Download Classical Allusions

Classical Allusions
Classical Mythology & Allusions

Greek Myths are still relevant today because
there are many references in our language and
literature. These indirect references are called
classical allusions.
Achilles Heel / Achilles
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Achilles Heel
A strong sinew running along
the heel to the calf of the leg.
The vulnerable or weak point
in a man’s character or of a
nation.
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Achilles
The tale is that Thetis took
her son Achilles by the heel,
and dipped him in the river
Styx to make him
invulnerable. The water
washed every part, except the
heel covered with his
mother’s hand. It was on this
vulnerable point the hero was
slain; and the sinew of the
heel is called, in consequence,
tendo Achillis.
Arachnid / Arachne

Arachnid
Spider
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She was a fine weaver in Hypaipa of Lydia
who became so conceited of her skill as a
weaver that she began claiming that her skill
was greater than that of Athena, the
goddess of weaving.
Athena was angered, but gave Arachne a
chance to redeem herself. Assuming the
form of an old woman, she warned Arachne
not to offend the gods. Arachne scoffed and
wished for a weaving contest, so she could
prove her skill. Even Athena admitted that
Arachne's work was flawless, but was
outraged at Arachne's disrespectful choice
of subjects that displayed the failings and
transgressions of the gods.[1] Finally losing
her temper, Athena destroyed Arachne's
tapestry and loom, striking it with her
shuttle, and struck Arachne on the head as
well. Arachne realized her folly and was
crushed with shame. She ran off and
hanged herself.
Zephyr / Zephyrus
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Zephyr (Disney), the son of Esmeralda
(Disney) and Phoebus in the film The
Hunchback of Notre Dame II
USS Zephyr (PC-8), a ship of the
United States Navy
Pioneer Zephyr, a diesel-powered
railroad trainset built in 1934 for the
Chicago, Burlington and Quincy
Railroad
California Zephyr, a diesel-powered
passenger train famous for its use of
Vista-Dome cars
Mercury Zephyr, an automobile
Zephyr pole, a wind elemental weapon
in the Playstation 2 RPG Final Fantasy
XII.
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Zephyrus was the west wind and
bringer of light spring and early
summer breezes
One of the wind gods who were each
ascribed a cardinal direction, from
which their respective winds came, and
were each associated with various
seasons and weather conditions
Nemesis
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From the Greek "to give
what is due“
one's worst enemy, normally
someone or something that is
the exact opposite of oneself
but is also somehow similar.
For example, Professor
Moriarty is frequently
described as the nemesis of
Sherlock Holmes.

In Greek mythology was the
spirit of divine retribution
against those who succumb
to hubris, vengeful fate
personified as a remorseless
goddess.