Classical Greek Mythology Literature Mrs. Schultz

Mythology Oral tradition Rewritten many times over Many discrepancies

Purpose of Myths Explain events in nature Teach a lesson or moral: explain how things were supposed to be or how humans were supposed to act To entertain

Classical Mythology “Coming of the Immortals” p. 2 “Zeus and His Family”p. 6 “Hephaestus and the Birth of Hermes” p. 21

“Coming of the Immortals” By Roger Lancelyn Green Known for entertaining retellings

Greece Origin of mythology lies in Greece Mountains of Greece and their beauty inspired the immortals that are believed to have lived there. Gods and Goddesses lived on Mount Olympus

Stories were told, and told, and told… There are many discrepancies between names and actual events for different stories because humans retold the stories and changed the details or “facts.”

“Zeus and His Family” Who were the first gods? –Gaea, Mother Earth –Uranus, God of the Sky –Cronus, Son of Gaea and Uranus See family tree chart handout

Cronus –Son of Gaea and Uranus –Married his sister Rhea and had six children: Demeter, Hestia, Hera, Zeus, Poseidon, & Hades –Swallowed his children whole because of the prophecy that he would be killed by one of them.

Cronus Rhea had Cronus swallow a rock wrapped in a blanket so that she could save Zeus. Zeus fulfilled the prophecy and killed Cronus.

Zeus King of the Gods God of the Sky (next generation after Uranus) More powerful than the other gods Children of Zeus: –Athena, Apollo, Artemis, Heracles, Dionysus, Ares, Hephaestus, Hermes, & Persephone

Zeus Shared Powers Shared powers with brothers and sisters –Hades, God of the Underworld –Poseidon, God of the Sea –Aphrodite, Goddess of Love –Demeter, Goddess of the Harvest –Hestia, Goddess of the Hearth –Hera, Queen of the Gods

Zeus Shared Powers Shared powers with children –Ares, God of War –Hermes, Messenger God –Athena, Goddess of Wisdom –Apollo, God of the Sun –Artemis, Goddess of the Moon –Dionysus, God of the Vine

“Hephaestus and the Birth of Hermes” Hephaestus –Son of Zeus and Hera –Hera was not happy when he was born because he was so ugly. –She threw him over a cliff to die. –Raised by Thetis

Hephaestus He was a great craftsman God of Smithing Made the thunderbolts, trident, and most of the palaces Married Aphrodite

Hermes Son of Zeus and Maia Messenger God (winged feet) Grew to age 4 in one day Worked for Hades, great inventor

Classical Mythology “Aphrodite”p. 25 “Demeter and Persephone”p. 98 “Midas”p. 183

Aphrodite Goddess of Love Most beautiful woman in the world Magic girdle—all men were under her spell Born from the dismembered body of Uranus in the foam of the ocean

“Demeter and Persephone” Demeter –Goddess of Crops and Agriculture –Happy—fields are green, grasses grow –Sad—fields and grass suffer –Mother of Persephone –Myth explains seasonal changes

Classical Mythology “Midas”p. 183 “Prometheus”p. 185 “Pandora”p. 190

Midas King Midas was given a reward from Bacchus (Dionysus) He asked that all that he touches turn to gold He wanted to get rid of the power He went to the River Factolus and plunged in to get rid of the “curse”

Prometheus Titan thought to create humankind Defies Zeus and brings fire back to humans Was chained to a rock for years by Zeus as a punishment

“Pandora” Zeus’s revenge on Prometheus and humans for stealing back fire was Pandora. Hephaestus molded her out of clay and Zeus was said to have breathed life into her. Modeled after Aphrodite.

“Pandora” A wedding gift of a beautiful box was given to Pandora, but she was told not to open it. Hera gave her curiosity. HMMM…

“Pandora” Pandora’s curiosity got the better of her and she opened the box. Disease, famine, insanity, and all other foul kin were released into the world. Foreboding did not get released.

Classical Mythology “The Trojan War: Paris and Helen” p. 234 “The Trojan War: Odysseus” p. 239

The Trojan War: Paris and Helen Eris was not invited to a wedding so she caused problems with a golden apple that signified being the fairest between Athena, Aphrodite, and Hera. Zeus decided that Paris would choose which goddess was the most beautiful.

The Trojan War: Paris and Helen Aphrodite was chosen because she promised him the most beautiful woman he wanted. He chose Helen and this started the Trojan War because she was married to King Menalaus, King of Sparta.

The Trojan War: Odysseus Odysseus is the Greek hero that devised the plan for the Trojan Horse. His plan helped the Spartans take the city of Troy.

Questions to Consider Why are the Greek soldiers so desperate for the war to end? –It had been 10 long years. They miss their homes and families. They are tired.

Classical Mythology “Arachne the Spinner”p. 331 “The End of the Olympians”p. 366

“Arachne the Spinner” Arachne was a mortal girl. She committed the sin of arrogance which was felt to be the worst sin according to the gods. Athena disguised as an old woman heard Arachne’s arrogant remarks.

“Arachne the Spinner” Athena challenged her to a weaving contest. Athena won and turned Arachne into a spider.

“The End of the Olympians” Map of Greece