Greek Mythology

1. Greek Mythology EQ: What do (the Greeks) myths have to teach us? How are they relevant to contemporary life? How does our knowledge of Greek mythology aid us as readers constructing meaning from everyday texts such as sign, articles, literature, and advertising?

2. The term "mythology" can refer either to the study of myths, or to a body or collection of myths. • Amyth is a sacred narrative usually explaining how the world or humankind came to be in its present form,although, in a very broad sense, the word can refer to any traditional story. • Myths typically involve supernatural characters and are endorsed by rulers or priests. They may arise as overelaborated accounts of historical events, as allegory for or personification of natural phenomena, or as an explanation of ritual. • They are transmitted to convey religious or idealized experience, to establish behavioral models, and to teach. Mythology

3. See the video Major Gods and Goddesses

4. Allusion: a figure of speech that makes a reference to, or a representation of, people, places, events, literary work, myths, or works of art, either directly or indirectly. Allusions

5. Everyday Life: • Men if they were not training in military, or discussing politics, went to the Theatre for entertainment. To watch dramas that they could relate to, including tragedies and comedies. These often involved current politics and gods in some form. It is thought that women were not allowed to watch theatre or perform at the theatre, although male actors did play women roles. • Lives of women in Ancient Greece were closely tied to domestic work, spinning, weaving and other domestic duties. They were not involved in public life or in politics. Their lives were normally quite confined to the house although one public duty was acting as a priestess at a temple. • Children in ancient Greece usually occupied their time playing with toys and games. • Farming and Food • The majority of Ancient Greek people made their living from farming. Citizens often had land outside the city which provided their income. The Greek landscape and climate was difficult to farm. Grapes were usually picked around September and either kept for eating or made into wine. Making wine was done by treading and kept in jars to ferment. Olives were either picked by hand or knocked out of the tress with wooden sticks. Some were crushed in a press to produce olive oil and some eaten. This was an important product to the Greeks that had many uses including; cooking, lighting, beauty products and for athletic purposes. It is also believed that uprooting an olive tree was a criminal offence. Greek Life