Creation Myth
According to Greek mythology, in the beginning there was nothing. This was called Chaos. From
this nothingness came light, Mother Earth (Gaia) and Sky (Uranus). From Gaia and Uranus came
six twins known as the Titans. The six twin Titans were named Oceanus and Thethys, Coeos and
Phoebe, Hyperion and Thea, Creos and Themis, Iapetos and Clymene, and finally Kronos and
Rhea.
Gaia and Uranus also gave birth to three Cyclopes, three giants, each with fifty heads and onehundred arms. They became known as the hundred-handed ones. Uranus disliked his offspring,
so he forced them to return deep into to their mother’s womb (Tartarus). The pain of carrying
the numerous children angered Gaia, and she made a plan for revenge against Uranus. She
called upon the Titans to help her. The youngest, Kronos (master of time), came to her aid.
Kronos, with his mother’s help, created a sickle and cut off his father’s genitals when his father
came to be with his mother.
After defeating his father, Kronos married his sister Rhea. The two had six children: Hestia,
Demeter, Hera, Hades, Poseidon and Zeus. Kronos swallowed the first five children after they
were born because of a prophecy that claimed one of his children would overthrow him. Rhea
did not approve. She tricked Kronos with her sixth child. Zeus, instead of handing Kronos the
child, she gave him a rock wrapped in a blanket. Kronos swallowed it believing it was the baby.
Rhea then smuggled the baby Zeus to the island of Crete to be raised by nymphs. Later Zeus
would return to defeat his father in the battle between the Olympians and the Titans.
Adapted from Eric Rymer’s Page http://historylink102.com/greece2/creation.htm
The Battle of the Gods and Titans
Zeus grew up on the island of Crete. After he became a young man, he obtained a potion that
induced vomiting from a female Titan named Metis. Zeus had his mother Rhea arrange for him
to become his father’s cupbearer. He slipped the potion into a drink causing Kronos to throw up
his brothers and sisters.
The five siblings were so grateful for the rescue that they wanted Zeus to become the leader of
the Olympians. Kronos feared the rising power of Zeus. He tried to rally the Titans to join him to
defeat Zeus and his siblings. He was not able to get the Titan women to join him. Two of the
men, Prometheus and Epimetheus actually joined the Olympians against their fellow Titans. The
rest of the Titan men chose Atlas to lead the battle against the Olympians.
For ten years, the Titans and the Olympians fought with neither side able to gain a lasting
advantage. Gaia advised Zeus to free the Cyclopes and the hundred handed Giants from
Tartarus (a place in the underworld) and persuade them to join his side. Zeus went down to
Tartarus, killed the monster which guarded the prisoners, and released them. In return for their
freedom, the Cyclopes and the Giants became allies with Zeus tipping the scale of power to the
Olympians.
The Cyclopes gave Zeus the power over thunder and lightning. Then gave the helm of darkness
to Hades and to Poseidon they gave a trident (three-pronged spear). Hades used the helm of
darkness to steal away Kronus’ weapons, and Poseidon came at him with the trident. The
distraction allowed Zeus to strike Kronus with lightning, and finally defeat him. With the defeat
of Kronus and the added power of the Cyclopes and Giants, the Olympians were able to defeat
the Titans. The Titans who participated in the war, were imprisoned in Tartarus. Atlas was given
a special punishment for his role in the war; he was required to hold up the sky.
Adapted from Eric Rymer’s Page http://historylink102.com/greece2/titans.htm
Chapter 1 Review Questions
1.
What kind of school is Yancy Academy? Why is Percy at this school?
2.
Percy has had some bad field trip experiences. Describe some of these bad experiences below.
3.
Why can’t Percy get back at Nancy when she starts teasing Grover on the bus?
4.
When did you first begin to think that something may be unusual or supernatural about Mrs. Dodds?
(Give details from the book)
5.
What is Percy’s home life like?
6.
What got Percy in trouble with Mrs. Dodds? Do you think it was his fault? Tell me why or why not.
7.
How are things different when Percy comes back out of the museum after meeting with Mrs. Dodds?
8.
After reading The Creation Myth and The Battle of the Gods and Titans in this packet, compare it to what
Percy was telling Mr. Brunner on the field trip in the museum. What is the same about this version and
his? What is different? Make a chart like the one below on the back of this paper and fill it in to answer
the question
SIMILARITIES
DIFFERENCES
9.
On your prediction sheet, create a prediction for chapter 2 “Three Old Ladies Knit the Socks of Death”.
Label the prediction as Chap. 2. Fill in the characters we have met so far that deal with your prediction. Be
sure to explain why you made the prediction you did (give reasons from the book).
The Three Fates
The Fates are the three sisters, robed in white, who decide on human fate. Lachesis sings of the
things that were, Clotho those that are, and Atropos (or Atropus) the things that are to be. Of
the three, Atropos is the smallest, but the most terrible and most feared.
Even though the Fates are often depicted as old, ugly and unmerciful, they are most honored
among the gods because they are fair. They give men at their birth their fair share of evil and
good, and equally they punish the transgressions of both men and of gods.
Atropos is said to be the oldest and the best of the sisters. Clotho is the "spinner" and Lachesis
the distributor of life. The thread of life is spun upon Clotho's spindle. It is then measured by
the rod of Lachesis and finally snipped by the shears of Atropos, the inevitable one.
It is said that only Zeus, the King of the Olympian gods, can weigh the lives of men and that it is
he who informs the three sisters of his decisions. In that case, the Fates are viewed only as the
instrument of Zeus. Still others claim that not even Zeus is beyond the power of the Fates and
that he is subject to their whim. That would make the Fates the most powerful of all the deities.
How powerful are they? Some say that Zeus is above Destiny and that it obeys him. For Zeus
has been also called "the Bringer of Fate" and "Leader of the Fates" because he knows the
affairs of men, all that the Fates give them, and all that is not in their fate. But others claim that
even Zeus has to obey Destiny.
In the home of the Fates are the records of all that happens on tablets of brass and iron, which
are neither shaken by warfare in heaven, nor lightning, or any destructive power. They are
eternal and secure. They are the archives of the Fates.
Some humans however claim that men themselves control their Fates by avoiding unnecessary
dangers. The younger gods laugh at the Fates and some even attempt to trick them.
The Fates played a role in many myths. During the war between the Giants and the Olympians
the Fates armed themselves with clubs and fought and killed a couple of Giants. The Fates got
the monster Typhon to taste of the ephemeral fruits and convinced him that he would be
strengthened by them. Instead the fruit weakened Typhon, helping Zeus to demolish him and
establish his supremacy on Mount Olympus.
Adapted from http://thanasis.com/fates.htm
The Three Furies (The Kindly Ones)
Three goddesses of vengeance: Tisiphone (avenger of murder), Megaera (the jealous) and
Alecto (constant anger). They were also called the Daughters of the Night, but many call them
the daughters of Uranus and Gaea, born after Uranus was killed and his blood spilled onto Gaia.
They can also be known as the Kindly Ones, which is just a nicer way to refer to them without
angering them.
Without mercy, the Furies would punish all crime including the breaking of rules considering all
aspects of society. They would strike the offenders with madness. They never stopped following
criminals. Known especially for pursuing people who had murdered family members, the Furies
punished their victims by driving them mad. When not punishing wrongdoers on earth, they
lived in the underworld and tortured the souls of the damned.
They were usually depicted as monstrous, foul-smelling hags. The sisters had bats' wings, coalblack skin, and hair entwined with serpents. They carried torches, whips, and cups of venom
with which to torment wrongdoers. The Furies could also appear as storm clouds or swarms of
insects.
Horrible to look at, the Furies had snakes for hair and blood dripping from their eyes. From
these beings we have the words "furious" and "infuriated".
Adapted from http://www.mythencyclopedia.com/Fi-Go/Furies.html and
http://www.in2greece.com/english/historymyth/mythology/names/furies.htm
Chapter 2 Review Questions
1. Why does Percy think the whole school is playing a trick on him?
2. Why does Percy decide to study for the Latin exam even though he’s given up on his other
subjects?
3. What leads Percy to believe that Grover and Mr. Brunner think he’s in danger?
4. How does Percy say he’s different than the other kids at Yancy Academy?
5. What responsibility does Grover claim to have, and why does this strike Percy as strange?
6. Because Percy was having bad dreams, which of the following did NOT happen?
a. His grades dropped lower
c. He got kicked out of Yancy
b. He got into more fights
d. He was cranky and irritable
7. What caused Percy to get expelled from Yancy Academy?
a. He called his teacher an old sot
c. He kept having bad dreams
b. He cheated on his Tome Sawyer paper
d. He pushed Nancy into the fountain
8. When Percy asks Grove about the Kindly Ones, Grover______
a. Gets fidgety and nervous
c. Gets angry at Percy
b. Pretends he doesn’t hear Percy
d. tells Percy about them
9. Because Grover is worried about Percy over the summer, he _______
a. says he is going to live with Percy
c. asks Percy to come live with him
b. gives him a good luck charm
d. gives him his business card
10. Because three old ladies were looking directly at Percy,
a. Grover gets jealous
c. Grover decides to talk to them
b. Percy decides to talk to them
d. Grover gets very nervous
11. Choose either the story of the Three Fates or the story of the Kindly Ones that we read before
and tell me if the description of them in this chapter fits what we read or not. Be specific and
use details from the packet story and the novel to back up your reasons. You may use the back
of this paper if you need more room.
Chapter 3 Review Questions
1. Describe Gabe.
2. Why doesn’t Percy tell his mom the truth about Mrs. Dodds and the ladies at the fruit stand?
3. Why is Montauk special to Percy’s mom?
4. What new information does Percy learn about his dad as he and his mother are roasting
marshmallows?
5. How does the title of the chapter, “Grover Unexpectedly Loses His Pants,” come true? What is
special about this event?
6. Describe Percy’s dream. What do you think it means?
Label each statement as a Fact (F) or an Opinion (O)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
_____
_____
_____
_____
_____
_____
It was rude to leave Grover at the bus station.
Sally Jackson isn’t smart to stay with Gabe.
Dreams always come true.
Percy’s dad has never seen him.
Percy has had problems at every school he has attended.
Percy inherited his dad’s black hair and green eyes.
Put the following events in sequential order (chronological order).
_____
_____
_____
_____
_____
_____
_____
_____
Percy lies to his mother
Percy has a dream about a horse and an eagle.
Percy left Grover at the bus station
Grover stops by the cabin
Percy asks about his father
Percy and his mother drive to the beach
The three of them run for the car
Percy arrives home
Theseus and the Minotaur
Once upon a time, a long time ago, there lived a king named Minos. King Minos lived on a lovely
island called Crete. King Minos had a powerful navy, a beautiful daughter, and a really big
palace. Still, now and then, King Minos grew bored. Whenever King Minos was bored, he took
his navy and attacked Athens, a town on the other side of the sea.
In desperation, the king of Athens offered King Minos a deal. If Minos would leave Athens
alone, Athens would send seven Athenian boys and seven Athenian girls to Crete every nine
years to be eaten by the Minotaur.
The Minotaur was a horrible monster that lived in the center of a huge maze on the island of
Crete. King Minos loved that old monster. He did like to give his monster a treat now and then.
He knew his people would prefer he fed his monster Athenian children rather than ... well, after
thinking it over, King Minos took the deal.
Nine years passed swiftly. It was just about time for Athens to send seven boys and seven girls to
Crete to be eaten by the Minotaur. Everyone in Athens was crying.
