1. The Odyssey and Greek Mythology

2. What is a myth? It is a story Written to answer life questions Includes supernatural beings—gods, heroes, monsters Explains the unknown

3. Who wrote the myths? Ancient Greek myths evolved over hundreds of years Were told orally Eventually written down First recorded by poets such as Homer and Hesiod in the 8 th century B.C.

4. What were the gods like?

5. The most powerful Greek gods lived high atop Mt. Olympus They were powerful, beautiful and gifted They had human feelings and emotions, like love, anger and jealousy The married, had children, fought with each other and generally acted like the Greek people they ruled Each had a special area of influence: love, war, hunting

6. Zeus The supreme god of the Olympians Sky and weather god Symbol: Thunderbolt God of civilization Roman name: Jupiter

7. Athena Goddess of wisdom and reason Goddess of war Roman name: Minerva Symbol: owl

8. Aphrodite Goddess of love and beauty Roman name Venus Symbol: apple

9. The Apple of Discord The story of the Trojan War is one of the oldest stories in world history. It begins when Eris, the goddess of discord, is not invited to a wedding with all the other immortals (gods/goddesses). Her spiteful nature is seen when she throws a golden apple, inscribed “for the fairest,” into the middle of the wedding party.

10. The Competition Hera, Athena and Aphrodite argue over which of them is the most beautiful Zeus decides a mortal man must settle the argument Paris, prince of Troy is chosen to decide

11. The Decision Each goddess offers Paris a bribe so that he will choose her Hera offers to make him Lord of Europe; Athena offers him victory in war; Aphrodite offers him the most beautiful woman in the world

12. Paris Chooses Paris chooses Aphrodite He wishes for Helen, the wife of Sparta’s King Menelaus, fall in love with him While visiting King Menelaus, Paris convinces Helen to elope with him

13. The Trojan War King Menelaus seeks help to regain his wife Menelaus’ brother, Agamemnon, and other Greek princes offer their aid Odysseus and Achilles join the war effort

14. Ten Years of War In an attempt to get Helen back, the Greeks waged war for 10 years against Troy. The war ends with a gift from the Greeks, The Trojan Horse

15. After the War The Greeks use the Trojan Horse for a surprise attack They defeat the Trojans Odysseus emerges as the hero The Odyssey is the tale of Odysseus’ trip home

16. The Odyssey Written by Homer, a blind poet, in the 8 th or 9 th century B.C. Chronicles the travels of Odysseus after the Trojan War It takes him 10 years to return home He returns to his son, Telemachus, and his wife, Penelope, who has been bothered with suitors who are after Odysseus’ wealth and lands

17. Let the journey begin!