1. The World of Greek Mythology
The Acropolis:
The Parthenon

2. Ancient Greece

3. Homer Lived about 700 B.C. Rumors: Blind poet? Warrior?
Why does he get credit for both the Iliad and the Odyssey?
Why is he important?

4. Epic
A long narrative poem about the adventures of a great hero, usually a person of great importance. The setting is vast and the action is often given cosmic significance through the intervention of Gods or forces beyond human understanding or control.

5. Epic and Homer's Style
Muses: Goddesses of song and artistic inspiration. A poet may ask for their aid.
In Medias Res: In the middle of things.
Epic Simile/Homeric Simile: An elaborate, detailed comparison written as a simile. EX: pg 165 of Essential Homer.
Foreshadowing and Flashbacks.

6. Epic and Homer's Style part II
Aristeia: When one character displays great fighting prowess and seems unstoppable. When he is "in the zone."
Epithets: An adjective used repeatedly to describe a character, place, etc. EX: "swift-footed Achilles" or "crafty Odysseus" etc.
The Ring Composition: The story "comes full circle." In The Iliad, the locations and action of the first chapters are reflected in the last chapters. In The Odyssey, the action begins and ends in Ithaca, and then the heroes leave for another journey.

7. Who Were the Greek Gods? What Were They Like?

8. Greek Gods NEUTRAL GODS Zeus Hades Hephaestus Hermes TROJANS' SIDE
Apollo
Aphrodite
GREEKS' SIDE
Ares
Hera
Athena
Poseidon
Thetis

9. A Cosmic Comedy & Tragedy
The Greek Gods acted like funny soap opera characters:
They slept with everyone, cheated on each other and tried to hide it, threw temper tantrums, etc. Zeus might be a fighter, but he sure was a lover. Seriously.
They were overly dramatic, often becoming obsessive (like to destroy Troy because a golden apple was given to someone else).
They were very involved in human affairs (and had many affairs with humans).