1. Topic: Greek Mythology and Literature
Unit: Ancient Greece
Central Question:
What was the importance of mythology to everyday Greek life, and how does Greek mythology influence modern language and literature?

2. Mythology is a body of stories about gods and heroes that try to explain how the world works.

4. Instead of scientific explanations, the Greeks used mythology to explain things. They believed gods caused things like volcanic eruptions and the changing seasons.

5. Pandora was created out of clay by Hephaestus
Pandora was created out of clay by Hephaestus. Pandora was given a gift by Zeus, known as Pandora’s Box. She was warned not to open it, but was overcome with curiosity and opened the lid. Out poured all of the evils of the world. “Hope” however remained in the box.

6. To keep the gods happy, the ancient Greeks built great temples
To keep the gods happy, the ancient Greeks built great temples. The Greeks expected help when they needed it in return.

7. Heroes in Mythology
Many Greek myths told about the adventures of great heroes.
Some heroes were real, while others were not.
Some of the major heroes were Perseus, Theseus, Jason, and Hercules.

8. Theseus traveled to Crete and killed the minotaur, a half-human, half-bull monster.

9. Jason sailed across the seas in search of great treasure.

10. Hercules was the most famous hero
Hercules was the most famous hero. He fought many monsters such as the Hydra, and performed nearly impossible tasks.

11. Ancient Greek literature provides some of the world’s greatest poems and stories.

12. Poems set to music are called lyric poems
Poems set to music are called lyric poems. The most famous lyric poet in Greece was Sappho. Most of her poems were about love and relationships with her friends and family.

13. The Iliad by Homer tells the story of the last years of the Trojan War.

14. The Odyssey describes the challenges that Odysseus faced on his way home from the Trojan War. These poems were central to the education system and influenced later writing as well.

16. Greek myths have inspired artists and writers for centuries.
The most obvious way we see the influence of the Greeks is in our language.
Many English words and expressions come from mythology, such as “odyssey” and “titanic.”
Greek myths have inspired artists and writers for centuries. 15

17. Aesop is famous for his fables
Aesop is famous for his fables. Fables are short stories that often feature animals, and teach the reader lessons about life or give advice on how to live.

18. The Boy Who Cried Wolf

19. The boy who cried wolf
By Aesop
Aesop's Fables
There was once a young shepherd boy who tended his sheep at the foot of a mountain near a dark forest. It was rather lonely for him all day, so he thought upon a plan by which he could get a little company and some excitement.
He rushed down towards the village calling out "Wolf! Wolf!" and the villagers came out to meet him, and some of them stopped with him for a considerable time.

20. This pleased the boy so much that a few days afterwards he tried the same trick, and again the villagers came to his help. But shortly after this a wolf actually did come out from the forest, and began to worry the sheep, and the boy of course cried out "Wolf! Wolf!" still louder than before. But this time the villagers, who had been fooled twice before, thought the boy was again deceiving them, and nobody stirred to come to his help.
So the wolf made a good meal off the boy's flock, and when the boy complained, the wise man of the village said:-
"A liar will not be believed, even when he speaks the truth."

21. The Tortoise and the Hare

22. The Tortoise and the Hare
A HARE one day ridiculed the short feet and slow pace of the Tortoise, who replied, laughing: 'Though you be swift as the wind, I will beat you in a race.' The Hare, believing her assertion to be simply impossible, assented to the proposal; and they agreed that the Fox should choose the course and fix the goal. On the day appointed for the race the two started together. The Tortoise never for a moment stopped, but went on with a slow but steady pace straight to the end of the course. The Hare, lying down by the wayside, fell fast asleep.

23. Slow but steady wins the race.
At last waking up, and moving as fast as he could, he saw the Tortoise had reached the goal, and was comfortably dozing after her fatigue.
Slow but steady wins the race.

24. Mythological references are also common among names of sports teams.

25. The ancient Greeks honored Zeus with the Olympic Games
The ancient Greeks honored Zeus with the Olympic Games. Today, the Olympic Games continue every four years.

26. Moviemakers have borrowed some of these stories.

29. The myths stories and poems of ancient Greece have shaped how people today speak, read, and write.