The Odyssey: Introduction
The Gods & Religions customs:
The Greeks believed completely in the existence of _______;
_________________; polytheism
Believed that gods took an _______________in humans
Gods behaved in _______________ ways (possessed
human characteristics)
_______________ for the gods was essential for success
and survival
Greek culture also known for _______________
Also believed in _______________ and mythical creatures
Background Info:
Ancient Greece produced two ______________

Ancient Greek Values:

The Iliad and The Odyssey (900-700 B.C.)
Both written by Homer

Blind

No official information has been found regarding his


birthdate or birthplace.

Trojan War (1200 B.C.)

Legend: war began after Paris (prince of Troy)

kidnapped Helen (most beautiful woman in the
world) from her husband, Menelaus (king of Sparta)

Menelaus built an army to get back his wife and
restore his ______________

Odysseus was a soldier in this army
Odysseus = King of ______________

The Greeks battled the Trojans for
______________, but had little success

Odysseus thought of a plan to trick the Trojans into
thinking that the Greeks forfeited

The Trojan ______________

Gave the Greeks ______________into the city

It worked!

The Greeks defeated the Trojans
**The Odyssey was written between ______________BC,
but it’s setting is around ______________BC**
The Odyssey:
In The Odyssey, Homer starts by telling about the last days of
the ______________
The man responsible for the fall of Troy is Odysseus
 (The Trojan Horse story)
Because Odysseus was instrumental in Troy’s destruction, he
______________ the gods who were sympathetic to Troy
The gods vow that he will have a long and difficult
______________ home.
Odysseus and his men encounter many dangers which make
their return to Ithaca difficult:
 Monsters
 Women who try to keep him from his wife
Somehow, Odysseus always finds a way to get out of difficult
situations
 Cleverness/intelligence, ___________, bravery