DanaëProetus, king of TirynsOracle about Danaë’s sonImprisonment of Danaë in brazen chamberZeus as shower of goldBirth of PerseusDanaë and Perseus put in chest and set adriftIsland of Seriphos and the fisherman Dictys (net)

PolydectesPolydectes, brother of Dictys and king of SeriphosDesire for DanaëBanquet and Perseus’ ill-considered offer of the Gorgon’s headAid promised by Hermes and Athena

Perseus

The GraeaeThree daughters of Phorcys, the Graeae (or Graiai, “aged ones”)Graeae have knowledge of the location of the Three Nymphs, who had magic objects.

A cap of invisibility, a pair of winged sandals, and bag or kibisisHermes’ gift of the scimitar

Graeae share one eye and one tooth between them

The GorgonsAt the edge of the world; usually North AfricaPindar’s Pythian Ode 10: Perseus’ journey to the north and the HyperboreansOne mortal Gorgon: MedusaThe power to turn men to stoneBirth of Chrysaor (“he of the golden sword”) and Pegasus from body of Medusa,

pregnant by PoseidonHippocrene (“horse’s fountain”) on Mt. Helicon, home of the MusesAssociation with music and poetryPindar’s Pythian Ode 12: description of Athena’s invention of the double flute in

imitation of the Gorgon’s lament for Medusa.

AndromedaEarly addition to Perseus’ legendAndromeda, daughter of King Cepheus and Queen CassiepeaEthiopia or the LevantCassiepea’s hybrisPoseidon’s sends a sea monster to ravage country.Andromeda to be sacrificed to placate monsterPerseus promises rescue, if he is allowed to marry Andromeda.Cepheus’ brother, Phineus, Andromeda’s former fiancé, and a band of armed men

turned to stonePerses, son of Perseus and Andromeda

Perseus and Andromeda return to Seriphos.

Perseus

The Origin of the Libyan Snakes, the Atlas Range, and CoralGorgon’s blood drips upon land of Libya, producing poisonous snakes.Atlas refuses hospitality to Perseus and is turned to stone; the origin of the Atlas

RangeHead of Medusa laid upon leaves and branches; transformation to coral

Polydectes and Perseus’ Return to ArgosPolydectes and his followers turned to stoneDictys becomes king of Seriphos.Return of magic objectsGorgon’s head given to Athena, which is placed on her Aegis

The Death of AcrisiusAcrisius’ flight to Larissa in ThessalyPerseus kills Acrisius with ill-aimed discus.Perseus returns to Tiryns; exchange of kingdoms with MegapenthesPerseus founds Mycenae.Hero cultChildren of Perseus and Andromeda: kings of MycenaeHeracles and Eurystheus

Saga and FolktaleNumerous folktale motifs

Magical conception of hero by princessDiscovery of hero as a child by noise of his playingEvil king and good brotherRash promise of the heroSupernatural assistanceThree old women with adviceMonsters of terrible visageVindication of hero and punishment of villain

Perseus

Other Legends of ArgosThe Family of Inachus

Io, daughter of InachusAeschylus’ Prometheus Bound and SupplicesBeloved by ZeusHer transformation to a cowThe jealousy of HeraPut under the ever-watchful eyes of Argus

Hermes Argeïphontes (“slayer of Argus”)A gadfly compels Io to wander, eventually all the way to Egypt.Io’s restoration to human formBirth of Epaphus, ancestor of HeraclesIdentification of Epaphus with Apis by EgyptiansIo worshipped as IsisIo originally a goddess

She may have been a form of Hera.Isis represented as woman with cow’s horns (as the moon-goddess

Astarte)

The Descendants of IoIo as founder of royal families of Egypt, Argos, Phoenicia, Thebes and CreteLibya, daughter of EpaphusAgenor and Belus, twin sons of EpaphusAgenor, king of Tyre, father of Cadmus and EuropaBelus, father of twins, Aegyptus and Danaüs

Perseus

The Daughters of DanaüsDanaüs forced to leave EgyptDanaïds (his fifty daughters)Arrival in ArgosDanaüs becomes king.Aegyptus’ fifty sons claim their fifty cousins as brides.The crime of the Danaïds and their punishment in the UnderworldHypermnestra spares Lynceus;AbasProetus and Acrisius

AmymoneDanaïd Amymone and PoseidonThe creation of the spring Amymone

Other Argive HeroesThe seer MelampusThe Seven against Thebes, including Tydeus, father of Diomedes, hero of the Trojan

War

Chapter 22: Heracles

Heracles—Man, Hero, and God

Amphitryon and AlcmenaElectryon, king of MycenaeConflict with Pterelaüs, king of the TeleboansAmphitryon, son of Electryon’s brother, Alcaeus, betrothed to AlcmenaDeath of ElectryonTreachery of Comaetho, daughter of Pterelaüs, and his golden hairZeus disguised as AmphitryonAlcmena and ZeusHeraclesAlcmena and AmphitryonIphiclesPlautus’ Amphitruo

