1. An Introduction To Mythology and the Greek Gods & Goddesses Mr. Dewalt English I WHS

2. Myths are traditional stories, rooted in a particular culture, that deal with gods, goddesses, and other supernatural beings, as well as human heroes. Myths often embody religious beliefs and values and explain natural phenomena. Every early culture has created their own myths.

3. Myths surround our daily lives. What are some examples of myths that you are aware of?

4. Did you eat Cereal for breakfast? Research is being conducted on Mars. What did Cupid send you for Valentine’s Day? It’s Thursday. Is it May or June though? Cereal from Cerealia; a festival for Ceres the Roman goddess of the harvest. Mars is the Roman god of war. Cupid young Roman god. Thursday- Thor; Norse god of thunder. May- Maia; Greek goddess of the fields. June- Juno; Roman goddess of marriage and women.

5. Originally, myths were used to explain the cause and occurrence of phenomena in the natural world. With the advancement of science though, these tales have become more for entertainment purposes rather than to instruct people.

6. A myth is a traditional story, rooted in a particular culture. Deals with gods and other supernatural beings. Can also deal with human heroes. Often embody religious beliefs and values and explain natural phenomena. Myths can also detail why things occur in life such as the changing of the seasons or reason for human suffering.

7. 1. Creation Myths 1. Origin Myths 1. Social Myths 1. Ritual Myths 1. Describe how the world or universe came into being. 2. Explain the beginning of customs or names of objects. 3. Reinforce or explain social values or practices. 4. Explain performance of rituals and religious practices.

8. Narcissism To love oneself: Narcissus. Nemesis Someone who wants to bring about vengeance; goddess of vengeance. Meander Ancient Greek river Maiandros or Maeander; a bend in a river; verb form means to wander aimlessly. Stoical School of Greek philosophy that believed people hoping to be wise should be free of joy, grief, and passions.

9. Herakles

10. Examples? Gaea and Ouranos Thunder and lightning (Zeus) Earthquakes (Poseidon) Seasons (Persephone & Demeter) The sun rises (Greece: Helios’ chariot, Egypt: Ra and Semektet)

11. Early Greeks as proto philosophers Attempting to answer fundamental questions Where did we come from? Who created the universe? Is there life after death? To explain is to control Comfort in knowing

12. Why women couldn’t vote To explain is to control  Athena and Poseidon both want to rule and protect Athens  Gift contest  Poseidon=saltwater well (useless)  Athena=olive tree (olive, wood, oil)  Men vote for Poseidon, women for Athena  Athena wins  Poseidon flood the Attic plain  Athenians blame the women, take away vote

13. Myths often relay a message or moral Teach cultural traditions, values Icarus—life has limits Narcissus and the dangers of pride and self love

14.  A biased version of history  Reinforce Greek culture and power  Trojan War  Crete and King Minos  Founding of Rome  Founded by sons of Mars  Gave tellers sense of identity, sense of place

15. People were illiterate in early Greece Couldn’t read or write Entertainment in an oral culture Blood, shock, exciting tales The Heroes  Herakles, Odysseus, Theseus, Jason  Stronger, smarter, more handsome than mere mortals  Nobility in humanity  Humans are better than gods

16. Zeus Hera Athena Ares Aphrodite Demeter Hephaestus Hades Poseidon Apollo Artemis Dionysus Hestia Hermes