Prince Theseus of Athens was very young. He knew that a deal was a deal. But he was sure it was
wrong to send small children to be eaten by a monster just to avoid a battle with King Minos.
Prince Theseus told his father (the king) that he was going to Crete as the seventh son of Athens.
He was going to kill the Minotaur and end the terror.
"The Minotaur is a terrible monster! What makes you think you can kill it?" cried his father.
"I'll find a way," Theseus replied gently. "The gods will help me."
His father begged him not to go. But the prince took his place as the seventh Athenian boy. Along
with six other Athenian boys and seven Athenian girls, Prince Theseus sailed towards Crete.
When the prince and the children arrived on the island of Crete, King Minos and his daughter, the
Princess Ariadne, came out to greet them. The king told the children that they would not be eaten
until the next day and to enjoy themselves in the palace in the meantime. The Princess Ariadne did
not say anything. But her eyes narrowed thoughtfully. Late that night, she wrote Prince Theseus a
note and slipped it under his bedroom door.
Dear Theseus, (Ariadne wrote)
I am a beautiful princess as you probably noticed the minute you saw me. I am also a very bored
princess. Without my help, the Minotaur will surely gobble you up. I know a trick or two that will
save your life. If I help you kill the monster, you must promise to take me away from this tiny
island so that others can admire my beauty. If interested in this deal, meet me by the gate to the
Labyrinth in one hour.
Yours very truly,
Princess Ariadne
Prince Theseus slipped out of the palace and waited patiently by the gate. Princess Ariadne finally
showed up. In her hands, she carried a sword and a ball of string.
Ariadne gave the sword and the ball of string to Prince Theseus. "Hide these inside the entrance to
the maze. Tomorrow, when you and the other children from Athens enter the Labyrinth, wait until
the gate is closed, then tie the string to the door. Unroll it as you move through the maze. That
way, you can find your way back again. The sword, well, you know what to do with the sword," she
laughed.
Theseus thanked the princess for her kindness.
"Don't forget, now," she cautioned Theseus. "You must take me with you so that all the people can
marvel at my beauty. A deal is a deal."
The next morning, the Athenian children, including Prince Theseus, were shoved into the maze. The
door was locked firmly behind them. Following Ariadne's directions, Theseus tied one end of the
string to the door. He told the children to stay by the door. Their job was to make sure the string
stayed tied so that Theseus could find his way back. Theseus entered the maze alone.
He found his way to the center of the maze. Using the sword Ariadne had given him, Theseus killed
the monstrous beast. He followed the string back and knocked on the door.
Princess Ariadne was waiting. She opened the door. Without anyone noticing, Prince Theseus and
the children of Athens ran to their ship and sailed quietly away. Princess Ariadne sailed away with
them.
On the way home, they stopped for supplies on the tiny island of Naxos. Princess Ariadne insisted
on coming ashore. There was nothing much to do on the island. Soon, she fell asleep. All the people
gathered to watch the sleeping princess. She was a lovely sight indeed. Theseus sailed quietly away
with the children of Athens and left her there, sleeping.
After all, a deal is a deal.
Myth from http://greece.mrdonn.org/theseus.html
Satyrs
The Satyrs were divine, half-man and half-goat creatures of Ancient Greece
The Satyrs were mythological creatures with the upper part of their body of a man and the
lower half of a goat. In this respect they resemble the god Pan, the leader of the satyrs. Scholars
have suggested that these animal attributes are meant to reflect the way in which satyrs
embody the wild, uninhibited forces of nature. And with their fierce appetites and insatiable
lust for female companionship, satyrs have earned a reputation for naughtiness that has made
them legendary over the centuries.
Usually the Satyrs resided in woods and mountains or were accompanying the Greek god of
wine Dionysus on his journeys, dancing around joyfully with the Nymphs and drinking. The
satyrs as a group were passionately fond of females - especially nymphs, those gentle and
beautiful nature spirits. The satyrs were often regarded as the keepers of the wild as they
closely associated with other divine and godly people who associated with nature.
In both mythology and art, satyrs are sometimes confused with Sileni. Sileni are another type
of mythological being but are closely related to the satyr in appearance and mannerisms (it
should be mentioned that Sileni sometimes also have the ears and tail of a horse). However,
the two kinds of creatures were primarily distinguished in ancient Greece by their age - satyrs
are represented as eternally young and Sileni are usually depicted as older and more mature
looking (their behavior, however, was anything but mature). Indeed, the most famous of the
Sileni is Silenus. Silenus was a wise, elderly father figure character who according to legend
tutored the god Dionysus.
Adapted from http://www.loggia.com/myth/satyr.html
Chapter 4 Review Questions
Use complete sentences when answering the following questions.
1. What does Percy say that insults Grover?
2. According to Grover, who is after Percy?
3. What does Percy’s mom tell him to do when they get out of the car? Why does Percy
disobey?
4. What does Percy find strange about the bull-man’s appearance?
5. What happens to Percy’s mother?
6. Why does Grover keep attracting the monster’s attention?
7. After the monster disintegrates, what gets Percy moving when all he wants to do is
collapse?
8. What is the last thing Percy remembers?
9. Take a guess: Who is the “familiar face” that Percy thinks he sees?
Dionysus
Dionysus is the god of wine, vegetation, peace and the arts of civilization. He is a patron of the
theater and an agricultural/fertility god. He was born to Zeus, the King of the Gods, and a
mortal woman named Semele (daughter of Cadmus of Thebes) and was the only god who was
not completely divine in his origins. According to one myth, Zeus had visited Semele in human
form and claimed to be a god. Hera, who was jealous of her husband and Semele persuaded
Semele that she needed more than Zeus’s word that he was a god. Zeus knew the sight of him
in his entire splendor would prove fatal, but he had no choice, so he revealed himself. His
lightning brightness killed Semele, but first, Zeus took the unborn Dionysus from Semele’s ashes
and sewed him inside his thigh. There Dionysus grew until it was time for birth. Hera, after
finding out the baby lived, had some titans kill and dismember the young Dionysus. Where he
bled, a Pomegranate tree grew. He was brought back to life by his grandmother and given to
Persephone, Queen of the Underworld, who hid him with a mortal king and queen who dressed
him as a girl to keep him hidden. When Hera found him among the mortals, Hermes took the
child and disguised him as a baby goat and gave Dionysus to some nymphs, who could have
been his aunts, to be raised. It is said that Dionysus was one of the pupils of the great centaur
Chiron and quickly became one of his favorites and others say of Silenus the Satyr.
According to the legends of Greek mythology, it was Dionysus who introduced the fruit of the
vine to mankind and taught them how to make wine from the grapes.
He held the dual qualities of being able to bring freedom and joy as well as that or weakness
and brutality. Thus he was one of the gods with a double nature: on the one hand bringing joy
and divine ecstasy and on the other brutal, unthinking, rage. In this way he reflects both sides
of wines nature.
Dionysus became one of the most important gods in everyday life. He became associated with
several key concepts. One was rebirth after death. Here his dismemberment by the Titans and
return to life is symbolically echoed in tending vines, where the vines must be pruned back
sharply, and then become dormant in winter for them to bear fruit. The other is the idea that
under the influence of wine, one could feel possessed by a greater power.
Another of the Greek myths recounts the story of Dionysus's love for Ariadne, who was a
princess of Crete. After having been abandoned on the island of Naxos by Theseus, Dionysus
rescued her and married her. Because of his love for her, Ariadne was permitted to be his
immortal wife. He is one of the few Olympians who remained faithful to his wife.
Dionysus was not always an Olympian God. Hestia, the kindest and most peaceable of
all the Olympians and Goddess of the Hearth, hated the continual family quarrels, and never
troubled to choose any particular emblem of her own. She used to tend the charcoal hearth in
the middle of the Council Hall.
At this time there were six gods and six goddesses. One day Zeus announced that
Dionysus, his son by a mortal woman named Semele, had invented wine, and must be given a
seat in the Council. Thirteen Olympians would have been an unlucky number; so Hestia offered
him her seat, just to keep the peace.
Adapted from http://www.men-myths-minds.com/Dionysus-greek-god.html and
http://www.greekmythology.com/Other_Gods/Dionysus/dionysus.html
Chiron
Chiron was the eldest and wisest of the Centaurs, a tribe of half-horse half-men. Chiron
represents the positive combination of man's animal and spiritual natures. To the Greeks he
was a close representation of a saint. The Centaurs of the other tribes were creatures that were
sometimes very hostile towards humans. They were always involved in brawls and battles.
Unlike the rest of this tribe, he was an immortal god, a son of the Titan Kronos and half-brother
of Zeus. Chiron’s mother was the nymph Philyra who was coupling with Kronos when his wife
suddenly appeared. To escape the notice of his wife, Kronos transformed himself into a horse,
and in this way created a half-horse son. Sometime later, when a tribe of Centaurs were born
on Mount Pelion by the cloud nymph Nephele, Chiron and his daughters took them into their
care and raised them as their own: sober, learned and studious.
Chiron was a great teacher who mentored many of the great heroes of myth including Jason,
Peleus, Hercules, and Achilles. He was a father figure to many of the gods' children. They were
given to him so he could teach them great knowledge of the world. Eventually, however, he
passed away from the earth, after accidentally being wounded by Hercules with an arrow
coated in Hydra-venom. The wound was incurable, and unbearably painful, so Chiron
voluntarily relinquished his immortality and died. Instead of being sent to Hades, he was given a
place among the stars by Zeus as the constellation Sagittarius.
Adapted from http://www.theoi.com/Georgikos/KentaurosKheiron.html and
http://monsters.monstrous.com/centaurs.htm
Journal
If someone granted you immortality (at your present age, just as you are, forever) would you
take it? Explain why or why not. Think of as many pros and cons as you can. Write a 2
paragraph journal answering this question.
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Chapter 5 Review Questions
Answer each question in a complete sentence.
1. What does the blond girl ask Percy as she is feeding him pudding?
2. What is strange about the man who is guarding Percy as he sleeps?
3. Why does Grover say that he retrieved the Minotaur horn?
4. How does Percy feel after he tries the strange drink?
5. As he is gazing out from the front porch, what surprises Percy about the summer camp?
6. Describe Mr. D.
Do you think he will be a hero or a villain? Explain why.
7. What does Percy find striking about Annabeth’s appearance?
8. What clues help Percy guess Mr. D’s identity? Who do you think Mr. D. really is?
9. What evidence does Chiron use to prove that the Greek gods are in America?
10. According to Chiron, what is the big question that everyone wants answered?
Take a guess… what do you think the answer is based on what we have read so far.
Naiads and Nymphs
Naiads (or Nereides) are very ancient spirits that inhabited the still waters of marshes, ponds
and lagoons and lakes. They are not the gods of the water sources, but do care for the water.
They are a type of nymph who presides over fountains, wells, springs, streams, and brooks.
Naiads are associated with fresh water, as the Oceanids are with saltwater. The life of a naiad is
bound to her fresh water, so if a naiad's body of water dried, she died. Naiads could be
dangerous: Hylas of the Argo's crew was lost when he was taken by naiads who were fascinated
by his beauty. He drowned when they took him under the water to admire him. The naiads
were also known to exhibit jealous tendencies and have blinded or killed people who have been
unjust to them. The Naiads were either daughters of Poseidon or various Oceanids.
