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Classical Mythology 45
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In the beginningLesson1.1
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Creation mythsQuiz1.11 question
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Before the OlympiansQuiz1.21 question
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Family TreeQuiz1.31 question
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Source 1 – The Creation – HesiodLesson1.2
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Source 2 – The Creation – OvidLesson1.3
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Source 3 – TyphoeusLesson1.4
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Source analysis – sources 1 to 3Lesson1.5
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Research taskLesson1.6
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Source 4 – PandoraLesson1.730 min
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Source 5 – The Punishment of PrometheusLesson1.830 min
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Source analysis – sources 4 & 5Lesson1.930 min
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Research taskLesson1.1030 min
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Source 6 – The Ages of the WorldLesson1.1130 min
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Source 7 – After the FloodLesson1.1230 min
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Source analysis – sources 6 & 7Lesson1.1330 min
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The UnderworldLesson1.1430 min
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Visiting the UnderworldLesson1.1530 min
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Underworld Source 1 – Circe’s Instructions to OdysseusLesson1.1630 min
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Source Analysis – source 1Lesson1.1730 min
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Underworld Source 2 – Pausanias (ekphrasis)Lesson1.1830 min
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ResearchLesson1.1930 min
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Underworld Source 3 – Dionysus visits the UnderworldLesson1.2030 min
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Underworld Source 4 – The punishment of the wickedLesson1.2130 min
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Source Analysis – source 3 (Aristophanes)Lesson1.2230 min
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Source Analysis – source 4 (Plato)Lesson1.2330 min
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Underworld Source 5 – LucretiusLesson1.2430 min
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Source Analysis – source 5Lesson1.2530 min
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Underworld Source 6a – The Entrance to HadesLesson1.2630 min
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Underworld Source 6b – The Ferry across the River StyxLesson1.2730 min
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Underworld Source 6c – The Sibyl helps Aeneas cross the StyxLesson1.2830 min
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Underworld Source 6d – TartarusLesson1.2930 min
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Underworld Source 7 – Orpheus & EurydiceLesson1.3030 min
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Source Analysis – sources 6 & 7Lesson1.3130 min
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Names and characters from Classical MythologyLesson1.3230 min
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Reading 1 – Interpretation and definition of classical mythologyLesson1.3330 min
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Reading 2 – historical background to Greek mythologyLesson1.3430 min
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Reading 3 – myths of creationLesson1.3530 min
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Reading 4 – Zeus’ rise to powerLesson1.3630 min
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Reading 5 – the twelve OlympiansLesson1.3730 min
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Reading 6 – the nature of the godsLesson1.3830 min
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AUDIO – classical mythology 1-6Lesson1.3930 min
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AUDIO – classical mythology 7-12Lesson1.4030 min
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VIDEO – Overview of Ancient Greek history, religion and cultureLesson1.4105 hour
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VIDEO – Overview of Greek art – warning – mature content and nudityLesson1.4230 min
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Classical Literature - Course Guide 2
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Classical Drama 9
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The concept of dramaLesson3.1
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TragedyLesson3.2
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ComedyLesson3.3
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SophoclesLesson3.430 min
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EuripidesLesson3.530 min
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AristophanesLesson3.630 min
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VIDEO – tragedy, religion, myth and ritualsLesson3.730 min
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VIDEO – Greek drama – overviewLesson3.801 hour
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VIDEO – The chorus in Greek dramaLesson3.930 min
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Classical Literature - Antigone 5
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Introduction – AntigoneLesson4.130 min
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LeadershipLesson4.230 min
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ConflictLesson4.330 min
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HeroismLesson4.430 min
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VIDEO – AntigoneLesson4.503 hour 30 min
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Classical Literature - Medea 4
A study of Euripides' tragedy, Medea. A play performed in Athens, based upon the myth of Medea, Jason and the Argonauts and the aftermath of the quest for the Golden Fleece.
