Mythology and Age of Heroes

Mythology and Age of Heroes

ANCIENT GREECE

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02 Festivals

01 Gods & Goddesses

04 Mythological

03 Epic Poems

05 Troy

Gods and Goddesses

01

Gods and Goddesses of Greece

Polytheistic Religion

The main pantheon of Greek gods and goddesses were known as the Olympians. They lived on Mount Olympus. Besides the twelve main gods and goddesses there were hundreds of other gods and goddesses. The Greeks believed that the gods were immortal, or able to live forever.

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The Influence of the Gods

The Greeks believed their gods and goddesses could impact all aspects of their lives​. Unhappy gods showed their anger by causing problems in people’s lives. They could punish or reward you based on your actions​. Greeks believed that the many gods they worshipped could strongly influence daily life

01

The Greeks had 12 Main gods called the Olympians.

TRUE

False

02

Which Statement best sums up the beliefs of the ancient greeks?

The ancient Greeks were polytheistic and believed the deities only controlled nature.

The ancient Greeks were monotheists who believe in a goddess.

The ancient Greeks were polytheistic who believed that the gods and goddesses could impact all parts of their lives.​

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Festivals

02

The Greek Celebrations

Festivals and rituals

Because the Greeks believed that the many gods they worshipped could strongly influence daily life, they would honor the gods and goddesses in the form of religious festivals to celebrate them. A famous form of celebration was the Olympic Games, originating from Olympia, Greece.

Olympia

The Ruins

Every four years, people gathered in Olympia to compete in athletic competitions as a sacrifice to the gods, hence the Olympic Games. Athletes would show off their power and strength . Winners would be considered as heroes.

Click here to video on the ruins

The original Olympics had fewer events than what we have at the modern Olympics today. At the first Olympics there was only a single event. It was called the stadion and was a running race that went the length of the stadium, or around 200 meters. More events were added over the next several Olympics. These events included more running races of different lengths, wrestling, chariot racing, and boxing. Not only would winners be considered heros, but also become famous. They also would receive olive branches and sometimes large sums of money from their home town.

What about the women?

Click here to watch video on the ancient origins of the Olympics

What about the women?

Over time, the Greeks held a festival of games to honor the goddess Hera, Zeus's wife. Only unmarried women could participate in the competitions, which consisted mainly of foot races. Eventually, women were able to participate in and attend the Olympic games.

To honor the gods and goddesses

Why did the greeks hold festivals?

So Athletes can show off their personal strength and gain control of other city-states

To entertain the wealthy class

01

02

The first olympics only had a single event. What event was it?

Chariots Racing

Running

Boxing

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Epic Poems

03

Epic Poems

Bust of Homer, the ancient Greek bard

A major part of Greek culture was the creation of epic poems, or long poetic stories. These stories of adventure typically included Greek gods interacting with heroes or even ordinary people. Studying these myths and epic poems today allows us to not only understand an important part of ancient Greek culture but also how the gods and goddesses influenced the daily lives of the people and the characteristics of the gods and goddesses. A figure known as Homer is credited with creating two of the world's greatest epic poems set during the Trojan War, which was a war between the Greeks and the Anatolian city of Troy in 1200 BCE. These epic poems are called The Iliad and The Odyssey.

The Iliad

The Iliad tells of events in the final weeks of the Trojan War. According to the story, the Trojan War started because Paris, the prince of Troy, kidnapped Helen the wife of Menelaus (mehn-uh-LAY-uhs), the king of Sparta.

One of the key figures in The Iliad is Achilles. He leaves the battle after a diagreement with King Agamemnon, but returns with a vengence after his friend Patroclus is mistaken for him and killed by the Trojan Prince Hector.

"There can be no promises between men and lions, wolves and lambs can never agree. They hate each other. There can be no understanding between you and me. Give all of your strength. You will now pay me in full for the pain you have caused me and my men that you have killed in battle."

Below is an excerpt from the Iliad. Achilles, the great Greek hero is about to fight Hector, the great Trojan hero. Before their battle, Hector asks Achilles to promise that the winner of the battle treat the body of the loser with respect. In this excerpt, Achilles gives Hector's answer. Read the excerpt and decide will Achilles honor Hector's request?

