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fc mun[x] fi erce. uni que. i nnovati ve march24 -26th mount hol yoke college Dear Delegates, It is with great pleasure that we welcome you to the Tenth Annual Five College Model United Nations Conference held from March 24 through March 26, on Mount Holyoke College’s scenic campus. We are beyond thrilled to receive both you and your delegation! Over the years, FCMUN has cultivated a reputation for being one of the most engaging and well-planned conferences on the circuit and we plan to take this image one step forward. This year, our slogan is “Fierce. Unique. Innovative.” We recognize that every detail is important in organizing a successful conference, and hence our Secretariat includes a combination of well-seasoned delegates and students with years of experience in events, logistics and business affairs to ensure that you have the ultimate FCMUN [X]perience. The conference is set to be propelled by intriguing discussions and exhilarating debate, and its social mixers are geared to be full of fun and enthusiasm. We could not be more thrilled to welcome you to what is sure to be one of the greatest MUN weekends of your life! Your Secretary General, Thaen Kanan 17’ 1 Esteemed Delegates, It is our extreme pleasure to welcome you to the 10th edition of the Five College Model United Nations conference, FCMUN X. This year’s conference boasts an array of fascinating and intellectually-stimulating committees; from attempting to save the world from a possible WWIII and deciding the future of the Arctic, to deciding who has the power in the Da Ming Palace, and the fortune of the Bluth family. It has been an absolute thrill putting this conference together, and we are as excited as you are for it. In anticipation, we encourage you to get intimate with your background guides and research materials for a truly rewarding FCMUN experience. If you hit a stumbling block at any moment in your preparation process, please feel free to reach out to your Crisis Directors - they are pleased to hear from you. Looking forward, Under Secretary Generals, Committees and Summits Edith Amoafoa-Smart(Mount Holyoke College ‘19) Shaye McDonald(Mount Holyoke College ‘17) 2 3 Note from the Crisis Director Hello esteemed delegates, I am a first year at Mount Holyoke College and a prospective Linguistics and International Relations double major. I am currently the Web Manager of the Model UN team. When I’m not MUNning, I can be found at ungodly hours in the library, or wolfing down food at the dining hall language tables. I’ve lived most of my life in Vermont, although I did spend an exchange year in Germany, eating Döner and being confused by the public transport system. As a little kid I was obsessed with D'Aulaires' Book of Greek Myths, and remember reading it over and over again. The Greek Gods are dramatic, sassy, and get themselves into a lot of mischief, and I can’t think of a more colorful group of characters for delegates to embody. Greek mythology has so many fantastic storylines to offer, from the Titans to Persephone to the Trojan War to Pandora’s Box. G ods, mortals, demigods, and other immortal beings of this committee should feel inspired by, but not bound to, the standard storylines of classical Greek mythology. As the characters represented are pulled from an array of different myths that don’t necessarily overlap or even coincide, committee members are free to draw on the entirety of Greek mythology, and involve themselves in storylines they are not traditionally a part of, so long as they are acting in character. 4 Table of Contents Background... ...4 Current Situation... ...5 Committee Members and Portfolio Powers... ...8 Questions to Consider... ...13 Recommended Readings… ...14 Bibliography... ...14 5 Background on The Trojan War It started when the gods gathered together to celebrate the marriage of King Peleus and Thetis, a nymph. Zeus had wanted everything to be perfect for Thetis’ wedding, so when Eris, the Goddess of Discord, showed up at the door, he turned her away, rather than invite in the living embodiment of chaos and strife. She was furious. In revenge, Eris threw a golden apple into the party with the inscription, “to the fairest,” knowing that the gods were very vain and prone to bickering. To no surprise, three goddesses, Hera, Athena, and Aphrodite each claimed the apple, and it was thrown out of Mount Olympus. The apple landed next to poor Paris, a young prince dozing under a tree on the plains of Troy. He was therefore asked to judge which of the goddesses was most deserving of the apple. As the beauty of three goddesses is so great that Paris could not decide, the goddesses resorted to bribery. Aphrodite offered Paris the most appealing reward; the hand of the most beautiful mortal woman in the world, who happened to be Helen, wife of Menelaus of Sparta. Paris voyaged to Sparta under the guise of a “diplomatic emissary”. True to her word, Aphrodite helped Paris elope with the besotted Helen, who had been conveniently struck by an arrow of Eros upon meeting him. When King Menelaus came home to find his wife abducted, he called upon those under oath to protect him, and his wife, to set sail for Troy and retrieve her by means of war if necessary. He recruited great warriors like his brother Agamemnon, and Achilles, Odysseus, and Ajax to join the Achaean army. Their long voyage to Troy was fraught with difficulties and sacrifice, but they eventually reached the great Trojan city and laid siege to it for nine years. 