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Theogony


Synopsis


Hesiod, who lived in Boetia in the late eighth century BC, is one of the oldest known, and possibly the oldest of Greek poets. His Theogony contains a systematic genealogy of the gods from the beginning of the world and an account of the struggles of the Titans. In contrast, Works and Days is a compendium of moral and practical advice on husbandry, and throws unique and fascinating light on archaic Greek society. As well as offering the earliest known sources for the myths of Pandora, Prometheus and the Golden Age, Hesiod's poetry provides a valuable account of the ethics and superstitions of the society in which he lived. Unlike Homer, Hesiod writes about himself and his family, and he stands out as the first personality in European literature. This new translation, by a leading expert on the Hesiodic poems combines accuracy with readability. It is accompanied by an introduction and explanatory notes. ABOUT THE SERIES: For over 100 years Oxford World's Classics has made available the widest range of literature from around the globe. Each affordable volume reflects Oxford's commitment to scholarship, providing the most accurate text plus a wealth of other valuable features, including expert introductions by leading authorities, helpful notes to clarify the text, up-to-date bibliographies for further study, and much more.

Hesiod, M. L. West

Summary

Chapter 1: The Genealogy of the Gods

* Muses invoke the primordial Chaos and the birth of Gaia (Earth), Uranus (Heaven), Pontus (Sea), and others.
* Uranus and Gaia give birth to the Titans, including Cronus, Rhea, and Oceanus.
* Cronus castrates Uranus, and from his blood comes the Erinyes (Furies), Gigantes (Giants), and Meliae (Nymphs).
* Cronus becomes the king of the gods, but fears his children will overthrow him.

Chapter 2: The Birth and Victory of Zeus

* Cronus swallows his children, including Hera, Poseidon, Hades, and Zeus.
* Rhea hides Zeus on Crete and gives Cronus a stone to swallow instead.
* Zeus grows up and confronts Cronus, forcing him to regurgitate his siblings.
* Zeus, along with his siblings and allies, defeats the Titans in a great war, known as the Titanomachy.

Chapter 3: The Creation of the World

* After the Titanomachy, Zeus and the other Olympians establish their reign.
* Zeus marries Metis, who gives birth to Athena.
* Gaia gives birth to Typhon, a powerful and destructive monster, who threatens the gods.
* Zeus defeats Typhon and imprisons him under Mount Etna.

Chapter 4: The Creation of Man and Woman

* Zeus creates man from clay and infuses him with the breath of life.
* Prometheus steals fire from Olympus for the benefit of humanity.
* Zeus punishes Prometheus by chaining him to a rock and having an eagle tear out his liver daily.
* Pandora, created by Hephaestus, brings all the evils of the world to mankind.

Real Example:

The story of Zeus's birth and victory over the Titans is a classic example from Chapter 2. It depicts the triumph of the young gods over the old, as well as the establishment of the Olympian order. The tale of Prometheus, from Chapter 4, highlights the relationship between gods and humans, as well as the consequences of defying divine authority.