Greek and Roman Mythology

• The study of mythology includes traditional stories that embody basic truths about life.
• Myths generally involve supernatural beings and events.
• Myths have been a major source of inspiration for art forms throughout the world.
• There are as many kinds of myths as there are situations affecting mankind as well as explaining the existence of extraordinary beings.

Greek & Roman Mythology

• All Greek and Roman gods and goddesses resided on Mount Olympus.
• There are many mythological references in The Odyssey

Greek & Roman Gods and Goddesses

• Zeus (Jupiter/Jove) reigned as the Sky God and Ruler.
• Hera (Juno) served as Queen of the Gods.
• Apollo retained the same name in both Greek and Roman traditions; was the God of the Sun.
• Artemis (Diana) was known as the Goddess of the Moon.
• Ares (Mars) ruled as the God of War, Storms, and Thunder.
• Poseidon (Neptune) was the God of the Sea, Rivers, and Rain.
• Demeter/Persephone (Ceres/Proserpine) was the God of Agriculture and Fertility.
• Dionysus (Bacchus) ruled as the God of Fertility, Wine, and Drama.
• Aphrodite/Eros (Venus/Cupid) was the God of Love.
• Hades (Pluto) was the God of the Underworld and the Dead.
• Athena (Minerva) was a female God of Wisdom and Knowledge.
• Hephaestus/Athena (Vulcan/Minerva) ruled as the God of Crafts and Invention.
• Hermes (Mercury) was the Messenger God.

Zeus

• Zeus is the king of gods who lived on Mount Olympus with his wife, Hera and ruled both Heaven and Earth.
• Zeus controlled the sun, moon, and the seasons
• Zeus is known for having children with gods and heroes/mortals (from nymphs and other women).
• When angered, Zeus hurled thunderbolts down to Earth.
• Zeus' symbols are a thunderbolt, eagle, bull, and oak tree.

Poseidon

• Poseidon was the god of the sea and earthquakes, second in power only to his brother Zeus.
• Poseidon unleashed the fury of the sea on those who angered him.
• Polyphemus, one of Poseidon's children, plays a major role in The Odyssey.
• Poseidon's symbol of power was a trident, a three-pronged spear.
• Poseidon's other symbols are a fish, dolphin, and bull.
• Poseidon is often depicted riding a chariot over a smooth sea.

Athena

• Athena reigned as goddess of civilization, wisdom, strength, justice, and skill
• Athena only fought for a reasonable cause or to defend the forces of good.
• Athena was Zeus' favorite child, and is said to have sprang fully-grown from the head of Zeus holding a spear.
• The Greeks built the Parthenon in Athens in her honor.
• Athena's symbols include an owl, an olive tree, armor, and a spear.

Hades

• Hades ruled the Underworld, god of the dead and wealth.
• Hades was the older brother of Zeus and Poseidon.
• The three brothers claimed rule over the cosmos: the Underworld, the sea, and the air and jointly ruled land.
• The gate to the Underworld was guarded by Cerberus, the three-headed dog.
• Before entering the Underworld, the dead were ferried across the River Styx.
• Hades' symbols are Cerberus and the Cap of Invisibility.

Hermes

• Hermes was the messenger for all gods on Olympus, especially Zeus.
• Hermes wore wings on his helmet and sandals.
• Hermes could fly freely between the mortal and immortal world, and was responsible for leading the dead to the Underworld and watching over travellers
• Hermes was believed to have invented many types of racing and the sports of wrestling and boxing, and was thereby a patron of athletes.
• Hermes' symbols include the tortoise, rooster, winged sandals, a winged hat, and the caduceus (wand decorated with snakes).

The Epic

• Epics are of national significance, defining the history and social values of a nation.
• The oral epic was first spoken and then written down.

Common Epic Features:

• Epics contain long passages of narrative dialogue and vivid descriptions.
• A central figure is heroic or superhuman (Odysseus in The Odyssey; Achilles in The Iliad).
• Long, arduous, perilous journeys take place.
• There are various mistakes and misadventures.
• Epics have strong supernatural or otherworldly elements featuring gods and goddesses.
• Epics portray larger-than-life scenarios.
• Epics portray the goals and values of a society (in this case, ancient Greece).
• Epics contain departures from the task at hand.

Elements of an EPIC:

• The epic hero is of high social status, has great strength, and embodies the traits most valued by their society.
• The epic hero is described as an archetype, representing the most admirable traits a human can possess.
• EPIC SIMILE – a lengthy, complex comparison using "like" or "as."
• HOMERIC EPITHET – Homer joins adjectives to make compound adjectives, repeatedly characterizing or describing someone or something. Example: "God-like Odysseus"
• INVOCATION - An appeal for help or inspiration from a god/goddess or muse that appears in ALL epics, at the very BEGINNING.

Homer

• Homer, who was not Homer Simpson, was the most famous of ALL Greek epic poets who lived around the 8th century B.C.
• Homer was a blind, nomadic, wandering poet who was possibly born in Iona, on the west coast of present-day Turkey.
• Homer's best-known works are The Iliad and The Odyssey, focused on the defining moment of Greek culture, the TROJAN WAR.
• Homer's epics became the basis of education in ancient Greece, influencing Roman and Christian values and educational ideals.
• Homer's two epics are the highest cultural achievement of the Greek people, defining Greek culture and setting Greek ideals in stone.

The Iliad

• The Iliad is the story of a brief event in the ninth year of the Trojan War.
• The hero, Achilles, withdraws from battle after an insult
• Achilles prays to his mother (Thetis, a goddess) to turn the tide of battle against the Greeks.
• Achilles does not return to battle until his best friend/cousin is killed by the great Trojan hero, Hector.
• Achilles throws himself into the battle, fights Hector, and kills him, dragging Hector's lifeless body around the walls of Troy.
• The main theme of The Iliad is "Achilles' choice."
• Achilles has a choice to be a great, famous hero in war and die young, or to live a long, happy life without any lasting fame at all.
• The death of Achilles' friend forces him to choose to be famous.

The Odyssey

• The Odyssey is the story of the homecoming of another Greek hero.
• Unlike Achilles, Odysseus is known not for his bravery but for his ability to deceive and trick others (such as his idea to take Troy by offering the enemies a great wooden horse full of Greek soldiers).
• After the war, Odysseus fails to make a proper sacrifice to the gods, delaying his homecoming to Ithaca for ten years because of the gods' anger.
• For most of the ten years, Odysseus lives on an island with the goddess Calypso.
• Odysseus, like Achilles, is offered a choice: he may live on the immortal island with Calypso, or return to his wife and country as a mortal.
• Odysseus chooses to return.
• The main theme of The Odyssey is the nature of mortal life, exploring why any human being would still choose to be mortal if offered the chance to be a god.

The Setting

• Time frame: after the Trojan War, 13th or 12th century B.C.
• Location: Mediterranean Sea

The Beginning...

• The narrative begins in medias res with Telemachus, Odysseus' son, searching for Odysseus.
• Telemachus was a newborn when Odysseus left for the Trojan War.
• The war lasted 10 years, and Odysseus was detained by the gods for another 10 years, making Telemachus 20 years old.
• Telemachus and his mom, Penelope, believe that Odysseus is still alive.
• The suitors in Ithaca (Odysseus's home) want Penelope to marry one of them so they can take over as king.
• Telemachus goes to find his dad without any help from other men.
• Odysseus washes ashore and is taken in by a king, telling the king the story of where he has been the last ten years...