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An Introduction to… Greek Mythology & “ The Odyssey”. What is a myth?. A traditional story rooted in primitive folk beliefs of cultures Uses the supernatural to interpret and explain natural events Explains a culture’s view of the universe and the nature of humanity. Gods / Goddesses:.
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What is a myth? • A traditional story rooted in primitive folk beliefs of cultures • Uses the supernatural to interpret and explain natural events • Explains a culture’s view of the universe and the nature of humanity
Gods / Goddesses: • Spiritual beings with supernatural abilities, gifts, or appearances. • They usually represent or embody certain ideals and values within a culture • For example: if bravery is an important trait in a culture, then their god will be very brave by nature.
The Principal Gods • Zeus (Jupiter) • Ruler of: ___ • Poseidon (Neptune) • Ruler of: ___ • Hades (Pluto) • Ruler of: ___ • Other Olympians include: • Athena • Hermes • Aphrodite • Persephone
Zeus • Roman Name: Jupiter (also Jove) • Supreme god of the Olympians. • Shoots thunderbolts from the heavens!
Poseidon • Roman Name: Neptune • God of the Seas and Waterways • AKA “The Earthshaker”
Hades • Roman Name: Pluto • God of the Underworld/ Land of the Dead • Kidnapped Persephone
Athena • Roman Name: Minerva • Goddess of Wisdom and War • Odysseus’ guide • Sprang from Zeus’s head
Hermes • Roman Name: Mercury • Messenger of the Gods • Wears golden sandals that help him to travel FAST
Aphrodite • Roman Name: Venus • Goddess of Love and Beauty • Sprang from the ocean foam
Persephone • Goddess of the Underworld • Daughter of Zeus • Abducted by Hades
Eros • Roman Name: Cupid • Young God of Love • Son of Aphrodite
The Muses • Nine daughters of Zeus • Inspired artists of all kinds: music, art, drama, athletics, ANY related talent or skill! • “Muse” = to amuse,Amusement • Homer & other ancient Greek storytellers invoke the Muses to help them tell a story Clio, Urania, Thalia, Melpomene, Erato, Calliope, Euterpe, Terpsichore, Polyhymnia
The Gorgons • Three snake-haired monsters • Medusa is most well-known • Their look turns men to stone.
The Centaurs • Half man, half horse • Savage creatures (except Chiron)
Sources • Graphics in this presentation were taken from the following web sites: • http://www.bulfinch.org/fables/search.html • http://www.pantheon.org/ • http://www.messagenet.com/myths/ • http://mythman.com/ • http://web.uvic.ca/grs/bowman/myth/index.html • http://www.paleothea.com/ • http://www.entrenet.com/%7Egroedmed/greekm/myth.html
The Epics • 1.) There are _2_ world-famous Greek epics, • entitled _The Iliad__ and __The Odyssey . • ∙The Iliad is: -the model for the epic of war -Homer’s first epic -tells of a 10 year war called the Trojan War
The Odyssey: • The model for the epic of the long journey • Homer’s second epic • Tells of a Greek soldier’s attempt to return home after the war
Characteristics of an EPIC: • long narrative poem that tells the adventures of heroes • has a hero of national/historical importance • hero takes a quest or journey in search of something, some place, or some value. • journey involves a vast setting, sometimes even the Land of the Dead • involves some type of supernatural forces and/or beings.
