 A Greek poet whose most famous works are the Iliad and the Odyssey  He probably wrote these works during the 1100’s BC  The life of Homer is a mystery  Historians are not sure when or where he lived, or if he even existed  It could be that many people wrote these poems over generations and were collectedly called “Homer”

 The Odyssey begins in medias res, or in the middle of things  The story begins with a sense of urgency  The Odyssey begins after the fall of Troy and takes one of the warriors and crafts the epic around his struggles  It tells the story of his journey home The Odyssey Background

1.It contains adventure that includes extraordinary or super human deeds 2.It has a central heroic figure (epic hero) 3.The setting is vast - often covering the world 4.Supernatural forces (Gods) are involved 5.An elevated style is used (serious tone of voice) 6.Purpose: to entertain, teach and inspire

- hero faces trials and enemies while struggling on an epic journey - the hero encounters “women as temptresses” who threaten his completion of the journey - at the end of the journey, the hero must complete a final task alone - after the final task is successfully accomplished, the hero returns home, a leader of his people

 Humanities earliest imaginative attempt to explain the universe, its creation, and working  A story created to portray values and to teach behavior  Usually involves supernatural or imaginary persons  It provides reassurance and meaning, and they are usually closely associated with religious beliefs  They explain the unexplainable

 Reveals the way of life and thought of that culture  Western civilization traces roots back to Greek culture  Where do we see myths today???

 Clotho – spins thread of life  sings of those that are  Lachesis – measures  sings of the things that were  Atropos – cuts the thread  sings about the things that will be Fate=destiny

They inspired the arts  Clio  History  Euterpe  Lyric poetry & music  Thalia  Comedy  Melpomeme  Tragedy  Terpsichon  dance  Erato  love poetry  Polyhymnia  Sacred song & oratory  Calliope  Epic poetry  Urania  astronomy

Goddess of war and wisdom, arts and crafts Athena tried to solve everything peacefully (with wisdom) Her brother, Ares (god of war), son of Zeus & Hera, was the most hated of the gods Athena was Odysseus’ special protector. They were both a bit cunning.

 Hospitable – friendly and solicitous toward guests, new arrivals VERY IMPORTANT TO THE GREEKS!!!  Zues demanded that strangers be treated graciously  One never knew when a god would come in disguise to visit  Violating or abusing the hospitality of a host was frowned upon

 nymph – minor female divinities beautiful, youthful spirits of nature  enchantress – a female who enchants (charms) by using magic  sorcerer/ess – magician, wizard  libation – drink offering to a god  odyssey – a long journey  epic – long, narrative poem with a hero  prophecy – prediction of the future  deity – another name for god/goddess