The Birth of Heracles and His Early ExploitsHostility of HeraBirth of Eurystheus hastenedHeracles’ birth delayedThe infant Heracles and the snakesHeracles’ tutors: Amphitryon (chariot driving), Autolycus (wrestling), Eurytus

(archery), and Linus (music)Death of LinusThe daughters of ThespiusMarriage to Megara, daughter of Creon

The Madness of HeraclesHeracles kills Megara and their children.Purified by ThespiusThe Delphic oracle and the twelve laborsNow called Heracles, formerly AlcidesVariations of chronological sequence:

Eurpides’ HeraclesSophocles’ TrachiniaeApollodorus

Heracles

The Twelve LaborsAthloi (“labors”); immortality the ultimate prizeAssistance given by Athena and his nephew IolaüsSix labors take place in the Peloponnesus.Six labors occur outside of Greece.

The Peloponnesian Labors (along with Parerga (“side exploits”)

1. The Nemean LionClub and lionskin

2. The Lernaean HyrdraArrows dipped in Hydra’s poison

3. The Cerynean HindPindar’s Olympian Ode 3

4. The Erymanthian BoarEncounter with centaur PholusChiron’s immortality

5. The Augean StablesAugeas, son of Helius (the Sun) and king of ElisHeracles’ expedition against AugeasInstitution of the Olympic Games

6. The Stymphalian Birds

Heracles

The Non-Peloponnesian Labors

7. The Cretan Bull

8. The Mares of DiomedesDiomedes, son of Ares and Thracian kingAdmetus, king of PheraeStruggle with Thanatos (“death”) and restoration of Alcestis, wife of

Admetus

9. The Girdle of HippolytaHippolyta, queen of the AmazonsHeracles in Troy and his rescue of HesionePriam (Podarces) given throne

10. The Cattle of GeryonConquest of deathGeryon, three-bodied monster, son of Oceanid Callirhoë and ChrysaorOrthus (or Orthrus), two-headed houndCup of Helius (“the sun”)Pillars of HeraclesAttack of the LiguriansStruggle with Eryx, king of Mt. Eryx at the western end of SicilyKilling of AlcyoneusVariant of Geryon story:

HerodotusEchidna (“snake woman”)

Heracles

11. The Apples of the HesperidesConquest of deathHersperides, daughters of NightThe guardian serpent LadonGolden apples given by Ge to HeraNereus, a sea-god, informs Heracles.Variant: aid given by AtlasTree as symbol of immortality (Tree of Life)Parerga:

Killing of Busiris, king of EgyptKilling of Antaeus, son of Ge and PoseidonRescue of Prometheus

12. CerberusConquest of deathCerberus, three-headed hound of HadesAid of Hermes and AthenaAdditional incidents:

Encounter with Theseus and PerithoüsGhost of MeleagerDeïanira, daughter of Meleager, offered to Heracles as wifeEuripides’ Heracles

Heracles

Other Deeds of HeraclesCycnus, son of Ares and brigandSyleus, a robberCercopes, pair of dwarfs

Folktale elements“To beware the black-bottomed man”

HylasHeracles, as ArgonautLoss of Hylas, Heracles’ companionCult of Hylas at Cios

Military ExpeditionsGigantomachyAttack upon Laomedon, king of TroyAttack upon Augeas, king of ElisAttack upon Neleus, king of Pylos; Nestor spared and became king

Periclymenus and his transformation into a beeAttack upon the god HadesAttack upon Hippocoön, king of Sparta

Death of IphiclesHeracles and AugeTelephus, eventual king of MysiansAlly of Aegimius, king of the Dorians

Conflicting traditions: brutality of Heracles, a glutton and a drunkard, contrasted with Heracles as a paragon of virtue

Heracles

Heracles, Deïanira, and IoleMarriage to Deïanira

Daughter of Oeneus, king of CalydonStruggle with AcheloüsThe horn of AmaltheaThe centaur NessusThe deception of Nessus and the love potionHeracles and DeïaniraHyllus, a son, and Marcaria, a daughter

IoleDaughter fo Eurytus, king of OechaliaRefusal of Iole by EurytusMurder of Iphicles, brother of IoleHeracles at DelphiAttempt upon the sacred tripodStruggle with Apollo and Zeus’ interventionSlave to Omphale from one year

OmphaleQueen of the LydiansHeracles as woman

The Death of HeraclesThe reception of Ceyx, king of TrachisSophocles’TrachiniaeJealousy of DeïaniraBlood of Nessus and the poisoned robeHeracles’ tormentPyre on Mt. OetaHyllus promises to marry Iole.Poeas, father of Philoctetes, given Heracles’ bow, for lighting pyreMortality of Heracles burned awayImmortality on Olympus; marriage to Hebe

