Greek & Roman Mythology
Intro & Assignments Overview
FRESHMAN ENGLISH
Archbishop Moeller High School, Mr. Rose
Text: Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes by Edith Hamilton
Why are we studying this old stuff? Literature is full of allusions to classical mythology. You will have a much
easier time understanding literature if you have a thorough working knowledge of classical mythology. You will
also come across mythological allusions in casual conversation or on television shows. Consider the following
expressions:
Achilles heel
Gordian knot
Promethean scientists
playing Cupid
Herculean task
Protean policies
Argus-eyed
Pandora’s box
Midas touch
With an understanding of mythology – knowing the stories of Cupid, Hercules, Prometheus, etc. – you will
understand the meaning of the commonly-used phrases above.
Mythology Unit Exam
You will have a specific and detailed test on all the material we cover in class and in the book from pages 13-184
(Parts One-Three). Multiple choice, matching, and short answer questions will be included. This exam will be
weighted x4.
Study Question Sets
Each class period you will be quizzed on the readings according to the following schedule. Be ready to discuss the
readings on these dates. I’ll give you the exact dates for each “set.” For each “set” you will be given study
questions. I highly advise that you answer these questions on your own. The questions on the quizzes will look
eerily similar – hint, hint. So, if you know the answer to the study questions, you’ll know the answers to the
quizzes.
Set 1
Set 2
Set 3
Set 4
Set 5
Set 6
Introduction + Chapter 1
Chapters 2-4
Chapters 5-6
Chapters 7-8
Chapters 9-10
Chapters 11-12
pages 13-47
pages 48-95
pages 96-121
pages 122-145
pages 145-165
pages 166-184
Intro to mythology
Creation myths
Lovers’ tales
Adventure tales
Perseus & Theseus
Hercules & Atalanta
Vocabulary Tests – you will have two separate vocab tests during this unit, divided up like this:
First test:
Second test:
Vocab words from Introduction-Chapter 6
Vocab words from Chapters 7-12
See the Vocabulary Lists sheet for the vocab words for each test.
[ See next page for Mythology Pageant info. ]
Mythology
1
Mr. Rose
Mythology Pageant. One this date: ______________________________
Each of you will represent a god, goddess, person or other entity from classical mythology at the pageant. You will
research, write and present a speech in the first person at the pageant. On that day, you must be dressed for the
part, and your “costume” must include at least one significant or symbolic attribute for that entity. The
presentation itself should cover the most important details of your character’s life, deeds, and/or specific myth.
Beyond that, the shape and style of your speech will be left up to you. Be creative. Be awesome. 25 extra credit
points go to “best of show” and “best costume.”
You will be drawing a number, and that number corresponds to a character below.
1. Medusa
7. Theseus
13. Ares
19. Hydra
25. Hermes
2. Prometheus
8. Zeus
14. Cyclops
20. Hades
26. Apollo
3. Pygmalion
9. Harpy
15. Perseus
21. Poseidon
27. Cronus
4. Paris
10. Hercules
16. Atalanta
22. Hephaestus
28. Demeter
5. Zephyr
11. Dionysus
17. Icarus
23. Pan
29. Cupid
6. Sisyphus
12. Cerberus
18. Pandora
24. Chimera
30. Phaethon
Mythology Pageant Research
Although all of the above entries receive at least some treatment in Edith Hamilton’s Mythology book, you will
most definitely need to so research beyond that source. Below, I include some helpful internet resources.
Theoi Greek Mythology
http://www.theoi.com/
Greekmythology.com
http://www.greekmythology.com/
Encyclopedia Mythica
http://www.pantheon.org/areas/mythology/europe/greek/articles.html
The Lost Info
http://www.thelostinfo.com/greek_mythology/
Biographies from Greek Mythology
http://www.maicar.com/GML/Biographies.html
Mythology
2
Mr. Rose