Female Olympians
from Classical Mythology Hosted by Professor Christopher Mackie
The two generations of female Olympians include various figures who represent aspects of ancient Greek female experience: Artemis, associated with young women; Hera with marriage; Demeter with marriage; and Aphrodite with illicit sexuality. This lecture further explores the variant versions of Aphrodite's origin in Hesiod (from Ouranos' castrated genitals) and Homer (from Zeus and Dione), to suggest that goddesses can pose a troubling challenge to Zeus' authority. The power of a goddess' anger is investigated in depth through the myth of Demeter's search for her daughter, as she effectively holds Zeus and the other gods to ransom until her demands are fulfilled. Copyright 2013 Rhiannon Evans / La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Contact for permissions.
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