Introduction to Mythology and Homer

Terms and Definitions Myth-a person or thing having only an imaginary or unverifiable existence. Mythology-a branch of knowledge that deals with myths. Epic-a long, heroic poem

Homer: Believed to be the author of The Iliad and The Odyssey Little is known about the author of The Iliad and The Odyssey. He is simply referred to as Homer. Historians believe that he was blind as he was believed to have told these stories to others who documented them.

Greek and Roman Mythology The Romans, who eventually conquered Greece, admired the culture and copied certain aspects of it. One of these aspects was its mythology. For the sake of pride, they changed the names of some gods and goddesses. Some of their personalities also changed. For example: Ares was a cowardly god in Greek mythology because the Greeks preferred peace to war, but in Roman mythology, Mars, his counterpart, was a brave and noble character because the Romans did like wars.

Major Gods and Goddesses Zeus- the leader of all the gods because he is the god of the sky, thunder, and lightning. His Roman name is Jupiter. Hera-the jealous and powerful wife of Zeus.  She is the goddess of marriage and childbirth. Her Roman name is Juno. Aphrodite-the goddess of love and beauty. Her name means foam born, even though some say that she is the daughter of Zeus and Dione. Her Roman name is Venus. Athena-the goddess of wisdom. She was also Zeus' favorite child. Her Roman name is Minerva

Major Gods and Goddesses Poseidon- is Zeus’s older brother, the god of the sea, and constantly wants more territory. His Roman name is Neptune. Hermes- the son of Maia and Zeus, he became the god of thieves, herdsman, and travelers. His Roman name is Mercury. Hades-Hades is the god of the underworld and riches. He is also the unluckiest of all the gods. His Roman name is Pluto.

The Tale of the Golden Apple

“To the Fairest” Eris, the goddess of strife, was not invited to the wedding of Peleus and Thetis. She went anyway, and she threw a golden apple into the middle of the wedding. Inscribed on the apple was a message. It read "To the Fairest." Immediately, the apple was claimed by Hera, Athena and Aphrodite. They all asked Zeus to decide who should receive the apple. Zeus knew how much trouble he would be in if he chose one, because the other two would have grave revenge. So Zeus descended to Mount Ida where Paris was farming and asked him to be the Judge. Zeus told Paris this was a privilege due him for his faithfulness to the gods.

Hera/Juno The queen of the Olympian deities. She is a daughter of Cronus and Rhea, and wife and sister of Zeus. Hera was mainly worshipped as a goddess of marriage and birth.

Athena/Minerva Athena, the Greek goddess of wisdom, war, the arts, industry, justice and skill. She was the favorite child of Zeus. She had sprung fully grown out of her father's head. Her mother was Metis, and Zeus' first wife. In fear that Metis would bear a son mightier than himself, Zeus swallowed her. Inside of Zeus, she began to make a robe and helmet for her daughter. The hammering of the helmet caused Zeus great pain in the form of headaches and he cried out in agony. Skilled Hephaestus ran to his father and split his skull open and from it emerged Athena, fully grown and wearing her mother's robe and helmet.

In Greek mythology, Aphrodite is the goddess of love and beauty She emerged from within a shell in the sea. “Foam-arisen" Aphrodite was born of the sea foam Aphrodite/Venus

Paris, being a mortal, could not decide which goddess should have the golden apple; however, each of the three goddesses decided to make it easier for him. They would each offer him gifts, and he would get the gifts from the goddess he chose. Hera - offered to give him all of Asia and great power. He thought this offer was great, but he decided to hear the other offers first before deciding. Athena-offered him great wisdom, and great luck in battle. He would be the best strategist in the world. He loved this idea, but he waited to hear Aphrodite's offer. Aphrodite-offered him two things. The first was his body (well built and handsome), and the second was the love of the most beautiful woman in the world, Helen, even though she was married.

Paris’ Choice Since Paris's first love was women, he decided to pick Aphrodite’s offer. Hera and Athena vowed vengeance to Paris.

