Search

[German version] (ὄργια/ órgia, nom. plur.; Latin sacra). Etymologically órgia, like orgeṓn (O rgeones ), probably derives from the root *εργ [2] and is thus related to ἔρδω/ érdō - ῥέζω/ rhézō ('I do', 'I sacrifice'; cf. H. Hom. ad Cererem 273f.). A connection with the Mycenaean adjective wo-ro-ki-jo-ne-jo cannot be ruled out [1]. The word ó rgia can mean 'ritual conduct' or 'cult actions', including sacrifices (Syll.3 57,4; Aesch. Sept. 180; Soph. Ant. 1013, Soph. Trach. 765), but may also denote - often clarified by ἄρρητος/ árrhētos ('unspeakable') - '(secret) rites' in the m…

[German version] (Γαλινθιάς; Galinthiás). According to Nicander (Heteroiumena 4 = Antoninus Liberalis 29) G. (Galanthis in Ov. Met. 9,285-323 [5. 469f.];  Historis in Paus. 9,11,3; Akalanthis in Lib. narrationes 8, s. [1]), daughter of Proetus, helped  Alcmene when the Moirai and Eilithyia, on Hera's behalf (cf. Hom. Il. 19,119), delayed the birth of  Hercules by folding their hands. With her false report of his birth, G. alarmed them so much that they broke the magical spell and Hercules was born.…

[German version] (ὀργεῶνες/ orgeônes, also ὀργειῶνες/ orgeiônes, masc. sg. ὀργεών/ orgeṓn). Orgeônes in general were 'those in charge of orgia' (Aesch. fr. 144 Radt; Hom. Hymnus ad Apollinem 389: ὀργίονες/ orgíones). In the narrower sense, orgeônes (possibly even from as early as the Archaic period: Gai. apud Dig. 47,22,4 ex lege Solonis; not documented in inscriptions before the 4th cent. BC) were members of Attic societies who celebrated (usually annually) sacrificial rites in honour of a hero (hero cult) or a god. They [2] can be split into …

[German version] (μύησις/ mýēsis, Lat. initiatio). Myesis is the initiation into a mystery (μυστήρια/ mystḗria, Lat. initia) whereby the candidate for initiation became a μύστης ( mýstēs, Lat. initiatus, initiated). As an additional rank the initiated could later attain the epopteía . As nomen actionis for the verb μυέω/ myéō (‘I initiate’; lat. initiare), which is considered a causativum to μύω/ mýō (‘I close [lips/eyes]’), myesis semantically presupposes the term mýstēs, which, like mystḗria, is not derived from myéō but rather from mýō [1; 7. 414f.]. This derivation, which…

(Σάτυρος/ Sátyros, pl. Σάτυροι/ Sátyroi, Latin Satur, Satyrus), also Silenus (Σι-, Σειληνός/ Si-, Seilēnós, pl. Σι-, Σειληνοί/ Si-, Seilēnoí, Doric Σιλανός/ Silanós, Latin Silenus, Silanus). [German version] I. Mythology, art and cult A satyr/Silenus was a member of a group of demons who, since their relatively late emergence at the end of the 7th/beginning of the 6th cent. BC, have formed part of the mythical entourage of the god Dionysus; Silens, as a more or less distinctive and independent figure, emerged from that retinue…

(Φαέθων/ Phaéthōn, 'the shining one', participle of the Greek phaínein). [German version] [1] Epithet of the sun god Helius Epithet of the sun god Helis (first in Hom. Od. 11,16, aside from the descriptive epithet already in Hom. Il. 11,735), which can also be used on its own to describe him in Roman (since Verg. Aen. 5,105) and Greek poetry of the Imperial period (Anth. Pal. 9,137,3; Nonnus, Dion., esp. 38,151f.). Heinze, Theodor (Geneva) [German version] [2] Son of Eos and Kephalos Son of Eos and Cephalus [1], who is kidnapped by Aphrodite and turned into a temple servant (…

