1. The Myths of Greece and Rome
Feature Menu
Myths All Around Us
What Is a Myth?
The Uses of Mythology
Makers of Myths
The World of Classical Mythology
Gods and Goddesses
Practice

2. Myths All Around Us You may know more about myths than you think.
Have you ever watched a movie about Hercules?
Do you know about the spaceship Apollo?

3. Myths All Around Us What about the planets in our solar system. . .
Mercury
Jupiter
Venus
Neptune
Mars
Pluto

4. Myths All Around Us
. . .or the Olympics?

5. Myths All Around Us
Greek and Roman myths have had a lasting impact on Western culture.
Our museums contain artwork influenced by Greek or Roman myths.
Our cities contain architecture inspired by Greece.

6. Myths All Around Us
Aspects of Greek and Roman myths even show up in everyday conversations.
You probably know, for instance, that Hades is another word for the underworld.

7. What Is a Myth?
A myth is a story that explains something about the world
—mysterious or frightening natural forces
. . .or the origin of the world itself.

8. What Is a Myth?
A myth usually involves gods or other superhuman beings.
In many myths, a hero or god goes on a quest— a dangerous journey in pursuit of something very valuable.

9. What Is a Myth?
Myths were spoken aloud for many generations before they were written down.
Writers today continue to draw inspiration from these same myths.
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10. The Uses of Mythology
Throughout history, people have used myths for many purposes.
To explain the creation of the world
To explain natural phenomena
To give story form to ancient religious beliefs and practices

11. The Uses of Mythology Myths have had everyday uses as well—
to teach moral lessons
and to explain history.

12. The Uses of Mythology
Think about all the “big” questions that people wonder about.
Why am I here?
How did we get here?
Are we alone?
What should I do?
These are all questions that myths try to explain or answer.
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13. Makers of Myths
The ancient Greek and Roman myths originated in the area around the Mediterranean Sea.
By the end of the second century B.C., the Romans had conquered Greece.

14. Makers of Myths
The Romans kept the stories represented by Greek myths but changed the names of the characters to Roman gods and goddesses.
Zeus became Jupiter.
Poseidon became Neptune.
And Artemis became Diana.
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15. Gods and Goddesses
According to the Greek myths, the gods and goddesses lived together on Mount Olympus. Many of them were related to each other.
Zeus
Hera
Hades
Poseidon
Apollo
The divinities often left Mount Olympus to spend time among ordinary people.

16. Gods and Goddesses
The gods and goddesses were powerful. Each one was usually associated with specific forces of nature.
Apollo
Poseidon
Artemis
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17. The World of Classical Mythology
On this map, the place names are real. Some of the events and characters, however, exist only in myth.
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18. Practice
On Your Own
Look at the chart of gods and goddesses and their special powers. List the names of the divinities that you recognize.
Chart
Next, add any other Greek or Roman gods and goddesses you can think of.
Now, write down any prior knowledge you may have about the names on your list.

19. Practice On Your Own Greek Name Roman Name Area of Power Zeus Jupiter
king of the gods; sky; weather
Apollo
the sun; youth; music; archery; healing; prophecy
Artemis
Diana
Apollo’s twin sister; the moon; hunting
Hades
Pluto
king of the underworld
Poseidon
Neptune
ruler of the seas
Hera
Juno
wife of Zeus; queen of gods; women; marriage

20. Practice On Your Own Greek Name Roman Name Area of Power Dionysus
Bacchus
wine; fertility; music
Athena
Minerva
wisdom; war; crafts
Hephaestus
Vulcan
craftsman for the gods; fire
Hermes
Mercury
messenger god; secrets; tricks
Demeter
Ceres
agriculture; earth; corn
Persephone
Proserpine
daughter of Demeter; queen of Hades
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21. The Myths of Greece and Rome
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