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Greek Mythology: Defining Terms 'Cosmology'

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Greek Mythology Exam 1

Part 1: Defining Terms
1. Cosmology: Cosmology is the development or organization of the universe (Lecture Video, MLS 3). It is the opposite of chaos and was created in it.
2. Myth: A myth is a traditional story that is told within a culture and features divine or semi-divine beings and how they interact with humans (Lecture Video, MLS 2). An example of a myth is the story or Arachne and Athena, as it is a story featuring a divine being interacting with a human that was handed down within the culture.
3. Religion: Religion is the worship practices of a community (Lecture Video, MLS 2). It is how people show their devotion to their chosen god or gods and the practice of it includes things like prayers, sacrifices and …show more content…

Agon: A Greek term for conflict or competition. The Greeks believed that a competition was incomplete without violence, and that agon is necessary to maintain order in the cosmos, as it is the best way to determine the best cosmic ruler (Lecture Video, MLS 4). An example of agon is the conflict between Zeus and Cronos in Hesiod’s Theogony, where Zeus and Cronos are in a competition over who gets to be the leader of the cosmos.
10. Chaos: Chaos is the starting point of creation. It can be described as a void or a primordial mass from which order was born (MLS Glossary, 710).

Part 2: Iconography
1. Slide 1
a. Which god is this and who are his parents?
This is Poseidon, god of the sea, earthquakes and horses and son of Cronos and Rhea and god of the sea.
b. What piece of iconography identifies him as that god?
The fact that he’s depicted with a trident because it is used to represent Poseidon.
c. How do you know he is meant to be depicted as an adult male in charge?
He is in an aggressive, fighting stance and looks like he’s charging into battle.

2. Slide …show more content…

The Myth of Arachne tells the story of a battle of skill between Arachne, a mortal weaver, and Athena, the goddess of wisdom and crafts (The Myth of Arachne Video). Arachne serves as a lesson in hubris, with her toxic arrogance and pride resulting in her punishment of being turned into a spider. Using the Social Charter Myth Theory, Arachne’s story serves to ratify the social expectations of humbleness and respect for the gods. By both refusing to attribute her gift as a blessing from the gods and claiming to be better than everyone including Athena herself, Arachne is punished by the gods. Therefore, people should be humble and praise the gods, so they do not suffer the same fate as her.
In How the Camel got his Hump, Camel is punished with the hump on his back for refusing to help the other animals work, saying “humph” every time he’s asked (How the Camel got his Hump). The first social expectation being upheld by this myth is contribution to society by working. Horse, Dog and Ox all do the tasks they are expected to do and as a result are not punished by the Djinn, but Camel is because he refuses to contribute. The second lesson to be learnt is to not defy authority. When the Djinn told Camel to work, he warned Camel to not say “humph” again, and when he did, he was punished with the

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