Part Two

1. Part Two The Greek Sagas Greek Local Legends

2. Chapter 17: The Theban Saga • The Founding of Thebes • Boeotia in central Greece • CadmusCadmeia • Agenor, king of Tyre • Herodotus: myth and history and the abduction of women • Europa • Daughter of Agenor, brother of Cadmus • Zeus as bull • Voyage to Crete • Cadmus, Founder of Thebes • Consultation with the Delphic Oracle • Oracle of the cow • Founding of Cadmeia • Spring of Ares and the guardian serpent • Athena’s aid • Spartoi (“sown men”) • Servitude of Cadmus • Harmonia, daughter of Ares and Aphrodite • Necklace of Harmonia • Cadmus and HarmoniaIno, Semele, Autonoë, and Agave. • Tradition of the introduction of writing • Transformation into serpents

3. The Theban Saga • The Families of Labdacus and Lycus • Deaths of Pentheus and Labdacus • Laius, infant son of Labdacus • Lycus, regent of Thebes, son of Chthonius (one of the spartoi) • Nycteus, brother of Lycus, father of Antiope • Zeus visits Antiope in the form of a satyr. • Twins Amphion (muscician) and Zethus (herdsman) • Deaths of Lycus and of Dirce, his wife • Building of the walls of Thebes (Amphion’s Lyre) • Amphion marries Niobe; Zethus marries Thebe. • Laius • Return of Laius • Curse of Pelops for the abduction of his son Chrysippus • Oedipus, son of Laius and Jocasta • Exposure on Mt. Cithaeron and wounding of ankles • Oedipus raised by Polybus and Merope, king and queen of Corinth • Oedipus (“swellfoot”) • Meeting at the crossroads • Oedipus and the Sphinx • Sphinx (“strangler”) terrorizes Thebes. • Sent by Hera • The riddle of the Sphinx • Oedipus’ success and marriage to Jocasta

4. The Theban Saga • The Recognition of Oedipus • Differing Versions • Two Homeric passages • Sophocles’ Oedipus Tyrannus • Oedipus and JocastaAntigone, Ismene, Polynices, and Eteocles • Plague 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 bare • Jocasta’s suicide • Oedipus blinds himself and is banished. • The End of the Oedipus Tyrannus • Regaining heroic stature • Human and divine relationships • Acceptance of the will of the gods • Inevitability of fate • Personal responsibility for actions committed • Sophocles’ Oedipus at Colonus • Produced at Athens posthumously in 401 B. C. • End of Oedipus’ life • Precinct of the Eumenides • Theseus • Oedipus’ guilt or innocence • Transformation to heroic status • Opposition of Creon • Polynices and his expedition to take Thebes • Oedipus curses Polynices.

5. The Theban Saga • The End of the Life of Oedipus • The miraculous and mysterious passing of Oedipus • Accorded worship after his death • Other Versions of the Myth of Oedipus • Homer: Oedipus dies in battle; Epicaste (Jocasta) is not the mother of children. • Euripides’ Oedipus: servants of Laius blind Oedipus • Euripides’ 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, 1910 • Importance of dreams • Sublimation and repression of the truth • Gradual perceptions • Strength finally to face the truth • The Seven Against Thebes • The preliminaries to the expedition • Curse inflicted upon Polynices and Eteocles by Oedipus • Agreement to rule in alternate years • Eteocles assumes the kingship first • Polynices goes to Argos • Decision to attack Thebes • Ancient treatments • Aeschylus’ Seven Against Thebes • Euripides’ Phoenician Women • Euripides’ Suppliant Women • Sophocles’ Antigone • Statius’ Thebaid

6. 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 Thebes • Death of infant Opheltes; establishment of Nemean Games • Opheltes (“snake child”) becomes Archemorus (“beginner of death”) • Tydeus slaughters Theban ambush party. • The Failure of the Attack on Thebes • Fulfillment of curse • Atoning suicide of Menoeceus, son of Creon • Eteocles and Polynices kill one another. • Death of other heroes; barbarity of Tydeus • Amphiaraüs • Adrastus saved by swift steed, Arion • Amphiaraüs swallowed by the earth along the river Ismenus • Amphiaraüs, cult hero • Antigone • Sophocles’ Antigone • Denial of burial to Polynices by Creon • Antigone’s refusal to submit • Antigone buried alive • Defiance and suicide of Antigone • Haemon, Creon’s son and fiancé of Antigone, kills himself. • Eurydice, Creon’s wife, kills herself.

7. The Theban Saga • The Burial of the Seven against Thebes • The Epigoni, Sons of the Seven against Thebes • Alcmaeon, son of Amphiaraüs • Epigoni (“later generation”) • Thebes destroyed a generation before Trojan War • Alcmaeon, Eriphyle, and the Necklace of Harmonia • Alcmaeon kills Eriphyle for her treachery. • Flight to Arcadia • Flight to region where the sun had not shone when Alcmaeon killed his mother • Death of Alcmaeon • Dedication of necklace in Delphi • Tiresias • Descended from the Spartoi • Oracular vision/blindness • Lived for seven generations • Traditions about his loss of sight • Ovid’s Metamorphoses • Callimachus • Death of Tiresias • Tiresias in the Underworld