[German version] (Μίση/ Mísē, also Μισατίς/ Misatís). Deity associated with Mḗtēr/Cybele (Hsch. s.v. Μ.). According to Orph. H. 42, M. was bisexual and was worshipped in Eleusis, Phrygia, Cyprus (besides Aphrodite), and Egypt (besides Isis). Inscriptions record her cult in Pergamon (Demeter sanctuary, 2nd century AD) and the surrounding region (Samurlu). Her identification with Kore (Persephone), as attested in the Samurlu inscription (cf. Eur. Hel. 1301-1368; schol. Aristoph. Plut. 431), probably lies behind the non-localised festival of her descent ( káthodos, hence proba…

[German version] (Γάλλοι/ Gálloi). ‘Servants’, ‘attendants’ and ‘worshippers’ of the  Mater Magna [1] chiefly in late Republican and Imperial Rome, described consistently as ‘priests’ only in Christian contexts. They first arose, along with the  Metragyrtae, in Asia Minor, late 3rd/early 2nd cent. BC (Pol. 21,6,6 and 21,37,5, 190 and 189 BC; as literary figures: Dioscorides, Anth. Pal. 6,220). The derivation of the name from Gauls or Galatians is now favoured by [4. 229; 3; 2. 118-120]; only from t…

[German version] (Πενθεύς/ Pentheús; in Hecataeus FGrH 1 F 31 Τενθεύς/ Tentheús). Son of the spartós Echion [1] and Agaue, cousin of Actaeon and Dionysus and the latter's opponent. The earliest surviving complete presentation of the myth is the complex and controversial Bákchai by Euripides [1] (see [7]; cf. also Theocr. 26; Ov. Met. 3,511-731: [2]; Nonn. Dion. 44 and 46). In this play, P. is the young ruler of Thebes who wants to suppress the new cult of Dionysus, into which the god forces the sisters of Semele, because they challenge …

[German version] Character in two short stories by Ovid (sources unknown): 1) Ov. Met. 9,347-348: L. is turned into the Lotus (Serv. Georg. 2,84: faba Syriaca) when she flees from an attempted rape by Priapus (motif parallels: e.g. Daphne, Ov. Met. 1,452-567; Syrinx, Ov. Met. 1,689-712); 2) Ov. Fast. 1,393-440: L. is warned by the donkey of Silenus and escapes from Priapus without metamorphosis (double in Ov. Fast. 6,319-348: Vesta instead of L.). In contrast to the question of priority that can barely be decided, nowadays Ovid's art of variation is rightly emphasized. Heinze, Theodor (…

(Ἡνιόχη/ Hēnióchē, ‘Holder of the reins’). [German version] [1] Eptihet of Hera Epithet of Hera in Boeotian Lebadea, where sacrifices were made to, e.g. , Zeus Basileus, Demeter and H. before consulting the Trophonius-oracle (Paus. 9,39,5); Hera is also a chariot driver in the Iliad (Hom. Il. 8,392). Willi, Andreas (Basle) Bibliography Schachter 1, 240f. [German version] [2] Wife of Creon According to Ps.-Hes. Sc. 83, the wife of  Creon (Soph. Ant. 1180: Eurydice, cf. schol.). Heinze, Theodor (Geneva) [German version] [3] Daughter of Creon Daughter of Creon (Paus. 9,10,3). Heinze, Th…

(Κυδίππη; Kydíppē, Latin Cydippe). [German version] [1] Wife of Acontius According to Xenomedes (FGrH 442 T 2; F 1), Callimachus (fr. 67-75) tells how Acontius elicits from C., through an inscription on an apple (a quince: Aristaen. 1,10,26; on the apple-throwing motif: [1]), the vow that she will marry him. Attempts by the father Ceyx that came to nothing to marry C. to someone else lead to the Delphic oracle recommending Acontius as the son-in-law. Through the union the house of Acontiades is founded in…