Heracles

Heracles: Man, Hero, and GodHomer’s OdysseyHeracles’ name (“glory of Hera”)Associations with Argos, Mycenae, Tiryns, Boeotia, and TrachisOrigins of HeraclesSimilarities to Eastern figures:

One of the twelve Egyptian godsPhoenician MelkartIsraelite SamsonMesopotamian GilgameshCilician SandasIndian Indra

Master of AnimalsDiverse treatment of character

Sophocles’ TrachiniaeEuripides’ Heracles and AlcestisAristophanes’ Frogs

Figure of fortitude, attaining immortality by virtueStory of Prodicus of CeosHeracles at the crossroads

The HeraclidaeAlcmena, Eurystheus, and the children of Heracles

Persecution of EurystheusDeath of EurystheusEuripides’ Heraclidae

Alcmena and children received by King Demophon, son of Theseus and king of Athens

Marcaria’s self-sacrificePindar’s Pythian Ode 9

Iolaüs kills Eurystheus.Cults of Eurystheus, Iolaüs, and Alcmena

Alcmena in Elysium, becomes wife of Rhadamanthys, brother of Minos.

Heracles

The Return of the HeraclidaeDorian tribes in the Peloponnesus at the end of the Mycenaean periodTruce of one hundred yearsThe return of the Heraclidae (“sons of Heracles”)Division of region

Lacedaemon (Sparta) to Procles and EurysthenesArgos to TemenusMessene to Cresphontes

Subjugation of Messene by the Spartans

Chapter 23: Theseus and the Legends of Attica

The Early Kings and Their Legends

Cecrops, Erichthonius, and ErechtheusAuthochonous (“sprung from the earth”)Cecrops, earliest king

Sprung from the earthSerpent-shaped in lower half of his bodyFounder of Attica (Cecropia)

Erichthonius, another early figure in Attic mythologySerpent-shaped (-chthon- element in his name means “earth.”)Hephaestus’ sexual advances upon AthenaThe daughters of Cecrops:

Pandrosos (“bright”), Auglauros (“dew”), and Herse (“all-dew”)Originally fertility goddessesDriven to madness and suicide

Erichthonius is credited with establishing the Panathenaea and the wooden statue of Athena on the Acropolis.

Confusion with grandson and successor, Erectheus

Theseus

ErechtheusBoth Erechtheus and Erichthonius are forms of PoseidonProphecy of cult worshipPoseidon-Erechtheus and a sacrifice of bullsErectheum, temple on the Acropolis dedicated to Athena Polias (guardian of

the city) and ErectheusSacred objects: wooden cult statue of Athena, the tomb of Erectheus,

the salt spring caused by Poseidon’s trident blow, and Athena’s olive tree

Erechtheum and other shrines associated with earliest myths of Athens

Bronze age Mycenaean fortress of Athens built on AcropolisErechtheus, defender of Athens

Wards off attack of Eleusinians by the Thracian EumolpusEumolpus, ancestor of hereditary priests of Eleusis

Sacrifice of the daughters of Erechtheus and Praxithea Death of Eumolpus Euripides’ Erechtheus

Variant: Euripides’ Ion Creusa alone not sacrificed

Euripides’ MedeaOvid’s Metamorphoses

Hermes and HerseCephalusAglauros filled with envy and transformed into a rock

Theseus

Cephalus and ProcrisCephalus and Eos (“dawn”)Cephalus and Procris, daughter of ErechtheusOvid’s Metamorphoses

Cephalus tempted by Aurora to make trial of ProcrisProcris’ shame and refuge with ArtemisLaelaps, a hound that always caught its preyAn unerring javelinSubsequent reconciliation between Cephalus and ProcrisTransformation of Laelaps and his prey into a statueDeath of Procris

Philomela, Procne, and TereusPandion, successor of Erichthonius, father of Philomela and ProcneTereus, Thracian king, given Procne in marriageItysRape and mutilation of Philomela by TereusMurder of Itys; served to Tereus at a feast

Transformation of Procne into a nightingale, Philomela into a swallow, and Tereus into a hoopoe; For Latin authors Philomela became a nightingale and Procne a swallow.

The Ion of EuripidesPandion, succeeded by ErechtheusCreusa, daughter of Erechtheus, not sacrificed by her fatherApollo and CreusaIonIon exposed, but saved by HermesIon brought to Delphi and made temple servantCreusa given as wife to XuthusXuthus’ attempt upon Ion’s lifeIon, ancestor of four Ionic tribes

Colonization of part of the coast of Asia Minor and the islands; Ionia

Theseus

Orithyia and Boreas and Their ChildrenOrithyia, daughter of Erechtheus, and Boreas (North Wind)Zetes and Calaïs; and

Cleopatra and ChioneZetes and Calaïs, ArgonautsChione and PoseidionEumolpusCleopatra and Phineus

The Confused Genealogy of the Kings of AthensRepetition of Pandion and Cecrops in the kingship listsPandion exiled by Metion, his unclePandion’s flight to MegaraFour sons: Aegeus, Pallas, Nisus, and LycusRecovery of kingship of Athens

Aegeus becomes king of Athens.Nisus becomes king of Megara.

