The Greek Saga of Oedipus: Fate, Tragedy, and Redemption

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 (musician) 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 still 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 each other. • 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

7. The Theban Saga • 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 • Sophocles’ Portrayal of Antigone • Antigone’s scorn of her sister, Ismene, and indifference towards Haemon • Focus on Haemon’s love for Antigone • Antigone as heroine: defiant, relentless, and fierce • Antigone’s lament of her family’s destiny • Euripides and the Theban saga • Fragmentary remains of Euripides’ Oedipus and Antigone • Oedipus blinded at the crossroads by servants of Laius • Antigone and Argia, Polynices’ widow, place Polynices’ body on Eteocles’ pyre • Antigone is caught and given to Haemon for execution • Antigone is hidden and gives birth to Haemon’s son • Haemon’s disobedience later realized and lovers commit suicide • Euripides’ Phoenissae (extant) • Oedipus and Jocasta are still alive in Thebes when the Seven attack • Antigone vows to bury Polynices and is sent into exile with Oedipus

8. 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

9. 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 between Pelops and Oenomaüs 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

10. 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 • Aeschylus’ Eumenides: Orestes’ final acquittal and the transformation of the Erinyes into the Eumenides (“kindly ones”)

11. The Mycenaean Saga • Treatments of Electra and Orestes • 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 heroic 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

12. The Mycenaean Saga Euripides’ Andromache Andromache has borne Neoptolemus a son Menelaüs and a childless Hermione plan to kill Andromache Orestes’ arrival and revelation of betrothal Neoptolemus murdered by Orestes Appearance of Thetis (deus ex machina) Eurpides’ Orestes Set in Argos after murder of Clytemnestra Tormented Orestes is nursed by Electra Condemnation of Orestes and Electra Plot to murder Helen and Hermione to avenge themselves on Menelaüs, who refused to aid their cause Appearance of Apollo (deus ex machina) Helen immortalized; Orestes to go to Athens and be acquitted; Orestes will marry Hermione and Pylades will marry Electra Euripides’ debasement of heroic figures

13. The Mycenaean Saga • Additional Reading • Orestes and the three Electras • Aeschylus’ Libation Bearers (Choephori) • Orestes with Pylades at the grave of Agamemnon • Electra and a chorus of women bring offerings • Recognition scene between Orestes and Electra • Threnody: elaboration of their just revenge • Orestes and Pylades received by Clytemnestra • Aegisthus’ murder • Scene between Orestes and Clytemnestra • Orestes stands over victims, paralleling Clytemnestra’s earlier murder of Agamemnon and Cassandra. • Orestes driven out by the Furies • Sophocles’ Electra • Electra as focal point • Matricide accepted as divinely ordained • Orestes returns to Mycenae with Pylades • In Sophocles both Clytemnestra and Aegisthus take part in the murder of Agamemnon. • Electra in mourning • Chrysothemis, foil for Electra • Bitter scene between Electra and Clytemnestra • Electra receives word that Orestes is dead • Recognition scene • Orestes kills Clytemnestra, then Aegisthus

14. The Mycenaean Saga • Euripides’ Electra • Debasement of heroic figures • Electra’s sexual jealousy • Orestes returns with Pylades • Electra has been forced to marry a kind, but old, man • More realistic recognition scene • Aegisthus welcomes the strangers to a sacrificial banquet • Orestes kills Aegisthus. • Electra gloats over Aegisthus’ corpse • Clytemnestra arrives • Confrontation between Electra and Clytemnestra • Issues of sexual rivalry, jealousy, and psychological perversity • Orestes must be goaded by his sister to commit the murder • Electra and Orestes act together in the murder of Clytemnestra • Desire for retribution and the trauma of matricide. • Appearance of the Dioscuri • Electra to marry Pylades • Orestes to go to Athens for acquittal

15. 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 • Quarrel 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)

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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 (statue 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

19. 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 • Peleus • Prince of Phthia, father of Achilles, son of Aeacus (king of Aegina), and brother of Telamon • Death of Phocus, exile of Peleus to Phthia, and his purification by Eurytion • Participation in the Calydonian boar hunt • Accidental death of Eurytion • Purification by Acastus, son of Pelias and king of Iolcus • Acastus’ wife, Astydamia, falls in love with Peleus • Acastus attempts to kill Peleus but fails • Son of Peleus and Thetis destined to be greater than the fatherAchilles

20. The Trojan Saga • Thetis • Unwilling wife of Peleus • A Nereid (“child of Nereus”) • Attempts to escape from Peleus • Wedding of Peleus and Thetis • She leaves Peleus not long after the birth of Achilles • Thetis attempts to make Achilles 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 • Banished by his father • Welcomed by Peleus • Companion and tutor to Achilles • Patroclus • Also received by Peleus • Closest companion of Achilles • Later tradition would see them as lovers

21. The Trojan Saga • The gathering of the expedition at Aulis • Aulis, on the coast of Boeotia, opposite Euboea • Roughly 1,200 ships • The sacrifice of Iphigenia • The anger of Artemis and the prophet Calchas • 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 a swan

