Hi folks! This week, we’re looking at Hesiod’s story of the origins and, in many ways, the purposes of the gods. What do the gods represent, and how is that affected by the gods being male and female?

There’s a lot going on in Theogony—but that also means there are a lot of items to choose from. Pick one moment or scene and run with it. What is Hesiod trying to get across? What kind of a perspective does it give you on the Greek conception of the gods? How does what Hesiod says fit in with Pomeroy’s interpretation in Goddesses, Whores, Wives, and Slaves?

Try to interpret as well as describe your reactions. Add a new idea to the discussion, or a new angle on what’s being talked about. There's a lot readings like this can tell us, if we spend some time breaking down what it says, and what it’s trying to say.

In Hesiod's Theology, I found highly captivating the influential involvement Gaea and Rhea had with the overthrown of both Uranus and Cronos. The passage indicates how far depths both Gods underwent to prevent being overpowered by their children. In order to protect himself from being overruled, Uranus hid his children far way to an unknown setting for Gaea not to be able to find them. The reading shows the frustration it caused Gaea resulting her to create "the element of a grey flint and shaped a great sickle" to destroy Uranus. She influentially induced her son, Cronos, to take part and destroy Uranus. Similarly, Cronos took drastic measures to prevent being overruled too, what his father was once fearful of. He takes his prevention to a drastic level by consuming his own children. With such action causing Rhea much pain, she intercept's Cronus' ways by giving him a rock to swallow instead of her newborn child.

The author expresses forms male Gods can senselessly act on their own without any thought of the repercussions that may come with what they conspired. It shows actions, without morals or thought. On the other hand, Goddesses shows the complete opposite role male Gods have. Both Gaea and Rhea (separately) form strategic methods to find a resolution to save their children from their father. The author indicates the precise form and the influential actions both Goddesses performed to find achievement to their ultimate goal. I suggest that the author is informing the reader, how women personify wisdom. Without wisdom (women), men would live with no guidance.

The passage informs the significant role women had during Hesiod's time as a protector and nurturer of children. Both Goddesses reacted to protect their children from harm. It also indicates how the women are the ultimate peacemakers in a household. A women's duty is to protect their household from chaos. The Goddesses' portrayed value and morals whereas the Gods acted shamedly and reckless. With such opposite roles, it shows the significance women had with the expectancy to carry on morals and values throughout different generations. The story is similar to other readings due to the connection woman have over the influence of men. It seems the stories are about men; however, the influence of women shifts men to become more "civilized" or moral. What I would like to know is there if there was Goddesses (besides Athena) that played both roles? Was Athena the only exception because she ultimately came from a man?

What stood out to me was how Cronos, who was so consumed with maintaining his kingly office, was so threatened by his unborn children that he went to the lengths of swallowing them so that he could keep his status. Usually, parents, especially fathers, would want their children to walk in their footsteps, especially their sons. In contrast, it was the mother, Rhea, who took on the role of preserving. I think one of the things the author was trying to communicate was how having power is important to the Gods, and the lengths to which one can go to preserve it for oneself can be detrimental to others, even if it is one's own. Secondly, another depiction was how the role of a woman ( Rhea) to nurture and preserve is important because, if Rhea had not come up with a plan to conceal Zeus’s birth and giving Cronos a stone. There would be no Zeus. In my opinion, the document shows us that women, though sometimes treated as insignificant, play a very important role in preserving the foundation of life. The document supports the other readings as it shows how each gender is different and how their roles are not equal, even though they were Gods and goddesses. I would like to continue to learn how these gender concepts have molded our present society, directly and indirectly. 

The passage that caught my attention is “The Offspring of the Primordial God.” It tells about the creation of nature in the form of gods. The story shows how the ancient Greeks believed the universe was created through violence, and how their gods were not always seen as positive figures.  For example, Cronos killed his own father, and from his father’s blood, new life appeared. Even the goddess Aphrodite was said to have been born from the death of Heaven. The passage also portrays women as powerful figures. Earth, portrayed as a woman, plotted treason against her husband. This is surprising because in much of ancient history, women are usually shown as being controlled by men. I would like to learn more about how the ancient Greeks viewed women, since the passage shows them as powerful beings at that time, but over time, women came to be dominated by men.

