Hesiod’s Theogony :: Hesiod’s Theogony

Hesiods Theogony Hesiod writes his Theogony within the scene of the nascent polis, which informs his conception of the Greek pantheon. The generations of theologys that he portrays begin with the elements of nature and front steadily toward fully anthropomorphic figures, which represent elements corresponding to the experience of the city-state. In Hesiods time, the polis was led by a king, or kings, and the order of genus Zeus that Hesiod portrays serves as an example of royal rule for them. Toward the end of the Theogony Zeus is urged by the other gods to be king, to rule the other immortals, and to follow the advice of Gaia. And so he apportions honors among them (881-5). Hesiod suggests that royal power results from the assent of the ruled, that it entails the right to rule, but that that rule mustiness be tempered by recognition of the significance of nature, earth, which provides societys livelihood. Zeus sw every last(predicate)ows the goddess Metis (890), just as a king must accomplish intelligence. Then he marries Themis, right, who bears good rule (Eunomia), justice (Dike) and peace (Eirene) (901-2), all necessary elements for a prosperous city-state. Eurynome (straight law) bears him the Graces (Charites), which be necessary elements for trade and kindly interaction. Zeus marriages to Demeter, Leto and Hera yield the gods and goddeses familiar to the Greek world, Persephone, Apollo, Artemis, Hebe, Ares and Eileithyia, and he himself eventually bears genus Athene (912-24). These are not elements of good rule, but simply the gods of the Greek polis. Demeter and Persephone are worshipped for agriculture, Apollo for his oracular shrine, Artemis for the wilderness and young women, Ares for war. Poseidon as sea god is apart from the polis, but he sires the fearsome Triton (931). Likewise, Ares children Phobos and Deimos, two aspects of fear, hunt realms beyond the proper bounds of the polis. Maia be ars for Zeus Hermes (938-9), who as predecessor of the gods moves between realms, between one polis and another. The story of succession that arrives at the rule of Zeus moves from the undifferentiated Sky (Ouranos), through Kronos to Zeus, who himself must withstand the challenges of both Prometheus and Typhoeus.