8. Chapter 18: The Mycenaean Saga • Pelops and Tantalus • Pelops, son of Tantalus, from Asia Minor • Suitor for Hippodamia, daughter of Oenomaüs, king of Pisa • Hero cult of Pelops at Olympia • Tantalus’ offense against the gods • Dismemberment of Pelops • Offers his son as a feast for the gods • Punishment in Underworld • Cannibalism and sacrificial rituals • Demeter alone partakes of feast. • Pelops’ ivory shoulder • Pindar’s version: Poseidon’s love for Pelops • The Pelopion • Sacrifices to Zeus and Pelops • Eponymous hero of the Peloponnese (“island of Pelops”) • Temple of Zeus at Olympia, west pediment: chariot race between Pelops and Oenomaüs • The Race and the origin of the curse • Variant: bribery of Myrtilus, son of Hermes • Demand of Myrtilus and his death • Curse of Myrtilus • Atreus and Thyestes • Pelops becomes King of Pisa • Quarrel between Thyestes and Atreus over Mycenae • The Possession of the golden-fleeced ram • Thyestes’ seduction of Aërope, Atreus’ wife • Atreus’ return and exile of Thyestes • Banquet of Thyestes’ children and Thyestes’ curse

9. The Mycenaean Saga • Agamemnon, Clytemnestra, and Aegisthus • Aegisthus, son of Thyestes and his daughter Pelopia • Agamemnon, king of Mycenae, husband of Clytemnestra • Agamemnon and ClytemnestraIphigenia, Electra, Orestes, and Chrysothemis • Agamemnon, leader of the Greek expedition against Troy • Sacrifice of Iphigenia at Aulis • Role of Artemis • Aeschylus’ Agamemnon • Euripides’ Iphigenia in Aulis • Adultery of Clytemnestra with Aegisthus • Agamemnon murdered, along with Cassandra, by Clytemnestra and Aegisthus • Homer’s Version: murder committed by Clytemnestra and Aegisthus • Aeschylus’ Version: Clytemnestra acts alone. • Orestes and Electra • Clytemnestra 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 murder • Apollo’s command and Electra’s encouragement • Homer’s Odyssey: Orestes praised for avenging his father • Sophocles’ 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

10. The Mycenaean Saga • Aeschylus’ Oresteia: Agamemnon, Libation Bearers, and Eumenides • Movement from blood guilt and vengeance to justice of law courts, from darkness to light, from chthonian to olympian • Agamemnon : Curse reinvigorated against Agamemnon • Libation Bearers : Curse moves against Clytemnestra and Aegisthus, and through their deaths, against Orestes • Eumenides : trial of Orestes and acquittal • Orestes at Delphi • Command of Apollo sends him to Athens and Athena • Court of the Areopagus created by Athena; citizen jury • Apollo’s defense • Claim of the Erinyes • Athena’s deciding vote • Erinyes appeased and become the Eumenides (“kindly ones”) • Establishment of Zeus’ will • Sophocles’ Electra • Electra as focal point • Matricide accepted as divinely ordained • Euripides’ Electra • Debasement of figures • Electra’s sexual jealousy • Electra and Orestes act together in the murder of Clytemnestra. • Euripides’ Iphigenia in Tauris • Orestes commanded to go to the land of the Tauri • Sacrifice of foreigners • Iphigenia, discovered as priestess of Artemis • Cleansing of matricide • Iphigenia and Orestes return to Greece.

11. The Mycenaean Saga • Orestes, King of Mycenae • Marriage with Hermione, daughter of Helen and Menelaüs • Role in murder of Neoptolemus, son of Achilles • Buried at Tegea • Electra marries Pylades, son of Strophius. • Additional Reading • Orestes and the three Electras • Aeschylus’ Libation Bearers (Choephori) • Sophocles’ Electra • Euripides’ Electra

12. Chapter 19: The Trojan Saga and the Iliad • The Children of Leda • Leda 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 mortal • Polydeuces (Roman Pollux), skilled in boxing and immortal • Quarral with Idas and Lynceus • Rape of the Leucippides (“daughters of Leucippus”) • Death of Castor • Shared immortality of Castor and Polydeuces • Patrons of Sailors (St. Elmo’s Fire) • Helen • Menelaüs, king of Sparta and HelenHermione • Paris (Alexander), son of Priam and Hecuba, the king and queen of Troy • The seduction of Helen and the start of the Trojan War • Variant: Stesichorus’ Palinode: the real Helen and the phantom Helen • The Judgment of Paris • Wedding of Peleus and Thetis • Eris, goddess of discord and the golden apple (“for the most beautiful”) • Hera, Athena, and Aphrodite vie for honor • Paris chosen by Zeus to settle dispute • Hecuba’s dream: Paris as firebrand • Exposure as an infant • Hermes leads goddesses to Paris for his judgment. • Aphrodite wins with offer of Helen. • Lucian (Dialogue of the Gods 20)

13. The Trojan Saga • Troy and its Leaders • Laomedon • King of Troy • Apollo and Poseidon commissioned to build walls of Troy • Plague and sea monster sent as punishment • Exposure of Hesione • Heracles and the first Greek expedition to Troy • Priam (Podarces) becomes king of Troy • Priam and Hecuba • 50 Sons and 12 (or 50) daughters • Hecuba as tragic figure • Paris (Alexander) • Paris and Oenone, a nymph with power to heal • Paris grows to maturity and is received back into Priam’s house. • Favorite of Aphrodite • Vanity and sensuality • Paris will ultimately kill Achilles. • Hector, Andromache, and Astyanax • Hector, brother of Paris • Greatest of Troy’s defenders • Andromache, Hector’s wife • Astyanax, infant son of Hector and Andromache • Helenus, Deïphobus, and Troïlus • Helenus, prophet who knew the course of the war’s end • Caught by Odysseus; survives war • Marries Andromache • Deïphobus, husband of Helen after death of Paris • Troïlus, killed by Achilles; story of Troïlus and Cressida a later development