While reading Hesoid’s Theogony, the excerpt where Cronus ambushes his father Uranus, cuts off his genitals, and from the violent act a new being is born stands out to me. When the parts were thrown to the sea, it created Aphrodite, the goddess of love and beauty. This moment caught my attention because of how striking it is to read such opposite outcomes from an event so gruesome.

I believe Hesiod was trying to show that the origins of the world are full of conflict and contradiction and creation can come from pain and chaos. This story reveals how Hesiod and other people at the time viewed the world as being shaped by emotions such as anger, desire and beauty. The gods being portrayed are meant to resemble humans at the time and the mixture of chaos and beauty are a part of the time and place it comes from. What I would like to find out more about is how ordinary people in Hesoid’s time interpreted these myths. I wonder if these myths only serve as entertainment or are actual amplified versions of the people at this time.

One part that stood out to me in the reading was when Hesiod said Chaos came first and then Earth became “the ever-sure foundation of all.” This caught my attention because it shows how the Greeks believed everything started from nothing. It felt like the author was showing how the world had to be built slowly, step by step from emptiness into something solid. It also shows how important Earth was to them, like she was the base that everything depended on.

Another part that stood out was when Cronos swallowed his children because he was afraid they would take his powr and Rhea had to hide baby Zeus to protect him. This part showed me that even the gods had fear and jealousy, and they tried to control what they thought was their destiny. I think the author wanted to show that power can make even gods act out of fear.

This story tells me that the time and place it comes from had strong ideas about power, family and fate. It connects to other readings because they also showed how people believed the gods had emotions and made mistakes just like humans.

Something I want to learn more about is how people back then used these myths in their daily lives. I wonder if they really believed the gods were watching them all the time or if the stories were more like lessons about how to live.

What stuck out to me most was within 11.36-52, 11.53-77, and 11.75-193, the creation of the Muses. I feel as if they are rarely mentioned with the exception of Calliope (she's the only one I'd heard mentioned by name anywhere else.) So, it got me thinking, why are they not centured more often? Why are they taken as a collective rather than individually noticed for their specialties? They are goddesses too, are they not? I'm unsure if they have any prominent stories interacting one-on-one with mortals but they seem to guide and inspire creativity in mortals. They bring to the table something long-lasting and special, something the other gods and goddesses don't busy themselves with. They offer a "holy gift", it is because of them why the arts thrives so strongly, why it can move someone to forget "heaviness" and "sorrows".

I'd love to know more about them individually and where they stand in the field of goddesses. Are they doing their own thing like Artemis? Are they all knowing and wise in their craft like Athena? Are they allowed to marry? Are they bound to their station? What is expected of them?

The passage that really stood out to me in Theogony was the description of how everything began with Chaos, and then from that came Earth (Gaia), Sky (Uranus), and all the other gods. I think Hesiod was trying to show how the Greeks explained the world around them before science, using stories to make sense of nature, life, and even human struggles.

To me, this document shows that people at that time were deeply curious about where everything came from, and mythology was their way of answering those “big questions.” It also reflects their values, like power, beauty, and order coming out of chaos.

This connects to some of our other readings, since a lot of ancient cultures also had creation stories, and many of them start with chaos or darkness before life begins. It shows how humans everywhere had similar concerns, even if the details of their stories were different.

Something I’d like to know more about is how much people back then actually believed these stories literally, versus how much they saw them as symbolic.

Heisod’s Theogony, what stood out most to me was how the poems begin with female forces like both Chaos and Earth. These goddesses appear to be the first of their kind and from which all life and the gods eventually originated from. This is important because it shows that women were portrayed as the origin of life, holding an important role in the beginning of the world before such gods like Cronos and Zeus came about. Hesiod seems to be showing only how the gods came to be but also how gender shaped the way people thought about creation. Female deities are connected to nature, fertility, and the power to give life, although male deities eventually become decision makers and take control as rulers. This gave me an indication that even though women were valued for giving life and creative roles whereas the men in Greek mythology were typically given power and authority. This is a reflection of ancient Greek culture, where the women were important within community and family but the men held the control and leadership. Earth being the Goddess had major influence initially but eventually that story changes to the male gods ruling and setting order. There are many other myths in which it has been read that women did appear early on as creators but it soon diminished when male authority started to be recognized. One question I'm still curious about is how people from ancient Greece really looked at these goddesses on a daily basis. Were they viewed as equal to their male counterparts or simply related in an aspect. If we look into this we might be able to understand mythology, gender roles, and Greek society are all interconnected.

