30 Based on Myth Encyclopedia, some scholars suggest that the myth of the
Minotaur is arised from ancient rituals in which a priest or king wear a bull mask before performing sacrifices. In addition, Michael Lahanas in his article explain that
the ruins of Minos palace at Knossos have been found, but the labyrinth has not. The enormous number of rooms, staircases and corridors in the palace lead archaeologists
to believe that the palace itself is the source of the labyrinth myth.
5. Zeus
Although Zeus is the supreme god in Greek mythology, in this novel he is only mentioned twice. It is found
in “above the coffeemaker an assortment of figurines marched along the shelf: Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox, Mickey
Mouse, Zeus, and Felix the Cat” Eugenides 203 and in “Zeus liberated all living things from an egg” Eugenides 210.
Based on Parada and Ron Leadbetter, Zeus, the youngest son of Cronus and Rhea, is the supreme ruler of Mount Olympus and of the Pantheon of gods who
resides there. Being the supreme ruler he uphelds law, justice and morals, and this makes him the spiritual leader of both gods and men. Zeus is omnipotent as he sees
everything, he knows everything, and he can do everything. He has always been associated as being a weather god. In addition, his main attribute is the thunderbolt,
he controls thunder, lightning and rain. Zeus has many offspring, Hera his wife and sister bear him Ares,
Hephaestus, Hebe and Eileithyia, but Zeus has numerous liaisons with both
31 goddesses and mortals. He either rapes them, or uses devious means to seduce the
unsuspecting maidens. Besides deities, he also becomes father of many mortals. In some of his
human liaisons, Zeus uses devious disguises. When he seduces the Spartan queen Leda, he transforms himself into a beautiful swan. He disguises himself as a bull in
order to abduct the Phoenician princess Europa, and then carries her on his back to the island of Crete where she bore three sons: Minos, Rhadamanthys and Sarpedon.
Zeus also uses his charm and power to seduce those he wants. When Zeus has an affair with Mnemosyne, he couples with her for nine
consecutive nights, which produces nine daughters, who become known as the Muses. They entertain their father and the other gods as a choir on Mount Olympus.
Zeus has many Temples and festivals in his honor, the most famous of his sanctuaries being Olympia, the magnificent Temple of Zeus, which also includes in
Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Also, the Olympic Games are held in his honor.
In art, Zeus is usually portrayed as bearded, middle aged but with a youthful figure. He looks very regal and imposing.
32
Fig.7 Statue of Zeus, Zeus of Otricoli, 2006, Photograph by Jastrow,29 January 2010, http:www.mlahanas.deGreeksMythologyZeusOtricoliPioClementinoInv257.html
B. The Significances of Greek Mythology Figures in Middlesex