6 Current Situation War Wages On... The Trojan War has been underway for a decade. After ten hard years of camping before the impenetrable walls of Troy, the troops are losing their resolve and loyalty to their commander, Agamemnon. They recently mutinied and Achilles only just managed to convince them to stay. The Greek leadership faces problems as well, with personal quarrels often breaking out and threatening the force’s unity. Meanwhile, the golden apple is in Aphrodite’s possession in wake of the Judgement of Paris. However, Eris still feels spurned by her lack of invitation to the wedding Peleus and Thetis, and may be planning further mischief. Although not as crucial a stake in the war as the mortals, the gods nevertheless have an interest in the outcome of the war. The victories of their favored heroes or sides is a matter of personal pride and demonstrative of their power and influence over the mortal world, and by extension, Mount Olympus. A peaceful resolution to the war seems unlikely given the pride and warlike nature of the two sides, and the tempers and stubbornness of their leaders, yet the opposing forces are at a standstill. Of Immortals and Men... Meanwhile, up on Mount Olympus, there is burgeoning tension between the gods as they argue over the extent to which gods out to meddle in human affairs. The debate has been spearheaded by Hera, under the pretense of a sudden interest and sympathy for mortals and lesser gods, but clearly a result of her fury over Zeus’ latest affair, with the mortal Alcmene. Still, other gods have been emboldened to declare their own 7 long-held misgivings about the reckless abandon with which gods have altered human history, and question the very existence of demigods, the number of which has been gradually increasing over time. The proliferation of demigods, and relationships between the heavens and the earth, upsets the careful balance between the realms of the world, especially that of Olympus and the mortal world. After all, the Trojan War itself would have never come about if not for the marriage of Peleus, a mortal king, to Thetis, an immortal nymph. Additionally, lesser gods are jealous and threatened by the strength and fame of great half-mortal heroes, such as Heracles, and mortals have recently been choosing to worship these half-gods over the immortals themselves. Those directly involved in the Trojan war are well aware of the fact that the Achaean army’s possession of the demigod Achilles gives the Achaeans considerable and arguably unfair advantage. All gods believe to some extent or another that human affairs be left to The Fates, but Mount Olympus currently has no uniform set of policies concerning this. Even if the gods could agree on a code of conduct, the consequences of breaking any such code remain unclear. A oath on the powerful river Styx is binding so far as breaking one can incur severe punishments. The deep abyss of Tartarus, as far below Hades as the Underworld is below earth, is an effective dungeon for the most egregious crimes. However, there has been considerable complaint, particularly from the followers of Gaia, that the pits of Tartarus have been used mainly for the disposal of Zeus’ political opponents and members of the previous regime, rather than as an instrument of justice. Bringing the Fire... The imbalance between heavenly and mortal realms is no recent development, and has existed ever since Prometheus stole fire from Mount Olympus. Prometheus took pity on the humans and their cold, dark living conditions and so brought concealed the fire and brought it to the humans, also bestowing upon them the skill of metalwork. Zeus was furious when he discovered this, and as punishment chained Prometheus to a rock to have his liver eaten out by an eagle. As an immortal being, his liver grew back anew, and so the eagle would return every day, and Prometheus was forced to relive the agony over and over again. Zeus 8 devised a plan to get back at Prometheus and punish the humans. He sent a woman, made of clay, to Prometheus’ less than intelligent brother, Epimetheus. The woman’s name was Pandora, and although Epimetheus had been warned by Prometheus never to accept gifts from Zeus, he was unable to resist her breathtaking beauty. Little did he know that Pandora had also been given a gift, a large jar that she had been commanded never to open, but never told what was inside. Pandora had been fashioned with as much curiosity as she had beauty, and soon enough she couldn’t help but open the jar, just