[German version] (Χριστὸς Πάσχων; Christòs Páschōn; Lat. Christus Patiens). Christian drama on the story of the Passion, in the form of a  cento. Abbreviated to Ch. P. by A. Bladus (Ed. princeps, Rome 1542); a play of 2,632 lines, in the majority of MSS (mid 13th to beginning 16th cents.) entitled: ‘From the hand of our holy father Gregory the theologian, a dramatic presentation (  Hypóthesis ) after Euripides, comprising the incarnation for our sakes of our Saviour Jesus Christ and his world-redeeming passion’. The paraphrase, offering mo…

(Ζώπυρος; Zṓpyros). [German version] [1] Persian, took part in the capture of Babylon Prominent Persian, son of Megabyzus [1], who according to Hdt. 3,153ff. had the gates of rebelling Babylon opened to Darius [1] I by using a ruse (self-mutilation and pretending to be a victim of the Great King). For this deceptive manoeuvre (Polyaenus, Strat. 7,13; referring to King Cyrus: Frontin. Str. 3,3,4) Z. allegedly received from Darius the satrapy of Babylonia for life and tribute-free, but he was killed when the B…

(Μουσαῖος; Mousaîos). [German version] [1] Mythical companion of the Muses Mythical companion of the Muses (whose name is an adjectival derivative of Μοῦσα ( Moûsa; ‘Muse’)), an archegete of poetry and a close associate of Orpheus connected with Eleusis [1] . As a scion of the Muses (and Selene: Pl. Resp. 2,364e), M. was brought up by them (Ps.-Eur. Rhes. 945-947) and buried on their hill in Athens (Paus. 1,25,8; in Phaleron: Anth. Pal. 7,615). The origin of M. who lived in Eleusis and Athens (Suda s.v. Μ.) (pelike, Beazley, ARV2 1313,7, end of the 5th cent. BC; Aristoxenos fr. 91 Wehrli2 = 2 A…

[German version] (Ἑρμοχάρης; Hermochárēs). Nicander (Heteroieumena 3 = Antoninus Liberalis 1) applies - in a parallel to, or an adaptation (1, 2 with [1. 71 A11]) of the tale of Acontius and  Cydippe (Call. Aitia fr. 65-75) - the motif of throwing an apple to H. of Athens and Ctesylla, the daughter of Alcidamas of Iulis on Ceos; finally the two flee together to Athens. After the death and disappearance ( aphanismós) of Ktesylla in the form of a dove (in Carthaea: Ov. Met. 7,368-370, cf. [1. 72 A20; 2]), an oracle instructs H. to establish a sanctuary in Iulis (aet…

[German version] (Πρίαπος/ Príapos, Ionian Πρίηπος/ Príēpos, Lat. Priapus). Ithyphallic god of fertility and sexuality and, more generally, of affluence and protection from harm. P. originally comes from the region in northwestern Asia Minor situated on the Hellespont  (Lampsacus most frequently cited as the place). In the Greek heartland where he was "still unknown to Hesiod" (Str. 13,1,12), like Hermaphroditus (Diod. Sic. 4,6), he generally did not appear until the 4th cent. BC and afterwards (cf. Xen…

[German version] (Κέρκαφος; Kérkaphos). One of the seven  Heliadae, of  Cydippe [3] father of the eponyms of the Rhodian towns of Lindus, Ialysus and Cameirus (Pind. Ol. 7,73 with schol. 7,131c-d; 132c; 135; Diod. Sic. 5,57,8; Str. 14,2,8). Heinze, Theodor (Geneva)

