...The significant historical items that I selected are ancient Greek myths because they influenced the ancient Greeks’ daily life and developed a sense of community within each city state. The people of ancient Greece believed that the diverse range of deities within Greek mythology influenced and controlled life on Earth, which made all aspects of life dependent on the attitudes of the gods. Each deity possessed specific desirable traits making them admired by the ancient Greeks. However, the gods also showed moral weakness to represent how it is natural to be influenced by temptation. It is interesting that the most powerful individuals in the universe were given flaws, which made each god and goddess more relatable. Mythology was intertwined...
Words: 885 - Pages: 4
...unhealthy behaviors associated with it. Much like the ancient Greeks, people nowadays commit suicide for...
Words: 941 - Pages: 4
...Greek Mythology Intro Greek mythology is the myths and legends the ancient Greeks centered their lives around. The ancient Greeks used these myths to explain the events and components of the world around them. Their religion included gods and heroes, creation stories, and the origins of their civilizations and rituals. It is topic that had been studied and examined in great depth for thousands of years. This fascinating religion's messages and influences are reflected in today’s modern society, and many similarities can be found between Greek mythology and modern religions, such as Christianity. The twelve Olympian Gods and their Myths To begin with, many of the beliefs that the Ancient Greeks believed in were based on the Olympians. The Olympians were a group of twelve gods who ruled after they overthrew the Titans. All of the Olympians are related in some way and they were named after their dwelling, Mount Olympus. The three major gods are Zeus, Poseidon, and Hades. Their father, Kronos, was the leader of the Titans, he was cruel and was so determined not to lose his throne that he ate his children alive. But one child, Zeus was spared because his mother, Rhea, fed Krono’s a rock disguised as a baby instead of Zeus himself. Zeus defeated his father by chopping him up into little pieces and scattering his remains across the world. Then Zeus released all of Krono’s children that his father had eaten. These gods were Poseidon, Hades, Hestia, Demeter, and...
Words: 1242 - Pages: 5
...Myths and Us Greek myths and stories have some of the most iconic and memorable characters and ideas. They reflect the ideals and beliefs of an ancient culture and show the variety of imaginational and philosophical ideals. These myths started out as a religion in Ancient Greece and lasted throughout the centuries. They have created a lasting effect and most people can easily point out mythological beings. A strong man wielding a lightning bolt, we all know is Zeus and the scandalous, half goat, half man is a satyr. However, the tone of what these myths meant to people has definitely changed from the myth’s origins. The importance of what the gods meant to people has evolved as time went on and this can be clearly seen in the representation of the myths in modern life. Many aspects of Ancient Greek myths are constantly being reflected in the ideals of today's society ranging from beauty/love, marketing, and in competition. Aphrodite was the great Olympian goddess of beauty, love, pleasure and procreation. Aphrodite was created from the sea when the Titan Cronos slew his father, the major Titan Ouranos, and threw his genitals into the sea. Aphrodite was the most attractive goddess of Mount Olympus. She was depicted as a beautiful woman usually accompanied by the winged god Eros, or as we know him more popular as Cupid. Aphrodite loved and was loved by many gods and mortals. In almost all her stories that involve her, have Aphrodite interfere with making mortals fall in love...
Words: 631 - Pages: 3
...Sculptures of Ancient India and Greece Assignment 2: Comparing Sculptures of Ancient India and Greece Andelle Gregoire World Cultures I Abstract Overall, Greek and Indian art had many similarities and differences. Even though they lived far away and had different beliefs, their depicted the same topics: Gods and goddesses, animals, royalty, myths, everyday life, and sports. Jewelry wise, they both used a lot of gold, although Indians used more beads and gems. In sculpture, Greeks mostly used stone, and Indians used a variety of materials. Their paintings were also very similar. Architecture was quite different. Greek architecture used the golden ratio, and their buildings were usually made of marble. They used Doric and ionic columns to hold the roof of the building up. Indian buildings had elaborate designs carved in them, like people dancing, or gods and goddess. Comparing Sculptures of Ancient India and Greece Indians and Greeks alike loved showing myths and gods on their sculptures and pottery, but they styles were different, as the Greek used the red-figure pottery style, with black backgrounds and red figures that only were shown after they were fired in the kiln. Indians used simple but beautiful painted, unglazed pottery. Indians, too, did not put as much emphasis on sports in sculpture than the Greeks. Ancient Greeks has sculptures depicting gods and goddesses, royalty, animals, and sports, like Olympic events. Greek pottery depicted stories, myths, everyday...
