Who was Cadmus?
- Cadmus is one of the greatest Cultural heroes of Greek mythology.
It is not only distinguished for war feats, but mainly for:
The establishment of Thebes
The Transfer of the writing
the formulation of culture and law
It is a symbol culture and transition from chaos to order.
Origin and family
Father: Ageonor, King of Phoenicia
Mother: Telephone
Siblings:: Europe, Phoenix, Killix
Its origins highlight the Eastern cultural axis of Greek mythology.
Europe's grab and Cadmus mission
When the Zeus He kidnapped her. Europa, Agynor:
He sent Cadmus to find her.
Forbade him to return without her.
Search failed, but gave birth new destiny.
The Delphi Oracle and the sign of the cow
Cadmus consulted the Oracle of Delphi:
follow a cow
set up a town where he'll lie
The cow led to Boeotia.
The dragon of Ares
In the area:
There was a dragon sacred to him Ares
He was saving a water source.
Cadmus:
Kill the dragon
He committed a sacred murder.
This caused divine consequences.
The Spartans – the «Sown warriors»
By order of the Athena:
Sown the dragon's teeth
There have been armed men. Seeds
Killed each other, except five:
ancestors of the nobles of Thebes
Establishment of Thebes (Cademia)
Cadmus:
established the Cadmea
created an organized city
set laws and order
Thebes became one of the most important mythical centers in Greece.
Punishment and atonement
For the murder of the dragon:
served Mars for eight years
purified
His marriage to her Harmonia Seal the restoration.
Marriage to Harmony
Harmony was a daughter:
of Ares
of Venus
Their marriage:
All the gods attended
Divine gifts were given (coin, veil)
represents the conflict and order union
Cadmus' children – tragic legacy
Children:
Semeli (mother of Dionysus)
Ino
Agane
Aftonoe
Polydorus
The family shall be associated with:
Divine punishments
mania
tragedy
The transformation into a snake
At the end:
Cadmus and Harmony transformed into snakes
They left for the Elysian Fields
The snake symbolizes:
knowledge
regeneration
primal wisdom
Cultural significance of Cadmus
Cadmus shall be considered as:
Importer of writing (Cademy writing)
city founder
law and culture body
It belongs to Cultural heroesNot just warmen.
Educational value
Ideal for:
cultural history
comparative mythology
city and law symbols
transition from chaos to culture