The Pillars: Jerusalem, Athens, and the Western Mind Hesiod: Theogony and Works and Days
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Oct 31, 2024 Explore the intriguing mind of Hesiod, an ancient Greek poet, as his works offer a window into early mythology and the human condition. Discover how his portrayal of women contrasts sharply with Biblical perspectives, depicting them often as burdens rather than blessings. Examine moral lessons from Hesiod's fable of the Hawk and the Nightingale, highlighting themes of power and justice. Lastly, delve into the philosophical differences in divine justice between Hesiod's critical view of the gods and the compassionate God found in Biblical texts.
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Gods vs Humans in Creation
- Hesiod's Theogony places gods as central to creation, with humans secondary and managed by Zeus.
- The biblical account, in contrast, centers humans first, with God as the relational creator.
Woman: Curse or Blessing?
- Zeus punishes humans by withholding fire and creating woman as a bane, reflecting a grim view of women as a source of misery.
- This contrasts with the biblical view where woman is a blessing and elevation, not a punishment.
Fire: Gift vs Theft
- The biblical God seeks a covenant that helps humans, giving gifts like fire to aid survival.
- In contrast, Zeus sees fire as to be withheld to establish dominance and punish man.