for a peek. Out spilled Envy, Sickness, Hate, Disease, and a host of other evils. Seeing these spill out, Pandora slammed the lid down shut again - just in time to trap Hope inside. But the damage was done, and humanity has been plagued by these ills ever since. As for Prometheus, for some time now he has been on the Olympian equivalent of probation, not currently suffering his liver-bitten sentence and even allowed to weigh in on Mount Olympus, but not trusted by the majority of Olympians. The underlying question of mortal power remains. Some say Zeus’ punishment for the humans was too harsh, and is an example of immortal meddling in the most egregious sense. Alongside that debate of divine interference is mounting support for the view that fire, and by extension the technologies that came with it, should be taken back from the lowly humans altogether. Initially perceived as an extremist idea, enough Olympians and other influential beings have now radicalized that it seems a real possibility humans may be forced to return to their dark caves and uncooked food. The mortals themselves are opposed to this, and many also support the existence of demigods, who defeat ferocious monsters, inspire epic poems, and serve as role models. 9 Committee Members and Portfolio Powers Achilles, Demigod Achilles is the son of the nymph Thetis and King Peleus of the Myrmidons. Although he was already the son of a nymph, Thetis sought to make her son immortal by dipping him into the Styx River when he was a baby. However, she still had to hold onto his heels, therefore making this part of his body vulnerable. Initially, Achilles had tried to avoid going to war by dressing up as a woman, due to a prophecy that promised him either a long and ordinary life, or a short-lived one ending in glory on the battlefield. Achilles is the best warrior in the Greek army, but also prone to pride and recklessness. Portfolio Powers: His tendon weakness aside, Achilles is virtually indestructible and a fearsome fighter. Agamemnon, Mortal Agamemnon is the king of Mycenae and the commander of the Greek army in the Trojan War. He is fiercely committed to the Greek cause, out of duty, but also loyalty to his brother, who is King Menelaus, husband to Helen. To allow the ships to set sail for Troy, Agamemnon even sacrificed his daughter, Iphigenia, to appease the goddess, Artemis. Sacrifice is necessary when one has a knack for angering gods. He is a magnificent warrior, but quarrelsome and proud. Portfolio Power: Agamemnon has command over all the Achaean forces and their best warriors, and is strong and skilled in warfare. Aphrodite, Olympian Aphrodite is the goddess of love, beauty, and desire. She arose, in full adult form, from the foam of the ocean. Her hand was given to Hephaestus, the god of metalwork and crafts, by either Zeus or Hera, according to different legends. She is the lucky recipient of the Golden Apple, not by virtue of her immense beauty, but rather her promise to give Paris the most beautiful mortal woman in the world, Helen, then the wife of Menelaus. As result she is partially responsible for the Trojan War, but also lends her help to the Trojans in battle. 10 Portfolio Powers: Her immense beauty gives her considerable influence over men and gods alike, and she can cause others to fall in and out of love as she pleases. Apollo, Olympian Apollo is a complex deity, and the god of the sun, music, healing, and the arts. He is the son of Zeus and Leto, and the twin brother of Artemis. Apollo is quick to fury and retribution if one of his altars or worshippers are disturbed. Along with the power of healing comes the power to withhold healing, and Apollo has not been very sympathetic towards the Greeks lately. Portfolio Powers: Apart from wielding the usual godly powers, he has a say over the movements of the sun, and various. Apollo is also the god of prophecy, and sometimes gleans a glimpse into the future. Athena, Olympian Athena is the goddess of war, wisdom, and craft. She is Zeus’ favorite daughter, and was born from his head, in full armor and adulthood. She is the patron of heroism and justice, and often lends her wisdom to brave or clever heroes, such as Jason and Heracles. Unlike most of the other gods, Athena does not engage in relationships with with other divinities or with mortals. She is proud and resourceful goddess, doling out revenge for impiety but otherwise not engaging in conflicts without purpose, unlike her impulsive brother, Ares, the god of war. Portfolio Powers: Athena is skilled in the art of war and the wisest and most levelheaded of the gods. She is also a great warrior,, and would likely best anyone in hand-to-hand combat. Gaia, Primordial Deity Gaia is the personification of Earth, mother of all living things. She is an immense and ancient being, and an important figure in mythical history since its very beginnings. She is the direct parent of Prometheus and the other Titans, and therefore grandmother to nearly all of the Olympians. Gaia loves all of her children, and does not wish to see any treated unjustly. She played a vital role in helping her son, the Titan Kronos, defeat his father, Uranus, and then in turn helping Zeus overthrow his father, Kronos. She has never managed to free her children, the Titans, from the agony of Tartarus. 