TheseusAegeus is another form of Poseidon; connection with the Aegean SeaPoseidon as father of TheseusChildlessness of AegeusConsultation of the Delphic Oracle: “not to undo the wineskin’s mouth”Pittheus, king of TroezenAethra, daughter of king PittheusTheseus grows to maturity; the rock, the sword and the sandalsJourney to AthensHero of Attica

Associations with Heracles

Theseus

Theseus’ Six Labors On His Journey From Troezen To Athens1. Periphetes or Corynetes (“club man”), brigand and son of Hephaestus2. Sinis or Pityocamptes (“pine bender”) at the Isthmus of Corinth, robber3. The Crommyon sow4. Sciron and the gigantic turtle5. Cercyon at Eleusis6. Procrustes (“the stretcher”)

Theseus Is Recognized By AegeusBacchylides of Ceos, Dithyramb 18Medea’s attempts upon the life of TheseusMedus, son of Aegeus and MedeaRecognition of TheseusTheseus foils plot hatched by Pallas, Aegeus’ brother.

The Bull of MarathonCapture of bull (sometimes identified with the bull of Heracles’ labors)Sacrifice to Apollo DelphiniusHecale, old woman who entertained TheseusHonors to Zeus Hecalus

The MinotaurAndrogeus, son of King Minos of Crete, killed in AtticaVengeance of Minos against Athens and Megara, an ally of AthensTreaty made with Aegeus

Tribute of seven Athenian youths and seven girls to be fed to the Minotaur in the Labyrinth

Theseus volunteers to go to Crete.On the voyage:

Midas’ attack on the maid Eriboea and his claim to be a son of ZeusTheseus’ claim to be Poseidon’s sonThe sign of the ringBacchylides’ Dithyramb 17

Assistance of Ariadne, daughter of MinosKilling of the Minotaur

Theseus

Ariadne On NaxosAriadne and the wreath (or Amphitrite’s wreath)Flight of Ariadne and Theseus to Naxos (or Dia, its earlier name)Abandonment of Ariadne and the arrival of DionysusTransformation of the wreath to the constellation CoronaAriadne, originally divine, perhaps a form of AphroditeHesiod’s TheogonyCatullus 64Ovid’s Ars Amatoria 1Homer: Ariadne killed by Artemis on NaxosVariant: Ariadne dies in Cyprus giving birth to Theseus’ child

Institution of ritualAriadne AphroditeImitation by young men of women in childbirth

Theseus Becomes King of AthensTheseus on Delos

The Crane dance (geranos)Imitation of the windings of the Labyrinth

Sailing to Athens and the suicide of AegeusThe naming of the Aegean Sea

Synoecism of Attica (union of villages into a political unit around Athens)Refounding of Isthmian Games

Theseus

The AmazonsExpedition against Amazons with HeraclesAntiope and TheseusHippolytusSymbol of conquest over barbarism

Theseus and PirithoüsPirithoüs, king of Lapiths and son of Ixion, friend of TheseusFight between Lapiths and CentaursAttempt to get wives: Pirithoüs (Persephone); Theseus (Helen)

Helen kidnapped, hidden with Aethra, and rescued by the DioscuriMenestheus and the institution of cult to the DioscuriAethra becomes servant of Helen

Pirithoüs and Theseus in the Underworld; the magic chairsRescue of Theseus by Heracles

Theseus, Phaedra, and HippolytusAphrodite and ArtemisPhaedra (“bright”), daughter of MinosTheseus and PhaedraDemophon and AcamasPhaedra may have divine origins.Love of Phaedra for HippolytusThe role of Phaedra’s nursePhaedra’s letter of accusation and suicideBanishment of Hippolytus by TheseusTheseus’ prayer to PoseidonDeath of HippolytusEuripides’ two tragedies about HippolytusSeneca’s version Racine’s PhèdreCult of Hippolytus at Troezen in connection with ArtemisCult of Hippolytus at Athens in connection with Aphrodite

Resurrection by Asclepius; resurrected Hippolytus as Virbius to Romans

Theseus

Theseus As Champion of the OppressedKings of Athens as protectors of victims of tyranny

Protection of Medea by AegeusProtection of Oedipus and the mothers of the Seven against Thebes by TheseusTheseus as noble king in later literature

Statius’ ThebaidChaucer’s Canterbury Tales, “The Knight’s Tale”Shakespeare’s Midsummer Night’s Dream (as Duke Theseus)

Other Adventures of TheseusAssociation with the ArgonautsAssociation with the Calydonian boar hunt“Not without Theseus”“A second Heracles”End of Theseus’ life