- Achilles The Internet Classics Archive: The Iliad by Homer

The Odyssey

After fighting the Trojan War for ten years, Odysseus, the king of the Greek city-state Ithica, suggests that they play a trick on the Trojans. The Greeks built a giant wooden horse, hid inside and delivered themselves to the Trojans as a peace offering., or gift. The Trojans took the horse into their city not knowing that Odysseus and his men were inside. Overnight the Greeks jumped out and conquered the city.

In this excerpt from the Odyssey, Odysseus finds shelter in a hut, where he comes upon his son, Telemachus, whom he has not seen since Telemachus was a baby. Odysseus had been dressed as a beggar, but the goddess Athena (here called Athene) transforms the hero into a young, well-dressed man. She then tells Odysseus to reveal himself to his son, who is amazed.

Which line from the reading shows how the gods and goddesses can impact the lives of the ancient Greeks?

The Reading

'"It's no problem for the gods who rule the wide heavens to glorify a man or to humble him."'

'" I am not god...I am your father on whose account you endure many a sorrow"'"

'"stranger, you seem different"'

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Mythological

04

Like Epic Poems, the mythology of ancient greece helped to explain different events, beliefs, or actions.

Explore some myths and mythological creatures on the next page.

Other Mythological creatures

Heracles

Cyclops

Minotaur and the Labyrinth

Complete this statement:

Epic poems and myths provide us with ….​

The knowledge needed for art and trading.

Greater understanding of the greek governments​.

Greater understanding of ancient greek beliefs​.

01

Which mythology creature/hero is a one-eyed monster?

Heracles

Minotaurs and the Labyrinth

Cyclops

02

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Troy

05

City of Troy

Fact or Fiction?

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Did Ancient Troy Really Exist?

Watch the video before going to the next page to answer a question.

Question

How many cities were built on this site?

1 city

2 Cities

9 cities

01

Uncovering Troy

UNESCO World Heritage Site

Explore the Ruins of Troy

City of Troy - Map

Fact or Fiction?

Click on the images to explore some websites about the city of Troy

02

What do you think?

This is your own oponion. There is no right or wong answer.

Fact

I believe that this is the city of Troy

While the Trojan War might not have taken place exactly how Homer describes it, I think the war did take place. Troy VII has damage from wars including human remains, broken arrowheads, and massive fortification walls. It fits the correct geographical location for the city as well.

Fiction

I do not believe TRoy Existed or the Trojan War happened

The Iliad was a story made up to entertain people, Homer made everything up. No writing has been found stating that this city was Troy from the story.

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Heracles

Demigod-Son of Zeus.

Heracles is one of the more popular mythological heroes or creatures. There are many myths surrounding Heracles. Heracles had to perform 12 labors. There have been 28 movies or television series based on the adventures of Heracles. Check out the link below to learn more about Heracles.

Minotaur and the Labyrinth

The minotaur was half man and half bull monster who was kept in the labyrinth below the palace of Knossos. The King of Crete kept him in the Labyrinth and scarficed 7 boys and 7 girls from Athen to the monster each year.

Where could the idea of a labyrinth have come from?

• Ancient Greeks would have seen the ruins of the palace of Knossos, but not understand what they were seeing
• To them it would have looked like a maze and they would have wonder why it was built

Watch this TedEd Video on the ancient origins of the Olympics.

Olympian Gods

12 Main gods and goddesses

• Check out the thunder bolt to learn more about the main gods and goddesses.

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Explore Olympia with Rick Steves

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Troy Fact or Fiction

For thousands of years, the ancient city-state of Troy and the Trojan War have fascinated historians and ordinary people alike. It has long been debated whether or not the city existed or whether it was made up entirely by Homer for the purpose of his stories. For thousands of years, the city has remained hidden until it was "discovered" in 1868. Watch the video on the next page and then explore the archaeological site that follows. Answer the questions as you go.

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Cyclops

One-Eyed Monster

According to Greek Mythology, the cyclops was a one-eyed giant who made Zeus' lighting bolts. They also came into contact with Odysseus during his adventure.

Where could the idea of the Cyclops have come from?

• Ancient Greek travelers probably encounter the elephant skulls seen to the left.
• To the ancient Greeks this skull could only belong to a one-eyed giant.