14. The Trojan Saga • Cassandra and Polyxena • Cassandra, daughter of Priam • Prophetess, though never believed • Killed by Clytemnestra • Polyxena, final virgin sacrifice before the tomb of Achilles • Aeneas • Son of Anchises and Aphrodite • Prophecy about Aeneas and his descendants: future rulers of Troy • Significant in Roman legends • Antenor • Brother of Hecuba • Counsels return of Helen • Spared by Greeks • With wife Theano, he founds Patavium (Padua) in Italy • Glaucus and Sarpedon • Leaders of Lycian contingent • Glaucus, 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 side • Expounds the demands of heroic arete (“excellence”) • Rhesus • Leader of Thracians • Night Raid of Odysseus and Diomedes

15. The Trojan Saga • The Achaean Leaders • Independent commanders of their contingents • Agamemnon • King of Mycenae • “Lord of Men” • Leader of expedition against Troy • Greatest in prestige • Menelaüs • King of Sparta • Brother of Agamemnon • Husband of Helen • Diomedes • King of Argos and a great warrior • Favored of Athena • Wounds Ares and Aphrodite • Associated with Odysseus • The Palladium (stature of Pallas), talisman for Troy • Nestor • King of Pylos • Oldest and wisest • “His speech flowed more sweetly than honey.” • Survives war • Ajax the Greater of Salamis • Son of Telamon • Bulwark of the Achaeans • Foil and rival of Odysseus • Straightforward, brusque

16. The Trojan Saga • Ajax the Less (or Lesser) • Prince of Locrians, son of Oïleus • Violation of Cassandra and his punishment • Idomeneus • Leader of Cretans, son of Deucalion • Voluntary ally • Odysseus • Attempt to avoid war by feigning madness • Crafty, cunning, of persuasive speech • Achilles and His Son Neoptolemus (Pyrrhus) • Prince of the Myrmidons in Phthia • Greatest of Greek warriors • Swift-footed, handsome • Son of Peleus and Thetis • Thetis attempts to make him immortal. • Achilles’ Heel • Educated by the centaur Chiron • Achilles’ Fate: early death with glory, or long life without glory • Disguised as girl and sent to Scyros • Achilles’ disguise unmasked by Odysseus • Achilles and Deïdamia, daughter of Lycomedes, King of ScyrosNeoptolemus (Pyrhhus) • Phoenix and Patroclus • Phoenix, banshished by his father • Welcomed by Peleus • Companion and tutor to Achilles • Patroclus, also received by Peleus • Closest companion of Achilles (perhaps lovers)

17. The Trojan Saga • The Gathering of the expedition at Aulis • Aulis, on the coast of Boeotia, opposite Euboea • Roughly 1200 Ships • The Sacrifice of Iphigenia • The anger of Artemis and the prophet Calcha • Calchas’ prophecy about the length of the war • The Arrival at Troy • Philoctetes • Son of Poeas • Island of Chryse and Philoctetes’ wound • Abandonment of Philoctetes on Lemnos • Bow of Heracles and the fate of Troy • Philoctetes kills Paris. • Achilles Heals Telephus. • Mysian Hero, son of Heracles • “He that wounded shall heal.” • Protesilaüs and Laodamia • Protesilaüs killed by Hector as the Greeks come ashore • Laodamia’s grief • Brief return of Protesilaüs and Laodamia’s suicide • Cycnus, son of Poseidon, turned into as swan

18. The Trojan Saga • The Iliad • From the quarrel between Achilles and Agamemnon to the burial of Hector • Chryseïs, daughter of Chryses, priest of Apollo • Plague sent by Apollo • Briseïs taken from Achilles as recompense • Wrath of Achilles and his refusal to fight • Heroic arete (“excellence”) wounded • Epiphany of Athena to Achilles • Thetis and Zeus • Truce and dual between Menalaüs and Paris • The farewell of Hector and Andromache • Embassy to Achilles • Odysseus’ attempt to soften Agamemnon’s words • Achilles’ response • Roles of Phoenix and Ajax • Trojan victory and fire at the Greek ships • Patroclus enters struggle. • Death of Sarpedon • Patroclus killed by Hector • Achilles’ unquenchable grief and rage • Shield of Achilles fashioned by Hephaestus • Achilles’ return • Death of Hector • Mutilation of Hector’s corpse • Priam’s journey to ransom the body of Hector • Achilles relents. • Burial of Hector • The Olympian Gods in Battle • Intimate involvement in conflict • Theomachies (“conflicts between gods”) • The Universality of the Iliad • War as universal human experience

19. The Trojan Saga • The Fall of Troy • Sources: summaries of lost epics, tragedy, representations in art, and Vergil’s Aeneid • Achilles and Penthesilea, leader of the Amazons • Achilles and Memnon, son of Eos (Aurora), leader of the Ethiopians • Death of Achilles • Wounded in the heel by Paris with the aid of Apollo • Corpse recovered by Ajax • Ghost of Achilles and the sacrifice of Polyxena • Odysseus and Ajax Compete for the Armor of Achilles • Disgrace of Ajax, his madness, and suicide • Sophocles’ Ajax • The Deaths of Paris and Priam • Summons of Neoptolemus (Pyrrhus) and Philoctetes • Philoctetes kills Paris. • Neoptolemus butchers Priam. • Vergil’s Aeneid • The Wooden Horse • Epeus • Homer’s Odyssey and the song of Demodocus • Vergil’s Aeneid, Book 2: a detailed account of the sack of Troy • Odysseus’ role • Sinon • Laocoön’s fear of the horse and his death, along with his two sons

