Big 3 in European Lit

 Greek
 Roman
 Norse

Greek (background)
- Laid the foundation of westen culture, politics, philosophy, art etc…
- Polis (City) Development of its famous cities; Athens & Sparta
- Presence of Homer (Iliad Odyssey) and Hesoid (Theogony & Works and Days)

Theogony / Theogonia is about the origin of the gods, Works and Days is about human life and the place of mortals in the world

KEY THEMES THAT FLOURISHED

1. Architecture/Art
- Designs, canals etc…
- The first three orders, Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian, are the three principal architectural orders of ancient
architecture
- CSU, National Museums etc are greek inspired fyi

2. Knowledge / Preservation of Knowledge

- Lived the big 3 greek philo; Socrates, Plato, Aristotle.
- Pythagorean theorem (can be used to measure the length of a pole using its shadows.
- Buoyancy discovered by Archimedes (with the word “Eureka” means I got it!)

3. Democracy
- Government by the people. especially : rule of the majority.
- Most impactful in the modern age.

Others;
Olympics – used for athletes, no sports like basketball, done every 4 years I think.
Canals – Irrigation system.
Roman Numerals rin daw pero idk

POETRY
Epic Poetry
- Came from the word epos which mean word, story, poem.

3 RHETORICAL APPEALS
 Ethos / Ethic – appeal to credentials
 Pathos / Pity - emotions
 Logos / Logic – fact, reasoning

TYPES OF POETRY
 Narrative - Meant to tell a story
 Lyrical - Meant to be sang

PRIMORDIAL GODS
Must Watch; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XWyH1YhO9dY
Gods came out of Nothingness (Chaos)

Hesiod, in his Theogony, considers the first beings (after Chaos) to be Erebus, Gaea, Tartarus, Eros and Nyx.
Gaea and Uranus in turn gave birth to the Titans, and the Cyclopes.

Primordial god Gaea (Mother earth) had children with his son Uranus (Sky/Heaven)
Conceived 12 Titans, 3 Cyclops, 3 Giants

The succession myth

One of the principal components of the Theogony is the presentation of what is called the
"succession myth", which tells how Cronus overthrew Uranus, and how in turn Zeus overthrew
Cronus and his fellow Titans, and how Zeus was eventually established as the final and
permanent ruler of the cosmos.

Ambrosia, is the food or drink of the Greek gods, and is often depicted as conferring longevity or
immortality upon whoever consumed it.

OLYMPIANS
The Titans Cronus and Rhea then gave birth to the generation of the Olympians: Zeus, Poseidon, Hades,
Hestia, Hera and Demeter.

Called olympians bec they reiside in Mt. Olympus duh

Cronus + Rhea = gave birth to 6 original greek gods

 Hestia (was in the original 12 olympians, later replaced by Dionysus)
 Demeter
 Hera
 Hades (not an olympian since he dwells in the underworld, wealthiest/ richest bec he owns earth and underworld
He is the God of dead NOT the god of death which is Thanatos. Charon is the ferryman who transports the dead
across the river Acheron to the underworld. Cerberus - guard of the underworld.)
 Poseidon – is the reason for vulcanic activity aswell.
 Zeus - Youngest, being hid away on Crete cared by Gaea. God of Order & Justice

