1. Greek Mythology Stories of gods and goddesses

2. What is mythology? Long ago, the Greeks and the Romans believed in the stories we now call myths. These stories featured gods and goddesses who the Greeks worshipped and prayed to and featured great heroes. From these myths, we can learn about the beliefs of ancient people.

3. What is a legend? Legends are also stories of old. Legends deal not with gods, like mythology, but of heroes. Legends may have mythical elements, but are based on some facts and historical truths.

4. Greek Myths Originated around 1500 B.C. Provided examples of good and bad behavior through example Are the works of great poets ◦ Homer (Illiad, and the Odyssey) ◦ Virgil (The Aeneid)

5. Myths explained Nature They used these stories to explain the natural world when science couldn’t. Nature- Myths try to explain the natural world. ◦ Lightning (Zeus is angry) ◦ Rising Sun (Helios is riding his luminous chariot)

6. Why Study Greek Mythology? Mythology has influenced our modern world. ◦ Products

7. Mythology in the Movies Movies ◦ Troy ◦ Hercules ◦ Clash of the Titans ◦ Harry Potter ◦ The Lightning Thief ◦ Pirates of the Caribbean

8. More Influences Psychology- ◦ Oedipus (Oedipus Complex-) ◦ Narcissus (Narcissism-excessive love for yourself) Names- ◦ Planets (Uranus, Mercury, Venus) and constellations ◦ Words- atlas, titanic, midas touch, panic

9. Greek gods Lived on Mt. Olympus. Spent a lot of time toying with the lives of humans for their own fun. Often interacted with humans (Zeus had children with mortals) Ate, drank, and partied just like humans.

10. More about the Greek gods Anthropomorphic – gods were created in the image of humans Human-like gods with human emotions ◦ Highly emotional and immoral ◦ Powerful and dangerous when angry ◦ There was often fighting among the gods. Immortal with supernatural powers, (they had not blood but ICHOR in veins) Were vulnerable and could be hurt

11. Greek Mythology vs. Christianity Polytheistic (many gods) vs. Monotheistic (one God) Christian God is perfect and expresses ORDER of the world ◦ what is wrong is mans’ fault for his spiritual disobedience Greek gods are human like and express the DISORDER of the world; ◦ what is wrong with the world is because of the gods No Greek god represents supreme good (God) or supreme evil (Devil)

12. The Immortal Gods Here are some of them…

13. Greek myths also include heroes Hercules/Herakles Theseus Achilles Odysseus Perseus

14. Monsters and other creatures Cyclops Pegasus Cerberus Centaur Chimera Minotaur Gorgons