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IntroductionLesson5.130 min
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Women in societyLesson5.230 min
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ConflictLesson5.330 min
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VIDEO – MedeaLesson5.402 hour 30 min
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Classical Literature - Aeneid 6
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HeroismLesson6.130 min
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LeadershipLesson6.230 min
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Fate versus free willLesson6.330 min
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Women in societyLesson6.430 min
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VIDEO – The AeneidLesson6.501 hour
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VIDEO – Aeneas visits the underworld (book VI)Lesson6.630 min
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Life in Classical Greece - Power and Freedom 1
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Athenian DemocracyLesson7.1
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Life in the Roman World - Power and Freedom videos 1
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VideosLesson8.1
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Life in the Roman World - Religion & Belief - Introduction 11
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Public and private religionLesson9.130 min
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Domestic religion (religion of the household)Lesson9.230 min
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The household godsLesson9.330 min
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Belief in the LaresLesson9.430 min
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Janus and the spirits of the doorLesson9.530 min
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The genius of the paterfamilasLesson9.630 min
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Giving birthLesson9.730 min
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InfancyLesson9.830 min
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Coming of age & marriageLesson9.930 min
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Source analysisLesson9.1030 min
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Archaeological source analysisLesson9.1130 min
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Life in the Roman World - State Religion 8
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The nature of religion – contractual, ritualisticLesson10.130 min
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The nature of the gods – polytheism, anthropomorphism and no moral codeLesson10.230 min
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Rituals of worship – prayer, sacrifice, libation and votive offeringsLesson10.330 min
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Festivals – Lupercalia and the SaturnaliaLesson10.430 min
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Divination and interpretation – omens, birds, entrails, weather signs, dreams, Sibylline books and associated priesthoods: the augurs, quindecemviri and haruspicesLesson10.530 min
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Vestal VirginsLesson10.630 min
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Imperial CultLesson10.730 min
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Importance of state religionLesson10.830 min
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Life in the Roman World - Domestic Religion 5
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Role and worship of Vesta, the Lares, the Penates, Janus, and geniusLesson11.130 min
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Religious rituals associated with birth and coming of ageLesson11.230 min
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Rituals at birth — Juno Lucina, father’s acceptance of child, name giving and the bullaLesson11.330 min
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Rituals to mark coming of age — religious rites at lararium for boys and girls, the age at which the ritual took place, dedication of bulla, presentation of adult toga and dedication of toysLesson11.430 min
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Importance of domestic religion to Roman lifeLesson11.530 min
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Life in the Roman World - Mystery Religions 6
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Cult of BacchusLesson12.130 min
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Cult of MithrasLesson12.230 min
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Cult of IsisLesson12.330 min
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Cult of Cybele Magna MaterLesson12.430 min
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Attractions of the cultsLesson12.530 min
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Attitudes of Romans to the cultsLesson12.630 min
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Life in the Roman World - Religious tolerance in the Roman world 3
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Attitudes towards JudaismLesson13.130 min
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Attitudes towards ChristianityLesson13.230 min
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Attitudes towards DruidismLesson13.330 min
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Life in the Roman World - Philosophical attitudes to religious beliefs 3
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StoicismLesson14.130 min
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EpicureanismLesson14.230 min
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Impact of philosophical thought on Roman beliefsLesson14.330 min
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Life in Classical Greece - Religion & Belief - Introduction 21
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General introductionLesson15.1
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VIDEO – Introduction to Greek ReligionLesson15.203 hour 30 min
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Sources of knowledge for Greek religionLesson15.3
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What religion meant to the AtheniansLesson15.4
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Recap questionsLesson15.5
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The main principles of Greek religionLesson15.6
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Athens – the Main GodsLesson15.7
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EmbeddednessLesson15.8
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Recap questionsLesson15.9
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Polytheism and pietyLesson15.10
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Recap questionLesson15.11
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The limitations of the Olympian godsLesson15.12
