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Classical Greek Mythology

Explore the rich world of classical Greek mythology through oral tradition and written literature, with a focus on the works of Mrs. Schultz. Learn about the purpose of myths and the many discrepancies that arise from retellings. Discover the immortals, Zeus and his family, as well as the birth of Hermes through entertaining retellings from Roger Lancelyn Green's "Coming of the Immortals" and other mythological stories. Dive into the fascinating tales of Aphrodite, Demeter and Persephone, and the legendary King Midas. All these stories offer insights into both ancient and modern understanding of Greek mythology.

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Classical Greek Mythology

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  1. Classical Greek Mythology Literature Mrs. Schultz

  2. Mythology • Oral tradition • Rewritten many times over • Many discrepancies

  3. Purpose of Myths • Explain events in nature • Teach a lesson or moral: explain how things were supposed to be or how humans were supposed to act • To entertain

  4. Classical Mythology • “Coming of the Immortals” p. 2 • “Zeus and His Family” p. 6 • “Hephaestus and the Birth of Hermes” p. 21

  5. Coming of the Immortals • By Roger Lancelyn Green • Known for entertaining retellings

  6. Greece • Origin of mythology lies in Greece • Mountains of Greece and their beauty inspired the immortals that are believed to have lived there. • Gods and Goddesses lived on Mount Olympus

  7. Stories were told, and told, and told… • There are many discrepancies between names and actual events for different stories because humans retold the stories and changed “facts”.

  8. Questions to Consider • Who are the immortals? • The immortals were gods and goddesses believed to have powers greater than humans.

  9. Questions to Consider • Why did the Greeks tell stories about them? • The purpose was to explain events in nature • to explain how things were supposed to be or how humans should act • to entertain

  10. Questions to Consider • What is the tone of “Coming of the Immortals” and what does it suggest about the author’s approach to mythology? • Humorous tone • The approach is informal and fun

  11. “Zeus and His Family” • Who were the first gods? • Gaea, Mother Earth • Uranus, God of the Sky • Cronus, Son of Gaea and Uranus • See family tree chart handout

  12. Cronus • Son of Gaea and Uranus • Married his sister Rhea and had six children: • Demeter, Hestia, Hera, Zeus, Poseidon, & Hades • Swallowed his children whole because of the prophecy that they would kill him.

  13. Cronus • Rhea had Cronus swallow a rock wrapped in a blanket so that she could save Zeus. • Zeus fulfilled the prophecy and killed Cronus.

  14. Zeus • King of the Gods • God of the Sky • More powerful than the other gods • Children of Zeus: • Athena, Apollo, Artemis, Heracles, Dionysus, Ares, Hephaestus, Hermes, & Persephone

  15. Zeus Shared Powers • Shared powers with brothers and sisters • Hades, God of the Underworld • Poseidon, God of the Sea • Aphrodite, Goddess of Love • Demeter, Goddess of the Harvest • Hestia, Goddess of the Hearth • Hera, Queen of the Gods

  16. Zeus Shared Powers • Shared powers with children • Ares, God of War • Hermes, Messenger God • Athena, Goddess of Wisdom • Apollo, God of the Sun • Artemis, Goddess of the Moon • Dionysus, God of the Vine

  17. Questions to Consider • Who were Zeus’s allies against Cronus? • His allies were Metis who helped make the potion for Cronus to throw up his children and then they too helped Zeus. • Prometheus and Epimetheus (former Titans)

  18. Questions to Consider • Who are the twelve gods and goddesses of the Olympiad? • Zeus’s five brothers and sisters, six children, and Aphrodite.

  19. Questions to Consider • What makes Zeus so much more powerful than the other gods? • Zeus had his thunderbolts, and he was stronger than all of the gods put together.

  20. “Hephaestus and the Birth of Hermes” • Hephaestus • Son of Zeus and Hera • Hera was not happy when he was born because he was so ugly. • She threw him over a cliff to die. • Raised by Thetis

  21. Hephaestus • He was a great craftsman • God of Smithing • Made the thunderbolts, trident, and most of the palaces • Married Aphrodite

  22. Hermes • Son of Zeus and Maia • Messenger God (winged feet) • Grew to age 4 in one day • Worked for Hades, great inventor

  23. Questions to Consider • Why is it that no one celebrated the birth of Hephaestus? • He was small and ugly • His mother, Hera, threw him off a cliff

  24. Questions to Consider • Do you feel sorry for Hephaestus? Why or why not? • Yes, he should not have been treated that way. He is constantly used for his talents.

