1. Unit 4: Changes in Perspective / Discovering Allusion

2. Unit Focus and Questions
Analyzing and evaluating mythological allusions in our world helps us to create connections among ideas and develop an interpretive understanding of hidden meanings both in and out of texts.
What life lessons can be learned from the heroes and villains of ancient Greek mythology?
How does an understanding of ancient mythology and allusion enhance a person’s ability to analyze, evaluate, and critique?

3. Introducing the Greek Gods!

4. King of Gods, men, law and order, weather
Zeus
King of Gods, men, law and order, weather
Symbols: Thunderbolt, throne or crown, eagle, shield
Married to Hera
Father of many half-human/ half-gods
Lord of gods and men
Ruled from Mount Olympus

5. Goddess of women, childbirth
Hera
Goddess of women, childbirth
Symbol: Peacock
Wife of Zeus
Often portrayed as angry with Zeus.
Often portrayed as seeking revenge against her step-children.

6. Athena Symbol: Owl The city of Athens is named in her honor.
Wisdom, fine arts
Symbol: Owl
The city of Athens is named in her honor.

7. Ares God of War Symbols: spear, burning torch, vultures
Often not popular among other gods.

8. Symbols: The sun, the bow, the lyre
Apollo
God of the sun, song,
music, prophecy
Symbols: The sun, the bow, the lyre

9. Goddess of hearth and family
Hestia
Goddess of hearth and family
Symbols: The hearth, flame, home, the circle

10. Lord of the Sea, horses, and earthquakes
Poseidon
Lord of the Sea, horses, and earthquakes
Symbol: Trident (Three-pronged spear)

11. Hades God of the Underworld
Symbols: Two-pronged spear, scepter, chariot pulled by black, fire-snorting horses
Kidnapped Demeter’s daughter, Persephone, to make her his queen.
Often portrayed as a villain in modern texts, but was not seen that way in ancient Greece.

12. God of fire, blacksmiths
Hephaestus
God of fire, blacksmiths
Symbols: Hammer and anvil
Usually depicted as disfigured.
In some versions, married to Aphrodite, the goddess of beauty.
Creates weapons for the gods.

13. Goddess of the moon, hunting, purity, and the wilderness
Artemis
Goddess of the moon, hunting,
purity, and the wilderness
Symbols: The sun, a golden shield

14. Goddess of Agriculture
Demeter
Symbols: Wheat, cornucopia
After her daughter, Persephone, was stolen by Hades, Demeter refused to allow food to grow until an agreement was made to return Persephone to the land of the living for 6 months of the year.
Goddess of Agriculture

15. Goddess of love and beauty
Aphrodite
Goddess of love and beauty
Symbols: Scallop shell, dolphin, swan, golden apple
In some versions, she is said to have been born from sea-foam.

16. Hermes Symbols: Caduceus (Herald’s staff), winged sandals
God of travel, trade, and thievery
Symbols: Caduceus (Herald’s staff), winged sandals
The messenger of the gods.

17. God of the grape harvest, wine, and drama
Dionysus
God of the grape harvest, wine, and drama
Symbols: Grapes, wine glass

18. How is Greek Myth important in modern times?
Good readers are expected to know about Greek mythology.

19. How is Greek Myth important in modern times?
Many words we use today can trace their origins back to Greek myth. Why does the word arachnid usually mean spider? A Greek myth will tell you.

20. How is Greek Myth important in modern times?
Businesses often make use of references to Greek mythology, such as…
…this soda…

21. How is Greek Myth important in modern times?
…this ad for a flower delivery service…

22. How is Greek Myth important in modern times?
…this ad for a children’s mask…

23. How is Greek Myth important in modern times?
…the name of this hair salon…

24. How is Greek Myth important in modern times?
…or this dog costume.
Greek myth also appears in…

25. How is Greek Myth important in modern times?
…comic books, television shows, songs, and movies.

26. End of Class Mythology Pretest
Have your answers changed?

27. Return to Ending of Class Question #1
Why is understanding Greek mythology important to us today?

28. End of Class Question #2
Is ‘Nike’ a good name for an athletic shoe? Explain by referencing the meaning for the word using your packet of information about the Greek Gods.