1. Mythology

2. Ancient Greek & Roman myths
sometimes told great adventures where the main characters went on a quest (journey) which challenged them to do tasks and prove themselves.

3. Cultures around the world have myths
Mesopotamian
Indian
Cultures around the world have myths
Viking
The ancient Greeks and Romans were not the only cultures to write myths.

4. Their heroes often had uncommon strength, bravery, or cleverness.

5. Heroes can have great
- but human - abilities

6. A myth always has . . . A main character A god or goddess
A moral lesson to be learned
They . . .
Often explain how something came to be or was first created

7. All myths have a main character
Heroine
Hero
In literature, the main character is called the protagonist.

8. Sometimes the protagonist was a model of good or noble behavior for people long ago.

10. Phaeton
Arachne
Icarus
Narcissus 
Other times the protagonist showed foolish or undesirable traits that needed to be changed.

11. Protagonist / Hero

12. Your Turn! Create your own Hero/Heroine
Describe what he/she looks like
Responsibilities
Powers
Where he lives
Symbol for him/her
If you have finished all of these, start to think about:
Possible enemies for your Hero/Heroine

13. All myths have a god or goddess
Sometimes a god or goddess helps the protagonist of the story

14. The Immortals
The gods and goddesses are often jealous or angry or otherwise act in very human ways. But they also have abilities or powers that humans lack.

15. In literature, this character is called the antagonist.
Myths have a character with whom the main character will argue or battle. This character adds to the conflict of the story. They can be a creature or one of the gods themselves.
In literature, this character is called the antagonist.

16. antagonist
a person who is opposed to, struggles against, or competes with another; opponent; adversary.

17. The Odyssey : Odysseus tricks a blinded giant in order to escape

18. (Antagonist)

19. A Cyclops
(Antagonist)
… or any monsters !

20. Some Famous Mythical Creatures
Hydra
Griffin
Many mythical creatures are a mixture of different animal parts.

21. Some Famous Mythical Creatures
Basilisk
Pegasus

22. Some Famous Mythical Creatures
Minotaur
Centaur

23. In a myth, the conflict between the protagonist and the antagonist often results in the explanation of an event in nature.

24. Whatever part of the world they came from, most myths . . .
… taught a lesson … explained something about the world – perhaps how something in the world began or was created … in ancient times explained or gave reasons for the things that the people didn’t understand . . .

25. … like the changing of the seasons or the changing colors of leaves or the migration of birds ….

26. … why night changed to day or how we got thunder and lightning …

27. … the creation of a rainbow or clouds or why the tide flows to and from the shore.

28. Mythology Heroes & heroines Gods & goddesses
Explanations & lessons (theme)

29. The end!