Mythology  What is Mythology –What is “ology” = Study Of –What is a myth = Story about supernatural beings.  Used to describe “your world”  Every “culture” has it’s own Mythology! –The way that cultures “teach” what is appropriate or desired behaviors. –Explain a culture’s surroundings/world.

Myths handed down orally  What is the “problem” w/ the oral interpretation of myths?  Myths Explain: –1. Nature –2. Man’s origin –3. Gods/Religion

Mythology vs Religion  Greek/Roman Mythology was what Organized religion is today  Greeks/Romans believed that their “gods” were actual god, like today, organized religions believe in “their god”  Polytheism vs Monotheism.

Why is Mythology Important?  Allusions in Literature –1. Bible –2. Greek & Roman Mythology  Oedipus Example: –Teach Morals and Ethics. What is considered “OK” in a society.

Roman vs Greek  Greek 1 st  Romans Next – Conquered Greece. “Stole” their gods

How the world was Created?  Cosmology = Study of the universe.  Things to discuss –+ = Plus Sign –Personification  I wandered lonely as a cloud.  Cloud is a cloud, and “alive” or the personified thing. –Immortality –Overthowing Dad –Idea of Tartarus

Greek Cosmology  Chaos  Gea + Uranus  Gea – Geography, Geology, Geometry – Character is Mother Earth. Also represents the earth itself.  Uranus – Sky God. Also represents the sky.  Personification: These were “gods” too. Human Form.

Cosmology  Chaos  Gea + Uranus – First Generation  Titans Handed Ones - Cyclopes  Prometheus Uranus imprisions the 100’s and Cyclopes  Epimetheus in the underworld – Tartarus.  Rhea  Chronus  Castration of Uranus: Gea gets Chronus to overthrow his father (recurring theme in Greek Myth). Gea leaves a Sickle next to their bed. Chronus castrates Uranus. From his blood we get the Giants & Furies.

Second Generation  Chaos  Gea + Uranus  Chronus + Rhea Chronus is famous for his sickle or scythe. Chrono = Time. He becomes father time.

Third Generation - Olympians  Chaos  Gea + Uranus  Chronus + Rhea  Hera, Hestia, Demeter, Hades, Poseidon,  And Finally/Lastly – Zeus.  Rhea has 5 of 6 original olympians.  Chronus EATS his children.  Rhea then has Zeus.

Baby Zeus  Rhea gives Chronus a Rock in place of Zeus  Zeus is raised on an island in Medit  Zeus then overthrows his father.  Rhea/Zeus give Chronus a potion to get him to vomit up Zeus’s siblings.

Titanomachy  War of the Titans  Zeus’s Side: His 5 brothers & Sisters.  Chronus Side: Titans

Zeus Wins the Titanomachy  Prometheus (can see the future) was a titan that foresaw that Zeus would win (and how).  Pro goes to Zeus and tells him how to win. Free the 100’s and Cyclopses from Tartar.  100’s and Cyclops fought for Zeus. Cyclops made Thunderbolts for Zeus.  Chronus becomes father time.