Mythology

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Mythology
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You know more than you think!

• Youve been exposed to Greek mythology your
  entire life!
• Here are some examples you might recognize

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You know more than you think!
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What is a myth?

• A traditional, typically ancient story dealing
  with supernatural beings, or heroes that serves
  as an explanation of aspects in the natural world
  or delineating the psychology, customs, or ideals
  of society.

www.dictionary.com
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Explaining the world

• Myths seek to explain all those unexplainable or
  unknowable aspects of life.
• Where do we go after we die?
• How was the world created?
• Why can we see our reflection in water?
• Why are there four separate seasons?
• Why do we fall in love?
• How is lightning created?
• Why do our voices sometime echo?
• How was fire created, and why do we have it?

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through the supernatural.

• These natural occurrences are explained through
  the actions and behaviors of supernatural beings
  such as gods, goddesses, monsters, heroes, and
  other mythical beings.

How did humans get fire? Prometheus was the
wisest Titan of all. Prometheus is credited with
bringing enlightenment to humans. Prometheus
stole fire from the gods and gave it to
humankind, bringing the power of warmth and light
to the dark and miserable earth. Prometheus
acted against the express wishes of the Olympian
Gods, who wanted to keep the power of fire -
enlightenment - for their exclusive use. For this
Zeus punished Prometheus by having him chained to
a rock with an eagle tearing at his liver. He was
later rescued by Hercules.
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Using the lingo today
Nike The Greek goddess of victory
Cupid Son of the goddess of Love. This winged
god can be seen to this day, especially during
Valentines day. One shot from his bow is
supposed to make the victim fall in love.
Cyclops Named after a mythological being with
only one eye.
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Mythology in nature and science

• Many of our planets (and many moons) are named
  after Roman gods
• Mercury- messenger god
• Mars- god of war
• Venus- goddess of love
• Jupiter- king of the gods
• Saturn- god of agriculture
• Neptune- god of the seas
• Uranus- ancient Greek deity of the heavens
• Pluto- god of the underworld

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Gods and Goddesses in Greek Myth

• Deities in mythology typically are patrons of
  certain areas. They control those aspect of life.
  Despite their supernatural nature, they also had
  very human qualities both good and bad.

Manipulative womanizer who repeated cheated on
his wife, Hera. He had numerous children by women
and goddesses he either tricked, seduced, or
raped.
Ruler of the Olympian Gods Controller of the
heavens Controls thunder and lightning
Zeus
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The Trojan War

• Homers The Illiad details a 10 year war that
  pits Greece against Troy. The war actually
  occurred, though the circumstances that led up to
  it are up to debate.
• According to myth, it all starts with one very
  special apple

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The Trial of Paris

• Goddesses Hera, Athena, and Aphrodite were
  competing to see who was the most beautiful. Each
  of them wanted the title of the most lovely
  goddess on Olympus, and they also wanted the
  prize of the golden apple.
• Zeus refused to judge the contest (for good
  reason)

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A tough decision

• Paris, said to be the most handsome and fair
  mortal alive, is chosen to judge the contest.
  Determined to win at all cost, each of these
  goddesses bribes Paris with something to sway his
  judgment.

Aphrodite, goddess of love, offered Paris the
love of the most beautiful woman.
Hera, queen of the Olympic gods, offered Paris
power beyond his wildest dreams.
Athena, goddess of wisdom, offered Paris infinite
wisdom.
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Paris choice

• Paris chooses Aphrodite (of course) and in turn,
  receives Helen of Troy as his prize. Helen is
  said to be the most beautiful woman on earth.
• Small problem shes married to the King of
  Sparta.
• Paris takes off with Helen. Helens husband,
  Menelaus, wages war against Troy to regain his
  wife.
• Thus begins the Trojan War
• (all because of some stupid apple!)

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Epics

• An extended narrative poem in elevated or
  dignified language, celebrating the feats of a
  legendary or traditional hero.
• The story of the Trojan war is detailed in the
  famous Greek epic The Iliad. It was told by the
  famous blind poet Homer.
• The Odyssey details the trials of a hero trying
  to find his way home. This hero, Odysseus, was
  the hero of the Trojan war. He was the brains
  behind the Trojan horse, which ends the war.