A nymph in Greek mythology is a female minor nature deity typically associated with a
particular location or landform. Different from gods, nymphs are generally regarded as divine
spirits who animate nature, and are usually depicted as beautiful, young maidens who love to
dance and sing; their amorous freedom sets them apart from the restricted and chaste wives
and daughters of the Greek polis. They dwell in mountains and groves, by springs and rivers,
and also in trees and in valleys and cool grottoes. Though they would never die of old age nor
illness, and could give birth to fully immortal children if mated to a god; they themselves were
not necessarily immortal, and could be beholden to death in various forms. Nymphs were the
frequent target of satyrs. They are frequently associated with the superior divinities: the
huntress Artemis; the prophetic Apollo; the reveler and god of wine, Dionysus; and rustic gods
such as Pan and Hermes.
In the Venn Diagram below, compare and contrast Naiads and Nymphs.
Naiads
Nymphs
Adapted from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naiad and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nymph
The Olympian Council
Olympus was the residence of the divine family, the twelve most important ruling gods and goddesses of
ancient Greece, who therefore were called the Olympians. There they all lived together in an enormous
palace, high above the clouds. It is said that Zeus talks to the gods from the tallest peak of Mount
Olympus. Poseidon says that he rules the sea, Hades the dead, Zeus the heavens, but Olympus is
common to all three. The gods or goddesses who did not live on Olympus, such as Hades and Poseidon,
would arrive when summoned by Zeus.
The entrance to Olympus was a great gate of clouds, kept by the Seasons. Inside were the gods’ houses
where they lived and slept and held court. In its great halls they feasted on ambrosia and nectar and
were entertained by Apollo’s lyre, the Graces and the Muses.
The builders of the palace at Olympus were the Cyclopes, gigantic one-eyed Titans who were freed by
Zeus from Tartarus and in thanks gave him his famous thunderbolts. Hephaestus, the talented god of
the smiths and the forge created all the furnishings and artwork on Olympus, even making some of the
chairs and tables able to move themselves in and out of the celestial hall.
The private quarters of King Zeus and his wife Hera were located at the southern end of Olympus and
overlooked the famous Greek cities of Athens, Thebes, Sparta, Corinth, Argos and Mycanae. At the
northern end of the palace, facing the wild hills of Macedonia, were found the kitchen, banquet hall,
armory, workshops and the servants' quarters. In between was a square court, open to the sky, with
private rooms on either side belonging to the other five Olympian gods and five Olympian goddesses.
Past the kitchen and servants' rooms were cottages for lesser gods, as well as the stables, chariot sheds,
dog kennels and the Olympians' private zoo, where the gods kept their sacred animals.
King Zeus had an enormous throne of polished black Egyptian marble decorated in gold. Seven steps led
up to it; each of them enameled with one of the seven colors of the rainbow. A bright blue covering
above showed that the whole sky belonged to Zeus alone; and on the right arm of his throne perched a
ruby-eyed golden eagle clutching jagged strips of pure tin, which meant that Zeus could kill whatever
enemies he pleased by throwing a thunderbolt of forked lightening at them. A purple ram’s fleece
covered the cold seat. Zeus used it for magical rainmaking in times of drought. He was a strong, brave,
stupid, noisy, violent, conceited god, and always on the watch lest his family should try to get rid of him,
having once himself gotten rid of his wicked, idle, cannibalistic father Cronus, King of the Titans and
Titanesses…One of Zeus’s emblems was the eagle, another was the woodpecker.
Queen Hera had an ivory throne, with three crystal steps leading up to it. Golden cuckoos and
willow leaves decorated the back, and a full moon hung above it. Hera sat on a white cowskin, which
she sometimes used for rainmaking magic if Zeus could not be bothered to stop a drought. She disliked
being Zeus’s wife, because he was frequently marrying mortal women and saying, with a sneer, that
these marriages did not count; his brides would soon grow ugly and die, but she was his queen, and
perpetually young and beautiful.
Zeus and Hera's thrones faced down the Council Hall towards the door leading into the open courtyard.
Along the sides of the hall stood ten other thrones, five on each side, each one belonging to the other
ten main Olympians. From this room the gods discussed the affairs of gods and mortals alike.
Poseidon, god of the seas and rivers, had the second-largest throne. It was of gray-green white-streaked
marble, ornamented with coral, gold, and mother-of-pearl. The arms were carved in the shape of sea
beasts, and Poseidon sat on sealskin. For his help in banishing Cronus and the Titans, Zeus had married
him to Amphitrite, the former sea goddess, and allowed him to take over all of her titles. Though
Poseidon hated to be less important than his younger brother, and always went about scowling, he
feared Zeus’s thunderbolt. His only weapon was a trident, with which he could stir up the sea and so
wreck ships; but Zeus never traveled by ship. When Poseidon felt even crosser than usual, he would
drive away in his chariot to a palace under the waves, near the island of Euboea, and there let his rage
cool. As his emblem Poseidon chose the horse, an animal which he pretended to have created. Large
waves are still called “white horses” because of this.
Opposite Poseidon sat his sister Demeter, goddess of all useful fruits, grasses, and grains. Her
throne of bright green malachite was ornamented with ears of barley in gold, and little golden pigs for
luck. Demeter seldom smiled, except when her daughter Persephone—unhappily married to the
hateful Hades, God of the Dead—came to visit her once a year. Demeter had been rather wild as a girl,
and nobody could remember the name of Persephone’s father. Demeter’s emblem was the poppy,
which grows red as blood among the barley.
Next to Poseidon sat Hephaestus, a son of Zeus and Hera. Being the god of goldsmiths, jewelers,
blacksmiths, masons, and carpenters, he had built all these thrones himself, and made his own a
masterpiece of every different metal and precious stone to be found. The seat could swivel about, the
arms could move up and down, and the whole throne rolled along automatically wherever he wished,
like the three-legged golden tables in his workshop. Hephaestus had hobbled ever since birth, when
Zeus roared at Hera: “A brat as weak as this is unworthy of me!”—and threw him far out over the walls
of Olympus. In his fall Hephaestus broke a leg so badly that he had to wear a golden leg iron. He kept a
country house on Lemnos, the island where he had struck earth; and his emblem was the quail, a bird
that does a hobbling dance in springtime.
Opposite Hephaestus sat Athene, Goddess of Wisdom, who first taught him how to handle tools,
and knew more than anyone else about pottery, weaving, and all useful arts. Her silver throne had
golden basketwork at the back and sides, and a crown of violets, made from blue lapis lazuli, set above
it. Its arms ended in grinning Gorgons’ heads. Zeus announced that one day, overcome by a fearful
headache, he had howled aloud like a thousand wolves hunting in a pack. Hephaestus, he said, then ran
up with an axe and kindly split open his skull, and out sprang Athene, dressed in full armor. Athene was
also a battle goddess, yet never went to war unless forced—being too sensible to pick quarrels—and
when she fought, always won. She chose the wise owl as her emblem and had a town house at Athens.
Next to Athene sat Aphrodite, Goddess of Love and Beauty. Nobody knew who her parents were,
either. The South Wind said that he had once seen her floating in a scallop shell off the island of
Cythera, and steered her gently ashore. Aphrodite’s throne was silver, inlaid with beryls and
aquamarines, the back shaped like a scallop shell, the seat made of swan’s down, and under her feet lay
a golden mat—an embroidery of golden bees, apples, and sparrows. Aphrodite had a magic girdle,
which she would wear whenever she wanted to make anyone love her madly. To keep Aphrodite out of
mischief, Zeus decided that she needed a hard-working, decent husband, and naturally chose his son
Hephaestus. Hephaestus exclaimed: “Now I am the happiest god alive!” But she thought it disgraceful
to be the wife of a sooty-faced, rough-handed, crippled smith. Aphrodite’s emblem was the dove, and
she would visit Paphos, in Cyprus, once a year to swim in the sea, for good luck.
Opposite Aphrodite sat Ares, Hephaestus’s tall, handsome, boastful, cruel brother, who loved
fighting for its own sake. Ares and Aphrodite were continually holding hands and giggling in corners,
which made Hephaestus jealous. Yet if he ever complained to the Council, Zeus would laugh at him,
saying: “Fool, why did you give your wife that magic girdle? Can you blame your brother if he falls in
love with her when she wears it?” Ares’s throne was built of brass, strong and ugly—those huge brass
knobs in the shape of skulls, and that cushion cover of human skin! Ares had no manners, no learning,
and the worst of taste; yet Aphrodite thought him wonderful. His emblems were a wild boar and the
bloodstained spear. He kept a country house among the rough woods of Thrace.
Next to Ares sat Apollo, the god of music, poetry, medicine, archery, and young unmarried men—
Zeus’s son by Leto, one of the smaller goddesses, whom he married to annoy Hera. Apollo rebelled
against his father once or twice, but got well punished each time, and learned to behave more sensibly.
His highly polished golden throne had magical inscriptions carved all over it, a back shaped like a lyre,
and a python skin to sit on. Above hung a golden sundisk with twenty-one rays shaped like arrows,
because he pretended to manage the sun. Apollo’s emblem was a mouse; mice were supposed to know
the secrets of earth and tell them to him. (He preferred white mice to ordinary ones.) Apollo owned a
splendid house at Delphi on the top of Mount Parnassus, built around the famous oracle, which he stole
from Mother Earth, Zeus’s grandmother.
Opposite Apollo sat his twin sister Artemis, goddess of hunting and of unmarried girls, from
whom he had learned medicine and archery. Her throne was of pure silver, with a wolfskin to sit on, and
the back shaped like two date palms, one on each side of a new moon boat. Apollo married several
mortal wives at different times. Artemis, however, hated the idea of marriage, although she kindly took
care of mothers when their babies were born. She much preferred hunting, fishing, and swimming in
moonlit mountain pools. If any mortal happened to see her without clothes, she used to change him
into a stag and hunt him to death. She chose as her emblem the she-bear, the most dangerous of all
wild animals in Greece.
Last in the row of gods sat Hermes, Zeus’s son by a smaller goddess named Maia, after whom the
month of May is called: Hermes, the god of merchants, bankers, thieves, fortune tellers, and heralds,
born in Arcadia. His throne was cut out of single piece of solid gray rock; the arms shaped like rams’
heads, and a goatskin for the seat. On its back he had carved a swastika, this being the shape of a firemaking machine invented by him—the fire drill. Until then, housewives used to borrow glowing pieces
of charcoal from their neighbors. Hermes also invented the alphabet; and one of his emblems was the
crane, because cranes fly in a V—the first letter he wrote. Another of Hermes’s emblems was a peel
hazel stick, which he carried as the Messenger of the Olympians: white ribbons dangled from it, which
foolish people often mistook for snakes.
Last in the row of goddesses sat Zeus’s eldest sister, Hestia, Goddess of the Home, on a plain,
uncarved, wooden throne, and a plain cushion woven of undyed wool. Hestia, the kindest and most
peaceable of all the Olympians, hated the continual family quarrels, and never troubled to choose any
particular emblem of her own. She used to tend the charcoal hearth in the middle of the Council Hall.
That made six gods and six goddesses. But one day Zeus announced that Dionysus, his son by a
mortal woman named Semele, had invented wine, and must be given a seat in the Council. Thirteen
Olympians would have been an unlucky number; so Hestia offered him her seat, just to keep the peace.
