Chapter 2: The Olympians
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♠ Kallimachos, fr. 75.4-5 Pf – Callimachus 1, p. 77, ed. R. Pfeiffer. Oxford 1949.
For they say that Hera once…dog! dog! Restrain yourself, o shameless soul of mine! You shall sing even the things unlawful [to sing] (transl. Aaron J. Ivey).
♠ ∑ Theokritos 15.64 – Scholia in Theocritum vetera, pp. 311-12, ed. C. Wendel. Stuttgard 1914
♠ Pausanias, Description of Greece 2.17.4
The statue of Hera is seated on a throne; it is huge, made of gold and ivory, and is a work of Polycleitus. She is wearing a crown with Graces and Seasons worked upon it, and in one hand she carries a pomegranate and in the other a sceptre. About the pomegranate I must say nothing, for its story is somewhat of a holy mystery. The presence of a cuckoo seated on the sceptre they explain by the story that when Zeus was in love with Hera in her maidenhood he changed himself into this bird, and she caught it to be her pet. This tale and similar legends about the gods I relate without believing them, but I relate them nevertheless. Greek Text
♠ Pausanias, Description of Greece 2.36.2
Even to the present day there are sanctuaries on the tops of the mountains: on Mount Cuckoo one of Zeus, on Pron one of Hera. At the foot of Mount Cuckoo is a temple, but there are no doors standing, and I found it without a roof or an image inside. The temple was said to be Apollo’s. by the side of it runs a road to Mases for those who have turned aside from the straight road. Mases was in old days a city, even as Homer represents it in the catalogue of the Argives, but in my time the Hermionians were using it as a seaport. Greek Text
♠ Pherekydes 3F16 – Die Fragmente der griechischen Historiker 1, p. 65, ed. F. Jacoby, 2d ed. Leiden 1957.
♠ Hesiod, Theogony 912-14
But he came to the bed of bountiful Demeter, who bore white-armed Persophone, whom Hades snatched away from her mother. All-wise Zeus gave [her] to him. (translated by Aaron J. Ivey). Greek Text
♠ Hesiod, Theogony, 918-20
Leto, after lying in love with aegis-bearing Zeus, then bore Apollo and arrow-shooting Artemis, offspring lovely beyond all the children of Heaven (translated by Aaron J. Ivey). Greek Text
♠ Hesiod, Theogony 938-39
Then Maia, Atlas’ daughter, bore to Zeus renown-bringing Hermes, herald of the immortals, after she climbed into the sacred bed. (translated by Aaron J. Ivey). Greek Text
♠ Homer, Iliad 15.187-95
For we are the three brothers, Kronos’ sons whom Rhea bore: Zeus, myself [Poseidon], and Hades, who rules over the dead. All was divided into three parts, and each received his share of honor. When we all cast our lots, I surely received the hoary sea to dwell forever, Hades received the murky darkness, and Zeus received the wide heaven in the air and clouds. But earth is common among all, and great Olympus. Therefore, I shall not live by the will of Zeus, but let him remain at ease in his third portion, however strong he may be. (translated by Aaron J. Ivey) Greek Text
♠ Homer, Iliad 8.397-408
When father Zeus saw [them] from Ida, then be became terribly angry and he hastened golden-winged Iris to announce [to them]. “Away! Go, swift Iris! Turn them back and allow them not to go against [me]! For we shall not nobly meet in battle. Therefore, I shall tell you this, and it shall come to pass. I shall maim their swift horses beneath their chariots and I shall cast them from their chariot and shatter it. And in ten revolving years, they shall not heal the wounds, which my lightning bolt would inflict. So that the gleaming-eyed goddess sees what it’s like to fight against her father. But I have no such indignation with Hera nor am I angry. For it’s always her way to frustrate me, whatever I say. (translated by Aaron J. Ivey) Greek Text
♠ Homer, Iliad 1.590-91
For already at another time [Zeus] seized me by the foot and hurled me from the divine threshold because I desired to help [you]. (translated by Aaron J. Ivey) Greek Text
♠ Homer, Iliad 15.22-24
Standing beside one another, they were not able to loosen [you]. Whomever I grabbed, I seized and hurled from the threshold so that he would fall to the earth, powerless. (translated by Aaron J. Ivey) Greek Text
Edited by Aaron J. Ivey, Graduate Teaching Assistant, Department of Classics, University of Georgia, July 2016.
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Updated by Elena Bianchelli, Senior Lecturer of Classical Languages and Culture, Univ. of Georgia, July 2020
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