In the case of Hera, the main clues for understanding the various aspects of her persona are the notions of marriage, legitimacy, power, and sovereignty. This definitional structure of the goddess is largely rooted in the relationship with her husband and brother, the king of the gods. Therefore, any attempts to reconstruct a “prehistory” of Hera as a “great goddess” independent from Zeus has more to do with modern expectations and fantasy than with ancient evidence. (Vinciane Pirenne-Delforge and Gabriella Pironti)
But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.” John 16.13 - “Come thou, let us begin with the Muses who gladden the great spirit of their father Zeus in Olympus with their songs, telling of things that are and that shall be and that were aforetime with consenting voice. “ Hesiod 36
Epimetheus speaking of his brother and Zeus;
“For this tyrant, my brother paved the way,
having learned that the clever, not the strong,
Fate should guide and assist to win the day.”
Carlos Prada
“The good is in the silence”. Sisters
"this extraordinary power belongs to God and does not come from us." 2 Corinthians 4:7
Farnell in Hero Cults, page 10 calls Hermes “the god of sleep and herald of death”
“The Vain dream of the self-exaltion of man “ page 11, Farnell Hero Cults
But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.” John 16.13 - “Come thou, let us begin with the Muses who gladden the great spirit of their father Zeus in Olympus with their songs, telling of things that are and that shall be and that were aforetime with consenting voice. “ Hesiod 36
Epimetheus speaking of his brother and Zeus;
“For this tyrant, my brother paved the way,
having learned that the clever, not the strong,
Fate should guide and assist to win the day.”
Carlos Prada
“The good is in the silence”. Sisters
"this extraordinary power belongs to God and does not come from us." 2 Corinthians 4:7
Farnell in Hero Cults, page 10 calls Hermes “the god of sleep and herald of death”
“The Vain dream of the self-exaltion of man “ page 11, Farnell Hero Cults
Hesiod is superstitious and afraid. Page 12. Farnell Hero Cults
“Kuklopes, whose altar and worship at Corinth is recorded by Pausanias” 14, Farnell Hero Cults
intheoldestpoemoftheso-calledEpic cycle, the Thebais, there was an allusion to the immortality conferred upon Diomed after his death, page 14, Farnell Hero Cults
the children ofMedeia may represent the infants immolated in the prehistoric of Hera Akraia at Corinth ^to the oldest legend, which is evidently of ritualistic origin, they were slain in the temple of Hera, where they were also buried, and their spirits passed into the special protection of the goddess who before their death had promised them
immortality. Page 19, Farnell Hero Cults
In scholarship one should fear nothing and try all things ; and preserving an open mind endeavour especially to dis- cover some criteria whereby we can decide of two opposite theories. Page 20, Farnell Hero Cults
“For the momentary lightness of our affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory extremely beyond measure,” 2 Corinthians 4:17
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Does the author mention any archaeological evidence about child sacrifice?
ReplyDeleteMaya,
ReplyDeleteFarnell wrote in the day when a scholar's proofs could be sweeping psychological generalizations about "primitive people" It is clear to me that Medea sacrificed her children on the altar of Hera's temple. But no Ancient sources will admit that.
Bill
I agree. But this was an isolated case, and the perpetrator was a Barbarian and a psychopath to boot. Other human sacrifices in Greek myth are teenagers or adults. At least if I remember correctly.
ReplyDeleteMaya,
ReplyDeleteAh, evidence of child sacrifice! The Carthaginians were accused of child sacrifice on a grand scale. Of course that could be roman propaganda.Greek children have died and had heroic cults, but I can't think of any off-hand who were obviously sacrificed. Let me think on that.
Bill
Bill,
DeleteI also thought that child sacrifice in Carthage could be Roman propaganda but then I read how Hebrews accused the Canaanites, the mother culture of Carthage, in the same. I think that it is impossible for Romans and Hebrews to conspire to throw libel on some good people. Moreover, some archaeologists claim to have discovered evidence in Carthage.
Maya,
ReplyDeleteI guess we should have recalled that the Athenians sent children to be devoured by the Minotaur; “An expedition at Knossos by The British School of Athens, led by Peter Warren, excavated a mass grave of sacrifices, particularly children, and unearthed evidence of cannibalism. “
“clear evidence that their flesh was carefully cut away, much in the manner of sacrificed animals. In fact the bones of slaughtered sheep were found with those of the children...Moreover, as far as the bones are concerned, the children appear to have been in good health. Startling as it may seem, the available evidence so far points to an argument that the children were slaughtered and their flesh cooked and possibly eaten in a sacrifice ritual made I the service of a nature deity to assure an annual renewal of fertility”
The above is from Wikipedia with good references. One of which notes the description above as the solo archeological evidence of child sacrifice amongst the Minonian/Myceaneans/Ancient Greeks.
But if you consider a child sacrifice as a divine meal, than both Zagreus (torn apart and eaten by the Titans) and Pelops (made into a stew and served to the Olympians) would qualify as child sacrifices. Oh most the Olympians were eaten by their father at birth, so that might qualify too.
Bill,
ReplyDeleteI was thinking more of Lycaon's sacrifice. I had never imagined the Athenian tributes as children. Of course, even if the Minoans preferred to sacrifice children, Athenians changed this aspects of the story, because didn't want to make Theseus a child prodigy like Heracles (and there would also be no place for Ariadna of course; a princess falling in love with a prepubertal boy doesn't make a good plot).
Thank you for the references! Ghastly.