The demons of Mesopotamia were usually hostile spirits and lower than the gods in both dignity and power (Russell 1977, 92). ... Originally, Zarathushtra's dualism was based on the conflict between the ahuras, the elder gods, and the daevas. ... Good and evil proceed from Zeus, the one God, of whom the numerous other gods in the Greek pantheon are manifestations. ... The main question that must be answered is how the daimon (the impersonal, powerful force in the Homeric epics) became the evil demon (Smith 1978, 432). ... This Homeric daimon, which can affect thoughts and dreams and can be...

• Word Count: 2828
• Approx Pages: 11
• Grade Level: High School

When Virgil controls the narration, the point of view includes the actions of the gods as well as the human story; Aeneas, in his storytelling, does not have this access to the gods' perspective and relates events only from his own perspective. ... Symbols of the epic are flames; the golden bough; the Gates of War; the Trojan hearth gods; weather etc. ... They were both the offspring of humanity and deity, and thus demanded the special attention of the gods. For this reason, too, the gods bickered fiercely over the outcome of the war. ... Each followed the path of a hero forced through ...

• Word Count: 8864
• Approx Pages: 35
• Grade Level: High School

Mycenaean's cultural legacy became extremely important for women in ancient Greece, as these Homeric epics were continually retold and inculcated by the populous. ... Earlier sacred sites to goddesses appear to be replaced by male gods like Zeus and Apollo, although the Mycenaean's continued to worship the Mountain Mother at sanctuaries in the mountains. ... By the Homeric Age Zeus became superior to Hera, undoubtedly showing women's declining status. ...

• Word Count: 7196
• Approx Pages: 29
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School