22. 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 duel 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

23. 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

24. 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

25. The Trojan Saga • Appendix • Meleager and the Calydonian boar hunt • The embassy to Achilles and Phoenix' cautionary tale of Meleager • After the Calydonian boar hunt Meleager, in a quarrel, killed his uncle, brother of his mother Althaea • In grief Althaea prays for the death of her son • In anger Meleager withdraws from battle • Cleopatra, Meleager’s wife, successfully appeals to him, but he returns to battle • too late to receive the earlier offer of reward • In the Book 9 of the Iliad Phoenix uses the argument of lost rewards to try and persuade Achilles to return to battle • Calydonian boar hunt • The François Vase • Ovid’s version in the Metamorphoses • Oeneus, descendant of Aeolus, king of Calydon, father of Deïanira • Meleager, son of Oeneus • Althaea, mother of Meleager, and the prophecy of the log • Oeneus’ offense against Artemis • Artemis sends a huge boar to ravage Calydon • Gathering of heroes by Meleager • Atalanta, daughter of Schoenus, a Boeotian king • Atalanta is first to wound the boar; Meleager delivers the killing blow • Meleager favors Atalanta • Death of Althaea’s brothers • The burning of the log and the death of Meleager • Mourning women turned into guinea fowl (meleagrides)

26. The Trojan Saga Homer’s version Boar sent by Artemis during war between Calydonians and Curetes Meleager kills boar Curse of Althaea; Meleager withdraws from the war Meleager relents, and returns and saves Calydon Bacchylides’ fifth Epinician Ode Ghost of Meleager and Heracles The tradition of Atalanta Euripides’ Phoenissae: Atalanta as the mother of Parthenopaeus, one of the Seven against Thebes

27. 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 Idomeneus’ sacrifice of his son • Idomeneus driven to Calabria in southern Italy • Hero cult • Philoctetes • Return to Thessaly • Driven to southern Italy • Hero cult

28. 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

29. 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 six dogs’ heads • Charybdis, a whirlpool

30. The Returns • The Cattle of the Sun (Helius) • Island of Thrinacia • Theft of the cattle • Loss of all of 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

31. 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

32. The Returns • The End of the Odyssey • Hermes escorts souls of suitors to Underworld • Penelope praised by Agamemnon • Contrast with Clytemnestra • Revelation to Laërtes, 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”)

33. 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

34. 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 hubris • 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

35. 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, 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

36. 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 worshiped 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

37. 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

38. Perseus Appendix Bellerophon Grandson of Sisyphus Bellerophon’s blood guilt Exiled to Tiryns, at the court of King Proetus Proetus’ wife Stheneboea (or Antea) Accusations against Bellerophon Bellerophon sent to Iobates, king of Lycia, father of Stheneboea, to be killed Exploits of Bellerophon imposed by Iobates Chimaera The Solymi The Amazons An ambush Bellerophon, father of Hippolochus (Glaucus’ father), Isandrus and Laodamia, the mother of Sarpedon Laodamia killed by Artemis End of Bellerophon Euripides’ Bellerophon Pindar’s Olympian Ode 13 Introduction of Pegasus into the myth of Perseus Euripides’ Stheneboea (in which Bellerophon kills Stheneboea)

39. 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

40. Heracles • The Twelve Labors • Athloi (“Labors”); immortality the ultimate prize • Assistance given by Athena and Heracles’ 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 lion skin • 2. The Lernaean Hyrdra • Arrows dipped in Hydra’s poison • 3. The Cerynean Hind • Pindar’s Olympian Ode 3 • 4. The Erymanthian Boar • Parergon: 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

41. Heracles • The Non-Peloponnesian Labors • 7. The Cretan Bull • 8. The Mares of Diomedes • Diomedes, son of Ares and Thracian king • Parergon: Admetus, king of Pherae • Struggle with Thanatos (“death”) • Restoration of Alcestis, wife of Admetus • 9. The Girdle of Hippolyta • Hippolyta, queen of the Amazons • Parergon: 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 • Parerga • 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”)

42. Heracles • Melampus and the Cattle of Phylacus • Bias and Melampus, children of Amythaon • Melampus, a seer with the power to talk to animals • Bias, a suitor of Pero, daughter of Neleus • Bride-price of cattle of Phylacus, king of Phylace • Aid of Melampus and his imprisonment • Story of the woodworms • The impotence of Iphiclus is cured and he becomes the father of Podarces and Protesilaüs • Melampus given cattle as reward • Parallels with the theft of the cattle of Geryon as a conquest of death • Melampus, like Heracles, a conqueror of death

43. Heracles • 11. The Apples of the Hesperides • Conquest of death • Hesperides, 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

44. Heracles • Other Deeds of Heracles • Cycnus, a brigand and a son of Ares • 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

45. 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 of 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

46. 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

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

48. 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”), Aglauros (“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

49. 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 • 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

50. 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