From: Mark Odegard
Message: 781
Date: 2000-01-06
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.
Chad Responds: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.
Yes. I misremembered. I don't know why I associated the lightening of Zeus with the scorching rays of the sun. Rationalization, I guess, as a bolt of lightening will fry you faster and better than the sun will.Mark.