Women in Legend

• What lead to the creation of Pandora?


  Prometheus tricking Zeus into helping humans. She was created as punishment for mankind
• Pandora was the first woman created.
• According to Hesiod, how did Hermes contribute to the making of Pandora?

  Named her, put her in "a bitch's mind", gave her a "thievish nature".
• Gods gave Pandora gifts to make her desirable.
• Pandora was given to Epimetheus as a bride.
• What did Zeus give to Pandora?

  A jar/pithos.
• Pandora opened the jar out of curiosity, releasing evils, only hope was left inside.
• Pandora Quote

  "She'll be an evil in which all men will delight, and which they'll all embrace"
• What is the difference in Helen's story in Euripides' "Helen" and Homer's "Iliad"?

  In Euripides' "Helen," Helen never went to Troy and was replaced by an eidolon, while in Homer's "Iliad," Helen was taken to Troy by Paris and her actions played a significant role in the Trojan War.
• Who is Helen the daughter of?

  Zeus and Leda.
• Helen was the most beautiful woman.
• Why did Paris take Helen?

  He was chosen to choose the fairest out of 3 goddesses, Hera offered him power, Athena offered him victory in war and Aphrodite offered him the love of the most beautiful woman in the world. He chose Aphrodite.
• Helen is known as "the face that launched a thousand ships".
• In the Iliad, Trojan elders speak badly of Helen.

  "Yet lovely as she is, let her sail home, not stay to be a bane to us and our children"
• Why did Romulus invite neighbouring towns to a festival?

  It was his plan to abduct their women.
• What sources are there for Roman women of legend?

  Livy's "History of Rome"
• What sources are there for Greek women of legend?

  Hesiod's "Works and Days", Homers's "Iliad" and Euripides' "Helen"
• Livy implies that appealing to vanity is the most effective in winning a woman's heart.

  "they justified their deeds with love and longing, which is the most effective way of appealing to a woman's heart"
• Why is Tarpeia considered a traitor?


  The Sabines bribing her to grant them entry to Rome.
• What happened to Tarpeia?

  Crushed under Sabine men's shields.
• What did the Sabine women do when the battle occured?

  Stood between their fathers and husbands (Sabines and Romans)
• The Sabine women said "If you regret the alliance between you; if you regret the marriages, then turn your anger against us. We are the cause of war."
• How did Lucretia win the men's contest?

  She was working and doing chores late into the night while the other wives were drinking and partying.
• Sextus Tarquinius was so charmed by Lucretia's hard work that he wanted to sleep with her.
• Sextus used Lucretia's kindness and hospitality to go to their house while her husband is away and rape her.
• Lucretia fought against the prince and refused to have sex with him until he threatened her reputation. Death wasn't scary to her but shame was.
• What was the result of Lucretia's assult?

  She stabbed herself.

  End of Roman kings and start of Roman republic.
• Lucretia was greatly admired for killing herself.
• "no shameless woman will ever live by the example of Lucretia"