Introduction to the Ancient World: Greece

Lecture 14

Greek Religion: Delphi and Apollo; Demeter and Eleusis

I. Delphi (cf. Lect. 13):

Temple, Treasuries (Siphnian Treasury c. 525 B.C.); Apollo, Herakles, and the tripod;
the mechanics of consulting the oracle; Pythia

II. Look for the classical essence:

the Charioteer of Delphi (c. 480 B.C.);
the Discus-Thrower (Discobolos) by Myron (c. 450 B.C.)

III. The role of Delphi

a. mediator between gods and men; omphalos
b. exegetai
c. morality? (Herodotus 6.86)

IV. Greco-Roman religion vs. modern religion

V. Apollo and where he came from:

Python, miasma, apotropaic; additive vs. substantive change:
Hyacynthus, mantic vs. orgiastic

VI. Eleusis and the chthonic Eleusinian Mysteries

A. Demeter, Persephone (Proserpina), Hades (Pluto); Triptolemos
B. site and ritual: mystes, mystagogos, Telesterion, hierophant
C. 8 days of celebration; epopteia
D. the point of it all

Syllabus
Images (under construction)

For Thursday, please read Euripides' Bacchae and briung the texts to class.