Greek Mythology and History

As related to The Odyssey

Greek Mythology

• Greek gods often had human characteristics. Including:– Desires– Weaknesses (e.g. jealousy, wrath)– Appearances

Greek Mythology

• Greek gods often meddled in the affairs of humans.

• Athena places special interest in Odysseus’s affairs.

Greek Mythology

• Sometimes gods and humans “interacted” which resulted in demigods.– Demigods: Beings which are half-god

and half-human

• The Greeks believed a hierarchy of gods and goddesses.– Hierarchy: A system of ranking

• Some gods are more important than others

Greek Mythology

Greek Mythology

• The most important gods from The Odyssey are:– Zeus– Athena– Hermes– Calypso– Circe– Polyphemus– Poseidon

The Trojan War

• Time: 1200 B.C.E.

• Cause: Helen and Paris– Abduction or tryst?

• Result: One of the greatest wars of all time.

The Trojan War

• Major warriors from the Trojan War:• Greek side:

– Achilles– Agamemnon– Menelaus– Ajax– Odysseus

The Trojan War

• Major warriors from the Trojan War:• Trojan side:

– Hector– Paris– King Priam

The Trojan War: Aftermath

• After the war, a tired but victorious Odysseus is longing to get home.

• Unfortunately, things don’t go well.