Warm-Up: Can you think of examples of Greek mythology in other cultures? How are other civilizations influenced by it?

Mythology A rich collection of stories about the exploits of gods and goddesses that sought to explain natural phenomena and life events

The Significance of Greek Mythology Often there were multiple, opposite stories about the gods and goddesses This is possible because there is no sacred text and no single set of beliefs could be elevated as supreme. Therefore, people are fairly religiously tolerant, there are no heretics (someone who does not conform to a certain belief system) Religion brought the community together and faith was a more personal affair

Greek Gods and Goddesses Polytheistic Represent human qualities Evident in Greek art and architecture Incorporated into western art and literature The Parthenon – a temple built and dedicated to the goddess Athena in Athens

Greek Mythology in Western Civilization Many of Western civilization’s symbols, metaphors, words, and idealized images come from ancient Greek mythology, such as…

Nike – Goddess of Victory

Atlas – Astronomy and Navigation Doomed to hold the heavens on his shoulders Examples include an atlas (book of maps), as well as the moving company which bears the same name

Apollo – God of Music Apollo Theatre in New York City

Trident The three-pronged spear of Poseidon, god of the seas Trident is a popular brand of gum 'Tria' is Greek for 'three' and 'donti' means 'tooth'; hence, Trident translates literally as 'three-teeth', or 'triple-toothed‘ Trident Gum, if one is to believe the advertising, helps to clean your teeth, thus the allusion

Exit Ticket: How did mythology help the early Greek civilization explain the natural world and the human condition? What impact did Greek mythology have on later civilizations and the contemporary world?