Greek and Roman Mythology

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Greek and Roman Mythology
Man is nothing without the GodsThe Odyssey
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Mythology

• It was the ancient Greeks way to explain the
  unexplainable in an unpredictable and mysterious
  universe.
• They believed that everything in their everyday
  lives was impacted by the gods/goddesses.

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Homer

• Blind minstrel
• Lived 3000 years ago (700-800 B.C.)
• Composed both epic poems, the Odyssey and the
  Iliad

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The Iliad

• Written around 750 B.C., approximately 30 years
  before the Odyssey
• Deals with one episode of the Trojan War, the
  celebrated conflict between the Greeks and the
  inhabitants of Troy
• At the end of the 10 year battle, Odysseus
  proclaims his success without paying proper
  homage to the gods and is punished by being sent
  on a 10 year voyage

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The Odyssey

• The 10 year voyage of Odysseus, also known as
  Ulysses, to get home to his island home, Ithaca
• Written around 720 B.C.
• The gods are not perfect, often argue, and play
  important roles in the lives of the characters
• Athena is particularly impressed by Odyssues and
  is his protector throughout his journey
• The majority of his journey is told as Odysseus
  has nearly made it home and recounts the past

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Epic Poem

• Long narrative spanning many years
• Complex in language, yet simple in message
• Follows a particular poetic pattern, dactylic
  hexameter
• It is the journey of an epic hero used to teach a
  lesson or moral

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Epic Hero

• Embarks on a journey/adventure
• Quest is marked by tests and trials
• Faithful to country, family, and a god
• Is brave, yet feels fear
• Displays hubris (pride and arrogance) which leads
  to challenges and obstacles
• Intelligent, physically strong, and cunning

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Foundations of Greek Life
What did the Greeks value as a society?

• Family
• Friends
• Home/Hearth
• Hospitality

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Greek Terms

• kleos identity
• oikos community
• nostos return/going back
• nostoi coming home
• hubris pride/arrogance

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Mythology is All Around US

• Hermes and his winged shoes are in the FTD logo,
  indicating speedy messages.
• Atlas had to carry the world on his shoulders
  just as an atlas carries maps of the world.
• The iris in your eye allows you to see color as
  Iris is the goddess of the rainbow.
• Cupid is still used to make people fall in love.
• What other examples can you find?

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Why do we need to learn about Mythology?

• Knowing mythology and the origin of many items
  found in your daily lives is a sign of
  intelligence and literacy.
• It is the foundation of our civilization and is
  literally translated to mean community.
• Our literary archetypes are based on mythology
  the hero, trickster, villain, fool, etc.
• There are mythological references made
  frequently in literature.
• You might be able to answer the million
  dollar question.

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What is the difference between a myth, fairy
tale, legend, etc.?

1. Fairy tale a simple story that deals with
   supernatural beings, told primarily for the
   benefit of children simple messages are used
   such as The good guy always wins.
2. Fable Usually a story in which animals act and
   talk like human beings to get a message across
   for example the tortoise that shows that the
   slow, sure and steady can win a race.
3. Parable Objects and people are used in a story
   to get across a message. For example, the
   biblical story about the tiny mustard seed
   growing into a giant, strong plant.

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1. Legend a story that got its start from some
   actual event in the past, but got exaggerated as
   time went on.
2. Myth a story that helps to explain some
   unexplainable event for example lightning, how
   the earth was created, etc.
3. Science fiction present day myths that deal
   with the unknown such as space, ESP, mental
   telepathy, etc.
4. Epic a long story-poem about the adventures of
   a hero such as Odysseus.
5. Folk Tale a fictional story, usually told
   orally, that tells a timeless story about
   traditions and beliefs of a group of people.