AHS1511

OCT/NOV 2023

UNIVERSITY EXAMINATIONS

OCT/NOV 2023

AHS1511

Ancient Greek Mythology in Context

80 Marks
Duration 2 Hours

EXAMINERS:
FIRST MS AL NAIDOO
SECOND DR AJ RYAN

This paper consists of ten (9) pages.

Instructions:
This exam consists of three (3) sections.
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end of this question paper) in your Exam.
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Please take note of the following tips while answering this exam:
• Each question has their own instructions.
• Use the marks per question to guide you on the length of your answers.
• Please do not rely on mere summary. Demonstrate your ability to analyse
information and make meaningful observations.
• Be selective in the information you include and make sure that everything you
write is relevant to the topic.
• Please manage your time wisely.

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SECTION ONE: FOUNDATIONAL CONCEPTS

1. For EACH of the following Greek gods, briefly describe in your own words the function
the god played in the Greek pantheon AND name their respective Roman counterparts.

a) Zeus
b) Athena
c) Artemis
d) Poseidon
e) Ares
(10)

2. Give an approximate date range (to the nearest century) for each of the following events
in Greek history, state what period the event falls under AND state approximately how
many years ago the event took place. (Example: Battle of Actium and start of Roman Empire –
31 BC, Hellenistic Period, 2054 years ago)

a) Mycenaeans take over Crete

b) Infiltration of the Dorian Greeks into Greece
c) Attic red-figure pottery begins
d) Battle of Marathon
e) Epicurus establishes his philosophic school at Athens
(10)

3. Briefly outline (in around 200 words) the Greek creation myth as it appears in Hesiod’s
Theogony, starting with the appearance of the entities Earth (or Gaia) and Sky (or Ouranos),
and ending with the birth of the Olympians.

(10)

[TOTAL FOR SECTION ONE: 30 MARKS]

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SECTION TWO: COMPREHENSION

Read the passages below and answer the questions that follow in your own words only
and quote from the passages where required.

O come, daughters of Achaea1, and bring not perfume nor alabasters2 (I hear the voice of
the axle-naves!); bring not, ye companions of the Bath, for Pallas perfume nor alabasters
(for Athene loves not mixed unguents3), neither bring ye a mirror. Always her face is fair,
and, even when the Phrygian judged the strife on Ida4, the great goddess looked not into
orichalc5 nor into the transparent eddy of Simois6, nor did Hera. But Cypris7 took the shining
bronze and often altered and again altered the same lock. But Pallas, after running twice
sixty double courses, even as beside the Eurotas the Lacedaemonian Stars8, took and
skillfully anointed her with simple unguents, the birth of her own tree. And, O maidens, the
red blush arose on her, as the colour of the morning rose or seed of pomegranate.
Wherefore now also bring ye only the manly olive oil, [with which] Castor and [with which]
Herakles anoint themselves. And bring her a comb all of gold, that she may comb her hair,
when she hath anointed her glossy tresses9.
AND
Noble lady, the thing that is done can no more be taken back; since thus the thread of the
Fates span when thou didst bear him from the first; but now, O son of Everes10, take thou
the issue which is due to thee. How many burnt offerings shall the daughter of Cadmus burn
in the days to come? How many Aristaeus? – praying that they might see their only son, the
young Actaeon, blind. And yet he shall be companion of the chase to great Artemis. But him
neither the chase nor comradeship in archery on the hills shall save in that hour, when, albeit
unwillingly, he shall behold the beauteous bath of the goddess. Nay, his own dogs shall then
devour their former lord. And his mother shall gather the bones of her son, ranging over all
the thickets. Happiest of women shall she call thee and of happy fate, for that thou didst
receive thy son home from the hills – blind.
Callimachus, Hymn V. On the bath of Pallas (Translation by AW & GW Mair)11

1 Achaea is region in Greece.

2 a small container, originally made from alabaster stone, that usually held perfumes and cosmetic oils
3 a thick, greasy substance similar to an ointment. It is used for cosmetic purposes
4 refers to the Judgement of Paris.
5 a type of metal, presumably used here as a mirror.
6 a river which flows from mount Ida, where Paris made his judgement
7 Aphrodite
8 in other words, just like the Lacedaemonian Stars (Castor and Pollux, the twin sons of Leda who was

seduced by Zeus) ran beside the Eurotas river

9 Hair
10 Tiresias
11 Mair, AW & Mair GR. 1921. Callimachus, Hymns and Epigrams. Lycophron. Aratus. Loeb Classical Library

Volume
129. London: William Heinemann. [Public Domain]
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1. In the excerpt above, Callimachus is mainly concerned with describing Pallas’

physical appearance. Critically comment on the poet’s description by considering the
points below. You must quote from the text to substantiate your answer.

o To what extent would you agree that Pallas is presented as a natural beauty?
o How does she compare to Aphrodite?
o To what extent are Pallas’ feminine and masculine features being
juxtaposed12, and why is this appropriate considering the goddess’ attributes?

(15)

2. How does Tiresias’ punishment compare to that of Actaeon’s, another mythological

figure mentioned in the poem? (5)

3. Briefly discuss any two significant literary differences between this poem and the
Homeric Hymn to Demeter (5)

[TOTAL FOR SECTION TWO: 25 MARKS]

12 to place things side by side to compare or contrast them

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SECTION THREE: DISCUSSION

In around 500 words, compare and contrast the ancient Greek concept of the hero with the
modern concept of a hero (people throughout modern history that may have done
courageous or noble deeds). There are many ways to approach the question, but your
answer must address the following issues:
a) Can the Greek concepts of timē and aretē be applied to both Greek heroes and to
people who are considered heroes in modern times?
b) In what ways are Greek heroes similar to people who are considered heroes in
modern times?
c) Are there Greek heroes who resemble, in some ways, people who are considered
villains in modern times rather than people who are considered heroes in modern
times?
In answering your question, you may want to provide examples to illustrate your arguments.

[TOTAL FOR SECTION THREE: 25 MARKS]

GRAND TOTAL: [80 MARKS]

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DECLARATION

Name:
…………………………………………………….…………………………………

Student number: …………………………………

Course Code: ……………………

I understand what plagiarism is and I am aware of the departmental policy on it. I

also understand that where plagiarism is proven, I will receive 0% for my
answers.

Signature: ………………………………

Date: …………………………………….

Yes No

1 I declare that this exam is my own, original work

2 I declare that I didn’t copy verbatim from my study material or

elsewhere

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UNISA 2023