I couldn’t help but notice the difference in how the different mythological views of the deity of Zeus are dictated by each civilization’s (Greece and Rome) valued virtues. Greece often valued a more familial lifestyle with their philosophy of liberty and duty, which can be seen in the count of Zeus’ lovers and the order he had them, “Next he wedded bright Themis, who bore the Hōrai: Eunomia, Dikē, and blooming Peace . . . And Eurynome, daughter of Okeanos, having a very lovely form, bore him the fair-cheeked Kharites [Graces]: Aglaia, and Euphrosyne, and winsome Thalia . . . But he came to the couch of much-nourishing Demeter, who bore him white-armed Persephone . . . And next he was enamored of beautiful-haired Mnemosyne . . .” (Hesiod, 4). This doesn’t even include Hera or any of the other mortals he had affairs with in various other stories also, which just refers back to my previous point.
The romans catered more toward the spartan way of operating an empire, as can be seen by the many great victories won by their massive armies. The adaptation of the story of Noah’s Ark and the flood into using roman mythological deities and names does not change the content of what is said to have happened. Jupiter is regarded as the counterpart to Zeus in roman belief, and they portray him as being a very angry, frustrated god who condemns rather than forgives. Being a war-minded empire, it only makes sense that Rome would instill a culture where the biggest figures in literature and story are the same way. What narratives or observations did you form while reading some of these stories? Is there anything that refutes the points I’ve made so we can have discussion?
P.S. I commented on Caroline's and Isabelle's posts.
Interesting observation about the list of Zeus' wives. Hera did come in at the very end, but like most dialogue about her, she is considered a bothersome wife more than Zeus' other lovers. The birth of Hephaistos lets us see that aspect (4).
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