Now there were seven gods and five goddesses, an unjust state of affairs because, when questions
about women had to be discussed, the gods outvoted the goddesses. Dionysus’s throne was gold-plated
fir wood, ornamented with bunches of grapes carved in amethyst (a violet-colored stone), snakes carved
in serpentine (a stone with many markings), and various horned animals besides, carved in onyx (a black
and white stone), sard (a dark red stone), jade (a dark green stone), and carnelian (a pink stone). He
took the tiger for his emblem, having once visited India at the head of a drunken army and brought
tigers back as souvenirs.
In a room behind the kitchen sat the Three Fates, named Clotho, Lachesis, and Atropos. They
were the oldest goddesses in existence, too old for anybody to remember where they came from. The
Fates decided how long each mortal should live: spinning a linen thread, to measure exactly so many
inches and feet for months and years, and then snipping if off with a pair of shears. They also knew, but
seldom revealed, what would be the fate of each Olympian god. Even Zeus feared them for that reason.
Adapted from http://thanasis.com/store/olympus.htm and
http://www.tenafly.k12.nj.us/~rballan/Palace%20of%20Olympus.htm
Ares (Quick Review)
God of War, Manly Courage, and Battle
Son of Zeus and Hera (Hera mainly on her own)
Appearance: Sometimes depicted as a large, fierce bearded man and other times as a young handsome
youth dressed in bronze battle gear with a bloody spear.
Enemies: Athena is his long time enemy because she was a goddess of war and a favorite of Zeus. He
has been known to lose battles a lot, especially with Athena. He is not well liked by the Greek people or
anyone else for that matter.
Loves: Ares has been known to have a long love affair with Aphrodite Goddess of Love.
Symbols: The boar, the bloody spear, the color red.
Throne: his throne on Mount Olympus is said to be covered in the skin of his human enemies.
Information from http://www.theoi.com/Olympios/Ares.html
The Marriage of Zeus and Hera
Hera did not desire to be married to Zeus, who was also her brother, as she did not see him fit
for marriage. After all, he did swallow his first wife, Titaness Metis. Because of this and Zeus's
known attractiveness to women other than his wife, Hera refused to marry Zeus for three
hundred years.
One spring, Zeus caused a terrible thunderstorm and turned himself into a disheveled cuckoo.
He flew in through Hera’s window, all wet and ruffled, causing Hera to feel sorry for the small
bird. She held the bird against her chest and hugged it tenderly. Zeus took this opportunity to
immediately turn back into himself and wooed her with such passion that she finally decided,
after three hundred years, to marry him.
As a wedding gift, Gaia, the earth-mother, gave Zeus and Hera golden apples. Hera took the
wedding gifts and planted them in her garden, close to Mount Atlas. She sent the immortal
monster with a 100 heads, Ladon, to guard the tree along with the Hesperides.
The wedding of Zeus and Hera was a grand event and everyone was expected to join them in
their ceremony of matrimony in a showing of their respect for the couple. Chelone was a
nymph who decided against attending the wedding of Zeus and Hera and was in turn punished.
Chelone was turned into a turtle for ridiculing and or refusing to attend the wedding. For her
insulting words, the gods condemned to her to eternal silence. For choosing to stay home,
instead of attending the ceremony, she was forced to carry her home with her for eternity.
After their marriage, Zeus continued with his wooing, but it was not Hera he was wooing.
Instead Zeus was marrying young attractive women, mostly mortals. Zeus, being the gentleman
that he was known for being, told Hera that he was doing these chores for the sake of
humankind. The sons, that these mortals were blessed to have by him, would be great heroes
but the mortals did not mean anything to him because they would grow old and die. In his
attempt to woo Hera as before, he maintained that she would be his young, beautiful queen
forever and that their marriage was the real thing. She felt very insulted and was unhappy with
the marriage, but was unable to pay Zeus back for these other marriages because his powerful
lightning bolts could kill her at any time. However, she could surely take her anger out on his
mortal wives. Being the protector and goddess of marriage, Hera never strayed like her
husband.
Adapted from http://faculty-staff.ou.edu/M/Erika.D.Mitchell-Deluca-1/ZeusandHera1.html
Chapter 6 Review Questions
1. What does Percy notice about the farm house as he is walking away from it? What
bothers him about the attic?
2. Wh6y does Percy feel guilty about Grover getting in trouble?
3. Why do you think Percy asks Chiron about the Underworld?
4. What do you think Percy means when he says “The beginnings of an idea—a tiny,
hopeful fire—started forming in my mind.”
5. Based on the description, what Greek god is Cabin Three dedicated to?
6. Why is Annabeth upset with Percy after they leave Cabin Eleven?
7. How does Annabeth know that Percy is “one of us”?
8. Percy says that the big girl from the Ares cabin reminds him of Nancy Bobofit. Is Clarisse
like Nancy? Why or why not?
9. What happens to Clarisse and her friends in the bathroom?
10. How does the bathroom incident change Annabeth’s attitude toward Percy?
Athena
Athena (a-THEE-nuh) was the goddess of crafts and the domestic arts and also those of war.
She was the patron goddess of the city of Athens. Her symbol was the owl and she was
regarded as a goddess of wisdom
Athena’s Birth:
Zeus was once married to Metis, a daughter of Ocean who was well known for her wisdom.
When Metis became pregnant, Zeus was warned by Gaia (the Earth) that a son born to Metis
would overthrow him, just as he had taken his own father's throne.
Afraid of this, Zeus swallowed Metis. In time he was overcome with a splitting headache and
summoned help from the craftsman god Hephaestus. Hephaestus struck Zeus's forehead with
an ax, and Athena sprang from her father’s head as a fully armed adult. She was the favorite child
of Zeus from that day forth because of her ability to outsmart her foes and make well thought decisions.
Athena was known to be the patroness (or helper) of heroes such as Perseus, Jason, Cadmus, Odysseus
and Hercules in their quests.
Symbol: owl
City: Athens
Weapon: Aegis (a shield with Medusa’s head fixed in the center)
Roman Name: Minerva
Adapted from http://www.mythweb.com/gods/athena.html and
http://www.pantheon.org/articles/a/athena.html
Hermes
HERMES (HUR-meez) was the messenger of the gods and guide of dead souls to the
Underworld. A prankster and inventive genius from birth, Hermes aided the heroes
Odysseus and Perseus in their quests.
Hermes was the son Zeus and a mountain nymph. On his very first day of life, he found the
empty shell of a tortoise and realized that it could be much more. He strung strings across it
and created the first lyre.
Hermes was known for his helpfulness to mankind, both in his capacity as immortal herald
and on his own initiative. When Perseus set out to face the Gorgon Medusa, Hermes aided
him in the quest. According to one version of the myth, he loaned the hero his own magic
sandals, which conferred upon the wearer the ability to fly.
Hermes' symbol of office as divine messenger was his staff, or caduceus. This was originally
a willow wand with entwined ribbons, traditional badge of the herald. But the ribbons were
eventually depicted as snakes. To support this mythologically, a story evolved that Hermes
used the caduceus to separate two fighting snakes which forthwith twined themselves
together in peace.
It was Hermes' job to convey dead souls to the Underworld. And as patron of travelers, he
was often shown in a wide-brimmed sun hat of straw.
Symbol: Caduceus, winged sandals
Weapon: Helmet of Darkness, winged sandals
Roman Name: Mercury
Adapted from http://www.mythweb.com/gods/Hermes.html
The Garden of the Hesperides
The Garden of the Hesperides is Hera's orchard in the west, where either a single tree or a
grove of immortality-giving golden apples grew. The apples were planted from the branches
that Gaia gave to her as a wedding gift when Hera married Zeus. Law of the Gods stated that
the apples must always remain in the garden. To ensure they never left the garden, the
Hesperides, or daughters of Atlas, were given the task of tending to the trees. Occasionally the
girls ate apples from the trees themselves. Not trusting the Hesperides, Hera also placed in the
garden a never-sleeping, hundred-headed, dragon, named Ladon, as an additional safeguard.
As a part of his 10 tasks, Hercules was told to fetch three golden apples from the Hesperides
Garden. In his journey to find the garden he encountered and help to free Prometheus from his
never ending torture. Prometheus told Hercules that he should get Atlas to help him in
retrieving the apples from the garden and set forth a plan to trick him into doing it.
After a long journey Hercules finally found the garden, and remembering the advice from
Prometheus, Heracles went straight to Atlas, who had been given the burden of carrying the
world on his shoulders. As leader of the Titans he had tried to lead a revolt against the gods,
and this was his divine punishment given by Zeus. Hercules offered to take the burden from his
shoulders, if he were to fetch three golden apples from the garden. Atlas, thinking this an easy
way to rid himself of his heavy load, agreed.
When Atlas returned he had the three golden apples, but refused to take back his burden form
the hero. Using his cunning Hercules pretended to enjoy holding this heavy burden, then asking
Atlas if he would hold up the world for just a short time, while he bound his head with cords, as
to relieve the pressure from his aching head. Atlas being a little slow in thinking, took back the
burden on to his shoulder, as soon as the world was held once again by Atlas, Hercules made
off with the golden apples, with Atlas deceived with his own trickery.
On his return to the man who created the “impossible task”, Hercules presented the three
golden apples to him. With bewilderment the man appreciated their beauty but did not know
what to do with them, and handed them back to Hercules. Unsure himself as what should be
done, Hercules asked for guidance from his constant supporter Athena. She took them back to
the garden of the Hesperides, as the law of the gods commanded that they should remain in
the garden.
*The exact number of Hesperides varies. Some say there were 3, others 4 or 7.
Adapted from http://www.mlahanas.de/Greeks/Mythology/Hesperides.html and
http://www.pantheon.org/articles/a/apples_of_the_hesperides.html
Journal
If you could go to summer camp year-round instead of attending school, would you do it? Why
or why not? What if the trade off was that you couldn’t ever leave the camp?
Write a 2 paragraph journal answering this question.
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Chapter 7 Review Questions
1. Who are Annabeth’s parents?
2. What does it mean to be undetermined?
3. Why are some kids summer cmapers and other year-‘rounders?
4. What do the beads mean on Annabeth’s necklace?
5. How many years has Annabeth been at Camp Half Blood? _______________
6. Why do you think many of the people in Cabin Eleven looked alike?
7. Why is Annabeth frustrated when she and Percy talk about quests?
8. Why does Luke feel bitter?
9. Why is Annabeth so hopeful that Percy is “the One”?
10. Why does Percy ask for blue Coke at dinner?
11. Why do the campers put part of their food into the fire? What did Percy wish for as he
put his food into the fire?
12. Which sentence best hints at the fact that there are big changes in store for Percy?
a. “That was my first day at camp Half-Blood
b. “I didn’t realize how exhausted I was until I collapsed on my borrowed sleeping bag.”
c. “We all headed down to the amphitheater where Apollo’s cabin led a sing-a-long.”
d. “I’d wish I’d known how briefly I would get to enjoy my new home.”
Poseidon (Quick Review)
God of the Sea, Earthquakes, Fertility and Horses
Son of Rhea and Cronos
Appearance: Often shown as an old man. Can sometimes take the form of a green or bluishskinned merman.
Personality: Poseidon was an honorable god -- you knew exactly where he stood of things, and
when he gave his word he kept it. He had no time for those whose word could no be relied
upon.
He was not well liked by heroes as he often slowed their quests when they traveled by sea.
Many heroes were challenged by the sea monsters and storms of Poseidon.
Family: Married to Amphitrite, the old goddess of the sea. Zeus gave him all of her domain
when they married. They had two children together. Triton blew the conch shell that
announces Poseidon’s arrival on his chariot.
