1. The Odyssey and some of the Principal Gods and Goddesses
Greek Mythology
The Odyssey and some of the Principal Gods and Goddesses

2. The Odyssey
Epic poem – a long narrative poem about the deeds of a hero
Written by the blind poet Homer ( BC)
Poems were often composed of poetic lines accompanied by instruments to aid memory
Homer, the first to combine isolated tales into a whole epic poem

3. Characteristics of the Epic
Begins “in media res” (in the middle)
Begins w/ invocation to the muse (asking the muse for inspiration to tell his tale)
References to the supernatural (gods/goddesses)
Epic similes and hyperbole (extreme exaggeration)
Repetitive phrases, speeches, incidents, and use of flashbacks
Long sentences, complex words
Passed down orally (told person to person)

4. Homer’s Epics Bkgd: Iliad and The Odyssey
Based on the Trojan War (1200 BC)
100,000 Greeks sailed to Asia Minor to conquer Troy
All based on revenge b/c Paris kidnapped Helen, the most beautiful woman in the world
Iliad is the first / Odyssey is the sequel

5. Trojan War Map

6. Before The Odyssey Odysseus
Helped build the wooden horse filled w/ Greek warriors
Crept out at night and sacked Troy

7. The Odyssey (con’t) Gods took sides w/ the Greeks and Trojans
Poseidon was angered by the Trojan loss
Made Odysseus journey home long and difficult (10 years to get home)
The Odyssey describes Odysseus journey home

8. The Odyssey (con’t)
Odysseus wanted to return home to Ithaca to his wife, Penelope, and his son, Telemachus
He had to survive storms, temptations, and enemies at home

9. The Odyssey (con’t) More popular than The Iliad
Universal story of a national hero
We all spend years trying to reach our goals and we all must endure tests, temptations, and obstacles
We use the word today to describe our journey, our odyssey

10. What is a myth?
Highly imaginative tales that attempt to explain the mysteries of life
Every culture has them
Homer’s illustrates the character of the hero
He overcomes temptations of idleness (lotus-eaters)
He uses reason and will power to overcome the Sirens, a symbol of the pleasure of the senses

11. The Olympians

12. Zeus Roman Name: Jupiter (also Jove) Son of Chronus
Reigns over the heavens (Mt. Olympus)
Oak; Eagle; Lighting Bolt
King of gods; fathered many characters in mythology

13. Zeus

14. Hera Roman Name: Juno Zeus’s sister and wife; reigns over Mt. Olympus
Cow/peacock
Jealous protector of marriage and punished the women Zeus fell in love with

15. Poseidon Roman Name: Neptune Son of Cronus; brother of Zeus
God of the Seas and Waters
Trident; horses or bulls
“The Earthshaker” and controls storms

16. Ares Roman Name: Mars God of War Son of Zeus and Hera
Bloodthirsty and merciless

17. Hestia
Roman Name: Vesta
Goddess of Home
Powerful Protector

18. Hades Roman Name: Pluto Son of Cronus; brother of Zeus and Poseidon
Invisibility helmet
God of the Underworld/ Dead and Wealth

19. Athena Roman Name: Minerva Daughter of Zeus Olive; owl; Athens
Goddess of Wisdom and War
Sprang from Zeus’s head and his favorite

20. Artemis
Roman Name: Diana
Goddess of the Moon/ Hunt
Sister to Apollo

21. Hermes Roman Name: Mercury Messenger of the Gods
Appears in more myths than any other character

22. Aphrodite Roman Name: Venus Goddess of Love and Beauty
Sprang from the ocean foam

23. Hephaestus Roman Name: Vulcan (Mulciber) God of Fire/Forge
Son of Zeus and Hera
Kind, unlike his brother

24. Apollo Roman Name: Apollo Son of Zeus and Leto Crow and dolphin
God of Light/Sun, Music and Archery
Master musician

25. Sources
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