Apollo 17

1.What does The Odyssey show us about the essential values and beliefs of Ancient Greek culture?* The Odyssey, written by Homer, shows us that the Ancient Greeks were strong believers in the gods and being good hosts, which is also known as good xenias. In Book 10, King Aeolus says, “It’s a crime to host a man or speed him on his way when the blessed deathless gods despise him so” (Homer 232.80). This shows how Aeolus wants to be a good host. But, as it is obvious that Odysseus is cursed by the…

In the opening pages of Book I of “The Odyssey” written by Homer and translated by Robert Fagles, the gods are conversing in assembly regarding the death of “handsome” Aegisthus. Similar to the modern-day court system, the gods attempt to justify the fate that Aegisthus, the human, has received. However, the gods - with knowledge of everything happening around the human world - rely not on the testimonies of mere mortals or on evidence received. Instead, the gods recall whether or not they from…

In 2004, the Cleveland Museum of Art purchased Apollo the Python-Slayer (figure one) which they believe to be the only surviving piece from the Greek sculptor Praxiteles. After the purchase, questions arose regarding the authenticity of the museum’s claims as well as the murky history of how this piece was procured and how it was found in Germany in the 1980’s. Scholars agree that Apollo is ancient, but are irresolute of the label the sculpture should don. Two arguments sprung from the display…

as color, implied motion, and space used as well to analyze the historical/religious context of one of his early paintings before the big transition to the creation of politically influenced paintings. Jacques-Louis David created the painting of, Apollo and Diana Attacking the Children of Niobe, in 1772 (Figure 1). This painting is oil on canvas with an approximate size of 48 by 61 ½ inches. At first glance, this painting had no visible brush strokes and had a very smooth and glossy surface.…

The presence of Nymphs in Greek literature and religion is everywhere; from whom people pray to, to the way they impact the stories of authors, and all the way to impacting how people speak like Socrates and Homer. Describing what a nymph is however, is a very difficult process. In Greek literature and religion, the main way of identifying a nymph is the formula “Daughter of Asopos” (Larson 4). Other common ways of identifying these divine beings are if they are the daughter of Zeus or other…

direct non-human intervention of the Gods on Oedipus and his city. Oedipus at first shows respect to the Gods and sent Creon to an oracle to seek Apollos advice on the matter. Oedipus accepts Apollos advise of searching for Laius's murderer. Of course the irony is that Oedipus is the killer but he does not know that. Throughout book, humans go to Apollo seeking advice and help. But then act differently in a useless effort to change their fate. The relationship between Gods and humans differs…

The Olympian Gods were a major part of the Greek peoples daily lives. The Greeks spent much of there time trying to please the gods so that they would give them wealth and prosperity, and tried not to anger them. Anger from these gods were recognized as natural occurrences such as lighting brought on by Zeus, or harsh waters brought on by Poseidon. They believed that positive natural occurrences were also brought on by these gods as they made them happy and worshiped each god equally to…

Written in two different times, The Iliad by Homer and by The Aeneids by Virgil focuses on two war heroes and the paths they must take. Homer makes Achilles a Greek who is fated to destroy the city of the Trojans. Virgil, who was inspired Homer, came to create a Trojan named Aeneas and his quest to eventually settle on the foundations of rome. The Greek influence on Homer’s story, and certain themes like the gods and mythos, carried mixed in and carried over with Roman influence. What is…

Religion was the lens through which the Greeks perceived the world around them. The influence of the Greek gods on the Grecian worldview was prevailing because the Greeks believed in the ultimate authority of these deities. However, these deities tended to be temperamental, therefore causing the concept of honor and shame to also play a significant role in Greek worldview. Examining prominent literary works from that era allows us to understand how the Greeks interacted with the world around…

In the Apology of Socrates there is not real evidence of true impiety for the Athenian government, but Socrates does put forth feelings of arrogance and self-confidence within himself and his beliefs. Throughout Socrates’ trial he hardly questions anyone which would be seen in a traditional trial, he often goes on tangents and laments about the injustices of the world in large words that perhaps many of the people there did not understand which leads to him being seen as impious and rejecting…