Weapon: The trident
Symbol: Trident, horse
Adapted from http://www.mythweb.com/gods/Poseidon.html
The Division of the World by Zeus, Poseidon, and Hades
After the battle with the Titans and defeating Cronos, Zeus decided to share the world with his
older brothers, Poseidon and Hades, by drawing straws. These three became known as the “Big
Three”. Zeus drew first and got the largest straw, Poseidon second receiving the second largest
straw, and Hades was left with the smallest straw. The amount of power each god received was
related to the size of the straw they drew.
What area of the world do you think each god drew?
Zeus drew _____________________________________,
Poseidon drew ______________________________,
and Hades drew ____________________________________________.
The ancient Earth, Gaia, could not be claimed by any, so she was left to all three, each
according to their capabilities, which explains why Poseidon was the "earth-shaker" (the god of
earthquakes) and Hades claimed the humans that died. Mother Earth is their common ground,
where it was decided that because he drew the largest straw, Zeus would be the King of the
Olympian Gods. This is why Mount Olympus resides on mother earth (Gaia) and that all three
brothers can meet during Olympic Council meetings to discuss the course of actions.
Adapted from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zeus
Artemis (Quick Review)
Goddess of the wilderness, the hunt and wild animals, fertility (childbirth) and the Moon
The Virgin Goddess
Daughter of Zeus and Leto
Twin sister to Apollo
Appearance: Artemis is generally depicted as a young woman clad in buckskins, carrying a bow
and a quiver of arrows. She is often accompanied by wild creatures such as a stag or she-bear.
Birth: Artemis was born one day before her brother Apollo. Her mother gave birth to her on
the island of Ortygia, then, almost immediately after her birth, she helped her mother to cross
the straits over to Delos, where she then delivered Apollo. This was the beginning of her role as
guardian of young children and patron of women in childbirth.
Rule: Guardian of the wild and animals. She is very watchful of the animals in her domain and
can be very vengeful if they are killed without her permission. It is said that she drives her sleigh
chariot across the sky bringing the moon. This is just opposite of her brother Apollo who brings
the sun across the sky.
Symbol: Silver Bow and Arrow, Stag, She-Bear
Roman Name: Diana
Adapted from http://www.pantheon.org/articles/a/artemis.html
Activity
Pretend you are Annabeth, the leader of Athena’s cabin. You will be fighting Ares Cabin in a
game of Capture the Flag. Using what you know about the gods/goddess, make a list of you
top picks for the other cabins you’d like to have on your side. Rank them from first to last.
When you are done, you will pair up with a partner and compare lists. Be sure to give a
reason why you are choosing each cabin in the order you did.
Cabin
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Reason
Chapter 8 Review Questions
1. Why are the counselors having a hard time deciding who Percy’s Olympian parent is?
2. How does Percy surprise everyone during his first sword class? How do you think he was
able to do this?
3. According to Grover, why did the “Big Three” gods swear never to have any more
children?
4. Why does the story about Thalia make Percy feel “hollow and guilty”?
5. How does Percy manage to overcome the kids from Ares’s cabin?
6. Why does Annabeth make Percy stand in the water?
7. When you found out about Percy’s true identity, were you surprised or did you see it coming?
What clues were given earlier in the book?
Match the following Causes on the left with the Effects on the right.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
_____ Percy is not good at any sport
_____ Percy knocked the sword out of Luke’s hand
_____ No sword seems balanced in Percy’s hand
_____ Thalia is Zeus’ daughter
_____ Thalia sacrificed herself to save her friends
_____ Some gods aren’t supposed to have any children
_____A green trident appears over Percy’s head
_____ They wanted to trick Clarisse
_____ Clarisse’s gang surrounds Percy
_____ Annabeth wore a Yankee’s cap
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
Poseidon is his dad
Percy was stationed by the creek
Some cabins at camp are empty
Luke easily defeats Percy
No one knows who is dad is
Zeus pitied her and turned her
into a pine tree
G. Annabeth’s team won capture the
flag
H. Three Furies chase her
I. Annabeth becomes invisible
J. Luke stares at Percy with interest
The Oracle at Delphi
Oracle (n.)- priest or priestess or other creature through whom a god ¡s believed to speak; also the
location (such as a shrine) where such words are spoken
Delphi, a town on the slopes of Mount Parnassus in Greece, was the site of the main temple of Apollo*
and of the Delphic oracle, the most famous oracle of ancient times. Before making important decisions,
Greeks and other peoples traveled to this sacred place to consult the oracle and learn the gods' wishes.
According to Greek mythology, Zeus* wanted to locate the exact center of the world. To do this, he
released two eagles from opposite ends of the earth. The eagles met at Delphi. Zeus marked the
spotwith a large, egg-shaped stone called the omphalos, meaning "navel."
Originally, Delphi was the site of an oracle of the earth goddess Gaia. The site was guarded by a
monstrous serpent (or dragon, in some accounts) called Pytho. Apollo killed Pytho and forced Gaia to
leave Delphi. Thereafter, the temple at Delphi belonged to Apollo's oracle.
Consulting the Oracle.
No one knows for certain how the process of consulting the Delphic oracle worked. However, over the
years, a traditional account has been widely accepted. According to this description, a visitor who
wanted to submit a question to the oracle would first make an appropriate offering and sacrifice a goat.
Then a priestess known as the Pythia would take the visitor's question into the inner part of Apollo's
temple, which contained the omphalos and a golden statue of Apollo. Seated on a three-legged stool,
the priestess would fall into a trance.
After some time, the priestess would start to writhe around and foam at the mouth. In a frenzy, she
would begin to voice strange words and sounds. Priests and interpreters would listen carefully and
record her words in verse or in prose. The message was then passed on to the visitor who had posed the
question. Some modern scholars believe that the priestess did not become delirious but rather sat
quietly as she delivered her divine message. Her words were often very confusing and could hold
multiple meanings, therefore it was up to those who heard it to determine her meaning.
Anyone could approach the oracle, whether king, public official, or private citizen. At first, a person
could consult the oracle only once a year, but this restriction was later changed to once a month.
Influence of the Oracle.
The ancient Greeks had complete faith in the oracle's words, even though the meaning of the message
was often unclear. As the oracle's fame spread, people came from all over the Mediterranean region
seeking advice. Numerous well-known figures of history and mythology visited Delphi, including
Socrates and Oedipus.
Visitors would ask not only about private matters but also about affairs of state. As a result, the oracle at
Delphi had great influence on political, economic, and religious events. Moreover, Delphi itself became
rich from the gifts sent by many believers.
Many rulers consulted the oracle at Delphi about political matters, such as whether to wage a war or
establish a colony. However, the oracle's answers were often vague or ambiguous, leaving
interpretation to the listener. Sometimes such uncertainty had ironic results. For example, King Croesus
of Lydia asked the oracle if he should attack Cyrus the Great of Persia. The oracle responded that such
an attack would destroy a great empire. Croesus attacked, expecting victory. However, his own forces
were overwhelmed, and it was the Lydian empire of Croesus that was destroyed.
In early Roman times, Delphi was often plundered. For example, the Roman dictator Sulla took many of
Delphi's treasures, and the emperor Nero is said to have carried off some 500 bronze statues. With
Rome's conquest of Greece and the spread of Christianity, Delphi's importance declined. The oracle was
finally silenced in A . D . 390 to discourage the spread of pagan beliefs.
Pagan (Adj) term used by early Christians to describe non-Christians and non-Christian beliefs
Adapted from http://www.mythencyclopedia.com/Cr-Dr/Delphi.html
Chapter 9 Review Questions
1. Why does Percy feel miserable once he gets his own cabin?
2. Based on the newspaper article Percy finds under his door, what is happening in the real world
while Percy is in camp?
3. What is the master bolt?
4. Why does Zeus think that Percy stole the bolt?
5. Why can’t the gods retrieve the bolt themselves?
6. What bothers Percy about the Oracle’s prophecy?
7. According to Chiron, what evidence suggests that Hades stole the lightning bolt?
8. Why does Percy have to travel over land?
9. What will happen on the Summer Solstice if the lightning bolt is not returned?
10. What is unusual about the storm that moves in over camp?
How the City of Athens got its Name
Long before it became a great city and the birthplace of democracy, the area of Athens must have been
a very beautiful place. Otherwise one cannot explain how some of the most important ancient gods
dueled to give it their name.
In the end it was Poseidon, the god of the sea and Athena, the goddess of wisdom, who reached the
final round. Zeus, out of whose head Athena was born, in order to avoid a violent encounter between
the two gods, declared that each should make an offer to the new city and its name would go to the god
whose offer would be accepted by the citizens.
It must have been quite a sight, with all the Olympian gods sitting on one side and the citizens on the
other while Athena and Poseidon stood in the middle, ready for the naming competition. Poseidon, who
was Zeus' brother and uncle of Athena, came first and struck the rock of the Acropolis with his trident,
opening a spring of salt water. This was interpreted as an indication that Poseidon was offering the new
city success in war and at sea.
Then Athena came forward and dropped a seed to the ground. It immediately turned into an olive tree.
This was meant to indicate that the goddess was offering the new city the fruits of peace, prosperity and
wisdom, which the citizens accepted and named their city Athens, while the owl, the bird connected
with Athena and signified wisdom, became the pet animal of the Athenians.
This is why when money was invented and Athenians adopted as their currency the drachma, they used
to have the profile of Athena on the one side and the owl on the other. The Athenian drachma became
very popular among the people living along the shores of the Mediterranean, the Black Sea and the Red
Sea.
Adapted from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Athens
The Gorgons
The Gorgons were three powerful, winged demons named Medusa, Sthenno and Euryale. Of the three
sisters only Medusa was mortal. Medusa was once a beautiful maiden who was transformed by Athena
into a monster as punishment for lying with Poseidon in her shrine. Her hair was turned to snakes and
her gaze would turn anyone into stone. The hero Perseus was sent by Athena to take Medusa’s head.
The gods equipped him with a reflective shield, curved sword, winged boots and helm of invisibility. He
was told by Athena to only look at the reflection of Medusa in his shield or her gaze would also turn him
into stone. He accomplished this. He came upon Medusa and decapitated her using the curved sword
which he threw at her. When his happened, two creatures sprang forth from the wound - the winged
horse Pegasus and the giant Khrysaor. Perseus fled with the monster's head in a sack, and with her two
angry sisters following close upon his heels.
Interesting Fact: While Medusa is usually considered to be ugly, one myth states that it was her great
beauty that paralyzed all observers.
Spouse: Generally considered unmarried, though she did lie with Poseidon, and one account of her
myth indicates the hero Perseus was her husband as well as her slayer.
Medusa's Weaknesses: Perseus was able to trick her and cut off her head.
Medusa's Strengths: Can stop anything in its tracks. Her severed head will turn anything into stone,
including those who see it by accident.
Adapted from http://gogreece.about.com/cs/mythology/a/blmythmedusa.htm and
http://www.theoi.com/Pontios/Gorgones.html
Chapter 10 Review Guide
Read each sentence below. Using context clues and prior knowledge of our characters, decide which
definition fits the word as it is used in the sentence.
1. I watched Gabe lumber back to his apartment building.
A. timber sawed into boards
B. discarded household furniture
C. to move heavily and noisily
2. My mom used a stern voice and talked to me in a tone she had never used before.
A. the rear end of a ship
B. strict, severe
C. never gives up
3. “She didn’t stay dead long,” I said, trying not to let my voice quiver.
