This patriarchal ordering of Gods is based upon the Homeric society in which children were known as "daughter/son of- This adoption of Homeric standards suggests the gods being created by the society merely to be an allegory of humanity. ... This god has evolved from the polytheistic Homeric society, already moving towards a monotheistic society with the hierarchical constitution of the gods. This change originated in the 5th century BC when Plato proposed a system of deities that had similarities to gods of the Homeric ages, but loved, were generous, and were controlled by their minds as oppo...

• Word Count: 1739
• Approx Pages: 7
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

This patriarchal ordering of Gods is based upon the Homeric society in which children were known as "daughter/son of- This adoption of Homeric standards suggests the gods being created by the society merely to be an allegory of humanity. ... This god has evolved from the polytheistic Homeric society, already moving towards a monotheistic society with the hierarchical constitution of the gods. This change originated in the 5th century BC when Plato proposed a system of deities that had similarities to gods of the Homeric ages, but loved, were generous, and were controlled by their minds as oppo...

• Word Count: 1739
• Approx Pages: 7
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

In Homer's The Odyssey, Odysseus portrays the perfect Homeric hero in possessing all the defining traits of an admirable hero and leader. ... Odysseus" heroism transcends time, fulfilling both the heroic ideals of Homeric ideology as well as modern day definitions of a heroic character. ... His respect for the gods and xenia, overall loyalty to his wife and kingdom, as well as his glorified heroic defeats make Odysseus a well-rounded hero. ... This trait demonstrates the independence of fate and actions of human beings from the complete control of the gods. ... He fulfills all the ben...

• Word Count: 885
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

This is recognizable in The Homeric Hymns: Hymn 2: to Demeter and the story of chaos. ... The Olympian gods were derived from Chaos. ... In conclusion, the role of the gods and goddesses greatly impacted the live of mortals, to the extent that the Ancient Greek religion was centered around the gods, paying refuge toward them. ... For instance, the reason for why the seasons occur aetological function is displayed in The Homeric Hymn: Hymn 2: to Demeter. ... As seen in the Odyssey, the Homeric Hymns and the Oresteia, the lives of the Ancient Greeks were deeply impacted by the lives of the divin...

• Word Count: 1605
• Approx Pages: 6
• Has Bibliography

Virgil was obligated to study Homeric works in order to develop his own artistic techniques to learn the nature of epic poetic for which Homer made the mold. ... It is important to remember that had Virgil not known the Homeric epics, the Aeneid would have had a much different form and style. ... Although The Aeneid shares many characteristic with the Homeric epic it is different in important ways. ... The Homeric epics were oral and improvised, while the Aeneid, composed later in the epic tradition was non-oral and crafted with the aid of writing. ... X: The unproductive council of the god...

• Word Count: 1294
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• Has Bibliography

When we apply it to other works, we imply that these other works have something important in common with the Homeric epics. In the case of Gilgamesh, the common elements are a strong central hero and a central concern with the relationship between human beings and death, the gods, and fate. ... They call on the gods, who create a rival: Enkidu, a kind of savage half-beast who terrorizes the farmers. ...

• Word Count: 236
• Approx Pages: 1
• Grade Level: High School

The similarities (of the gods forging the shield and of the mothers) in the shield scene illustrates Virgil's attempt to imitate the Homeric style, while the distinct differences in the time period focused on shield demonstrate Roman values. ... A second similarity, which follows the Homeric model, is the reason for the forging of the shields. ... The scene of Aeneas" shield is both a tribute to the Homeric style (by imitating it) and an attempt to better it (through the differences). ...

• Word Count: 806
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

In general terms, I think it is interesting to recognize the idea of fate in this passage as it is shows its face directly in line 740, as Mezentius about to slay Orodes puts his faith in fate and his destiny is in the hands of the "Father of the Gods and the King of men", intriguing and somewhat ironic as Vergil condemns Mezentius in 7.648 as a "contemptor divum". ... As a particularly poignant moment in the poem Vergil employs Homeric allusion for the sake of adding striking detail to the scene. ... Moving away from the idea of fate, Connington suggests a reference to the Homeric phrase"gaia...

• Word Count: 1002
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

Homer uses the gods in both of his poems. ... People choose to take these depictions of the gods and goddesses that Homer described as the way the gods and goddesses were. ... Whatever happened on earth was at the discretion of the gods and whatever happened on earth would not happen until the gods said that it was okay to happen. Homer wrote these two epic poems with a heavy influence by the gods. ... Homeric epithets such as "the wily Odysseus" and the "rosey-fingured dawn" are also used to influence Greek language. ...

• Word Count: 943
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: High School

In Herodotus' explanation of the past, the most ready medium through which he knew to make himself understood was that of the Homeric epic. ... On the other hand, Herodotus does not treat divine intervention and the decision of the gods as being quite so fundamental to his Histories as folktale does. ... Moreover, gods never appear in the flesh in the Histories, as they do in Homer. ... Whilst Herodotus attributes this to the intervention of the gods, it appears reasonable to posit that, for Herodotus, divine intervention provided a "metaphysical framework" through which to unde...

• Word Count: 2143
• Approx Pages: 9
• Grade Level: Graduate

An overpowering aspect of the Ancient Greeks was their belief in Gods and other supernatural beings. ... The Gods were considered superior to the Greeks, but the mortals accepted that in return for a good life. During the time era of the Ancient Greeks, men and gods were on two extremely different levels. As the author says, "Kings were honoured like gods, but never worshiped." ... Besides quoting the Homeric The Odyssey and Iliad, the author of the book cites many other historians and their works. ...