[German version] (Μητραγύρται; Mētragýrtai).Wandering ‘beggars of the Mḗtēr’ (according to Aristot. rhet. 1405a 20f. and later sources; older terms are kýbēbos: Semonides frag. 36 West; agersikýbēlis: Kratinos frag. 66 PCG); they spread and and carried out the rituals of the Mḗtēr/ Kybele by dancing ecstatically to the sound of the týmpana and kýmbala followed by begging, apparently as early as the 7th century BC in Greece, later also in Rome ( Mater magna, compare. e. g.Cic. leg. 2,40). Castration probably only took place occasionally (e.g.. Ant…

[German version] Since [7], Mythographus Homericus has been the name given to the unknown author of a Greek mythological commentary on Homer from the early Imperial period. It has been possible to deduce its existence from the mythological tales ( historíai) of the Byzantine scholia and it has now been attested by finds of papyri and an ostrakon from the period of the 1st/2nd to the 5th cent. AD ( historíai not appearing in the scholia are in POxy. 61,4096 = [1. No. 53]). The enarratio historiarum on mythical figures (genealogies, deeds), the founding of localities ( ktíseis) and the origin…

(ὕβρις; hýbris). Ethical term for a behaviour that is deliberately dishonouring, including humiliating bodily infringements such as rape (authoritative definition: Aristotle Rh. 1378 b; Latin superbia). Etymologically, hybris is probably derived from Hittite huwap-: ‘to abuse’, the noun being * huwappar > * huppar [1]. Positive opposites:   aidṓs ,   díkē ,   eunomía ,   sōphrosýnē . [German version] I. General In early Greek literature, hybris appears within the much varied terminological chain of ólbos - kóros - hýbris - átē (‘wealth’ - ‘fullness’ - ‘arrogance’ - ‘ruin’; e.…

(Μελάνθιος/ Melánthios). [German version] [1] Treacherous goatherd of Odysseus (also Μελανθεύς/ Melantheús). Son of Dolius [2], brother of Melantho [2], treacherous goatherd of Odysseus, negative counterpart to the swineherd Eumaeus and the cowherd Philoetius (Hom. Od. 17,212-22,479). Heinze, Theodor (Geneva) Bibliography G. Ramming, Die Dienerschaft in der Odyssee, 1973, 15-17; 74-77; 142-145. [German version] [2] Athenian strategos, 499/8 BC Athenian strategos who led the troops sent in support of the Ionians when they revolted in 499/8 (Hdt. 5,97). Ionian Revolt Stein-Hö…

[German version] (Ὀρφικοί/ Orphikoí). In our sources, Orphikoi are exclusively 'authors of Orphic writings' (schol. Eur. Alc. 1 = OF 40; cf. Plat. Crat. 400c = OF 8: οἱ ἀμφὶ Ὀρφέα/ hoi amphì Orphéa) or 'priests who perform Orphic initations' (Ach. Tat. Isagoge in Arati phaenomena 4, p. 33,17; 6, p. 37,8 Maass = OF 70) and are also called Orpheotelestaí (Theophr. Char. 16,11 = OF T 207; Philod. Perí poiēmátōn II fr. 41 Hausrath = OF T 208; Plut. Mor. 224e). Only a bone tablet from  Olbia [1] (from the 5th cent. BC), published in 1978, appears to document the genera…

(Λικύμνιος; Likýmnios). [German version] [1] Son of Electryon Son of Electryon, half-brother of Alcmene, husband of Perimede, father of Argeius [1], Melas and Oeonus or, according to a new source [2], of Perimedes, Oeonus and Pero. After first seeking refuge together with the Heraclidae, with Ceyx in Trachis, he is killed by Tlepolemus in Argus (Hom. Il. 2,661-663; Pind. Ol. 7,27-31). As eponym of Licymna, the acropolis of Tiryns (Str. 8,6,11) - his name, like that of his mother Midea, indicates tha…