20. The Trojan Saga • The Sack of Troy • The Wooden Horse is brought inside Troy. • Greeks return from Tenedos. • Slaughter of Trojans • Violation of Cassandra and her eventual murder • Hecuba’s Transformation; Cynossema (“dog’s tomb”) • The Trojan Women of Euripides • Death 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

21. Chapter 20: The Returns and the Odyssey • Epic Nostoi (“returns”) • Agamemnon, Menelaüs, and Nestor • Athena’s anger at Ajax, son of Oïleus • Agamemnon’s return and murder • Menelaüs, Nestor, and Diomedes set sail together. • Menelaüs in Egypt; Eidothea and Proteus • Return of Helen and Menelaüs to Sparta • Menelaüs in Elysian Fields • Nestor’s return to Pylos • Diomedes • Return to Argos; adultery of his wife, Aegialia • Sails to Italy and received by Daunus, king of Apulia • Hero cult • Idomeneus • Return to Crete; adultery of his wife, Meda, and her murder • Usurpation of throne by Leucus • Story of Idomneus’ sacrifice of his son • Idomenus driven to Calabria in southern Italy • Hero cult • Philoctetes • Return to Thessaly • Driven to southern Italy • Hero Cult • Historical and Legendary Material • Stories of exile in southern Italy may reflect movement of Greek colonization from eighth century on.

22. The Returns • Neoptolemus • Return over land accompanied by Helenus and Andromache • Leaves Phthia with them and his wife, Hermione, and comes to Molossi in Epirus • Killed at Delphi • Hero cult • Odysseus • Return of Odysseus: elements of folktale and romantic legends grafted onto the saga • Adventures of Odysseus followed by a captivity of seven years on the island of Ogygia with Calypso, his location at the beginning of Homer’s Odyssey • Ten years wandering • Story of Odysseus • As 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 wrath • Athena’s protection • The Cicones and the Lotus Eaters • Cicones • Thracian city of Ismarus sacked by Odysseus • Gift of wine for sparing Maron, priest of Apollo • Lotus Eaters • Fruit of the Lotus which blots out the desire to return home • The Cyclopes (One-Eyed Giants) • Polyphemus, son of Poseidon • Polyphemus’ cave • Odysseus as Nobody (outis) • Blinding of the cyclops • Escape on the underside of a ram • Disclosure of Odysseus’ name • Polyphemus’ curse

23. The Returns • Aeolus and the Laestrygonians • Aeolus, keeper of the winds • Gift to Odysseus: bag of winds • Stupidity of Odysseus’ men • Aeolus’ refusal of additional aid • Laestrygonians: sinking of all of Odysseus’ ships but his own • Circe • Island of Aeaea • Sorceress, daughter of the Sun • Men transformed into swine • Hermes’ aid: Moly • Odysseus spends one year with Circe; birth of Telegonus • Circe counsels journey to Underworld. • The Nekuia (Book of the Dead) • Odyssey, Book 11 • Tiresias • Meeting with old comrades • Agamemnon • Achilles • Ajax • The Sirens, the Planctae, Charybdis, and Scylla • In Homer the Sirens are human in form. • In the Later tradition they become birdlike, with women’s heads. • The Song of the Sirens • Odysseus 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

24. The Returns • The Cattle of the Sun (Helius) • Island of Thrinacia • Theft of the cattle • Loss of all of all Odysseus’ men • Calypso • Daughter of Atlas • Ogygia • Seven years captivity of Odysseus • The Phaeacians • Approach to Scheria, island of the Phaeacians • Rescue of Leucothea • Nausicaä • Palace of Alcinoüs and Arete • Odysseus’ tale • Return of Odysseus to Ithaca • Punishment of the Phaeacians • Ithaca • Suitors courting Penelope • Penelope’s ruse of the loom • Telemachus, growing to manhood, but still too young to succeed his father • Odysseus, recognized by Eumaeus and Telemachus • Odysseus’ 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 nurse • The contest of the bow

25. The Returns • The Bow and the Killing of the Suitors • The 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. • Telemachus • Hero as a young man • Athena’s aid as Mentes • Worthy son of his father • Mini-odyssey to Pylos and Sparta to learn word of his father • Penelope • Perfect match for her husband, who is polytropos (“man of many twists and turns”) • Penelope’s dream about her geese • Penelope’s cunning and guile • Her steadfastness and resourcefulness • Periphron (“circumspect”) • The secret of the bed: a living olive tree • Naming Odysseus • Odysseus from Greek odyssamenos (“causing hatred or having hatred directed at oneself”) • George Dimock’s “man of pain” • Anonymity/naming of Odysseus • Odysseus controls the revelation of his name (cf. Outis [“nobody”]) • Man of many disguises and deceptions as to his identity

26. The Returns • The End of the Odyssey • Hermes escorts souls of suitors to Underworld. • Penelope praised by Agamemnon • Contrast with Clytemnestra • Revelation to Laertes, father of Odysseus • A final stuggle with Laertes, Odysseus, and Telemachus fighting alongside one another • Athena and Zeus enforce a settlement. • Odysseus and Athena • Odysseus’ strengths of wisdom, guile and cunning are fitting complements to the attributes of Athena. • The End of Odysseus Life • Tiresias’ prophecy • Telegonus, son of Circe and Odysseus, kills Odysseus. • The Universality of the Odyssey • Archetype of the legendary quest • Odysseus (Roman Ulysses), symbol of patience, and perseverance; importance for the Stoics • Plato’s Myth of Er and Odysseus’ choice for his next life. • Odysseus and Penelope: exemplars of human and heroic arete (“excellence”)

