Greek Mythology

Stories of gods and goddesses

What is mythology?

Long ago, the Greeks and the Romans believed in the stories we now call myths.

These stories featured gods and goddesses who the Greeks worshipped and prayed to and featured great heroes.

From these myths, we can learn about the beliefs of ancient people.

What is a legend?Legends are also stories

of old.Legends deal not with

gods, like mythology, but of heroes.

Legends may have mythical elements, but are based on some facts and historical truths.

Greek MythsOriginated around 1500

B.C.Provided examples of

good and bad behavior through example

Are the works of great poets◦Homer (Illiad, and the

Odyssey)◦Virgil (The Aeneid)

Myths explained NatureThey used these stories to

explain the natural world when science couldn’t.

Nature- Myths try to explain the natural world.◦ Lightning (Zeus is angry)

◦ Rising Sun (Helios is riding his luminous chariot)

Why Study Greek Mythology?

Mythology has influenced our modern world.◦ Products

Mythology in the Movies

Movies ◦ Troy◦ Hercules◦ Clash of the Titans◦ Harry Potter◦ The Lightning Thief◦ Pirates of the Caribbean

More InfluencesPsychology-

◦Oedipus (Oedipus Complex-)◦Narcissus (Narcissism-excessive love

for yourself)

Names-◦Planets (Uranus, Mercury, Venus) and

constellations ◦Words- atlas, titanic, midas touch, panic

Greek godsLived on Mt. Olympus.Spent a lot of time toying with the lives of

humans for their own fun.Often interacted with humans (Zeus had

children with mortals)Ate, drank, and partied just like humans.

More about the Greek gods

Anthropomorphic – gods were created in the image of humans

Human-like gods with human emotions◦ Highly emotional and immoral◦ Powerful and dangerous when angry◦ There was often fighting among the gods.

Immortal with supernatural powers, (they had not blood but ICHOR in veins)

Were vulnerable and could be hurt

Greek Mythology vs. ChristianityPolytheistic (many gods) vs. Monotheistic (one God)Christian God is perfect and expresses ORDER of

the world◦ what is wrong is mans’ fault for his spiritual disobedience

Greek gods are human like and express the DISORDER of the world;◦ what is wrong with the world is because of the gods

No Greek god represents supreme good (God) or supreme evil (Devil)

The Immortal GodsHere are some of them…

Greek myths also include heroesHercules/HeraklesTheseusAchillesOdysseusPerseus

Monsters and other creaturesCyclopsPegasusCerberusCentaurChimeraMinotaurGorgons