Ares
Apollo
Artemis
Athena
Aphrodite
Hephaestus
Hermes
Dionysus
Zeus (Roman Name: Jupiter)
King of the gods and ruler of Mount Olympus; god of the sky, lightning, thunder, law, order, and justice. Ares (Roman Name: Mars)
He wielded the thunderbolt as his weapon and was known for his numerous affairs with mortals and God of war, violence, bloodshed, and manly virtues.
gods alike, fathering many demigods and heroes. Though feared on the battlefield, he was not always well-respected by other gods and was often
outshined by Athena in strategic warfare.
Hera (Roman Name: Juno)
Queen of the gods and goddess of marriage, women, childbirth, and family. Aphrodite (Roman Name: Venus)
Despite her marriage to Zeus, she often faced his infidelity, and her jealousy led her to punish his lovers Goddess of love, pleasure, passion, procreation, fertility, beauty, and desire.
and their offspring. Born from the sea foam, her beauty was said to be unrivaled, and she had many lovers, both mortal and
divine.
Poseidon (Roman Name: Neptune)
God of the seas, water, storms, hurricanes, earthquakes, and horses. Hephaestus (Roman Name: Vulcan)
He was known for his volatile temper, causing earthquakes with his trident, and was worshiped by sailors Master blacksmith and craftsman of the gods; god of the forge, invention, fire, and volcanoes.
for safe passage on the seas. Despite his physical deformities, he was married to Aphrodite, though their union was far from
harmonious.
Demeter (Roman Name: Ceres)
Goddess of the harvest, fertility, agriculture, nature, and the seasons. She presided over grains and the Hermes (Roman Name: Mercury)
fertility of the earth. Messenger of the gods; god of travel, commerce, communication, borders, eloquence, diplomacy,
Her grief over the abduction of her daughter, Persephone, by Hades caused the seasons to change, with thieves, and games.
winter representing her sorrow. He was also the guide of souls to the Underworld and known for his speed and cunning.

Athena (Roman Name: Minerva) Hestia (Roman Name: Vesta)

Goddess of wisdom, handicraft, and warfare. Goddess of the hearth, fire, and the right ordering of domesticity and the family. She was born into the
She sprang fully grown and armored from the forehead of her father, Zeus. Athena was the patron first Olympian generation.
goddess of Athens, where the Parthenon was dedicated to her she was a virgin goddess and one of the least known Olympians, as she tended to stay out of divine
disputes.
Apollo (Roman Name: Apollo)
God of light, prophecy, philosophy, archery, truth, inspiration, poetry, music, arts, manly beauty, Dionysus (Roman Name: Bacchus)
medicine, healing, and plague. God of wine, the grapevine, fertility, festivity, ecstasy, madness, and resurrection. Patron god of the art
Twin brother of Artemis, he was associated with the Oracle of Delphi, where people sought guidance on of theater.
the future. He was the youngest of the Olympians and had a dual nature—bringing joy and divine ecstasy, but also
uncontrollable frenzy.
Artemis (Roman Name: Diana)
Goddess of the hunt, the wilderness, virginity, the Moon, archery, childbirth, protection, and plague. She
was the twin sister of Apollo and fiercely protective of her virginity, punishing those who threatened it.
Homer (The Blind Poet)
Some accounts say He did not exists, just a mythological figure, and the
trojan war was a fictional event, but scholarly accounts say otherwise.

Colosseum – greatest landmark of rome

Gladiators – Fight in collosseum for entertainment of high social class
Chariot – Ancient kalesa, cart used by gladiators, dome shaped.
Illiad and Odyssey is the first of its kind in European Literature.

Illiad was the prequel, Odyssey was sequel.

Lasted 10 years each
Written primarily in Greek
Its metamorphosis is written in Latin not Roman.

Illiad
Centers on a quarrel between King Agamemnon and the warrior Achilles during the last year of the Trojan
War. Recounts heroic deeds of Achilles - He died because of his heel, where his mother held him when
dipping him in River Styx (underworld – guarded by cerberus 3headed dog).
Trojan Horse was Odysseus’ Idea which was built from their ships. (It symbolizes DECEPTION)

A Fight Between:
Greeks (Spartans) Trojans
Were a coalition of warriors from various Greek Were the inhabitants of the city of Troy; known
city- states led by King Agamemnon of Mycenae. for their bravery and determination to protect
their homeland.
Their city has a barrier

Causes of Trojan War

1. Poor Judgement of Paris
Paris (Prince of Troy) given a duty to choose the most beautiful god.
These Gods Bribed paris to choose them;
 HERA – promised Him having his own kingdom (Wealth)
 ATHENA – promised He will win all his wars (Wisdom)
 APHRODITE – promised the most beautiful mortal - Helen. (Lust/Desire)

2. Abduction of Helen
Helen was not abducted. They ran away. Is minor compared to 3.
Helen was already married to Menelaus.
Helen’s moniker – most beautiful woman / face who launched a thousand ships.

3. Ambition for Conquest

Their desire to expand their kingdom.
Achilles had a secret lover named Patroclus.