Exiled from AthensMenestheus assumes kingship.Theseus sails to Scyros and is killed by Lycomedes.Menestheus dies at Troy.Sons of Theseus regain throne.The recovery of the “bones of Theseus” after the capture of Scyros in the Persian

Wars by the Athenian Cimon at the command of the Delphic oracle

Theseus in Greek TragedyContrast between the character of Theseus of Euripides’ Hippolytus and that in other

sourcesElements in legend of Theseus develop before fifth centuryIdealized portrait of Theseus created with the emergence of democracy and the

establishment of the Athenian EmpireTheseus in Euripides’ Suppliants and Heracles; Sophocles’ Oedipus at Colonus

Theseus

DemophonAssistence given to the Heraclidae (“children of Heracles”)Love of Phyllis, a Thracian princess and her suicide; transformation into an almond

tree

CodrusLast king of AthensSacrifice of his life for the city

MinosDaedalus and Minos

Daedalus, son or grandson of Metion, brother of CecropsCraftsman and inventorAssistance of nephew Perdix, who invented the sawDaedalus’ attempted murder of Perdix, who was transformated into a partridge

(perdix)The bull from the sea sent by Poseidon in answer to Midas’ prayerPasiphaë’s love for the bull and Daedalus’ wooden cowBirth of the MinotaurConstruction of the LabyrinthHistorical elements behind the myth

Importance of the bull in Cretan civilizationLabrys or double-headed axe, a common sacred object The maze and the layout of the palace at Cnossus

Minos and Pasiphaë, originally divine figuresMinos as son and friend of ZeusPasiphaë (“all shining”) as daughter of Helius

Theseus

The Flight of IcarusEscape of Daedalus and his son Icarus from CreteThe wings of waxThe death of Icarus and the Mare IcariumOvid’s MetamorphosesDaedalus reaches SicilyCocalus, the king of CamicusPursuit of MinosRuse of the spiral shellDeath of Minos

The Family of MinosChildren of Minos and Pasiphaë: the sons Catreus, Deucalion, Glaucus, and

Androgeos; the daughthers Ariadne and PhaedraCatreus, king of Crete

Althaemenes, son of Catreus and the oracle of his fateDeath of Althaemenes’ sister ApemosyneDeath of Catreus at the hands of his sonAlthaemenes swallowed by the earth; hero cult established

Deucalion (not of the flood legend)Father of Idomeneus, Cretan leader at Troy

Glaucus and the vat of honeyPolyidus, a seerThe simile of the mulberryPolyidus’ imprisonment and his resurrection of Glaucus

AndrogeosKilled in AtticaMinos’ attack on MegaraNisus, king of Megara and his purple lock of hairThe treachery of his daughter, Scylla

Transformation into birds, Scylla into the ciris; Nisus into a sea eagle forever in pursuit

Chapter 24: Jason, Medea, and the Argonauts

Introduction: The MinyaeCrew of the Argo comprising heroes from the generation before the Trojan War.Minyae, descendants of gods and ancestors of noble familiesImportance of Iolus in Thessaly and Miletus in IoniaReflection of colonization from eighth century onwardFolktale elements

Aea (“land”)Aeëtes (“man of the land”)Hero set a number of impossible tasksSuccess of adventureAid by local princessMarriage

The Golden FleeceQuest motifAthamas, Boeotian king, and mysterious first wife Nephele (“cloud”)Phrixus and

HelleNephele returns to the sky.Athamas marries Ino, daughter of Cadmus.Jealousy of Ino towards her stepchildrenIntrigue of Ino with the aid of the Delphic oracle to murder her stepchildrenEscape of Phrixus and Helle on a golden-fleeced ram, given by HermesDeath of Helle; the naming of the HellespontPhrixus makes land at Colchis on the Black SeaReceived by King Aeëtes, son of Helius, brother of Circe and PasiphaëPhrixus and Chalciope, daughter of AeëtesArgus, Melas, Phrontis, and Cytisorus

Fleece given to Aeëtes, hung up in a grove sacred to Ares, guarded by a serpent

Jason

Jason and PeliasCretheus, brother of Athamas, king of Iolcus, husband of TyroPoseidon and TyroPeliasCretheus and TyroAeson, rightful heir of the throne of IolcusPelias’ usurpationAeson and PolymedeJasonThe child Jason sent away to be raised by Chiron and his mother PhilyraJason’s return“Beware the man with one sandal.”Hera disguised as an old woman and the loss of one of Jason’s sandalsPromise or condition to fetch the Golden Fleece and then become the rightful king

The ArgonautsThe ship ArgoBuilt by Argus, son of Arestor, with Athena’s helpIncorporation of a piece of oak from Zeus’ shrine at DodonaThe crew

Orpheus and Heracles, neither originally part of expeditionHeroes from Thessaly, including JasonHeroes from the Peloponnese, including Augeas, king of ElisHeroes who took part in the Calydonian boar hunt, including MeleagerThe parents of the heroes of the Trojan War