27. Chapter 21: Perseus and the Legends of Argos • Hera and Phoroneus • Argos’ connection with Corinth and Thebes, and the eastern Mediterranean • Mycenaean Argolid • Center for the worship of Hera • Argive Heraeum • Phoroneus establishes the kingdom of Argos. • Contest between Poseidon and Hera for patronage of Argos • Poseidon’s wrath/rivers dry up • Inachus, river in region and father of Phoroneus • Perseus • Danaë and Acrisius • AbasProetus and Acrisius • Acrisius, king of Argos, father of Danaë • Proetus, king of Tiryns • Oracle about Danaë’s son • Imprisonment of Danaë in brazen chamber • Zeus as shower of gold • Birth of Perseus • Danaë and Perseus put in chest and set adrift • Island of Seriphos and the fisherman Dictys (net) • Polydectes • Polydectes, brother of Dictys and king of Seriphos • Desire for Danaë • Banquet and Perseus’ ill-considered offer of the Gorgon’s head • Aid promised by Hermes and Athena

28. Perseus • The Graeae • Three 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 kibisis • Hermes’ gift of the scimitar • Graeae share one eye and one tooth between them • The Gorgons • At the edge of the world; usually North Africa • Pindar’s Pythian Ode 10: Perseus’ journey to the north and the Hyperboreans • One mortal Gorgon: Medusa • The power to turn men to stone • Birth of Chrysaor (“he of the golden sword”) and Pegasus from body of Medusa, pregnant by Poseidon • Hippocrene (“horse’s fountain”) on Mt. Helicon, home of the Muses • Association with music and poetry • Pindar’s Pythian Ode 12: description of Athena’s invention of the double flute in imitation of the Gorgon’s lament for Medusa. • Andromeda • Early addition to Perseus’ legend • Andromeda, daughter of King Cepheus and Queen Cassiepea • Ethiopia or the Levant • Cassiepea’s hybris • Poseidon’s sends a sea monster to ravage country. • Andromeda to be sacrificed to placate monster • Perseus promises rescue, if he is allowed to marry Andromeda. • Cepheus’ brother, Phineus, Andromeda’s former fiancé, and a band of armed men turned to stone • Perses, son of Perseus and Andromeda • Perseus and Andromeda return to Seriphos.

29. Perseus • The Origin of the Libyan Snakes, the Atlas Range, and Coral • Gorgon’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 Range • Head of Medusa laid upon leaves and branches; transformation to coral • Polydectes and Perseus’ Return to Argos • Polydectes and his followers turned to stone • Dictys becomes king of Seriphos. • Return of magic objects • Gorgon’s head given to Athena, which is placed on her Aegis • The Death of Acrisius • Acrisius’ flight to Larissa in Thessaly • Perseus kills Acrisius with ill-aimed discus. • Perseus returns to Tiryns; exchange of kingdoms with Megapenthes • Perseus founds Mycenae. • Hero cult • Children of Perseus and Andromeda: kings of Mycenae • Heracles and Eurystheus • Saga and Folktale • Numerous folktale motifs • Magical conception of hero by princess • Discovery of hero as a child by noise of his playing • Evil king and good brother • Rash promise of the hero • Supernatural assistance • Three old women with advice • Monsters of terrible visage • Vindication of hero and punishment of villain

30. Perseus • Other Legends of Argos • The Family of Inachus • Io, daughter of Inachus • Aeschylus’ Prometheus Bound and Supplices • Beloved by Zeus • Her transformation to a cow • The jealousy of Hera • Put 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 form • Birth of Epaphus, ancestor of Heracles • Identification of Epaphus with Apis by Egyptians • Io worshipped as Isis • Io 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 Io • Io as founder of royal families of Egypt, Argos, Phoenicia, Thebes and Crete • Libya, daughter of Epaphus • Agenor and Belus, twin sons of Epaphus • Agenor, king of Tyre, father of Cadmus and Europa • Belus, father of twins, Aegyptus and Danaüs

31. Perseus • The Daughters of Danaüs • Danaüs forced to leave Egypt • Danaïds (his fifty daughters) • Arrival in Argos • Danaüs becomes king. • Aegyptus’ fifty sons claim their fifty cousins as brides. • The crime of the Danaïds and their punishment in the Underworld • Hypermnestra spares Lynceus;AbasProetus and Acrisius • Amymone • Danaïd Amymone and Poseidon • The creation of the spring Amymone • Other Argive Heroes • The seer Melampus • The Seven against Thebes, including Tydeus, father of Diomedes, hero of the Trojan War

32. Chapter 22: Heracles • Heracles—Man, Hero, and God • Amphitryon and Alcmena • Electryon, king of Mycenae • Conflict with Pterelaüs, king of the Teleboans • Amphitryon, son of Electryon’s brother, Alcaeus, betrothed to Alcmena • Death of Electryon • Treachery of Comaetho, daughter of Pterelaüs, and his golden hair • Zeus disguised as Amphitryon • Alcmena and ZeusHeracles • Alcmena and AmphitryonIphicles • Plautus’ Amphitruo • The Birth of Heracles and His Early Exploits • Hostility of Hera • Birth of Eurystheus hastened • Heracles’ birth delayed • The infant Heracles and the snakes • Heracles’ tutors: Amphitryon (chariot driving), Autolycus (wrestling), Eurytus (archery), and Linus (music) • Death of Linus • The daughters of Thespius • Marriage to Megara, daughter of Creon • The Madness of Heracles • Heracles kills Megara and their children. • Purified by Thespius • The Delphic oracle and the twelve labors • Now called Heracles, formerly Alcides • Variations of chronological sequence: • Eurpides’ Heracles • Sophocles’ Trachiniae • Apollodorus