Modern day Troy is located at Turkey

In other accounts;
Ares’ twin sister Eris (goddess of discord) was not invited to the wedding of Peleus and Thetis. She took it
personally, she sent a gift which is the “Apple of Discord” for the most beautiful god in which three
goddesses fought for the title. It said there “to the most beautiful and fairest of them all”.

Agamemnon – King of Mycenae

Menelaus – King of Sparta (Killed by Hector)
Priam – King of Troy, one who wanted his son to have a proper burial.
Paris – lustful idiot. Jk its debatable.
Hector – Troy’s greatest warrior, eldest son of Priam.
ROMAN LITERATURE
refers to the body of written works produced in ancient Rome, starting around the 3rd century BCE and
lasting through the fall of the Roman Empire in the 5th century CE. It was heavily influenced by Greek
literature but developed its own themes and forms. Key genres include epic poetry, history, rhetoric, and
drama. Heavily Infulenced by Greek.
They were considered as the greatest imitators – They try to imitate something, improve it, BUT you
cannot outdo the doer.

Roman empire (one of the greatest civs ever existed, comparable with babylonians,
Mesopotamia, assyrians etc.)

WHY MAJORITY OF WRITTEN RECORDS OF THE CHURCH IS WRITTEN IN LATIN?

The vatican city is inside ROME – which used latin as primary language.

“All roads lead to Rome” – means all things we do leads to rome. Many things we
Do leads to one thing, which is our eternal salvation (acc to lecture).
To be more clear, its an idiom that basically means there are many methods, ways to
Achieve the same result.

3 MAJOR CHARACTERISTICS
Greek Influence
- Much of Roman literature was inspired by Greek models. Roman writers frequently borrowed from
Greek mythology but often reinterpreted it with Roman values and sensibilities.
- Fall of Troy was rewritten in Aenid by Virgil. (where paris and helen was able to escape)

Moral & Philosophical Exploration

- Many works, especially Roman epics and tragedies, aimed to impart lessons or philosophical
insights.
- Idea of Realism & Idealism, Hedonism, Stoicism.

Realism & Detail

- Roman literature often depicted the details of everyday life, sometimes with unflattering realism.
- Idealism (is about aspirations, preferences) Realism (based on facts and what is possible)

REAL LIFE ROMAN CHARACTERS WITH OWN SIGNIFICANT VALUE

LECTURE
CHRITIANITY
 Pontius Pilate – The one who made the judgement to crucify Jesus (not really, it was the towns
people) . Roman character in Apostles Creed.
 Constantine was the first Roman emperor to convert to Christianity.
BUT acc to discussion, It was NERO (one who blamed christianity for the fire blamed on him).

RISE OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE

 Augustus Caesar – The first Roman Emperor. His Adoptive father Julius, did not become emperor
bec he died before ascending in the throne.
 Julius Caesar – Greatest roman conqueror.

FALL OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE

 Burning of the Libraries
 Pompeii

METAMOPHOSES
Metamorphoses - Collection of anthology, myths & legends, story within a story.

TOXIC OBSESSION (Recurring Theme)

Pygmalion & Galatea
- Toxic obsession in your work, a skilled sculptor who fell in love with own statue.
Narcissus & Echo
- Echo falls inlove with Narcissus who is inlove with own reflection
Daphne and Apollo
- Apollo obsessed with daphne who wishes to be virgin throughout her life.
- Apollo pursued Daphne and when she was tired of running she called for help to her father, who
turned her into a laurel tree. Apollo adorned himself with laurel leaves and called it his special
symbol, which explains why the laurel tree is associated with the god Apollo in Greek myth.