Peleus (father of Achilles)Telamon (father of Ajax the Greater)Oileus (father of Ajax the Lesser)Nauplius (father of Palamedes)

The seers, Idmon and MopsusCastor (horseman) and Polydeuces (boxer)Idas and Lynceus (of especially keen sight)Periclymenus, son of Neleus, who could change his shapeEuphemus, son of Poseidon (unusually fast runner)Zetes and Calaïs, winged sons of BoreasArgus, the shipwrightTiphys, the helmsman

Jason

The Voyage to ColchisHypsipyle and the Lemnian woman

Crime and punishment of the women of LemnosKing Thoas, father of Hypsipyle, son of Dionysus, spared and transported to the

land of the Tauri, where he becomes priest of ArtemisOne year stay of the ArgonautsJason and Hypsipyletwins Euneos and Thoas (or Nebrophonus)Hypsipyle’s deception in saving her father discovered

She is exiled and becomes servant of Lycurgus, king of Nemea, and nurse of his son Opheltes

Institution of the Nemean GamesStatius’ ThebaidValerius Flaccus’ ArgonauticaOvid’s Heroides

Cyzicus and CiosInitiation in to the mysteries at SamothraceAid to the Doliones and Cyzicus, king of CyzicusAccidental killing DolionesCios and the loss of Hylas and Heracles

AmycusLand of the Bebryces on the Euxine (Black Sea)Amycus, king of the Bithynian tribePolydeuces beats Amycus in boxing match and kills him.

Phineus and the Harpies and the SymplegadesSalmydessus on the EuxineReceived by King Phineus, a blind prophetThe Harpies (“snatchers”), two winged monsters who snatch away or befoul

Phineus’ foodHarpies driven off by Zetes and Calaïs

Phineus’ prophecy of the expedition and good counselThe Symplegades (“clashing rocks”)

Jason

The Voyage Through the Euxine SeaMariandyni and their king, LycusIdmon killed by a boarDeath of TiphysAncaeus, new helmsmanIsland of Ares and the Stymphalian BirdsPhrixus’ four sonsSailing up the river Phasis to Colchis

Jason At ColchisJason’s Tasks

To yolk a pair of brazen-footed, fire-breathing bullsTo plow a field and sow the dragon’s teethTo kill the armed men that sprang up from the teeth

Medea’s RoleMedea, Aeëtes, younger daughterFalls in love with Jason through the agency of Hera and AphroditePriestess of Hecate, niece of CirceMagic ointment to protect Jason from fire or ironJason with the aid of Medea succeeds in his tasks.Eurpides’ Medea and Medea’s larger role in Jason’s legend

Ovid’s NarrativeRestoration of Jason’s heroic stature

Jason

The Return of the ArgonautsJason wins fleece and MedeaPursuit of the Colchians, led by Apsyrtus, Medea’s brotherDeath of ApsyrtusPindar’s narrative

Journey to Ocean and to the “Red Sea” (Indian Ocean)Portage of the ship?Lemnos and the Lemnian Games

Apollonius’ narrative and the marriage of Jason and MedeaSailing to Italy and a visit with Circe, Medea’s auntPurification of Jason and MedeaThe Planctae, Scylla and Charybdis, and the SirensLand of the Phaeacians and King Alcinoüs and Queen AreteMarriage of Jason and MedeaVoyage to LibyaPortage of ship to lake Tritonis, past the garden of the HesperidesMopsus killed by a snakeAid of Triton

TalusAn island near Crete guarded by a bronze giant, TalusVulnerable ankleDeath of Talus

The End of the JourneyIolcusPelias given fleeceDedication of Argo to PoseidonDeath of Jason years later, struck on the head by a piece of rotting timber from

the ArgoConfused geographical details of the voyage

Jason

Jason and Medea in GreeceIolcus

Pelias refusal to give up throneMedea’s magic arts and the death of Pelias at the hands of his daughters

CorinthPollution of murder and exile to CorinthEuripides’ MedeaConnection between Medea and Corinth

In an alternate version of the legend Jason becomes king of Corinth.

