Greek Mythology

What is mythology?

• How can we define mythology?

• How did the Greeks View their religion?

Greek mythology was based on a polytheistic religion that was integral to the culture, politics, and art in ancient Greece

Many of Western civilization’s symbols, metaphors, words, and idealized images come from ancient Greek mythology

What are some examples?

• Company names?

• Symbols?

• Words and phrases?

“A face that launched a thousand ships”

NarcissisticHerculean

Apollo Space Missions

Cereal named after Ceres Greek god Asclepius,

Greek Mythology

Origins

Polytheistic religionCombined Minoan and

Mycenaean features of religion

Explanations of natural phenomena, human qualities, and life events

Gods took human form

Because the gods were powerful and possessed many skills, Greek people wanted to be like them

Greek gods and goddesses

Zeus- Chief of the gods, ruler of the sky, weather, and thunderstorms

Hera- protector of women and marriage; wife of Zeus

Athena- wisdom and art (Athens)

Apollo- light, drove the sun across the sky in his chariot

Poseidon- sea, brother of Zeus

Hades- underworld, brother of Zeus

Artemis- hunter, moon, children

Ares- warAphrodite- love, beauty

Dionysus- wine, fertility