1. Greek Mythology
I need a hero

2. What comes to mind when you think of the word hero??

3. Do we think of… Masked men in spandex, tights and a cape?
Greek Heroes
Do we think of…
Masked men in spandex, tights and a cape?
Cool cars, beautiful women, and high-tech gadgets?
Superman?
Batman?
Firemen?
Policemen?
A man? A woman?
Someone who is brave, selfless, strong, friendly, moral?

4. Greek Heroes
Definition of a hero
In greek mythology and legend, a man or woman, often of divine ancestry, who is endowed with great courage and strength, celebrated for his or her bold exploits, and favored by the gods.

5. What makes a greek hero? Having one immortal parent
Greek Heroes
What makes a greek hero?
Having one immortal parent
Being born into royalty
Having an unusual conception or birth
Being favored by the gods
Being the subject of prophecy
Being abandoned at birth or while very young
Performing an amazing feat at a young age
Going on a quest
Traveling to the underworld
Marrying a princess
Dying a noble death

6. Unusual conception or birth
Greek Heroes
Unusual conception or birth
Heroes are often called “demi-gods” because one parent is immortal and the other is mortal
Most famous heroes were offspring of Zeus or Poseidon, but sometimes goddesses including Aphrodite

7. Greek Heroes
Born into royalty
Heroes were almost always the offering of a princess or queen
Typically the god responsible for the hero either came disguised as the husband of the queen, or the princess slept with a god and a mortal on the same night
Invariably, the hero was claimed by his earthly father as well as his Olympian one

8. Prophecy/abandon ment at birth
Greek Heroes
Prophecy/abandon ment at birth
The fates or the oracle often had something to say about the birth of a hero
Often prediction frightened parents, so their abandoned them but since the heroic child was favored by the gods, he was saved and raised by someone other than his parents

9. performing amazing feat at young age
Greek Heroes
performing amazing feat at young age
Young heroes found ways to “strut their stuff” when they were very young
Heracles killed two snakes as a youngster
Theseus moved a huge rock and fought what he thought was a lion
These events were a heads up that great things were in store for the heroes

10. Greek Heroes
Favored by the gods
Since the heroes were the offspring of gods, they were usually favored by them
A child of Zeus would get help on a quest by Zeus or another Olympian
Special gifts (magical aid) such as helmets, winged sandals, and golden bridles were loaned to the heroes

11. Travel to the underworld
Greek Heroes
Travel to the underworld
The hero had to confront death and come back stronger and rejuvenated
Heroes were mortal, so confronting death allowed them to face their own mortality
The heroes’ mortality is what allowed society to forgive them and is also what kept the heroes alive for thousands of years after they death