Medea’s connection with HeraDeath of the children and their cultVersion of Euripides:

Creon as king of Corinth and Medea’s flight to AthensJason’s marriage to Glauce (or Creusa), daughter of CreonMedea’s deadly wedding gifts to the princessThe deaths of Glauce and CreonMedea murders her children.Escape to Athens in Helius’ chariotReception of Medea in Athens by Aegeus

AthensAegeus and MedeaMedusArrival of Theseus and his attempted murder

Medea’s flight to Persian and return to Colchis

Jason

Interpretations of the SagaThe Argonauts in later literature

Argonauts and HomerCorinthian poet Eumelos, 8th centuryApollonius of Rhodes and the Argonautica, 3rd centuryOvid’s MetamorphosesValerius Flaccus’ Argonautica, 1st century A. D.Statius’ ThebaidEuripides’ MedeaModern versions of the legend

The Hero’s QuestThe quest and Propp’s modelElements of legend belong to the earliest stages of Greek mythology

Additional ReadingEuripides’ Medea

Three encounters between between Jason and Medea

Chapter 25: Myths of Local Heroes and HeroinesThessaly

Ixion, king of the Lapiths, son of PhlegyasPindar’s Pythian Ode 2Punishment in the UnderworldFirst to shed human bloodDeath of Eïoneus in a pit of burning coalsZeus purifies IxionAttempted rape of Hera

Centaurs and LapithsNepheleCentaurus and the origin of the race of CentaursChiron, wise, gentle, tutor to heroesCentaurs generally violent, brutish creaturesBattle of Lapiths and Centaurs at the wedding of HippodamiaCaeneus, a Lapith, originally a girl, Caenis

Hybris of the man Caeneus and the punishment of ZeusBurial or transformation of Caeneus into a yellow-winged bird

PeleusPrince of Phthia, father of Achilles, son of Aeacus (king of Aegina), and brother of

TelamonDeath of Phocus, exile of Peleus to Phthia, and his purification by EurytionCalydonian boar huntAccidental death of EurytionPurification by Acastus, son of Pelias and king of IolcusAcastus’ wife, Astydamia, falls in love with Peleus.Acastus attempts to kill Peleus but fails.Son of Peleus and Thetis destined to be greater than the fatherAchillesEuripides’ Andromache : Thetis promises Peleus immortality.

SalmoneusFamily of AeolusSalmoneus, son of AeolusImpersonation of ZeusZeus’ punishement

Vergil’s Aeneid, Book 6

Local Heroes

Ceyx and AlcyoneCeyx , king of Trachis and son of Eosphorus (Lucifer, the Morning Star)Alcyone, his wife, daughter of AeolusImpersonations of Zeus and HeraTransformation into sea-birdsOvid’s Metamorphoses: tragic, romantic lovers

Tyro, daughter of SalmoneusTyro and PoseidonNeleus and PeliasNeleus founds Pylos; sacked by Heracles; Nestor sparedPelias usurps throne of Iolcus.Tyro and CretheusAeson, father of Jason; Pheres, father of Admetus; and

Amythaon

Bias and Melampus, children of AmythaonMelampus, a seer with the power to talk to animalsStory of the snakesBias, a suitor of Pero, daughter of NeleusBride-price of cattle of Phylacus, king of PhylaceAid of Melampus and his imprisonmentStory of the woodwormsImpotence of Iphiclus, father of Podarces and ProtesilaüsIntroduction of the rituals of Dionysus into Greece by Melampus

Daughters of King ProetusTheir madness and restorationDeath of IphinoëFestival of the Agriania, ritual pursuit of women

Amphiaraüs, a descendant of Melampus

Local Heroes

BoeotiaThe Theban Saga

The Daughters of Minyas

The Loves of HeliusClymene, a daughter of Minyas and wife of HeliusPhaëthonHelius and Leucothoë, a daughter of Persian king OrchamusDeath of Leucothoë; her transformation into a frankincense treeHelius and Clytië, an Oceanid; her transformation into a sunflower

TrophoniusOracle of Trophonius at Lebadeia in BoeotiaChthonic heroTrophonius (“he who fosters growth”)The story of Trophonius and his brother AgamedesThe treasury of Augeas, king of ElisDeath of AgamedesTrophonius swallowed by the earth

Pindar’s version

Local Heroes

AetoliaThe Calydonian Boar Hunt

Oeneus, descendant of Aeolus, king of Calydon, father of DeïaniraMeleager, son of OeneusAlthaea, mother of Meleager, and the prophecy of the logOeneus’ offense against ArtemnisArtemis sends a huge boar to ravage Calydon.Gathering of heroes by MeleagerAtalanta, daughter of Schoenus, a Boeotian kingAtlalanta is first to wound the boar; Meleager delivers the killing blow.Meleager favors Atalanta.Death of Althaea’s brothersThe burning of the log and the death of MeleagerMourning women turned into guinea fowl (meleagrides)Ovid’s MetamorphosesHomer’s version

Boar sent by Artemis during war between Calydonians and CuretesMeleager kills boar.Curse of Althaea; Meleager withdraws from the war.Meleager relents, and returns and saves Calydon.

