Greek Mythology and Literature

The Big Idea
The ancient Greeks created great myths and works of literature that influence the way we speak and write today.
Main Ideas
• The Greeks created myths to explain the world.
• Ancient Greek literature provides some of the world’s greatest poems and stories.
• Greek literature lives on and influences our world even today.

• Instead of scientific explanations, the Greeks used mythology to explain things.
• Mythology is a body of stories about gods and heroes that try to explain how the world works .
• They believed gods caused things like volcanic eruptions and the changing seasons. They had supernatural powers, but participated in daily events as well.
• To keep the gods happy, they built great temples. The Greeks expected help when they needed it in return.

Look on Page 243, you are responsible for knowing these gods and their powers

• Many Greek myths told about the adventures of great heroes.
• Some heroes were real, while others were not.
• Some of the major heroes were Theseus, Jason, and
Hercules.
– Theseus traveled to Crete and killed the minotaur, a half-human, half-bull monster.
– Jason sailed across the seas in search of great treasure.
– Hercules was the most famous here. He fought many monsters and performed nearly impossible tasks.

• Among the earliest Greek writings are two epic poems, the the Odyssey by Homer .
Iliad and
• The Iliad tells the story of the last years of the Trojan War .
• The Odyssey describes the home from the war.
challenges that Odysseus faced on his way
• These poems were central to the education system and influenced later writing as well.

• Some poems were set to music.
• The writers of these poems were called lyric poets , after their instrument, the lyre.
• The most famous lyric poet was a woman named
Sappho .
• Her poems were beautiful and emotional. They spoke of love and relationships with her friends and family.
• Other Greeks told short stories that taught the reader lessons about life or gave advice on how to live. These stories were called fables .
• Aesop is famous for fables such as “The
Tortoise and the Hare” and “The Boy Who
Cried Wolf.”

Read this biography on page 247

• The most obvious way we see the influence of the Greeks is in our language.
• Many English words and expressions come from mythology, such as “ odyssey ” and “ titanic .”
• Greek myths have inspired artists and writers for centuries .
• Moviemakers have borrowed some of these stories.
• Mythological references are also common among names of sports teams.
• Olympic Games (read the passage on page 245)
– Paragraph in Encyclopedia Book

• Math- Pi=3.14
• Greek Organizations

Part 1: Using Creative materials, create a display of the Greek Alphabet
Part 2: Learning the Greek Alphabet in order and pronounced correctly

1. What was the purpose of telling myths?
2. What was often the explanation for natural events such as earthquakes?
3. What were some events that the Greeks believed their gods were responsible for?
4. What role did heroes play in Greek myths?
5. Who are some of the Greek heroes that are featured in myths?
6. What was the purpose of the ancient Olympic Games?
7. Why is it important that the 2004 Olympic Games took place in
Athens?
8. What purposes did Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey serve for the Greeks?
9. How have recent writers been influenced by the poems of Homer?
10.What types of stories are credited to Aesop?
11. Give two examples of terms in our language that have been influenced by Greek stories?
12. What are some modern references to Greek Mythology?
13. Why have many modern writers and moviemakers borrowed from
Greek stories and myths?