A. a case holding arrows
B. to tremble
C. to shake tremendously
4. We plunged into the woods as the rain poured down leaving the burning bus behind us.
A. to throw suddenly
B. To dive or fall
C. to violently move forward or downward
5. Use the word impulsive (to do something without thinking first) correctly in a sentence.
Answer the following questions in complete sentences.
1. What gift does Luke give to Percy? Why can’t Percy use them?
2. What is Riptide and what special properties does it have?
3. What is the Mist? Explain in detail.
4. What are some of the reasons Annabeth gives for why Poseidon and Athena don’t get along?
5. According to Grover, why did Percy’s mom marry Gabe?
6. Percy says he’s not going on the quest to retrieve the lightning bolt. What’s his real reason for
going?
7. Why doesn’t Percy leave the bus when he has the chance?
8. How do Percy, Grover and Annabeth lose their luggage?
Olympian Travel Agency
Pretend that you are a god or goddess travel agent. Percy and his friends come to you to determine the
best way to get from New York, NY to Los Angeles, CA. Remember that he only has 10 days and there
are certain forms of transportation that he will need to avoid. Using some of the sites below, “book” a
trip (do not actually purchase anything, simply do the research) for the least amount of price that will
get Percy and his friends there in time.
http://www.amtrak.com
http://www.greyhound.com/
You can also check general travel sites by searching for them in a search engine.
*(list the sites below that you use.)
1. What mode of transportation did you choose to “book”? Will this form of transportation be safe
for Percy, Annabeth and Grover? Why?
2. Will Percy get there before his 10 day deadline? (Tell me how long it will take citing specific days
and stops-in other words tell me the specifics of the tip.)
3.
How much did your trip cost?
Chapter 11 Review Questions
Answer the following questions in complete sentences.
1. Why is Annabeth upset with Percy for risking his life on the bus?
2. What does Aunty Em look like when she opens the door?
3. How does Percy explain why he went into the garden gnome emporium? Does this explanation
make sense to you?
4. Why does Grover start to get nervous at the emporium? (there are several reasons)
5. How can you tell that Percy isn’t thinking straight after he eats his meal?
6. Did you guess Aunty Em’s true identity before Percy did? What clues gave her away?
7. Why does Annabeth say they have to kill Medusa? Why can’t they just run away?
8. Medusa’s head doesn’t disintegrate along with the rest of her. Why not?
9. What important information does Percy find in Medusa’s office?
10. Why do you think Percy sends Medusa’s head to Mount Olympus? Do you think this is a good
idea?
The God Pan
Pan's Appearance: Horned, furry, half-man, half-goat, a bit on the short side. Not unattractive in the
original bad-boy sense.
Pan's Symbol or Attribute: His horns. His "pan-pipe", a curved row of small flutes also called the "syrinx"
- Syrinx was a maiden who turned herself into reeds to hide from Pan who lusted after her. He then
fashioned his reed pipe from the reeds she turned into.
Pan's Strengths: Lusty. He is an able musician.
Pan's Weaknesses: Lusty. Also likes noise and loud music. He can incite 'panic', a mindless fear or rage,
sometimes at the order of the goddess Rhea. He is okay with tearing people apart on occasion. He cares
greatly for the wild and all it encompasses.
Pan's Birthplace: Usually said to be the son of Hermes and Dryope, a tree-nymph, he is associated with
Arcadia, a beautiful but wild part of Greece. Penelope is also sometimes said to be his mother.
Children of Pan: Twelve "panes", also part goat like their father; numerous other children.
Basic Myth: Pan is the god who watches over flocks, forests, mountains, and all wild things. While he is
usually despoiling maidens and others (nymphs), he can also be gentle and is said to have talked Psyche
out of committing suicide over her thwarted love for Eros.
Interesting Fact: The name "Pan" means "All" and some believe that Pan was originally a much more
powerful, all-encompassing god who got downsized with the advent of the Olympians. Also, Pan is the
only Greek god who actually dies. During A.D. 14–37, the news of Pan's death came to a sailor, Thamus,
on his way to Italy by way of the island of Paxi. A divine voice hailed him across the salt water, "Thamus,
are you there? When you reach Palodes, tell them that the great god Pan is dead." Which Thamus did,
and the news was heard from shore with groans and laments.
Adapted from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pan_(god) and
http://gogreece.about.com/cs/mythology/a/blmythpan.htm
Journal-Chapter 12
Choose one of the two prompts below and answer it in a journal entry. The entry should be at least two
paragraphs in length. Be sure to check your spelling and strive for five in each paragraph!
Option 1: Describe a vivid dream you’ve had. Do you think dreams ever give important information?
Explain why you believe this.
OR
Option 2: Do you think animals can understand when you talk to them? Have you ever had a pet you
understand well?
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Chapter 12 Review Questions
1. Why does Grover want a searcher’s license?
2. Why does Grover’s dream sound so hopeless to Percy?
3. What new information do you learn about Grover’s past and how it relates to Annabeth?
4. According to Grover, why did Percy mail Medusa’s head to Mount Olympus?
5. Describe the place Percy sees in his dream. (be specific)
6. What terrible realization does Percy make toward the end of the dream? What does the voice
want from him?
7. Who do you think is talking to Percy in the dream? Who is this voice from the pit?
8. Who is Gladiola?
9. What is Grover’s plan to get money for the trip?
10. If you were offered the choice in Percy’s dream-to save your own parent’s life or complete your
quest and prevent a terrible war- what would you choose? Why?
The Nemean Lion
invulnerable incapable of being hurt
In Greek mythology the Nemean Lion was a fearsome beast slain by Hercules as one of his 12 Labors.
The hero had killed his wife and children in a fit of madness and was told by an oracle to go to the city of
Tiryns for his punishment. There King Eurystheus could present him with 12 seemingly impossible
challenges or labors.
Hercules' first task was to slay the Nemean Lion, the offspring of the monsters Typhon and Echidna.
Twice as large as a normal lion, the animal had skin so tough that no weapons could penetrate it. After
tracking the lion to its cave in the land of Nemea, Hercules tried to kill it with arrows given to him by the
god Apollo*. However, the arrows simply bounced off the lion. Hercules struggled with the beast using
only his bare hands and strangled it to death. He then used the lion's own razor-sharp claws to remove
its skin. Afterward, he wore the skin as a cloak to make him invulnerable.
After killing the beast, Hercules took the skin back to Eurystheus, but the king was so terrified when he
saw the lion that he hid himself inside a storage jar. He told Hercules that, from then on, the hero should
present his trophies to a messenger outside the city To honor the lion's struggle against Hercules, Zeus
(or Hera in some accounts) transformed the lion into the constellation, or group of stars, called Leo.
Adapted from http://www.mythencyclopedia.com/Mi-Ni/Nemean-Lion.html
Typhon & Echidna
In Greek mythology, Echidna was half woman half snake, known as the "Mother of All Monsters"
because most of the monsters in Greek myth were mothered by her. Echidna was the daughter of
Tartarus and Gaia, Echidna was a drakaina, with the face and torso of a beautiful woman (depicted as
winged in archaic vase-paintings) and the body of a serpent, sometimes having two serpent's tails.
Echidna was the mother by Typhon of many monstrous offspring, including:
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Orthrus, the two-headed dog which guarded the Cattle of Geryon
Cerberus, the many-headed dog which guarded the gates of Hades
the Lernaean Hydra, the many-headed sea monster which when one of its heads was cut off
grew two more
the Chimera, a fire breathing beast, part goat, part snake, and part lion
the Caucasian eagle, that every day ate the liver of Prometheus
the Crommyonian sow, killed by Theseus
the Gorgon, as according to Hyginus
the Colchian Dragon that guarded the Golden Fleece
Scylla-was a monster that lived on one side of a narrow channel of water, opposite its
counterpart Charybdis. She was a sea monster with four eyes, six long necks equipped with
grisly heads, each of which contained three rows of sharp teeth. Her body consisted of twelve
tentacle-like legs and a cat's tail and with four to six dog-heads ringing her waist.
the Teumessian fox, destined never to be caught
Ladon, the dragon of the Garden of the Hesperides
the Sphinx -has the haunches of a lion, the wings of a great bird, and the face and breast of a
woman. She is treacherous and merciless: those who cannot answer her riddle suffer a fate
typical in such mythological stories: they are gobbled up whole and raw, eaten by this ravenous
monster.
and the Nemean lion.
Typhon is the final son of Gaia, fathered by Tartarus, and is the most deadly monster of Greek
mythology. Typhon was known as the "Father of all monsters"
Typhon was described as one of the largest and most fearsome of all creatures. His human upper half
reached as high as the stars. His hands reached east and west and had a hundred dragon heads on each.
He was feared even by the mighty gods. His bottom half was gigantic viper coils that could reach the top
of his head when stretched out and made a hissing noise. His whole body was covered in wings, and fire
flashed from his eyes.
Typhon attempts to destroy Zeus at the will of Gaia, because Zeus had imprisoned the Titans and
defeated the Gigantes. Typhon initially overcame Zeus in their first battle, and tore out Zeus' insides.
However, Hermes recovered the insides and gave them to Zeus. Typhon was finally defeated by Zeus,
who trapped him underneath Mount Etna by throwing the mountain on top of him.
Adapted from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Typhon and
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Echidna_(mythology)
Journal
In this chapter, Annabeth says she wants to be an architect and build a monument that will last a
thousand years. If you could be famous, what would you like to be remembered for? Explain this in 2
complete paragraphs.
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Chapter 13 Review Questions
1. Why does Percy try to keep a low profile on the train?
2. What new information does Annabeth tell us about her father in this chapter?
3. Annabeth says a couple of unexpected friends took care of her when she ran away from home.
Any guesses who these friends may be?
4. Why does Percy laugh when Annabeth tells him what she wants to be?
5. What magic item does Hades have? What are its powers?
6. Describe the Chimera.
7. Echidna says Percy should feel honored to be killed by her. Why?
8. What is Percy’s “fatal mistake” while battling the Chimera?
9. Why does Percy decide he has no choice but to jump? What would you have done in his place?
10. How would the battle have been different if there were no mortal spectators in the Arch?
Chapter 14 Review Questions
Answer in complete sentences.
1. When he lands in the Mississippi River, what does Percy realize that amazes him?
2. Why does Percy feel ashamed that Poseidon saved him?
3. What message does the woman in the water bring to Percy? What was her warning?
4. What does Percy learn by overhearing the reporters outside of the Arch?
5. What happened to the family that was in the Arch with Percy?
Character Trading Cards
On a piece of paper, make a trading card for a character from The Lightning Thief. This could be a god,
half-blood, or monster. You should draw a picture of your character. Use your imagination and
information we learned about each character. You should have the following on your trading card:
Name of Character, a brief description of them including any special powers or weapons (magic items),
friends, enemies, and who they are (God, Half-blood, and monster). Use the example below for how it
should look.
Poseidon
Draw
Picture
Here
Type: God
Special Powers:
Magic Trident, Earthquake,
Sea Storm
Friends: Ares, Apollo, any sea creature
Enemy: Titans, Athena, Hades, Zeus
Description: Posiedon is Zeus’ brother, he is the
powerful and moody god of the sea, Percy’s dad.
Rubric
Content…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………_____/10
Did you include the name of your character, their special powers/weapons (magic items), their friends, their enemies, and a brief
description of them that allows us to get to know them?
Neatness…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………_____/5
Is your trading card neat and easy to read?
Spelling and Grammar………………………………………………………………………………………………………………_____/5
Is your trading card free of spelling and grammar mistakes?