Bacchylides’ fifth Epinician OdeGhost of Meleager and Heracles

The tradition of AtalantaEuripides’ Phoenissae: Atalanta as the mother of Parthenopaeus, one of the

Seven against ThebesThe François VaseConflation of various traditions

The Arcadian Atalanta, daughter of Arcadian IasusVirgin, member of the boar hunt and Argonaut’s expeditionNursed by a bearThe condition of the footraceMilanion (Hippomenes)The three golden apples

Sacrilege and transformation into lions

Local Heroes

CorinthIdentification with Homeric “Ephyra”Connection with Sisyphus and Bellerophon

SisyphusSon of Aeolus and brother of Salmoneus, Cretheus and AthamasFrom Thessaly to EphyraIno, wife of Athamas, became Leucothea; their child Melicertes became the god

PalaemonBody of Melicertes returned by a dolphin and buried by SisyphusInstitution of the Isthmian GamesSisyphus, craftiest of men

Seduction of Anticlea, daughter of Autolycus, by SisyphusSisyphus, father of OdysseusFriendship of Sisyphus with Autolycus, a master thiefOutwitting of deathAlcaeus of Lesbos, 7th century poetRevelation of Zeus’ secretChaining of deathDeath freed by AresSisyphus in HadesSisyphus’ punishment

Local Heroes

BellerophonGrandson of SisyphusBellerophon’s blood-guiltExiled to Tiryns, at the court of King ProetusProetus’ wife Sthenoboea (or Antea)Accusations against BellerophonBellerophon sent to Iobates, king of Lycia, father of Sthenoboea, to be killedExploits of Bellerophon imposed by Iobates

ChimaeraThe SolymiThe AmazonsAn Ambush

Bellerophon, father of Hippolochus (Glaucus’ father), Isandrus and Laodamia, the mother of Sarpedon

Laodamia killed by ArtemisEnd of BellerophonEuripides’ BellerophonPindar’s Olymian Odes 13Introduction of Pegasus into the mythEuripides’ Sthenoboea (in which Bellerophon kills Sthenoboea)

Arion of LesbosMusician, connected with Dionysus and the dithyramb, the sacred choral song

honoring the godFavor of Periander, tyrant of CorinthPlot against Arion

Rescue by dolphinHistorical figure of Periander and perhaps ArionAssociation of Dionysus and dolphinsConnection with Poseidon

Local Heroes

Other Peloponnesian LegendsArethusa

Alphaeus, a river-godArethusa’s prayer to ArtemisArethusa transformed into a stream which flows underground

IamusSon of Apollo and Evadne, daughter of PoseidonExposure of IamusAepytus and the Delphic OracleIamus and his prophetic giftConnection with sanctuary of Zeus at Olympia

The IslandsDelos

Anius, son of Apollo, king of DelosThree daughters: Elaïs (“olive girl”), Spermo (“seed girl”), and Oeno (“wine

girl”)Agamemnon’s attempt to compel them to go to TroyTransformation into doves, a sacred bird at Delos

CeosCyparissus, a boy loved by Apollo; transformation into a cypress treeCydippe and Acontius

Local Heroes

RhodesSacred to HeliusZeus’ division of lands among the godsHelius’ slightHelius receives Rhodes.Rhode, nymph of the island, and HeliusThrowing of chariot and horses into the seaAssociation with other heroes of saga

Danaüs and the temple of Athena at LindosTlepolemus, son of Heracles, leader of the contingent at TroyTelchines, skilled craftsmen and metal-workers; Zeus drowns them.

LesbosMacareus, son of AeolusEuripides’ AeolusCanace, Macareus’ sisterIncestuous love and suicide

CyprusAssociation with AphroditePaphosPygmalion and GalateaAnaxarete and Iphis; Anaxarete turned to stoneCult statue of Venus at Salamis (Venus Prospiciens)

CreteIphis, daughter of LigdusTelephusa, Iphis’ motherIphis raised as a boyIphis and Ianthe

Iphis transformed into a boy

Local Heroes

Asian MinorDardanus

Electra, daughter of Atlas, and ZeusIasion and DardanusDardanus sails to the Troad; she marries the daughter of Teucer, the king and

son of the river-god Scamander.From Dardanus descended the Trojan royal house.Dardania is another name for the Troad; Dardani is another name for the

Trojans.

Hero and LeanderLeander, man from AbydosHero, priestess of Aphrodite in SestosDrowning of LeanderSuicide of Hero

Baucis and PhilemonFrom PhrygiaPoor, pious, aged coupleWelcome given to Zeus and HermesBaucis and Philemon spared from the floodTheir cottage transformed into a templeTransformation of the couple into trees, an oak and a linden

Local Heroes

Byblis and CaunusByblis, daughter of Miletus, and her brother CaunusConfession of loveCaunus leaves Miletus.Byblis, following her brother, is transformed into a fountain.

Pyramus and ThisbeThe location of the story is Babylon in Ovid.Origin may be Cilicia in southern Asia MinorNeighbors and loversRendezvous at the tomb of NinusThisbe’s arrival and the approach of the lionPyramus’s arrival and discovery of the bloody veilSuicides of Pyramus and ThisbeWhite fruit of mulberry tree turned to purple

Shakespeare’s Midsummer Night’s Dream