Narcissus and Echo

Narcissus, a beautiful youth, falls in love with his own reflection in a pool of water and wastes away staring
at himself, eventually transforming into a flower. Echo, who loves him but is spurned, fades away until only
her voice remains.
Historical Period  Odin: Chief of the Aesir gods; god of wisdom, war, death, and poetry. Father of important
The Norse, also known as Vikings, were seafaring Scandinavian people from modern-day Norway, gods, including Thor and Baldr.
Sweden, and Denmark who thrived from roughly the 8th to the 11th centuries.  Frigg: Odin’s wife, goddess of marriage, motherhood, and prophecy. Known for her wisdom
 Known for longships and exploration skills and ability to see the future.
 Reached as far as North America to the west, North Africa to the south, and Russia to the  Thor: Son of Odin and the earth goddess Jörð; god of thunder, lightning, and protection.
east. Wields the hammer Mjölnir and is one of the most beloved deities.
Society: Organized into clan-based communities led by chieftains, and structured around farming,  Sif: Thor’s wife, associated with fertility and family. Known for her golden hair.
trading, and raiding.  Baldr: Son of Odin and Frigg; god of beauty, light, and purity. Loved by the gods and tragically
Religion: Believed in a complex pantheon of gods like Odin, Thor, and Freyja, shaping their worldview killed, an event that sparks a significant turn in Norse mythology.
and daily life.  Nanna: Baldr’s wife, who dies of grief after his death.
Mythology: Rich with themes of fate, heroism, and sacrifice, reflecting values of bravery, honor, and
 Loki: A trickster god and blood-brother to Odin, known for cunning and mischief. Though not
loyalty.
fully Aesir, he plays a vital role in the lives of the gods and ultimately contributes to their
Influence: Spread through settlements in England, Ireland, Iceland, and Normandy. By the end of the
downfall.
Viking Age, many Norse territories were integrated into Christian Europe, leading to a decline in
 Sigyn: Loki’s loyal wife, who endures punishment alongside him.
traditional Norse beliefs and practices.
 Hel: Daughter of Loki; ruler of Helheim, the realm of the dead.
 Fenrir: A giant wolf, also Loki’s offspring, prophesied to kill Odin during Ragnarök.
Norse Society and Beliefs in Mythology  Jörmungandr: Known as the Midgard Serpent and another of Loki’s children, he encircles the
Norse society involved complex social structures and traditions beyond raiding and exploration. Vikings earth and is destined to battle Thor during Ragnarök.
were skilled in long-distance trade, establishing connections across Europe and Asia.
 Njord: A Vanir god of the sea, wind, and fertility. Lives among the Aesir as part of a truce after
 Wealth and land ownership: Key determinants of social status. While ancestry and battle a war.
skills held value, owning land was the clearest sign of prestige.
 Skadi: A giantess and Njord’s wife, associated with mountains and skiing.
 Freyr: Son of Njord, god of fertility, peace, and prosperity.
Key Figures and Beliefs  Freya: Freyr’s twin sister, goddess of love, beauty, and war. Known for her powerful necklace
Odin: The chief deity, embodying wisdom, war, and sacrifice. Brisingamen and her role in taking fallen warriors to her realm, Folkvangr.
 Known for sacrificing his eye to drink from Mimir's well, gaining wisdom to anticipate and
prepare for events like Ragnarök.
 Belief: Wisdom often comes at a cost, showing the Norse valued strength through sacrifice.
Loki: The trickster god, symbolizing mischief, disruption, and the unpredictability of fate.
 Represented the balance between order and chaos.
 Fate: Norse heroes and gods knew their destiny but fought valiantly against it, emphasizing
that heroism lies in the struggle.
Valhalla: The hall where Odin welcomed those who died in battle.
 Symbolized honor and the enduring warrior spirit.
 Represented belief in a meaningful afterlife for those who lived and died courageously.
Heimdall: Guardian of Asgard with extraordinary sight and hearing.
 Guarded the Bifrost (rainbow bridge) and was prepared to sound the horn at Ragnarok.
 Embodied vigilance and protection, highlighting the Norse balance between preparedness
and acceptance of fate.
Odin's Protective Role: His quest for wisdom was driven by a desire to protect Asgard.
 Motivation: Not personal power but a commitment to shield his realm from danger.
 Inspired tales encouraging Norse people to live courageously and face destiny head-on.

Things to Remember in Norse Mythology

 Glorifies battle but against a harsher natural background
 Life derives from ice and fire and is ultimately consumed by ice and fire
 Gods: Odin (god of wisdom and healing), Frigg (goddess of fertility and marriage), Baldr (god
of light and purity).
 Thor (god of thunder and lightning)

Main Norse Deities