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Divine justiceLesson15.1330 min
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The gods and moralityLesson15.1430 min
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The gods and pityLesson15.1530 min
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Source analysis – sourcesLesson15.1630 min
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Source analysis – questionsLesson15.1730 min
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Source analysis – note on sourcesLesson15.1830 min
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Source analysis – making comparisonsLesson15.1930 min
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VIDEO – AnthropomorphismLesson15.2030 min
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The origins of Greek religion – Homer and HesiodLesson15.2130 min
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Life in Classical Greece - State Religion 23
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Contact with the gods – IntroductionLesson16.130 min
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RITUALS OF WORSHIPLesson16.230 min
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Contact with the gods – PrayerLesson16.330 min
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Contact with the gods – SacrificeLesson16.430 min
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Contact with the gods – LibationLesson16.530 min
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Contact with the gods – Votive offeringsLesson16.630 min
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BUILDING OF WORKSHIP – The ParthenonLesson16.730 min
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DIVINATION & INTERPRETATIONLesson16.830 min
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Divination & interpretation – OraclesLesson16.930 min
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Divination & interpretation – OmensLesson16.1030 min
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Divination & interpretation – EntrailsLesson16.1130 min
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Divination & interpretation – Weather signsLesson16.1230 min
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Divination & interpretation – DreamsLesson16.1330 min
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Divination & interpretation – DelphiLesson16.1430 min
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Divination & interpretation – DodonaLesson16.1530 min
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SELECTION & ROLE OF PRIESTSLesson16.1630 min
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Contact with the gods – PriestsLesson16.1730 min
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Contact with the gods – TemplesLesson16.1830 min
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Contact with the gods – Essay and extractsLesson16.1930 min
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FESTIVALSLesson16.2030 min
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Festivals – PanathenaiaLesson16.2130 min
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Festivals – City DionysiaLesson16.2230 min
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VIDEO – hero cultsLesson16.2330 min
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Life in Classical Greece - Mystery Religions 7
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Contact with the gods – Incubation, Asclepius and healingLesson17.130 min
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The cult of DionysusLesson17.230 min
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Eleusinian MysteriesLesson17.3
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The attraction of the mystery cultsLesson17.430 min
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Attitudes towards cultsLesson17.530 min
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The Afterlife and Mystery Religions – Essay and extractsLesson17.630 min
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VIDEO – mystery cultsLesson17.730 min
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Life in Classical Greece - Domestic Religion 17
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Religion in the home – IntroductionLesson18.130 min
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Religion in the home – Household godsLesson18.230 min
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Religion in the home – The HermLesson18.330 min
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Religion in the home – HekateLesson18.430 min
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Religion in the home – Apollo of the StreetsLesson18.530 min
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Ceremonies connected with the family:Lesson18.630 min
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BirthLesson18.730 min
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Coming of ageLesson18.830 min
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MarriageLesson18.930 min
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DeathLesson18.1030 min
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Domestic Religion – Essay and extractsLesson18.1130 min
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Religion in the countrysideLesson18.1230 min
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Festivals – Monthly & AgriculturalLesson18.1330 min
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Festivals – In honour of the deadLesson18.1430 min
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Festivals – Stages in a person’s life celebratedLesson18.1530 min
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Festivals – Essay and extractsLesson18.1630 min
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Contact with the gods – Ecstatic cult – DionysusLesson18.1730 min
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Life in Classical Greece - Gender Roles within Religious Worship 11
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Parthenoi – virginsLesson19.130 min
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PriestessesLesson19.230 min
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Priestesses – Pythia, priestesses of AthenaLesson19.330 min
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Participation in cultsLesson19.430 min
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MidwivesLesson19.530 min
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Tending corpse and graveLesson19.630 min
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The role of women in festivals – SkiraLesson19.730 min
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The role of women in festivals – ThesmophoriaLesson19.830 min
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The role of women in festivals – HaloaLesson19.930 min
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The role of women in festivals – PanathenaiaLesson19.1030 min