33. Heracles • The Twelve Labors • Athloi (“labors”); immortality the ultimate prize • Assistance given by Athena and his nephew Iolaüs • Six labors take place in the Peloponnesus. • Six labors occur outside of Greece. • The Peloponnesian Labors (along with Parerga (“side exploits”) • 1. The Nemean Lion • Club and lionskin • 2. The Lernaean Hyrdra • Arrows dipped in Hydra’s poison • 3. The Cerynean Hind • Pindar’s Olympian Ode 3 • 4. The Erymanthian Boar • Encounter with centaur Pholus • Chiron’s immortality • 5. The Augean Stables • Augeas, son of Helius (the Sun) and king of Elis • Heracles’ expedition against Augeas • Institution of the Olympic Games • 6. The Stymphalian Birds

34. Heracles • The Non-Peloponnesian Labors • 7. The Cretan Bull • 8. The Mares of Diomedes • Diomedes, son of Ares and Thracian king • Admetus, king of Pherae • Struggle with Thanatos (“death”) and restoration of Alcestis, wife of Admetus • 9. The Girdle of Hippolyta • Hippolyta, queen of the Amazons • Heracles in Troy and his rescue of Hesione • Priam (Podarces) given throne • 10. The Cattle of Geryon • Conquest of death • Geryon, three-bodied monster, son of Oceanid Callirhoë and Chrysaor • Orthus (or Orthrus), two-headed hound • Cup of Helius (“the sun”) • Pillars of Heracles • Attack of the Ligurians • Struggle with Eryx, king of Mt. Eryx at the western end of Sicily • Killing of Alcyoneus • Variant of Geryon story: • Herodotus • Echidna (“snake woman”)

35. Heracles • 11. The Apples of the Hesperides • Conquest of death • Hersperides, daughters of Night • The guardian serpent Ladon • Golden apples given by Ge to Hera • Nereus, a sea-god, informs Heracles. • Variant: aid given by Atlas • Tree as symbol of immortality (Tree of Life) • Parerga: • Killing of Busiris, king of Egypt • Killing of Antaeus, son of Ge and Poseidon • Rescue of Prometheus • 12. Cerberus • Conquest of death • Cerberus, three-headed hound of Hades • Aid of Hermes and Athena • Additional incidents: • Encounter with Theseus and Perithoüs • Ghost of Meleager • Deïanira, daughter of Meleager, offered to Heracles as wife • Euripides’ Heracles

36. Heracles • Other Deeds of Heracles • Cycnus, son of Ares and brigand • Syleus, a robber • Cercopes, pair of dwarfs • Folktale elements • “To beware the black-bottomed man” • Hylas • Heracles, as Argonaut • Loss of Hylas, Heracles’ companion • Cult of Hylas at Cios • Military Expeditions • Gigantomachy • Attack upon Laomedon, king of Troy • Attack upon Augeas, king of Elis • Attack upon Neleus, king of Pylos; Nestor spared and became king • Periclymenus and his transformation into a bee • Attack upon the god Hades • Attack upon Hippocoön, king of Sparta • Death of Iphicles • Heracles and AugeTelephus, eventual king of Mysians • Ally of Aegimius, king of the Dorians • Conflicting traditions: brutality of Heracles, a glutton and a drunkard, contrasted with Heracles as a paragon of virtue

37. Heracles • Heracles, Deïanira, and Iole • Marriage to Deïanira • Daughter of Oeneus, king of Calydon • Struggle with Acheloüs • The horn of Amalthea • The centaur Nessus • The deception of Nessus and the love potion • Heracles and DeïaniraHyllus, a son, and Marcaria, a daughter • Iole • Daughter fo Eurytus, king of Oechalia • Refusal of Iole by Eurytus • Murder of Iphicles, brother of Iole • Heracles at Delphi • Attempt upon the sacred tripod • Struggle with Apollo and Zeus’ intervention • Slave to Omphale from one year • Omphale • Queen of the Lydians • Heracles as woman • The Death of Heracles • The reception of Ceyx, king of Trachis • Sophocles’Trachiniae • Jealousy of Deïanira • Blood of Nessus and the poisoned robe • Heracles’ torment • Pyre on Mt. Oeta • Hyllus promises to marry Iole. • Poeas, father of Philoctetes, given Heracles’ bow, for lighting pyre • Mortality of Heracles burned away • Immortality on Olympus; marriage to Hebe

38. Heracles • Heracles: Man, Hero, and God • Homer’s Odyssey • Heracles’ name (“glory of Hera”) • Associations with Argos, Mycenae, Tiryns, Boeotia, and Trachis • Origins of Heracles • Similarities to Eastern figures: • One of the twelve Egyptian gods • Phoenician Melkart • Israelite Samson • Mesopotamian Gilgamesh • Cilician Sandas • Indian Indra • Master of Animals • Diverse treatment of character • Sophocles’ Trachiniae • Euripides’ Heracles and Alcestis • Aristophanes’ Frogs • Figure of fortitude, attaining immortality by virtue • Story of Prodicus of Ceos • Heracles at the crossroads • The Heraclidae • Alcmena, Eurystheus, and the children of Heracles • Persecution of Eurystheus • Death of Eurystheus • Euripides’ Heraclidae • Alcmena and children received by King Demophon, son of Theseus and king of Athens • Marcaria’s self-sacrifice • Pindar’s Pythian Ode 9 • Iolaüs kills Eurystheus. • Cults of Eurystheus, Iolaüs, and Alcmena • Alcmena in Elysium, becomes wife of Rhadamanthys, brother of Minos.

