The nature of
Mythology and Folklore
The Greek and
the Roman
Mythology
have you encountered a
story that you know, but
you can’t remember
where it came from?
What is
The mythology?
study of “Myths”—and
folklore are stories about
supernatural beings in early
times, which were handed
down
orally
from
one
generation to another.
What is
GREEK
and
Roman
mythology
is
quite
generally
mythology?
supposed to show us the way the human race thought
and felt untold ages ago.
What is
Through
it,
according
to
this
view,
we
can
retrace
the
mythology?
path from civilized man who lives so far from nature,
to man who lived in close companionship with nature;
and the real
interest of the myths is that they lead us back to a time
when the world was young and people had a
connection with the earth, with trees and seas and
flowers and hills, unlike anything we ourselves can
feel.
What is
Myths attempt to explain such
mythology?
things as:
Nature- Where did Earth come from?
Heavens? Seasons? Geography?
Man- Where did we come from?
Gods- Where do the gods come from?
The Greeks and
Romans believed
in polytheism…
Poly=many
Theism=belief in the
existence of a god or gods
Polytheism=many gods
The creation of the world
(according to Greek
Mythology)
First there was Chaos
Out of Chaos emerged
beings:
• Gaea (Mother Earth)
• Uranus (Heavens)
two
Gaea and Uranus had several
children
THE TITANS
• Oceanus and
Tethys
• Hyperion and
Thea
• Coeus and
Phoebe
• Cronus and
Rhea
• Mnemosyne
• Themis
• Crius
• Lapetus
THE MONSTERS
3 of each:
• Hecatonchir(hundred
hands)
• Cyclopes (one-eyed)
Uranus hated all his children but
especially the monsters…
• Locked the monsters in Tartarus
• Gaea was upset and asked the Titans to help
• Cronus, the youngest and strongest,
overthrew is father, Uranus, and seized the
rule of the Universe.
• Cronus took Rhea for a wife and divided the
Earth among his fellow Titans
• Cronus and Rhea had 6 children: The
Olympians
Titanomochy: War of the Titans
• Titans
• Mount
Othrys
• His siblings
• Hecatonchires &
Cyclopes
• Mount Olympus
Zeus, with the use of his lightning bolt given to him by the
Cyclopes, defeated Cronus and his army. Most of the Titans were
confined to Tartarus. Zeus divided the world among his sibling
gods…
the greek gods
the greek gods
ZEUS
Zeus is a prominent figure in Greek mythology.
He is the king of the gods and the ruler of Mount
Olympus, which is the highest mountain in
Greece and serves as the divine residence of the
gods. Zeus is the son of Cronus and Rhea and is
often considered the most powerful of the
Greek gods.
the greek gods
HERA
Hera is the sister and wife of Zeus, the king of the gods.
Hera is known as the goddess of marriage, women, and
childbirth. She is often depicted as a majestic and regal
figure. Hera is also known for her jealous and vengeful
nature, particularly when it comes to her husband's
infidelities. Her sacred animal is the peacock, and she is
often portrayed with one by her side.
the greek gods
POSEIDON
Poseidon is often depicted as a bearded man holding a
trident, which is his symbol and weapon.
Poseidon's domain includes the seas, oceans, rivers, and
all bodies of water. He is also associated with
earthquakes and was sometimes called the "Earthshaker" because of his ability to cause tremors and
create storms at sea. Poseidon is known for his
sometimes unpredictable and moody nature.
the greek gods
HESTIA
Hestia was revered as the protector of the sacred fire and the
center of domestic life.
Hestia's role was to preside over the hearth and the sacred fire
that was kept burning in the homes and temples of ancient
Greece. Her presence symbolized the warmth and unity of the
family, and she was honored at the beginning and end of each
meal and during various household rituals. Hestia was
considered one of the few virgin goddesses in Greek
mythology, as she chose to remain celibate and focused on her
domestic duties.
the greek gods
DEMETER
Demeter is often associated with the bountiful and nurturing
aspects of the Earth, and her role is closely tied to the growth
of crops and the well-being of the land. Demeter is often
depicted holding a sheaf of wheat or a bundle of grain,
symbolizing her connection to agriculture and the harvest.
Demeter's importance in ancient Greece reflects the
significance of agriculture and the seasons in their society.
She was seen as a source of sustenance and life.
the greek gods
APHRODITE
Aphrodite is the ancient Greek goddess of love, beauty,
pleasure, and procreation. She is often depicted as a beautiful
and alluring woman. Aphrodite's influence extended to
matters of love, desire, and romance. She was known for her
ability to inspire love and passion in both gods and mortals.
Aphrodite played a significant role in several Greek myths and
was often entangled in the love affairs and conflicts of other
deities and mortals.
the greek gods
ATHENA
Athena is the ancient Greek goddess of wisdom, courage,
inspiration, civilization, law and justice, strategic warfare,
mathematics, strength, strategy, the arts, crafts, and skill.
Athena is often depicted as a wise and powerful deity and
is one of the twelve Olympian gods and goddesses of Greek
mythology. She is often depicted with a shield, a helmet,
and a spear, and her symbols include the owl and the olive
tree.
the greek gods
HADES
Hades is the god of the underworld, the realm of
the dead. Hades is often portrayed as a stern and
serious deity, responsible for governing the
afterlife and maintaining order in the underworld.
Hades is typically depicted as a god of the dead
and the ruler of the underworld, rather than a
malevolent figure.
The Hero
Many mythological stories feature Heroes
Heroes have specific traits:
• Unusual circumstance of birth; danger or royalty
• Leaves family or land and lives with others
• An event leads to an adventure or quest
• Hero has special weapon only he can wield
• Hero has supernatural help
• The hero must prove himself many times while on the adventure
• Hero experiences atonement with his father
Why do we study and teach
Mythology?
• Mythology is a reflection of a culture's values, beliefs, and
traditions. Studying mythology helps us gain insight into the
cultural and historical contexts of different societies. It
provides a window into how people in the past understood the
world, human nature, and the divine.
• Many myths contain moral and ethical lessons that are relevant
to human behavior and society. These stories often explore
themes such as good versus evil, heroism, justice, and the
consequences of one's actions. They can be used to stimulate
discussions on ethical issues.
Why do we study and teach
Mythology?
• Mythological themes and motifs have been a source of
inspiration for literature, art, and other forms of creative
expression for centuries. Teaching mythology can foster
creativity and help students appreciate the depth and richness
of human storytelling.
• Mythological stories are typically rich in symbolism, metaphor,
and figurative language. Analyzing and interpreting myths can
improve language and communication skills, as it requires
careful reading and critical thinking.
Valuing:
As future teachers, what are the benefits and significance
of studying Greek mythology in modern society, and how
does it contribute to our understanding of ancient
cultures and human storytelling traditions?
TASK NO. 1: VENN DIAGRAM
Create a Venn Diagram stating the
similarities and differences between the
Greek Gods and human beings.
Assignment:
• How can an understanding of mythology and folklore enhance cultural
sensitivity and communication in a globalized world, and what practical
strategies can be employed to integrate this knowledge into crosscultural education and business interactions?
• How can a deep understanding of mythology and folklore enhance our
appreciation and interpretation of contemporary literature, art, and
culture, and what practical insights can we draw from these ancient
narratives to address modern societal challenges?"