Greek Myths Unit 1 Lesson 1.19 Sources: englishcaldwell.pbworks.com/f/greek+mythology.ppt www.humbleisd.net/cms/lib2/.../Mythology_-_Intro_PowerPoint.ppt‎ www.mythologyteacher.com/GodsGoddessesAbbreviated.ppt‎

What is mythology? Some people use the word myth to mean fake, but… Mythology is the study of stories that were used to explain the world and other human experiences.

In the same way, Greek Myths… Were used to explain the creation of the earth, death and the afterlife, and human experiences: love, jealousy, revenge, & war. They were also used as entertainment and were only told orally because most people could not read.

Why Do We Study Myths? They depict and reveal behavior and problems common to all human beings. Remind us that human nature is the same across time and culture. Reveal that many social, ethical, and religious attitudes continue through time. They reflect the attitudes, priorities, and values of the cultures that produced them.

The Belief System of Ancient Greece In Greek mythology, gods “did not create the universe… the universe created the gods” (Hamilton 24). In the beginning… there was only Chaos.

Death in Ancient Greece According to the Greeks, all departed souls went to the Underworld. Two Main Divisions of the Underworld: Erebus: where the dead pass when they die Tartarus: the main division

Death in Ancient Greece The dead are ferried across the point where the River Acheron (river of woe) pours into the River Cocytus (river of lamentation) by an aged boatman named Charon. Charon will ONLY ferry into the Underworld those who have been properly buried and who have had the passage fee placed on their lips at burial.

Death in Ancient Greece At the gate sits Cerberus, the three-headed dog who permits all the dead to enter, but not to exit. The Underworld is ruled by the god Hades and his queen, Persephone.

Gods & Goddesses Greek Myths include gods & goddesses. A god or goddess is immortal. This means that they can never die and that they live forever. The immortals could not die but they did make mistakes and had human emotions such as: jealousy, love & anger.

Myths also include mortals Mortals are men and women who live on earth. To be mortal means that you can die. Sometimes the gods like to help, punish or even have romantic relationships with the mortals.

The Immortals Here are some of them…

Originally Thought to be a Finally Came to be Thought of MOUNT OLYMPUS Home of the Gods Originally Thought to be a Real Mountain Finally Came to be Thought of as a Floating Mountain in the Sky

The Twelve Olympians The Twelve great gods who succeeded the Titans Lived on Mt. Olympus, which could have either been The physical mountain in Thessaly OR A mountain in a mysterious region above the Earth. Olympus was NOT HEAVEN.

ZEUS (Roman Name: Jupiter) His weapon was the mighty THUNDERBOLT Supreme Ruler of the Gods He falls in love frequently and often acts on it (even though he is married)

Protector of Marriage and HERA (Roman Name: Juno) Zeus’ Wife and Sister Protector of Marriage and Married Women Very Jealous of Zeus’ Numerous Lovers

HADES (Roman Name: Pluto) Lord of the Underworld Ruler of the Dead

Ruler of the Seas and Oceans POSEIDON (Roman Name: Neptune) Ruler of the Seas and Oceans

Goddess of Corn and Agriculture Her Moods Affect the Seasons DEMETER (Roman Name: Ceres) Goddess of Corn and Agriculture Her Moods Affect the Seasons

Goddess of Love and Beauty APHRODITE (Roman Name: Venus) Goddess of Love and Beauty Wife of Hephaestus

HESTIA (Roman Name: Vesta) Goddess of the Home

ALL ZEUS’ CHILDREN

None of the Other Gods Like Him Much ARES (Roman Name: Mars) God of War None of the Other Gods Like Him Much

Battle Maiden and Goddess of Wisdom ATHENA (Roman Name: Minerva) Battle Maiden and Goddess of Wisdom While Adopted by Hera, She is the Daughter of Zeus Only (Sprang from his Head)

God of Fire and the Forge HEPHAESTUS (Roman Name: Vulcan) God of Fire and the Forge He is the Only Ugly God Husband of Aphrodite

HEBE (Roman Name: None) Cupbearer of the Gods

Twin Brother of Artemis APOLLO (Roman Name: Apollo) Twin Brother of Artemis God of Music and Poetry God of Light and Truth No False Words (Never Told a Lie) His Oracle at Delphi was the Most Popular

ARTEMIS (Roman Name: Diana) Twin Sister of Apollo Goddess of the Moon and the Hunt Lady of the Wild Things

(Roman Name: Proserpine) Queen of the Underworld PERSEPHONE (Roman Name: Proserpine) Goddess of Spring She was Kidnapped by Hades Later Made the Queen of the Underworld Spends Half the Year in Hades, Half on Earth

HERMES (Roman Name: Mercury) Messenger of the Gods Has Wings on Sandals and Cap Appears the Most Often of All the Gods

Greek myths also include… HEROES

Odysseus After fighting in a war for 10 years… He spends 10 more years trying to return home

Hercales (Hercules) He is part-god and part-man Completes 12 dangerous tasks

Monsters and other creatures There are also… Monsters and other creatures

Centaurs rude, aggressive half- horse creatures

Satyrs are half-man and half-goat. The leader of the Satyrs was a god called Pan.

Cyclops One-eyed monsters The most famous one, Polyphemus, fights Odysseus in his cave.

Nymphs female nature spirits

In our world today there are many references to Greek myths. Knowing these famous stories and characters will help you to better understand the world around you. They are also fun to learn!

Greek Mythology in advertising…

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