In a message dated 1/4/00 8:20:14 PM Eastern Standard Time,
markodegard@... writes:
<< The standard handbooks on Greek mythology (particularly, Graves) all
regard Semele as lunar. >>
The problem with Graves, though, is that he interpretted almost all goddesses
(and mythology for that matter) as lunar related, much in the same way as Max
Mueller was obsessed with solar myths. Graves was a good compiler of
different variations of myths, but his interpretations of those myths are
somewhat suspect, as are some of his etymologies. Etymologically, at any
rate, Semele is said to have come from PIE *ghem- "earth", and Graves is the
only place I have seen where Semele is referred to as a lunar goddess.
Elsewhere, I have seen her interpretted as a Thracian Earth Goddess.
<<As I have posted,only in the myth of Semele do we see Zeus as an explicity
solar deity:Scorching-Sky-Father burning Moist-Mother-Earth.>>
I would disagree with Zeus appearing as a solar deity in this episode because
it is explicitly stated that Semele was consumed by lightning when she
requested for him (at Hera's suggestion) to appear to her in his true form.
In his commentary on Europides' Bacchae, E.R. Dodds discusses how any place
or person that was struck by lightning was considered "uncanny", a point
where the natural world had been touched by the supernatural. These places
were set apart and were not to be disturbed (Greek abaton). Euripides also
refers to the "fire of Zeus" (puros Dios), but the fire of Zeus is lightning,
not solar heat.
Chad