Greek Mythology and History As related to The Odyssey

Greek Mythology Greek gods often had human characteristics. Including: –Desires –Weaknesses (e.g. jealousy, wrath) –Appearances

Greek Mythology Greek gods often meddled in the affairs of humans. Athena places special interest in Odysseus’s affairs.

Greek Mythology Sometimes gods and humans “interacted” which resulted in demigods. –Demigods: Beings which are half-god and half-human

The Greeks believed a hierarchy of gods and goddesses. –Hierarchy: A system of ranking Some gods are more important than others Greek Mythology

The most important gods from The Odyssey are: –Zeus –Athena –Hermes –Calypso –Circe –Polyphemus –Poseidon

The Trojan War Time: 1200 B.C.E. Cause: Helen and Paris –Abduction or tryst? Result: One of the greatest wars of all time.

The Trojan War Major warriors from the Trojan War: Greek side: –Achilles –Agamemnon –Menelaus –Ajax –Odysseus

The Trojan War Major warriors from the Trojan War: Trojan side: –Hector –Paris –King Priam

The Trojan War: Aftermath After the war, a tired but victorious Odysseus is longing to get home. Unfortunately, things don’t go well.