  25. Questions to Consider • What is the importance of the trade between Hermes and Apollo? • This set up a relationship between the two and Hermes is seen as a good negotiator. He is really slick.

  26. Questions to Consider • Which of Hermes inventions are most important? • The alphabet and arithmetic because these are used for anything and everything today.

  27. Classical Mythology • “Aphrodite” p. 25 • “Demeter and Persephone” p. 98 • “Midas” p. 183

  28. Aphrodite • Goddess of Love • Most beautiful woman in the world • Magic girdle—all men were under her spell • Born from the dismembered body of Uranus in the foam of the ocean

  29. Questions to Consider • How was Aphrodite born? • Aphrodite was born out of the dismembered parts of Uranus floating in the foam of the ocean.

  30. Questions to Consider • Why do you think that Hera insisted she be married right away? • Aphrodite was so beautiful that Hera thought there would be problems. She also wanted her for her son Hephaestus.

  31. Questions to Consider • What did each of the gods offer her to become her husband? • Poseidon offered gifts from the sea • Apollo offered a golden chariot and the Muses as her maids • Hermes offered to make her queen of the crossways • Hephaestus offered nothing but said he would make a good husband

  32. Questions to Consider • Why did she choose Hephaestus? • He was good at making beautiful things and he acted like he would give her space.

  33. “Demeter and Persephone” • Demeter • Goddess of Crops and Agriculture • Happy—fields are green, grasses grow • Sad—fields and grass suffer • Mother of Persephone • Myth explains seasonal changes

  34. Questions to Consider • What can you infer about the speaker of this poem? • The speaker is angry and upset. At times it seems as if Demeter is the speaker.

  35. Questions to Consider • Why does Demeter disguise herself before she goes to the village of the mortals? • She does not want the mortals to know that she is Demeter. The goddess that has been in control of their crops and harvest.

  36. Questions to Consider • Why does Demeter grow angry with Metaneira? • Metaneira does not realize that Demeter is a goddess and she thinks that Demeter will hurt her son. Demeter is angry when she takes her son back.

  37. Questions to Consider • What do you think is the purpose of this myth? • This myth was told to explain a natural event, the changing of the seasons.

  38. Classical Mythology • “Midas” p. 183 • “Prometheus” p. 185 • “Pandora” p. 190

  39. Midas • King Midas was given a reward from Bacchus (Dionysus) • He asked that all that he touches turn to gold • He wanted to get rid of the power • He went to the River Factolus and plunged in to get rid of the “curse”

  40. Questions to Consider • At what point does Midas realize that his wish was foolish? • When he can’t even eat bread he realizes that his wish is foolish.

  41. Questions to Consider • Why is Bacchus sorry that Midas had not made a better choice? • Bacchus sees things and their consequences and knows that this is not a good choice.

  42. Questions to Consider • What would be your wish if you could have anything that you asked for?

  43. Prometheus • Titan thought to create humankind • Defies Zeus and brings fire back to humans • Was chained to a rock for years by Zeus as a punishment

  44. Questions to Consider • Why does Zeus take fire from the mortals? • He thinks that they are not thinking about the gods as they should. The mortals are only concerned about finding riches.

  45. Questions to Consider • Why do the gods and goddesses want it returned? • They are tired of looking down on a world so cold and black.

  46. Questions to Consider • In what ways is Prometheus a champion of the “little people”? • He is trying to do the right thing and help them get something back that they truly need for survival.

  47. Questions to Consider • In your opinion, was Prometheus wise or foolish? Explain.

  48. “Pandora” • Zeus’s revenge on Prometheus and humans for stealing back fire was Pandora. • Hephaestus molded her out of clay and Zeus was said to have breathed life into her. Modeled after Aphrodite.

  49. “Pandora” • A wedding gift of a beautiful box was given to Pandora, but she was told not to open it. • Hera gave her curiosity. HMMM…

  50. “Pandora” • Pandora’s curiosity got the better of her and she opened the box. • Disease, famine, insanity, and all other foul kin were released into the world. • Foreboding did not get released.

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