39. Heracles • The Return of the Heraclidae • Dorian tribes in the Peloponnesus at the end of the Mycenaean period • Truce of one hundred years • The return of the Heraclidae (“sons of Heracles”) • Division of region • Lacedaemon (Sparta) to Procles and Eurysthenes • Argos to Temenus • Messene to Cresphontes • Subjugation of Messene by the Spartans

40. Chapter 23: Theseus and the Legends of Attica • The Early Kings and Their Legends • Cecrops, Erichthonius, and Erechtheus • Authochonous (“sprung from the earth”) • Cecrops, earliest king • Sprung from the earth • Serpent-shaped in lower half of his body • Founder of Attica (Cecropia) • Erichthonius, another early figure in Attic mythology • Serpent-shaped (-chthon- element in his name means “earth.”) • Hephaestus’ sexual advances upon Athena • The daughters of Cecrops: • Pandrosos (“bright”), Auglauros (“dew”), and Herse (“all-dew”) • Originally fertility goddesses • Driven 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

41. Theseus • Erechtheus • Both Erechtheus and Erichthonius are forms of Poseidon • Prophecy of cult worship • Poseidon-Erechtheus and a sacrifice of bulls • Erectheum, temple on the Acropolis dedicated to Athena Polias (guardian of the city) and Erectheus • Sacred 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 Acropolis • Erechtheus, defender of Athens • Wards off attack of Eleusinians by the Thracian Eumolpus • Eumolpus, 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’ Medea • Ovid’s Metamorphoses • Hermes and HerseCephalus • Aglauros filled with envy and transformed into a rock

42. Theseus • Cephalus and Procris • Cephalus and Eos (“dawn”) • Cephalus and Procris, daughter of Erechtheus • Ovid’s Metamorphoses • Cephalus tempted by Aurora to make trial of Procris • Procris’ shame and refuge with Artemis • Laelaps, a hound that always caught its prey • An unerring javelin • Subsequent reconciliation between Cephalus and Procris • Transformation of Laelaps and his prey into a statue • Death of Procris • Philomela, Procne, and Tereus • Pandion, successor of Erichthonius, father of Philomela and Procne • Tereus, Thracian king, given Procne in marriageItys • Rape and mutilation of Philomela by Tereus • Murder 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 Euripides • Pandion, succeeded by Erechtheus • Creusa, daughter of Erechtheus, not sacrificed by her father • Apollo and CreusaIon • Ion exposed, but saved by Hermes • Ion brought to Delphi and made temple servant • Creusa given as wife to Xuthus • Xuthus’ attempt upon Ion’s life • Ion, ancestor of four Ionic tribes • Colonization of part of the coast of Asia Minor and the islands; Ionia

43. Theseus • Orithyia and Boreas and Their Children • Orithyia, daughter of Erechtheus, and Boreas (North Wind)Zetes and Calaïs; and Cleopatra and Chione • Zetes and Calaïs, Argonauts • Chione and PoseidionEumolpus • Cleopatra and Phineus • The Confused Genealogy of the Kings of Athens • Repetition of Pandion and Cecrops in the kingship lists • Pandion exiled by Metion, his uncle • Pandion’s flight to Megara • Four sons: Aegeus, Pallas, Nisus, and Lycus • Recovery of kingship of Athens • Aegeus becomes king of Athens. • Nisus becomes king of Megara. • Theseus • Aegeus is another form of Poseidon; connection with the Aegean Sea • Poseidon as father of Theseus • Childlessness of Aegeus • Consultation of the Delphic Oracle: “not to undo the wineskin’s mouth” • Pittheus, king of Troezen • Aethra, daughter of king Pittheus • Theseus grows to maturity; the rock, the sword and the sandals • Journey to Athens • Hero of Attica • Associations with Heracles

44. Theseus • Theseus’ Six Labors On His Journey From Troezen To Athens • 1. Periphetes or Corynetes (“club man”), brigand and son of Hephaestus • 2. Sinis or Pityocamptes (“pine bender”) at the Isthmus of Corinth, robber • 3. The Crommyon sow • 4. Sciron and the gigantic turtle • 5. Cercyon at Eleusis • 6. Procrustes (“the stretcher”) • Theseus Is Recognized By Aegeus • Bacchylides of Ceos, Dithyramb 18 • Medea’s attempts upon the life of Theseus • Medus, son of Aegeus and Medea • Recognition of Theseus • Theseus foils plot hatched by Pallas, Aegeus’ brother. • The Bull of Marathon • Capture of bull (sometimes identified with the bull of Heracles’ labors) • Sacrifice to Apollo Delphinius • Hecale, old woman who entertained Theseus • Honors to Zeus Hecalus • The Minotaur • Androgeus, son of King Minos of Crete, killed in Attica • Vengeance of Minos against Athens and Megara, an ally of Athens • Treaty 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 Zeus • Theseus’ claim to be Poseidon’s son • The sign of the ring • Bacchylides’ Dithyramb 17 • Assistance of Ariadne, daughter of Minos • Killing of the Minotaur

45. Theseus • Ariadne On Naxos • Ariadne 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 Dionysus • Transformation of the wreath to the constellation Corona • Ariadne, originally divine, perhaps a form of Aphrodite • Hesiod’s Theogony • Catullus 64 • Ovid’s Ars Amatoria 1 • Homer: Ariadne killed by Artemis on Naxos • Variant: Ariadne dies in Cyprus giving birth to Theseus’ child • Institution of ritual • Ariadne Aphrodite • Imitation by young men of women in childbirth • Theseus Becomes King of Athens • Theseus on Delos • The Crane dance (geranos) • Imitation of the windings of the Labyrinth • Sailing to Athens and the suicide of Aegeus • The naming of the Aegean Sea • Synoecism of Attica (union of villages into a political unit around Athens) • Refounding of Isthmian Games

