Greek Mythology
Stories of gods and goddesses
What is mythology?

Long ago, the Greeks and the
Romans believed in the stories we
now call myths.

These stories featured gods and
goddesses who the Greeks
worshipped and prayed to and
featured great heroes.

From these myths, we can learn
about the beliefs of ancient
people.
What is a legend?
Legends are also stories of
old.
 Legends deal not with gods,
like mythology, but of
heroes.
 Legends may have mythical
elements, but are based on
some facts and historical
truths.

Greek Myths
Originated around 1500 B.C.
 Provided examples of good
and bad behavior through
example
 Are the works of great poets

◦ Homer (Illiad, and the Odyssey)
◦ Virgil (The Aeneid)
Myths explained Nature

They used these stories to explain the
natural world when science couldn’t.

Nature- Myths try to explain the natural
world.
◦ Lightning (Zeus is angry)
◦ Rising Sun (Helios is riding his luminous chariot)
Why Study Greek Mythology?

Mythology has influenced our modern world.
◦ Products
Mythology in the Movies

Movies
◦
◦
◦
◦
◦
◦
Troy
Hercules
Clash of the Titans
Harry Potter
The Lightning Thief
Pirates of the Caribbean
More Influences

Psychology◦ Oedipus (Oedipus Complex-)
◦ Narcissus (Narcissism-excessive love for
yourself)

Names◦ Planets (Uranus, Mercury, Venus) and
constellations
◦ Words- atlas, titanic, midas touch, panic
Greek gods




Lived on Mt. Olympus.
Spent a lot of time toying with the lives of humans
for their own fun.
Often interacted with humans (Zeus had children
with mortals)
Ate, drank, and partied just like humans.
More about the Greek gods


Anthropomorphic – gods were created in
the image of humans
Human-like gods with human emotions
◦ Highly emotional and immoral
◦ Powerful and dangerous when angry
◦ There was often fighting among the gods.
Immortal with supernatural powers, (they
had not blood but ICHOR in veins)
 Were vulnerable and could be hurt

Greek Mythology vs. Christianity
Polytheistic (many gods) vs.
Monotheistic (one God)
 Christian God is perfect and expresses ORDER of
the world

◦ what is wrong is mans’ fault for his spiritual
disobedience

Greek gods are human like and express the
DISORDER of the world;
◦ what is wrong with the world is because of the gods

No Greek god represents supreme good (God) or
supreme evil (Devil)
The Immortal Gods
Here are some of them…
Greek myths also include heroes





Hercules/Herakles
Theseus
Achilles
Odysseus
Perseus
Monsters and other creatures







Cyclops
Pegasus
Cerberus
Centaur
Chimera
Minotaur
Gorgons