Greek Mythology
Arani, Gabby, and Sara
Before We Start…
• Please be polite and respectful
• Electronics off
• Give your attention
• Follow along with note sheets,
you’ll be turning them in
• You can use these notes
with assessment
Introduction:
• Passion
• Why Greek Mythology
• Why important to me
and you :
1. Still important to
culture today
2. Can be life long
• Always interesting, and
more can be discovered
• What you’ll learn
Mythology: Symbols of Human
Experience
Myths:
• Nature/ function of
divinities
• Models of virtuous
behavior
• Explain Origins
• Natural phenomena
• Death
History of Greek Mythology
• Developed from the
religion of the people of
Crete (Kríti, an Island in
the Aegean Sea) about
3000 B.C.
• Some of these beliefs
survived as part of
Classical Greek
Mythology.
• 300 B.C. Euhemerus
thought myths were
distortions of history, and
gods were just glorified
heroes.
• 400 B.C. Prodicus of Ceos
taught that gods were
personifications of natural
phenomena (sun, moon,
wind, water).
• 400 B.C. Herodotus believed many
Greek rituals were inherited from
the Egyptians.
• 323 B.C. As Greek Civilization
developed, the mythology also
changed. Greek beliefs were
modified by other civilizations,
but they still held on to the most
important legends which make up
Greek Mythology as we know it
today.
Types of Greek Mythology: Epics
Hesiod’s Theogony:
• The creation of the
Titans and the Gods.
• Composed about 725
B.C.
• An epic poem written
by Hesiod
Iliad and Odyssey:
• Recorded about 775
B.C.
• Written by Homer
• Story occurs in 1250
B.C. late in the
Bronze/Mycenaean Age
• Located in what is now
Turkey
Creation of the World:
Important Titans to Remember:
• Cronus- Leader of Titans, overthrew Uranus,
and was overthrown by his son, Zeus.
• Rhea- Sister and wife of Cronus, mother of
Zeus, Hades, Poseidon, Hera, Demeter, and
Hestia.
• Atlas- forced to carry the sky upon his
shoulders.
The Greek
Gods:
• http://www.history.com/vid
eos/greekgods
Gods and the Planets:
Various recurring creatures / monsters
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Automatons
– Created by Hephaestus
– Made from metal
– Living beings
– Example: bronze bulls; Talus
Cerberus
– Product of Typhon and Echidna
– Guards entrance of the underworld
– Three-headed giant dog
Gorgons (Medusa and her sisters)
– Three women cursed by Athena
– Extremely ugly
Various recurring creatures / monsters
contd.
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Mares of Diomedes
– Four man-eating horses
– Tamed by Heracles as one of his 12 labors
 Fed them their master
Minotaur
– Bull-headed man
– Owned by the King of Crete
– Kept in a labyrinth
– Eventually killed by Theseus
Pegasus
– Winged stallion
– Tamed by Bellerophon with Athena’s help
– Stung by a gadfly
– Used by Zeus to transport lightning bolts
Various recurring creatures / monsters
contd.
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Satyrs
– Goat-bodied men
– Musically inclined
– Follow Dionysus around
Sirens
– Winged cannibalistic women
– Use song to lure sailors to their deaths
– Outwitted by Odysseus
Sphinx
– Lion-bodied human
– Guards entrance to Thebes
 Asks travelers to solve riddles
Influence of Greek Mythology on
Culture
General Influence
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Greek myths used to teach a lesson or remember and recognize
Commonly used as a form of entertainment- considered sacred, meaningful, and
true
Entertainment today, but Greek myths have influenced many areas
Ex: Language, astronomy, astrology, business, medicine, sexuality, botany,
psychology, products, athletics, weather, and even the Bible
Influenced, changed, and modified daily life
Psychology & Medicine
Psychology:
•“Oedipal Complex”- Man who is close to his mother, but feels anger towards father
•Greek myth of Oedipus
•Oedipus destined to kill father and marry mother, sent away, returns and committed
act because he was destined to do so
•“Electra Complex”- Girl who has positive feelings towards father, and anger towards
mother
•Electra planned revenge against mother because of divorce with birth father
Medicine:
•Achilles tendon- area of the body located just in front of the heel of the foot named
after legendary hero Achilles
Language Influences
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Many of our words come from other languages, myths, and stories
Chronology- the way events happened over the course of time
Chronic- Something that takes place over a long period of time
Both relate to Chronos, god of time
Narcissism- Narcissus, proud of looks, punished to look at reflection of self in
water
Morphine- drug that puts you in a dream-like state, relates to Morpheus, god of
dreams
Echo- gorgeous voice, distracted Hera while Zeus snuck away with other mountain
nymphs
Voice is taken away except to repeat other’ voices, left to haunt the earth after death
Modern Examples
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Everywhere in the modern world
Found in names of modern companies
Eos- Goddess of the Dawn: Eos lip balm and Volkswagen Eos
Mars- Roman name for Ares, god of war: Popular candy bar
Midas- King with the golden touch, who transformed all he touched to gold: A
famous muffler and brake shop chain
Nike- Winged goddess of Victory, who can run and fly at great speeds: Shoes,
clothes, etc.
Pandora- The first woman in Greek mythology: Free internet radio
Modern Examples
Careers and Schooling:
Top Schools:
• Southern New Hampshire
University
• Ashford University
• Grand Canyon University
• Arizona State University
Careers
• Bachelors: Journalist, Museum
technician, Marketing
associate.
• Masters: Research, fine arts,
communication, museum
curator, archivist.
• PHD: Professor
Median salary = $64,680/year.
• Others: author, artist, tourist
guide, teacher, historian,
archeology, anthropology.
Salaries vary.
Thanks for being such a great class
• Hope you learned something new!
• Use the rest of class to work on the
assessment.
• Notes and assessment will be due at the
beginning of the period on Monday.