Name___________________________________
About Myths
A myth is a dramatic story, often including extraordinary beings or creatures with
superhuman powers, that is widely known and often repeated within a culture. Myths
can have the following purposes:
 To explain how life began, how the world works (nature), or what happens after
death.
 To instruct: myths confirm and reinforce the institutions, beliefs, and customs of
the society that tells them. They teach people the attitudes and behavior needed
to function successfully within their culture. For example, a myth might
highlight the importance of honoring one’s parents or elders.
Myths are universal because they deal with mysteries, passions and longings that all
people feel. Knowing myths is important because many literary works – as well as
movies, TV shows, etc. – make allusions to Greek mythology. Knowing the myths that
are being alluded to deepens our understanding of the stories that refer to the myths.
“Order Out of Chaos”
Identify each of the following:
Gaia –
Uranus –
Cronos –
Zeus –
Gaia gave birth to three different types of creatures. What were they?
What was the punishment for Atlas, the Titan who led the rebellion against the gods?
Stories of the Gods
Directions: Describe the role of each character listed in the story, and answer each
question.
“The Trickery of Hermes”
Hermes
Apollo
“The Loves of Apollo”
Clytie
Daphne
“Phaethon”
Phaethon
What lesson does this story teach?
“Athene’s City”
Athene
Poseidon
“Arachne”
Arachne
How and why is Arachne punished?
“Origin of the Seasons”
Demeter
Hades
Persephone
According to the story, why do the seasons occur?
“The Mysteries of Dionysus”
Dionysus
Name__________________________________________________
The Loves of the Gods
Directions: Describe the role of each character listed in the story.
“Cupid & Psyche”
Cupid
Aphrodite
Psyche
“The Spring Flowers”
Hyacinthus
Echo
Narcissus
Adonis
“Eternal Youth”
Artemis
Endymion
Aurora
Tithonus
Name_________________________________________________
Early History of Mankind
“The Creation of Man”
Epimetheus
Prometheus
“The Coming of Evil”
Pandora
What was the one good thing left in Pandora’s Box?
“The Great Flood”
Deucalion
Pyrrha
What Biblical story is “The Great Flood” similar to?
Name_______________________________________
Men’s Rivalry with Gods
“Niobe”
Niobe
What character trait of Niobe’s is being punished in this story?
“Daedalus”
Daedalus
Icarus
Why is Icarus punished?
“Midas”
How and why is Midas rewarded?
How and why is Midas punished (twice)?
Name_____________________________________________
Love Stories of the Heroes
“The Great Musician”
Orpheus
Eurydice
“The Lover of Beauty”
Pygmalion
Galatea
“The Fortunate King”
Alcestis
Admetus
“Pyramus & Thisbe”
Pyramus
Thisbe
What other piece of literature that we have read this year does “Pyramus and Thisbe”
remind you of?
“Baucis & Philemon”
Baucis
Philemon
Name_____________________________________________
Adventure Stories
“Atalanta’s Lovers”
Althaea
Meleager
Atalanta
Hippomenes
“The Killing of the Chimera”
Bellerophon
Pegasus
What is a chimera?
How does Bellerophon die?
Name_______________________________________
“Medusa’s Head”
Acrisios
Perseus
Polydectes
Medusa
Andromeda
Name_________________________________________________
“The Golden Fleece”
Jason
King Pelias
Cheiron
Athamas
Nephele
Ino
Phrixus
Helle
Medea
King Aeetes
What warning does the oracle give to Pelias?
Why does Pelias send Jason on the quest for the Golden Fleece?
Describe some of the adventures that Jason and the Argonauts encounter on their
journey to Colchis.
What is the task that King Aeetes gives to Jason? How does Medea help Jason fulfill
this task?
How does Jason betray Medea? How does she get her revenge?
Name______________________________________
“Theseus”
1. What does Theseus find under the rock?
2. Who is Theseus’ father?
3. Explain how Theseus defeats each of the following people:
The Club Bearer –
Sinis the Pine Bender –
Sciron –
Procrustes –
4. How does Medea try to kill Theseus?
5. How does Aegeus recognize his son?
6. What is the Minotaur and what “tribute” do the people of Athens have to pay to it?
7. How does Ariadne help Theseus defeat the Minotaur?
8. Why does Aegeus believe that Theseus is dead when he sees the returning ship?
Name_________________________________________
“Heracles”
1. Why does Heracles have to perform the Twelve Labors?
2. Briefly summarize each of Heracles’ Twelve Labors.
First Labor:
The Nemean
Lion
Second
Labor: The
Hydra
Third Labor:
The
Cerynean
Hind
Fourth
Labor: The
Erymanthian
Boar
Fifth Labor:
Augean
Stables
Sixth Labor:
Birds of Ares
Seventh
Labor: The
Cretan Bull
Eighth
Labor: The
Mares of
Diomede
Ninth Labor:
The Girdle
of Hippolyte
Tenth Labor:
The Cattle of
Geryon
Eleventh
Labor: The
Apples of the
Hesperides
Twelfth
Labor:
Cerberus