(Μυρτίλος; Myrtílos). [German version] [1] Son of Hermes and Phaethusa Son of Hermes and Phaethusa, Clymene, Myrto (schol. Apoll. Rhod. 1,752) or Theobule (Hyg. Fab. 224,5) or of Zeus and Clymene (schol. Eur. Or. 998); charioteer to Oenomaus [1] (possibly already mentioned in the Alkmaiōnís , cf. fr. 6 PEG I, and depicted as a figure on the east pediment of the temple of Zeus at Olympia). Before the chariot race to win the hand of Hippodameia [1] M. removes a lynch pin from  Oenomaus' chariot (Pherecydes FGrH 3 F 37; Ps.-Apollod. Epit. 2,4…

(Περιμήδης/ Perimḗdēs). [German version] [1] Companion of Odysseus Companion of Odysseus who, sometimes with Eurylochus [1], helped him in the sacrifice to the dead (Hom. Od. 11,23-24; visual representation i.a. on the Nékyia by Polygnotus, cf. [1]) and strengthened his chains as they travelled past the Sirens ( ibid. 12,195-196). Heinze, Theodor (Geneva) [German version] [2] Son of Eurystheus Son of Eurystheus, killed by the Athenians in the defence of the Heraclidae (Ps.-Apollod. 2,168) or by Heracles [1] after his final travail because the latter fel…

[German version] (Τειρεσίας/ Teiresías, Lat. Teresias/ Tiresias, Etruscan Teriasals, Terasias). Blind seer from Thebes, son of Eueres and the nymph Chariclo, father of Manto and Historis. At the time when T. was connected to the myth of Odysseus in the Nekyia (Hom. Od. 10,490-495; 11,90-151), an established seer figure had already been part of the tradition, as in the Melampodia, where it is told that T. explains —after two sex changes— that women experience greater pleasure during the act of love. For this, Hera blinds him but Zeus c…

[German version] (Μελανίων/ Melaníōn, Μειλανίων/ Meilaníōn; Latin *Milanion; personal name from μέλας/ mélas, ‘black’). An Arcadian, son of Amphidamas. In the ‘Arcadian’ version of the myth, he is the suitor of Atalante (according to Ps.-Apollod. 3,105 her cousin), with whom he has a son Parthenopaeus (Hellanicus FGrH 4 F 99; Ps.-Apollod. 3,109; Paus. 3,12,9; among the latter's alternative fathers none is the Hippomenes [1] of the ‘Boeotian’ version). As a participant in the games in honour of Pelias, M. was to be seen on the Cypselus Chest ( c. 600 BC, according to Paus. 5,17,10; …

[German version] (ὁμόνοια; homónoia). The word homonoia (‘unity’) was evidently reshaped in Athens's crisis of 411 BC (referred to in Thuc. 8,75,2; 93,3) as an exhortation of the democrats to internal cohesion (cf. Antiphon 87 B 44-71; Thrasymachus 85 B 1; Gorgias 82 B 8a DK). Homonoia within the polis is from then on mostly based on socio-economic conflicts (antonym   stásis : Lys. 18,17-18), bilateral and trilateral homonoia (from the Hellenistic period) as well as border conflicts primarily in the rank disputes of Asia Minor in the Imperial period but also in…

[German version] (Σεμέλη/ Semélē, Etruscan Semla; also Θυώνη/ Thyṓnē). Daughter of Cadmus [1] and Harmonia, sister of Agave, Autonoe, Ino and Polydorus (Hes. Theog. 975-978). S. is of significance due to the Theban myth of the birth of Dionysus: when she was pregnant by Zeus (Actaeon is said to have been her first suitor: Hes. fr. 217A M.-W.), she was persuaded by Hera to ask him to show himself in his true form. The weather god appeared as a thunderbolt, with which he killed her. He removed the unborn …