Words: 1472 - Pages: 6
...Women in the Ancient World From the very beginning of time, women have played a very significant role in development and advancement of life, serving as the companion for men as well as procreating with them to ensure the world would be inhabited and settled. In present-day society, we view women as essential to everyday life. Society sees and treats women as intelligent individuals who are equally efficient for most of the same work and intellectual skills as men. In most cases, we believe that women and men are equal, as women are able to legally run for and hold government offices, perform physical labor, work in medical professions, and basically anything they desire so long as, like anyone else, they attain the required certifications, education, etc. However, this outlook on women’s roles and abilities was not always shared among the social order. Throughout history, women’s roles in society, economy, government and culture have evolved and shifted dramatically. Throughout each culture and society in the ancient world, we find differences in the way women were treated, the responsibilities expected of them, and their learned place in the social order. Women featured in Homer’s The Iliad were some of some earliest examples of women being viewed with poor outlooks in the eyes of men in Greek culture. David Harvey claims that Aristotle had no doubt that women were inferior in this particular society (Harvey, 46). They were mainly viewed as prizes throughout Homer’s...
Words: 1398 - Pages: 6
...Myth Each culture has its own myths and legends. Because of great diversity and conceptual differences, it is very hard to come up with a single definition, even after hundreds of years of effort of the scholars. Almost all of the myths have a bit of supernaturalism in the concept but are connected with the real life. The society creates its own myths to explain different aspects of the world, but some people also use myths to control the social misunderstanding and diversely thinking level. An example of this kind of usage can be found in the history and mythology of ancient Greek civilization. One of the most known and popular myths of Ancient Greece is the Myth of Minotaur who is believed to have bull head and human body. He lived on the island Crete, near the Heraklion city. He is highly associated with the Labyrinth, in which he was thrown by Minos. Each year Minos gifted him 7 young men and women for eating. With the help of this myth, Greek people tried to explain the mystic disappearances of the people who strayed in the chains of hills of Crete. On the other hand, the governors of the period used the myth to threaten the society. It is interesting to note, that Minos, was a real governor. He enhanced the power of belief in that myth by ordering Daedalus to construct a real Labyrinth, moreover, the priests put on heads of bulls and appeared near the Labyrinth, to somehow prove the existence of that creature. To conclude, a single myth...
Words: 284 - Pages: 2
...A Comparison of the Christian and Ancient Greek Cultures Most Christians believe in the stories told in the Bible. In fact, these stories are portrayed not only as stories, but also as an actual historical time filled with important people and events to the Christian faith. Although, stories of Greek and Roman myths are ussualy looked at as untrue, fantisized stories. The idea that the Greeks viewed their religion on these "myths" seems crazy to people who belive in god and christianity. This idea seems to set a curse of wrong doing upon the Ancient Greeks. But judging your views on a dead culture may seem unimportant to much of the world, but it's important because the culture suports the history of a large portion of the world. But the Ancient Greek empire was alot bigger than current day Greece. Just as many Americans would find it insulting to have their history seen as a joke, it seems reasonable that Greeks would too. So, it is alright to try and understand that both Ancient Greeks and Ancient Christians may have had similar beliefs about the world they lived in. But, Greek myths contain unrealistic and unbelievable characters, events, and other things. Comparing both of Greek stories with different Bible stories, it is obvious that some of the stuff between the two do exist, and that the Ancient Greeks view of the world were very similar to the views of ancient Christians. They do have things in common, but the similarities are very small. Such as they begin...
