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Mythology Introduction

Mythology Introduction. Mythology. Let’s put our etymology skills to use: Myth a story, believed by many, that was told in an ancient culture to explain a belief but is not true -ology the study of (in this case—myths). Lesson Goals.

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Mythology Introduction

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  1. Mythology Introduction

  2. Mythology • Let’s put our etymology skills to use: • Myth • a story, believed by many, that was told in an ancient culture to explain a belief but is not true • -ology • the study of (in this case—myths)

  3. Lesson Goals • Identify key mythological figures, their “responsibilities” and their relationships to each other. • Identify three common themes in mythology and explain them. • State why reading literature / historical documents of another culture or time period can be valuable. • Make an inference about how the ancient Greeks viewed women.

  4. A Little Fruit… Can cause BIG problems…

  5. The Wedding of Peleus and Thetis • According to legend, all the gods and goddesses were invited except one! • Eris, The goddess of discord • Why not invite the goddess of discord?

  6. The Wedding… • Because she’ll cause trouble! • Angry at not being invited Eris tosses “the apple of discord” among the celebrating goddesses. “For the Fairest”

  7. Women! • Of course all of the goddesses wished to claim the golden apple. • Naturally, they all believed they were the “fairest” or “most beautiful”.

  8. The Three Goddesses • Three goddesses in particular laid claim to the golden apple. • Each felt they were fairest of them all. • As the bickering over the apple began, I’m sure Peleus and Thetis regretted their decision to not invite Eris, the goddess of discord, to their wedding.

  9. Hera, the protector of Marriage • Zeus’ wife (and sister)—EWWW! • Often a rival of Zeus • Hera was originally not interested in Zeus, but he disguised himself as a wounded cuckoo bird. Loving animals, Hera held the bird to her breast to protect it.

  10. Hera, the protector of Marriage • Zeus then returned to his normal form, took her by surprise, and raped her. • Hera married him to cover her shame. • She once rallied the other gods against Zeus and revolted. • Zeus escaped and hung Hera from the sky in gold chains as punishment.

  11. Hera, the protector of Marriage • She had to vow to never rebel again before she was released. • She often assists others in circumventing Zeus, but rarely gets caught. • She is extremely jealous of Zeus’ many “infidelities”.

  12. Athena, the goddess of Wisdom • Daughter of Zeus • Sprang full grown, in armor, from Zeus’ head • Zeus’ favorite child • Fierce and brave in battle

  13. Aphrodite, the goddess of love • Can make anyone desire her • Also the goddess of desire and beauty • Married to Hephaestus (ugliest of all the gods)

  14. Settling the Dispute • The three goddesses turned to the one man who could settle the dispute…

  15. Settling the Dispute • Most powerful (King) of the gods • Married to Hera, father to Athena • The thunderbolt is his weapon of choice • Not exactly the most faithful husband—in fact—he likes the ladies…a lot…really…he “gets around”. He’s pretty much everyone’s father, step-father, or at least visited their mother. • Completely not interested in settling this dispute. Zeus, King of the gods

  16. Settling the Dispute • Zeus elects not to decide who is the “fairest”, but appoints Paris of Troy to be the judge of the contest. • It was foretold that Paris would bring about the destruction of Troy. • Paris, as a baby, was left to die on Mt. Ida, but was rescued by a shephard.

  17. Settling the Dispute • Paris survived and ultimately learned his true lineage and returned home. • He was welcomed and everyone apparently thought the “prophecy” was no longer a danger. • They were wrong. • In mythology, oracles (prophecies) always come true.

  18. Settling the Dispute • Zeus could have been being funny. He chose someone who would be a good judge of animals to judge the beauty contest. • There was also myth that Paris was the most honest person in the world.

  19. Women Don’t Play Fair Hera Offered to make Paris the King of all Europe and Asia Athena Promised to lead Troy to victory in war over the Greeks Aphrodite Promised him the love of the most beautiful woman in the world

  20. He chose the woman… • Paris chooses Aphrodite, awards her the golden apple and awaits his prize…

  21. Helen, often referred to has Helen of Troy, is in fact the most beautiful half-mortal woman in the world. Being half-mortal, that means she is half-god…Can you guess who her daddy is? Helen

  22. “In the matter of 24 year-old Helen, Zeus….. You ARE the Father!” “She doesn’t have my eyes! All my kids have my eyes! She isn’t mine!”

