1. Creation Motifs
Theogony is a poem by Hesiod describing the origins of the gods of ancient Greek religion.
Creator: One or Many?
Creator: Power: Supreme or shared?
Creator: Male or Female?
Creator: Named or Unnamed?
Creator: Live in Sky or on Earth?

2. Creation Creation: By word or act or both?
Creation: Ordered or Haphazard?
Creation: Bloody Struggle or Calm?
Creation: Sexual or Asexual?
Creation: Time: Fast or Slow or not mentioned?

3. Creation of Man Why did Zeus flood the earth?
Who were the two survivors?
How were the Stone People created?

4. Aztec Age of Humanity Sun of Precious Stones (destroyed by flood)
Sun of Fire
(destroyed by fire)
Sun of Darkness
(destroyed by earthquake)
Sun of Wind
(destroyed by hurricane)
Fifth Sun – ends with the coming of the Conquistadors.

5. Greek Age of Humanity
Gold – when creation was blessed; the time of Cronus: Eternal springtime
Silver – when Zeus ruled the land; hunger and cold replaced eternal spring.
Bronze – when humans learned the use of weapons; war became the way of life.

6. The Eleusinian Mysteries
Demeter’s gift of agriculture to humanity
Esteemed higher than the Olympic Games
Held 15 miles from Athens
Male/Female
Rich/Poor – Chariot Fine
Barred – criminals, witches, murder

7. Initiation
The rites of Eleusis were the most influential of the Mystery religions. These ceremonies were accessible to both sexes. What initiates came away with was a sense of security in the afterlife, and a sense of bounty guaranteed in this world. Above all, Demeter was a provider, a premier mother. Through the rituals, regeneration of growth on earth was secured by mortal union with the goddess. Less of a secretive mystery, than intimate participation in the cycles of life.

8. Greek Age of Humanity (cont)
Heroes – a break from the ages of metal; when the Trojan War took place.
Iron – when human nature became extremely wicked and impious; an era of crime and dishonor.

9. Demeter The suffering goddess. Mother to Persephone. Sister to Zeus.
Goddess of Agriculture.
Symbolic of the Virgin Mary.
Demeter and her daughter Persephone were associated with fertility and harvest. They were also representative of the feminine call to men of the wonders of domestic bliss. To farmers, the favor of the pair was crucial. Pre-season sacrifices and offerings of first fruits were widespread. The harvest festivals were celebrated only by women, and much of it remained secretive.

10. Dionysus