Words: 442 - Pages: 2
...Examine Byron’s response to at least two of the places visited by Childe Harold: Greece, Rome, Portugal, Venice & co. ‘I have always had great contempt for women; and formed this opinion of them not hastily, but from my own fatal experience. My writings, indeed tend to exalt the sex; and my imagination has always delighted in giving them a beau ideal likeness, but I only drew them as a painter or sanctuary would do, -- as they should be.’[1] (Medwin, Nov 1821- Mar 1822 (Cf. Ideality of Art)) p. 195 Childe Harold’s Pilgrimage was Lord George Gordon Byron’s first composition which he begun in 1809 and finally completed in 1818. The structure of the poem follows a young promising knight through his journey around Europe. The poem is autobiographical: Byron uses Childe Harold as a fictional figure to respond to, and comment on, life and experiences around Europe whilst Byron was undertaking his own ‘Tour’. The Grand Tour ‘became the fashionable way for young male aristocrats to complete an education whose foundation was classical Greek and Roman history, rhetoric, philosophy, and poetry.’[2] As a Romantic poet, in Childe Harold’s Pilgrimage Byron uses the depiction of nature as a way to express his opinions of place. Childe Harold is full of images and motifs which takes its reader on a journey, or a pilgrimage, of self-discovery and through foreign lands in the truly beautiful Byronic style. Politics have dominated the critical analysis of Childe Harold in the past,...
Words: 3151 - Pages: 13
...culture. There are many aspects to the Egyptian culture. Family is very important to Egyptians; family was seen to be superior then just an individual. Blood relations are significant in all social relations, even though the family consisted of both nuclear and extended family. How they greeted each other were bases on their religion. It is traditionally a handshake, which should be first done by a woman; if not the men most bow their heads in respect.¹ Egyptians had a lot of pride in their family and it was expected for the children to take care of the parents when they get elderly. Women were allowed to get married after their first menstrual cycle while men were allowed to around the age of 16 to 20; that’s when they were expected to be able to know how to care for a family.² In Egypt people were allowed to engage in premarital sex, as long as they stayed faithful after marriage. For example women were seen as equal to men legally. They were able to own property and slaves, to administer and sell land, to make their own wills, to sign their own marriage contracts, and to initiate divorce.³ The Yoruba civilization is one of the oldest civilizations and had dominated a large part of Africa. Writing has not been the main way for the Yoruba to talk about their history and experiences. Instead, stories and histories are passed down from generation to generation by word of mouth. Historical and mythical legends, fables, poetry, folktales are very important. Most men...
Words: 1119 - Pages: 5
...Early Greece and All Its Glory Amy Villegas Matthew Geier Strayer University March 4, 2010 Early Greece and All Its Glory Phoenician Alphabet The Greeks adopted the Phoenician alphabet. Just like the Phoenicians the Greek alphabet is written from right to left. The direction of writing later changed to ox-turning. Ox-turning is a written language that is written from right to left and on the next line it continues from left to right and so on. Eventually, the Greek alphabet does change to left to right but that’s during the fifth century. (Bantwal, 2008) Greek Education For Greek children, their education mostly consisted of poetry and song. (Hadas, 1950) Education was more popular among young boys but it was not uncommon for girls. The wealthier children remained in school for ten years. Grammatistes, paidotribes and kitharistes were the teachers who taught the children. Grammatistes taught literature, arithmetic, reading and writing. Paidotribes coached boxing, wrestling, and gymnastics. Kitharistes taught music. At age eighteen, boys would train for the military for two years before further education. (Discovery Channel, n.d) The Illiad and the Odyssey Homer wrote the two most classic poems titled the Illiad and the Odyssey. The Illiad is based on the last six weeks of the Trojan War. The main character of the Illiad is Achilles. Achilles and Agamemnon get in a heated argument and Achilles retracts from the war. The Greeks are losing...
