Ancient Greece Section 3 Notes Greek Mythology

Greece Section 3 Vocabulary Terms mythology- body of stories about gods and heroes explains how the world works Homer- Greek writer famous for writing epic poems Sappho- female Greek writer famous for writing lyrical poems Aesop- Greek writer famous for writing fables

Learning Objective Today we will learn about Greek mythology and how it has impacted our world today.

Greek Mythology and Literature The Big Idea The ancient Greeks created great myths and works of literature that influence the way we speak and write today. Main Ideas The Greeks created myths to explain the world. Ancient Greek literature provides some of the world’s greatest poems and stories and influences our world even today.

Greeks Create Myths 1.Instead of scientific explanations, the Greeks used mythology to explain things. Mythology is a body of stories about gods and heroes that try to explain how the world works. They believed gods caused things like volcanic eruptions and the changing seasons. 2. To keep the gods happy, they built great temples. The Greeks expected help when they needed it in return. 3. Many Greek myths told about the adventures of great heroes.

Why did the ancient Greeks create myths? CFU Why did the ancient Greeks create myths? What were the Greek myths about?

Heroes in Mythology Some heroes were real, while others were not. Some of the major heroes were Theseus, Jason, and Hercules. Theseus traveled to Crete and killed the minotaur, a half-human, half-bull monster. Jason sailed across the seas in search of great treasure. Hercules was the most famous hero. He fought many monsters and performed nearly impossible tasks.

Ancient Greek literature 1. Among the earliest Greek writings are two epic poems, the Iliad and the Odyssey by Homer. The Iliad tells the story of the last years of the Trojan War. The Odyssey describes the challenges that Odysseus faced on his way home from the war. 2. These poems were central to the education system and influenced later writing as well.

CFU Why are the epic poems written by Homer such an important part of history?

Lyric Poetry and Fables The most famous lyric poet was a woman named Sappho. Her poems were beautiful and emotional. They spoke of love and relationships with her friends and family. Other Greeks like Aesop told fables, or short stories that taught the reader lessons about life or gave advice on how to live. Aesop is famous for fables such as “The Tortoise and the Hare” and “The Boy Who Cried Wolf.” Some poems were set to music. The writers of these poems were called lyric poets, after their instrument, the lyre.

Name one similarity between Sappho and Aesop CFU Why do you think Aesop’s fables have remained popular to this very day? Name one similarity between Sappho and Aesop Name one difference between Sappho and Aesop

Name one similarity between Sappho and Aesop CFU Name one similarity between Sappho and Aesop Name one difference between Sappho and Aesop

Influences of Greek literature The most obvious way we see the influence of the Greeks is in our language. 1. Many English words and expressions come from mythology, such as “odyssey” and “titanic.” 2. Greek myths have inspired artists and writers for centuries. Moviemakers have borrowed some of these stories. Mythological references are also common among names of sports teams.

How do you know Greek literature has influenced our society? CFU How do you know Greek literature has influenced our society? Name 3 types of literature created by the Greeks