The image of Zeus using all of his power to set off thunder, lightning, and fire so powerful that it looked as Earth and Heaven were crashing together was the detail that most caught my attention. That picture of universal ruin clearly shows the extent of the battle and Zeus's important role in bringing it to an end. I believe Hesiod was trying to show the limitless power of Zeus and the guarantee of the Olympians' success. The narrative additionally shows that Zeus was the true ruler of the gods because of his leadership and intelligence, as well as his natural strength, by showing how the Hundred-Handers, who had been locked up, became powerful partners when Zeus set them free. The main ideas were hierarchy, power, and order. Zeus stood for stability and authority, while the Titans represent chaos and rebellion. According to the vivid imagery, the universe was formed at the time as the result of conflict and battle. Compared to other stories we've read, this one gives strong proof for the gods' constant struggle throughout generations. Zeus overthrows the Titans, just as he overthrew Uranus. However, it also brings something fresh Zeus builds allies and uses strategy instead of simply destroying his father, establishing his position as a more fair ruler.

What stood out to me most was when Zeus swallowed Metis so she couldn’t have a baby that might be stronger than him. The poem says, “Zeus craftily deceived her with cunning words and put her in his own belly” (Theogony, ll. 886–889). Later it says, “Zeus himself gave birth from his own head to bright-eyed Tritogeneia Athena” (Theogony, ll. 924–929). This shows that women had the power to create life, but Zeus wanted to control it so he could stay the ruler. Another part that shows this is the story of Pandora. The poem says, “For from her is the race of women and female kind: of her is the deadly race and tribe of women who live amongst mortal men to their great trouble” (Theogony, ll. 590–592). This makes it clear that in ancient Greece, women were seen as both important and dangerous at the same time. To me, it feels like the Greeks respected women for giving life, but they also thought women brought problems.

But not all the female gods are shown as bad. Hecate is honored in the poem, which says, “She received honor also in starry heaven, and is honored exceedingly by the deathless gods… Whom she will she greatly aids and advances” (Theogony, ll. 411–415). The Muses are also shown in a good way because the poem says, “Happy is he whom the Muses love: sweet flows speech from his mouth” (Theogony, ll. 95–96). These parts show that women gods were seen as helpful when they worked under Zeus’ rule. This connects to other readings because in Works and Days Pandora is also called a “beautiful evil,” but in Theogony we also see that some goddesses had honor and power. I wonder if the long part about Hecate means people were starting to worship her more back then, and I also wonder why Zeus wanted to give birth to Athena by himself maybe it was to prove that he had the most power, even more than the female gods.

 I found it intriguing that Earth isn't just Earth, but a goddess herself, having the power to build life from her own womb. To me, Hesiod is telling that the deities weren't just individuals floating around in the sky, but they were linked to the natural elements that the Greeks experienced daily, and that’s what resonated with me the most. Hesiod talks about Chaos and then Earth, Gaia, coming into being. This makes sense with Pomeroy's comments in "Goddesses, Whores, Wives, and Slaves" - that there was an understanding of women/feminine aspects as powerful but also dangerous. Gaia births the gods into the world, and then there's fighting and problems among children and grandchildren. This shows how the Greeks connected notions of procreation and destruction. Something I want to learn more about is how people perceived these tales over time. Was it planned directly as truth or more figuratively?

One detail that caught my attention was how, at the beginning of the passage, Hesiod largely glorifies or describes the gods positively, showing how the gods were praised and viewed at the time, and further down the passage, he explains how the cosmos, the universe, and everything was created. The author was trying to communicate how the world was made and how each event in the creation of the universe starts a chain reaction to what is about to come, for better or for the worse. What this document is telling us about the time and place it comes from is that many wondered how the universe was formed and what events took place in how the universe came to be, like a cause-and-effect scenario. This document supports the other readings of this time and place because, at this point, many people wondered how the universe came to be and what factors led to the creation of the universe.