1. Introduction To
Mythology
Wagner

2. Greek
Mythology
Greek mythology is one of those things that comes up virtually everyday, even if people don’t realize it. You will be surprised just how much you already know about Greek Mythology.

3. THE
Iliad
&
The Iliad and the Odyssey are the main sources of Greek Mythology. It is considered the Bible of Greek Mythology.
Odyssey

4. Epic – A long poem that tells of the deeds of a hero or heroes
Epics
Epic – A long poem that tells of the deeds of a hero or heroes
Epics use elegant, formal language to tell of the bravery and mighty deeds of these heroes.
Epics describe the ideals of a culture at an important time in history.
The Iliad and the Odyssey are both considered Epics. These are perhaps the longest poems ever written.
Details of an epic may have a foundation in historical fact.

5. Homer Who ? No! Not That Homer!
Lead in by asking students who (or what) comes to mind when they hear the name Homer.

6. Homer is believed to be the author of the Iliad and the Odyssey.
Homer Who ?
Homer is believed to be the author of the Iliad and the Odyssey.
Homer was a professional poet.
Homer was blind.
Explain that while no one knows for sure, most people believe these facts about Homer.

7. The Iliad recounts the story of the Trojan War.
Explain that the Iliad is about the actual war, and the Odyssey is about what happened after the war.
The Trojan War may have actually taken place around 1250 B.C.

8. The Iliad and the Odyssey describe legendary events.
These events took place in a period known as “The Age Of Heroes.”

9. The Iliad is about the Trojan War.
The Odyssey describes the journey of the hero Odysseus after the end of the Trojan War.
The Iliad is about the Trojan War.
The Odyssey is about after the Trojan War.

10. The Iliad
And The
Odyssey
Are Epics!

11. The Iliad & The Odyssey:
Explore universal concepts of heroism
Teach us about how Greek ideals influenced other civilizations (and literature)
Help us understand many modern references

12. Is that where that came from?
Achilles' Heel
Is that where that came from?
Any weak point is called an “Achilles’ Heel.”
Achilles was the son of Thetis and Peleus, the bravest hero in the Trojan war, according to Greek mythology.
When Achilles was born, his mother, Thetis, tried to make him immortal by dipping him in the river Styx. As she immersed him, she held him by one heel and forgot to dip him a second time so the heel she held could get wet too. Therefore, the place where she held him remained untouched by the magic water of the Styx and that part stayed mortal or vulnerable.
To this day, any weak point is called an “Achilles’ heel”. We also refer to the strong tendon that connects the muscles of the calf of the leg with the heel bone as the “Achilles’ tendon”.
The strong tendon connecting the muscles of the calf of the leg with the heel bone is called the “Achilles’ Tendon.”

13. I bet you didn’t know that!
Trojan Horse
I bet you didn’t know that!
Definition # 1
Someone or something intended to defeat or from within
When the Greeks had lain siege to Troy for ten years, without results, they pretended to retreat. They left behind a huge wooden horse, in which a number of Greek heroes, among whom Odysseus, had hidden themselves. The spy Sinon convinced the Trojans, despite the warnings of Laocoon, to move the horse inside the city as a war trophy. In the following night, the Greeks left the wooden horse and attacked the unsuspecting and celebrating Trojans, and finally conquered Troy.
Definition #2
A seemingly useful computer program that contains concealed instructions which when activated perform an illicit or malicious action (as destroying data files); also : the concealed instructions of such a program

14. Where the heck is Greece?
The world at
the time of the
Iliad and the
Odyssey:
This is an ancient map of Greece. I will hand out a copy of this map in a few minutes so that you can keep track of where each of the myths is taking place.

15. Is this teacher trying to tell me that Greek Mythology is true?
Archaeologists have found evidence in certain cities that support Greek Mythology regarding the kings who lived there. The archaeologists have also found the remains of the magnificent palaces in which they dwelled.
Is this teacher trying to tell me that Greek Mythology is true?
Just because some of the locations and people associated with those places are true, does not mean that the myths are true. It just means that within the stories, there is some truth… Whether or not mythology is true – is something you must decide for yourself!