1. Greek Mythology The Odyssey and some of the Principal Gods and Goddesses

2. The Odyssey n Epic poem – a long narrative poem about the deeds of a hero n Written by the blind poet Homer (850-800 BC) n Poems were often composed of poetic lines accompanied by instruments to aid memory n Homer, the first to combine isolated tales into a whole epic poem

3. Characteristics of the Epic n Begins “in media res” (in the middle) n Begins w/ invocation to the muse (asking the muse for inspiration to tell his tale) n References to the supernatural (gods/goddesses) n Epic similes and hyperbole (extreme exaggeration) n Repetitive phrases, speeches, incidents, and use of flashbacks n Long sentences, complex words n Passed down orally (told person to person)

4. Homer’s Epics Bkgd: Iliad and The Odyssey n Based on the Trojan War (1200 BC) n 100,000 Greeks sailed to Asia Minor to conquer Troy n All based on revenge b/c Paris kidnapped Helen, the most beautiful woman in the world n Iliad is the first / Odyssey is the sequel

5. Trojan War Map

6. Before The Odyssey n Odysseus –Helped build the wooden horse filled w/ Greek warriors –Crept out at night and sacked Troy

7. The Odyssey (con’t) n Gods took sides w/ the Greeks and Trojans n Poseidon was angered by the Trojan loss n Made Odysseus journey home long and difficult (10 years to get home) n The Odyssey describes Odysseus journey home

8. The Odyssey (con’t) n Odysseus wanted to return home to Ithaca to his wife, Penelope, and his son, Telemachus n He had to survive storms, temptations, and enemies at home

9. The Odyssey (con’t) n More popular than The Iliad n Universal story of a national hero n We all spend years trying to reach our goals and we all must endure tests, temptations, and obstacles n We use the word today to describe our journey, our odyssey

10. What is a myth? n Highly imaginative tales that attempt to explain the mysteries of life n Every culture has them n Homer’s illustrates the character of the hero n He overcomes temptations of idleness (lotus- eaters) n He uses reason and will power to overcome the Sirens, a symbol of the pleasure of the senses

11. The Olympians

12. Zeus n Roman Name: Jupiter (also Jove) n Son of Chronus n Reigns over the heavens (Mt. Olympus) n Oak; Eagle; Lighting Bolt n King of gods; fathered many characters in mythology

13. Zeus

14. Hera n Roman Name: Juno n Zeus’s sister and wife; reigns over Mt. Olympus n Cow/peacock n Jealous protector of marriage and punished the women Zeus fell in love with

15. Poseidon n Roman Name: Neptune n Son of Cronus; brother of Zeus n God of the Seas and Waters n Trident; horses or bulls n “The Earthshaker” and controls storms

16. Hades n Roman Name: Pluto n Son of Cronus; brother of Zeus and Poseidon n Invisibility helmet n God of the Underworld/ Dead and Wealth

17. Athena n Roman Name: Minerva n Daughter of Zeus n Olive; owl; Athens n Goddess of Wisdom and War n Sprang from Zeus’s head and his favorite

18. Apollo n Roman Name: Apollo n Son of Zeus and Leto n Crow and dolphin n God of Light/Sun, Music and Archery n Master musician

19. Sources n Graphics in this presentation were taken from the following web sites: –http://www.bulfinch.org/fables/search.html –http://www.pantheon.org/ –http://www.messagenet.com/myths/ –http://mythman.com/ –http://web.uvic.ca/grs/bowman/myth/index.html –http://www.paleothea.com/ –http://www.entrenet.com/%7Egroedmed/greekm/myth.html n This presentation is for educational purposes only; it has not been and should not be sold or used as a vehicle to make money.