(Ἱπποκόων; Hippokóōn). Son of  Oebalus and Bateia (Nicostrate: Schol. Eur. Or. 457), halfbrother or brother of  Tyndareus, whom he drove out of Sparta. As a consequence of H.'s refusal along with the Hippocoontides to purify Heracles, or because they are allied with  Neleus, but above all, because they had struck Oeonus dead,  Heracles takes revenge on them (aition of Athena Axiopoinos) and reinstalls Tyndareos (Diod. Sic. 4,33,5f.; Paus. 3,1,4; 15,3-6; 19,7; Ps.-Apollod. 2,143; 3,123-125; as ear…

(Ἱππότης; Hippótēs). [German version] [1] Father of Aeolus The rarely mentioned father of  Aeolus [2]: Hom. Od. 10,2; 36; Apoll. Rhod. 4,778; 819; due to the confusion between Aeolus [1] and Aeolus [2], the son of Mimas (schol. Hom. Od. 10,2; Diod. Sic. 4,67,3). Heinze, Theodor (Geneva) [German version] [2] Founder of the cult of Apollo Karneios Son of  Phylas, grandson of Antiochus, great-grandson of Hercules, father of  Aletes [1] ([5. 7-10]; genealogical table [1; 4. 306 A 20]). In Naupactus H. kills the seer Carnus and is forced into exile for 10 …

[German version] (Ναός/ Naós). Descendant of Eumolpus in the third generation. Obeying the oracle of Delphi, he brought the Eleusinian cult of Demeter to Arcadian Pheneus, where in the temple of Demeter the Eleusinia were celebrated in Attic rite (Paus. 8, 15, 1). This import supplemented the older epichoric cults of Demeter Kidaria and Demeter Thesmia, as the Pheneatic tradition is said to have noticed (Paus. 8, 15, 2-4). The name, which means ‘temple, may indicate the erection of such an edifice in a new sanctuary.  Eleusis [1] Heinze, Theodor (Geneva) Bibliography Jost, 30, 318f. Nilss…

[German version] is the name under which three collections of myths, which have their origins in the teaching of literature in the Middle Ages, are subsumed ever since their publication from Vatican manuscripts by A. Mai in 1831. MV I (anon., no title, now dated between around 875 and 1075, [3]): 233 short fabulae  are compiled simply in three volumes without any discernible overall theme (Main sources: Serv. in Verg.; [Lactantius Placidus] scholia in Stat. Theb.; Ps.-Lactantius Placidus, Narrationes fabularum Ovidianarum; additionally i.a. Remigius of Auxerre). MV II (anon., no…

(Σιληνός/ Silēnós, Σειληνός/ Seilēnós; Doric Σιλανός/ Silanós; Lat. Silenus, Silanus). Heinze, Theodor (Geneva) [German version] I. Mythology Creature from Dionysus' entourage Among the collectively acting silens or satyrs, one silen/Silen(us) stands out as a single figure whose origin remains unclear (perhaps comparable: Chiron among the centaurs; Pan in contrast to the various Pans). This figure was fleshed out in mythical stories and satyr plays. The 'Midas-silen' expresses a pessimistic thought to the Phrygian king Midas, a thought typical for the Archai…

(Τληπόλεμος/ Tlēpólemos, Doric Τλαπόλεμος/ Tlāpólemos). [German version] [1] Son of Heracles and Astyochia Son of Heracles [1] and Astyochia. After the Heraclidae retreated from the Peloponnese, T. settled in Argos along with Licymnius [1] and killed him there in the midst of an argument (Diod. 4,58,5-8; in Tiryns: Pind. Ol. 7,20-38; unintentionally: Zenon of Rhodos FGrH 523 F 1). As a result, T. fled to Rhodos, where he followed the Doric tradition and "settled three times according to phyle " (Hom. Il. 2,668), that is, he created a new political fo…