Words: 2234 - Pages: 9
...U MYTHOLOGY U GODS AND GODDESSES IN GREEK MYTHOLOGY Michelle M. Houle Copyright © 2001 by Michelle M. Houle All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced by any means without the written permission of the publisher. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Houle, Michelle M. Gods and Goddesses in Greek Mythology / Michelle M. Houle. p. cm. — (Mythology) Includes bibliographical references and index. Summary: Discusses various Greek myths, including creation stories and tales of principal gods and goddesses. ISBN 0-7660-1408-8 1. Mythology, Greek—Juvenile literature. [1. Mythology, Greek.] I. Title. II. Mythology (Berkeley Heights, N.J.) BL782 .H68 2000 398.2’0938’01—dc21 00-028782 Printed in the United States of America 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 To Our Readers: All Internet Addresses in this book were active and appropriate when we went to press. Any comments or suggestions can be sent by e-mail to Comments@enslow.com or to the address on the back cover. Cover and illustrations by William Sauts Bock CONTENTS Chart of Major Gods and Goddesses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Preface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Map . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 6 8 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Creation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 The War Between the Titans and the Olympians . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Prometheus and Earth’s First Inhabitants . . . . . . . . . . . ....
Words: 26757 - Pages: 108
...In Ancient Greece they worshipped gods and goddesses. Each god and goddesses represent something in nature. For example; Zeus, Poseidon, and Hades(the Big Three) each represented something very significant. Zeus represented the sky, thunder/lightning and thunderstorms. He was also the King of Gods and King of the Sky. Roman form: Jupiter. Poseidon represented the sea, storms, earthquakes, and horses. He’s considered one of the most bad-tempered, moody, and greedy gods. He’s also known to be very vengeful when insulted. Roman form: Neptune. Hades represents the Underworld, dead, and all the riches of the earth. He’s married to goddess Persephone, daughter of Demeter. He’s often described as stern and unyielding, unmoved by prayer and sacrifice....
Words: 1014 - Pages: 5
...Ancient Art History Essay Ancient Greece, Rome, Etruscan Art 8/30/2012 Art 101A, World Art Garrett Stokes Garrett Stokes Art 101A, World Art Abbas Daneshvari 8/30/12 Ancient Art History Art history has been a vital part of the modern human experience. For thousands of years, the first painters and sculptors have given us the first displays that allowed people to see and touch tangible artwork. The artwork has also captured the history and lifestyle of that time. Art History has also expressed its social and political events that happened during that time. This gives the present person a good understand on what events took place during that era. Some of the most prominent artwork of the western civilization is Greek, Etruscan and Roman art. That historical artwork has paved the way for modern art to have a place in art history world. I will compare and contrast the Greek, Etruscan and Roman characteristic and traits of its historical artwork. During the Geometric and Orientalizing art in the 900-600 BCE, the human shape returned to Greek art in the structure of bronze statuettes and simple silhouettes and other motifs on Geometric vases. One art example is the Dipylon krater, Athens, ca 740 BCE. During the Archaic Art, 600-480 BCE the earliest real-life stone statues appeared in Greece. The first Greek kouroi copied the frontal poses of early Egyptian statues, however designed the young men nude the same way that the men competed in the Ancient Olympics. In the...
Words: 1752 - Pages: 8
...most complex goddesses portrayed throughout history. Unlike many other goddesses who have kept relatively stable images, Hera has been tossed out and about being perceived on entirely different ends of the spectrum as both the Great Mother Goddess and the nagging and jealous wife of Zeus. She is the perfect example of a matriarchal deity that was taken over and transformed by patriarchal culture. It was in “Old” Ancient Greece that Hera was the primary divinity of a matriarchal culture, until the “New” Ancient Greece was founded by the Indo-European Hellenes from the north. It was the Mediterranean pre-Hellenic Greeks that worshiped Hera, and their culture was based around women (Morgan, 2006). Hera was portrayed in the three stages that women experience: the maiden (youth without children or responsibility), the mother (women with children and families in the prime of their lives), and the crone (past mothers who live for themselves once again). There was actually a competitive festival that happened every four years (like a sort of female Olympics) in which women of all ages were divided into three age groups (representing the three stages of Hera) and participated in 160-yard races, bare-breasted and with their hair unbound. There were three winners (one for each age/life stage category) and each winner had the honour of placing a statuette of herself in Hera’s shrine, received an olive crown, and had a share of the cow sacrificed for the festival in the honour of Hera (Morgan...
Words: 2785 - Pages: 12