11 Portfolio Powers: Ever the defender of the underdog, Gaia is masterful in helping others overthrow those more powerful, and bringing about the downfall of those abusing their powers. As the life force of the earth, she has considerable power over natural elements. Hector, Mortal Hector is a prince of Troy, son of King Priam and Queen Hecuba, brother to Paris. He is the commander of the Trojan army and also their greatest warrior. He is a large part of the reason that the Greek forces have been unable to take Troy for nine years. His strong character and great courage inspire many gods to favor him. A mortal himself, great as he is, when pitted against the likes of a demigod, will need all the help he can get. Portfolio Powers: As prince of Troy, Hector has considerable authority over the city and commands the Trojan army. He can also make use of his considerable strength and skill as a warrior, and strategic knowledge of the the opposing Achaean camps. Hades, Olympian Hades is the ruler of the Underworld, and god of the dead. He is the son of Kronos and Rhea, and earned himself control of this realm when he fought to defeat the Titans alongside his brothers, Zeus and Poseidon. He is married to Persephone, the daughter of Demeter, whom he famously abducted. The Underworld is not as cheerful or perhaps as powerful a place as the Heavens, ruled by Zeus, and Hades has felt considerable jealousy over this in the past. He is a regal god, and feared, so much so that many will not even utter his name. In times of war, the number of souls traveling down the Styx to his realm is greatly increased, and the proper rites and burials of the dead must be carefully observed. Portfolio Powers: He rules the Underworld. If that isn’t enough already, he also owns a giant, terrifying, three-headed dog named Cerberus, and several powerful possessions. Hera, Olympian Queen of the gods and goddesses, and the wife of Zeus, Hera is the goddess of marriage and family. She is the daughter of Kronos and Rhea, and the mother of four children, including Ares, the god of war, and Hephaestus, the god of metalwork and crafts. Hera has come to symbolize fidelity and monogamy, and is notorious for taking 12 revenge on her husband’s various lovers, while remaining steadfastly faithful herself. This, along with the fact that many of the demigods romping around the earth are the result of Zeus’ affairs, set her firmly against relationships between gods and mortals. True to her nature, Hera never forgives the prince Paris for choosing Aphrodite over her, and therefore strongly supports the downfall of Troy. Portfolio Powers: As queen of the gods, and therefore has considerable influence and power over Mount Olympus. She is shrewd, has many connections, and can employ a host other beings to help her achieve her ends. Odysseus, Greek Mortal Odysseus is the wily king of Ithaca, and a trusted advisor in the Trojan War, known for his cunning and diplomacy. It was at his suggestion that all the original suitors of Helen decided to make an oath to protect whoever her husband would eventually be. He has proved himself indispensable to the Achaeans, such as catching Achilles in his ploy to avoid joining the army. Odysseus himself was reluctant at first, as Odysseus is aware of a prophecy warning that if he embarks with Menelaus, it will take him a long, long time to return home. Portfolio Powers: Odysseus serves as a mediator and strategist, having remarkable skill in solving disputes and finding solutions. Particular gods, including Athena, tend to favor him for his intelligence. Paris, Trojan Mortal Paris, the Trojan prince, song of King Priam and Queen Hecuba, precipitates the whole War as result of his elopement with Queen Helen. Paris’ life has been equal parts foreboding and auspicious. Due to a prophecy foretelling that Paris would be the downfall of Troy, his father orchestrated several attempts on young Paris’ life, none of which were successful. Although not much of a warrior, Paris is of considerable beauty and intelligence. At the Judgement of Paris, he is most tempted by Aphrodite’s offer; the prospect of marriage to the most beautiful woman in the world. His eventual verdict for Aphrodite wins him her loyal support, both directly after the judgement and throughout the war. Portfolio Powers: As prince of Troy, Paris has considerable authority over the city and the commanders of the Trojan army. He can call on the aid of Aphrodite, and use his charm and good looks to win over others and gain support. 