1. Introduction To Greek Mythology

3. What is a Myth? A story which is the product of imagination
Myths were more than just folk tales to the Ancient Greeks—it was more like a religion
Closely related to the religious beliefs.
About supernatural events and gods
Combines a religious purpose with an explanatory purpose
For example a mythmaker tries to interpret nature through personification (gods and mortals)

4. What is a Myth?
Myths were attempts to explain things that would nowadays be explained scientifically.
Ancient people had basic scientific knowledge so they used their imagination to fill in the gaps.
Explained how people acquired basic things
(Speech, fire, grain, wine, oil, honey, agriculture, metal work, and other skills and arts)

5. Purpose of Greek Myths To explain human emotions
To answer questions people asked about the world around them and the natural events that occurred in it
To teach morals by justifying their social system and its customs

6. Combining Gods and Myths
Myths evolved over many centuries
During times of war and invasions in Ancient Greece
Conquerors and settlers brought their own gods with them
Probably changed less once the myths were written down

7. Strange Behavior The gods did many strange things in the myths
Greeks accepted this because the gods were supernatural beings
Ordinary people would not have been allowed to do these strange things
Examples
Grew up instantly
Able to do miraculous things right away

8. Religion
The stories told in the Greek myths formed part of the religion of Ancient Greece.
The myths illustrated the nature of the gods
The myths taught what pleased or angered the gods
Teaching morals, values
The myths did not set out religious rules or ideals like the Bible or the Koran

9. What the Gods Were Like
The Greeks thought of their gods as being like themselves
Human shaped
Got married and had children
Made friends and enemies
Had human-like faults
Jealousy, bad temper, bad behaviors

10. Why Should We Study Greek Mythology?
Ancient Greek culture has been kept alive by the oral and later written stories handed down through thousands of years.
Modern plays, novels, television programs, movies, and even advertisements refer to Greek gods, goddesses, and heroes in their stories.

13. Guess the Greek God

14. Guess the Greek God
Hermes
God of Travel and Messengers

15. Guess the Greek God

16. Guess the Greek God
Poseidon
God of the Sea

17. Guess the Greek God

18. Guess the Greek God
Eros
God of Love

19. Guess the Greek God

20. Guess the Greek God
Zeus
God of the Sky

21. Guess the Greek God

22. Guess the Greek God
Ares
God of War

23. Guess the Greek God

24. Guess the Greek God
Hades
God of the Underworld