1. Greek Mythology
An Introduction

2. What are the purposes of a Myth?
Explain natural phenomena
Teach people morals
Explain the world
Explain a historical event
Explain a religious practice
Reveal the common hopes and fears of mankind

3. What are the characteristics of a myth?
Man’s early desire to explain the universe
A metamorphosis might occur
Focus on the adventures of a god, goddess, or hero
Super human in nature (Atlas)
Sometimes appear in disguised forms (Zeus)
Gods and goddesses experience human emotion (Hera)
Magic (Athena)

4. What is Greek Mythology?
People of ancient Greece shared stories called Myths
Each myth was about gods, goddesses, and heroes in which they believed
Each god or goddess was worshiped as a deity and ruled over a specific aspect of the Greeks’ lives
The myths were exciting and action packed. They explained the natural phenomena that the Greeks could not explain.

5. What is Greek Mythology? Cont.
Many of the myths focused on the happenings of the Earth and the sky.
Also used to guide people’s behaviors

6. How did Greek Mythology Come to be?
As people from different villages met they combined their knowledge and rituals into one belief system.
Those who lived in ancient Greece and the surrounding areas believed that the Olympians ruled the universe.
The Greek gods were the children of the Titans who early societies believed created the Earth.

7. Mythology in Daily Life
The Greeks built extravagant temples to honor the gods and named cities after them (Athens)
Myths explained how mortals could interact with the gods and explained what would happen if they displeased the gods
Believed that being in the gods favor provided them with good health, harvest, and weather

8. Just Myths
Eventually, as people learned more about the world around them, they realized the myths were not real.
Remained popular because of well-written tales
Tales about the heroism of the virtuous
Tales about the bad luck that followed the deceitful

9. Why do we Study Greek Mythology?
Offer us a glimpse into day to day life of the ancient Greeks
Some are based on events in history (Trojan War)
Influenced western society in art, literature, and even the naming of the stars
The myths are entertaining

10. Where do we see Greek Mythology in present day?
Nike (the goddess of victory)
Ajax cleaner (Greek hero)
The Olympics (Mt. Olympus)
Midas (the Midas touch)
Medical field symbol (Hermes)
Achilles tendon
Siren (sirens)
The Apollo Theater
The Apollo Shuttle
The Titanic (titans)