13 Poseidon, Olympian Poseidon rules one the three major domains of the universe; the Sea. He is the brother of Zeus and Hades, and was an important figure in the victory of the Olympians over the Titans. He is the son of Kronos and Rhea. He has fathered many, including Theseus and Polyphemus, the Cyclops. As extensive as his power and influence are, Poseidon, like Hades, has at times shown discontent with his lot, and envious of Zeus. Poseidon himself built the huge, impressive walls of Troy, as punishment for trying once to usurp Zeus in a plot alongside Hera and Athena. During the Trojan War, Poseidon primarily helped the Achaeans, but his attitudes, like the waters of his oceans and rivers, are always shifting, and he might come to the aid of, or plot against, heroes of both sides. Portfolio Powers: Also known as “Earthshaker”, Poseidon can summon earthquakes, floods, and powerful storms. He also has quite a way with horses, and of course influence over his many children. Prometheus, Titan Although he sided with Zeus in the Titanomachy, Prometheus’ foremost sympathies lie with mankind, rather than with the Olympians. Afterall, Prometheus himself is often credited with having created man, and he is generally in favor and in defense of human advancement. Prometheus has a mischievous streak, as evident from the pranks he sometimes plays on the Olympians, and he likes to ally with the winning side. And although he avoided the fates of his brothers and sisters, Prometheus has also suffered at the hands of Zeus. Being chained to rock as one’s liver is eaten out every day by an eagle is probably not a very forgettable experience. Portfolio Powers: As a Titan, Prometheus wields considerable power, and can call upon more primordial forces to help him. Zeus, Olympian Zeus is the King of the Gods, Wielder of Lightning Bolts, and son of Kronos and Rhea. He is prone to falling in love with various mortals, to Hera’s chagrin, and he led the revolt against the Titans. He drew straws with his two brothers, and won dominion over the heavens. Half-mortal children of Zeus go on to lead heroic and important lives, yet Zeus himself is uncomfortable with the proliferation of demigods. He was however furious when he discovered that Prometheus had stolen fire from his domain and 14 brought it down to the humans. Zeus is well-acquainted too with Prometheus’ trickery, and their relationship is further strained by it. Zeus himself also was responsible for setting up Peleus, who had lived an unusually unlucky life up until then, with Thetis, an auspicious immortal. Portfolio Powers: Nearly unparalleled influence over Olympian politics. He can see all of the mortal world beneath him, and can rain down thunder and lightning upon it. Questions to Consider Does Hera, Athena, or Aphrodite—or someone else entirely—deserve the Golden Apple? To what extent should the gods meddle in mortal affairs? How can gods be held accountable for interfering in mortal affairs? When is the use of oaths appropriate, are what are appropriate consequences of breaking one? Should gods be allowed to create demigods? What are the consequences of too many demigods? What should be done with existing demigods? How similar to the immortals can humans become? How much power should they be allowed? Does humanity deserve fire and the other gifts Prometheus gave them? Should it be taken back from them? Did Prometheus deserve such a harsh punishment? How should the Trojan war be resolved? If your committee member is on the Trojan side, how will you ensure the continued safety of Troy? If your committee member is on the Achaean side, how do you plan to finally conquer the city? 15 Suggested Readings 1. D'Aulaire, Ingri, and Edgar Parin. D'Aulaire. D'Aulaire's Book of Greek Myths. Doubleday Book for Young Readers: n.p., 1962. Print. 2. Graf, Fritz. Greek Mythology: An Introduction. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins UP, 1993. Print. 3. "Greek Mythology" Ancient.eu. Ancient History Encyclopedia Limited, n.d. Web. 06 Jan. 2017. 4. Martin, Richard P. Myths of the Ancient Greeks. New York: New American Library, 2003. Print. 5. Morford, Mark P. O., Robert J. Lenardon, and Michael Sham. Classical Mythology. Oxford: Oxford UP, 2014. Print. 6. "Trojan War." Trojan War. Greek Mythology, n.d. Web. 06 Jan. 2017. Bibliography 7. "Greek & Roman Mythology - Homer." Greek & Roman Mythology - Homer. UPenn, n.d. Web. 06 Jan. 2017. 8. Graf, Fritz. Greek Mythology: An Introduction. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins UP, 1993. Print. 9. "Greek Mythology" Ancient.eu. Ancient History Encyclopedia Limited, n.d. Web. 06 Jan. 2017. 10. History.com Staff. "Trojan War." History.com. A&E Television Networks, 2009. Web. 06 Jan. 2017. 11. Hughes, Colin. "The Wedding of Peleus and Thetis." The Wedding of Peleus and Thetis. Washington State University, n.d. Web. 06 Jan. 2017. 12. "Judgement of Paris." Greek Mythology. Theoi.com, n.d. Web. 06 Jan. 2017. 13. Martin, Richard P. Myths of the Ancient Greeks. New York: New American Library, 2003. Print. 14. Megas, Charilaos. "Prometheus." GreekMythology.com. Michael Karas, n.d. Web. 6 Jan. 2017. 15. Morford, Mark P. O., Robert J. Lenardon, and Michael Sham. Classical Mythology. Oxford: Oxford UP, 2014. Print. 16