Vocab & Divine Laws
Excessive pride, arrogance, or defiance of the gods that leads directly to a character's downfall.
What is hubris?
King of the gods who enforced hospitality, showed frequent divine caprice, and punished Prometheus ruthlessly.
The mortal nymph seduced by Zeus and transformed into a heifer (cow) to hide her from Hera's vengeful eyes.
Who is Io?
The Goddess of Discord who threw a Golden Apple into the wedding of Peleus and Thetis after being excluded.
Who is Eris?
Paris committed a massive violation of this sacred tradition when he stole Helen from the home of his host, Menelaus.
What is Xenia?
The sacred Greek law of host-guest hospitality, protected and enforced directly by Zeus.
What is Xenia?
Queen of the gods and protector of marriage, whose intense jealousy drove her to torment Io and harbor hatred for Troy.
Who is Hera?
The princess abducted across the sea by Zeus, who disguised himself as a gentle white bull to lure her away.
Who is Europa?
The Greek word inscribed on the Golden Apple, translated into English as "to the fairest."
What is Kallisti?
Demeter's severe grief over the seasonal loss of this daughter causes the winter cold and loss of agriculture each year.
Who is Persephone?
The inevitable divine retribution or punishment that strikes mortals who commit acts of hubris.
What is Nemesis?
Goddess of wisdom and tactical warfare who bribed Paris with military glory and victory during the judgment.
Who is Athena?
The vain youth who fell hopelessly in love with his own reflection and was eventually transformed into a flower.
Who is Narcissus?
The Trojan prince chosen by Zeus to judge which goddess was the most beautiful.
Who is Paris?
While Ares embodies raw bloodshed, Athena represents this intellectual, calculated aspect of warfare.
What is military strategy or tactical planning?
The solemn vow sworn by Helen's prospective suitors binding them to defend her chosen husband against any outrage or theft.
What is the Oath of Tyndareus?
God of violent, chaotic war and bloodlust, representing the brutal slaughter of battle rather than tactical planning.
Who is Ares?
Created as a "beautiful evil" by Zeus, she opened a jar unleashing plagues and sorrow upon humanity, leaving only Hope.
Who is Pandora?
The goddess who won the Golden Apple by bribing Paris with the love of the most beautiful mortal woman, Helen.
Who is Aphrodite?
Dionysus embodies a dual nature: on one side joy, wine, and theater; on the other, wild, destructive this.
What is madness (or brutal destruction)?
The term given to Demeter and Dionysus because they lived on earth, experienced grief, pain, and death, unlike the detached Olympians.
What are the "Suffering Gods"?
God of prophecy, light, and music, who suffered immense grief after accidentally killing his mortal companion Hyacinth with a discus.
Who is Apollo?
After tricking Zeus with sacrifice bones and stealing divine fire for humanity, this Titan was chained to a rock as eternal punishment.
Who is Prometheus?
King of Sparta whose wife Helen was abducted by Paris, prompting him to call upon her former suitors to launch a war.
Who is Menelaus?
Who is Athena, Hera, and Aphrodite?