Greek Mythology

1
Greek Mythology

• The Odyssey and some of the Principal Gods and
  Goddesses

2
The Odyssey

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

3
Characteristics of the Epic

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

4
Homers Epics Bkgd Iliad and The Odyssey

• Based on the Trojan War (1200 BC)
• 100,000 Greeks sailed to Asia Minor to conquer
  Troy
• All based on revenge b/c Paris kidnapped Helen,
  the most beautiful woman in the world
• Iliad is the first / Odyssey is the sequel

5
Trojan War Map
6
Before The Odyssey

• Odysseus
• Helped build the wooden horse filled w/ Greek
  warriors
• Crept out at night and sacked Troy

7
The Odyssey (cont)

• Gods took sides w/ the Greeks and Trojans
• Poseidon was angered by the Trojan loss
• Made Odysseus journey home long and difficult (10
  years to get home)
• The Odyssey describes Odysseus journey home

8
The Odyssey (cont)

• Odysseus wanted to return home to Ithaca to his
  wife, Penelope, and his son, Telemachus
• He had to survive storms, temptations, and
  enemies at home

9
The Odyssey (cont)

• More popular than The Iliad
• Universal story of a national hero
• We all spend years trying to reach our goals and
  we all must endure tests, temptations, and
  obstacles
• We use the word today to describe our journey,
  our odyssey

10
What is a myth?

• Highly imaginative tales that attempt to explain
  the mysteries of life
• Every culture has them
• Homers illustrates the character of the hero
• He overcomes temptations of idleness
  (lotus-eaters)
• He uses reason and will power to overcome the
  Sirens, a symbol of the pleasure of the senses

11
The Olympians
12
Zeus

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

13
Zeus
14
Hera

• Roman Name Juno
• Zeuss sister and wife reigns over Mt. Olympus
• Cow/peacock
• Jealous protector of marriage and punished the
  women Zeus fell in love with

15
Poseidon

• Roman Name Neptune
• Son of Cronus brother of Zeus
• God of the Seas and Waters
• Trident horses or bulls
• The Earthshaker and controls storms

16
Hades

• Roman Name Pluto
• Son of Cronus brother of Zeus and Poseidon
• Invisibility helmet
• God of the Underworld/ Dead and Wealth

17
Athena

• Roman Name Minerva
• Daughter of Zeus
• Olive owl Athens
• Goddess of Wisdom and War
• Sprang from Zeuss head and his favorite

18
Apollo

• Roman Name Apollo
• Son of Zeus and Leto
• Crow and dolphin
• God of Light/Sun, Music and Archery
• Master musician

19
Sources

• 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.ht
  ml
• This presentation is for educational purposes
  only it has not been and should not be sold or
  used as a vehicle to make money.