Activity on Epiphanies: ISSI402

Discussion of divine epiphanies, i.e., the encounter of mortals with immortals.

Some epiphanies to consider:

1.)    Janus with Ovid (Fasti I)

2.)    Apollo with the sailors (Homeric Hymn to Apollo)

3.)    Aphrodite with Anchises (Homeric Hymn to Aphrodite)

4.)    Aphrodite with Sappho (Sappho, Fg. 1)

Summarize the narrative and answer the following questions:

1. What is the relationship between the deity and the human?
2. How does the god treat the human?
3. How does the human respond?
4. What do such encounters suggest about the human condition?
5. Do you believe that such epiphanies are possible? Why or why not?