46. Theseus • The Amazons • Expedition against Amazons with Heracles • Antiope and TheseusHippolytus • Symbol of conquest over barbarism • Theseus and Pirithoüs • Pirithoüs, king of Lapiths and son of Ixion, friend of Theseus • Fight between Lapiths and Centaurs • Attempt to get wives: Pirithoüs (Persephone); Theseus (Helen) • Helen kidnapped, hidden with Aethra, and rescued by the Dioscuri • Menestheus and the institution of cult to the Dioscuri • Aethra becomes servant of Helen • Pirithoüs and Theseus in the Underworld; the magic chairs • Rescue of Theseus by Heracles • Theseus, Phaedra, and Hippolytus • Aphrodite and Artemis • Phaedra (“bright”), daughter of Minos • Theseus and PhaedraDemophon and Acamas • Phaedra may have divine origins. • Love of Phaedra for Hippolytus • The role of Phaedra’s nurse • Phaedra’s letter of accusation and suicide • Banishment of Hippolytus by Theseus • Theseus’ prayer to Poseidon • Death of Hippolytus • Euripides’ two tragedies about Hippolytus • Seneca’s version • Racine’s Phèdre • Cult of Hippolytus at Troezen in connection with Artemis • Cult of Hippolytus at Athens in connection with Aphrodite • Resurrection by Asclepius; resurrected Hippolytus as Virbius to Romans

47. Theseus • Theseus As Champion of the Oppressed • Kings of Athens as protectors of victims of tyranny • Protection of Medea by Aegeus • Protection of Oedipus and the mothers of the Seven against Thebes by Theseus • Theseus as noble king in later literature • Statius’ Thebaid • Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales, “The Knight’s Tale” • Shakespeare’s Midsummer Night’s Dream (as Duke Theseus) • Other Adventures of Theseus • Association with the Argonauts • Association with the Calydonian boar hunt • “Not without Theseus” • “A second Heracles” • End of Theseus’ life • Exiled from Athens • Menestheus 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 Tragedy • Contrast between the character of Theseus of Euripides’ Hippolytus and that in other sources • Elements in legend of Theseus develop before fifth century • Idealized portrait of Theseus created with the emergence of democracy and the establishment of the Athenian Empire • Theseus in Euripides’ Suppliants and Heracles; Sophocles’ Oedipus at Colonus

48. Theseus • Demophon • Assistence given to the Heraclidae (“children of Heracles”) • Love of Phyllis, a Thracian princess and her suicide; transformation into an almond tree • Codrus • Last king of Athens • Sacrifice of his life for the city • Minos • Daedalus and Minos • Daedalus, son or grandson of Metion, brother of Cecrops • Craftsman and inventor • Assistance of nephew Perdix, who invented the saw • Daedalus’ attempted murder of Perdix, who was transformated into a partridge (perdix) • The bull from the sea sent by Poseidon in answer to Midas’ prayer • Pasiphaë’s love for the bull and Daedalus’ wooden cow • Birth of the Minotaur • Construction of the Labyrinth • Historical elements behind the myth • Importance of the bull in Cretan civilization • Labrys or double-headed axe, a common sacred object • The maze and the layout of the palace at Cnossus • Minos and Pasiphaë, originally divine figures • Minos as son and friend of Zeus • Pasiphaë (“all shining”) as daughter of Helius

49. Theseus • The Flight of Icarus • Escape of Daedalus and his son Icarus from Crete • The wings of wax • The death of Icarus and the Mare Icarium • Ovid’s Metamorphoses • Daedalus reaches Sicily • Cocalus, the king of Camicus • Pursuit of Minos • Ruse of the spiral shell • Death of Minos • The Family of Minos • Children of Minos and Pasiphaë: the sons Catreus, Deucalion, Glaucus, and Androgeos; the daughthers Ariadne and Phaedra • Catreus, king of Crete • Althaemenes, son of Catreus and the oracle of his fate • Death of Althaemenes’ sister Apemosyne • Death of Catreus at the hands of his son • Althaemenes 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 honey • Polyidus, a seer • The simile of the mulberry • Polyidus’ imprisonment and his resurrection of Glaucus • Androgeos • Killed in Attica • Minos’ attack on Megara • Nisus, king of Megara and his purple lock of hair • The treachery of his daughter, Scylla • Transformation into birds, Scylla into the ciris; Nisus into a sea eagle forever in pursuit

50. Chapter 24: Jason, Medea, and the Argonauts • Introduction: The Minyae • Crew of the Argo comprising heroes from the generation before the Trojan War. • Minyae, descendants of gods and ancestors of noble families • Importance of Iolus in Thessaly and Miletus in Ionia • Reflection of colonization from eighth century onward • Folktale elements • Aea (“land”) • Aeëtes (“man of the land”) • Hero set a number of impossible tasks • Success of adventure • Aid by local princess • Marriage • The Golden Fleece • Quest motif • Athamas, Boeotian king, and mysterious first wife Nephele (“cloud”)Phrixus and Helle • Nephele returns to the sky. • Athamas marries Ino, daughter of Cadmus. • Jealousy of Ino towards her stepchildren • Intrigue of Ino with the aid of the Delphic oracle to murder her stepchildren • Escape of Phrixus and Helle on a golden-fleeced ram, given by Hermes • Death of Helle; the naming of the Hellespont • Phrixus makes land at Colchis on the Black Sea • Received by King Aeëtes, son of Helius, brother of Circe and Pasiphaë • Phrixus and Chalciope, daughter of AeëtesArgus, Melas, Phrontis, and Cytisorus • Fleece given to Aeëtes, hung up in a grove sacred to Ares, guarded by a serpent