• Word Count: 1507
• Approx Pages: 6
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

Hospitality in the Odyssey Hospitality has played a large role in ancient Mycenaen society and is even evident in the writings of the time, as witnessed in Homer's Odyssey. Hospitality reveals itself as a domineering factor in the way characters act and the way characters are treated in the Ody...

• Word Count: 434
• Approx Pages: 2

The story of Aphrodite's birth goes like this...Aphrodite was born when Uranus (who was the father of the gods) was castrated by Cronus, his son. ... After Aphrodite was born Zeus was afraid that the gods would fight over her hand in marriage. ... Aphrodite loved and was loved by many of the gods and mortals. ... The adventures of Aphrodite and her children caused as much misery and bloodshed as any of the gods (except Ares and Athene). ... Here is a paraphrase from the second Homeric Hymn from the seventh century B.C. ~ " I sing of beautiful Aphrodite of Cyprus and the sea, wher...

• Word Count: 696
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

In Homers writing, both Achilles and Odysseus have a choice over the fate in some manner, by Aeneas has no choice at all and must do what the gods have decreed, whether it is an order by Venus to go to Italy, or by Mercury to leave his lover, Dido. The gods in Virgil's epic impose suffering on a good man for the good of Rome, while in Homers epic, specifically the Illiad, the suffering is more widespread, encompassing two nations for the actions of few. ... This is similar to the situation in the Illiad where Athene shows Diomedes the gods on the battlefield. ... The story of the Aeneid...

• Word Count: 906
• Approx Pages: 4
• Has Bibliography

An epic simile, or Homeric simile, is an extended comparison beginning with "like" or "as" that continues at such length that a reader's attention can be drawn from the narrative for a time. ... Within this Homeric simile, Nestor is speaking with the Achaians. ... The reason the crash seems exciting and real is from the "special effect" that the loud noise adds, just as a Homeric simile adds to the Iliad. ... The catalogue of ships and troops, teichoskopia, (view form the wall) aristeia, (domination of the battlefield by a single warrior) embassy to Achilles, and theomachy (a battle or c...

• Word Count: 1033
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: High School

He embodied the ideals Homeric Greeks aspired to obtain: manly valor, loyalty, intelligence, and piety. Piety meant that one acknowledged that the gods were in control of their fate, were respectful of them, and acknowledged that they needed the Gods help. Ulysses on the other hand did not believe in god and felt that he did not need gods help. ...

• Word Count: 633
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

They worshiped many Gods whom they believed appeared in human form and yet were endowed with superhuman strength and ageless beauty. Votives were gifts offered to the Gods by their worshippers. Sacrifices were also thought of as gifts to the Gods. ... According to the Homeric belief, when a person died, his or her vital breath or psyche left the body to enter the palace of Hades, king of the dead. ...

• Word Count: 879
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: High School

Recent studies have begun to see the Homeric epics in the light of other epic traditions, notably epics from Mesopotamia, and have begun to look at striking similarities. There is a supposed lineage that can be seen connecting the Homeric epics most directly with the world of Akkadian epics (Gresseth 2). ... Comparisons between various characters abound in near-eastern Mesopotamian epic and Homeric epics. ... Enkidu was created by the gods as a rival to Gilgamesh, and is therefore younger. ... It would not be unreasonable therefore to look at the Homeric epic the same way, since it contains so...

• Word Count: 4256
• Approx Pages: 17
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

Both the Roman and the Greeks respected and feared their gods. Aeneas had gods helping and hindering him. ... Although many people have cited Achilles as having superhuman strength and various other physical attributes, he appears to be lacking the qualities of a real Homeric Epic Hero. A Homeric Epic Hero must demonstrate all of the following three requirements in order for them to truly be considered an Epic Hero. ... Achilles might have conceivably had the slimmest chances of possibly being consider as a remote choice as the Homeric Epic Hero if he had given up Hector's body right away...

• Word Count: 2104
• Approx Pages: 8
• Grade Level: High School

However, the gods transfigure him and when he shows himself on the battlefield the Trojans pull back and the Achaians escape. ... In his grief over his friend, Achilles has been dishonoring the body of Hector, but the gods have kept it from mutilation. ... Priam is secretly guided by the gods to Achilles to request his son's body in exchange for a great ransom. ... Achilles embodies the characteristics of the Homeric Hero, particularly in his apparent lack of character and control and his lust for fame. ... Besides pride, Achilles like many other Homeric heroes is driven primarily by an i...

• Word Count: 2208
• Approx Pages: 9
• Grade Level: High School

Homer and his Influence on Western Culture Homer influenced Greek values by articulating the value of Archaic Period, otherwise known as Homeric Period. ... He was not in good terms with the gods so they didn't let him return home till his tenth year so he could fight off suitors of his wife. ...

• Word Count: 552
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: High School

Consequently, it is evident that the gods harbor love and concern for Odysseus' happiness. However, when Calypso acquaints Odysseus with the gods' wishes, his mistrust of the gods is immediately obvious: "Surely you're plotting something else, goddess, urging me . ... This statement portrays Odysseus as a man who is so proud and arrogant that he superimposes his desires on the gods' desires. ... Odysseus, a man who does not trust his house servants, his wife, his father - even the gods - entrusts his life with his crew. ... Odysseus' words indicate that he is ...

• Word Count: 979
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: High School