Stories of gods and goddesses Greek Mythology Stories of gods and goddesses

What is mythology? Long ago, the Greeks and the Romans believed in the stories we now call myths. These stories featured gods and goddesses who the Greeks worshipped and prayed to and featured great heroes. From these myths, we can learn about the beliefs of ancient people.

What is a legend? Legends are also stories of old. Legends deal not with gods, like mythology, but of heroes. Legends may have mythical elements, but are based on some facts and historical truths. I point out the Legend of King Arthur. It is based in some truth, but as stories are told again and again, they become more fantastic and unbelievable. The King Arthur that we know today is a famous legend.

Greek Myths Originated around 1500 B.C. Provided examples of good and bad behavior through example Are the works of great poets Homer (Illiad, and the Odyssey) Virgil (The Aeneid)

Myths explained Nature They used these stories to explain the natural world when science couldn’t. Nature- Myths try to explain the natural world. Lightning (Zeus is angry) Rising Sun (Helios is riding his luminous chariot) Greeks didn’t have science, so they created stories to explain nature

Why Study Greek Mythology? Mythology has influenced our modern world. Products FTE- Hermes (delivered messages from god to god) Artemis Research – Artemis was the goddess of the hunt (they hunt for informaiton) Nike- goddess of victory (Check is the shape of the wing) Midas- King Midas (Everything they touch turns to “gold”) Pandora- First woman in Greek Mythology (name means “all beautifiul” Odyssey Minivan- The Odyssey is a story of a long journey                                             

Mythology in the Movies Troy Hercules Clash of the Titans Harry Potter The Lightning Thief Pirates of the Caribbean All of these movies either are an interpretation of a myth or contain elements of greek mythology Troy- based on The Illiad Hercules- a very loose interpretation of Hercules Clash of the Titans- features the famous hero Perseus The Lightning Thief- Modern movie with characters from Greek Mythology Harry Potter- dog is Cerberus Pirates of the Caribbean- Calypso

More Influences Psychology- Oedipus (Oedipus Complex-) Narcissus (Narcissism-excessive love for yourself) Names- Planets (Uranus, Mercury, Venus) and constellations Words- atlas, titanic, midas touch, panic I tell the story of Oedipus and Naricissus and have them summarize one. When the Romans conquered the Greeks, they changed the names of the gods to Roman names. The planets are named after the Roman names.

Greek gods Lived on Mt. Olympus. Spent a lot of time toying with the lives of humans for their own fun. Often interacted with humans (Zeus had children with mortals) Ate, drank, and partied just like humans.

More about the Greek gods Anthropomorphic – gods were created in the image of humans Human-like gods with human emotions Highly emotional and immoral Powerful and dangerous when angry There was often fighting among the gods. Immortal with supernatural powers, (they had not blood but ICHOR in veins) Were vulnerable and could be hurt

Greek Mythology vs. Christianity Polytheistic (many gods) vs. Monotheistic (one God) Christian God is perfect and expresses ORDER of the world what is wrong is mans’ fault for his spiritual disobedience Greek gods are human like and express the DISORDER of the world; what is wrong with the world is because of the gods No Greek god represents supreme good (God) or supreme evil (Devil)

The Immortal Gods Here are some of them…

Greek myths also include heroes Hercules/Herakles Theseus Achilles Odysseus Perseus

Monsters and other creatures Cyclops Pegasus Cerberus Centaur Chimera Minotaur Gorgons