Picture …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………_____/10
Is your picture hand drawn? Does it include the physical aspects of the characters that we know? If we don’t know specifically, does
the picture represent them well?
Presentation…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………_____/10
Did you present your trading card to the class and clearly explain what you wrote and why? No use of “umm” or overuse of “like”
Chapter 15 Review Questions
1. What is Iris-Messaging? How does it work?
2. Why does Annabeth want to leave as soon as Luke appears n the mist?
3. Luke says, “Tell Grove it’ll be better this time! Nobody will get turned into a pine tree…” What
does this tell you about Grover’s past? (be specific)
4. What does Ares say that convinces Percy to help him?
5. According to Annabeth, how does Hephaestus deal with his wife and Ares?
6. Grover doesn’t smell any monsters at the Thrill Ride O’ Love, even though it’s a trap. Why is
that?
7. Why can’t Annabeth help Percy when they get trapped in the pool?
8. How does Annabeth put her knowledge of physics to work o the water ride?
9. How does Grover save the day?
10. At the end of the chapter, whom do you think Percy is angrier with—Hephaestus or Ares? Why?
Modernized Gods
In this chapter you met Ares, who in modern times wears biker clothes and rides a Harley Davison with a
shot gun holster. How might the other gods or goddesses look in modern times? Pick one god or
goddess you know about (not Ares or Dionysus). Write a description of what they might look like today.
What clothes would they wear and why? What type of vehicle would they drive and why?
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You said, “What?”
Dialogue (n.)- a conversation between two or more persons
Question marks and exclamation marks go EITHER inside or outside the quotation
mark depending on the situation. They go inside when the question or exclamation is
part of what is quoted.
She asked, “Who did it?”
OR
Did she say, “I’m quitting”?
Who is saying the quotation (dialogue tag) is set apart from the direct quote by a comma. The first word
inside the quote is capitalized.
Percy said, “I don’t know how we always get into these situations.”
OR
“Only the gods know,” Grover responded.
If a question mark or an exclamation point occurs where one of the separating commas
should be used, omit the comma and use the question mark or exclamation point to separate the quoted
material.
“I don’t know either. Do you Grover?” asked Annabeth.
More than one rule can be combined in the same quotation.
Percy shook his head, “Do you really think the gods control everything?”
Mark the following sentences as correct or incorrect. If they are incorrect, correct them.
Then write your own dialogue in the space at the bottom of the page.
1. “We can’t use phones, right?” Percy asked.
2. “Give Percy the nozzle and come on” Annabeth ordered.
3. Percy cried, “but Chiron said the gods can’t take each other’s magic items directly.
4. That’s true, “Luke said, looking troubled.
5. “It’s probably some kind of trick,” I said.
6. He grinned, “That got your attention.
7. “Ares sought you out, Percy. That’s not good” Grover said.
8. Annabeth warned, “Percy, be respectful. He’s still a god”
The Lotus-Eaters
Book IX of Homer's Odyssey
"I was driven thence by foul winds for a space of nine days upon the
sea, but on the tenth day we reached the land of the Lotus-eater,
who live on a food that comes from a kind of flower. Here we landed to
take in fresh water, and our crews got their mid-day meal on the shore
near the ships. When they had eaten and drunk I sent two of my company
to see what manner of men the people of the place might be, and they
had a third man under them. They started at once, and went about among
the Lotus-eaters, who did them no hurt, but gave them to eat of the
lotus, which was so delicious that those who ate of it left off caring
about home, and did not even want to go back and say what had happened
to them, but were for staying and munching lotus with the
Lotus-eater without thinking further of their return; nevertheless,
though they wept bitterly I forced them back to the ships and made
them fast under the benches. Then I told the rest to go on board at
once, lest any of them should taste of the lotus and leave off wanting
to get home, so they took their places and smote the grey sea with their oars.
How is this description of the Land of the Lotus Eaters the same as the one in our novel?
The Trojan War
Paris, a prince of Troy, had proclaimed her half sister Helen as the fairest in the land, well, Aphrodite
was not at all pleased.
A short time later, a wedding was announced in the Greek god world. Eris, the spirit of disagreement,
had not been invited. Eris made a surprise and most unwelcome visit to the wedding reception. She
threw a golden apple of discord on the feasting table. "This apple is for whomever is the fairest," Eris
proclaimed haughtily, hoping to cause trouble. Which she did.
Hera, Aphrodite, and Athena all grabbed for the apple. "It's mine," insisted the three goddesses,
Aphrodite loudest of all.
Zeus thundered, "Enough. Paris will decide who is the fairest. Hermes, go tell Paris he has a job to do."
"Paris!" Aphrodite muttered. "Well, well."
Paris found himself facing three of the most powerful goddesses in the world, all clamoring for his
attention. "Paris will decide! Which one of us is the loveliest, Paris?" they demanded to know.
Paris could have said they were all the most beautiful. But Paris was as foolish as he was handsome.
Paris told all three goddesses that whoever offered him the best bribe would be declared the fairest.
"I'll show him a bribe," hissed Hera.
"Hera, Athena" Aphrodite pleaded. "Let me be the one to teach him a lesson."
Aphrodite's bribe was the best. She promised Paris that she would make the king of Sparta's wife, the
beautiful Helen, fall instantly in love with Paris, and wouldn't his brothers be jealous!
Aphrodite kept her promise. That very day Paris and Helen left Greece behind, and traveled together to
the city of Troy, where they expected to live happily ever after.
When the king heard what had happened, that his wife had been kidnapped by Paris, a prince of Troy,
the king of Sparta went after his wife to rescue her. When the king of Sparta called on the other kings of
Greece to help, they rallied to his side. A huge navy of Greek warriors set sail for Troy. That was the
beginning of the Trojan War, and the end of Troy.
Ever after, and for all time, Queen Helen of Sparta, the women who caused the destruction of an entire
city-state, was no longer known as the half sister of Aphrodite. She was known simply as Helen of Troy.
The walls around Troy were very high and very strong. According to the legend of Trojan Horse, for ten
long years, the Greeks had been trying to get over the wall around the city of Troy. But the Greeks could
not get over the wall. And the Trojans could not drive the Greeks away. Year after year they fought. And
year after year, neither side won.
One day, a Greek general, Odysseus, had a tricky idea. "Let's pretend to sail away," he suggested. "We'll
leave a gift for Troy, a gift to announce the end of the war, a wooden horse with 30 men hidden inside.
At night, these men can sneak out and open the gate of Troy!" That was the way things were done back
then. When you admitted defeat, you supplied a gift. It could be a gift of money, art, slaves, anything
really. It made sense to leave a gift of art. The Greeks were famous for their art.
The Greeks thought it was a brilliant idea. They had their best artists build the horse. It was a
magnificent horse. When it was ready, the Greeks brought the huge wooden horse as close to Troy's city
gates as they could get without being shot full of arrows. The Greeks pretended to sail away.
When the Trojan archers at the top of the stairs saw the Greeks leaving, they could not believe their
eyes. Were the Greeks giving up at last? Had the Trojans won the war? It certainly appeared so! The
Trojans dragged the horse inside their city and closed the gates.
Some people wanted to burn the horse, which would have been a sad fate for the Greek soldiers hidden
inside. But the Trojan people said, "NO! It's too beautiful! We'll keep it forever as a reminder of our
victory!" (The Greeks had counted on that reaction. The Greeks might be famous for their art, but the
Trojans were famous for their bragging. The Greeks were sure the Trojans would want to display the
magnificent horse. Sure enough, that's exactly what happened, or so legend says.)
That night, while the Trojan people slept soundly, exhausted from their celebrations, the 30 Greek men
hidden inside the wooden horse climbed out and opened the gates of Troy and let the Greek army
inside. That was the end of Troy.
There is an old saying, one still used today - Beware of Greeks bearing gifts! That old saying refers to the
legend of the Trojan Horse.
Adapted from http://greece.mrdonn.org/greekgods/helenoftroy.html
Chapter 16 Review Questions
1. What’s in the backpack Ares gives Percy? If you were him, would you have accepted this gift?
(Explain)
2. What news does Ares give Percy about his mom?
3. Annabeth says Percy wasn’t smart to anger Ares. Was Percy right to talk back to him? Why or
why not?
4. What do the beads mean on Annabeth’s necklace?
5. Percy says that Annabeth should write her father a letter. What would you advise her to do?
6. Percy’s dream has three different parts—what does he see in each scene?
7. How does Grover make sure the animals will be safe after they are released?
8. Percy, Grover and Annabeth are attracted to different types of games at the Lotus Casino. What
game does each one like, and what does this tell you about their personality?
9. When does Percy start to realize that the casino is a trap?
10. How does Percy snap Annabeth out of her trance?
Procrustes
(proh-KRUS-teez)
Procrustes was a host who adjusted his guests to their bed. Procrustes,
whose name means "he who stretches", was arguably the most
interesting of Theseus's challenges on the way to becoming a hero. He
kept a house by the side of the road where he offered hospitality to
passing strangers, who were invited in for a pleasant meal and a
night's rest in his very special bed. Procrustes described it as having
the unique property that its length exactly matched whomsoever lay
down upon it. What Procrustes didn't volunteer was the method by
which this "one-size-fits-all" was achieved, namely as soon as the
guest lay down Procrustes went to work upon him, stretching him on
the rack if he was too short for the bed and chopping off his legs if he
was too long. What the poor travelers never knew was that Procrustes
kept two beds, so that no one would ever correctly fit the bed, and all
would be killed. Theseus turned the tables on Procrustes, fatally
adjusting him to fit his own bed after tricking him into laying down in
it.
Adapted from http://www.mythweb.com/teachers/why/basics/procrustes.html
Journal Entry-Chapter 17
People are always looking for new ways to sell things. What’s the worst or most annoying commercial
you’ve ever seen? Why? What was the best or funniest? Why?
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Chapter 17 Review Questions
1. How does Annabeth pay for the trip to Los Angeles?
2. Annabeth seems worried when they discuss the voice from the pit. Percy thinks she has an idea
what it might be. Do you have any guesses?
3. Who is the spirit in the sea? What does she give to Percy?
4. Why is Annabeth uneasy about the gifts Percy received?
5. According to Percy, how is L.A. different from New York?
6. Why doesn’t Riptide work on the kids who jump Percy in the alley?
7. What does Crusty do to his customers?
8. Why can’t Percy simply fight Crusty?
9. How does Percy trick the giant?
10. How does Percy find the address for the Underworld?
The Story of Orpheus
Once upon a time, a long time ago, there lived a gifted musician. Orpheus was the son of Apollo
and Calliope (one of the muses.) It was no wonder that Orpheus was a gifted musician, with
such talented musical parents. The truth is, Orpheus was more than gifted. His music was
magical. When he played the lyre, as his father had taught him, his songs could cast spells and
soothe savage beasts. He fell in love and married the nymph Eurydice and the two were very
happy together. Eurydice spent hours wandering and playing in the fields and woodlands. One
day she trod on a deadly snake and died. She went to the underworld.
Orpheus was so unhappy, he would not eat or drink and his friends thought that he might die.
He took his lyre and traveled into the Underworld through a deep dark cave in the woods. He
played his lyre and charmed Charon, the ferry man, into crossing the river Styx. He then played
the lyre to charm the three headed dog Cerberus to sleep so he could pass to Hade’s throne
room. He begged his great uncle Hades to allow his wife to come back to earth as herself, not
reborn as someone else. Orpheus played his lyre to charm Hades, and eventually Hades gave in
and told him that Eurydice could follow him out of the Underworld, but only if Orpheus
promised not look back and see her until they were both safely back on earth and out of the
Underworld.
