Greek Mythology and Literature

Key Terms• mythology• Homer• Sappho• Aesop• fables

Mythology

• Ancient Greeks were polytheistic.

• A body of stories about gods and heroes that tries to explain how the world works is called mythology.

Greek Gods

• Greeks believed gods caused natural events and made the world go ‘round.

• They created myths to explain these events and the gods’ actions.

Apollo

Hermes

Zeus

Poseidon

Hephaestus

• Hephaestus (hi-FES-tuhs) was the reason for volcanic eruptions.

• He lived underground and made weapons and armor for other gods.

• When volcanoes would spit lava, it was said to be from his underground forge where he made the materials.

What about Hephaestus’ picture lets us know it’s him?

Demeter

• Demeter’s daughter was kidnapped.

• The kidnapper allowed Demeter to see her daughter every six months.

• During the six months without her daughter it would be winter in Greece.

• The other six months would be summer.

The Oracle of Delphi

• When the Greeks needed advice, they traveled to Delphi in search of answers.

• The oracle of Delphi was a female priest of Apollo who they thought the gods gave answers.

• Leaders asked the oracle how to rule.

The Greeksbuilt greattemples

honoringtheir gods.

In returnfor the

respect, Greeksexpected

help.

Heroes and Mythology

• Not all myths were about gods, but rather about heroes from different city-states.

• Some heroes were real people. Other heroes were fictional.

• Heroes had special abilities or fought terrible monsters.

Theseusslayed theminotaur.

Hercules is the most

famous of Greekheroes. He slayedthe hydra, a hugesnake with nine

heads.

Ancient Greek Literature

• Greeks created great works of literature.

• A poet named Homer wrote the Illiad and the Odyssey.

• Both describe great deeds performed by heroes.

The Illiad tells the story of the Trojan War andAchilles, the greatest of all Greek warriors.

The Odyssey describes the challenges Odysseus facedreturning home from war. He faced monsters, magicians,

and angry gods.

Homer’s poemswere memorized

by Greeks and areseen as some of the

greatest worksof literature ever!

Lyric Poetry

• Other poets wrote poetry that were set to music called lyres after the instruments played while the words were recited.

• The most popular poet who wrote lyres was Sappho (SAF-oh).

• Sappho was a woman who wrote poems about love and relationships.

Today, the words of songs are called lyrics after these Greek poets.

Fables

• Other writing was done to teach lessons.

• Aesop (EE-sop) is famous for fables, short stories that teach the reader lessons or give advice.

• Examples of Aesop’s fables are “The Ants and the Grasshopper,” “The Tortoise and the Hare,” and “The Boy Who Cried Wolf.”

Characters infables areusually animals.

Greeks Influence Language

• Many words we use today come from ancient Greece.

• Some include:*titanic - something large and

powerful. Named for Titans, large, powerful gods.

*odyssey - a long journey after Odysseus and the journey he took in the “Odyssey.”

The AtlasMountainsare namedafter the

giant Atlas.

Europe is named after

a Greek princess,Europa.

Although people no longer believe in Greek gods, their influence can be seenall around us in movies, sporting events, and in art galleries.