Analysis Of The Genealogy By Hesiod

The Thoegony or the genealogy or birth of the gods is a poem written by Hesiod in 700 B.C, describing the genealogy of the Ancient Greek gods. Hesiod was a poet who lived around 700 B.C, and is one of the rare poets whose compositions survive to this day. Hesiod was always compared to Homer; it is uncertain who was born first, but both lived around the same time due to the similar epic dialect of Homeric Greek. It is believed that the Theogony was probably influenced by some Near-Eastern traditions such as the Babylonians, who were mixed with local traditions; while some suggest that the Mycenaean traditions might also have an impact on the Theogony. The poem is most likely the peace of work that gave Hesiod the name as a poet, as it is …show more content…
As manifested in the story; after Chaos, Gaea, who is the symbolizing fertility of the matriarchal system, comes to life, and gives birth to the universe without the help of a male figure. This demonstrated her magnificent capability, and her high prestige within the Cosmo. Accordingly, in the matriarchal system women are considered magical because they’re the only creatures with the ability to gives birth, and hence possessing the ability to give life. Nevertheless, as the story progresses, we observe that the status of women gets overthrown by the patriarchal system as Zeus gives birth to Athena from his head without a mate. It is displayed that the significance given to women for possessing the ability to give birth has been decreased and consequently resulting in the lowering of their status within the …show more content…
The conflict between the matriarchal and the patriarchal system emerges here, as the sons belong to Gaea who represents the female domination. Subsequently, if one of the children overthrows the Coronus, it would mean victory to the matriarchy. Uranus’s suppression of Gaea’s sons made her frustrated, resulting in her provoking her last born son Kronos to cut of his father’s genitals, metaphorically representing the stripping away of his patriarch dominance over the Cosmo. This event is then repeated with Koronus, who swallows his new born children in order to avoid one of them surpassing him for the power and impeding the intervention of the feminine power. However, his last born son Zeus is saved by his mother Rhea, who later grows up and challenges his father, eventually dethroning him. Hence through repetition of the same event, it is apparent that through multiple attempts, the matriarchy have tried their utmost hardest to gain the ultimate power, even using their sons to complete this