  23. Paris wants to claim his prize, but there is just one, small, teeny, tiny problem… HELEN GOT HITCHED!!!!

  24. The Marriage of Helen and Menelaus • Helen had many, many suitors (men who wished to marry her) • Achilles, Odysseus, Agamemnon (Menelaus’ brother) among many other powerful men of the time sought Helen’s hand in marriage. Helen (center) with her husband, Menelaus of Sparta (right)

  25. The Marriage of Helen and Menelaus • Tyndareus, Helen’s father made the suitors swear an oath to protect the marriage, regardless of who was chosen to be her husband, if they wished to suit her. • This was done for Helen’s protection as she was so beautiful and wanted. Helen (center) with her husband, Menelaus of Sparta (right)

  26. The Marriage of Helen and Menelaus • Eventually she “chose” Menelaus who, upon Tyndareus’ death, became King of Sparta. • Paris traveled to Sparta to “visit” Helen and Menelaus. • Helen and Menelaus had no knowledge of the actions of the gods, and so welcomed Paris as a guest. Helen (center) with her husband, Menelaus of Sparta (right)

  27. Not the Brightest Crayon in the Box… • Menelaus chose the time of Paris’ visit to travel to Mycenae for family business. • He left Helen to entertain their guest. • Aphrodite used her power to start the sparks of love. • When Menelaus returned, Helen was gone, as was Paris…

  28. The Face That Launched a Thousand Ships • Menelaus called on Helen’s former suitors to now honor their vow to protect the marriage… • It took time to convince them all, as they each had their reasons to not go to war, but in the end, they honored their vow…

  29. Achilles • Son of Peleus and Thetis (remember them?) • Great warrior • Invulnerable except in one place…

  30. The Achilles Heel… • When he was born, Thetis took him to the river Styx in the Underworld and dipped him in it making him invulnerable. • She had to hold him by the heel, leaving that the only unprotected part of his body.

  31. You Da (WO)MAN, Achilles! • Achilles did NOT want to go to war over Helen’s abduction. • When Menelaus called upon the suitors, Achilles tried to hide…

  32. You Da (WO)MAN, Achilles! • Achilles disguised himself as a woman. • When a battle trumpet sounded, though, Achilles grasped his sword and revealed his identity.

  33. Odysseus • Odysseus, who helped Tyndareus solve the problem of Helen’s marriage had recently become married to Penelope.

  34. Odysseus • Odysseus also had a newborn son, Telemachus. • Not wanting to go to war, Odysseus pretended to be insane. • When Menelaus threatened to cut his son in half, though, Odysseus admitted his charade.

  35. Other Important Characters Patroclus- A great Greek warrior, Achille’s friend. Agamemnon- Menelaus’ brother Ajax- Greek warrior Priam- King of Troy, father of Paris and Hector Hector- Greatest Trojan warrior, Paris’ brother Clytemnestra- Agamemnon’s wife Iphigenia- Agamemnon & Clytemnestra’s daughter

  36. The Other Gods and Godesses Ares- The God of War! He also happens to be a bit of a coward… Hephaestus- The ugliest of all the gods. Hera was so repulsed by him when he was born that she threw him off of Mt. Olympus in an attempt to kill him. He is deformed, a skilled craftsman and, ironically, married to Aphrodite. Apollo- god of oracles and prophecy. Also of music. Artemis- twin sister of Apollo. Goddess of the moon and of the hunt.

  37. The Other Gods and Godesses Aeolus- god of wind Hermes- messenger of the gods Poseidon- Lord of the sea; earthshaker. Known for carrying his Trident.

  38. The Other Gods and Godesses

  39. Sailing for Troy • Because Agamemnon angered the goddess Diana, the Greeks were unable to sail for Troy because of poor winds. • He learned he would have to sacrifice his daughter, Iphigenia, in order for the Greek army to sail.

  40. Sailing for Troy • Agamemnon sent word to have Iphigenia sent to him (he promised she would be married to Achilles). • Achilles was unhappy when he learned of the deception, but Iphigenia was sacrificed, and the Greeks set sail.

  41. Ten years of War • The war was a stalemate for ten years. • A dispute between Achilles and Agamemnon over—you guessed it—a woman changed the fortunes of the war. • Achilles “female captive”, Briseus, was taken from him by Agamemnon.

  42. Ten Years of War • After Briseus was taken, Achilles refused to fight. • His “friend” Patroclus was unable to convince him to return to the fight.

  43. Ten Years of War • Patroclus did manage to convince Achilles to lend him his armor, and Patroclus returned to the fight wearing Achilles’ armor. • Patroclus was killed, though, by Hector and this enraged Achilles. • Achilles, then returned to the fight to confront Hector.

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