Greek and Roman mythology in the Harry Potter books Greek – Flashcards
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Fluffy the Three-Headed Dog
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Based on Cerberus in Greek mythology. Three-headed dog who guards the entrance to the underworld/realm of the dead. Lulled to sleep by Orpheus, who played music for it. Getting past Fluffy a symbolic death? Hagrid: "Bought him off a Greek chappie..."
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The Basilisk
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Greek basiliskos = "little king". In Greek mythology and medieval folklore: King of the serpent, can kill with a single glance. The basilisk in ancient Greek texts: small, but deadly serpent. Pliny the Elder (1st cent. CE): Basilisks can only be killed by weasels.
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The Phoenix
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Greeks: Identified benu bird with phoenix (Greek: Phoenician), crimson color.
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Zeus
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Symbol is a lightning bolt.
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Alecto
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One of the three Erinyes (goddesses of vengeance) in Greek mythology. Alecto (Greek): "the implacable". Cp. the female death eater Alecto Carrow in Harry Potter 7.
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Amycus
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A Trojan warrior in Greek mythology. Known for his boxing skills. In Harry Potter 7: Alecto's brother, death eater.
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Perseus
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Has invisibly cloak. Son of Zeus. Prophecy about the baby: Will kill evil king (cp. prophecy about Harry and Voldemort) Kills Medusa, monster who turns people to stone by looking at them (cp. basilisk). Looks only at her reflection in a polished shield. God Hermes gives him magical sword for the task: Slays sea serpent and rescues maiden (Andromeda). In later legends: Perseus also tames and rides the winged horse Pegasus (cp. Buckbeak).
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Hermes
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In Harry Potter books: Percy Weasley's owl. Named after Greek messenger god. Precocious infant, steals the cattle of the sun god Apollo. Carried a staff/wand Could use it to cast spells so people would fall asleep.
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Hestia
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In the Order Of The Phoenix. Laughs at Aunt Petunia's potato peeler. Hestia: the Greek goddess of the hearth and domesticity
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Merope
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In Greek mythology: Immortal woman married a mortal man and was punished for it. HP 6: Merope Gaunt (Voldemort's mother) punished for marrying a Muggle.
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The Black Family
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Named after stars - and stars after Greek mythological characters (Alphard, Andromeda, Pollux, Cygnus, Regulus, Arcturus, Phineas, Cassiopeia, Narcissa, Lycoris, Lysandra.)
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Centaurs
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In Greek mythology: Centaurs are half men, half horses. Wise Teachers to many famous Greek heroes, like Achilles and Hercules. Dumbledore hires a centaur to teach at Hogwarts (OP)
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Unicorns
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Described in Greek works on natural history: Real animals, live in India.
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Hippocampus
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Mythical animal. Pulls the chariot of the sea god Poseidon. Mentioned in Magical Beasts and Where to Find Them.
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The labyrinth
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The Labyrinth of Crete: Minotaur (monster) in the middle. Cp. maze in the Goblet of Fire
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The Nimbus
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Greek gods often depicted with a nimbus, a shining cloud (halo). Cp. broomstick Nimbus 2000
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The Ring of Gyges
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Described in Plato's Republic. Magical ring that renders the wearer invisible. Gyges uses it to seduce a queen, kill her husband, and become king.
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Ancient Greek Magic
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Polyjuice potion: Similar to the potion used by Circe to transform men into pigs in the Odyssey? Used a Wand. Asphodel: Eaten by the dead in the Greek underworld. . . "For your information, Potter, asphodel and wormwood make a sleeping potion so powerful it is known as the Draught of Living Death..."
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The Sphinx
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The sphinx asks Oedipus a riddle in the play Oedipus Rex. The sphinx asks Harry Potter a riddle in Goblet of Fire. Originated in Egyptian mythology, but popular among the Greeks
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Holly
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Ancient Greeks: Holly protects against magic and poisons.
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The founders of Rome
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Twin babies Remus and Romulus, sons of the war god Mars and the priestess Rhea Silvia. Their grandfather's brother tried to kill them, left them in the wilderness. Some versions: Servant put them in a basket and put it on the river. Babies nursed by a wolf and lived in the wilderness. Found by a shepherd who raised them. Later, Romulus killed Remus. Romulus became the founder of Rome. Cp. Harry Potter character Remus Lupin.
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Luna
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The goddess of the moon. Cp. Harry Potter character Luna Lovegood
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Minerva
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Roman goddess of wisdom, corresponds to the Greek Athena. Athena/Minerva can change people's appearance. Minerva McGonagall teaches transfiguration
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Aurora Sinistra
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Aurora: Roman goddess of the dawn. Sinistra: "left hand", but also the name of a star. Aurora Sinistra: Astronomy teacher at Hogwarts.
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Ancient Roman Magic
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Witches often associated with theft of body parts from the dead - look for this in later books.
