What is “Mythology”?

It’s the study of “Myths” -- myths are stories about supernatural beings handed down orally from one generation to another.

Myths attempt to EXPLAIN such things as:nature

…where did the earth come from?

man

…where did man come from?

gods

…where did the gods come from?

Every country has its own set of myths

Legends:Fanciful tales

woven around real people and real happenings. In some cases so exaggerated as to become MYTHOLOGY

Folk Tales:Entirely

fictitious stores with the spirit of fairy tales, full of little people and spirits. They appear primarily to the young.

For example: Myths of Africa, India, the Pacific Islands plus myths of the Celtic, Aztec, Mayan, and Northern European peoples. Native Americans also have given us myths. Other related fields…

Modern Myths:Monster tales,

fantasy, science fiction or the exaggerated tales spread by the admirers of movie stars, politicians, and athletes.

How the world was created Out of the chaos

emerged two beings, Gaea (Mother Earth)

and Uranus (Heavens)

Whose children were the 12 Titans.

How the world was created Uranus hated all of his

children but particularly the monsters and these were sent to Tartarus (underworld)

Gaea asked Titans to rescue the monsters but only Cronus agreed to help and he overthrew his father.

From Uranus’ blood came Giants who are more like men instead of gods and were fierce fighters and Erinyes (Furies) who had hair of writhing serpents and they were winged

Cronus and Rhea we were married and became the rulers of earth, and had 6 children

3 daughters names Hestia, Demeter and Hera.

3 Sons Hades, Poseidon and Zeus.

How the world was created-part 2Cronus now feared that

his children would destroy him– so he swallowed all but Zeus who escaped. When he grew up he and Rhea waged war on Cronus

Along battle followed– Cronus disgorged his children. The monsters helped Zeus and gave him weapons. Cronus, who was assisted by some of the Titans, was defeated.

So Zeus divided the world with his brothers.

Hades in charge of the underworld.

Poseidon in charge of oceans, also horses, and earthquakes.

Zeus in charge of gods and men from Mt. Olympus.

Council of 13 godsZeus

Athena

Ares

Apollo

Hestia

Poseidon

HadesHephaestus

Artemis

Hermes

Aphrodite

Demeter

Hera

In charge of gods

Goddess of

wisdomGod of

war

God of sun,

song, and music

Goddess of

Hearth and

Family

God of the Sea

Goddess of

marriageDemeter

Goddess of

CropsAphrodite Goddess of Beauty

HermesMesseng

erArtemisGoddess of the moon

In charge of fire

Ruler of the

Underworld

Gods of the Sea2 Monsters:

Scylla—ate sailorsCharybdis—

swallowed the sea

Poseidon-God of the Sea

Sirens-half bird, half woman lured sailors to ruin by their singing

The Underworld Hades was the rulers the

underworld. Cerberus was the 3- headed

dog that guards gate to underworld so none can leave.

Charon – Ferryman would charge you to take you across. Why people are buried with coins over their eyes.

5 Rivers of the world “Styx” wait for Charon’s ferry “Lethe” forget your past “Acheron” river of woe “Phlegethon” river of fire “Cocytus” river of wailing

3 Regions of the underworld.Tartarus is a place of

misery and torture. The titans lived here.

Elysium Fields - place of blessedness. Equivalent of heaven.

Acheron is a place where people wandered aimlessly. Home of the majority of those who died.

Take a few minutes to summarize the basics of Greek Mythology.

Summary

Why do cultures have heroes?What do you know about ancient heroes?What is a “modern hero”?List at least 5 characteristics of a hero.

Heroes – please write the question, and the answer.

What does it mean to be bold?

Discussion Question