Lesson 1

Introduction to Greek Mythology

Learning Competency Explain how the elements

specific to a selection build its theme (EN10LT-Ia-14.2).

1

Objectives

● explain the nature of Greek mythology; and

● identify the significant features of Greek mythology.

Essential Question

What makes Greek mythology relevant in the present day?

Warm Up!

Unscramble!

1. Unscramble the letters on the next slide to reveal the different terms, phrases, or characters that are found in Greek mythology.

2. Shares your answers in class.3. Answer the following questions:

a. Which among the words are the most familiar to you?b. What do they mean?

Warm Up!

s a d e h i i i n v s e d t i

s i a n p l m y o n i a s t t

s h o r e e m y p h s n

s d d i m o g e s t o r e s n m

s l a m t o r u e s z

r a d e i t o h p l o a o l p

Vocabulary Words

mythology

(noun) the study of myths Greek mythology has many interesting

characters.

divinity

(noun) the state of being a godJupiter and Juno are Roman divinities.

prominent

(adjective) someone or something that is important and well-known

Athena is the prominent Greek goddess of war and wisdom.

commerce

(noun) activities that include buying and selling of somethingThey are involved in the commerce of farm produce.

maiden

(adjective) a female who is not marriedHestia is a maiden.

Learn about It!

It is composed mainly of stories about gods andgoddesses, but it is not an account of Greek religion.Instead, these stories were written to serve as a way ofexplaining how things came to be.

Greek Mythology

Learn about It!

● teaches about various subjects such as theresponsibilities of humans, right and wrong behavior, loveand hate, emotions, strengths and weaknesses of humans,family relationships, and rivalry and conflicts, amongothers

● form of pure entertainment and were told by ancientGreeks to each other to pass the time

Greek Mythology

Learn about It!

Basis of Classical Greek Mythology

● Theogony by Hesiod ● Iliad by Homer● Odyssey by Homer

These three works contain most of the basic themes andcharacters found in Greek mythology.

Learn about It!

Greek Divinities

A.Titans - the earliest group; led by Cronus

Learn about It!

B. Olympians - the most powerful group.They are called Olympians because they lived on Mount Olympus. The Olympians overthrew the Titans. This group consists of several ranks of divinities, with twelve gods and goddesses making up the top rank.

Name Description

Zeus ruler of all divinities in Mount Olympus; the god of the sky and thunder

Poseidon god of the sea and earthquakes; Zeus’s brother

Hades god of the underworld; Zeus’s brother

Learn about It!

Apollo god of the sun, music, poetry, and purity; son of Zeus and Leto (daughter of the Titans

Coeus and Phoebe)

Ares god of war; son of Zeus and Hera

Hephaestus god of fire; blacksmith for the gods; son of Zeus and Hera

Hermes god of commerce, travelers, and thieves; guide of souls; messenger of the Olympian

gods; son of Zeus and Maia (one of the seven daughters of the Titan Atlas)

Learn about It!

Hestia goddess of the hearth; Zeus’s sister

Hera goddess of marriage; Zeus’s sister and wife

Athena goddess of wisdom and war; daughter of Zeus

Aphrodite goddess of love and beauty; daughter of Zeus with his first wife, the Titan named Dione (in

the Iliad); is said to have sprung from sea foam (in later poems)

Artemis goddess of the hunt and the moon; Apollo’s twin sister; daughter of Zeus and Leto

Learn about It!

C. Minor divinities - other gods and goddesses aside from the twelve Olympians

1. Eros – god of love; also known as Cupid in Latin2. Dionysus – god of wine; son of Zeus and Semele (a

mortal princess of Thebes)3. Nymphs – beautiful maidens who were in charge of

guarding various parts of nature

Learn about It!

Nymphs Description

Naiads freshwater nymphs

Nereids andOceanids

sea nymphs; daughters of Nereus and Oceanus

Oreads mountain nymphs

Hamadryads tree nymphs

Dryads tree nymphs; specifically for oak trees

Learn about It!

4. Fates – three goddesses who controlled the destiny of men

Fates Description

Clotho spun the thread of life

Lachesis assigned each man his destiny

Atropos cut the thread of life

Learn about It!

5. Furies – responsible for punishing evildoers in the afterlife; they are three sisters named Tisiphone, Megaera, and Alecto

Furies Description

Tisiphone avenger of murder

Megaera punisher of crimes, especially marital infidelity

Alecto punisher of moral crimes

Learn about It!

6. Muses – nine goddesses of different arts and sciences; daughters of Zeus and Mnemosyne

Muses Description

Clio muse of history

Urania muse of astronomy

Thalia muse of comedy

Melpomene muse of tragedy

Learn about It!

Terpsichore muse of dance

Erato muse of love poetry

Calliope muse of epic poetry

Euterpe muse of lyric poetry

Polyhymnia muse of songs to the gods

Learn about It!

D. Other featured characters1. Demigods - partly divine, partly mortal beings; one

example is Heracles (Hercules in Roman mythology), who symbolized strength and endurance

2. Heroes - mostly or fully mortal beings, many of whom had gods as ancestors

3. Monsters - terrifying creatures4. Men - mortals