HOMERIC HYMNS STUDY GUIDE
                  EPIC (DACTYLIC HEXAMETERS), ARCHAIC PERIOD (800-500 B.C.E.),
                                              HOMERIDAI (FOLLOWERS OF HOMER)
A. For each hymn know a. the geneology (parents and family) of the god hymned
          b.  the god’s epithets (adjectives or brief descriptions
          c.  the circumstances of birth where described
          d.  the god’s powers, limitations, adventures
           e. relationships with other gods and mortals
B. Be able to give examples of how the hymns dramatize primeval conflicts and struggles associated with
                the nature of the universe and human existence:
           a. Cosmology (What goes on in nature or the universe?)
           b. Customs and rituals (Why do people do what they do repeatedly?)
           c. Psychology (What are the divine sources for our deepest passions, fears, desires; how do the
               divine examples help us to understand and work through and with our needs and drives?)
           d. Structural mediation between  seeming opposites (e.g., male/female; mortal/divine; life/death
               nature/culture; blessings/curses, etc.)
           e. Parallels between the Greek stories (can include Theogony) and Near Eastern accounts

Homeric Hymn to Demeter: Zeus’ plan; Demeter’s plan; Eleusinian Mysteries
Know Zeus’ plan for his daughter Persephone and his brother Hades/Aidoneus; how Gaia, Hekate, and Helios served as intermediaries for Zeus or Demeter.  How did Demeter react and why did she go to Eleusis? Whom did she meet at Eleusis?  What did shelook like, what was her “myth,” and how was it true? What did the maidens Kalllidike, Kleisidike, Demo, and  Kallithoe say and do for her? Why were Queen Metaneira, the Servant Iambe, Baby Demophoon, and King Keleos important for her stay? How did they treat her and how did she treat them?  Why did Zeus send forth his messengers Iris and Hermes in compliance with Demeter’s plan?  How did Hades
establish a relationship with Persephone--i.e., what did he say and do?  What did Persephone say and do?  How did Demeter respond to Persephone’s account?  How did Rhea and Hekate serve as intermediaries after Persephone’s return to Demeter? Why did Demeter teach the Eleusinian rituals?  What were the Eleusinian Mysteries?  Why were they important to the ancient Greeks?  What parallels are there between the Mysteries (rituals) and the Homeric Hymn to Demeter (the myth)?  Epithets for deities and why significant?  What does this poem tell us about the activities and personalities of women? Of the interaction between younger and older women; between women and men?

Homeric Hymn to Apollo: What happened at the two divine assemblies on Olympos and why are those assemblies important for our understanding the character of Apollo?  Why did Leto give birth to Apollo on the island of Delos?  Why nowhere else?  Who helped Leto--in what ways--when it came time for Apollo to be born?  What happened shortly after his birth and what did he say?  What do people do at the Delian Festivals and why is Apollo interested in them?  What does the poet say about himself and the Delian Maidens?  What obstacles did Apollo have to face before he could found the Delphic oracle--wanderings; meeting with Telphousa; the she-dragon?  What is the significance of the story of Hera and Typhaon?  Why did the Cretan sailors become
priests of Apollo?  What does the story of Apollo’s relationship with these sailors and the people at the Delian Festivals tell us about the god’s character?  Know importance of bow, lyre, necklace, rotting serpent, dolphin in this account.  His epithets and their significance?  What does this poem tell us about the activities and personalities of young men?  Their role in society and interaction with older men, with women?

Homeric Hymn to Hermes: Description of his birth to Maia by Zeus; first statement of mission; encounter with tortoise--what did he say and do? how is the tortoise significant for the final outcome of the story?  How was he successful in taking the cattle--technique and words? What did he do with the cattle?  What did he say to his mother and how did she respond to his deeds?  To Apollo and his response?  Why did the brothers go to Olympos and how did Zeus respond to them?  How did the two become the best of friends?  What gifts and promises did the two brothers exchange?  How was justice enacted or secured?  What are some of Hermes’ epithets and how are they represented in the hymn? What does this poem tell about familial conflict
(parental, sibling) and resolution; Zeus’ role as arbiter?