greek and roman writers of mythology most stories of classical mythology came from latin poet ovid...

Greek and Roman Writers of Mythology

• Most stories of classical mythology came from Latin poet Ovid

• Most of the stories we have came from Homer (Iliad and the Odyssey) and Hesiod (Theogony)

• Others include Aeschylus (tragic poet), Pindar (lyric poet), Sophocles, Euripides, Aristophanes (comedian), and Apollodorus (most voluminous next to Ovid)

• Roman writers included Virgil (Aeneid) and Catullus

Homer• Him • Not Him

Sentimentality

• Greek writers were not sentimental– They didn’t dwell upon emotion for emotion

sake.– Simply told the stories– Some were more exciting writers (ie: Homer)

others were dull (ie: Apollodorus)

Hercules

The mortal who became a god

Characteristics of Hercules

• Strong, courageous

• Irrational

• Remorseful

• NOT intelligent

• Demi-god---1/2 mortal 1/2 god

Rock a Bye Baby

As a child, became hero when he saved himself and brother in the cradle

Killer Instinct

• Responsible for many deaths, intended and unintended

• Some deaths were planned

• Some were accidents

Not Guilty by Reason of Temporary Insanity

• Because of Hera’s rage at Zeus’s adulterous affair (which produced Hercules), she cast a spell on Hercules that would cause him great grief

• He killed his own wife and kids

Labor 1: Slay the Nemean lion and bring back its hide

Labor 2: slay the 9 headed Lernaean hydra

VIDEO

Labor 3: capture the

golden stag of Artemis

Labor 4: capture the

Erymanthian boar

Labor 5: clean the Augean stables in one day

Labor 6: slay the Stymphalian birds

7th Labor:capture Cretan bull

8th labor: steal the mares of Diomedes

9th Labor: obtain the girdle of The Amazon queen Hippolyte

10th Labor: obtain the Cattle of the monster Geryon

11th Labor: obtain the apples of Hesperides, guarded by the 100-headed

dragon Ladon

12th LaborCapture Cerberus, guardian dog of Hades, using

no weapons and bring him back

Can a killer be heroic?

• Hercules is the epitome of a hero despite his irrational behavior, lack of control of his emotions, etc…

• WHY?