Lecture2CreationoftheUniversetheOlympianGods.pptVIP

Lecture 2 Creation of the Universe the Olympian Gods Creation of Universe: GENESIS FROM CHAOS Hesiod in his epic poem the Theogony offers the earliest Greek version of genesis. CHAOS (“yawning void”) provides the beginning for creation. Out of Chaos the universe came into being. Later writers interpret Chaos as a mass of many elements (or only four: earth, air, fire, and water) from which the universe was created. From Hesiod’s Chaos came Night, Erebus, Eros , Ge, Tartarus. Primeval Elements NIGHT EREBUS [ere-bus], or EREBOS, coming out of Chaos, Erebus -- unfathomable darkness where death dwells, later became another name for Tartarus itself. EROS [eros] (CUPID). From Chaos came Eros, the potent concept of Love, which is fundamental. GAIA [geyea], GAEA [jeea], or GE [gay]. Most important and first, Gaia, the earth and fertility mother, came from Chaos. Contemporary feminist approaches to mythology lay great importance on the fact that many early societies first conceived of deity as a woman. TARTARUS [tar‘ta-rus], or TARTAROS，coming out of Chaos, was an area in the depths of the earth. It became a place of punishment in the Underworld; THE HOLY OR SACRED MARRIAGE OF EARTH AND SKY URANUS [oura-nus and you-raynus], or OURANOS. Of the elements that Gaia, earth, produced on her own, most significant is Uranus, the male sky or heavens, with his lightning and thunder. The deification of the feminine, mother earth, and masculine, god of the sky, is basic to mythological and religious thinking. Their marriage is designated as a HOLY, or SACRED MARRIAGE. THE CHILDREN OF URANUS AND GAIA The holy marriage of sky and earth produced the following: The three CYCLOPES [seye-klopeez], each CYCLOPS [seyeklops], meaning “orb-eyed,” had only one eye in the middle of his forehead. The Cyclopes forged lightning and thunderbolts. The three HECATONCHIRES [hek-a-ton-keyereez], “hundred-handed”: strong and monstrous creatures. The twelve TITANS: six brothers and six siste