[German version] (Ὀνομάκριτος/ Onomákritos) from Athens, second half of the 6th/beginning of the 5th cent. BC, oracle interpreter and supervisor of the oracle of Musaeus [1] ( chrēsmológos te kai diathétēs chrēsmṓn) closely connected with the Peisistratids, whose interests he did not always serve. When Lasus [1] of Hermione convicted him for adding an oracle to those of Musaeus, he was banished by Hipparchus [1]. Yet he accompanied the Peisistratids after their downfall to Xerxes in order to induce him, by means of a deliberate choice of oracles, to march against Greece (Hdt. 7,6). Sour…

[German version] (Μαινάς/ Mainás, pl. Μαινάδες/ Mainádes; Lat. Maenas, pl. Maenades). In modern research both the mythical companions (and antagonists) of Dionysus and their historical admirers are mostly called Maenads. But in Greek cult terminology the women who honour the god with a dance ritual every three years are especially called Bákchai (singular Bákchē, Lat. Bacchae), while the substantivized adjective Mainás (‘the mad one’, from maínesthai: ‘to be mad’), apart from four Hellenistic inscriptions with poetic tendencies [7. 52 with note 83], appears t…

[German version] A. Introduction The cleansing of defilement or impurity (Greek kátharsis, katharmós) can be understood as a strategy for overcoming calamity [5. 149-155]. Purification in this sense was introduced to Greek civilization through contact with the Ancient Orient [6. 55-64]. Heinze, Theodor (Geneva) B. Religious [German version] 1. Ancient Orient and Egypt Although the ancient oriental civilizations had certain widespread features in common, there were differences in which forms of impurity were regarded as particularly significant and how they were removed. In …

[German version] (Ἡλιάδαι; Hēliádai). The sons of  Helios and Rhodos (Rhode: Hellanicus FGrH 4 F 137; schol. Hom. Od. 17,208 confused with Clymene, mother of Heliades [1]): Ochimus, Cercaphus, Actis, Macar(us) (Macareus), Candalus, Triopas and Phaethon (= Tenages: Pind. Ol. 7,71-73; cf. schol. 131a-c, 132a). According to a Rhodian local myth in Pind. Ol. 7,34-55 [2. 2849] Helios advised the H. to be the first to sacrifice to Athena after her birth. In their haste, however, they forgot the fire for …

[German version] (Ἱστορίς; Historís). Daughter of the seer  Teiresias (hence the probable derivation from *ιδ-, ‘to see, to know’). In the context of Theban statues of Pharmacides (= Moirai), Paus. 9,11,3 tells us that H. was able to outwit them like  Galinthias in Nicander. The epithet of Juno Historia (CIL XI 3573) can probably be traced back to H. [1]. Heinze, Theodor (Geneva) Bibliography 1 M. Renard, Iuno Historia, in: Latomus 12, 1953, 137-154.

(μυθογραφία; mythographía). [German version] I. Introduction Mythography is a commonly used term for ancient and post-antique literature that presents, collects and also interprets myths (and is therefore applied also to indigenous recording of comparable narrative traditions in other cultures or to ethnographic transcriptions of them). The term mythography, however, has to remain imprecise, if only because of the implicit problem in finding a definition for myth, especially in relation to its differe…

(Λυκοῦργος/ Lykoûrgos, ep. Λυκόοργος/ Lykóorgos, Lat. Lucurgus, Lycurgus). [German version] [1] Son of Dryas Son of Dryas, in Nonnus also son of Ares (Nonnus, Dion. 20,149 et passim), opponent of Dionysus, who drives the latter's nurses over the unidentified Nysḗïon mountains ( Nysa) with the bouplḗx (‘ox beater’) and intimidates the mad god to such an extent that he dives into the sea to Thetis (Hom. Il. 6,128-140). While in Aeschylus' tetralogy Lykourgeía (TrGF 3 T 68: Ēdōnoí F 57-67, Bassárai/- rídes F 23-25, Neānískoi F 146-149, Lykoûrgos F 124-126) L. is king of the Thracian …

