In the session we the completed the topic of Heracles and started on Odysseus, who is the last Greek hero we shall cover.
1/. Heracles
Heracles’ twelve labours were a way of atoning for his madness (imposed by Hera) for breaking the code by killing the defeated King of the Euboeans and desecrating his body. Whilst in the throes of this madness he killed six of his own children and their partners.
Heracles’ final and most challenging Labour was to go down to the Underworld to bring back the guard dog Cerberus. He accomplished this formidable task with help from the goddess Athene, and with that the gods declared that he had cleansed himself of the sin of killing his children.
Heracles’ Labours were at an end but his adventures continued and his hot-headed nature continued to get him into trouble. After Eursytheus insulted him, Heracles killed three of Eurystheus’ sons in his rage. He murdered a guest in his own house and when the Oracle at Delphi refused to tell him how he could be absolved of this crime he desecrated the holy shrine.
Nevertheless he kept the favour of the gods and when he died (killed by the poison of the Hydra by way of her son Nessus the Centaur) Zeus welcomed his immortal spirit to Olympus. Acclaimed as the greatest of the Greek heroes, he was a hero with flaws.
2/. Odysseus
A formidable warrior with many hero characteristics. He was the son of Laertes the King of the island of Ithaca and Anticleia. Anticleia’s father was Autoclycus the son of Hermes.
Having received the prophecy that if he went to Troy, he would be gone for 20 years and return penniless and alone Odysseus tried to avoid going to Troy which was not usual warrior behaviour.
Odysseus is resourceful, silver tongued, wise and cunning as well as having warrior characteristics. He was also a leader with no respect for his men, and a liar.
The ancient Greeks liked this though and regarded him as a tactician and heroic warrior.
Next session we shall complete the story of Odysseus and start a new folklore topic relating to natural features.
Last Updated on April 4, 2023