Mythology Handout – to complete
What are Myths? When we see the word myth, we see it in headlines like this: Five diet myths In this context, a myth is something that is widely believed, but is likely false. Can you think of other popular myths?
What is a Myth? a sacred story concerning the origins of the world or how the world and the creatures came in to being generally involves gods and heroes. Myths often are said to take place before recorded history begins.
Common Myth Topics Across cultures, some mythic topics reoccur how the world was made how to worship the gods how to behave the hero's quest results when humans disobey the gods
In North America Until recently, most North American / Western European literature used Greek and Roman mythology as its inspiration.
Mythic allusions you may already know: If someone is like Hercules, s/he is __________. What event is named after Mt. Olympus? If you go on an odyssey, what kind of trip are you on? Where are you if you’re in a labyrinth? The movie Poseidon is about ____________. We call a book full of maps an ___________. What other mythic allusions can you think of?
The Greek version of the Creation Story The Titans (the elder gods) ruled the earth before the Olympians overthrew them. During their rule, the Titans were associated with the various planets. The ruler of the Titans was Cronus who was de-throned by his son Zeus. Most of the Titans fought with Cronus against Zeus. Zeus punished them by banishing them to Tartarus.
Some famous TITANS: Prometheus - "forethought" could foretell the future. was the protector and benefactor of man. gave mankind a number of gifts including fire. tricked Zeus into allowing man to keep the best part of the animals sacrificed to the gods and to give the gods the worst parts. Zeus punished Prometheus: chained to a rock where every day an eagle ate his liver which regrew for the next day. left there for all eternity or until he disclosed which of Zeus' children would try to replace Zeus. He was eventually rescued by Hercules without giving in to Zeus.
Atlas Atlas was the son of Iapetus. Unlike his brothers Prometheus and Epimetheus, Atlas fought with the other Titans supporting Cronus against Zeus. Due to Cronus's advanced age, Atlas lead the Titans in battle. As a result he was singled out by Zeus for a special punishment and made to hold up the world on his back.
Olympian Gods/Goddesses Titans Cronus and Rhea gave birth to: Hestia, Demeter, Hades, Poseidon, Hera, Zeus Other Olympians: Aphrodite, Apollo, Ares, Artemis, Athena, Dionysus, Hephaestus and Hermes
Mount Olympus, Wisconsin
Mount Olympus
Mount Olympus, Athens, Greece http://www.athenstourgreece.com/tours-step-1/mount-olympus/
Greek and Roman Deities Zeus Jupiter Hera Juno Athena Minerva Hades Pluto Poseidon Neptune Dionysus Bacchus Diana Aphrodite Venus Apollo Demeter Ceres Ares Mars Hephaestus Vulcan Eros Cupid Hermes Mercury
The Olympians! http://greece.mrdonn.org/greekgods/index.html
While every culture has its myths, a lot of English Literature refers to Greek/Roman mythology. We are going to take a closer look at the Greeks: their views of how the world was made, the gods, what happens when mortals disobey the gods.