The Calydonian Boar Why the Boar King of

The Calydonian Boar

Why the Boar? • King of Calydon, Oeneus, gave thanks to the gods for a great harvest – Fruit of the grain to Ceres – Olive oil to Minerva • After honoring all the other gods, Diana’s altar was the only one without incense • Diana grew furious and released her servant, a great boar, to seek revenge

This Little Piggy… • Big as a bull with blood-shot eyes • High stiff neck with spear like bristles • Tusks as long as those of Asian elephant • Lightning flashed from open jaws • Breath burned the grass • Horrible grunts • Hot foam from open jaws

Rampage • Trampled crops leaving threshing floors empty • Tore down vines • Cattle were victims • Not afraid of man or beast • People fled to safety behind walls • Meleager, the queen of Calydon’s son, came to the rescue

Meleager’s Band • Sons of leda, castor “the boxer” and Pollux “the rider” • Jason, the argonaut leader of the golden fleece mission • Theseus, hero of athens • Plexippus and toxeus, sons of thestius • 28 men total • One women, Atalanta

Atalanta • “Pride of the Arcadian woodlands” • Appearance – Robe at neck clasped with polished buckle – Knot holding her hair back – Quiver and bow – Features feminine for a boy, masculine for a girl • Meleager experienced love at first sight

Thrill of the Hunt • • • Setting: virgin primeval forest The boar emerges and the band scatters 3 spears thrown but all miss 3 men injured Atalanta sends an arrow and strikes the boar behind the ears, staining the bristles with blood • Meleager VERY pleased and points out Atalanta’s hit

Continued • Meleager, with two spears, hits the monster’s back and drives the other into its shoulder, bringing the beast low • Meleager gives the prize, hide and tusks, to Atalanta • Band grumbles and Thestius’ sons are the loudest opposing force • Took the gift from her – Symbol of taking away his authority and love • Meleager, furious at his uncles’ rudeness, drives steel through them both

Aftermath • Meleager dies by his mother’s hand, due to killing her brothers • Men of the band move on to have great adventures • Atalanta goes on to have race with hippomenes • For us: reinforced notion that wronging the gods comes at great consequences and that love can be wonderful or cause a person’s demise