Lecture 15 ZEUS Spheres of Influence WEATHER Zeus

Spheres of Influence WEATHER Zeus < *Dyau- (“bright”) Zeus Ombrios (“cloudy”) Zeus Kataibatês (“Who

Prometheus’ Trick at Mycone SPECIES FOOD PREPARATION LONGEVITY animal raw meat short lived human

Major Athenian Festivals of Zeus Bouphonia “Ox Murder” May-June Maimakteria “Blustering” October-November Pompaia “Procession”

Bouphonia 14 Skirophorion (May-June) MYTHEME • Kingship of Erechtheus • ox eats cake meant

Bouphonia 14 Skirophorion (May-June) RITUAL • grain and cakes placed on table-altar at temple

DIASIA 23 Anthesterion (January-February) • celebrated outside city walls (Ilissos River) • rural/urban participation

Themes in Major Athenian Festivals of Zeus Bouphonia “Ox Murder” May-June Maimakteria “Blustering” October-November

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Lecture 15 ZEUS

Spheres of Influence WEATHER Zeus < *Dyau- (“bright”) Zeus Ombrios (“cloudy”) Zeus Kataibatês (“Who Comes Down) WAR aegis KINGSHIP Zeus and Moirai SOCIAL INSTITUTIONS Zeus Polios (City) Zeus Horkios (Oaths) Zeus Hikesios (Suppliant) Zeus Xenios (Stranger) SEXUAL POTENCY “father of gods and men”

hieros gamos

Prometheus’ Trick at Mycone SPECIES FOOD PREPARATION LONGEVITY animal raw meat short lived human cooked meat longer lived divinity incinerated meat (smoke) immortal thigh bones, fat, entrails DEITY meat, viscera MORTAL victim

Major Athenian Festivals of Zeus Bouphonia “Ox Murder” May-June Maimakteria “Blustering” October-November Pompaia “Procession” October-November Diasia “Festival of Zeus” January-February

Bouphonia 14 Skirophorion (May-June) MYTHEME • Kingship of Erechtheus • ox eats cake meant for Zeus • ox killed by Thaulon, who flees, leaving ax • oracular consultation : eat ox; repeat annually • ox stuffed, later returns to life

Bouphonia 14 Skirophorion (May-June) RITUAL • grain and cakes placed on table-altar at temple of Zeus Polios • oxen driven around table • first ox that eats, sacrificed with double-ax (pelekus) or knife wielded by bouphonos (ox-killer) • bouphonos member of Thaulonidai clan • bouphonos drops ax/knife and runs away • “comedy of innocence” • ax/knife tried, cursed, condemned, thrown into sea • hide of dead ox stuffed

DIASIA 23 Anthesterion (January-February) • celebrated outside city walls (Ilissos River) • rural/urban participation • bloodless theriomorphic holocaust offerings to Zeus Meilikhios • wineless choê • purificatory rituals related to miasma from kindred bloodshed • ram sacrifice; fleece preserved (used in Pompaia? ) • major feast • involvement of children

Zeus Meilikhios

Themes in Major Athenian Festivals of Zeus Bouphonia “Ox Murder” May-June Maimakteria “Blustering” October-November Pompaia “Procession” October-November Diasia “Festival of Zeus” January-February • bloodless vs. animal sacrifices • violent death of victim (ox, ram) • later reappearance of victim (stuffed ox, magic fleece) • atonement for kindred blood • chthonic connections (heroes) • fertility and growth of children