Which is a more useful source for finding out about Greek beliefs about
Heracles?
the Homeric Hymn to Heracles the Lionhearted or the Metopes from the Temple
of Zeus at Olympia?
The Homeric Hymn to Heracles is a primary written source from the eighth-sixth
century BCE. It is a Greek Hymn that was written for worship. Firstly, this source
is useful because it tells us about the Greek’s beliefs and opinions on Heracles.
This source tells us that the Greeks believed that Heracles was Zeus’ son. We
can infer that his divine ancestry was important to the Greeks as Heracles is
referred to as ‘Zeus’ son’ multiple times throughout the hymn. This source is also
useful because gives us information about Heracles past (e.g., him being born in
Thebes) and about what the Greeks believed happened to him after death.
According to the hymn, they believe Heracles was deified and is now married to
Hebe, Goddess of Youth. We can learn that the Greeks greatly admired Heracles
as the ‘greatest and best on earth;’ they admired him so much that they
worshipped him as a god, despite the fact he was once mortal. Additionally, this
source tells us about the motivations behind the Greek’s worship, and that they
valued ‘excellence and happiness,’ as that is what they ask from Heracles. We
learn what the Greeks thought made a hero. The fact they mention that some
things Heracles did were ‘reckless,’ shows that they did not believe that ancient
heroes had to be perfect and have a sense of justice. However, the usefulness of
the source is slightly limited because it does not give us many specific details
about the 12 Labours of Heracles.
The Metopes, situated outside the Temple of Zeus at Olympia are a primary
visual source from the mid-5th Century. There are twelve metopes, one for each
Labour of Heracles, and these metopes could have multiple purposes including
decoration, information, and worship, which is why they are useful. From these
metopes we gain information about what the Greeks believed happened during
the 12 Labours of Heracles and who was present in each myth. We also learn
what the Greeks thought Heracles looked like: tall, muscular, bearded, and
strong. We can infer that the Greeks had lots of respect for Heracles, because
they placed them at the temple of Zeus which was a sacred place for worship.
The fact that the metopes are at a Temple of Zeus, signifies that Heracles is his
son and that the Greeks placed immense value on his relationships with the
Gods. This is further reinforced by the appearances of Athena and Hermes in a
few of the metopes, showing Heracles’ relationship with them. Additionally, the
source is useful because we learn that the Greeks saw the gods as
anthropomorphic, because in the metopes they are portrayed as humans.
However, the usefulness of this source is limited because it only gives us
information about the 12 Labours, and not other elements of Heracles’ life. Also,
it does not give us too much insight into the Greek’s thought or feelings.
In conclusion, while both the sources are useful to an extent, I think that the
Homeric Hym to Heracles is more useful for finding out about Greek beliefs on
Heracles. This is because it gives insight to their motivations behind their
worship of Heracles and what they believed happened to him after his demise,
while the metopes only really show what they believed happened to him during
his twelve labours and what they thought he looked like. However, both sources
Heracles?
the Homeric Hymn to Heracles the Lionhearted or the Metopes from the Temple
of Zeus at Olympia?
The Homeric Hymn to Heracles is a primary written source from the eighth-sixth
century BCE. It is a Greek Hymn that was written for worship. Firstly, this source
is useful because it tells us about the Greek’s beliefs and opinions on Heracles.
This source tells us that the Greeks believed that Heracles was Zeus’ son. We
can infer that his divine ancestry was important to the Greeks as Heracles is
referred to as ‘Zeus’ son’ multiple times throughout the hymn. This source is also
useful because gives us information about Heracles past (e.g., him being born in
Thebes) and about what the Greeks believed happened to him after death.
According to the hymn, they believe Heracles was deified and is now married to
Hebe, Goddess of Youth. We can learn that the Greeks greatly admired Heracles
as the ‘greatest and best on earth;’ they admired him so much that they
worshipped him as a god, despite the fact he was once mortal. Additionally, this
source tells us about the motivations behind the Greek’s worship, and that they
valued ‘excellence and happiness,’ as that is what they ask from Heracles. We
learn what the Greeks thought made a hero. The fact they mention that some
things Heracles did were ‘reckless,’ shows that they did not believe that ancient
heroes had to be perfect and have a sense of justice. However, the usefulness of
the source is slightly limited because it does not give us many specific details
about the 12 Labours of Heracles.
The Metopes, situated outside the Temple of Zeus at Olympia are a primary
visual source from the mid-5th Century. There are twelve metopes, one for each
Labour of Heracles, and these metopes could have multiple purposes including
decoration, information, and worship, which is why they are useful. From these
metopes we gain information about what the Greeks believed happened during
the 12 Labours of Heracles and who was present in each myth. We also learn
what the Greeks thought Heracles looked like: tall, muscular, bearded, and
strong. We can infer that the Greeks had lots of respect for Heracles, because
they placed them at the temple of Zeus which was a sacred place for worship.
The fact that the metopes are at a Temple of Zeus, signifies that Heracles is his
son and that the Greeks placed immense value on his relationships with the
Gods. This is further reinforced by the appearances of Athena and Hermes in a
few of the metopes, showing Heracles’ relationship with them. Additionally, the
source is useful because we learn that the Greeks saw the gods as
anthropomorphic, because in the metopes they are portrayed as humans.
However, the usefulness of this source is limited because it only gives us
information about the 12 Labours, and not other elements of Heracles’ life. Also,
it does not give us too much insight into the Greek’s thought or feelings.
In conclusion, while both the sources are useful to an extent, I think that the
Homeric Hym to Heracles is more useful for finding out about Greek beliefs on
Heracles. This is because it gives insight to their motivations behind their
worship of Heracles and what they believed happened to him after his demise,
while the metopes only really show what they believed happened to him during
his twelve labours and what they thought he looked like. However, both sources