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The impact of women on religionLesson19.1130 min
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Greek and Roman Views on the After-Life section 1 8
Treatment of the dead
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Evidence from burial practicesLesson20.1
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Cremation and inhumationLesson20.2
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The trappings of burialLesson20.3
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Festivals of the deadLesson20.4
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Death and burial in AthensLesson20.530 min
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Death in RomeLesson20.6
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Provision for the deadLesson20.7
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Dead men walkingLesson20.8
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Greek and Roman Views on the After-Life section 2 13
The mythological Underworld and the attitude of philosophers to the Underworld
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The Mythological UnderworldLesson21.130 min
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The Attitude of Philosophers to the UnderworldLesson21.230 min
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Alternative Views or Lack of ThemLesson21.330 min
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The Mystery ReligionsLesson21.430 min
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Eleusinian MysteriesLesson21.530 min
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Bacchic MysteriesLesson21.630 min
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OrphismLesson21.730 min
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Morality and Good ConductLesson21.830 min
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PythagoreanismLesson21.930 min
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CybeleLesson21.1030 min
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IsisLesson21.1130 min
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MithrasLesson21.1230 min
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ChristianityLesson21.1330 min
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Life in Classical Greece - Death and the Afterlife 11
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The AfterlifeLesson22.130 min
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Hades – the traditional viewLesson22.230 min
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Other beliefs – PlatoLesson22.330 min
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Other beliefs – Conversion of dead into starsLesson22.430 min
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Other beliefs – Transmigration of soulsLesson22.530 min
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Other beliefs – OrphismLesson22.630 min
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Burial customs – recapLesson22.730 min
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Traditional beliefs about the afterlife including reward and punishment — Elysian fields, Asphodel plains and TartarusLesson22.830 min
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Remembrance of the dead — funeral rites, Genesia and AnthesteriaLesson22.930 min
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Alternative beliefs — Orphism and PythagoreanismLesson22.1030 min
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Attitudes towards the deadLesson22.1130 min
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Life in Classical Greece - Challengers of traditional beliefs 3
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philosophical attitudes towards the nature of the gods, for example Plato and XenophanesLesson23.130 min
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philosophical attitudes towards beliefs about the dead and the afterlife, for example Plato and DemocritusLesson23.230 min
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Impact on beliefLesson23.330 min
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Polytheism and piety
Greek religion was polytheistic: they believed in more than one god. Unlike modern monotheistic religions where followers believe in only one god who has control over all aspects of life, ancient Greeks believed that each god had a limited area of influence. For example Poseidon, the god of the sea, did not have influence over the harvest. For that, a worshipper would have to pray to Demeter, the goddess of the harvest who, likewise, would have no control over storms or shipwrecks at sea. This means that the world was controlled by a delicate system of relationships between different gods. Some gods may help each other and work together, but some may be opposed to each other. The Greeks believed that every aspect of the natural world had a divine spirit behind it and all of these were types of god whose level of power varied. In a major city like Athens, therefore, there were shrines and temples dedicated to a large number of different gods. In less cosmopolitan areas, there would not be nearly as many different places of worship. So we can safely conclude that the average ancient Greek did not pray to and worship all the gods.
There was nothing wrong, however, with worshipping only some of them; but it was not considered a noble position to be faithful to only one god. In fact, the play Hippolytusby Euripides showed that this is actually dangerous as the lead character is finally struck down because he worships Artemis and refuses to worship Aphrodite.
The idea of loving a god was not one which made sense to the ancient Greeks. Gods were to be feared and respected but not to be trusted or loved. As Aristotle, one of the greatest of all philosophers, said:
It would be absurd if someone were to say that he loves Zeus.
Aristotle, Magna Moralia 1208 b 30
Correct religious behaviour (called piety) required that humans showed a suitable sense of awe and wonder and maintained all the customs of worship and reverence which had been passed down by their ancestors.
Piety consists not in expensive expenditures but in changing nothing of what our ancestors have handed down.
Isocrates 7.30
Gods did, however, have local areas associated with them and it appears that the average worshipper was duty bound to respect local gods and heroes more than others. For example, Athens is the city of the goddess Athena. She is a goddess connected with wisdom, order and warfare, but for those living in Athens she ought to be worshipped regardless of how you felt about these things. She should be worshipped simply because she was the local goddess. At the end of the play Antigonethe chorus calls on Bacchus (Dionysus) to save them because he is the patron god of their city, Thebes.
Bacchus,
You who dwell in Thebes …
Thebes of all cities,
You hold highest in honour …
Come on your healing way …
Appear to us, Lord …
Sophocles, Antigone 1075 ff