Orpheus agreed and began his journey back to earth. He made it all the way to the mouth of
the cave and was almost free when he became worried. He was afraid that perhaps his wife
might need his help - it was a very scary trip back to the surface. He also worried that perhaps
Hades was tricking him and may not send her home after all. To reassure himself that all was
fine, he risked a quick look behind him. As soon as he caught a glimpse of Eurydice, she began
to fade back into ghost from and was drug back down to the Underworld. Orpheus had lost his
wife forever.
Adapted from http://atschool.eduweb.co.uk/carolrb/greek/orpheus.html and
http://greece.mrdonn.org/greekgods/orpheus.html
Hercules and Cerberus
As his final Labor, Heracles was instructed to bring the hellhound Cerberus up from Hades, the
kingdom of the dead. The first barrier to the soul's journey beyond the grave was the most
famous river of the Underworld, the River Styx. Here the newly dead congregated as shadows
of their former selves, waiting for passage in the ferryboat of Charon the Boatman. Charon
wouldn't take anyone across unless they met two conditions. Firstly, they had to pay a bribe in
the form of a coin under the corpse's tongue. And secondly, they had to be dead. Heracles met
neither condition, a circumstance which aggravated Charon's natural grouchiness. But Heracles
simply glowered so fiercely that Charon meekly conveyed him across the Styx. The greater
challenge was Cerberus, who had razor teeth, three heads, a venomous snake for a tail and
another swarm of snakes growing out of his back. These bit at Heracles while Cerberus lunged
at his throat. Fortunately, the hero was wearing his trusty lion's skin, which was impenetrable
by anything but a thunderbolt from Zeus. Heracles eventually choked Cerberus into submission
and dragged him to the Upperworld, where he received due credit for this final Labor.
Adapted from http://www.mythweb.com/hercules/herc17.html
Charon, the Ferryman
Charon is the ferryman who takes dead souls across the River Styx. Hermes delivers the souls to
the underworld at the dock on the River Styx. The role of Charon the ferryman was to ferry the
dead across the river Styx to the entrance of the underworld which was called Hades. Charon
expected to be paid for his work and a coin was therefore placed on or in the mouth of the
dead person. Failure to pay the ferryman meant the soul had to wander the shores for a period
of one hundred years or haunt the Upperworld.
Adapted from . http://www.roman-colosseum.info/roman-gods/charon.htm
Chapter 18 Review Questions
1. Why does the DOA security guard get annoyed with Percy?
2. How does Charon realize Percy and his friends are not really dead?
3. How does Percy finally convince Charon to take them into elevator?
4. What does the River Styx look like?
Why does it look this way?
5. Describe the entrance to the Underworld. (you may also draw a picture if you like)
6. What is Percy’s plan to get past Cerberus? Why doesn’t it work?
7. How does Annabeth save them? Why is she able to do this?
8. What does Percy realize about monsters at the end of the chapter?
9. Do you feel sorry for Cerberus? Would you have risked playing fetch with him, if you were
Annabeth?
Persephone
Persephone was the daughter of the goddess Demeter. One day Persephone was dancing
with her friends, the nymphs, in a sunny meadow, having a good time, picking flowers.
Suddenly, Persephone’s spooky uncle, Hades, burst out of the ground and grabbed her and
pulled her into his chariot. He took Persephone under the ground to his kingdom, the land of the
dead, and told her that he wanted her to be the Queen of the Underworld by marrying him.
Persephone was very sad there under the ground. She wanted to go up into the sunshine again, but
Hades would not let her. Persephone was so sad that she would not eat or drink.
Meanwhile, back up in the land of the living, Persephone's mother Demeter was looking everywhere
for her and could not find her. She cried and cried. Finally she went to her brother Zeus, who was
also Persephone's father, and asked him to help find Persephone. Zeus, sitting way up there on top
of Mount Olympus, was able to see where Persephone was. He told Hades to give her back, but
Hades said he would only give Persephone back if she had really not eaten or drunk anything from
the land of the dead. Persephone had not eaten much, but it turned out she was so hungry that she
had eaten six pomegranate seeds from a garden in the Underworld. Zeus and Hades they agreed
that Persephone could spend six months a year above ground with her mother, but she would have
to spend the other six months in the land of the dead with her uncle/husband. And that is how it has
been since then, according to the story: that's why we have the seasons.
Persephone represents the grain and plants. Like most plants, she comes up out of the earth in the
spring, and dances in the meadow with her friends. Her mother Demeter is glad to see her and
makes the sun shine. In the fall, though, Persephone dies as the grain comes ripe and is harvested.
She has to go back under the ground again, as men plant the seeds under the ground. Persephone's
mother is sad and cries, like the rain in winter. Then every spring she comes up again.
Adapted from http://www.historyforkids.org/learn/greeks/religion/persephone.htm
Charon’s Ferry: The way most people get into the Underworld,
Charon will take you across the river to the Land of the Dead for a
price. Most ancient Greeks were buried with a coin under their
tongue to pay the boatman. If you go, be sure to have a gold
drachma, Charon doesn’t take American Express.
The Underworld
Fields of Punishment: Picture the worst torture you can imagine.
Now imagine that being ten times as bad. Now imagine having to
go through that forever. If you’ve been wicked in your life, you’ll
win an all-expense paid trip to the Fields of Punishment, with no
chance of escape! Enjoy!
Isle of the Blest: If you’re a real
overachiever and Elysium just isn’t good
enough for you, you can choose to be
reborn into the world. If you manage to
live three amazing lives in a row, you get
into the Isle of the Blest, the ultimate
vacation spot for heroes and saints. So, are
you feeling lucky?
Walls of Erebos: Erebos is the general
name for Hades’ realm, and its walls
are designed to keep the dead inside
and everyone else out! This is the
original Iron Curtain!
River Styx: A dark and river
of mysteries, clogged with
remnants of broken dreams.
A dip in the river will either
make you invulnerable (like
Achilles) or dead (like
everyone else). If you swear
on the River Styx you better
keep your promise, the
Fates will be watching!
Main Gate (Cerberus): Not many people would try to
sneak past Cerberus, Hades three-headed guard dog,
but these days Hades has beefed up security with more
guard ghouls, metal detectors, and processing kiosks.
Please take computers out of their bags and take off
your jacket and shoes as you pass through. For a
speedier Afterlife, consider using the EZ Death line!
Judgment Pavilion: This is
where all the fun begins.
Three judges from among the
famous dead will evaluate
your life, sort of like American
Idol, except if you are found
unworthy, you will have to
spend your Afterlife in eternal
punishment. A lucky few will
go to Elysium. Most will end
up in Asphodel, the ultimate
lame consolation prize.
Hade’s Palace: Hades lives in a
lovely black obsidian palace
decorated with pictures of
death and guarded by skeleton
warriors. Be sure to visit
Persephone’s Garden while
you’re here, but don’t eat the
fruit unless you want to stay for
a long, long time.
Fields of Asphodel: A big field of
yellow grass and black poplar trees
where there is nothing to do. This is
where most of the dead pass
eternity—those who weren’t bad
enough to warrant punishment and
those who weren’t good enough for
Elysium. The message: Try Harder
While You’re Alive!
Tartarus: The deepest, darkest pit, Tartarus
is where monsters are born from chaos, and
where their spirits return when they are slain
in the upperworld. It is also the bottomless
pit where enemies of the gods are thrown—
a sort of maximum security prison for
immortals.
Journal-Chapter 19
Who is the most evil person you can think of—from history or from current times? What makes this
person evil? Can an evil person ever have good qualities?
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As You Read Activity
As you read, sketch a map of the underworld based on the description from the book. When you are done, we will compare it to Grover’s map.
Chapter 19 Review Questions
1. What does the Field of Asphodel look like?
2. What do you have to do to enter the Isles of the Blest?
3. How do Grover, Percy and Annabeth end up at the pit of Tartarus?
4. How is Hades Aura different than Ares? How does Percy feel when he’s in Hades’ presence?
5. Describe the guards at Hades’ palace.
6. What sort of problems does Hades complain about?
7. Why was Percy’s backpack getting heavy?
8. What terrible choice faces Percy when he decides to use the pearls? Would you have made the
same choice? (Why or why not?)
9. How do Annabeth and Grover prove themselves to be real friends to Percy?
10. What is the power of the pearls?
Chapter 20 Review Questions
1. Why does Percy will himself to get soaked in the water?
2. Ares says the best kind of war is when relatives fight each other. Why would this be the most
vicious kind of fight?
3. Why does Percy begin to suspect that Ares wasn’t acting alone—that he was taking orders from
someone else?
4. Which failures does Ares point to when he says Percy “doesn’t have what it takes?” Is this a fair
criticism? Why or why not?
5. What deal does Percy make with Ares?
6. How does Percy’s ADHD keep him alive in the fight?
7. What strategy does Percy use to beat Ares?
8. After Percy wounds Ares, something strange happens that makes Ares back off. What is it?
9. Why is it important that the Furies witness Percy’s battle?
10. At the end of the chapter, what does Percy decide he must do to complete the quest?
Journal-Chapter 20
Annabeth and Grover have very different views on the battle with Ares. Annabeth calls it terrifying.
Grover thinks it’s cool. Write a diary entry for either Annabeth or Grover, explaining what happened that
day on the beach.
**You will pretend you are either Grover or Annabeth when you are writing. Use their Point of View
and how they would have felt. Write at least two paragraphs.
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Chapter 21 Review Questions
1. When the Los Angeles reporters interview Percy, how does he get back at Gabe?
2. Why do Percy, Annabeth and Grover split up when they arrive back in New York?
3. How does Percy convince the guard at the Empire State Building to let him see Zeus?
4. What are some of the things Percy sees on his way through Olympus?
5. Why does Percy start feeling a little sorry for Hades when he sees Zeus’ palace?
6. Percy says he is glad, in a strange way, that Poseidon is so distant. Why? Does this make sense
to you?
7. How does Zeus reward Percy?
8. Who was speaking from the pit? Why do you think Zeus doesn’t want to talk about it?
9. How do you think Poseidon feels about Percy? How can you tell?
10. Why doesn’t Percy petrify Gabe when he has the chance?
Chapter 22 Review Questions
1. What is the tradition for campers who return from quests?
How does the Ares cabin “honor” Percy?
2. How does Percy’s mom get enough money to go to college?
3. What happens to Grover in this chapter? Will we ever see him again?
4. What is the bead for Percy’s first summer?
5. Why do you think Percy has so much trouble deciding whether to stay year round or go to 7th
grade?
What would you choose? Why?
6. What is unique about Backbiter, Luke’s new sword?
7. Why is it dangerous to litter at Camp Half-Blood?
8. Luke says, “Western Civilization is a disease.” What do you think he means by that?
9. What turned Luke so bitter?
10. How did Annabeth take Percy’s advice?
The Prophecy
Take a look at Percy’s Prophecy again. Answer the questions and determine if the prophecy
came true or not.
You shall go west, and face the god who has turned.
(Who is the god who has turned?)
You shall find what was stolen, and see it safely returned.
(What does this mean?)
You shall be betrayed by one who calls you a friend.
(Who was this friend?)
And you shall fail to save what matters most, in the end.
(What did he fail to save?)
Did the prophecy come true? Explain below.