Helen:The Most Beautiful Woman Unfortunately for Paris, Helen was married to a very powerful king, King Menelaus of Sparta, located in Greece. Paris returned home to Troy and with Aphrodite’s help, he managed to send a fleet of ships to Sparta, break into Menelaus’s palace, and kidnap Helen. While stealing the spell bound Helen, he also took much treasure with him.

HELEN & PARIS Before the marriage to Menelaus: Helen, being the most beautiful woman in the world, all of her suitors, men that wanted to marry her, were the most powerful people in Greece. In order for peace to be kept when Helen chose a husband, all other suitors must vow to keep Helen as the wife of whom she chose. So when Helen chose Menelaus, all of the other suitors had to agree that if anyone tried to kidnap her, they would try to get her back. So, when Paris kidnapped her, all of Greece declared war on the city of Troy.

Helen and Paris Escape to Troy

*The Trojan War* The Greeks Against the City of Troy for the return of Helen

The Trojan War THE GREEKS/ Achaeans Menelaus-Married to Helen and the brother of Agamemnon. He is also the King of Sparta. Diomedes-second only to Achilles in all the qualities of a hero. Nestor-the oldest of the Grecian chiefs, and one to whom they all looked up to for counsel. Achilles-He was the mightiest of the Greeks who fought in the Trojan War, and was the hero of Homer's Iliad. Agamemnon-the leader of the Greek forces during the Trojan War, brother of Menelaus.

The Trojan War The Trojans of Troy King Priam: King of Troy during the Trojan War. Had fifty sons and several daughters and obviously several wives. Paris-Stole Helen from Menelaus with Aphrodite’s help and returned to Troy (Paris is the son of King Priam of Troy). Hector: King Priam’s eldest son of Hecuba and King Priam. He was a great warrior for the Trojan force.

Odysseus:Hero and Main Character of the Odyssey Odysseus was one of the original suitors of Helen of Troy. When Menelaus succeeded in winning Helen's hand in marriage, it was Odysseus who advised him to get the other suitors to swear to defend his marriage rights. However, when Menelaus called on the suitors to help him bring Helen back from Troy, Odysseus was reluctant to make good on his oath. One tale has it as though he pretended to have gone mad, plowing his fields and sowing salt instead of grain. Palamedes placed Odysseus' infant son in front of the plow, and Odysseus revealed his sanity when he turned aside to avoid injuring the child.

A Few of the Men of the Trojan War

The Fall of Troy The Trojan War is the main issue of The Iliad by Homer, and is described in the Aeneid by Virgil. The war took place between Greek Kings and their warriors and the Trojans, and raged for ten years. Through most of the war, Agamemnon (king of the Achaeans and brother of Menelaus) was unable to penetrate the fortified city of Troy. On the tenth year, Achilles joined the Achaian’s army and killed Hector, the Trojan prince.

Paris fights in the war, but he is mostly out of legend until Hector is killed by Achilles. While Achilles and his allies bring Hector's body back into Troy for a funeral, Paris takes a bow and arrow and shoots it at Achilles. Apollo (god who has sided with the Trojans) guides his arrow so that it hits Achilles' foot, in the famous Achilles tendon. Achilles dies. Paris is soon killed afterwards in the war by PHILOCTETES who carried poisonous arrows of Hercules.

However reluctant he may have been to join the expedition, Odysseus fought heroically in the Trojan War, refusing to leave the field when the Greek troops were being routed by the Trojans. He lead a daring nocturnal raid in company with Diomedes. After the death of Achilles, he and Ajax competed for Achilles' magnificent armor; when Odysseus' eloquence caused the Greeks to award the prize to him, Ajax went mad and killed himself.

The Trojan Horse

After the death of Achilles, the Achaeans, utilized Odysseus’ plan to built a Wooden Horse. They filled it with warriors and fooled the Trojans into thinking it was a gift from them. The Trojans wheeled it into their city of Troy cheerfully. While inside the city, the Greeks attacked at nightfall. Once the city of Troy was defeated by the Greeks it was destroyed. The Trojan King Priam and most of his family were killed. Cassandra, his daughter, was raped and taken as slave to Agamemnon in Greece. Helen, whose abduction had started the war was still beautiful and was returned to Menelaus who had forgiven her.

Odysseus was claimed as hero! The Odyssey: Odysseus Starts Home