[German version] (Ὧραι; Hôrai). Divine beings governing cycles of time. Initially, there were three; later usually four (one Hora as goddess of youthful beauty: Pind. Nem. 8,1; series recapitulating 9 or 10 names: Hyg. Fab. 183), probably in connection with distinguishing a fourth season of the year (Alcm. fr. 12 Calame; Hippoc. De aere aquis et locis 1. 10; Aristot. Gen. an. 784a 19). The appellative and the personification are at times barely distinguishable (e.g., Hom. Il. 21,450; Od. 10,469). Like other grouped divinities, the H. often appear as attendants of Olympian …

[German version] (Ἡρακλεῖδαι; Hērakleîdai). Every descendant of  Hercules may be called Herakleídēs (see below). The narrower sense of the myth, which appears to have originated in the 7th cent. (Tyrteus fr. 2 West) and was developed by the 5th cent. at the latest, of the ‘return of the H. to the Peloponnese’ refers to Hercules' son  Hyllus and his descendants until the fourth generation (main sources: (Ps.-) Apollod. 2,167-180, Diod. Sic. 4, 57-58; as well as papyrus finds of  Euripides Temenos, Temenidai, Kresphontes, Archelaos). While fleeing from Eurystheus after Hercules…

(Κάδμος; Kádmos, Lat. Cadmus). [German version] [1] Son of Agenor and Telephassa Son of  Agenor [1] (or Phoenix) and  Telephassa (or Argiope or Tyro), brother (or half-brother) of  Phoenix,  Cilix and others, uncle (or brother) of  Europa [2], husband of  Harmonia, father of  Agave,  Autonoe, Ino,  Semele and of  Polydorus (first mentioned in Hom. Od. 5.333; Kadmeíoi Kadmeíōnes already mentioned in Hom. Il. 4.385 and passim; Hes. Theog. 937; 975-978; at least since Bacchyl. 19.46-51 descendant of Io). In his search for Europa, C. leaves Tyre (Hdt. 2.49.3; Eur. Phoen. 639)…

[German version] [1] Daughter of Creon (Μεγάρα/ Megára, Μεγάρη/ Megárē). Daughter of Creon [1] of Thebes, wife of Heracles [1] (Hom. Od. 11,269-270), who had received her hand in thanks for the liberation of Thebes from tribute to Erginus, and mother of some of the Heraclidae. Whereas the Thebans according to Paus. 9,11,2 tell of the insane Heracles' infanticide (on his insanity Cypria p. 40,28f. PEG) as nothing other than what Stesichorus (= 230 PMGF) and Panyassis (= fr. 1 PEG) relate, the version of P…

[German version] (Ἑρμαφρόδιτος; Hermaphróditos). Androgynous figure which, like that of Priapus (cf. Diod. Sic. 4,6; [6. 76-79]), did not appear before the 4th cent. BC. Though androgynous gods of the Orient like  Astarte, ‘dual-sexuality’ gods like Aphrodite-Aphroditus on Cyprus, joint cults of Hermes and Aphrodite (see below) have rites involving changing gender roles and the exchange of clothing, as well as a background of myths of successive ( Caeneus,  Teiresias) and simultaneous (e.g. Pl. Symp. 189d-192d) bisexuality, its origin remain somewhat unclear [6. 69]. The na…

(Ἁρπάλυκος; Harpálykos). [German version] [1] Trac. king Thracian king, father of  Harpalyce. Heinze, Theodor (Geneva) [German version] [2] Teacher of Heracles in wrestling From Panopeus. Son of  Hermes, teacher of  Hercules in wrestling, boxing and pancratium (Theoc. 24,111-118). Heinze, Theodor (Geneva) [German version] [3] Trojan Trojan, killed by  Camilla with a lance (Verg. Aen. 11,675). Heinze, Theodor (Geneva) [German version] [4] Son of Lycaon Son of  Lycaon (Apollod. 3,97). According to [1] to be compared with the giant Harpolycus. Heinze, Theodor (Geneva) Bibliograp…